ATM and its operation method

Abstract

FIELD: automated teller machine.SUBSTANCE: main body providing a space for placement; a receiving unit by means of which a carrier is inserted or removed; an identification unit configured to identify the carrier either as a regular banknote or as a rejected banknote; a reusable cassette for storing a carrier recognized as a regular banknote; a cassette for rejected carriers intended for storing a carrier recognized as a rejected banknote; a cassette for storing a carrier that can be attached to the storage space and detached from it; a transport path that provides a transport path for transporting the carrier; and a controller that controls the transport path in order to regulate the transport path of the carrier. The media cassette includes a transit cassette for replenishing and ejecting media or a cassette for temporarily storing media.EFFECT: automated teller machine (ATM) and its operation method are proposed.15 cl, 9 dwg

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The present invention relates to an automated teller machine and a method for controlling the same.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] An ATM is typically installed in a location other than the teller counter at a financial institution, such as a bank, to allow customers to conveniently access various financial services without time or location restrictions. An ATM can provide a variety of financial services, such as cash deposits / withdrawals, account transfers, balance inquiries, and printouts.

[0005] The interior of the automated teller machine may include a media input / output unit for allowing users to insert or remove a media, a transport path along which the media inserted or removed through the input / output unit is conveyed, an identification unit provided on the transport path for determining whether the media has a defect and its denomination, a temporary storage unit in which the deposited media is temporarily stored after passing through the identification unit, a reject storage unit in which the media identified by the identification unit as abnormal among the media for withdrawal is stored, and a media storage unit that performs a reverse flow function for storing the media or allowing the media to be removed.

[0006] However, in the case of a conventional ATM, when the media is withdrawn or recovered, double feeding may occur in the media being withdrawn or recovered, and a problem arises that the transport path and processing time of the media may be increased.

[0007] Essence of the invention

[0008] The embodiments of the invention were created taking into account the above-mentioned premises, and their purpose is to create an ATM and a control method thereof that can shorten the transport path and processing time of the media in the ATM.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an automated teller machine, comprising: a main body providing a accommodating space; a receiving unit by which a media is deposited or removed; an identification unit configured to identify the media as either a normal banknote or a rejected banknote; a reusable cassette for storing the media recognized as a normal banknote; a rejected media cassette for storing the media recognized as a rejected banknote; a media cassette that can be attached to and detached from the accommodating space; a transport path that provides a transport path for transporting the media;and a controller that controls the transport path to adjust the transport path of the media, wherein the media cassette includes a transit cassette for replenishing and removing the media or a temporary storage cassette for temporarily storing the media.

[0010] Furthermore, the cash register machine may further include a double feed sensor configured to determine whether the media transported along the transport path is a double feed.

[0011] In addition, the receiving unit may be located in a front section of the main body that is a direction accessible to the consumer, and the double feed sensor may be located in a front section of the conveying path that is in the same direction as the direction in which the receiving unit is located.

[0012] Furthermore, the transport path includes a curved transport path that provides a transport path for media entering and exiting the identification unit; and a media transport path that provides a transport path for media between the media cassette and the curved transport path. The media transport path is connected between the media cassette and the curved transport path at the rear portion of the main body, the direction of which is opposite to the direction of the receiving unit.

[0013] Furthermore, the controller may control the conveyance path such that, when the media is received for storage through the receiving unit, the media recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote is stored in the cassette for reuse, and control the conveyance path such that the media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the media cassette and then returned to the receiving unit.

[0014] In addition, the controller can return the rejected banknote temporarily stored in the media cassette to the receiving unit when placing the normal banknote into the cassette for reuse is completed.

[0015] Furthermore, the controller may control the transport path such that, when the media stored in the reuse cassette is ejected, the media determined by the double feed sensor to not be a double feed is ejected through the receiving unit, and control the transport path such that the media determined by the double feed sensor to be a double feed is temporarily stored in the media cassette and then stored in the reject media cassette.

[0016] Furthermore, the controller may control the conveyance path such that, when the media is replenished through the media cassette, the media recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote is added to the cassette for reuse, and control the conveyance path such that the media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the receiving unit and then returned to the media cassette.

[0017] In addition, the controller may control the transport path such that when the media stored in the reuse cassette is ejected through the media cassette, if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed, the media is returned to the media cassette, and control the transport path such that if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed, the media is temporarily stored in the receiving unit and then stored in the reject media cassette.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an automated teller machine is provided, including transporting a medium placed in a receiving unit to an identification unit, while a media cassette used as a temporary storage cassette is installed in a main body; identifying the medium transported to the identification unit and recognizing this medium as a normal banknote or a rejected banknote; storing the medium recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote in the cassette for reuse; and temporarily storing the medium recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote in the media cassette, and then returning the medium to the receiving unit.

[0019] In addition, the temporary storage of the media determined to be a rejected banknote may include returning the rejected banknote temporarily stored in the media cassette to the receiving unit when the storage of the normal banknote in the cassette for reuse is completed.

[0020] Furthermore, the method of controlling an automated teller machine may further include transporting media to be removed from a cassette for reuse to a double feed sensor, while a media cassette used as a temporary storage cassette is installed in the main body; determining whether the media transported to the double feed sensor is a double feed; removing the media to a receiving unit if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed; and temporarily storing the media in the media cassette, and then storing the media in a reject cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed.

[0021] Furthermore, the method of controlling an automated teller machine may further include transporting a replenishment medium from a media cassette to an identification unit while a media cassette used as a transit cassette is installed in the main body; identifying the medium transferred to the identification unit and recognizing this medium as a normal banknote or a rejected banknote; transporting the medium recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote to a cassette for reuse for storage therein; and temporarily storing the medium recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote in a receiving unit and then returning it to the media cassette.

[0022] In addition, the temporary storage of the media recognized as a rejected banknote may include returning the rejected banknote temporarily stored in the receiving unit to the media cassette when replenishment of the cassette for reuse with a normal banknote is completed.

[0023] Furthermore, the method of controlling an automated teller machine may further include transporting the media stored in the reuse cassette to the double feed sensor, while the media cassette used as a transit cassette is installed in the main body; determining whether the media transported to the double feed sensor is a double feed; ejecting the media through the media cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed; and temporarily storing the media in the receiving unit and then storing the media in the reject cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed.

[0024] Furthermore, according to embodiments, since direct deposit of media into an ATM is possible, the operating time required for depositing or replenishing media can be reduced.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the embodiments, when the media is ejected or returned again, by detecting double feeding of the media using the double feeding sensor, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of double feeding of the media, shorten the travel path of the media, and effectively reduce the processing time of the media.

[0026] Brief description of drawings

[0027] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 is a state showing the passage of a normal banknote and a rejected banknote when the media is placed in the ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig. 3 is a state showing the passage of a rejected banknote temporarily stored in a media cassette when the media is placed in an automated banking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 4 is a state showing the passage of a normal banknote and a rejected banknote when the carrier is removed in an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 5 is a state showing the passage of a rejected banknote temporarily stored in a media cassette when the media is removed in an automated banking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 6 is a state showing the passage of a normal banknote and a rejected banknote when a carrier is added in an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig. 7 is a state showing the passage of a rejected banknote temporarily stored in a receiving unit when the carrier is replenished in an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 8 is a state showing the passage of a normal banknote and a rejected banknote when the carrier is removed in an automated banking machine according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0035] Fig. 9 is a state showing the passage of a rejected banknote temporarily stored in the receiving unit when the media is removed, in an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Detailed description of the invention

[0037] Hereinafter, the configuration and operation according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Furthermore, when describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions may be omitted in order to explain the present invention.

[0039] When an element is said to be "connected" to another element or "passed" to another element, it should be understood that the element may be directly connected to another element or passed to another element, but that other elements may exist in between.

[0040] The terms used in this description are used only to describe particular embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," may be used to describe various elements, but these terms do not limit the elements involved. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

[0042] In this description, it should be understood that terms such as "including" are intended to indicate the existence of certain features, regions, integers, steps, actions, elements, combinations and / or groups thereof disclosed in the description, and are not intended to exclude the possibility that one or more other certain features, regions, integers, steps, actions, elements, combinations and / or groups thereof may exist or may be added.

[0043] Next, a specific configuration of an ATM according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1, the automated teller machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can directly place the media received through the receiving unit into the cassette for recycling. The automated teller machine 10 may include a main body 100, a receiving unit 200, an identification unit 300, a recycling cassette 400, a reject cassette 500, a transport path 600, a controller 700, and a media cassette 800.

[0045] The main body 100 may include a frame / casing that provides the overall appearance of the automated teller machine 10. The main body 100 may include an upper body 110 and a lower body 120. The upper body 110 may be provided with a receiving unit 200, an identification unit 300, and a media cassette 800. A receiving space 101 may be formed in the upper body 110. The receiving space 101 may provide a space in which the media cassette 800 can be attached and detached. A media access window 130 may be formed in the upper body 110. The media access window 130 may be designed as a connector that connects the receiving space 101 and the transport path 600.The media access window 130 may be located on the rear side of the housing space 101 and may transfer the media placed in the media cassette 800 to the transport path 600 or transfer the media moved from the transport path 600 to the media cassette 800. The lower housing 120 may be a safe that provides storage space for media. The lower housing 120 may be equipped with a cassette 400 for recycling and a cassette 500 for rejected media.

[0046] The receiving unit 200 may be provided in the upper front portion of the main body 100. Here, the front portion of the main body 100 may refer to the direction in which the receiving unit 200 is located, which is used by the customer to insert or remove the media (the right direction in the drawing). The cassette 500 for rejecting media may be provided in the lower front portion of the main body 100. The cassette 400 for recycling may be installed in the lower rear portion of the main body 100.

[0047] The receiving unit 200 can provide a space to which the media deposited by the customer is transferred and can provide a space from which the media requested by the customer for removal is retrieved. The receiving unit 200 can be located in the upper front portion of the main body 100, which is a direction accessible to the user. The receiving unit 200 can be connected to the curved transport path 630 via the input / output transport path 610, which will be described later. When the customer deposits the media, the receiving unit 200 can transfer the deposited media to the identification unit 300 via the input / output transport path 610 and the curved transport path 630.

[0048] The identification unit 300 can recognize the media as either a regular banknote or a rejected banknote by determining whether there is an abnormality in the media moving along the transport path 600. A regular banknote may be media that needs to be replenished in the ATM 10 or media that needs to be returned to the media cassette 800. A rejected banknote is a banknote with defects, which may be damaged or counterfeit, or a sheet of paper that is not a banknote. For example, a rejected banknote may be a torn banknote, a counterfeit banknote, or a receipt. A rejected banknote may include a regular banknote that is damaged while moving along the transport path.

[0049] The recycling cassette 400 can store the media recognized by the identification unit 300 as a normal banknote. The recycling cassette 400 can be located in the lower rear portion of the main body 100. The media stored in the recycling cassette 400 can be removed through the receiving unit 200 when a customer requests its removal, and can be returned through the recycling cassette 800 when a return is required. A plurality of recycling cassettes 400 can be provided. The media can be separated and stored in a plurality of recycling cassettes 400 for each denomination.

[0050] A sensor (not shown) may be provided in the reuse cassette 400 to maintain the appropriate amount of media for each denomination in preparation for a customer's withdrawal request. This sensor can determine in real time whether the appropriate amount of media is stored in the reuse cassette 400 and can inform the company operating the ATM 10 of the need to replenish or return the media in the reuse cassette 400.

[0051] The reject cassette 500 can store damaged media, i.e., a rejected banknote recognized by the identification unit 300 as damaged media rather than as a normal banknote. The reject cassette 500 may be located in the lower front portion of the main body 100.

[0052] The transport path 600 can transfer the media between the receiving unit 200, the identification unit 300, the reuse cassette 400, the reject cassette 500, and the media cassette 800. This transport path 600 can include a drive roller, a driven roller, a switching shutter, and the like for transporting the media. The driving of the transport path 600 can be performed by a motor (not shown) and can be controlled by a controller 700. The transport path 600 can include a deposit / withdrawal transport path 610, a media transport path 620, a curved transport path 630, and a branch transport path 640.

[0053] The deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 may provide a transport path for the media entering and leaving the receiving unit 200. The deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 may provide a transport path for the medium between the receiving unit 200 and the curved transport path 630. The deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 may transfer the medium received from the receiving unit 200 to the curved transport path 630, or may transfer the medium transferred along the curved transport path 630 to the receiving unit 200. The deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 may include a first deposit / withdrawal transport path 611 and a second transport path 612. The first deposit / withdrawal transport path 611 may be connected from the receiving unit 200 to the curved transport path 630 in the direction of the rear side of the main body 100.When the medium is fed from the receiving unit 200 to the curved transport path 630 through the first deposit / removal transport path 611, the medium can be fed in a counterclockwise direction in the drawing onto the curved transport path 630. The second deposit / removal transport path 612 can be connected from the receiving unit 200 to the curved transport path 630 toward the lower side of the main body 100. When the medium is fed from the receiving unit 200 to the curved transport path 630 through the second deposit / removal transport path 612, the medium can be fed in a clockwise direction in the drawing onto the curved transport path 630.

[0054] The media transport path 620 may provide a transport path for the media between the media cassette 800 and the curved transport path 630. The media transport path 620 may transfer the media from the media cassette 800 to the curved transport path 630 for feeding the media through the media opening 130 or may transfer the media received from the curved transport path 630 to the media cassette 800 through the media access window 130.

[0055] The curved transport path 630 can provide a transport path for the media entering and exiting the identification unit 300. The deposit / withdrawal transport path 610, the media transport path 620, and the branch transport path 640 can branch off from and be connected to the curved transport path 630. At the branching point of the curved transport path 630, a switching element may be provided in accordance with the control of the controller 700. The curved transport path 630 may move the medium moved from the deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 or from the medium transport path 620 to the branched transport path 640, or may move the medium moved from the branched transport path 640 to the deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 or to the medium transport path 620.A double feed sensor 900 may be located on the curved transport path 630.

[0056] The curved transport path 630 can connect the carrier transport path 620 and the branch transport path 640. The branch transport path 640 can branch off from the curved transport path 630 and be connected to it.

[0057] The branch transport path 640 may connect the curved transport path 630 and the recycling cassette 400, or the curved transport path 630 and the reject media cassette 500. The branch transport path 640 may branch sequentially from the curved transport path 630 at a branch point to the recycling cassette 400 and at a branch point to the reject media cassette 500.

[0058] The branch transport path 640, by adjusting the switching device under the control of the controller 700, can transfer the media transferred from the curved transport path 630 to the recycling cassette 400 or the reject media cassette 500, or can transfer the media transferred from the recycling cassette 400 or the reject media cassette 500 to the curved transport path 630. The branch transport path 640 can include a first branch transport path 641 and a second branch transport path 642.

[0059] The first branched transport path 641 can branch from the lower side of the curved transport path 630 to provide a transport path for the media between the curved transport path 630 and the cassette 400 for reuse. A plurality of first branched transport paths 641 can be provided, branching from the curved transport path 630. For example, the first branched transport path 641 can be provided as five branched transport paths in the first, second, third, fourth and fifth locations in the front direction from the curved transport path 630. A switching element controlled by the controller 700 can be provided at the branch point of the curved transport path 630, from which the first branched transport path 641 branches.

[0060] The second branch transport path 642 may branch from the curved transport path 630 to provide a transport path for the media between the curved transport path 630 and the reject media cassette 500. A switching element controlled by the controller 700 may be provided at the branch point of the curved transport path 630, from which the second branch transport path 642 branches.

[0061] A switching gate may be provided at the branch points of these transport paths 600 to change the transport path of the media. For example, a switching element for changing the transport path of the media may be provided at the branch point of the curved transport path 630 and the branched transport path 640. The switching element can selectively determine the transport path of the media under the control of the controller 700 by changing its position through rotation.

[0062] Controller 700 can be implemented using a computing device including a microprocessor, a measuring device such as a sensor, and a memory device. Since the implementation method is obvious to those skilled in the art, a detailed description will be omitted. A method for controlling controller 700 will be described in detail below.

[0063] In Fig. 2 and 3, when the media is received for storage through the receiving unit 200, and the media cassette 800 is replaced with a temporary storage cassette, the controller 700 can control the transport path 600 such that the media recognized by the identification unit 300 as a normal banknote is stored in the cassette 400 for reuse. As one example, when the media is stored in the receiving unit 200, the controller 700 can control the deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 and the curved transport path 630 such that the media stored in the receiving unit 200 is transferred to the identification unit 300.

[0064] When the media is identified by the identification unit 300, if the media is identified as a regular banknote, the controller 700 can control the curved conveyance path 630 and the first branch conveyance path 641, so that the media recognized by the identification unit 300 as a regular banknote is stored in the cassette 400 for reuse. At this time, the direction of movement of the media along the curved conveyance path 630 in the drawing can be counterclockwise.In addition, when the medium is identified by the identification unit 300, if the medium is identified as a rejected banknote, the controller 700 can control the media transport path 620, the curved transport path 630 and the deposit / withdrawal transport path 610 so that the medium recognized as a rejected banknote by the identification unit 300 is temporarily stored in the media cassette 800 and then transmitted to the receiving unit 200. The return of the medium temporarily stored in the media cassette 800 to the receiving unit 200 can be performed when the deposit of the normal banknote into the cassette 400 for reuse is completed, which prevents jamming (collision) of the media on the transport path 600.

[0065] In Fig. 4 and 5, when the medium is ejected from the cassette 400 for recycling into the receiving unit 200, and the cassette 800 for recycling is replaced by the cassette 800 for temporary storage, the controller 700 may control the transport path 600 such that the medium is ejected from the cassette 400 for recycling into the receiving unit 200.

[0066] For example, the controller 700 may control the first branch conveyance path 641 and the curved conveyance path 630 so that the media is fed from the reuse cassette 400 to the double feed sensor 900. After determining whether the media is a double feed using the double feed sensor 900, if the media is determined to not be a double feed using the double feed sensor 900, the controller 700 may control the curved conveyance path 630 and the deposit / retrieve conveyance path 610 so that the media determined to not be a double feed using the double feed sensor 900 is fed to the receiving unit 200. At this time, the direction of movement of the media along the curved conveyance path 630 in the drawing may be counterclockwise.

[0067] Furthermore, when the double feed sensor 900 detects a double feed of the media, if the double feed sensor 900 determines the feeding of the media as a double feed, the controller 700 can control the media transport path 620, the curved transport path 630 and the second branch transport path 642 in such a way that the media determined by the double feed sensor 900 as being a double feed is temporarily stored in the media cassette 800 and then fed to the reject cassette 500. The feeding of the media temporarily stored in the media cassette 800 to the reject cassette 500 can be performed when the feeding of the normal banknote into the receiving unit 200 is completed, thereby preventing a jam (collision) of the media on the transport path 600.

[0068] In Fig. 6 and 7, in order to replenish the recycling cassette 400 with the media stored in the recycling cassette 800, when replacing the recycling cassette 800 with a transfer cassette, the controller 700 may control the transport path so that the media stored in the recycling cassette 800 enters the recycling cassette 400.

[0069] For example, the controller 700 may control the media transport path 620 and the curved transport path 630 to transfer the media stored in the media cassette 800 to the identification unit 300. At this time, the controller 700 may control the transport path 600 to deliver the media to different locations depending on the state of the media recognized by the identification unit 300. For example, if the media is recognized as a normal banknote by the identification unit 300, the controller 700 may control the curved transport path 630 and the first branch transport path 641 such that the media recognized by the identification unit 300 as a normal banknote is transferred to the cassette 400 for reuse.In addition, if the identification unit 300 recognizes the media as a rejected banknote, the controller 700 can control the deposit / withdrawal transport path 610, the curved transport path 630, and the media transport path 620 so that the media recognized by the identification unit 300 as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the receiving unit 200 and then restored to the media cassette 800. The feeding of the media temporarily stored in the receiving unit 200 to the media cassette 800 can be performed when the feeding of the normal banknote to the recycling cassette 400 is completed, which prevents jamming (collision) of the media on the transport path 600.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 8 and 9, when the media cassette 800 is replaced with a transfer cassette, the controller 700 can control the transport path 600 to return the media stored in the reuse cassette 400 to the media cassette 800. For example, the controller 700 can control the first branch transport path 641 and the curved transport path 630 so that the media is fed from the reuse cassette 400 to the double feed sensor 900. When the double feed sensor 900 detects a double feed of the media, if the media is determined to not be a double feed, the controller 700 can control the curved transport path 630 and the media transport path 620 so that the media determined by the double feed sensor 900 to not be a double feed passes through the identification unit 300 and is fed into the media cassette 800.In the present embodiment, if the media is determined to be not a double feed by the double feed sensor 900, the controller 700 controls the transport path 600 in such a way that the media is fed into the media cassette 800 without separately identifying the media by the identification unit 300 when the media passes through the identification unit 300, but is not limited to this, and the controller 700 can also control the transport path 600 in such a way that when the media passes through the identification unit 300, if the media is recognized as a normal banknote by the identification unit 300, the media is returned to the media cassette 800.

[0071] Furthermore, when the double feed sensor 900 detects a double feed of the media, if the media is determined to be a double feed, the controller 700 can control the deposit / takeout conveyance path 610, the curved conveyance path 630, and the second branch conveyance path 642 so that the media determined to be a double feed by the double feed sensor 900 is temporarily stored in the receiving unit 200 and then fed to the reject media cassette 500. The feeding of the media temporarily stored in the receiving unit 200 to the reject media cassette 500 can be performed when the feeding of the normal banknote into the media cassette 800 is completed, thereby preventing a jam (collision) between the media on the conveyance path 600.

[0072] The media cassette 800 can be removably located in the space 101 for accommodating the main body 100. The media cassette 800 can be a transit cassette or a temporary storage cassette. The transit cassette can be a deposit / borrow cassette capable of both replenishing and ejecting media, and the temporary storage cassette can be a cassette for temporarily storing media. For example, when the media is replenished and ejected, the media cassette 800 can be replaced with a transit cassette and installed in the space 101 for accommodating the main body 100. When the media is stored and ejected, the media cassette 800 can be replaced with a temporary storage cassette and installed in the space 101 for accommodating the main body 100.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the media cassette 800 is defined as a transit cassette or a temporary storage cassette, but is not limited to this. In addition to the transit cassette or the temporary storage cassette, the media cassette 800 may comprise various types of cassettes. Furthermore, the media cassette 800 may be a single general-purpose cassette capable of providing various general-purpose functions.

[0074] The double feed sensor 900 can detect whether the media transported along the transport path 600 is a double feed. For example, the double feed sensor 900 can be located at the front of the curved path of the transport path 630, the direction of which coincides with the direction in which the receiving unit 200 is located. When the media is ejected or returned again, the double feed sensor 900 detects whether the media transported along the curved transport path 630 is a double feed, which allows for the identification unit 300 to bypass additional identification of the media and, ultimately, allows for the ejection or return of the media via a quick and short path.

[0075] Next, a method for controlling an ATM according to an embodiment will be described.

[0076] In Fig. 2 and 3, the ATM control method may include a deposit transfer step, a deposit identification step, a deposit storage step, and a deposit return step.

[0077] During the deposit transfer stage, the media placed in the receiving unit can be transferred to the identification unit. When the media is fed from the receiving unit to the identification unit, the media's movement path can be determined by the deposit / removal transport path and the curved transport path. Before the deposit transfer stage, the media cassette can be replaced with a temporary storage cassette and installed in the main body's housing space.

[0078] During the deposit identification stage, it is possible to determine whether the media transferred to the identification unit is defective. During the deposit identification stage, the media can be recognized as a normal banknote or a rejected banknote. Depending on the media's condition recognized during the deposit identification stage, the media can be transferred to different locations.

[0079] At the deposit storage stage, the media recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote can be directly placed into the cassette for reuse.

[0080] When the media from the identification unit is fed into the cassette for reuse, the moving path of the media can be determined by the curved transport path, the lower transport path, and the first branch transport path.

[0081] During the deposit return stage, the media identified by the identification unit as a rejected banknote can be temporarily stored in a temporary storage location and then returned to the acceptance unit. When the media identified as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in a temporary storage location, it can be temporarily stored in a reject media cassette using the reject media cassette storage function and then returned to the acceptance unit. The rejected banknote temporarily stored in the temporary storage location can be returned to the acceptance unit after the normal banknote is placed in the cassette for reuse.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 4 and 5, the ATM control method may include a dispensing transfer step, a dispensing identification step, a dispensing storage step, and a dispensing output step.

[0083] During the dispensing transfer stage, the media stored in the reuse cassette can be fed to the double feed sensor. When the media from the reuse cassette is fed to the double feed sensor, the media movement direction can be determined by the first branch transport path and the lower transport path. Before the dispensing transfer stage, the media cassette can be replaced with a temporary storage cassette and installed in the main body space.

[0084] During the dispensing identification phase, it is possible to determine whether the media fed to the double feed sensor is a double feed. During the dispensing identification phase, it is possible to determine whether the media is a double feed or not. Depending on whether the media is a double feed detected during the dispensing identification phase, the media can be transported to different locations.

[0085] During the storage and dispensing stage, media detected by the double-feed sensor as non-double-feed, i.e., as normal media, can be transferred to the receiving unit. When media that has passed the double-feed sensor is fed to the receiving unit, the media path can be determined by the upper transport path and the deposit / withdrawal transport path.

[0086] During the output stage, the media detected as a double feed by the double feed sensor, i.e., abnormal media, can be temporarily stored in the temporary reject storage station and then transferred to the reject media cassette. When the media that has passed the double feed sensor is fed to the temporary reject storage station, the media path can be determined by the upper transport path and the storage transport path. When the media from the temporary reject storage station is fed to the reject media cassette, the media path can be determined by the upper transport path, the lower transport path, and the second branch transport path.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 6 and 7, the ATM control method may include a replenishment input step, a replenishment identification step, a replenishment storage step, and a replenishment return step.

[0088] During the replenishment input stage, the replenishment media can be transferred from the media cassette to the identification unit. When the media is fed from the media cassette to the identification unit, the media path can be determined by the media transport path and the curved transport path. Before the replenishment input stage, the media cassette can be replaced with a transfer cassette and installed in the main body's accommodating space.

[0089] During the replenishment identification stage, it can be determined whether the media transferred to the identification unit is defective. During the replenishment identification stage, the media can be recognized as a regular banknote or a banknote rejected for use. Depending on the media's condition recognized during the replenishment identification stage, the media can be transferred to different locations.

[0090] During the replenishment storage stage, the media recognized by the identification unit as a regular banknote can be transferred to the cassette for reuse and stored there. When the media is fed from the identification unit to the cassette for reuse, the media path can be determined by the curved transport path, the lower transport path, and the first branch transport path.

[0091] During the refill return stage, the media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote can be temporarily stored in the temporary storage area for rejected media and then returned to the media cassette. Once the cassette is refilled with normal banknotes, the rejected banknote temporarily stored in the temporary storage area for rejected media can be returned to the media cassette.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 8 and 9, the ATM control method may include a return transmission step, a return identification step, a return storage step, and a return output step.

[0093] During the return transfer stage, the media stored in the reuse cassette can be fed to the double feed sensor. When the media from the reuse cassette is fed to the double feed sensor, the media path can be determined by the first branch transport path and the lower transport path. Before the return transfer stage, the media cassette can be replaced with a pass-through cassette and installed in the main body's space.

[0094] During the return identification stage, the double feed sensor can be used to determine whether the media is a double feed. Depending on the media status detected during the return identification stage, the media can be transported to different locations.

[0095] During the storage return stage, if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed, the media can be returned through the transfer cassette. When the media is fed from the double feed sensor through the identification unit to the media cassette, the media path can be determined by the curved transport path and the media transport path. When the media is fed from the double feed sensor through the identification unit to the take-up unit, the media path can be determined by the curved transport path and the deposit / removal transport path.

[0096] In the present embodiment, if the double feed sensor detects the media as not being double fed, the media is fed into the media cassette without being separately identified by the identification unit when it passes through the identification unit. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and when the media passes through the identification unit, the media can be identified by the identification unit. For example, in the return storage step, if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not double fed, the media can be identified by the identification unit. If the identification unit recognizes the media as a normal banknote, the media can be ejected through the media cassette, and if the identification unit recognizes the media as a rejected banknote, the media can be returned to the receiving unit.When media is fed from the double feed sensor through the identification unit to the media cassette, the media path may be determined by the curved transport path and the media transport path. When media is fed from the double feed sensor through the identification unit to the take-up unit, the media path may be determined by the curved transport path and the deposit / removal transport path.

[0097] During the return output stage, if the double feed sensor detects that the media has been double fed, the media can be temporarily placed in the reject storage station and then placed in the reject cassette. When the media is fed from the double feed sensor to the reject storage station, the media path can be determined by the curved transport path and the storage station transport path. When the media is moved from the reject storage station to the reject cassette, the media path can be determined by the curved transport path, the lower transport path, and the second branch transport path.

[0098] The examples of the present invention have been described above as specific embodiments, but these are only examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and it should be considered as having the widest scope of application in accordance with the technical idea disclosed in the present description. A person skilled in the art can combine / replace the disclosed embodiments to obtain a shape pattern that is not disclosed, but this also does not go beyond the scope of the present description. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can easily change or modify the disclosed embodiments based on the present description, and it is clear that such changes or modifications also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An ATM containing: main body providing space for accommodation; a receiving unit through which the media is inserted or removed; an identification unit capable of identifying the carrier as a normal banknote or as a rejected banknote; a reusable cassette for storing media recognized as a regular banknote; a rejected media cassette for storing media recognized as a rejected banknote; a media cassette that is attachable to and detachable from a storage space; a transport path that provides a transport path for transporting the carrier; and a controller that controls the transport path to adjust the transport path of the carrier, wherein the media cartridge is selectively usable either as a transit cartridge for replenishing and removing media or as a temporary storage cartridge for temporarily storing media.

2. The automated teller machine of claim 1, further comprising a double feed sensor configured to determine whether the media being transported along the transport path is a double feed.

3. An automated teller machine according to claim 2, wherein the receiving unit is located in a front section of the main body that is in a direction accessible to the consumer, and the double feed sensor is located in a front section of the transport path that is in the same direction as the direction in which the receiving unit is located.

4. An ATM according to paragraph 1, wherein the transport path comprises: a curved transport path that provides a transport path for the media entering and leaving the identification unit; and a media transport path that provides a transport path for the media between the media cartridge and the curved transport path, wherein the transport path of the media is connected between the media cassette and the curved transport path in the rear section of the main body, the direction of which is opposite to the direction of the location of the receiving unit.

5. The automated banking machine of claim 1, wherein the controller controls the transport path such that when the media is received for storage through the receiving unit, the media recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote is stored in the cassette for reuse, and controls the transport path such that the media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the media cassette and then returned to the receiving unit.

6. The automated banking machine of claim 5, wherein the controller returns the rejected banknote temporarily stored in the media cassette to the receiving unit when the insertion of a normal banknote into the cassette for reuse is completed.

7. The automated banking machine of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the transport path such that when media stored in the reuse cassette is ejected, media determined by the double feed sensor to not be a double feed is ejected through the receiving unit, and controls the transport path such that media determined by the double feed sensor to be a double feed is temporarily stored in the media cassette and then stored in the reject media cassette.

8. The automated banking machine of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the transport path such that when the media is replenished through the media cassette, the media recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote is added to the cassette for reuse, and controls the transport path such that the media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote is temporarily stored in the receiving unit and then returned to the media cassette.

9. The automated banking machine of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the transport path such that when media stored in the reuse cassette is removed through the media cassette, if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed, the media is returned to the media cassette, and controls the transport path such that if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed, the media is temporarily stored in the receiving unit and then stored in the reject media cassette.

10. A method of operating an automated teller machine (ATM) that includes a media cassette that is selectively usable as either a transit cassette for replenishing and removing media, or as a temporary storage cassette for temporarily storing media, the method comprising: transporting the media placed in the receiving unit to the identification unit while the media cassette used as a temporary storage cassette is installed in the main body; identification of the medium transported to the identification unit and recognition of this medium as a normal banknote or a rejected banknote; storing a medium recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote in a cassette for reuse; and temporarily storing a medium recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote in the media cassette, and then returning the medium to the receiving unit.

11. The method for operating an ATM according to paragraph 10, wherein the temporary storage of a carrier recognized as a rejected banknote includes: returning a rejected banknote temporarily stored in a media cassette to the receiving unit when the storage of a normal banknote in the cassette for reuse is completed.

12. The method for operating an ATM according to paragraph 10, further comprising: transporting the media to be removed from the cassette for reuse to the double feed sensor while the media cassette used as a temporary storage cassette is installed in the main body; determining whether the media being conveyed to the double feed sensor is a double feed; ejecting the media into the take-up unit if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed; and temporarily storing the media in a media cassette and then storing the media in a reject cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed.

13. The method for operating an ATM according to paragraph 10, further comprising: transporting the replenishment media from the media cassette to the identification unit while the media cassette used as a transit cassette is installed in the main body; identification of the medium transferred to the identification unit and recognition of this medium as a normal banknote or a rejected banknote; transporting the medium, recognized by the identification unit as a normal banknote, into a cassette for reuse for storage therein; and temporary storage of a media recognized by the identification unit as a rejected banknote in the receiving unit and subsequent return to the media cassette.

14. The method for controlling an ATM according to paragraph 13, wherein the temporary storage of a carrier recognized as a rejected banknote includes: return of a rejected banknote temporarily stored in the receiving unit to the media cassette when the cassette is completed to be refilled for reuse with a normal banknote.

15. The method for operating an ATM according to paragraph 12, further comprising: transporting the media stored in the reuse cassette to the double feed sensor while the media cassette used as a transit cassette is installed in the main body; determining whether the media being conveyed to the double feed sensor is a double feed; ejecting media through the media cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is not a double feed; and temporarily storing the media in the receiving unit and then storing the media in the reject cassette if the double feed sensor detects that the media is a double feed.

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