JP2008077680A - Automated document cashing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automated document cashing system for accepting payment from a user and wire transferring of funds to a transferee over a banking network. <P>SOLUTION: The automated document cashing system includes a reader (58, 60) for capturing an image of a negotiable instrument and recognizing the authorized signature as well as the amount written thereon. The system then can transfer monies in the amount of the instrument to a savings account, a checking account, a smart card, or the like. The system can cash money orders as well as write money orders (76). The system will also wire transfer money. The image capture apparatus also can capture an image of a utility bill or the like that is presented by a user. By supplying monies in the form of cash (62), credit card authorization, smart card balance, or the like, the user can pay bills such as a utility bill through the system or purchase items dispensed by the system (87, 88, 89, 89a). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic deposit system and machine that includes an automatic teller machine (ATM) or an improved version thereof.

  ATMs are widely available, and are used quite often in automated cash payment applications, especially on weekends. For example, it is not uncommon for a single ATM to automatically pay $ 250,000 in a single weekend. The ATM user is provided with a personal identification number (PIN) or password along with the ATM card. Therefore, even if the card is lost or stolen, the person who finds the card cannot use the ATM card to withdraw funds because there is no PIN number. Generally, an ATM user withdraws cash from the user's checking account, savings account, or as a loan from a credit card. Alternatively, transfer funds from a savings savings account to a checking account. In another example, an ATM user checks his account balance. In some examples, some ATMs are now being offered an opportunity to increase revenue, such as selling stamps to users rather than automatically paying cash.

  For ATM owners, ATM has been found to be relatively profitable. Nevertheless, the profitability of ATMs currently used mainly as cash withdrawal machines needs to be improved. Competing with the bank, and competing with the ATM machines owned by the bank, are local currency exchanges that perform several bank-type services for "profiled customers". A profiled customer is a customer who has signed a signature card or has a confirmed identity entered in a local currency exchange network. These profiled customers are limited to the region and are not part of a vast regional or national network. Often, currency exchange not only involves a profiled customer signature, but often involves a currency exchange agent that recognizes the customer as one of the regular users. In currency exchange, the user's large paycheck is generally cached. The average fee for such a transaction is 1.6% of the total salary check. If a large paycheck is cashed, this can be a fairly substantial income. Currency exchange competes with ATM machines by caching profiled customer personal checks. Most often, currency exchange does not cache customer's personal checks that are not profiled for exchange. However, trying to assume cash and cash like checks for currency exchange would result in extremely high transaction fees charged to customers (eg, $ 20 or 20% of the check amount to be cashed).

  Another large transaction item related to currency exchange is the issue of currency exchange or currency caching. The price for such transactions is on average approximately 1.85% of the currency amount. The other major sources of currency exchange are customer payments for utility accounts such as telephone, electricity, gas and water, other accounts such as cable and television, or credit card accounts. This is a charge collected when you do it. Generally, currency exchange costs a service charge of 60 cents per bill, such as bill payment transactions. Currency exchange is operated on the basis of contracts with local utilities and / or credit card companies for the purpose of providing such services.

  While currency exchange is relatively profitable, one of their operating costs is theft of money by employees. In addition, employees sometimes make mistakes when cashing checks or money orders or when issuing money orders. Another drawback of currency exchange as opposed to ATM machines is that the time period during which currency exchange is available is limited. In contrast, ATM machines are generally available 24 hours a day. In many cases, people don't like to involve others in currency exchange. Or you don't want your bank to know your personal financial situation. Thus, if some or all of the bank-type services currently offered by currency exchange are provided by ATM machines, people will prefer using ATM machines over currency exchanges.

  Often, currency exchange is used by local residents who do not have local bank checking or savings accounts, or do not use ATM machines or have ATM cards. Thus, if an automated deposit machine is equipped with many of the functions performed by a currency exchange or full service bank, such as checks or currency caching, there is an opportunity for the automated deposit machine to acquire new customers.

  Another bank function performed from one bank to another is a wire transfer of funds. Telegraphic transfers are usually not available to the general public. Most individuals, in contrast to business, generally intervene other companies, such as Western Union, or transfer money through the American Express Company, rather than going to the bank and transferring money. The cost of wire transfer is relatively high. The average telecom transfer cost is $ 13 per wire for a minimum of $ 200 and about $ 200 for a transfer of $ 5,000. There are many examples, such as when traveling or when there is a child attending college and it is desirable to be able to wire transfer to the child's account so that the child can immediately receive money. If available on an automated deposit machine, such a wire transfer service provides a relatively inexpensive wire transfer method for individuals.

  A new opportunity available as a full service bank and currency exchange involves the US Federal Electronic Transfer Program (EBTP). This Program allows smart cards to be distributed and used by social security recipients. Veterans' pension or welfare benefit payments total up to $ 500 million annually. People with EBTP cards are already integrated into government networks. These smart cards are intended to replace meal tickets. The use of meal tickets can lead to client difficulties. When writing an increase to the smart card balance, currency exchange and full service banks receive transaction fees. In addition, the service provider charges the smart card user for each transaction. For example, a smart card balance may be reduced by using a smart card to pay for food or utilities bills. This means that if an electronic automatic deposit machine can pay for services, sales or items, such as telephone cards, lottery tickets, etc., there are many applications that can be used as a suitable electronic automatic deposit machine. Indicates that there is.

  ATM owners are beginning to take advantage of such revenue growth opportunities. For example, selling stamps through ATM machines. This allows ATM owners to earn more from ATMs. For example, end user items such as theater tickets, lottery tickets, or stamps can be sold from vending machines within ATM machines. Many end-user items do not require the extra security required for processing such as checks or currency caching.

  Some security issues arise from adding features to ATMs that are implemented by full service banks and currency exchange, such as checks or currency caching. The most important issue is the integrity of the documents exchanged for cash. In particular, verification of cashed checks or currency signatures. In addition, to enable reading various types of documents and to provide users with a large number of payment methods, it is relatively high performance over ATMs currently available on the market and widely used by the general public. Machine is required. The problem of checks arises not only for verification of signatures written in hard-to-read handwriting, but also for reading the total amount usually written in cursive on a legal line of checks. In addition, the check has a second line which is a preferential amount approval line (“CAR”), and a number representing the value of the check is written. In addition, for most checks, the bank and author account are identified with magnetic ink.

  Other transaction considerations, such as check cashing, account payments, or other processing sent from a remote deposit machine, to record the transaction and later review the transaction manually if necessary. It is necessary to leave an audit trail.

  A semi-automated system was proposed to assist with check caching. This semi-automatic system reduces the handling of money by tellers. In this proposed system, the user is required to operate the machine and cash the check in the presence of a cashier. In this case, after confirming that the check should be cashed, the teller checks the cashing opportunity and operates the machine to automatically pay money to the machine user. Of course, such machines require attendance and presence of cashiers. Therefore, it is still not a fully automated system for cashing checks.

  Among the several mechanical problems experienced with remote ATM type machines is the problem of providing change with coins. Already in a single weekend, ATMs are very heavy and often the contents are completely emptied. ATMs are not equipped with money changers. Adding a coin change machine adds a considerable amount of money. In addition, providing a correct change in coins to a user who is cashing a check or performing some other function adds to machine maintenance issues.

  Another practical problem with providing an automated deposit machine that becomes commercially viable is the time required for trading. Preferably, the transaction should be relatively simple and simple. That way, the number of operator actions required per transaction, such as pressing the touch screen or keying, is minimized. If a particular transaction takes more than 1 or 2 minutes, the system will probably be too slow to properly handle the queue of people waiting to use the machine during busy hours or weekends. In addition, if the machine handles large volumes of transactions such as full service bank or currency exchange transactions, payments can be made by withdrawal from cash, credit cards, smart cards, or checking or savings accounts, The machine must provide users with a wide range of funds transfer and payment options.

  Perform several service options such as cash withdrawals, cash deposits, check cashing, money order cashing, money order purchases, wire transfers, bill payments, and end user item purchases There is a need for automatic deposit machines, including ATM machines that can.

  In accordance with the present invention, in addition to performing normal ATM functions, an automatic deposit machine system is provided that provides cash and check cashing to a user without the presence or assistance of a teller. Furthermore, cash can be deposited into the machine using the preferred and exemplified automatic deposit machine system. The system also provides additional functions such as wire transfer, depositing cash in an account, or purchasing end user items from a machine. The preferred exemplary machine provides additional functions such as wire transfer, bill payment, or purchase of end user items from the machine. Preferably, a few full face values are stored on the machine so that any change planned for a given transaction is transferred electronically to the card, so that less face value and change are not required. .

  Check or money order caching is achieved by using fraud prevention means and procedures to confirm the likelihood that a document is valid, cashable, and able to complete a desired transaction. Fraud prevention procedures can be changed. However, this procedure usually involves comparing the signature of the document with the stored signature, comparing the user's biometric characteristics with the stored biometric characteristics specific to the user, and the sum of LAR and CAR. With a comparison function such as comparison. In order to obtain sufficient validity that a transaction can be completed on the machine, several procedures are used, including the use of a PIN number by the user. For example, reading a signature on a cursive signature that is of a profiled or qualified user with an ATM card inserted into the machine, on the cursive legal line of a check, and on a dollar amount line (CAR line); And bank and account identification printed with magnetic ink letters on the check.

  In accordance with a preferred check or currency caching machine embodying the present invention, an audit trail of check or currency caching transactions is created by image storage. In this case, both the front and / or back of the document are scanned in. A transaction identification tag is also provided for retrieving stored images.

  In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an automated deposit system machine can not only cash checks or money orders to the user, but can also receive cash from the user to complete some transactions. The machine recognizes the cash inserted into the machine and then calculates the total. In addition, the machine can provide communication via a modem or the like connected to a deposit network to deposit a total or a portion of the cash in the user's account. On the other hand, the deposited cash can also be used for other transactions such as bill payments or currency purchases. The user writes the amount in the exchange entry field in the machine. After being written, the machine automatically pays the user money order. Using automated methods and apparatus, a user can purchase in cash cash items for sale from the machine, such as lottery tickets, theater tickets, stamps, and the like.

  In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the method and apparatus can be used to transfer funds to a transferee through a deposit network. To perform a wire transfer, the user enters the name of the destination bank to wire transfer and the account number of the person receiving the wire transfer. After paying the funds for the wire transfer, the wire transfer is transferred from the machine's modem to the deposit network and from there to the receiving bank's payee's account. Preferably, a receipt is issued to the user indicating the total transferred by telegraphic along with the related transaction costs. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the wire transfer payment is made by cash, credit card, smart card, or paid from the user's account.

  In accordance with yet a further embodiment of the invention, an automated deposit machine and apparatus can be used to make payments for invoices or bills that are payable by the user. After being qualified as a user of an automated deposit machine, the customer browses a display for selecting bills payable using the machine. The user selects the type of bill to be paid, and further selects one of several payment methods including cash payment on the display. The bill to be paid is inserted into the machine. The machine reads the bill together with the bill payee identification and account number. Reading the total and payer identification can be difficult because there are many different formats for such bills. The machine automatically communicates with the bill payment network through a modem. Bills are stored in bins and transaction tags are provided for bill payment transactions. Preferably, the payment method includes cash, credit card, smart card payment, or payment from the user's account. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the user can pay several bills and the sum of each bill and its associated transaction fee is accumulated. Eventually, after payment, a receipt is created showing the paid accounts, transaction fees, and the total cost incurred by the user for payment of those bills.

  From the above, according to the preferred, illustrated embodiment of the invention, a number of services performed by currency exchange or banking are performed, while the transaction fee for each transaction is charged so that the owner of the automatic deposit machine It is understood that there will be an opportunity for increased revenue. Transaction fees are for withdrawals from the user's account, payment for transactions, deposits in the user's account, cash checks or money orders, wire transfers, bill payments, theater tickets, lottery tickets, and other end-user items. Occurs for purchases.

  Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an automatic deposit system that does not require the user to supply coins or small face value changes. In the case of supplying coins, not only maintenance frequency problems and inspection problems related to keeping the appropriate function of the exchange device and filling the coins, but also problems of complexity and processing time are added. Stopping coin operation by an empty or broken payment machine results in the service of the automatic deposit machine being stopped, even though other transactions can be performed without charge. Rather than supplying coin change, the machine of the present invention transfers the total change to a credit card or smart card balance and credits the stored card balance to the user. Suppose that money was supplied electronically. As another option, the machine deposits the change balance into the user's account. Accordingly, it becomes unnecessary to store and supply a large amount of coin change.

  Furthermore, it is not necessary to have a one dollar bill on the selected machine to limit the total amount of service required. For example, the smallest par value would be $ 5. Preferably, the cash bins in the machine are only equipped with 5 dollar bills and 20 dollar bills so that the total amount that can be paid in cash is sufficient in most cases without having to be refilled at the weekend.

  As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention includes an apparatus for receiving an insertable ATM card and an apparatus 10 having an apparatus 10 having a container 12 that houses a slot or opening 14 in the front wall 16 of the container. System. The insertion slot 14 accepts a normal ATM card, credit card, IC card or smart card. This insertion slot 14 is located directly above the user's keyboard 18 and directly below the user display 20 having a model number DTFP95633 type touch screen sold by Dyna-Pro. The user keyboard 18 stores a 2.1 gigabyte hard disk drive for storing software for supplying command signals to the microcomputer 21, in this embodiment a 133 Mhz Pentium (registered trademark) -based personal computer, and commands and operators. It has 32 megabytes of random access memory, one ISA bus, one PCI bus, one serial interface, and one parallel interface (FIG. 3). The microcomputer 21 executes application software in a Windows (registered trademark) 95 environment, and reacts to keystrokes of the user keyboard 18 and signals from other input devices described below between other applications. The microcomputer 21 drives the output display 20 in response to various signals received by the microcomputer 21 from software executed by the microcomputer 21 and input devices connected to transmission / reception signals.

  A magnetic card reader 22 is located immediately behind the insertion card slot 14 (FIG. 4). The magnetic card reader reads the ATM card and transmits a signal to the microcomputer 21 through the serial communication card 21a. Immediately through initialization of all hardware and software parameters for operation. The touch screen 20 provides user assistance when the machine recognizes the image area occupied by the account number and the number of dollar bills, as will be described later. The illustrated keyboard 18 is an industrial keyboard such as the Model 300 manufactured by Everswitch USA in Silver Springs, Maryland that is very sturdy and can withstand rough use. A preferred display 20 is a flat LCD display sold by Sony. The keyboard and display panel are carefully selected because they are thought to be rugged, hard to break, easy to use, and thieves and criminals are unlikely to be able to break or abuse illegally obtain funds from opportunities. The backup storage device 23 connected to the microcomputer 21 provides higher security for software and data stored in the hard drive.

  The user is prompted to insert a welcome message and deposit (or ATM) card on screen display 20 and verify the password for the deposit network, as shown in connection with the flowchart of FIG. Confirm. The user is prompted to select English or Spanish as the language of the transaction as shown in FIG. 8F. Then, the user touches the screen display and selects English or Spanish as the translation language.

  In card insertion routine 300, a test is performed at step 302 to determine whether a magnetic stripe identification information card has been installed in the card reader. If not, the control moves to step 304 where the user is prompted to insert a card through the card slot. The card is read at step 306 and the user is prompted to enter a password at step 308. When communicating on the modem 29, a test is performed at step 310 to determine whether the password can be verified on the deposit network. If the password cannot be verified, a test is performed in step 312 that allows password entry up to three times. Assuming that three attempts fail in step 314, an illegal password message is displayed and loopback is processed to step 308. If the password is found to be incorrect after step 310, the transaction proceeds to step 316. If the transaction is canceled as a result of step 306, control is transferred to step 320 which tests whether another transaction is required. This process is performed by prompting the user to answer, as exemplified by the screen display shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. The selection is made on the keypads 26 and 27 as shown in FIG. 15A or by touch screen connection with the schematically displayed portion of the screen display shown in FIG. 15B. When the selection is made, a service option screen 322 is displayed. If not, a test is performed at step 324 to determine if the card is in a card reader. If the card reader does not have a card in it, a start screen is displayed at step 326. If the card reader has a card, the card is removed to the customer at step 328. If the password is entered three or more times, control is transferred to step 330 to swallow or store the card and place it in the card container. In step 332, a message that the card has been stored is displayed on the touch screen, and the touch screen then displays a start screen in step 326.

  The display shown in FIG. 8A prompts the user to insert a card. After card insertion, the display prompts the user to enter a PIN or password number, as shown in FIG. 8B. The processing of the input password is shown in FIG. 8C. If an unauthorized password is used on the card, the screen display displays the word “illegal password” as shown in FIG. 8D and prompts the user to “try again”. If the subsequent or second password is incorrect, the machine stores the card and the screen displays the statement that there is still an incorrect password and the statement that the card is stored, as shown in Figure 8E. Shown above. The card was “swallowed” by the machine. The card can only be returned by negotiating with the financial institution that owns the machine. After verifying the card and verifying the password and PIN number in the deposit network on the modem 29 or similar modem, the machine 10 is ready to proceed with the transaction. The modem 29 communicates with the microcomputer 21 connected through the serial interface 21a.

  The user display screen 20 displays transaction options useful to the user at that time, as shown in FIG. The options include 1) withdrawal 2) deposit 3) balance inquiry 4) currency exchange 5) currency purchase 6) wire transfer 7) payment 8) purchase (lottery ticket, stamp and telephone card). The display shown in FIG. 9 is on the panel display 20 and is adjacent to a set of side additional keypads 26 and 27 (FIGS. 1 and 6), which are aligned with options 1-8 above. With a designated arrow key. That is, when the number “1” and the arrow key 26a on the opposite side of the “drawer” on the screen 20 are pressed, the drawer starts. On the other hand, the operation of the second arrow key 27a in the bank on the right side of the key starts the “exchange purchase” as described below.

  Assuming that the user has selected the “1” withdrawal option by pressing the number “1 withdrawal” opposite arrow key 26a, screen display 20 will then enter the account for withdrawal (eg, checking account or savings account). (From) request. This is shown in FIG. 10, with the display of “1CHECKING” and “2SAVINGS” on the screen display opposite to the arrow keys 26a and 26b. Assuming that the user wants to withdraw money from the checking account, the user presses the arrow key 26a. At that time, the screen display 20 is displayed as “withdrawal from current account”, amounts of “20”, “40”, “50”, “100”, “200” and keys 26a-26c and 27a- FIG. 11 shows FIG. 11 with other numbers on the opposite side of each selection of 27c. For example, by operating one of the specific arrow keys, the $ 20 arrow key for withdrawal from the checking account performs many operations shown on the flowchart entitled “WITHDRAWscreen” shown in FIG. 11A. For this purpose, a signal is sent to another position of the apparatus 10.

  In step 340, the drawer screen is used, and in step 342, the user is prompted to insert a card by screen and a confirmation screen is displayed. If the card is verified, control is transferred to step 344 where the user can select from the current withdrawal amount. If the user chooses to cancel the transaction, control passes to step 346 to test another transaction. If the user chooses not to select from a pre-prepared withdrawal account, the user can enter a $ 5 increase in withdrawal amount at step 348, or proceed to cancel the transaction or other transaction test, step 346. You can also. Assuming you entered a $ 5 increase in the withdrawal amount, the withdrawal transaction is executed at step 350 via the checking account on the deposit network. In step 352, the cash payment device pays the withdrawal amount, and in step 354, the receipt is printed. Control is transferred to step 346 where a test for additional trading prompts is performed. When control is transferred, a service option screen is then displayed at step 360. If control is not transferred, the card is removed from the card reader at step 362 and a start screen is displayed at step 364.

  The connection is then made by the electronic network and modem to access the bank's customer account via the deposit network and at the same time the operation of the cash payment device 30 (FIGS. 1 and 5) begins to pay $ 20 in cash. . As shown in FIG. 24, the cash payment apparatus is connected to a microcomputer 21 connected thereto through a serial communication device 21a.

  In this specification, the cash payment apparatus 30 is a typical cash payment apparatus used in an ATM machine. The cash payment apparatus shown in the figure is a model ACD manufactured by G & D America, and is manufactured by Giestocke and Derive America. The cash payment apparatus 30 shown in the figure has four (4) boxes. Each box can hold 400 bills. A preferred cash payment apparatus 30 stacks 400 five dollar bills in one box. The other three boxes each carry 400 dollar bills. Obviously, a cash payment device more or less than a box may try more than the number described herein.

  The preferred cash payment device 30 shown in the figure, as shown in FIG. 5, is mounted by sliding horizontally to the right for restacking, where it supports a slide track 32 mounted on the container 12. Yes. The cash to be paid is dropped through a transmission pipe 36 into a hopper 38 having a pivoting door 40. The pivoting access door 40 drops the paid cash to the cash box 42. As shown in FIG. 6, to take out the paid cash, the user reaches out through the cash box window 46 on the side 16 of the front container and takes the cash out of the cash box 42. As shown in FIG. 7A, access to the inside of the container 12 and the cash payment device 30 for replenishing cash is possible through the rear container door 44. The rear container door 44 has double security locks 47 a and 47 b and a handle 48. When the rear container door 44 is opened, the cash box can be accessed and slid along the track 32. The double security locks 47a and 47b can provide security for the cash storage part in the normal ATM system.

  If the user selected “savings account” on the screen 20 for withdrawal transactions (as shown in FIG. 10), he had pressed the arrow key 26b opposite the “savings account” prompt on the screen display 20 right. As shown in FIG. 10, screen 20 then displays a withdrawal from the savings account screen with a “WITHDRAW FROM SAVINGS” prompt. The user is required to enter an increase of $ 5 in the amount withdrawn. In this example, the user performs a keyboard operation to type $ 500, that is, the amount withdrawn from a savings account. In such a situation, the withdrawal screen and the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 are used to perform a withdrawal from a savings account by a modem leading to a deposit network, and the cash payment device 30 then cashes the cash for withdrawal by the user. It is operated to pay out to the box 42.

  Whether withdrawing from a current account or withdrawing from a savings account, it is preferable to print the receipt by the receipt printing apparatus 50 shown in FIGS. The receipt printing apparatus is connected to the computer 21 through the parallel communication device 51. The receipt printing device 50 dispenses the printed paper receipt from the receipt dispensing slot 52 in the front 16 of the container 12 that it issues and issues. The user receives a receipt that displays the transaction fee as well as the amount withdrawn at that time. Thus, the total withdrawal amount for a transaction from a checking account or from a savings account includes not only the cash paid, but also a transaction fee (eg, $ 1 per transaction).

  The receipt printing device 50 shown in the figure is preferably a model MP342F manufactured by Star Microsystems America, Inc., Piscataway, NJ. The receipt printing apparatus 50 includes an automatic cutter for cutting out a printed receipt. Receipt printing devices or receipt creators other than those described herein can obviously be used.

  The start screen is displayed at step 220 as shown in FIG. 9A. In step 222, all hardware and software parameters are initialized. In step 224, a service option screen is displayed to enter a selection. They are a withdrawal screen 226, a deposit screen 228, a balance confirmation screen 230, a currency exchange screen 232, a currency purchase screen 234, a wire transfer screen 236, a payment screen 238, and a purchase screen 240.

  Now, if the user selects the Deposit # 2 option as shown in FIG. 9 and assumes that he wants to deposit from the checking account or into the savings account, the user presses the arrow key 26b on the keypad 26 opposite "DEPOSIT". Would have pushed. This action makes a request whether to deposit into a checking account or a savings account. If the deposit was made to a checking account, the flowchart of FIG. 13 shows the steps performed by the apparatus 10 which will be described in more detail below.

  The deposit screen is displayed in step 380, but a card insertion request is made, and a confirmation screen is displayed in step 382. If the card is not inserted, control is transferred to step 384 which tests what other transactions are performed. When it is executed, a service option screen is displayed in step 386. If not, the card is removed in step 388 and a start screen is displayed in step 390. If the card has been verified, at step 392 the user is prompted for the deposit type. If the user chooses to cancel the transaction, control is transferred to step 384. If the user selects “Cash”, a cash deposit screen is displayed at step 394. If “Checking” is selected, the current deposit screen is displayed in step 396, and if “Money Order” is selected, the currency deposit screen is displayed in step 398. Control is then transferred to step 400 and the selected transaction is executed by modem 29 through the deposit network. In step 402, the receipt is printed and control is then passed to another transaction test, step 384.

  The deposit screen display to the checking account (FIG. 13A) prompts the user to ask what he / she wants to deposit in his checking account: 1) cash, 2) check, 3) money order. If the user chooses to deposit a check, the check transaction is selected by pressing the arrow key 26b on the keypad 26 as shown in FIG. 13B, and the request is then the opposite of the window 52 for the amount of the check. It is displayed on the screen display 20 entitled “DEPOSIT CHECK”. In window 52, the operator then uses keyboard 18 to enter a deposit amount of $ 675.52. In this example, as shown in FIG. 13B, the service amount for the dollar amount is also displayed to the user. If the user did not write the amount on the check, the user would check the amount shown in FIG. 13C when entering the amount and read “When the check is ready to be inserted into the scanner slot, Please sign in "to the user. The scanner slot 54 is located on the user screen 20 as shown in FIGS. In this example, the check is inserted vertically. The slot 54 shown in the figure is approximately 4 inches (about 10.16 cm) by 9 inches (about 22.86 cm), and the inserted check is inspected in this vertical position as described below. As the check enters the slot 54, it is pulled by the feed roller and moves along the feeding track 56 (FIG. 2). The check is sent directly inside and then stops at an imaging station 55 where the check is inspected and captures images of both sides of the check. A flowchart of scanning and confirmation is shown in FIG. It is described in more detail below with respect to software control and operation of the machine. As shown in this flowchart, an optical character recognition (OCR) scanning device inspects the document. A magnetic ink (MICR) reader examines the magnetic ink data on the check, and the magnetic ink data includes the bank checking number as well as the user's bank checking account number. Also, if the check is in this stopped position, the legal text is read and the CAR line is inspected to verify whether the check is the correct amount (in this example $ 675.52). Also, when the check is in this vertical position, camera devices 58 and 60 (FIG. 2) arranged on the opposite side and connected to the microcomputer 21 through the SCSI device 59 to grasp the images on both sides of the check. It is preferable to have. The image is stored on a TIFF format magnetic recording medium and is tagged for later access when the image file is needed as shown in FIG.

  At the beginning of the scanning operation, the check image is processed to ascertain whether the check has been inserted correctly. In scanning operation 420, the document is inserted into the scanner slot at step 422. A scanning device using camera devices 58 and 60 inspects both sides of the document and reads the magnetic ink data via a magnetic transducer in step 424. The document is placed in the protected area at step 426 and a determination is made at step 428 as to whether the document is a check or money order based on the presence or absence of magnetic ink data. The check is also determined at step 430 whether the document was inserted correctly. If not correctly inserted, the document is removed from the document slot at step 432, and if the document is not correctly inserted at step 434, control is transferred and the touch screen is displayed to return to step 422. If the document is not a check or money order as determined in step 428, control is transferred to step 440 so that both sides of the document are saved in a tagged image file format. If the document was inserted correctly as tested in step 430, both sides of the document are saved in step 440. In step 442, the image is analyzed by monetary recognition software in the form supplied by Mitek, Inc., located in Side Diego, California, and in particular its Quickstrokes Version 2.5 software. From step 442, control is transferred to the software and the software is executed at step 450 as deemed best in FIG. In step 452, a software recognizer is created and initialized. The form file is read in step 454, and the form file includes a location where the preferential amount is recognized and the signature is stored in an item in the document. In step 456, the inspected image file is read, and in step 458 the neutral network included in the Quickstrokes software performs the preferential amount recognition space and the characters written on the signature line as well as the characters written on the amount approval line. Recognize The recognized characters are then evaluated in view of the current trust level in step 460 and returned to the software described in FIG. 14 for further verification of the character display sequence. Referring now to FIG. 14 at step 470, not only the character string representing signature verification, but also the amount of the document is sent by the modem 29 to the bank network for payment confirmation. If there is no confirmation, control is sent to step 472, the document is removed from the document slot, and a document reject message is displayed at step 424. In step 476, the current transaction is denied. In the situation where the document is confirmed at step 470, checks or money orders are stacked in the receipt document box and confirmation of the current transaction is sent to the deposit network at step 480.

  Once the image is stored, the check is carried around the U-shaped feeder 61 back to the take-out slot 61a on the side 14 of the container for retrieval by the user. The take-out slot 61 a is on the left side along with the insertion slot 54. Assuming that the check has been correctly inserted again and the images on both sides have been grasped, the check is sent to the escrow or protection area 64 of the check feed truck. As shown in FIG. 24, the protection area 64 communicates with the microcomputer 21 through the serial communication device 21a. As deemed best in the escrow area 64 of FIG. 4, the check is retained in the storage box 66 if it is entitled and accepted, or for a check deposit transaction, and a signature verification failure may occur. If the deposit is rejected, the check is sent from the escrow area to the removal slot 61a for removal by the user. When the deposit network is connected to the rest of the device 10 by the modem 29 and the check is verified, the deposit amount is sent to the user's account for the deposit identified as the bank identified on the deposit network. The receipt printing device 50 is then operated to display the amount of deposit minus the transaction fee of $ 1 and to provide the written receipt to the user.

  2A and 2B, documents dealing with money orders or checks will now be described in greater detail. The check is inserted vertically through the scanner slot 54 and passes past the first pair of infrared sensors 101 and 102 that senses whether the check has been inserted. These sensors are on the opposite side of the guide or feed track 100 that includes a pair of empty parallel plates 103 and 103a that extend to the imaging station 55 therein. As soon as the infrared sensors 101 and 102 are exceeded, the insertion of the document is sensed and the pressure roller 105 pushes the check against the plate 103. The check is pushed to the front past a set of infrared sensors 110 and 112. The set of infrared sensors 110 and 112 insert the check when the check is fully inserted into the scanner slot and pinched by the feed belt 112 that runs through the input slot 114 between the image scanners 58 and 60 of the imaging station 54. To detect. The feed belt 112 extends to the large roller 121 through the imaging station (FIG. 2B). The check stops at the imaging station 54 along the way. There, it is a video that takes images of both sides of a check or an image taken of other scanners 58 and 60. The optical character recognition reader reads magnetic ink recognition characters for bank and customer accounts. The electronic signals from image receivers 58 and 60 in this example provide information about the check, the legal line and the amount written thereon, the CAR line and the amount written thereon, all of which are magnetic The tag number is given so that it can be stored later and later identified.

  As best seen in FIG. 2B, the U-shaped track 120 is mounted around the large roller 121 and is moved to reverse the direction of travel and into the slot between the plates 122 and 123 of the check guide track 100. The check is guided to a set of infrared sensors 125 and 126 at the entrance that senses the check reaching the entrance to the escrow area 64. Feed belt 112 is a geared timing belt that carries a check around drum 121 and to the entrance to the escrow area between plates 122 and 123. The feeding belt with the gears is carried by the stepper motor and around the guide roller 127.

  To the escrow or holding area 64, a check cog belt 131 is provided for first transporting a check upward, to the left into the holding area, and from there into the storage bin 66 above the holding area 64. A large belt drive drum 130 is provided to drive the motor. If the check is rejected, the feed belt 131 reverses its direction of travel and discharges the check through the discharge slot 62. Drive roller 130 includes a stepper motor 132 attached to the top of roller 130. The rotation of the stepper motor 132 can be reversed to rotate the drum 130 and feed belt 131 in opposite directions by a controlled distance.

  Infrared sensors 125 and 126 sense the passage of the check from imaging station 55 into escrow region 64. The feed belt 131 is guided along a series of guide rollers 134a, 134b, 134c, and 134d to the top of the holding area and travels therethrough. The endless timing belt 131 rotates around the top guide roller 134d, travels downward and to the right, passes through the roller 136, and returns to the side of the drum 130, as can be seen in FIG. 2A.

  The check is pressed against the timing belt 131 by the four sets of pressure rollers 140a, 140b, 140c, and 140d, and proceeds with the timing belt. At the top of the holding area is another pair of infrared sensors 141 and 142 that senses the arrival of the upper edge of the check, either at the rollers 140a and 134a where the lower end of the check is at the bottom of the holding area or Above it, in alignment with the discharge slot 62, informs that the check has moved completely into the holding area. After the check is received, the stepper motor 132 rotates and drives the drum 130 and the feed belt 131 to advance the check upward and into the upper storage bin 66. On the other hand, if the check is rejected as unacceptable, the feed belt travels downward and pushes the lower end of the check through the discharge slot 62 and returns it to the user. The lower end of the guide plate and the spring guide finger 147 guide the ejected check coming out and slide and advance along the short guide plate 148 to the aligned release slot 62. Infrared sensors 150 and 151 (FIG. 2A) at the bottom of the holding track sense when the check has been removed from the discharge slot by the user of the machine.

  During a custody transaction, the screen display 20 will display confirmation messages such as those shown in FIG. 13D in the form of a bar that proceeds from left to right in the window 69 that the user is viewing. Since the receipt is generated by the receiving printer 50, the screen display 20 (FIG. 13E) will show $ 674.52 “WILL BE DEPOSITED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

  If the user chooses to deposit a check into the savings account instead of depositing the check into the checking account, the screen will display the deposit to the savings account as shown in FIG. 13F. In this case, the user presses the “CHECK” arrow key 26b, and the check is deposited in the same manner as described above in connection with the checking deposit. The cash receipt will be provided to the user in the same way that the cash receipt was generated in the case of a deposit to the checking account.

  The user decides to deposit cash for the time being, and presses the # 1 cash button 26a on the keypad of the display screen of FIG. 13A, or the same button for depositing cash in the ordinary deposit (FIG. 13F) Assuming that, the processor will follow the steps of the cash deposit flow diagram shown in FIG. 13H.

  In the cash deposit process 500 shown in FIG. 13H, the cash receiver is initialized at step 502. The currency is inserted into the cash receiver at step 504 and accepted thereby. The banknotes are read and transferred to the cash bin at step 506 and the entire banknotes therein are summed at step 506. If the user decides to deposit more banknotes in the cash deposit at step 510, control returns to step 504. Otherwise, control transfers to step 512 and the deposit transaction continues.

  The user display 20 for depositing cash shown in FIG. 13G displays the prompt “PLEASE INSERT YOUR BILLS INTO THE ACCEPTOR SLOT 60”. As best seen in FIG. 5, the cash dispenser accepting slot 60 leads to a cash acceptor module 62, which accepts cash, particularly banknotes of $ 1, $ 5, $ 10, or $ 20. As shown in FIG. 24, the cash receiver module 62 is connected to the computer 21 via a resistor network 62a having a plurality of current limiting resistors. The resistor network is connected to a digital I / O board 62b, which in this example is a National Instruments PC-DIC-96. The digital I / O board 62b is coupled to the computer 21. The cash receiver module 62 counts deposited banknotes and has a bin in the hopper 64 for receiving the counted banknotes. The cash receiver module 62 is pivotally attached to 66 and is swung to the dotted line position to empty the deposited banknote. The preferred cash receiver module 62 simply stacks the inserted bills and counts them. The cash receiver module 62 is preferably a Cash Acceptor Model AL4-L1-U1M manufactured by Mars Electronic International, which is one of several available cash receivers. This not only stacks and holds the bills in the machine, but also sums the total amount of cash. The cash flow diagram shown in FIG. 13H is described in further detail below in connection with software and overall machine control. The deposit transaction proceeds from the flowchart of FIG. 13H back to the flowchart of FIG. 13, proceeds through the modem and bank methods, and deposits into the user's checking or savings account. The machine 10 operates the receiving printer 50 to print the receipt to be given to the user via the receiving slot 52 and indicates that the amount deposited is less than the transaction fee illustrated as one dollar in this example.

  When depositing cash, the cash receiver 62 shown in the figure sums up the received cash, and deposits another $ 20 where it is deposited $ 45, indicating that the total deposit is $ 65 as shown in FIG. 13J. As shown on the screen 20, this deposited cash is shown. The receipt is then printed at the receiving printer 50 and the user is notified that $ 65 will be deposited in the user's account (FIG. 13K).

  Assuming that the user has selected to initiate a check cashing transaction by pressing the arrow key 26c when prompted by the options screen of FIGS. 3 and 9, the user display 20 displays the amount of the check in a window 68 (FIG. 16). Prompt the user to type in. A flow diagram for check caching is shown in FIG. 16A.

  The cash checking process begins at point 520 so that the magnetic card reader accepts the magnetic identity card at step 522 and displays a verification screen. The user can exit the transaction by moving to step 524, where the user is prompted for another transaction. Otherwise, the amount of the check is entered at step 526, the check is scanned and verified at step 528 as described above. The user then enters the amount to be received in cash at step 530 and accesses the deposit network at step 532 to determine whether the check has a balance to be cached. If so, at step 534, the cash payment device pays cash in cash, and at step 536, the receipt is printed by the receipt printing device. Control is then transferred to step 524 and if another transaction is required, the service option screen is accessed at step 526. If no other transaction is required, control is transferred to step 528, the card is ejected from the card reader, and a welcome screen is displayed at step 530.

  The user inputs an amount such as $ 90.99 shown in FIG. The amount is scanned and confirmed and a $ 1 service fee is shown on the screen display of FIG. The user chooses to continue the transaction or cancel it by pressing the appropriate button 26 or 27 on the keypad. The touch screen display shown in FIG. 16H allows the user to make a selection by touching the portion of the display shown as CONTINUE or CANCEL. If the user has not signed the back of the check, the user is required to sign (FIG. 16C). If the check is inserted backwards as viewed from the scanning device, the check is returned from the rejected material exit slot 62. The user reverses the check and then inserts it into the insertion slot 54 in the correct vertical position. From there, the check is carried into the scanning imaging station, where cameras 58 and 60 capture images on both sides of the check. The processor then analyzes the signature image by executing document verification software and compares it to the user's profile signature. Similarly, the processor also uses the validation software to read the legal lines and written quantities written in cursive on the CAR line, as described in more detail below with respect to the document validation software.

  After re-inserting the check, the user is required to re-enter the amount of $ 90 (FIG. 16D). The check image is processed again and if the amount matches the amount keyed in, the user display shows “OK” for the amount (FIG. 16D). During a verification operation involving communication to the user's account via scan and deposit modem, an “OCR” with a moving bar on the screen is shown, as shown in FIG. 16E. The next prompt shown on this screen is to enter a portion of the check amount that the user wishes to receive in cash. Cash is selected in 5 dollar increments. The machine then notifies the user that the remaining amount of the check will be received in cash (FIG. 16F). For the particular example given here, as shown in FIG. 16F, the user's screen display 20 shows that there is a $ 90 check scan with a $ 1 service charge, leaving a balance of $ 89. The operator enters a request for $ 40 cash in 5 dollar increments using the keyboard, as shown in window 70. As will be described in more detail with respect to the check caching flow diagram of FIG. 16A, the cash payment device 30 then operates to pay $ 40 into the cash bin 56, which is then removed by the user. As shown in FIG. 16G, the $ 40 amount is deposited in the user's account via the deposit network. Receipt printing device 50 prints a receipt for a $ 40 deposit.

  Currency caching is exactly the same as check cashing. This will be described below with respect to the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 and with respect to the screen of FIG. 17A.

  Step 570 accesses the cash exchange process. In step 522, the user is prompted to insert a magnetic card, and a verification screen is launched. If the user decides to leave the transaction, the user notifies as such and control passes to step 574 to test whether another transaction is required. Assuming the card is verified and the transaction should proceed, enter the amount of money to be paid at step 576. At step 578, an exchange is inserted, scanned, and confirmed, and at step 580, assuming that a confirmation is made, the user enters the amount of exchange to be received in cash. At step 580, a question is generated by the modem to the deposit network to determine if the amount of money is returned by the funds. Assuming that is the case, the cash payment device pays the cash amount at step 584 and prints the receipt at step 586. Control then passes to another transaction test step. If another transaction is required, a service option screen is displayed at step 588. If no other transaction is required, the card reader is ejected at step 590 and a welcome screen is displayed at step 592.

  Assuming that the user has pressed “cash exchange” opposite arrow 26d to initiate this transaction when looking at the available options (FIG. 9), operate keyboard 18 as shown in FIG. 17A. In this case, the user's prompt is created to input the amount of exchange that is $ 750. The screen also shows an available amount of $ 100 in cash using a $ 1 transaction service fee.

  The cash exchange screen displays $ 100 in window 71 and prompts the user to enter the amount of cash the user wants to receive from keyboard 18 in increments of $ 5. In this case, the user has entered $ 100 into the window 71. Similar to the one used for check scanning, cameras 58 and 60 copy both sides of a cash exchange, locate an indication indicating the amount of the exchange, and read the amount indication. The magnetic ink instructions identifying the issuer and the issuer's account are read. The signature on the back of the exchange is scanned and verified. A communication network via a modem is then connected to the issuer's account and the authenticity of the exchange is checked. When the machine 10 receives a signal indicating that the exchange is authentic, the cash payment device 30 operates to transfer $ 1000 cash into the cash bin 46 for removal by the user. If the user has not signed the back of the exchange, the user is notified to reinsert the exchange, as shown in FIG. 17B. If the currency cannot be processed, the currency is returned via reject slot 62. User display 20 states that the exchange cannot be processed as shown in FIG. 17C and the user should confirm his financial settings.

  If it is assumed in FIG. 9 that the user has pressed the right button 27a on the keypad to select the # 5 option to purchase exchange, the exchange purchase screen and flowchart will be operable as described below. The first prompt displayed on the exchange purchase display 20 (FIG. 18) prompts for the name of the exchange recipient. In this case, the name is John Doe, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 18A. When the user operates the keyboard 18 to enter the recipient's name, ie “John Doe”, the operator then enters an amount of $ 500 as shown in window 72 of FIG. 18A. A fee of $ 0.5 is displayed, so that the total amount required to purchase this exchange is $ 500.5. As best seen in FIG. 18B, several options for payment including cash, credit card debit from the user's account, and smart card are preferably shown to the currency buyer. Alternatively, if desired, the user can return to the currency. FIG. 18B shows a flowchart for purchasing the exchange.

  For a currency purchase transaction, the process is entered via step 600 and if the name of the currency recipient is entered at step 602 or if it is desired to cancel, control is transferred to another transaction test step 604. Assuming that the name of the payee has been entered, the currency amount is entered at step 606, the payment method is selected at step 608, and the cash payment screen 610, credit card screen 612, smart card payment screen 614, or account withdrawal. A prompt is issued via the drop screen 616. Next, the specific transaction for payment is processed at step 618 and the exchange is printed at step 620. At step 622, a receipt is printed, after which a transaction test 604 is performed. If another transaction is to be made, a service option screen is displayed at step 624. If no other transaction is made, a test is performed at step 626 to see if a card is in the card reader. If there is a card, the card is ejected in step 628, and a start screen (initial screen) is displayed in step 630.

  The exchange purchase transaction is tagged and the exchange is printed by the printer 76 (FIG. 1) via the banking network. In this example, the currency exchange printer 76 is arranged side by side with the receipt printer 50 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and is connected to the computer 21 via the parallel communication device 51 as shown in FIG. The printed currency is delivered from a currency supply slot 72 adjacent to the receipt printing slot 72 of the front housing wall 16 of the apparatus 10. The currency exchange printer shown can be similar to the receipt printer 50 and is available from Star Micronics America, Inc. Model MP3342F available from This includes an automatic cutter.

  As shown in FIG. 18C, the user screen display 20 then displays that 500 dollars and 50 cents have been withdrawn from the user's account and that the currency is being printed. Both exchanges and receipts are issued from slot 78 for exchanges and from slot 52 for receipts.

  When the user selects the wire transfer option of FIG. 9 and presses the wire transfer arrow key 27a, the screen of FIG. 19 is displayed on the display 20 of the user. On that screen, the user is asked to enter the name of the remittance destination using the keyboard 18. Since the screen display 20 obtains the bank name as shown in FIG. 19A, it can be input such as First American. The next requirement for the user is a federal routing code or routing to a bank for remittance, as FIG. 19B shows. Routing is typed by the user using the keyboard. The number “7896964” is typed as the federal routing code in FIG. 19B. Next, as shown in FIG. 19C, the payee's account number is determined. In this example, the account number is “987-87654”, and the user types using the keyboard 18.

  When information for transferring money to a specific account is input, the screen display 20 asks for the amount to be transferred. In this example, as window 78 shows, it is $ 850. And for a 10% fee, ie $ 850, the user is shown to be charged $ 85 and the window 78a shows that the total transaction is $ 935. The flowchart for wire transfer is shown in FIG. 19E.

  The wire transfer process 640 begins at step 642. In other words, when information related to remittance and banking is input, remittance is performed in the same manner as depositing into an account. In step 644, the amount to be transferred is entered. In step 646, a payment method for wire transfer is selected. Then, by control, the screen moves to the screen 648 if the screen is cash payment, the screen 650 if the credit card is paid, the screen 652 if the smart card is paid, or the screen 654 if the withdrawal is from the own account. Following this, at step 656, the selected payment is made and a wire transfer is made through the deposit network via the modem. In step 658, a receipt is issued, and in step 660, it is confirmed whether another transaction is to be performed. If there is still a transaction, a service option screen is displayed at step 662. Otherwise, a test is performed at step 664 to determine if the card is in the reader. If there is, the card is removed in step 666 and the first screen is displayed in step 668.

  There are four different payment methods that can be used in any case, and the one that requires the selection is shown in FIG. 19F. In this example, the appropriate keyboards 26 and 27 are selected while viewing the display 20 from the options of cash, credit card, withdrawal from own account, or smart card. This is shown in FIG. 19F. Once an appropriate payment method is selected, the machine is then connected through the deposit network (FIG. 19E) to the appropriate bank to deliver $ 850 to an account with account number 987-87654 in the name of John Doe. The printing device will print the receipt. It shows that the payment is $ 850 for John Doe and the total transaction amount is $ 935, and the latter is billed by credit card, smart card, or withdrawal from your own account. FIG. 19E shows that this is done. On the other hand, the user can also put cash $ 935 into the cash accepting device slot 60. At that time, the acceptance device counts the cash and stores it in the cash acceptance device 34. When the transaction ends, the charge card (when used for payment) is removed as shown in FIG. 19E.

  Returning again to the available options shown in FIG. 9, the operator presses the 47C key on the keypad 47 to select the “Payment of Bills” option, and the bill options screen (FIG. 20) is displayed on the user display 20. Is done. Bills that can be paid are listed on the display 20. Phone, electricity, gas, cable, water, and credit card. The operator uses one of the operation buttons on the keypads 46 and 47 to select a specific bill to pay from the screen of FIG. Alternatively, the bill payment can be selected by touching an appropriate label portion in the menu display of the touch screen display shown in FIG. 20J. As shown in FIG. 20A, it is required to input the amount of the bill selected on the user display. Here, it is 129 dollars and 67 cents on the telephone bill. Then, the telephone bill can be inserted into the scanning object insertion slot 54. It captures images on both sides of the bill. In order to pay a specific bill, it is necessary to be qualified to use the user's account in advance. In addition, specific bills need to be recognized so that bill amounts and money fields, as well as company identification, in this case the telephone company can be found. The verification device reads the customer's account number, the payee's account number, and the bill amount. The location, writing, and font of this information on the bill are very varied. A keypad that can be operated by the user is provided to assist in reading the bill. When all fields on the bill image are manually identified for the processor, the field image is read. It's the same way you analyze checks or money orders. If the bill is confirmed and okay, the next requirement is to clarify the total amount paid for the transaction. Therefore, the user is prompted to enter the amount to pay for the telephone bill. That is shown in FIG. 20A, which in this case is $ 129.67. A fee of 60 cents is also displayed to the user on the user display 20 along with the total. It is displayed in the window at the bottom of the screen. For example, the total bill paid for a particular telephone bill is $ 130.27 (FIG. 20A).

  When paying a phone bill, the screen asks the user whether he wants to pay another bill via a question. FIG. 20C shows such a question, where one would like to pay a $ 45.22 gas bill. The user inputs the amount of $ 45.22 using the keyboard 18. As FIG. 20D shows, the user is then asked to enter a gas bill into the slot of the scanning device. The gas bill is read in the same way that a telephone bill is read by cameras 58 and 60. The bill's magnetic or optical character recognition information is analyzed to link the $ 45.22 cent payment to the appropriate account on the bill payment network. If the user decides to pay the gas bill, the user presses “Continue”. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20E, the user pays a credit card bill of $ 96.82. That is, one third of the fee is 60 cents, so the total fee is 80 cents per dollar.

  Adding the fee to the sum of the three bills, phone bill, gas bill, and credit card bill, is $ 273.51.

  Next, a payment method is required. (FIG. 20F) Then, when the user chooses to pay by credit card, when the user presses the button 26b on the keypad, the screen of FIG. 20G is displayed on the user panel 20, and the user inserts the credit card bill into the slot. Asking. Bill payment is made through the bill payment network, and the bill is received in the inbox. This process is shown and described in FIG. 20H.

  The bill payment process 720 begins by selecting the type of bill to pay at step 722, such as a telephone bill or an electrical bill. The bill is verified as scanned at step 724 and the payment amount is manually entered at step 726. In step 728, a test is made whether to pay another bill. If so, control passes to step 722. Otherwise, control passes to step 730 to test other transactions. A payment method question is made at step 732 and depending on the response, a cash screen is displayed at step 734 or a credit card payment screen is displayed at step 736. In addition, a smart card payment screen is displayed at step 738 and a withdrawal screen from the account is displayed at step 740. After selecting the payment method, the bill is paid via the modem connection at step 742, so that the funds are transferred, and at step 744 the receipt is printed. If another transaction is desired from step 730, a service option screen is displayed at step 746. If not, a test is performed at step 748 to determine if the card is in the card reader. The card is removed at step 750 and the first screen is displayed at step 752.

  When the bill payment is completed, the screen display indicates that $ 273.51 cents has been withdrawn from the account in FIG. 20H, and is written as “Customer bill paid”. As shown in FIG. 20H, which shows a bill payment flowchart, the receipt is printed by the receipt printing device 50, and then the receipt is delivered to the user through the slot 52. The ATM card then exits the card reader and returns to the user.

  If the user asks for a lottery ticket, stamp or telephone calling card in FIG. 9, he presses the 47d button on the keypad to select a purchase option. Then, the purchase display screen of FIG. 21 appears on the user display 20. It shows the options required for $ 6,50 cents per booklet, $ 5 for smart cards, and $ 10 for telephone cards. The number of items that can be purchased can be easily increased, including lottery tickets and other items for end users. It can then be easily dispensed through the purchase merchandise supply slots 84, 85 and 86 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, above which are a lottery dispenser 87, a stamp dispenser 88, and a telephone calling card dispenser 89. And a smart card transaction vendor or handler 89a, all of which are connected to a digital I / O board 62b via a resistor network 62a for communication with the computer 21. The dispenser that receives the slot is located on the front wall 16 of the housing 12, and the stamp, telephone card, or smart card dispenser is mounted on the rail 90. It is best understood when looking at FIG. The rail 90 is slidable so as to approach the dispenser from the rear service door 94 (FIG. 7). The rear service door 94 is itself equipped with a security lock 96 to prevent unauthorized access to the inside of the housing 12 and the product dispensers 87, 88 and 89. A central door 97 equipped with a security locking device 98 can be opened to access the central portion of the machine 10 equipped with checks and bills 66, cameras 58 and 60, and the like. Various dispensers can be used, but the illustrated dispenser is a card dispenser, Asahi Seiko (USA), Inc. Model CD1000 manufactured by Obviously, dispensers other than those card dispensers described here as examples can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the user can choose to purchase one or more of various items. In the case of a telephone card, it can be selected by pressing the key 46c to select a card of 10 dollars. By pressing the “Continue” button, the user is then provided with a screen display for purchasing the smart card or stamp shown in FIG. 21B. Alternatively, the touch screen display shown in FIG. 21I can be used to touch and select the appropriate label portion of the screen display. In this example, three smart cards of $ 5 per card are selected by operating the keypad button 46b, resulting in a total purchase amount of $ 25.

  On the next screen displayed on the display 20, the user is asked to choose a payment method for the purchase amount of $ 25. Therefore, the user operates one of the keypads and selects cash, credit, withdrawal from an account, or smart card as a payment method. This is illustrated in FIG. 21C.

  In this example, the operator selects cash payment and punches the arrow key 26 a on the keypad 26. As shown in FIG. 21D, the next screen provided on the display 20 requires that cash be inserted into the cash accepting device slot 60. The cash is then counted and confirmed. As FIG. 21E shows, the user inserted only $ 20. It is received and counted by the cash receiving device 64. Therefore, the screen of FIG. 21F indicates to the user that the payment amount of $ 21 does not satisfy the total transaction amount of $ 25. If the user inserts only 3 more dollars, the transaction screen will indicate that the payment is still less than 1 dollar. As shown in FIG. 21G, the transaction amount is $ 25. When an additional dollar bill is inserted into the machine, the user will see the screen shown in FIG. 21H. It informs the user to receive the product. The supply of merchandise is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21A. Then, the receipt printing device 50 prints a receipt for the user by machine control, and the receipt is supplied from the receipt supply slot 52.

  The process for purchasing begins at step 770. Purchase items such as smart card balance, telephone calling card, stamp, or lottery are selected at step 772. If you wish, you can cancel the transaction. Control then moves to another transaction test step 774. Suppose you choose a lottery item to purchase. Then, since the quantity of the item is obtained in step 776 and is inputted, in step 778, a test is performed as to whether or not to purchase anything else. If so, control returns to step 772. If not, a payment method is selected at step 780. Accordingly, a cash payment screen is displayed at step 782, a credit card payment screen is displayed at step 784, a smart card payment screen is displayed at step 786, and a withdrawal screen is displayed at step 778. Once the funds are received, goods such as lotteries are provided at step 790. A receipt is printed at step 792 and another transaction test is performed at step 774. If another transaction is desired, a service option screen is displayed at step 794. Otherwise, at step 796, a test is performed to determine if the card is in the card reader. The card is removed at step 798 and the first screen is displayed at step 800.

  As described above, it is desirable not to place any coins or coin changers in the machine, but to provide 5 dollar bills as a minimum face value for change payment. Normally, the cash payment process follows the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In order to make a cash payment for one of the transactions, such as the purchase of a lottery ticket, the balance is transferred to a smart card or a checking account. The process begins at step 810 and the cash accepting device is initialized at step 812. Cash is received at step 814 and summed at step 816. The accepted banknotes are stacked in a storage location at step 818, and at step 820, a determination is made whether the total satisfies the transaction amount. If there is a shortage, cash will be further received at step 814. If the transaction is satisfied, a step is executed in step 822 to determine whether change is required. If change is required, it is returned in 5 dollars at step 824 and the balance is paid to the smart card and the transaction continues at step 826.

  The $ 5 and $ 20 bills available for change are stacked in four cash boxes. If the cash supplied in the payment calculation indicates that the transaction satisfies the transaction and changes are required, the change in cash is in units of $ 5 depending on the operation of the cash payment device. Alternatively, the remaining balance of less than $ 5 is paid to a smart card or bank account. This eliminates the need to store and handle small bills and coins. As shown in the screen display (FIG. 23), the user executes options for change. The user can insert the smart card into the card slot 14 and the smart card writing device 89a (FIG. 1) writes the change in the smart card to increase the balance, and then the smart card is returned to the user. If the user wants to deposit change in his / her account, the user operates the arrow key 26b to start a deposit transaction performed through the deposit network.

  While various aspects of the invention have been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that alternative embodiments and modifications can be made from the disclosure within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. is there.

It is the front view which materialized the novel feature of the present invention including the left section, the center section, the right section, etc. FIG. 2 is a plan view of three sections of the machine shown in FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the image station for scanning a document. It is explanatory drawing of the image station for scanning a document. FIG. 2 is a left side view of a section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the central section of the apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the right section shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing various insertion slots or receiving slots on the apparatus of FIG. 1 and identifying features thereof; FIG. 2 is a rear view of the machine shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart for showing operation performed after insertion of a card | curd, and performing confirmation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which displayed the instruction | indication of "PLEASE INSERT YOUR CARD". It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires the input of a user's password. It is explanatory drawing which shows progress of password confirmation operation. It is explanatory drawing which shows a screen when an incorrect password is input. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the password is incorrect and the card is put on hold. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display which requests | requires a user to select the language which processes a transaction with a touch screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows on the screen the exchange or transaction option which can be utilized for a user. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the initial welcome and various options available to the user. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires the procedure of a checking account or a savings account as a part of transaction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which shows a different amount about withdrawal from a current account. It is a flowchart which shows operation of withdrawal transaction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires the input of money amount in withdrawal from a savings transaction. It is a flowchart regarding making a deposit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires the payment means input for depositing to a checking account. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen for performing the amount of money of the check to deposit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which shows the request | requirement of the input for endorsing or signing a check. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which displayed the message which shows progress of confirmation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires a user to receive the receipt of transaction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen regarding the transaction for depositing in a savings deposit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires the amount of cash to deposit. It is a flowchart which shows operation of the machine regarding the deposit of cash. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which shows the amount of money to deposit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the request | requirement which deposits cash into a cash acceptance slot. It is explanatory drawing which shows that the machine confirmed that the deposit of cash was completed. It is a flowchart regarding document scanning and confirmation operations. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which inquires a user and requests | requires the determination of whether to perform a transaction further. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of a touch screen version in the screen display shown by FIG. 15A. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which cashes a check. It is a flowchart which shows operation regarding cashing of a check. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires manual input about the amount of the check to cash. It is explanatory drawing which requests | requires signing the back of a check. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which shows the request | requirement which inserts an inverted check again. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires a user to input the amount of a check again. It is explanatory drawing which shows the bar graph of a progress regarding the reading of a check. It is explanatory drawing which shows the amount of money which can be received with check cashing and cash. It is explanatory drawing which shows the receipt of the money amount deposited into a user's account that check cashing was completed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display version of the touchscreen of the screen shown by FIG. 16B. It is a flowchart which shows operation regarding cash exchange caching. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen shown to a user when cashing an exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows a request | requirement to sign on the back of an exchange. It is explanatory drawing which states that it cannot cash an exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen used when inputting a recipient's name regarding the money order to purchase. It is explanatory drawing which shows the amount of the exchange money purchased. It is a flowchart which shows various operation performed at the time of the purchase of an exchange. It is explanatory drawing which shows the payment method and the whole transaction in the screen which prints an exchange and requests | requires receipt of a receipt from a user. It is explanatory drawing which shows the payment method and the whole transaction in the screen which prints an exchange and requests | requires receipt of a receipt from a user. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen display of a telegraphic transfer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the account of a telegraphic transfer destination, and the bank name of the account. It is explanatory drawing which shows and requests | requires the input of a federal routine code. It is explanatory drawing which shows the account number added. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires money, and shows a service charge. It is a flowchart which shows operation of a telegraphic transfer. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole transaction and shows the selection request | requirement of a payment method. It is explanatory drawing of the screen which shows the number of accounts which can be paid using an apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the charge amount of a telephone charge, a service charge, and a total amount charged by payment with respect to the account of a telephone charge. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which requests | requires that the charge amount of a telephone fee may be put in a scanner slot. It is explanatory drawing which shows the payment selection of the bill of a gas bill with the bill of a telephone bill. It is explanatory drawing which requests | requires that the billing amount of a gas charge shall be put in a scanner slot. It is explanatory drawing which shows payment of the bill by a credit card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the payment amount and the request | requirement of the payment method regarding the bill of a telephone bill, the bill of a gas bill, and the payment of the bill by a credit card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen shown when paying a bill with a credit card. It is a flowchart which shows the operation performed during payment of a bill. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which confirms payment of a bill. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display version of the touchscreen of the screen shown by FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen for purchasing items, such as a stamp, a smart card, or a telephone card. It is a flowchart which shows the various operation performed during a purchase transaction. It is explanatory drawing which shows the screen which displayed the request | requirement for purchasing three smart cards and one telephone card. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole transaction and requests | requires selection of the payment method. It is explanatory drawing which shows the money amount inserted for the screen which shows the transaction of 25 dollars, and the payment with respect to the transaction. It is explanatory drawing which shows having paid 20 dollars. It is explanatory drawing which shows having paid 21 dollars. It is explanatory drawing which shows having paid $ 24. It is explanatory drawing which shows the message on the receipt screen of goods while showing that a total of 25 dollars was paid. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display version of the touchscreen of the screen shown by FIG. It is a flowchart which shows various operation regarding the payment by cash. It is explanatory drawing which shows the payment of the change by either the method of credit-recording on a card | curd, or depositing in a bank account. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of a signature verification and a character recognition process.

Claims (26)

An automatic deposit system that accepts payments from users within a deposit network and transfers funds to a recipient.
An automatic machine having a card receiving device for receiving a card identifying that the user is entitled to use the deposit network;
Here, the automatic machine is
A cash acceptance device that accepts cash from the user and totals the amount of cash received;
A cash payment device for paying cash to the user;
A user interface / display operable by the user to select transactions, enter commands, and receive information from the machine;
A card receiving device for receiving and checking a card of a qualified user;
A receipt generator for generating a receipt for the user including the total amount of cash received;
A document caching device including a document receiving device in the machine;
A reader for reading the cash amount of the document;
A confirmation device for confirming that the document is a valid document with a certain probability before paying cash to the user from the cash payment device;
An input device for entering the amount of money to be transferred elsewhere;
A keypad for entering the account identification
A payment accepting device for accepting payment by the user for the wire transfer;
A confirmation device for confirming that the remittance destination has an account in the deposit network;
An automatic deposit system comprising a communication system having a modem in the deposit network in order to transfer money to a confirmed remittance destination account via the deposit network.   2. The automatic deposit system according to claim 1, wherein the payment acceptance device includes a cash acceptance device that receives and totals cash. The payment acceptance device is:
A card receiving device for receiving a card for a wire transfer payment;
2. An automatic deposit system according to claim 1, further comprising means for reading a card and entering a debit on a card related to cash to be transferred by wire. The payment acceptance device is:
4. The automatic deposit system according to claim 3, further comprising a credit card reader for reading a credit card and executing a charge transaction on a credit card network for an amount related to cash transferred by telegraph. Payment is made by smart card,
A smart card reader / debit system that reads the card to confirm the amount on the card sufficient to pay the cash transferred and writes down the amount related to the amount of cash transferred to the smart card The automatic deposit system according to claim 1, further comprising: A printing device for printing a receipt for the wire transfer sender;
The automatic deposit system according to claim 1, further comprising a transaction record system that creates and holds a record of telegraphic transfer. 7. The automatic deposit system of claim 6, including an input device operable by the sender to connect to the sender's withdrawal account and withdraw an amount sufficient to pay the wire transfer therefrom. A display that displays the payment method to the user from cash, credit card, smart card or account withdrawal;
2. The automatic deposit system according to claim 1, further comprising a selection device operable by a user to select one of the payment methods for the wire transfer. An automatic deposit system for paying accounts via an account payment network,
An automatic machine having a card receiving device for receiving the user's card and identifying that the user is entitled to use the machine;
Here, the automatic machine is
A cash acceptance device that accepts cash from the user and totals the amount of cash received;
A cash payment device for paying cash to the user;
A user interface / display operable by the user to select transactions, enter commands, and receive information from the machine;
A card receiving device for receiving and checking a card of a qualified user;
A receipt generator for generating a receipt for the user including the total amount of cash received;
A document caching device including a document receiving device in the machine;
A reader for reading the cash amount of the document;
A confirmation device for confirming that the document is a valid document with a certain probability before paying cash to the user from the cash payment device;
A display showing a selection of bills available for payment via the bill payment network;
The display displays a plurality of payment methods, including cash payments,
A selection device operable by a user to select a bill to be paid from the plurality of displayed bills;
A reading device for reading the amount of the bill and identifying the payee of the bill;
A communication network including a modem for connecting to the bill payment network from the automated machine;
An account accepting device for receiving and storing accounts to be paid; and
An automatic deposit system comprising a transaction recording device for recording account transactions and payments.   10. The automatic deposit system of claim 9, further comprising a card reader for reading a payment card for payment and verifying that the payment card is eligible for use in the bill payment network. The payment card is a smart card;
An analysis device for analyzing that the smart card has sufficient funds to pay an account;
11. The automatic deposit system according to claim 10, further comprising a smart card writing device for reducing an amount related to a bill paid by the smart card. The payment card is a credit card;
11. The automatic deposit system according to claim 10, further comprising a credit card communication means connected via a modem for charging the bill amount to the user's credit card account. Multiple accounts selected for payment, and
A total amount calculator that sums the amount paid for each bill and transaction fee;
The automatic deposit system according to claim 9, further comprising: a receipt generation device that issues a receipt indicating a paid account, a transaction fee, and a total amount paid by a user. A method for providing an automatic machine of a deposit system capable of wire transfer of funds from a user to a destination in a deposit network,
Providing an automatic machine having a card reader for reading a card identifying that the user is entitled to use the machine and the deposit network;
Here, the automatic machine is
A cash acceptance device that accepts cash from the user and totals the amount of cash received;
A cash payment device for paying cash to the user;
A user interface / display operable by the user to select transactions, enter commands, and receive information from the machine;
A card receiving device for receiving and checking a card of a qualified user;
A receipt generator for generating a receipt for the user including the total amount of cash received;
A document caching device including a document receiving device in the machine;
A reader for reading the cash amount of the document;
A confirmation device for confirming that the document is a valid document with a certain probability before paying cash to the user from the cash payment device;
A sender inputs a bank identification into the automated machine according to the account number of the recipient;
Entering the amount to be wire transferred to the recipient,
Providing the automatic machine with a payment method for wire transfer;
Communicating from the banking system via a wire transfer modem to the deposit network to the confirmed remittance account of the receiving bank. Depositing cash for wire transfer,
Counting the cash received in the automatic machine;
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of confirming that the counted amount is an amount that covers a wire transfer amount and a transaction fee therefor. Selecting payment for wire transfer from the card;
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of reading the card and debiting the card related to the amount of cash transferred to the remittance destination. Providing a card including the use of a credit card,
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising communicating the total amount of cash transferred and transaction charges charged to the user's credit card via a credit card network. The payment is made with a smart card, reading the smart card and checking whether the amount on the card is sufficient for payment of a transaction involving cash to be transferred;
Writing the transaction amount for the wire transfer on the smart card;
The method of claim 16, further comprising returning the smart card to a user. Printing a receipt for the wire transfer transaction costs;
Providing the receipt to the user;
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of recording a telegraphic transfer transaction record within the automatic machine. Selecting payment from the user's account;
Including a modem to the user's bank, further comprising connecting via a communication network to withdraw from the user's account a sufficient amount to pay for a wire transfer transaction. The method of claim 14. An indication is provided for a user requesting a choice of payment method from among the options to pay by withdrawal from cash, user credit card, smart card or user account;
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the user selects one of the payment methods for a wire transfer. A method of using an automated machine to pay bills via a bill payment network,
Providing an automatic machine having a card reader that receives the user's card and identifies that the user is entitled to use the machine;
Here, the automatic machine is
A cash acceptance device that accepts cash from the user and totals the amount of cash received;
A cash payment device for paying cash to the user;
A user interface / display operable by the user to select transactions, enter commands, and receive information from the machine;
A card receiving device for receiving and checking a card of a qualified user;
A receipt generator for generating a receipt for the user including the total amount of cash received;
A document caching device including a document receiving device in the machine;
A reader for reading the cash amount of the document;
A confirmation device for confirming that the document is a valid document with a certain probability before paying cash to the user from the cash payment device;
Displaying on the display a selection of bill transactions available to be paid through the bill payment network connected to the automated machine;
Manually selecting one of the account transactions to pay an account within the account displayed to the user;
Displaying multiple payment methods to the user, including cash payments;
Inserting the bill into the machine to read the bill amount and account payee identification;
Communicating via a communication network including a modem for connecting from the automated machine to a bill payment network;
Sending payment information received from a user to the bill;
Storing the bills to be paid in said automatic machine. Selecting card payment options;
Inserting a credit card into the automatic machine for reading;
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising verifying that the credit card is eligible for use with the bill payment network. The payment card includes a smart card;
Reading available funds to pay bills from the smart card;
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of deducting an amount covering account payment transactions and transaction costs from the smart card. The payment card includes a credit card,
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of communicating the amount charged to the credit card account via a wire transfer transaction to the credit card account via a modem. Selecting multiple bills for payment;
Summing the amount of each bill and its associated transaction fee;
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of generating a receipt showing the paid account, transaction fee and total amount paid by the user.

Images