AN AUTOMATIC BANKING MACHINE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an automatic banking machine, and more specifically, to an automatic banking machine that accepts deposits.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Automatic banking machines are well known in the field and are widely used. They operate as off-site extensions of a bank by allowing a predefined list of transactions to be processed by a client, during the course of the day, as well as after hours. It is a convenient way of allowing any person to conduct their banking at a time suitable and convenient for them.

One embodiment of the prior art is the automated teller machine (ATM) in which a one has, among others, the choice to deposit money into the ATM. This is done by inserting the money to be deposited into a slot in the ATM, after selecting the transaction on the screen. The money is then manually removed from the ATM, counted, verified and the deposit is recorded. The transaction is immediately recorded in order to reflect on the user's or the payee's account and thereby making the funds available immediately.

Another embodiment of the prior art are the tellers found at banks. In order to deposit money, the user goes to the bank and hands over the money to be deposited to the teller, together with a deposit slip. This deposit slip may reflect the user's account to be credited, or any other payee. The teller counts the money, either manually or inserts the money into a note reader. The money is then placed into a safe and the transaction is recorded. A difficulty that may be encountered with this system is that the bank is not always open and this may be inconvenient to the user.

In cases where the retailer makes use of a cash-in-transit (CIT) service, recordal of the transaction is also delayed. The delay is caused by the

following considerations: Cash is collected, counted, reconciled and treasured by the retailer before being collected by the CIT service. The CIT service then either sends the cash to a bank, or cash-processing centre. The cash is then re-counted and reconciled before the retailer's account is credited. This process may be inefficient and costly.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic banking machine which, at least partially, alleviates the above-mentioned difficulties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention there is provided an automatic banking machine comprising a housing; a cash acceptor for accepting cash to be deposited in a canister removably securable in the housing of a communication means for communicating with a remote station; a memory means; access control means to enable or enable access to the inside of the housing.

The housing of the automatic banking machine may be constructed in modular form having interlocking modules. The electronics module may have at least one microprocessor. Coupled to this microprocessor is at least one memory device.

A further feature of the electronics module is that it has at least a single currency at any given time note reader. The note reader can be a single note acceptor or a bulk note acceptor, or both.

An enabling device enables operation of the automatic banking machine. The enabling device may take the form of a magnetic strip card and/or contactless smart card reader. In place of a magnetic card reader can be a biometric identification device to enable operation of the automatic banking machine.

A yet further feature of the invention provides for the electronics module to include a visual user interface. The interface may take the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a touch screen, and will be able to display logistics information regarding the automatic banking machine, may be used to display video marketing material, and may display idle and informative messages, operational, alarm or technical messages.

There is also provided for the electronics module to include a printer that is located inside the housing with a printer port located on the outer casing. A printer connector port allows an external printer to be connected to the electronics module.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the electronics module to have a communications module. The communications module may be a wireless communications module.

The wireless communications module may be a global system for mobile GSM communications and/or USSD (Uninstructed Supplementary Services Data) and/or Satellite communications module having a subscriber identification module (SIM) cardholder and card. The communication module will be able to write and re-write information to the SIM as and when required and communication will be possible between the SIM and the microprocessor.

The communications module may also take the form of a radio frequency (RF) communications module.

A wireless local area network (LAN) module may be included to be used where a cluster of automatic banking machines is located in close proximity to one another.

An alarm module is yet a further feature of the automatic banking machine, for sending error messages, alarm signals, tampering and the like, using the USSD protocol.

Provision is further made for an airtime-dispensing unit and other products such as tickets, vouchers and the like. The electronics module also allows online purchases.

The automatic banking machine also includes a back-up memory system.

The automatic banking machine will have a power supply, either from the main supply or from an integrated DC power source. The DC power supply may be a battery pack and would include a transformer. As an alternative to the battery pack, the automatic banking machine may have an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and shall operate from the main supply. Solar power panels may also power the automatic banking machine as well.

The automatic banking machine has a cash canister into which money deposited is receivable. The cash canister would ideally be situated underneath the money reader. The canister has a locking mechanism as well as a numbered breakable seal which number has to correlate with the number at the base station at the end of the day and will reflect any signs of tampering. Provision is also made for the canister to have a separate note acceptor in place.

In addition, the canister has a memory module interface. Another feature of the canister is that it has a GSM tracking module or a GPS tracking module.

As a further security feature, the canister may have a note-dyeing system.

The automatic banking machine may take one of several embodiments, including a freestanding unit, a desktop mounted unit, an under-the-counter unit, a vehicle mounted unit or a trailer-mounted unit.

A cash deposit and removal method comprising the steps of removing a cash canister from an automatic banking machine using an electronic identification means to open the banking machine; placing the canister in a case having security means; placing the case in a secure vehicle; removing the canister

from the case; docking the case at a docking station; reading data from a memory means of the canister and storing and/or transmitting the data; and removing the cash from the canister.

A cash deposit system comprising a banking machine having a housing with a cash canister in which cash is deposited through a cash acceptor; security means inside the housing; main memory means in the housing; canister memory means in the canister; communication means for communicating with a remote station; printing means, display means and access control means.

These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention is described below by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the automatic banking machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the banking machine of figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective of an open docking case for a cash canister;

Figure 4 is the same view of the banking machine as shown in figure 2 but shows more detail relating to the walls of the banking machine;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an individual automatic banking machine showing the system structure;

Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an overview of the cash management system;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the Back Office System (BOS); and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a docking station for a canister of the baking machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, an automatic banking machine is generally indicated by reference numeral 1.

The automatic banking machine 1 has a housing 6, a note acceptor including a note reader 2 in which money to be deposited is receivable, an electronics module (not shown)or various electronic circuits on electronic circuit boards and other electronic devices. A communications device 17 is also in the machine and a cash canister 7 is removably securable inside the housing in which money deposited is stored. A printer 5 is also included. The cash canister 7 includes a door 8 covering a cash compartment 9 in which banknotes may be stored.

A gas canister 10 is also included in the housing and may be a smoke, peper gas or ink stain canister.

On top of the housing, is an electronics screen display 9.

Other components of the machine, as can be seen from figure 5, include a microprocessor 16 and a receipt printer 18. It further has a memory device 18 that is linked to the microprocessor.

The communications module has a GSM/USSD/GPRS communication means incorporating a SIM cardholder and card (not shown). It further has a wireless 802.11 -based LAN module (not shown).

The electronics module also has sensors 19 (tilt switches and seismic switches) linked up to an alarm system (not shown). The alarm system is linked up to the microprocessor that in turn is linked up to a locking system (not shown).

There is further provided a power supply and battery backup 20. The power supply receives the standard AC voltage (220V ±10%). This voltage is transmitted to a transformer that supplies a DC current to power the system. This transformer also supplies and recharges the battery backup.

The canister 7 also includes an electronic memory device

In addition to these internal components, there is a unit 21 (figure 3) that dispenses airtime and money in respect of services (third party payments) and goods.

The cash canister 7 is located underneath the note reader. The cash canister 7 has a locking mechanism (not shown) as well as a note acceptor (not shown). The cash canister 7 further has a memory module interface and a GSM/GPRS tracking module. An additional security feature is a Reserve Bank-approved note dyeing system (all not shown).

As can be seen from figures 6 and 7, there is provided a Back Office System (BOS) generally indicated by numerical 22, an operations centre generally indicated by numerical 23 and a reconciliation centre generally indicated by numerical 24. The communications module 17 is linked up to and communicates with the BOS 22. This BOS 22 receives operational messages from the automatic banking machine 1 either when prompted or as programmed. The communications module 17 is also linked up to the operations centre 23. The operations centre 23 is able to receive alarm and technical messages from the automatic banking machine 1. Both the BOS 22 and the operations centre 23 will be discussed in further detail below. Each single transaction will be stored.

The BOS 22 operates on a system of functional blocks and has, at the centre, a back office control module that has a communication means 26. In addition, it has the following further functional blocks: a sales and administration 27, web and email interface 28, billing system 29, client management 30, card management 31 , management reporting 32, cash-in-transit (CIT) scheduling 33 and switching transactions 34. All these functional blocks are linked to the back office control module 25 via data links and/or financial protocols.

The BOS 22 is the heart of the operations and control of the automatic banking machines 1. Here, the planning, control, management and day-to-day operation of the entire system is run. The BOS 22 may function to collect data accumulated from all the automatic banking machines that are installed in numerous locations countrywide or internationally. This accumulated data is processed here and is used to complete the financial transactions. In addition, the BOS 22 will co-ordinate the sale of automatic banking machines, installations, maintenance and repair, collection of cash, reconciling of bank balances, and the switching of the electronic value into customers' accounts.

A reconciliation manager 35 is linked to the back office control module 25 as well as the reconciliation centre 24. The reconciliation manager 35 manages the reconciliation log and detects alarm conditions in the reconciliation process. This constitutes the interface between the reconciliation system and the back office control module. There will be no data link to the bank, the bank's EFT system sill be used for payment.

A communications module shall monitor all communications between the cash management system entities. All communications shall be encrypted and sent through dedicated communication links.

The day-to-day operations will be handled by a sales and administration functional block 27. This will interface directly with the sales and marketing team. This block will be responsible for the take on of new customers and, in

doing so, for the verification of customer details. It will further be responsible for the service level agreement (SLA) that is concluded on take on. The SLA shall determine, inter alia, the rates of commission per transaction, the number of magnetic strip cards and/or contactless smart cards to be issued, frequency of cash canister collections and rates for additional charges. In addition to these functions, this block will be responsible for the maintenance of customer records.

The system may further cater for a management reporting functional block 32. This will form the interface with management, and, management will be able to control the system. Three distinct areas within this block will be provided for, viz, supervisory, reports and control areas. The supervisory area will manage the day-to-day running of a back end area. Any changes to the system will have oversight from this area. The control area will may be used to modify variables that impact on the running of the system. The commission payable as well as the revision of rates applicable will be concluded from this area. Shortfalls and surpluses shall be alerted to management through this channel. The reports area will be used by management for formatting and viewing reports. These reports will be mined from the database in meaningful formats and shall provide management the ability to:

View individual customer and associated reports;

View the entire network of automatic banking machines;

View the entire cash canister distribution;

Minute-by-minute reconciliation of collected cash;

Totals, by day, week and month;

Archived data;

Status and location of unused cash canister; and

Additional financial functionality in terms of break-even analysis, graphing functions and the like.

Management and clients may also be allowed to draw reports from the system pertaining to transactions concluded by the automatic banking machines, such transactions to include:

Transactions per customer;

Transactions per automatic banking machine;

Transactions in time sequence;

Financial information of deposits to customer accounts;

Queries to the automatic banking machines;

Note denominations;

Transactions per card; and

Logistics management to show where CIT personnel have been or are going.

A card management functional block 31 may control the procurement of cards, the encoding of same and subsequent issues to customers, technicians and CIT personnel. They may further control and manage blacklists and the like.

The functional block responsible for the support operations will be the client management 30. This block will include a front office and customer liaison, and together with the client management 30, the web and email functional block 28 and the billing system 29 will constitute the interface between the BOS and clients.

A bank interface for switching transactions 34 is provided for. Via this interface, all electronic value is switched to the banks.

Provision may also be made for a functional block known as cash canister management and CIT scheduling 33. All cash canisters may have a unique identification number and can be tracked through this functional block through it's daily routine. Further, scheduled and unscheduled pick-up of cash canisters is managed. This functional block will interface with the CIT Service, such service being the means whereby the cash canisters 10 are picked up from the automatic banking machines 1 and delivered to the reconciliation centre 24.

A separate billing system 24 is provided for which will generate the invoicing to customers.

All Communications to be sent via email may be sent through a web and email interface 28.

The operations centre 23 may be used to indicate the current production and delivery status of automatic banking machines 1. Allocation of units will also be facilitated through here.

In use, the existing client places a magnetic strip card and/or contactless smart card into the magnetic strip card and/or contactless smart card reader 13. This act instructs the communications module 17 to send a card validation request to the BOS 22. The BOS 22 then transmits a card validation response to the automatic banking machine 1 , and if successful, powers the single and/or bulk note reader 5 and/or 6. At this instant, a transaction log is recorded onto the cash canister, which has a PC board in it, as well as sent to the BOS, where it is captured on a data-base. The client then feeds the notes to be deposited into the readers 5 and/or 6. The notes are then passed into the cash canister 10 that sends a signal to the microprocessor 16 confirming the amount deposited. Upon receiving the last note, the ABM either automatically times itself out and prints a receipt, or the person removes the card and a receipt is then printed.

Should the user insert more notes, the process as described above repeats. Where the user elects a different transaction, the dispensing unit 21 becomes operable and the user inserts cash into the note reader 5 and/or 6 accordingly. If the user elects to complete the transaction, he selects the appropriate message display command on the LCD or touch screen 14. The transaction is concluded and a receipt is printed from the printer 18 and made available to the user via the printer port 7. The transaction is simultaneously recorded onto the cash canister, as well as the BOS. The transaction is sent via the communications module 17 to the GSM/GPRS interface 26 of the BOS 22. The user's card is then returned to the user via the magnetic strip card and/or contacless smart card reader 13.

When the cash canister 10 reaches a certain pre-defined capacity, the memory module (not shown) on the cash canister relays a signal to the microprocessor 16. The microprocessor 16 then relays a signal via the communications module 17 to the GSM/GPRS interface 26. This interface 26 then relays the signal to the operations management 23 and the CIT scheduling 33. CIT scheduling then arranges the CIT service to retrieve the cash canister 10.

The CIT service personnel, when at the automatic banking machine 1 , inserts a magnetic strip card or contactless smart card into the magnetic strip card and/or contactless smart card reader 13. The card validation request and response is relayed to and from the BOS 22. If successful, the LCD or touch screen 14 then displays to the CIT personnel the procedure to be followed to effect the removal of the cash canister 10, and to insert an empty cash canister. An appropriate out-of-service message is displayed throughout this procedure and an appropriate signal is relayed to the operations management 23 and CIT scheduling 33.

The sales and administration functional block 27 refers the prospective retail client to the client management 30 and card management. Once this transaction is complete, the CIT service personnel then proceeds to take the cash canister 10 to the cash counting and processing centre 24. While in transit, and in fact throughout the entire operation, the cash canister's 10 location is monitored by the operations management 23. The operations management 23 also functions to monitor and respond to any fault messages that may be displayed by the automatic banking machine 1.

Once the cash canister has been received by the counting and processing centre 24, the cash is dealt with by the counting and processing manger 35 who will, after reconciling the data received from the back office control module 25, instruct a switching transactions functional module 34 to effect an electronic transfer to the bank client.

Clients can at all times, retrieve an itemised transaction log, a single transaction log or other similar details regarding their accounts via the automatic banking machine 1 or through a web and email interface 28. the client management functional module 30 will determine the level of service that the client, banking or otherwise, may access.

The automatic banking machine 1 is powered by a power supply and battery back up 20. The electrical mains is connected to a transformer (not shown) which in turn powers the automatic banking machine 1 and in addition serves to recharge the battery back up 20.

The automatic banking machine 1 also has sensors 19 that are linked to an alarms module (not shown). When the automatic banking machine is tampered with, the sensors send a signal to the microprocessor which then executes a programme that instructs the automatic banking machine to activate a locking mechanism (not shown). A signal is also sent to the operations management 23 who will then react appropriately.

At the end of every switching transaction, once a day or as otherwise determined, the billing system functional module 29 will bill the clients in respect of the services rendered to them. The sales and administration functional module 27 is responsible for marketing and administrative tasks assigned to them.

Figure 3 shows a carry case 12 for use when the cash canister is removed. The case 12 includes security means in the form of a second gas canister 13. Connection means allows electronic circuits to communicate with the canister 7 an a transmitter in the case 12 or connectable outside the case 12 to facilitate communication from a base station with the cash canister. The case is used to transport the canister from the banking machine to a CIT vehicle.

Figure 4 shows details of the walls of the housing. The walls are made of outer and inner steel plates having central ceramic plates to protect the housing against welding torches, trip wiring and the like.

A very important feature of the system is that the amount of money stored in the banking machine is recorded and stored in the memory means of the banking machine, a signal including the amount of money is transmitted to the base station to, in real-time, also record the amount of money stored in that banking machine at the base station. Furthermore, a further record of the amount of money in the canister is stored in a canister memory means inside the canister.

When money is deposited into the machine, the machine may send a signal to a financial institution such as a bank to record the deposit against a bank account of the entity or person who deposited the money. At such time, the risk may shift to the machine provider/installer so that the machine is to the store owner/depositor like a bank or bank teller for the immediate recordal of a cash deposit.

Figure 8 shows a docking station 100 for the canister 7 has been removed from the banking machine, it may be docked at the docking station which will typically be included in a CIT vehicle.

The data stored in the memory of the canister 7 can now be read and transmitted to the base station and printed at printer 103. A reprint button (not shown) may be provided to re-print the data if required. A screen may also display the data such as how much money, the denominations of the money, the name or other details of the store where the canister was installed and the like.

The canister is placed on a plate 105 of the docking station and electrical connector plug 106 connects with a complementary plug on the canister.

Once the canister has been docked in the CIT vehicle, it may be passed to a secured zone in the vehicle where it is emptied. The canister may now be reused at the same or a next store. This method thus facilitates the use of less

canisters in that the canisters themselves are not (but only the money) are transported to the cash receiving and counting depot.

The docking station sends some or all of the data read from the canister to the base station.

A cash deposit and removal method thus includes the steps of removing a cash canister from an automatic banking machine using an electronic identification means to open the banking machine; placing the canister in a case having security means; placing the case in a secure vehicle; removing the canister from the case; docking the case at a docking station; reading data from a memory means of the canister and storing and/or transmitting the data; and removing the cash from the canister.

A cash deposit system thus includes a banking machine having a housing with a cash canister in which cash is deposited through a cash acceptor; security means inside the housing; main memory means in the housing; canister memory means in the canister; communication means for communicating with a remote station; printing means, display means and access control means.

It will be appreciated that the above is only one embodiment of the invention, and that many variations in detail are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the magnetic strip card and/or contactless smart card reader may be replaced by a biometrics identification device or can be used in conjunction with such a device. Further, the shape and configuration of the automatic banking machine and its components may be quite different from the type described above. The type of automatic banking machine described above refers to the free-standing model. Provision is also made for a desktop mounted unit, an under-the-counter unit, a vehicle mounted unit or a trailer-mounted cluster of units.

Further, the battery back up may be replaced with an uninterruptable power supply (UPS). For the vehicle- or trailer-mounted units, power may be alternatively or in collaboration with the mains, be sourced from solar panels.

The LCD or touch screen display 14 not only has to display command messages but can, in addition, display video advertisement material or when in idle mode, idle messages. Further, the BOS 22 may be changed in an effort to streamline operations should this be foreseen in the future, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The alarm module may have is its own features, all the normal components of an alarm mechanism, including sensors linked to a trigger, the trigger relayed to the communications module whereby an alarm signal is transmitted to the TOC or the BOS.

The trigger of the alarm may be linked up to a locking mechanism. This mechanism may be controlled by the TOC or the BOS as and when required and may also be part of an executable program to be followed in the case of tampering.

The automatic banking machine described herein makes it possible for clients to deposit money at any time of the day or night and such deposit transaction is recorded without delay as would be the case with known systems.