Item depository apparatus operated responsive to data bearing records

摘要

A depository system operates in response to data bearing records. Information regarding planned future deposits is recorded, at least one record visible appearance feature is stored or generated, and data corresponding to the at least one record appearance feature is stored in associated relation with deposit data. The at least one record appearance feature is made visible on a deposit item. The deposit item is subsequently presented to a depository that includes an image sensor. The image sensor operates to read the at least one record appearance feature. At least one controller in the depository causes a determination to be made that at least one record appearance feature corresponds to a pre-registered deposit and such determination enables the deposit item to be received in the depository.

主权项

1. Apparatus comprising:
a depository that operates to accept a deposit item responsive at least in part to at least one data bearing record and pre-recorded deposit data having a predetermined relationship, including: a depository head, a depository safe that extends below the depository head, wherein the depository head includes
a movable drum, wherein the movable drum includes a pocket, wherein the pocket is configured to accept the deposit item therein,wherein the drum is movable between an open position and a closed position,wherein in the open position the pocket is externally accessible and is enabled to accept the deposit item therein,wherein in the closed position the pocket is not externally accessible and is positioned to cause the deposit item in the pocket to move into an interior area of the safe, a lock member,
wherein the lock member is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position,wherein in the locked position the drum is held in the closed position, and wherein in the unlocked position the drum is enabled to be movable between the closed position and the open position, an electromagnetic actuator,
wherein the actuator is configured to selectively cause the lock member to be positioned in the locked and unlocked positions, an actuator module,
wherein the actuator module is in operative connection with the actuator,wherein the actuator module includes anti-reverse current circuitry, a control panel,
wherein the panel is externally mounted in operative connection with the depository,wherein the panel includes an image sensor, a controller, wherein the controller includes a microprocessor and a database,
wherein the controller is in operative connection with the image sensor and the actuator module,wherein the controller is operative
to cause the image sensor to capture at least one image of at least one appearance feature associated with the deposit item,to generate appearance data which corresponds to the at least one appearance feature,to cause a determination to be made that the appearance data corresponds to a pre-registered financial deposit authorized to be accepted by the depository,wherein the controller is operative responsive at least in part to the determination to cause the actuator module to operate to cause the actuator to move the lock member from the locked position to the unlocked position, wherein the drum is enabled to be moved to the open position, wherein in the open position the drum is enabled to accept the deposit item in the pocket, and wherein after accepting the deposit item, the drum is enabled to move to the closed position, whereby the deposit item moves into the interior area of the safe, and wherein after the lock member is moved to the unlocked position, the actuator module is operative responsive at least in part to the controller to cause the actuator to move the lock member to the locked position.