Automated banking system for dispensing money orders, wire transfer and bill payment

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for conducting transactions through a financial network using a document such as a check or money order at an unattended automated machine. For security purposes a signature detector detects the signature and the user uses a card to operate the machine. A reader reads the amount on the document; and, for a check, the LAR and CAR amounts are compared. If the document is a money order, the user may be prompted to endorse the money order if the signature detector fails to detect a signature. A card writer writes an amount on the card related to the amount of the transaction being done and a calculator calculates the amount to be written on the card and subtracts a user's service charge. A bill may be paid and a receipt generator will provide a receipt preferably showing payment of the bill and the service charge. If the check or money order is for an amount greater than the bill and service charge amounts, the card writer may write the difference on the card. A portion of the check or money order may also be deposited in the user's account. A cash acceptor in the machine accepts cash and a cash dispenser may dispense cash.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 699,978, filed on Nov. 3, 2003, entitled “Automated Banking System For Dispensing Money Orders, Wire Transfer and Bill Payment,” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 444,197, filed on Nov. 19, 1999, entitled “An Automated Banking System For Dispensing Money Orders, Wire Transfer and Bill Payment,” now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08 / 866,140, filed on May 30, 1997, entitled “An Automated Banking System For Dispensing Money Orders, Wire Transfer and Bill Payment,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,048, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to automated banking systems and machines including those which employ or are an improvement over automatic teller machines (ATMS). ATMs are widely available and receive a considerable am...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an automated banking machine system that can perform various functions such as ATM, wire transfer, and purchasing end user items without the need for a teller. The machine recognizes cash and can transfer money to a user through a banking network. It also allows the user to pay bills or purchase items using a credit card or smart card. The machine does not need to dispense coins, which can cause maintenance problems, and instead transfers the change onto a credit card or smart card. This avoids the need for storing and dispensing bulky coin-type change. Overall, the invention provides increased revenue opportunities for the owners of the automated banking machine and simplifies the process of providing various services to users."

Problems solved by technology

The reading of the amount and the identification of the payor may be difficult because of the many different formats of such bills.

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