Abstract: A self service terminal for a lodging facility includes room key dispensing and receiving. The present invention allows a guest to automatically check into a lodging facility, have an appropriate room assigned to him in accordance with his request and obtain a key for a room without the intervention of employees of the lodging facility. The invention also includes an apparatus and method for allowing a guest of a lodging facility to check out at the self service terminal upon departure intervention by employees of the lodging facility, with the self service terminal recovering the room key which the guest had been using.

Abstract: The automatic self service machine system of this invention operates in an off-line manner without the necessity of a data communication link to a host computer and is characterized in that it does not require the issuance of special identification cards to users of the machine. Moreover, the system permits each user to employ any encoded machine readable card already in his possession as the authorization card or "key" for using the machine. The system also provides a unique portable storage cartridge for storage of articles to be dispensed or received by the machine, such as money, tickets, travelers checks, documents, and the like as well as data relating to the dispensing or receipt of such articles.