Automated depository

摘要

In an automated depository system for banknotes or other valuable paper articles, a deposit cassette (20) which is loaded at a depositor's premises is placed in a depository terminal (10). The cassette contents are unloaded and passed through validation means (22), valid articles being passed to an escrow cassette (24) identical to the deposit cassette (20) and invalid articles being passed to a container (26). The depositor then has the choice of cancelling the transaction, when any invalid articles and the escrow cassette (24) can be removed. The empty deposit cassette (20) is then moved into the previous position of the escrow cassette (24). If the deposit continues, however, the depositor can, at the conclusion of the transaction, remove any invalid articles and the empty deposit cassette (20). If the articles are banknotes, the valid banknotes can be checked for ATM fitness and the fit notes sorted into cassettes (34-40) for respective banknote denominations. <IMAGE>