2006/000076

COLLECTION OF DEPOSITS

THIS INVENTION relates to collection of deposits. In particular the invention provides a deposit apparatus and a method of collecting a deposit from a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The inventor is aware of bank deposit devices, such as automatic teller machines (ATM's), but such machines are often not available to deposit change from a preceding transaction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a deposit apparatus which includes identification means operable uniquely to identify a user; a receptacle for receiving an amount of money; a processor connected to the identification means and the receptacle, the processor operable to quantify an amount of money received into the receptacle and to associate the user, as identified via the identification means, with the amount of money received; and a data interface connected to the processor, the data interface connectable to a remote server for reporting the identity of the user and the amount of money received from the user.

The identification means may include any one, or more of a magnetic card reader, a smart card reader, input means (e.g. a keypad)

for a personal identification number, and a biometric scanner, such as a fingerprint scanner, a retinal scanner, or the like.

The receptacle may be in the form of any one of a coin receptacle and a note receptacle for receiving coins or notes. It is to be appreciated that the apparatus may include more than one receptacle, for example, the apparatus may include one opening for receiving notes and one opening for receiving coins.

The apparatus may include a sensor operable to authenticate the money received by the receptacle. Typically the apparatus may include rejection means for rejecting money not being authenticated.

The sensor may be operable to sense the denomination of the money received into the receptacle. Therefore, the sensor in combination with the processor may be operable to identify and quantify the amount of money received.

The apparatus may include display means for displaying information to a user. The display means may be in the form of any one of a Liquid Crystal Display, a plasma display and a Light Emitting Diode display. For example, the display means may be arranged to display the amount of money received, the authentication status of the user, the instructions for use of the apparatus, or the like.

The apparatus may include a second data interface, the second data interface connectable to a transaction processor for electronically registering a monetary credit, the processor arranged to associate the user with the monetary credit, and the data interface connectable to a remote server for reporting the identity of the user and the monetary credit registered. The transaction processor may be in the form of a cash register, a magnetic card reader such as a credit card reader, or the like.

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The apparatus may include a removable deposit box, which, when removed from the apparatus is sealed, thereby preventing access to the contents of the deposit box. Advantageously, the deposit box may be removed and transported to a safe location where the contents of the deposit box can be removed.

The invention extends to a method of collecting a deposit from a user, which includes identifying a user by means of identification means; receiving a monetary credit from a user ; communicating the identity of the user and the monetary credit received to a remote server.

Receiving a monetary credit may include any one of receiving a credit from a preceding transaction and receiving a deposit from a user.

Identifying the user may include identifying a user by means of any one of reading a unique token held by the user, receiving a personal identification number from the user and performing a biometric scan of a user. For example, the token may be in the form of a magnetic card, a smart card, or the like. It is to be appreciated that the method may include use of the above identification means in combination with each other.

The method may include the prior step of registering the user on a database at the remote server. In addition, the method may include opening an account for a user at a financial institution, such as a bank. For example, the user may be required to provide personal details by filling out a form and the information may then be fed into the database.

Registering the user on a database may include communicating the identity of the user to a remote server. For example,

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the user may be required to swipe a magnetic card and then to provide a personal identification code, the card details and the PIN details may then be transmitted to a remote database so as to register the user and the PIN details on the remote database.

Receiving a monetary credit from a prior transaction may include electronically allocating a credit amount from a transaction computer, such as a cash register, to the user. For example an amount may be credited to the user instead of change being handed over to him.

Receiving a monetary credit from a prior transaction may include receiving change from a user in the form of any one of coins and notes. The method may include authenticating the change received, for example by means of detecting certain characteristics of the coins or notes.

Receiving a monetary credit may include displaying the monetary credit received from the user.

Communicating the monetary credit may include sending information of the user and the monetary credit to a financial institution where the user holds an account. The method may include crediting the account of the user with the monetary credit.

The method may include the further step of withdrawing an amount of money against a monetary credit.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings.

DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a banking apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a three dimensional view from the front of the banking apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a three dimensional view from the back of the banking apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows the banking apparatus of Figure 1 with a money box being removed from it; and

Figure 5 shows a method of collecting a deposit from a user in accordance with the invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers to a banking apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The banking apparatus 10 includes identification means 12 in the form of a magnetic card reader 12.1 and keypads 12.2 and 12.3. It is to be appreciated that other types of identification means such as a biometric scanner can be implemented to verify the identity of a user. In this example, the reader 12.1 and the keypads 12.2 and 12.3 are used in combination to verify the identity of the user.

The banking apparatus 10 further includes a receptacle in the form of a coin receptacle 14 and a bank note receptacle 16. The coin receptacle 14 and the bank note receptacle 16 are operable to receive money in the form of coins and notes from a user.

A processor 18 (shown in broken line) is connected to the card reader 12.1 , the keypads 12.2 and 12.3, the coin receptacle 14 and the bank note receptacle 16.

A data interface 20, also connected to the processor 18, is connectable to a remote server 22 for establishing communications between the banking apparatus 10 and the remote server 22.

The apparatus 10 further includes a sensor 24, also connected to the processor 18.

Display means 26, in the form of a Liquid Crystal Display is also connected to the processor 18.

The apparatus 10 further includes a second data interface 28 which is connectable to a transaction processor in the form of a cash register 30.

A three dimensional view of the apparatus 10 is shown in Figure 2. The coin receptacle 14 is visible on the top of the body of the apparatus 10 with the bank note receptacle 16 at a front side of the body.

A front display screen 26.1 is visible to a user to display instructions and the status of a transaction to a user.

The magnetic card reader 12.1 is located at the front to permit easy access by a user.

A money rejection zone 32 is visible towards a lower side of the body of the apparatus 10 permitting money received into the coin receptacle 14 and the bank note receptacle 16 to be rejected if not validly authenticated as shown by the arrows 44 and 46 respectively.

A keypad 12.2 and a keypad display 12.3 are mounted on a handheld panel 48, which is removably beatable in a recess 36.

As shown in Figure 3, a rear display screen 26.2 and keypad 38 are provided to be easily accessible to an attendant. In operation, the display screen 26.2 displays the progress of the transaction to the attendant.

The keypad 38 is provided for easy access by an attendant to enter certain transactional data that may be required.

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A slot 34 is provided into which a registration form, completed by a new client, can be fed and electronically read so as to capture details of a new client.

As can be seen in Figure 4 a removable money box 40, shown in broken line, fits into a money box receptacle 42 for collecting money in the form of coins or notes deposited via the coin receptacle 14 or the bank note receptacle 16, as indicated by arrows 50 and 52 respectively.

In operation, the invention provides a method of collecting a deposit from a user, indicated by reference numeral 60 in Figure 5. At 62, the user is identified by means of the identification means 12. The user slides a magnetic card (previously issued to him) through the card reader 12.1.

At 64, an amount of money is received from the user by receiving money into either, or both of the coin receptacle 14 and the bank note receptacle 16. This step includes authenticating the coins/notes received, quantifying the amount of authenticated money received and displaying the amount of money to the user.

Alternatively at 64, if the apparatus 10 is connected to a transaction processor such as a cash register 30, the step may include crediting an amount of money being available from a preceding transaction to the user's account.

At 66, the apparatus 10 communicates the identity of the user, identified in 62 with a remote server 22, by sending the information via the data interface 20 being connected to a network, such as the internet, a dedicated leased line, or the like.

It is to be appreciated that this sequence is preceded by a registration process whereby information of a user is stored on a database of the remote server. For example, during the registration process the user is identified by means of the identification means 12. The user slides a magnetic card (previously issued to him) through the card reader 12.1. and, when prompted to enter his personal identification number, enters a

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unique PIN on the keypad 12.2 on the handheld panel 48. This ensures that the person presenting the card is associated with the PIN.

The sequence further includes displaying the progress of the transaction, error messages and the like as the steps are performed.

At 68, the user press a termination button on the keypad 12.2 to terminate the deposit sequence as indicated in steps 62 to 66.

The method may include other options which the user may exercise such as requesting a balance on the account of the user, or requesting assistance on the steps to follow.

The inventor believes that the invention as illustrated provides a new deposit apparatus and a new method of collecting a deposit from a user. Importantly the inventor believes that the apparatus, being able to receive both coins and notes provides an ideal solution to save change received from a preceding transaction.