CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application 62/576,055, filed on 23 October 2017, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This relates in general to Automated Transaction Machines (ATMs) and systems for automated financial or commercial transactions, sometimes known as an Automated Banking Machine or Automated Teller Machine.

[0003] Automated Transaction Machines are commonly used to carry out a variety of financial or commercial transactions. Most commonly, these transactions include dispensing cash, checking account balances, paying bills and/or receiving deposits from users. ATMs may also perform a variety of other transactions, including the sale and purchase of tickets, issuance of coupons, check or voucher presentation, the printing of script and a variety of other functions.

[0004] For carrying out these transactions or performing these functions, Automated Transaction Machines typically include a variety of components and these components are chosen based upon what is necessary to include for the particular design and build of a particular production line or model of machine.

SUMMARY

[0005] This relates more particularly to a modular Automated Transaction Machine (ATM).

[0006] A modular automated transaction machine includes a cabinet and a removable head module. The cabinet includes a chest for storing notes of value, a transport mechanism for transporting notes of value between the chest and an exterior of the cabinet, and a base receiving section formed in the cabinet and including a base connector. The removeable head module includes a main structure for supporting at least one user interface device, a shroud connected to the main structure to enclose the user interface device, and a base supporting the main structure and including a cabinet connector connectable to the base connector for transferring at least one of electrical communication signals and electrical power between the cabinet and the removable head module.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, the modular automated transaction machine includes a locking mechanism for locking the removable head module to the cabinet. The locking mechanism may include at least one locking pin on one of the base and the base receiving section and at least one pin receiver on the other of the base and the base receiving section. The locking mechanism may include at least one locking blade on one of the base and the base receiving section and at least one blade receiver on the other of the base and the base receiving section. The locking mechanism may manually be changed between a locked and an unlocked state, and may be configured for manual state change by interaction with the locking mechanism from an interior of the cabinet. The locking mechanism may includes an automation mechanism for changing state of the locking mechanism between a locked and an unlocked state, and the automation mechanism may be activated via at least one of a user interface, near wireless communication, and network communication.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the removeable head module includes a power supply for supplying power to the user interface device. The removeable head module may includes a battery. The battery may be configured for supplying power when the head is disconnected from the cabinet. The at least one user interface device may be configured to remain at least partially powered up in a disassembled state.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the modular automated transaction machine includes an associated bank of lockers.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the removeable head module includes at least one handle. The at least one handle may be formed in the shroud and may include two handles symmetrically placed on the sides of the removable head module.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the at least one user interface device includes at least one display screen and the at least one display screen may be a plurality of touch screens. The at least one user interface device may additionally or alternately include at least one of a pin pad, an encrypted pin pad, a physical card reader, a non-contact card reader, and a wireless communications device for communication with a personal mobile device.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the main structure may include at least one aperture for the mounting of the at least one user interface.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the shroud may include at least one vent to allow air flow through the removable head module. The at least one vent may include upper and lower vents to allow air flow along a longitudinal portion of the removeable head portion.

[0014] Various aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a modular ATM.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second configuration of a modular ATM.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a third configuration of a modular ATM.

[0018] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth configuration of a modular ATM.

[0019] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth configuration of a modular ATM.

[0020] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sixth configuration of a modular ATM.

[0021] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a seventh configuration of a modular ATM.

[0022] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an eighth configuration of a modular ATM.

[0023] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a ninth configuration of a modular ATM.

[0024] Fig. 10 is a front perspective view of a main structure for a head for a modular ATM.

[0025] Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view of the main structure of Fig. 10. [0026] Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of a rear shroud for a head for a modular ATM.

[0027] Fig. 13 is a rear perspective view of the rear shroud of Fig. 12.

[0028] Fig. 14 is a front perspective view of an interface shroud for a base of a modular ATM.

[0029] Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the interface shroud of Fig. 14.

[0030] Fig. 16 is a front perspective view of a locking base for a head for a modular ATM.

[0031] Fig. 17 is a rear perspective view of the locking base of Fig. 16.

[0032] Fig. 18 is a front perspective view of an EPP shroud for a head for a modular ATM.

[0033] Fig. 19 is a rear perspective view of the EPP shroud of Fig. 18.

[0034] Fig. 20 is a front perspective view of a chip reader interface for a head for a modular ATM.

[0035] Fig. 21 is a rear perspective view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 20

[0036] Fig. 22 is a front perspective view of a fascia for a head for a modular ATM.

[0037] Fig. 23 is a rear perspective view of the fascia of Fig. 22.

[0038] Fig. 24 is a front perspective view of a second type rear shroud.

[0039] Fig. 25 is a rear perspective view of the rear shroud of Fig. 24.

[0040] Fig. 26 is a front perspective view of a head base assembly.

[0041] Fig. 27 is a top view of a second type main structure.

[0042] Fig. 28 is a front view of the main structure of Fig. 27.

[0043] Fig. 29 is a front isometric view of the main structure of Fig. 27.

[0044] Fig. 30 is a rear isometric view of the main structure of Fig. 27. 15] Fig. 31 is a side view of the main structure of Fig. 27.

16] Fig. 32 is a top view of a second type locking base.

17] Fig. 33 is a front view of the locking base of Fig. 32.

18] Fig. 34 is a front isometric view of the locking base of Fig. 32.

19] Fig. 35 is a rear isometric view of the locking base of Fig. 32.

50] Fig. 36 is an enlarged view of a locking feature of the locking base of Fig. 32.

51] Fig. 37 is an enlarged view of pin of a base.

52] Fig. 38 is an enlarged view of the locking feature of Fig. 36 in cooperation with the of Fig. 37.

53] Fig. 39 is a side view of the locking base of Fig. 32.

54] Fig. 40 is a top view of a third type rear shroud.

55] Fig. 41 is a front view of the rear shroud of Fig. 40.

56] Fig. 42 is a front isometric view of the rear shroud of Fig. 40.

57] Fig. 43 is a rear isometric view of the rear shroud of Fig. 40.

58] Fig. 44 is a side view of the rear shroud of Fig. 40.

59] Fig. 45 is a front isometric view of a second type EPP shroud.

>0] Fig. 46 is a rear isometric view of the EPP shroud of Fig. 45.

>1] Fig. 47 is a top view of the EPP shroud of Fig. 45.

>2] Fig. 48 is a front view of the EPP shroud of Fig. 45.

>3] Fig. 49 is a side view of the EPP shroud of Fig. 45. Fig. 50 is a front isometric view of a second type interface shroud.

Fig. 51 is a rear isometric view of the interface shroud of Fig. 50.

Fig. 52 is a top view of the interface shroud of Fig. 50.

Fig. 53 is a front view of the interface shroud of Fig. 50.

Fig. 54 is a side view of the interface shroud of Fig. 50.

Fig. 55 is a front isometric view of a second type chip reader interface.

Fig. 56 is a rear isometric view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 55.

Fig. 57 is a top view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 55.

Fig. 58 is a front view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 55.

Fig. 59 is a side view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 55.

Fig. 60 is an exploded view of the chip reader interface of Fig. 55 with a card.

Fig. 61 is a front perspective view of a head assembly with curved screen.

Fig. 62 is a rear perspective view of the head assembly of Fig. 61.

Fig. 63 is a rear perspective view of the curved screen of Fig. 61.

Fig. 64 is a side rear perspective view of the curved screen of Fig. 61.

Fig. 65 is a front perspective view of the rear shroud of the assembly of Fig. 61.

Fig. 66 is a rear perspective view of the rear shroud of Fig. 65.

Fig. 67 is a two perspective view of a first step in a head base pairing.

Fig. 68 is a two perspective view of a second step in a head base pairing.

Fig. 69 is a two perspective view of a third step in a head base pairing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0084] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a modular Automated Transaction Machine (ATM) 110.

[0085] The modular ATM includes a cabinet 112, a removeable head module 114, and may include an optional locker array 116 forming a bank of lockers 118.

[0086] The cabinet 112includes a chest disposed inside a cabinet housing for storing notes of value. A transport mechanism for transporting notes of value between the chest and an exterior of the cabinet is also disposed inside the cabinet housing. The cabinet 112 also includes a base receiving section 120 formed in the cabinet housing. The base receiving section 120 includes a base connector 122, as will be further described below, with an optional interface shroud 123.

[0087] The removeable head module 114 includes a main structure 124 for supporting at least one user interface device, such as, but not limited to, one or more display screens or touch screens 126, a pin pad or encrypted pin pad 128, which may include an optional pad shroud 129, a physical card reader 130, e.g. chip reader and/or magnetic stripe reader, and/or non-contact card reader 132, and/or a wireless communications device for communication with a personal mobile device. The main structure 124 may include a plurality of apertures for mounting of the user interface devices which may be optionally included in any desired combination.

[0088] A shroud 134 is connected to the main structure 124 to enclose the user interface device(s). The shroud 134 includes optional vents 136 to allow air flow through the removable head module 114, and most preferably includes upper and lower vents to allow air flow along a longitudinal portion of the removeable head portion 114.

[0089] The removeable head portion 114 includes one or more handles 138 for moving, lifting, or carrying the removable head portion 114. Preferably the handles 138 are formed in the shroud 134. Preferably the handles 138 include two handles 130 symmetrically placed on the sides of the removable head module 114. Preferably the handles 138 are disposed in the lower half of the removable head module 114. [0090] A base 140 supports the main structure 124 and includes a cabinet connector 142 connectable to the base connector 122 for transferring at least one of electrical communication signals and electrical power between the cabinet 112 and the removable head module 114.

[0091] The modular automated transaction machine 110 includes at least one locking mechanism for locking the removable head module 114 to the cabinet 112. In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes at least one locking pin 144 on one of the base 140 and the base receiving section 120 cooperating with at least one pin receiver 146 on the other of the base 140 and the base receiving section 120. In the illustrated embodiment, there are four locking pins 144 on of the base receiving section 120 and four pin receivers 146 on the base 140. Additionally or alternatively, in at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism includes at least one locking blade 148 on one of the base 140 and the base receiving section 120 and at least one blade receiver 150 on the other of the base 140 and the base receiving section 120. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two locking blade disposed on the back of the base 140 and two blade receivers 150 formed in the base receiving section 120. Further, the locking mechanism may change between a locked state and an unlocked state. Such a state change may be preformed manually, by interacting with the mechanism from the exterior or from the interior of the cabinet. In such a case, access would to the cabinet interior would be necessary to unlock the removable head unit 114 from the cabinet 112. The state change may also occur by an autonomation mechanism, such that the process may be initiated by interacting with the user interface of the automated transaction machine 110, by near wireless communication, or via network (wired or wireless) communication, in any case, such as by a technician or servicer.

[0092] The removeable head module 114 includes a power supply 152 for supplying power to the user interface device. The removeable head module 114 includes a battery 154 for supplying power when the head is disconnected from the cabinet 112.

[0093] In at least one embodiment, a modular ATM includes a base cabinet, which may include a safe or secured section. The modular ATM also includes a head unit with at least one device. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, display screens, touch screens, key pads (e.g. keyboards, Encrypted Pin Pads (EPPs), and the like), card readers (e.g. chip readers, mag stripe readers, and the like), wireless communication components (e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC), and the like), or any other suitable components.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the modular ATM includes a broker for validating the modules of the ATM. The broker is preferably located in the base section of the ATM and most preferably in a safe or secured section of base section. It must be understood how ever that the broker may be in any module as desired. As modules are assembled or switched out the broker, may confirm or verify the function, identity, and/or authenticity of each module. The broker may then enroll the module with the ATM operating system, authenticate the module to operating system or other modules, and/or configure/reconfigure operation of the ATM.

[0095] In at least one configuration, the modular ATM incudes an array of lockers, which may be access controlled by the modular ATM. Such lockers may be used, for example, for the purchase or exchange of goods, or leased for storage, among other uses. It is contemplated that units in the array may be added or removed as desired.

[0096] In at least one embodiment the ATM is configure such that modules may be hot swapped. That is to say that certain modules maybe removed or replaced without powering down or rebooting the ATM.

[0097] In at least one embodiment, certain modules may include a power source, such as battery power, such that the modules remain at least partially powered up in a disassembled state.

[0098] It must be understood that while the illustrated embodiments are depicted with the modules physically assembled, it is contemplated that the individual modules may be physical separated and function by communicating over a network, physical or wireless.

[0099] While principles and modes of operation have been explained and illustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be understood, however, that this may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.