Compact rejector cabinet

Abstract

A cabinet for storing rejected media items at a self-service terminal such as an ATM has an input channel for receiving a continuous series of media items such as checks or banknotes. Opposite driven rollers receive the continuous series of media items via the input channel and push each of the continuous series of media items into an output channel. A storage container receives each of the continuous series of media items pushed out by the opposite driven rollers via the output channel. The storage container has an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall is at least partially cylindrical and optionally includes a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface, which help prevent input jamming at the storage container.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to rejection cabinets for self-service terminals, and more specifically, to improved short-side rejection cabinets for self-service terminals such as ATMs. Background Technology

[0002] Self-service terminals (SSTs), such as ATMs, typically accept various media items, including banknotes and checks, for payments or deposits. In some cases, the SST can determine that an inserted media item (usually a check) should be rejected and returned to the user. However, in other cases, the user may neglect to retrieve the returned media item. In such situations, the rejected media item can be retracted from the return slot and forwarded to a dedicated rejection cabinet for safekeeping. In other cases, the rejected media item is not returned to the user but is sent directly to the rejection cabinet. Existing rejection cabinets have various drawbacks, and this paper discloses technical solutions to address these drawbacks. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, this application provides a cabinet for storing media items, comprising an input channel, opposing driven rollers, and a storage container. The input channel is used to receive a continuous series of media items. The opposing driven rollers are used to receive the continuous series of media items via the input channel and to eject each of the continuous series of media items. The storage container is used to receive each of the continuous series of media items ejected by the opposing driven rollers, the storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being at least partially cylindrical.

[0004] According to the first aspect above, the cabinet further includes an output channel, wherein the opposing driven rollers push each of the sequential series of media items into the output channel, and wherein the storage container receives each of the sequential series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers via the output channel.

[0005] According to the first aspect above, the outer wall of the storage container includes sloping protrusions on its inner surface.

[0006] According to the first aspect above, the ramp-shaped protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0007] According to the first aspect above, the outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface.

[0008] According to the first aspect above, each of the plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0009] According to the first aspect above, the outer wall includes a cutout area for accessing a medium item located within the annular storage cavity.

[0010] According to the first aspect above, the outer wall includes a groove for connecting the output channel to the annular storage cavity.

[0011] According to the first aspect above, the cabinet further includes a first central shaft and a second central shaft, wherein the opposing driven rollers include an upper roller connected to each other via the first central shaft and a lower roller connected to each other via the second central shaft.

[0012] According to the first aspect above, the cabinet further includes a first gear connected to the first central shaft and a second gear connected to the second central shaft, the first gear being coupled to the second gear such that when either the first gear or the second gear is driven, the upper roller rolls in a first direction and the lower roller rolls in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0013] According to the first aspect above, the cabinet further includes a motor connected to one of the first gear or the second gear to drive the upper roller and the lower roller.

[0014] According to the first aspect above, the motor includes a driven shaft that is connected to one of the first gear or the second gear via a gear and belt assembly.

[0015] According to the first aspect above, the motor is positioned within a cylindrical region formed by the inner wall of the storage container.

[0016] According to a second aspect, this application provides a cabinet for storing media items, comprising an input channel and a storage container. The input channel is used to receive a continuous series of media items. The storage container is used to receive each of the continuous series of media items, the container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being at least partially cylindrical and having sloping protrusions on its inner surface.

[0017] According to the second aspect above, the ramp-shaped protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0018] According to a third aspect, this application provides a method for storing media items, comprising performing the steps (1)-(3). In step (1), a continuous series of media items is received via an input channel. In step (2), each of the continuous series of media items is ejected via opposing driven rollers. In step (3), each of the continuous series of media items ejected by the opposing driven rollers is received at a storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being at least partially cylindrical.

[0019] According to the third aspect above, the outer wall of the storage container includes sloping protrusions on its inner surface.

[0020] According to the third aspect above, the ramp-shaped protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0021] According to the third aspect above, the outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface.

[0022] According to the third aspect above, each of the plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, this application provides a cabinet for storing media items, comprising an input channel, opposing driven rollers, and a storage container. The input channel is used to receive a continuous series of media items. The opposing driven rollers are used to receive the continuous series of media items via the input channel and to eject each of the continuous series of media items. The storage container is used to receive each of the continuous series of media items ejected by the opposing driven rollers, the storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being at least partially cylindrical.

[0024] According to the fourth aspect above, the cabinet further includes any one of the following features (1)-(7). In feature (1), the cabinet further includes an output channel, wherein opposing driven rollers push each of the sequential series of media items into the output channel, and wherein the storage container receives each of the sequential series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers via the output channel. In feature (2), the outer wall of the storage container includes a ramp-shaped protrusion on its inner surface. Feature (3) includes, in addition to feature (2) above, the ramp-shaped protrusion being positioned on a lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall. In feature (4), the outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface. In addition to feature (4) above, feature (5) includes, in addition to feature (4) above, each of the plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions being positioned on a lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall. In feature (6), the outer wall includes a cutout area for accessing media items positioned within the annular storage cavity. In feature (7), the outer wall includes a groove for connecting the output channel to the annular storage cavity.

[0025] According to the fourth aspect above, the cabinet further includes a first central shaft and a second central shaft, wherein the opposing driven rollers include an upper roller connected to each other via the first central shaft and a lower roller connected to each other via the second central shaft.

[0026] According to the fourth aspect above, the cabinet further includes a first gear connected to the first central shaft and a second gear connected to the second central shaft, the first gear being coupled to the second gear such that when either the first gear or the second gear is driven, the upper roller rolls in a first direction and the lower roller rolls in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0027] According to the fourth aspect above, the cabinet further includes a motor connected to one of the first gear or the second gear to drive the upper roller and the lower roller.

[0028] According to the fourth aspect above, the cabinet further includes any one of the following features (1)-(2). In feature (1), the motor includes a driven shaft connected to one of the first gear or the second gear via a gear and belt assembly. In feature (2), the motor includes a driven shaft connected to one of the first gear or the second gear via a gear and belt assembly, and wherein the motor is positioned within a cylindrical region formed by the inner wall of the storage container.

[0029] According to a fifth aspect, this application provides a method for storing media items, comprising performing the steps (1)-(3). In step (1), a continuous series of media items is received via an input channel. In step (2), each of the continuous series of media items is ejected via opposing driven rollers. In step (3), each of the continuous series of media items ejected by the opposing driven rollers is received at a storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall being at least partially cylindrical.

[0030] According to the fifth aspect above, in the above method, the storage container includes any one of the following features (1)-(4). In feature (1), the outer wall of the storage container includes a ramp-shaped protrusion on its inner surface. Feature (2) includes, in addition to feature (1) above, the ramp-shaped protrusion is positioned on a lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall. In feature (3), the outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface. Feature (4) includes, in addition to feature (3) above, each of the plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions is positioned on a lower portion of the inner surface of the outer wall. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The following detailed description, given by way of example and not intended to limit this disclosure, will be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 It is a side view of an adjustable check processing module for an ATM that includes a conventional rejection cabinet and a rejection cabinet according to this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a right-side perspective view of the rejection cabinet based on this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a left perspective view of the rejection cabinet based on this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a right-side view of the rejection cabinet according to this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5 It is a side perspective sectional view of the interior portion of the rejection cabinet according to this disclosure; and

[0037] Figure 6 This is a side view of the internal portion of the rejection cabinet in which the media item is inserted, according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Throughout this disclosure, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in the accompanying drawings illustrating various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure.

[0039] This disclosure relates to a short-side rejection cabinet that accepts unsorted media items (e.g., checks or banknotes) within a compact space volume using a minimal number of moving parts. A common configuration for ATM rejection cabinets is a cabinet with a cubic internal compartment angled at 45 degrees to the horizontal to ensure that rejected media items (e.g., checks) slide downwards into the compartment and reduce the necessary height of the device. The longer dimension of the cubic internal compartment must accommodate the longest expected media item of 225 mm (8.86 inches). This configuration in… Figure 1 The diagram shows a standard rejection cabinet 110 housed within an adjustable check processing module (SCPM) 100 of an ATM. One drawback of the standard rejection cabinet 110 is that its 45-degree orientation requires a significant amount of space within the SCPM 100 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 1 (See box 118 in the image). Figure 1 The required area for frame 118 is measured to be 18,550 mm². A second disadvantage of the conventional rejection cabinet 110 is that the cubic interior 114 has a fixed lower inner end 112 against which one short side of the incoming media item rests. This means that when the rejection cabinet 110 is full of rejected media items, the front short side of a newly inserted rejected media item may collide with the rear side of a previously inserted rejected media item, potentially causing media jamming. This, in turn, causes the ATM to stop service when the media jam is cleared. This is particularly problematic when the rejected media item is not in good condition, such as having creases or wrinkles. In the latter case, the media item may be deformed due to, for example, folding or curling, which further increases the likelihood of media jamming.

[0040] For reference Figure 1 This illustration shows an adjustable check processing module (SCPM) 100 for an ATM, which, for comparative purposes, includes the conventional rejection cabinet 110 discussed above and a rejection cabinet 120 according to this disclosure. The rejection cabinet 120 is smaller in overall size than the conventional rejection cabinet 110. The rejection cabinet 120 also has an external shape that more easily accommodates the layout of media handling devices such as the SCPM 100, thereby saving valuable internal space for future enhancements. The area of ​​the rejection cabinet 120 is shown by frame 125 and is measured to be 10,000 mm². 2 Since the depth of each rejection cabinet 110 and 120 is roughly the same, it is obvious that the internal volume required for rejection cabinet 120 is much smaller than that of a regular rejection cabinet 110.

[0041] like Figure 2 and 3 Perspective and Figure 4As shown in the side view, the rejection cabinet 120 of this disclosure has an input slot 130 for feeding a continuous series of received media items to rollers 140, 142 via an input channel 132. An output shaft 158 ​​of a motor 300 with a drive gear 152 is shown. Gear 152 is coupled to a drive gear 154 and a belt 156 of rollers 142, the rollers being coupled to each other via a common central shaft and coupled to gear 154. Gear 150 cooperates with gear 154 to drive rollers 140, the rollers being coupled to each other via a common central shaft and coupled to gear 154. The motor 300, gear 152, and belt 154 are optional, as most media handling devices include a motor or other drive element that can be directly or indirectly coupled to drive gear 154 (or gear 150). The rollers 140 and 142 are sized and positioned to provide a high driving force to the media items fed into the rejection cabinet 120, thereby efficiently loading each rejected media item into the storage container 126 of the rejection cabinet 120 via the output channel 134. The storage container 126 has an annular storage cavity 180 formed by a partially cylindrical outer wall 160 and a cylindrical inner wall 170. A motor 300 is shown located within the cylindrical inner wall 170. The annular storage cavity 180 has an open side 124 for accessing the media items therein and is also defined by a closed side 122. The outer wall 160 is partially cylindrical because it contains a slot 164 for accessing the output channel 134, such that each received media item is guided by the output channel into the annular storage cavity 180. The outer wall 160 optionally includes a cut section 190 to facilitate access to and removal of the media items within the annular storage cavity 180. The inner surface of the outer wall 160 preferably includes a series(s) of sloping protrusions(s) 200, which are described below regarding Figure 5 and 6 The discussion helps prevent media items from getting stuck in the annular storage cavity 180.

[0042] Whenever a new media item is pushed into the storage cavity 180 by rollers 140, 142, the annular shape of the storage cavity 180 in the rejection cabinet 120 allows the media item to rotate freely within the storage cavity 180, thereby significantly reducing the likelihood of severe input jams (i.e., requiring a service call or other means to stop the terminal associated with the rejection cabinet 120 from service). Figure 5 The ramp-shaped protrusions 200 shown in detail reduce any friction between the inner surface 162 of the outer wall 160 and the outer surface area of ​​the medium. Figure 5 Four sloping protrusions 200 are shown sequentially positioned along the lower portion of the inner surface 162 of the outer wall 160. The number of such elements can be reduced while still providing adequate protection against media jamming. Figure 6The diagram illustrates the reduction in friction facilitated by the ramp-shaped protrusions 200, where a first medium item 410 is located within the storage cavity 180, and a second medium item 420 is being inserted into the storage cavity 180. Friction between the medium item 410 and the inner surface 162 of the outer wall 160 is reduced because the outer surface 412 of the medium item 410 (i.e., the surface of the medium item 410 facing the inner surface 162 of the outer wall 160) is lifted away from the inner surface 162 by the ramp-shaped protrusions 200, and in some places only the tips 210 of the ramp-shaped protrusions 200 are in contact. Furthermore, the annular shape of the storage cavity 180 means that gravity will cause the upper portion 414 to move away from the inner surface 162 of the outer wall, further reducing friction between the medium item 410 and the inner surface 162 of the outer wall. As more and more medium items are inserted into the storage cavity 180, the ramp-shaped protrusions 200 will facilitate movement and rotation of all medium items within the storage cavity 180, thereby significantly reducing the possibility of input jamming. In addition, the ramp-shaped protrusions ensure that the tail end of the inserted medium item (e.g., the end 416 of the medium item 410) will descend to the inner surface 162 near the outer wall 160, thereby clearing the way for the front end 424 of the incoming medium item 420 to provide an additional level of protection against input jamming.

[0043] Although this disclosure has been specifically shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments and various aspects thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The appended claims are intended to be construed as encompassing the embodiments described herein, the above-described alternatives, and all their equivalents.

Claims

1. A cabinet for storing media items, comprising: Input channel, used to receive a continuous series of media items; The corresponding driven roller is used to receive the continuous series of media items via the input channel and to eject each of the continuous series of media items; as well as A storage container for receiving each of the continuous series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers, the storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and a fixed outer wall, the fixed outer wall being formed as a cylinder having a groove for receiving each of the continuous series of media items into the annular storage cavity, wherein the annular storage cavity is configured such that the received media items are freely rotated within the annular storage cavity when an additional media item is received.

2. The cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising any one of the following technical features (1)-(6): (1) The cabinet further includes an output channel, wherein the opposing driven rollers push each of the consecutive series of media items into the output channel, and wherein the storage container receives each of the consecutive series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers via the output channel; (2) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes an inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusion on its inner surface; (3) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes an inwardly sloping protrusion on its inner surface, and the inwardly sloping protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the fixed outer wall. (4) wherein the fixed outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface; (5) wherein the fixed outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface, and each of the plurality of inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusions is positioned on a lower portion of the inner surface of the fixed outer wall; and (6) wherein the fixed outer wall includes a cutout area for accessing the medium item located within the annular storage cavity.

3. The cabinet according to claim 1, further comprising a first central shaft and a second central shaft, wherein the opposing driven rollers comprise an upper roller connected to each other via the first central shaft and a lower roller connected to each other via the second central shaft.

4. The cabinet according to claim 3, further comprising a first gear connected to the first central shaft and a second gear connected to the second central shaft, the first gear being coupled to the second gear such that when one of the first gear or the second gear is driven, the upper roller rolls in a first direction and the lower roller rolls in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

5. The cabinet according to claim 4, further comprising a motor connected to one of the first gear or the second gear to drive the upper roller and the lower roller.

6. The cabinet according to claim 5, further comprising any one of the following technical features (1)-(2): (1) wherein the motor includes a driven shaft, the driven shaft being coupled to one of the first gear or the second gear via a gear and belt assembly; and (2) wherein the motor includes a driven shaft connected to one of the first gear or the second gear via a gear and belt assembly, and wherein the motor is positioned within a cylindrical region formed by the cylindrical inner wall of the storage container.

7. A cabinet for storing media items, comprising: Input channel, used to receive a continuous series of media items; as well as A storage container for receiving each of the sequential series of media items, the container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and a fixed outer wall, the fixed outer wall being formed as a cylinder having a groove for receiving each of the sequential series of media items into the annular storage cavity, and the fixed outer wall having an inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusion on its inner surface, wherein the annular storage cavity is configured such that the received media items are freely rotated within the annular storage cavity when an additional media item is received.

8. The cabinet according to claim 7, wherein the inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the fixed outer wall.

9. A method for storing a medium item, comprising performing the following steps: Receives a continuous series of media items via the input channel; Each of the media items in the continuous series is pushed out via opposing driven rollers; and Each of the continuous series of media items pushed out by the opposing driven rollers is received at a storage container having an annular storage cavity formed by a cylindrical inner wall and a fixed outer wall, the fixed outer wall being formed as a cylinder having a groove for receiving each of the continuous series of media items into the annular storage cavity, wherein the annular storage cavity is configured such that the received media item is freely rotated within the annular storage cavity when an additional media item is received.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the storage container comprises any one of the following technical features (1)-(4): (1) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes an inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusion on its inner surface; (2) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes an inwardly sloping protrusion on its inner surface, and wherein the inwardly sloping protrusion is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the fixed outer wall. (3) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of inwardly facing ramp-shaped protrusions on its inner surface; and (4) The fixed outer wall of the storage container includes a plurality of inwardly facing ramp protrusions on its inner surface, wherein each of the plurality of inwardly facing ramp protrusions is positioned on the lower portion of the inner surface of the fixed outer wall.

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