Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document

Abstract

Apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of document canisters such as those used to hold supplies of documents in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), includes a canister (10) holding a stack of documents (30) and having a face plate (24). Face plate (24) includes a plurality of buttonholes (26). Spring loaded buttons (25) are distributed among buttonholes (26); the arrangement of said buttons representing items of data such as ownership of the canister, canister serial number, and document information such as the type, denomination, amount, and character of the documents in the canister. In operating position, canister (10) is located in an ATM in contact with a picker mechanism (100) which removes documents, one at a time from the canister. The picker mechanism incorporates a switch plate (126) which is adjacent to face plate (24) when canister (10) and picker mechanism (100) are in operating position. Switch plate (126) incorporates a plurality of switch actuators (128), the locations of which correspond to the locations of buttonholes (26). Each switch actuator (128) is associated with an electrical switch (130), which changes its electrical condition whenever its associated switch actuator is depressed. Electrical switches (130) are connected to a computer which controls the operation of the ATM, as well as stores and processes data relating to ATM operation. The computer is programmed to associate the arrangement of buttons with the items of data represented by the arrangement.