Abstract: There are disclosed devices, system and methods for automatic exchange of change for cash using a smart safe. The safe has a computing device for receiving a selection from a merchant to exchange cash for change having a total value, and an identification of the denominations of the coins and cash of the change desired. The safe has a secure chamber for receiving cash deposits from the merchant and a sensor for counting the secured cash. The computing device sends an exchange agent the selection from the merchant to exchange the cash with the change, and the identification of the denominations of the change desired. A courier is contacted, retrieves the cash deposited, and exchanges the change for the equal value of cash.

Abstract: A deposit management system is operable responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system is associated with financial funds depositories. Each depository can accept items, such as deposit bags. Each depository includes a bar code reader that can read data from a bar code label that is located on a deposit bag. The system allows merchants to preregister a deposit before performing the deposit. A preregistered deposit is linked with a deposit identifier in a data store. The deposit identifier can be represented in a bar code. If the system determines that a depository read a bar code having a deposit identifier that corresponds in the data store to a preregistered deposit, then that depository is operated to automatically unlock its deposit entry door to permit the deposit. The system also allows merchants to review their deposit history.

Abstract: An apparatus including an automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data usable to identify at least one of a user of the machine and a financial account. A computer associated with the machine is operative to cause card data to be read through operation of the card reader, and to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to a financial account authorized to conduct a transaction through the machine. The computer is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the financial account to be at least one of assessed and credited with a value associated with a financial transaction. Transaction function devices of the machine are supported through slides that can be configured in different ways to facilitate mounting of devices within the machine.

Abstract: A receiving and dispensing unit and a self-checkout system of an embodiment includes a coin receiving and dispensing device which holds received coins in accordance with the denomination and dispenses the held coins, and a bill receiving and dispensing device which holds received bills in accordance with the denomination and dispenses the held bills. The bill receiving and dispensing device is arranged to overlap the coin receiving and dispensing device in the height direction of the coin receiving and dispensing device.

Abstract: An apparatus including an automated banking machine is operative to cause financial transfers responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a card reader that is operative to read card data usable to identify at least one of a user of the machine and a financial account. A computer associated with the machine is operative to cause card data to be read through operation of the card reader, and to cause a determination to be made that read card data corresponds to a financial account authorized to conduct a transaction through the machine. The computer is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the financial account to be at least one of assessed and credited with a value associated with a financial transaction.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader that is operative to read data from user cards corresponding to a financial account. The automated banking machine further includes a sheet accepting device that is operative to receive at least one of notes and checks. A note acceptor includes at least one validator that includes at least one ultrasonic detector. The at least one validator is operative to identify suspect counterfeit notes produced by assembling pieces of genuine notes by identifying seams or other fastening features in the notes where such pieces are joined. The note validator may further include image sensors and/or radiation transmission sensors which are further usable to identify the presence of seams or other fastening features that can distinguish valid and suspect counterfeit notes.

Abstract: A banking system is controlled responsive to data included on data bearing records. The system includes a deposit accepting machine for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The machine includes a card reader that can read card data corresponding to financial accounts, and a biometric reader that can read user identification data. The machine also includes an RFID reader that can read signals from RFID tags to obtain deposit information therefrom. The deposit information can include deposit data such as an account number and the deposit amount. The machine also includes a computer that causes a financial account to be credited for the value of deposited items, responsive to data read by the various reader devices.

Abstract: A banking system is controlled responsive to data included on data bearing records. The system includes a deposit accepting machine for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The deposit accepting machine is in connection with a card reader operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. The apparatus further includes an RFID reading device that is operative to read signals from RFID tags to obtain deposit information therefrom. The information can include data associated with of the deposit, such as an account number and the deposit amount. The information can include cash value. A computer is operative to credit a financial account for value associated with deposit items responsive to data read by the card reader and/or RFID reading device.

Abstract: A banking system is controlled responsive to data included on data bearing records. The system includes a deposit accepting machine for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The deposit accepting machine is in connection with a card reader operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards. The apparatus further includes an RFID reading device that is operative to read signals from RFID tags to obtain deposit information therefrom. The information can include data associated with of the deposit, such as an account number and the deposit amount. The information can include cash value. A computer is operative to credit a financial account for value associated with deposit items responsive to data read by the card reader and/or RFID reading device.

Abstract: A system for sensing coded records and structures for sensing coded records are used to sense sheets including notes and checks. The system includes at least one movable sheet supporting plate member in an automated banking machine. An angular reflective piece operatively connected with the plate member enables sensing sheets using radiation from transversely positioned sensors. The automated banking machine includes a deposit accepting device. The deposit accepting device is operative to receive a stack of sheets and to separate each sheet from the stack through operation of a picker. Each sheet is aligned with the sheet path and analyzed by analysis devices including at least one magnetic read head, an imager and/or a validation device. Sheets determined not to have at least one property of a genuine sheet are returned to a user of the machine. Sheets determined to have at least one property of genuine sheets are processed and stored in the machine.

Abstract: A cash deposit apparatus has a first cash processing unit capable of performing a first cash deposit transaction involving receiving first cash from a user and processing the first cash so as to determine a value of the first cash, and a second cash processing unit capable of performing a second cash deposit transaction involving receiving second cash from the same user and processing the second cash so as to determine a value of the second cash. The apparatus also has a user interface unit and a controller, which is operatively coupled to the first and second cash processing units and to the user interface unit. The controller will detect a first input from the user, control the first cash processing unit, detect a second input from the user, and control the second cash processing unit.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user.

Abstract: A bill handling apparatus, such as an ATM, for handling bills each having an IC chip which holds unique discriminative information includes a manipulating unit for selecting the type of transaction to be done by a customer. A controller is provided for recognizing the type of the transaction selected with the manipulating unit. A bill discriminator reads a surface information on the bills and performs true/false determination. A wireless IC reader reads discriminative information held by the IC chips of the conveyed bills. The discriminative information, result of discriminating the bills, and transaction information are searchable for tracing the bill.

Abstract: A method of depositing items of value, the method comprising 1) receiving a tamper evident and coded container holding the items of value, the code relating to the content of the container; 2) verifying that the package has been received in an acceptable manner, and, if it has, 3) either incrementing an account with the value of the items of value in the container by reference to the code and without opening the container, or, if the account has previously been incremented, leaving the account unchanged.

Abstract: In order to provide a procedure and a device that will enable the, at least partially, automated acceptance of bank notes that can be realized in an acceptable cost range and that will enable the highly automated, rapid acceptance of bank notes with a high level of certainty, a method, in which a test for the acceptability of bank notes is performed by automatic vending machines is proposed; by this method a bank note is fed via a transport unit to a digitalization station, where it is at least partially digitized; the data obtained in this manner are then compared with stored data by a computer unit, which makes a determination of value, and renders an automatic decision regarding acceptance. If the automatic decision regarding acceptance is negative, an image of the digitized data is generated in order to allow a service employee to perform a visual inspection of the note and render a final decision regarding acceptance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the validity of a transaction of a data processing system such as the validity of a financial transaction carried out at an automatic teller machine (10) which has a magnetic card reader. In addition to the entry of a PIN, a user of the system is requested to enter personal information that has been nominated by the user and may consist of a date of birth and a telephone number. A keypad (16) allows the user to enter the PIN. The user is also requested to enter digits from the personal information to be checked against stored security data so that the level of security can be enhanced. A data processing unit of the system is programmed to cause further requests for digits from the personal information in the event that errors are made in the data entry.

Abstract: A point-of-transaction machine that allows global users to reach all aspects of their finances, from their brokerage account to their banks, mortgage accounts, credit card accounts and more. Unlike conventional ATMs where you can only reach your bank account(s), the initial screen when signed on will give the global user options on which account or accounts they want to transact business. This initial screen will satisfy the banking, mortgage, and security law requirements of most countries, including those of the United States and Canada where such companies are required to be independent. The point-of-transaction machine will collect fees for each transaction, similar to current ATM usage fee agreements and will allow certain users to complete transactions without fees.

Abstract: An apparatus for currency discrimination comprises first and second stationary scanheads, disposed on opposite sides of a bill transport path, for scanning respective first and second opposing surfaces of a bill traveling along the bill transport path and for producing respective output signals. The bill travels along the transport path in the direction of a predetermined dimension of the bill. A memory stores master characteristic patterns corresponding to associated predetermined surfaces of a plurality of denominations of genuine bills. Sampling circuitry samples the output signals associated with the respective first and second opposing surfaces of the scanned bill. A signal processor is programmed to determine which one of the first and second opposing surfaces corresponds to the associated predetermined surfaces of the plurality of denominations of genuine bills.

Abstract: A cash box assembly particularly suited for a slant-top slot machine is described. The slant-top slot machine has an angled console, incorporating the display area and the user interface. The present invention allows an attendant to easily remove a cash box from the console area of a slant-top gaming machine while the attendant stands upright in a comfortable position. The cash box is accessed through a door in the console. The cash box is located at the rear of an arcuate chute so that, when the attendant grasps the handle and pulls the cash box forward, the cash box slides upward along the arcuate path. At the point where the cash box is exiting the arcuate chute, the front of the cash box is approximately parallel to the slanted plane of the console. This is an optimal angle for removing or inserting the cash box. The arcuate path not only reduces the necessary size of the console opening to gain access to the cash box assembly, but provides a more ergonomic cash box removal and insertion technique.

Abstract: A cash management system that tracks bills received at at least one business establishment by cashier, by amount and by time while securing those bills immediately within a drop safe upon receipt from the customer in preparation for pickup by a courier service.

Abstract: A payment system for use with electronic payment devices. Electronic payment cards (e.g. "Smart Cards"), may be used with one or more payment stations (e.g. electronic cash registers). The payment stations are designed for receiving, during a payment transaction, a monetary value by crediting, in the payment station, a first value, and debiting, in the payment means, a second value corresponding to the first value. The first and second values may be expressed in different calculation units, such as currencies of different countries. The system furthermore offers a payment device for application in such a system, and a method for effecting a payment transaction with an electronic payment means.

Abstract: A self-service deposit terminal (10) for bank notes is arranged to validate the notes. If any notes are deemed invalid then either the invalid notes are diverted from going to a collection means (42) for valid notes, or else the whole deposit is diverted. The diverted notes are bound together, reference details are printed on the bound notes, and the bundle is deposited in a rejection bin (74). The bundle is later compared with the deposit details printed out on a journal printer (72) to identify the user. The total value of the deposit can then be added to the user's account.

Abstract: When sheets are taken into a machine or discharged from the machine, characteristics of these sheets such as letters or symbols of these sheets are read by a sheet characteristics reading unit. A result of reading the characteristics is stored in a storage unit. When characteristics of a sheet are not able to be read at the time of accommodating sheets, this sheet is returned and only sheets of which characteristics have been able to be read are taken into the machine. Sheets of which characteristics are not able to be read at the time of discharging sheets are specified by a unit for specifying sheets of which characteristics can not be read. By this arrangement, each sheet in the machine is always managed.

Abstract: A memory processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a function for feeding money one by one, a function for discriminating denominations of the money received from the feeding function, a function for storing the money for each of the denominations discriminated by the discriminating function, a function for producing present time and date, setting predetermined time and date, and outputting a signal when the present time and date coincide with the predetermined time and date respectively, and a function for removing the money from the storing function in response to the signal output from the producing function and forming a bundle of a predetermined number of money.

Abstract: A pre-paid vending machine (10) includes a card reader (15) which reads credit data and secret code number from a credit card (11). When a user inputs a secret code number and amount data from an input display (16), whether or not the input secret code number is the same as the secret code number read from the credit card is checked. If the numbers are the same, the input secret code number, the amount data and the like are transmitted to a credit center (13), where it is determined whether or not a credit can be granted. If the credit can be granted, the input amount data is magnetically recorded on the ID card (12) as a credit amount, whereby the ID card can be used as a pre-paid card. When a user buys a thing by inserting the ID card to an automatic vending machine (20), the price of the thing is subtracted from the credit amount of the ID card.

Abstract: There is provided an IC card comprising a memory within the IC card for storing therein a program operating on a processor included in the IC card and a ROM storing therein a system program for down-leading the program onto the IC card. When a different program is present in the program storage area and a program to be down-loaded into the IC card is to be relocated to a space area, the destination address field of a jump instruction included in the program is altered by a processor included in the IC card.

Abstract: An apparatus for issuing a transaction card comprises a value receiving mechanism in the form of a card reader or a bank note acceptor or both. The apparatus includes a memory for storing the exchange rate for a plurality of currencies as compared to a local visitor's voucher which can be issued by the apparatus. A mechanism is also provided for storing a maximum transaction limit corresponding to a selected number of visitor's vouchers, which in turn corresponds to value of currency received. The transaction card is advantageously a smart card or chip card, which carries a program mechanism and central processing unit for manipulating the values which can be stored in the card.

Abstract: An automatic transaction terminal has a plurality of cartridges for storing notes and preset key switches for presetting a pattern of denominations of the notes to be stored in the cartridges so that the respective cartridges may be selectively designated by the preset key switches to store the notes corresponding to the denomination preset by the preset key switches. In a deposit transaction, the deposited note is reviewed by a discriminating unit to determine its denomination and stored into the cartridge corresponding to the denomination reviewed by the discriminating unit which is preset by the key switches. In a withdrawal transaction, the notes are fed out from the cartridge preset by the key switches as having the denominations corresponding to the denomination requested by the customer.

Abstract: A money receiving and disbursing machine being adapted to circulate and use only one predetermined denomination of bank notes received in the machine for disbursing. Bank notes received in the machine other than the predetermined denomination of bank notes are introduced in the received money storage section for storing. In the money receiving process, bank notes are introduced into the machine through the transaction window device. The bank notes are introduced and stored in the circulating money storage section or the received money storage section in accordance with the denominations thereof through the discriminating route and distributing route. In money disbursing process, bank notes are picked out of the circulating money storage section or disbursing money storage section in accordance with a monetary amount of a disbursement order and introduced into the temporary hold section through the money disbursing route and the common route. The bank notes are disbursed through the transaction window device.