Ncr Corporation

Adam J Johnston

Kenneth A Nicoll

Robert D Andrew

James N Doig

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.

Self-service deposit method and apparatus

A depository apparatus (10) includes a common entry slot (14) for receiving both envelopes and single sheet financial documents such as checks. A thickness sensor (58) adjacent to the entry slot (14) provides an output indicative of whether a deposit item has a thickness of at least one millimeter, which is normally indicative that the item is an envelope. A document transport (34) and divert gates (50, 52) route items having a thickness of at least one millimeter into an envelope feed path for further processing, and route items of less than this thickness into a financial document feed path for further processing. An imager (76) generates a digital image of items routed into the document feed path, this image being processed to determine if the item is a document of predetermined type. The imager (76) enables the apparatus to detect if a thin envelope has been incorrectly routed into the document feed path.

Depository apparatus for envelopes and single sheets

A currency note picking apparatus includes pick mechanisms for picking notes from stacks of notes held in associated currency cassettes. Each pick mechanism includes pivotally mounted pick arms connectable via an electrically operated valve to a diaphragm pump which generates, continuously, a reduced pressure. During a relevant pivotal movement, the pick arms of a selected pick mechanism pick part of an end note out of the associated cassette by applying a suction force to this note. A timing disc rotates in synchronism with the pivotal movement of the pick arms, and an associated optical sensor generates timing signals which are indicative of the position of the pick arms relative to the cassette. The timing signals control the operation of the respective valve so as to enable the pump to communicate with the pick arms during the relevant pivotal movement thereof. The apparatus further includes a temperature indicating device which senses the temperature inside the apparatus and which is utilized by a controller to adjust the pick mechanism vacuum based upon the sensed temperature.

Sheet separating apparatus

A cash dispenser unit includes note transport means (74, 78, 86) driven by an electric motor and including first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls which are arranged to grip therebetween a note (18'), partly withdrawn from a currency cassette (14) by associated pick arms (36), for the purpose of removing the note (18') from the cassette (14). The first (74) and second (78) sets of rolls are respectively mounted on first (76) and second (80) shafts, the first shaft (76) being mounted so that one end thereof is movable away from the second shaft (80). For the purpose of protecting the transport means (74, 78, 86) from damage in the event of the occurrence of a gulp feed of notes, said one end of the first shaft (76) is operatively associated with a microswitch, whereby movement of said one end away from the second shaft (80) by more than a predetermined amount operates the microswitch so as to deenergize the motor.

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Dundee, United Kingdom

Adam J Johnston