US3873443A

US3873443A - Depository system

Info

Publication number: US3873443A
Application number: US320718A
Authority: US
Inventors: Martin D Cothran; Lewis J O'kelly; Russell L Hall
Original assignee: Docutel Corp
Current assignee: Docutel Corp
Priority date: 1973-01-03
Filing date: 1973-01-03
Publication date: 1975-03-25
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-25
Also published as: DE2362548A1; FR2212971A5

Abstract

Integral with a high speed, computer control banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a belt transport extending to a printing station. Positioned along the belt transport is a second sensor, which in combination with the first sensor, determines the length of an inserted envelope to insure acceptance by the depository stacker pockets. After an envelope has been transported to the printing station, a numeric print machine is actuated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. A sensor responsive to the completion of the printing cycle actuates a transverse transport for delivering the envelope into one of two stacker pockets. An envelope deposited in one of the stacker pockets is detected by a light sensor that controls an elevator platform to insure sequential stacking of each inserted envelope.

Description

Unite States Patent [1 1 Cothran et al.

1 Mar. 25, 1975 1 1 DEPOSITORY SYSTEM [52] US. Cl 209/1ll.7, 271/184,101/93 R [51] Int. Cl. B07c 5/342 [58] Field of Search 270/82, 83, 85;

194/010. 9 B, 1,4R,4B,4C,4D,4E,4F, 4 o; 133/1;-271/68, 69,66; 209 1 1 ,7, 75, pro, 2, 82; 232/1 D [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,355,105 8/1944 Preston 270/82 3,159,277 12/1964 Carlson et a1. 194/4 B 3,222,057 12/1965 Couri l94/DIG, 9 B 3,335,407 8/1967 Lange et a1 235/616 3,426,879 2/1969 Walker l94/D1G. 9 B

3,442,363 5/1969 Riddle et a1 l94/DIG. 9 B

3,446,328 5/1969 Boyce et a1. l94/D1G. 9 B

3,487,905 1/1970 James, Sr. 194/D1G. 9 B 3,513,298 5/1970 Riddle et a1 l94/DlG. 9 B 3,629,834 12/1971 Randall r 194/D1G. 9 B 3,643,818 2/1972 Gallucci 27l/D1G. 4 3,662,343 5/1972 Goldstein 194/D1G. 9 B

3,683,943 8/1972 Crepy ..194/D1G.4R

Primary Examiner-Allen N. Knowles Attorney, Agent, or FirmRichards, Harris & Medlock [57] ABSTRACT lntegral with a high speed, computer control banking machine is a depository system to provide a fully automatic teller station. At the customer interface there is an entry gate controlled to an open position by a solenoid actuated in accordance with computer generated signals. A deposit envelope inserted through the entry gate is detected by a light sensor as it moves along a belt transport extending to a printing station. Positioned along the belt transport is a second sensor, which in combination with the first sensor, determines the length of an inserted envelope to insure acceptance by the depository stacker pockets. After an envelope has been transported to the printing station, a numeric print machine is actuated to imprint on the envelope identifying data. A sensor responsive to the completion of the printing cycle actuates a transverse transport for delivering the envelope into one of two stacker pockets. An envelope deposited in one of the stacker pockets is detected by a light sensor that controls an elevator platform to insure sequential stacking of each inserted envelope.

8 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR25 I975 SHEETlQf'I FIG.

PATENTEB HAR25|975 3.873 .443

sum. u o 7 Pm'imgnmzsms sum 5 o g FIG. I4 204 FIG. 1?

FIG. [3

TURN ON LONGITUDINAL XPORT 3,; FIG. I8

PISFLAY MESSAGE INSERT ENVELOPE INTO DEPOSITORY UNLOCK AND SET 6 SEC 1 oPEN THROAT TIMER I INcREMENT ERRoR 336 NVELOPE No YEs YES YES 3 340 35 INCREMENT ENVELOPE. N0 ERRoR Too I5ONG v 358 360 CLOSE THROAT SET 6 sEc YES AND LOCK TIMER 366 342 INCREMENT REVERSE xPoRT MoToR ERROR INcREMENT ERRoR PRINT SERIAL NO 348 No. DEPosIT 'ggggQ ENVELOPE YES 350 382 MOVE ENVELOPE YES 354 TO STACKER INcREMENT AND STACK INCREMENT ERR R 334 fig ERRoR 352 V SET 386 DEPOSITORY SHUTDOWN SBEJ'FEE ILICIg' L YES DEPosIT 0R PAYMENT FORM DEPOSITORY SYSTEM This invention relates to a banking machine, and more particularly to an automatic depository system for use with a computer control banking machine.

Recent studies have shown that attempts are being made by the banking community to influence the general public to use fewer checks in their finacial transactions and to reduce paper work for in-bank services. This is primarily due to the difficulty of handling and processing large amounts of paper. In its place, there appears to be a wide use of credit cards for completion of daily household and business transactions.

A problem which has plagued the financial community with the increased use of credit cards is the unauthorized use of the card due to loss by the owner or theft. This particular problem has been minimized by a scrambling coding technique as described in the U.S. Pat. 3,662,343 of Kenneth S. Goldstein and John D. White, entitled Credit Card Automatic Currency Dispenser.

With the risk of unauthorized use now minimized, the banking industry has accepted automatic currency dispensers for unattended distribution of cash to complete some business and personal transactions. This, financial institutions have found, provides customer convenience and eliminates the need for the construction and operation of branch banks, which are expensive and unprofitable.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a complete automatic banking system including a depository for accepting customer deposits and payments. An additional feature of the present invention is to provide a depository system in an automatic banking machine responsive to actuating signals from a computer controlled terminal machine. A depository in accordance with the present invention accepts deposit envelopes, prints a serial number on each successive envelope corresponding to the receipt serial number printed in the banking terminal and stacks each envelope sequentially in either of two stacker pockets.

A depository system in accordance with the present invention is utilized in conjunction with an automatic banking machine made operational in response to the insertion of a standard class A" credit card. Where such automatic banking machines are operated unattended, a customer is not limited to normal banking hours or required to wait on the services ofa bank employee to complete teller functions. However, the unattended operation of such automatic banking machines requires a strict security operation to prevent theft of funds and documents deposited therein. This requires careful control and checking of the depository system to insure proper operation for each transaction. Of considerable importance is the entry gate which responds to the proper opening control signals and also securely closes to prevent removal of deposited envelopes. It is also important in the unattended operation of a depository system that each deposit is identified with the corresponding transaction and only envelopes meeting certain dimensional specifications are accepted into the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, an automatic document depository responds to commands from a computer controlled automatic banking terminal. The depository includes an entry gate responsive to a command from the terminal computer such that it is actuated from a locked closed position to an open position for receiving a deposit envelope. A transport for moving the deposited documents from the entry gate to a station displaced therefrom is actuated and sensors respond to document movement through the transport to sense when the document has passed the entry gate. The sensors then generate a signal to the terminal computer to close the gate from an open position to a locked position. A document deposited and moved through the transport enters a stacker for storing the documents in the order received.

A more complete understanding of the invention and its advantages will be apparent from the specification and claims and from the accompanying drawings illustrative of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a free standing model of an automatic banking machine including a deposit module containing the depository system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a depository system utilizing-a longitudinal belt transport and a chain transverse transport with two stacker pockets;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the longitudinal transport system for moving a deposit envelope from an entry gate to a print station;

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the entry gate control mechanism;

FIG. 5 is also a detailed view of the entry gate showing a gate open sensor;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the longitudinal belt transport taken along the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a top view detail of a pair of belt transport tension rollers;

FIG. Sis a detailed view of the main drive for the Ion gitudinal belt transport;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the chain transverse transport of the depository system of FIG. 2',

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the chain transverse transport taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view detail of a depository envelope guide positioned between the longitudinal belt transport and a printing station;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the printing station including a five character numeric print machine;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the printing station showing the numeric print machine actuator including a positioning solenoid;

FIG. 14 is a detail view of an actuator and micro switch for generating a signal indicating the completion of a printing cycle as taken along the line l414 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is an end view of a document stacker including two stacker pockets;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view of the drive mechanism for one of the stacker pockets of the document stacker taken along the line 1616 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a detail view of an elevator pad of one stacker pocket taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 15; and

FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the operation of a depository system in response to control signals from a computer controlled automatic banking terminal.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a free standing automatic banking machine including a console 10 which houses all operating controls and indicators of a currency dispensing mechanism, a card handler, a receiptlvoucher printer and necessary power supplies in addition to customer interface equipment. In the free standing unit, the console is mounted within a cabinet 12 which also houses an electronic module containing a computer and necessary interface connections to the console. Also housed within the cabinet 12 is a depository system 14 containing an envelope transport, a printing station, envelope stackers and necessary power supplies. A storage rack 16 is positioned within the cabinet 12 above the depository system 14 and provides an area for stationery supplies, such as envelopes.

On the front panel of the console 10 there is arranged an array of twelve push button keys in an amountlsecurity keyboard 18 for use by a customer to interface with the computer of the electronic module. In addition to the push buttom keys on the amount/security keyboard 18, the front panel of the console 10 includes a transaction keyboard 24 consisting of twelve push buttons arranged in sets of three in four rows. The type of banking transaction performed by the banking machine depends upon the transaction key depressed in the keyboard 24.

In addition to the above controls and indicators, the front panel of the console 10 includes an instruction window display 26 that provides for viewing an illuminated display message drum. This drum instructs a user in the operation of the banking machine. The last user interface on the front panel of the console 10 is a cash drawer 28 that fits flush with the panel in a closed and locked position. A complete description of the console 10 and the various customer interface units will be found in the copending patent application of Harold Don Fought entitled Banking Machine, filed Apr. 12, 1972, Ser. No. 243,339.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, if a deposit or payment function is selected by any one of the push buttons of the transaction keyboard 24, a control signal is generated to the depository system 14 to open an entry gate 30 extending across the opening of the housing 32. The entry gate 30 is in the form ofa full cylinder with a rectangular cutout extending along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and rotatably mounted in a cavity 34 to rotate with a shaft 36 as an integral part of the gate 30. Movement of the entry gate 30 is controlled by a rotary solenoid 38 receiving an energizing signal from the system computer and linked to the entry gate by means of a drive link 40 coupled to an arm 42, the arm 42 attached to the entry gate shaft 36.

Opposite from the arm 42, the shaft 36 carries a cam 44 that positions a cam follower 46 for actuating a micro switch 48. The rotation of the cam 44 produces a movement of the cam follower 46 to actuate the micro switch 48 and thereby generate a signal to the system computer to indicate the entry gate 30 is open and ready to receive a deposit envelope.

An envelope inserted through the housing 32 is picked up by a longitudinal transport comprising

upper belts

50 and 52 and corresponding

lower belts

54 and 55 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. At the housing 32, the

belts

50 and 52 travel on rollers 56 rotating on a shaft 58 supported by

pivot arms

60 and 62. The

pivot arms

60 and 62 are individually attached to a transport frame 64. By use of the pivoted arm construction, the rollers 56 provide a floating action to the

belts

50 and 52 to adjust for various thicknesses of a deposit envelope inserted into the system.

In the upper travel path for the

belts

50 and 52 the belts pass under idler rollers 66 and then over tension rollers 68. To aid in tracking the

belts

50 and 52, spherical washers 71 and 73 are positioned between the rollers 68 and the respective supporting

arms

70 and 72. As shown by the detail of FIG. 7, the tension rollers 68 are mounted to

arms

70 and 72 to rotate on a shaft 74. Each of the

arms

70 and 72 is spring biased by means of helical torsion springs 76 and 78. One end of each of the

springs

76 and 78 engages the

respective arm

70 or 72 and the other end is attached to the shaft 74 by means of a collar 80. As constructed, the tension rollers 68 maintain the

belts

50 and 52 in a taunt condition to provide maximum transport power to move a deposit envelope through the depository system.

Following the tension rollers 68, the

belts

50 and 52 pass under idler rollers 82 and then over a drive roller 84 secured to a drive shaft 124. The

upper belts

50 and 52 extend only to the roller 84. The travel path for the upper belts also includes tension rollers 86 mounted by means of arms 88 to a shaft 90 and biased to rotate counterclockwise. To maintain the belts in a straight transport path the rollers 86 are equipped with spherical washers the same as the rollers 68.

The

lower belts

54 and 55 travel about idler rollers 92 at a housing 34. The

belts

54 and 55 pass over a table 94 to a diverter roller system including

idler rollers

96, 98 and 100. The purpose of this belt diversion will be explained.

After passing over the idler roller 100, the

belts

54 and 55 travel over idler rollers 102 at the end of the longitudinal transport path.

The return path for the

belts

54 and 55 includes tension rollers 104 mounted to be spring biased to maintain tension on the belts in the travel path. Following the tension rollers 104, the

belts

54 and 55 pass over a drive roller 106 and then over an idler roller 108.

The drive roller 106 is powered by a transport motor 110 having a sprocket 112 on an output shaft. A sprocket 114 is-mounted on the shaft supporting the drive roller 106 and a timing belt 116 provides a positive drive link from the motor 110 to the drive roller 106. Also mentioned on the shaft supporting the sprocket 114 is a sprocket 118 that carries a timing belt 120 engaging a sprocket 122 mounted to the shaft 124 supporting the drive roller 84. Thus, operation of the transport motor 110 through the timing

belts

116 and 120 provides motion for both the

upper belts

50 and 52 and the

lower belts

54 and 55.

As a deposit envelope passes through the housing 32 and enters the longitudinal transport, the leading edge thereof interrupts a light beam between a light source 126 and a photocell 128. A signal generated by the photocell 128 informs the system computer that a deposit envelope has been inserted into the depository system. As the envelope is transported along the longitudinal belt system, it interrupts a light path from a light source 130 to a photocell 132. Typically, the

photoeells

128 and 132 are of the type that have a change in conductivity varying with the light impinging thereon.

A signal from the photocell 132 is also transmitted to the system computer as an indication that a deposit envelope has moved through the transport to the photocell 132. As will be explained, if light to both the

photocells

128 and 132 is interrupted simultaneously, a too long envelope signal is generated. This too long signal to the system computer reverses the direction of operation of the transport motor 110 and a deposit envelope is returned through the entry gate 30.

A deposit envelope transported through the longitudinal belt system exits on a front table 134 as an extension of the table 94 and is transported by the

lower belts

54 and 55 to a rear table 136. Centrally located within the rear table 136 is a window 138 below which is positioned an ink pad block 140 rotatably mounted between

brackets

142 and 144. The ink pad block 140 is attached to the output shaft 146 of a rotary solenoid 148. In the operation of the total depository system, prior to activating the transport, a signal from the central controller actuates the solenoid 148 to rotate the ink pad block 140 in alignment with a printing wheel, as will be explained.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a deposit envelope moving over the front and rear tables 134 and 136 is positioned in the area ofthe transverse transport comprising parallel positioned,

endless chains

150, 152 and 154. Each of the

chains

150, 152 and 154 rotates on an

idler sprocket

156, 158 and 160, respectively, and on a

drive sprocket

162, 164 and 166. The drive sprockets 162, 164 and 166 are mounted to a drive shaft 168 carrying at one end thereof a drive sprocket 170. Coupled to the drive sprocket 170 by means of a timing belt 172 is a transport motor 174 having a sprocket 176 on the output shaft and carrying the timing belt. The

chains

150, 152 and 154 are positioned to travel laterally across the

lower belts

54 and 55.

Each of the

chains

150, 152 and 154 carries a sweeper as part of the coupling link for the chain. The sweeper 178 for the chain 150 includes flexible wipers 182 and 1.84 that contacts with the plate 134 to sweep a deposit envelope therefrom into one of two stacker pockets. With regard to the chain 152, the sweeper 186 is also part of the coupling link and comprises a flexible bar that travels through the space between the

plates

134 and 136. This bar, as shown by reference in FIG. 6, extends between the

belts

54 and 55 in the groove formed by the

idler rollers

96, 98 and 100. This insures a positive sweeping of a deposit envelope from the tables 134 and 136 into one of the stacker pockets. For the chain 154, the sweeper 187 is part of the coupling link and is a solid bar that sweeps an envelope from the table 136. The sweeper 187 also functions as a flag to interrupt a light path between a light emitting diode and a photocell 261. Interrupting light from the photocell 261 causes a signal to be sent to the system computer indicating that the transverse transport has swept a deposit envelope into one of the stacker pockets. The system computer then sends a signal to de-energize the transport motor 174.

As a deposit envelope enters the transverse transport mechanism, a divert plate 188, pivotally mounted to a support bracket 190, is rotated to guide the envelope into the transverse transport mechanism and a printing station. The divert plate 188 is positioned by means of a rotary solenoid 192 having an arm 194 bolted to the output shaft. A coupling link 196 interconnects the arm 194 to the divert plate 188. A signal to energize the solenoid 192 is received from the system computer of the banking terminal.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, a deposit envelope positioned on the tables 134 and 136 is moved into a printing station wherein a serial number of the transaction is imprinted thereon to match with an identical serial number on a receipt printed by operation of the console 10.

The transaction serial number is imprinted by a five digit numeric print machine 198 driven against an envelope positioned on the tables 134 and 136 by actuating

solenoids

200 and 202 in response to a command signal from the system computer. The system computer generates the command signal as an envelope moves into the print station and interrupts energy impinging on the photocell 264.

Each of the

solenoids

200 and 202 is mounted on a base plate 204 and includes an armature connected to a drive shaft 206. For the solenoid 200, an armature 208 is biased into an extended position by means of a spring 210 in contact with a washer 212. Similarly, for the solenoid 202, an armature 214 is biased into an extended position by means of a spring 216 engaging a washer 218 in contact with the shaft 206.

Secured to the shaft 206 is a solenoid driver link 226 having a roller follower 228 in contact with a mounting plate 230 supporting the numeric print machine 198. Similarly, the shaft 206 is connected to a driver link 224 having a roller follower 229 in contact with the mounting plate 230. Both the driver links 224 and 226 are rotatably mounted on a shaft 207. The shaft 206 is mounted to the base plate 204 by means of

brackets

220 and 222. The mounting plate 230 includes

bearings

232 and 234 for guiding the numeric print machine 198 by means of

guide posts

236 and 238.

In operation of the serial number printer, actuating the

solenoids

200 and 202 causes the shaft 206 to be pulled toward the solenoid coils thereby rotating the driver links 224 and 226 on the shaft 207. Rotating the driver links 224 and 226 forces the

rollers

228 and 229 against the mounting plate 230 thereby driving the numeric print machine 198 against a deposit envelope.

To signal the system computer that the numeric print machine 198 has been actuated, a micro switch 243 attached to a bracket 224 as part of the base plate 204 is actuated by movement of a cam follower 246 with the numeric print machine 198. The cam follower 246 is attached to the mounting plate 230 by means of a bracket 248.

The entire assembly of the print module, as attached to the base plate 204, is pivotally mounted to a support rod 250 (see FIG. 9) by means of mounting

brackets

252 and 254. The mounting

brackets

252 and 254 are attached to the base plate 204. To secure the print module in place, a latch bar 256 is pivotally mounted to the base plate 204 and includes apertures for engaging a support bar 258 of the transverse transport mechanism. The latch bar 256 is biased into a latching position by means of a spring 260.

Also mounted to the base plate 204 is a light emitting diode 262 that provides a light beam to the photocell 261 as part of the transverse transport. As the sweeper 187 of the chain 154 passes between the light emitting diode 262 and the photocell, the photocell generates a home positioned signal for the transverse transport to the system computer indicating a deposit envelope has been swept from the print station.

Referring to FIG. 9, to index the numeric print machine 198 from the system computer, a solenoid 266 is mounted to the frame of the transverse transport. Energizing this solenoid drives an armature 268 against a cam follower 240 to index the numeric print machine. The numeric print machine may also be indexed b manually rotating the print wheels.

After imprinting a serial number on a deposit envelope in the print station, the transverse transport is actuated to sweep the deposit document into one of two stacker pockets. Referring to FIGS. -17, envelopes from the transverse transport will be stored in one of the stacker pockets 272 or 274 in accordance with an established operating procedure. For example, all envelopes swept from the printing station will be stored in the stacker pocket 274 until this pocket has been filled to a preselected height. Then, the transverse transport will reverse direction to deposit envelopes in the stacker pocket 272.

To orient the stacker pockets with respect to the print station, ball bearing slides 276 and 278 are shown mounted to a support bracket 280. The longitudinal transport and the print station are mounted to move on the

tracks

276, 278.

Since the stacker pockets 272 and 274 are similar in construction and operation, only the pocket 272 will be described in detail. Each stacker pocket comprises a rectangularly shaped housing to accept envelopes having a certain maximum dimensional outline. An envelope from the transverse transport is delivered to the top of a stack of such envelopes supported in the stacker pocket 272 on a platform 282. The platform is guided by a linear motion slide 284. It is positioned by means of a chain 286 driven by a motor 288. The motor 288 couples to the chain 286 by means of a worm 290 engaging a worm gear 292, the latter mounted to a shaft 294 that also has attached thereto a sprocket 296 for driving the chain. The chain 286 is attached to the platform 282 by means of

tabs

298 and 300 bolted or otherwise secured to an extension of the platform 282.

At the top of the stacker pocket 272, there is a light source 302 providing a light beam to a photocell 300. Each time a deposit envelope is swept from the printing station by the transverse transport, as it falls into the stacker pocket it breaks the light beam from the source 302 to the photocell 300. If the beam is still broken when the transverse transport reaches its home position, the depository electronics produces a drive signal for the motor 288. The motor 288 runs for a period sufficient to lower the position of the platform 282 an increment sufficient to allow the next deposit envelope to enter the stacker pocket. Initially, the platform 282 is positioned at the top of the stacker pocket and is subsequently stepped to a lower limit as each deposit envelope is delivered into the pocket. When the platform 282 has reached the lower limit, a micro switch (not shown) is actuated to generate an instruction to the system computer that the pocket 272 is full and cannot accept additional envelopes.

ln construction and operation, the pocket 274 is essentially the same as the stacker pocket 272 wherein as an envelope enters the pocket a light beam from a source 306 to a photocell 304 is interrupted to position a platform 310. When the platform 310 reaches a lower limit, a micro switch (not shown) is actuated to change operation to the stacker pocket 272.

Referring to FIG. 18, when the depository receives a command from the system computer of the console 10 to accept a deposit, a programmed sequence is followed to complete each of the various transactions of the depository and to check the operation thereof. Initially, the longitudinal transport motor 110 is turned on by the computer in the turn on" transport step 312. Following energization of the transport motor 110, the

system computer activates the instruction window display 26 to display the message lnsert Envelope lnto Depository as given by the display step 314. Next, the entry gate 30 (throat) is unlocked and the rotary solenoid 38 energized to open the entry gate. Unlocking and opening the entry gate 30 is completed in the unlock and open throat step 316. At this time, a 6 second time out 318 begins. Before the 6 second time out 318 is completed, the cam 44'must actuate the micro switch 48 to generate a gate open signal to the system computer. lnquiry 320 is continuously made to determine if the entry gate 30 has opened. A negative response to the inquiry 320, indicating the entry gate has not fully opened, produces a negative response and the operation sequence proceeds to inquiry 322 to evaluate if the six second time out 318 has been completed. If the 6 second time out has not been completed, the sequence returns to inquiry 320.

A positive response to the inquiry 322, indicating the six second time out 318 has been completed, advances the operation sequence to error step 326. A complete understanding of the error operation sequence will be found in the copending patent application of Harold Don Fought.

A positive respose to the inquiry 320 advances the operating sequence to a sixty second time out 328. Envelope insert inquiry 330 is then made to determine if the customer has inserted a deposit envelope through the entry gate. The photocell 128, responding to movement of an envelope through the entry gate, provides the system computer with the signal to complete the inquiry 330. A negative response to the inquiry 330 advances the sequence to a timing inquiry 332 which is an operation that checks the time elapsed from the opening of the entry gate 30. lnquiry 322 is a 15 second time check and a negative response returns the sequence to inquiry 330. A positive response advances the sequence to a flash display step 334 which produces a flashing display at the instruction window 26. The sequence then advances to inquiry 336 wherein a nega tive response returns the sequence to inquiry 330 and a positive response advances the operation to an error step 338 which is a system error subroutine as described in the copending patent application of Harold Don Fought.

A positive response to the envelope insert inquiry 330 advances the sequence to an envelope length inquiry 340 which is a determination of the envelope length. If light to both the

photocells

128 and 132 interrupted at the same time by an envelope in the longitudinal transport, then inquiry 340 results in a positive response and the sequence advances to a reverse transport step 342 wherein the transport motor is energized to run in a reverse direction to reject the deposit envelope through the entry gate 30. The envelope is returned during a return step 344 and as the envelope clears the photocell 128 the system computer energizes the solenoid 38 during a close throat step 346 to close the entry gate. The operating sequence then advances to a throat lock inquiry 348 wherein a negative response advances the sequence to an error step 350 and subsequently to a depository shutdown step 352. A positive response to the inquiry 340 advances the sequence to an error step 354 which is an error operation to advance the total system sequence to an error subroutine.

Returning to the envelope length inquiry 340, if a proper sized envelope has been inserted through the entry gate 30 then as the light beam to the photocell 132 is interrupted the photocell 128 will be receiving light from the source 126. lnquiry 340 then generates a negative response and the operating sequence advances to an ink counter step 356. During the ink counter step 356 the ink pad block 140 is rotated by energizing the solenoid 148 and the numeric machine 198 is inked. The sequence advances to a close throat step 358 wherein the solenoid 38 is de-energized to close the entry gate 30. A second time out 360 is started at this time and the sequence advances to the throat closed inquiry 362 in response to a signal from the switch 48 to determine if the entry gate 30 has been closed. A negative response to the inquiry 362 indicates the entry gate has not been closed and the sequence advances to the inquiry 364 which makes a determination of whether or not the 5 second time out 360 has been completed. A negative response to inquiry 364 returns the sequence to inquiry 362 and a positive response advances the sequence to an error step 366.

A positive response to the throat closed inquiry 362, indicating that the entry gate 30 has been closed and locked, advances the sequence to a second time out 368 and then to an envelope position inquiry 370. When a deposit envelope moving through the longitudinal transport interrupts the photocell 264 the envelope is in a print position. If an envelope has not reached this position, inquiry 370 generates a negative response to advance the sequence to a time inquiry 372 which makes a determination of the 15 second time out 368. Before the 15 second time out 368 has been completed, the sequence advances from inquiry 372 back to inquiry 370. After the 15 second time out, the sequence advances to reset the 15 second time out, at the end of this time out the sequence advances to a print and stack routine and sequences through a normal exit routine.

Interrupting the light source to the photocell-264 advances the operating sequence to a print serial number step 376 wherein the

solenoids

200 and 202 are energized to position the numeric print machine 198 to print a serial number on the deposit envelope. The sequence then advances to a print condition inquiry 378 which responds to a signal from the micro switch 242. if the micro switch 242 has not been'actuated by a return of the numeric print machine 198 to a home position, then a negative result is generated by the inquiry 378 and the sequence advances to an error step 380. A positive response to the inquiry 378, indicating that the numeric print machine 198 has tripped the micro switch 242, produces a positive response to advance the sequence to a stacker step 382 wherein the transverse transport motor 174 is energized to move the deposit envelope into one of the stacker pockets 272 or 274.

A stacking complete inquiry 384 is then made and if the stacking has been completed, a positive response results from the inquiry 384 and the depository function is completed. The sequence then advances to a recycle step 386 for returning the depository to a position for receiving an additional deposit envelope.

If the stacking operation has not been completed, the inquiry 384 generates a negative response and the operation advances to an error step 388.

In summary, the operation of the depository of the present invention accepts a deposit envelope after it has been inserted through an entry gate 30. The deposit envelope is then engaged by four belts and transported to a print position. Three photocell sensors monitor the position and length of the envelope during its transport. If an over-length envelope is detected, the transport motor l10-will reverse and the envelope is returned to the customer. For security, the entry gate is closed and locked after the deposit envelope clears the entrance photocell 126. The

print solenoids

200 and 202 are energized and, after printing has been verified, the transverse transport motor 142 is energized to move the envelope to one of two stacker pockets. The transport motor stops when the transport home photocell 261 is blocked. 1f the stacker photocell is blocked, the stacker elevator is lowered until the photocell is clear. If no errors have been incurred and at least one stacker is not full, the depository is ready to process another transaction.

While only one embodiment of the invention, together with modifications thereof, has been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident that various further modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic document depository responsive to commands from a central controller, comprising in combination:

an entry gate to said depository responsive to a command from the central controller to be actuated from a locked closed position to an open position for receiving a deposit document,

transport means for moving a deposit document from said entry gate to a station displaced therefrom,

first sensor means responsive to a document moving through said transport means to generate a signal to the central controller when a document has passed through said entry gate,

a second sensor displaced downstream from the first sensor in said transport means and generating a sig nal representing a passing document wherein the generated signals from the first and second sensors are coupled to the central controller to actuate said entry gate from an open position to a closed locked position when a signal from the first sensor is representative of the absence of a passing document and a signal from the second sensor is at a level representative of a passing document, and

stacker means receiving a document from said transport means for storing the documents received.

2. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central controller responds to the simultaneous occurrence of passing document signals from said first and second sensors to reverse the direction of movement of a document through said transport means.

3. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including means for locking said entry gate in a closed position, said means responsive to an unlocking signal from the central controller.

4. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including drive means coupled to said entry gate and energized by a command from the central controller to actuate said gate from a closed position to an open position.

5. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including means responsive to the opening of claim 1 including a divert platen positioned along said transport means remote from said entry gate to guide a deposit document into said stacker means.

8. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 7 wherein the central controller responds to a signal from said sensor means to actuate said divert platen from a first position to a divert position.

Claims

1. AN AUTOMATIC DOCUMENT DEPOSITORY RESPONSIVE TO COMMANDS FROM A CENTRAL CONTROLLER, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN ENTRY GATE TO SAID DEPOSITORY RESPONSIVE TO A COMMAND FROM THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER TO BE ACTUATED FROM A LOCKED CLOSED POSITION TO AN OPEN POSITION FOR RECEIVING A DEPOSIT DOCUMENT, TRANSPORT MEANS FOR MOVING A DEPOSIT DOCUMENT FROM SAID ENTRY GATE TO A STATION DISPLACED THEREFROM, FIRST SENSOR MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A DOCUMENT MOVING THROUGH SAID TRANSPORT MEANS TO GENERATE A SIGNAL TO THE CENTRAL CONTRLLER WHEN A DOCUMENT HAS PASSED THROUGH SAID ENTRY GATE, A SECOND SENSOR DISPLACED DOWNSTREAM FROM THE FIRST SENSOR IN SAID TRANSPORT MEANS AND GENERATING A SIGNAL REPRESENTING A PASSING DOCUMENT WHEREIN THE GENERATED SIGNALS FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND SENSORS ARE COUPLED TO THE CENTRAL CONTROLLER TO ACTUATE SAID ENTRY GATE FROM AN OPEN POSITON TO A CLOSED LOCKED POSITION WHEN A SIGNAL FROM THE FIRST SENSOR IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ABSENCE OF A PASSING DOCUMENT AND A SIGNAL FROM THE SECOND SENSOR IS AT A LEVEL REPRESENTATIVE OF A PASSING DOCUMENT, AND STACKER MEANS RECEIVING A DOCUMENT FROM SAID TRANSPORT MEANS FOR STORING THE DOCUMENTS RECEIVED.

5. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including means responsive to the opening of said entry gate to generate a signal to the central controller to indicate the opening of said gate.

6. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 5 including timing means actuated by the signal from said means responsive to the opening of said entry gate and connected to said drive means for limiting the open period of said gate to an established time limit.

7. An automatic document depository as set forth in claim 1 including a divert platen positioned along said transport means remote from said entry gate to guide a deposit document into said stacker means.