Method and apparatus for identifying and indicating the content of

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 corresponds 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 operations of the ATM, as well as stores and processes data relating to ATM operation. When canister (10) is loaded into operating position, the presence of a spring loaded button (25) in a button hole (26) causes the corresponding switch actuator (128) to be depressed and its associated electrical switch (130) to change electrical condition. Thus, the arrangement of buttons (25) is reflected in the electrical conditions of switches (130). The computer is programmed to associate the arrangement of buttons with the items of data represented by the arrangement. The computer utilizes these items of data according to its programming to do such things as adjust the operation of the ATM to conform to the type, denomination, and character of the documents in each canister, settle accounts between entities who supply the documents to the ATM, track the location of each canister, determine the serial numbers of canisters involved in dispense failures, and signal when the documents in a canister need to be replenished.