CA1170771A

CA1170771A - Check dispensing terminal

Info

Publication number: CA1170771A
Application number: CA000398792A
Authority: CA
Inventors: William R. Horst; William J. Hale
Original assignee: NCR Corp
Current assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
Priority date: 1981-04-02
Filing date: 1982-03-18
Publication date: 1984-07-10
Also published as: DE3279402D1; JPS58500498A; EP0075006A1; US4385285A; EP0075006B1; EP0075006A4; JPH0218511B2; WO1982003485A1

Abstract

CHECK DISPENSING TERMINAL
Abstract of the Disclosure A method and apparatus for issuing negotiable instruments such as checks from a terminal comprising:
first means (identification card reader) for identifying an account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by the terminal is to be charged;
second means (handwriting transducer) for inputting into the terminal identification data which will be used in determining whether to accept or reject a user of the terminal as authorized to issue a check against the account number; third means (bank data system) for supplying authorized identification data to the terminal and also for supplying evaluation criteria, such as a current monetary balance, for the account number; entry means (keyboard) for entering check data including the monetary amount; means for comparing (processor) the identification data with the authorized identification data and for generating an accept signal or a reject signal as a result of the comparing; the comparing means also comparing the monetary amount with the evaluation criteria and for generating an issue signal when the associated comparison is favorable; means for transport-ing (paper strip drive) a record medium to a print station in the terminal; and a printer for printing the account number and the monetary amount on the record medium at the print station in response to the accept signal and the issue signal, whereby the record medium becomes the check which is issued from the terminal.

Description

0 ~ 7 1 CHECK DISPENSING TERMINAL

Background of the Invention ~ his invention generally relates to a self-service financial terminal, and more particularly, it relates to such a terminal which provides its customers with bank-guaranteed, negotiable instruments such as checks which are accepted by merchants without delay or question.
Statistics indicate that banks currently process more than 30 billions of checks per year. It is estimated that over 4 billions of these checks are written by individuals for food, retail goods, and gasoline. Most of these checks are written at the point of sale and necessitate that the afEected merchant make an on-the-spot decision to accept or reject the ch~ck being oE~ered in order to complete the transaction. The imperfection of these decisions is demonstrated by the ~act that recent bad-check losses for retail stores are well over a billion dollars per year.
Some of the attempts to reduce these bad-check losses include, for example, requesting multiple identi-fications, fingerprintsi photographs, and also requesting management approval of the checks prior to accepting them. These attempts further result in customer dissatis-faction due to inconvenience, delays, and embarrassment.
Another common approach to reducing bad-check losses relates to using a list or file of persons from whom checks will no longer be accepted. This approach is often implemented as a printed list or is implemented through electronic inquiry of a list at a central file.
Even if a person's name is not on such a list, the present balance in his checking account may not be adequate to cover a check he intends to offer a merchant, but this fact is not known to the merchant under this approach.
A somewhat more sophisticated version of a list at a central file (previously described) relates to 7 7 ~

the use of a small dedicated terminal which is oper-atively coupled to a bank office in an on-line or real-time environment. An individual's "credit card" or "debit card", for example is entered into the terminal to obtain the checking account number, a Personal Iden-tification Number ~hereinafter referred to as PIN) is also entered into the terminal, and the amount of the check to be presented is also entered therein. Approval or disapproval of the check for the amount of the check is then printed on the back of the check. While this approach is more effective towards reducing bad-check losses than the manual methods previously discussed, it is still vulnerable to Ealsification and forgery. For example, one survey indicated that well over S~ o~ card holders wrote their PIN's on their respective cards 90 as to not forget the PIN's; c~nsequently, the security of a PIN-based system is susceptible to EalsiEication and orgery. Also, the ~orm oE the prin~ed characters on the back oE a check which indicate "approval" are typically simple matrix font characters which are easily forged.

Summary of the Invention This invention relates to a method and appara-tus for dispensing negotiable instruments such as checks from a self-service terminal.
m e apparatus or check issuing terminal, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, comprises; first means for identifying an account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by the terminal is to be chargedi second means for inputting into the terminal identification data which will be used in determining whether to accept or reject a user of the terminal as authorized to issue a check against the account numberi third means for supplying authorized identification data to the terminal and also for supply-ing evaluation criteria such as a current monetary , .
-~ 17~7~ 1 balance for the account number; entry means for enteringcheck data including the monetary amounti means for comparing the identification data with the authori2ed identifica~ion data and for yenerating an accept signal or a reject signal as a result of the comparing. The comparing means also compares the monetary amount with the evaluation criteria such as the current monetary balance and generates an issue signal when the associ-ated comparison is favorable. The apparatus also in-cludes means for transporting a record medium to a printstation in the terminal; and means for printing at least the account number and the monetary amount on the record medium at the print station in response to the accept signal and the issue signal, whereby the record meclium becomes the check which is issued froln the terminal.
In a preferred embodiment oÇ the method of this invention, the method of further veriying th~
identity of the user of the check issuin~ terminal in addition to using an identiicakion card is to use the user's act of writing his signature on a check Eorm.
The check form with the user's signature thereon even-tually becomes the check which is issued from the ter-minal.

Brief Description of the Drawing Fig. l is a general perspective view of a preferred embodiment of this invention which shows a check issuing terminal including a keyboard, card reader, a display for displaying amounts and lead-through or user instructions, and a signature writing stationi Figs. 2A and ~B taken together show a sche-matic diagram in block form of the various components included in the terminal shown in Fig. lj Fig. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a check and its "tissue" or carbon copy as they are issued from the terminal shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a side view, in diagrammatic form, of a transducer whose writing table is located at the : . --" i 17~771 writing station shown in Fig. l, with the view taken along the general line of 4-4 in Fig. l, Figs. 5A and 5B taken together are diagral~natic views taken from the direction A in Fig. l to show details oE the means for transporting a check to the write station shown in Fig. l and also to show the means Eor printing data on a check having an authorized signa-ture thereon;
Fig. 6A is a plan view, looking down at the signature station shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 6B is a plan view, in diagrammatic form, of the printing means shown in Fig. 5B;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of the check forms which are fed, in the nature of a continuous form, to the signature station;
Fig. 8 is a sample wave~orm which is generated by the transducer shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 9 is a side view, in diagrammatic form, o~ a modiEied embodiment of the deflector shown in Fig.
5~;
Fig. lO is a general schematic diagram in block form showing one embodiment of the signature processing circuitry shown in Figs. 2A and 2B; and Fig. ll is a flow chart showing the comparison process for accepting as valid or rejecting as invalid a user's signature.

Detailed Description of the Invention Before proceeding with a detailed description of this invention, it appears appropriate to discuss, generally, how it is used.
Fig. l shows a perspective view of one embodi-ment of this invent~ion which is portrayed as a negotiable instrument or check dispensing terminal which is desig-nated generally as 20. The terminal 20 may be of the ` 35 freestanding variety, for example, or it may be secured to a wall 22 at a convenient height above a floor 24 so ~ ~',,' :~: `: :
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1~7~771 as to facilitate the use of the terminal 20. The ter-minal ~0 may be located in business establishments such as retail stores and grocery stores, for example, where the customers ~requently present chec~s in payment for goods or services received. In ~eneral, it i9 preerable to locate the terminal 20 ~or terminals if re~uired) in these business establishments at a location a~ay from the cash registers or payment areas so as to facilitate the Elow of customers making payment thereat.
If a customer of a business establishment wants to make payment with a check issued by the terminal 20, the following general procedure is used. The termin-al 20 is provided with a station 26 (located in panel

2~) or use with an identi~ication card 30 which may be, for example, similar to that employed with automat~d teller or cash dispensing machines. The card 30 i~;
inserted into a slot at station 26 to be withdrawn into the terminal 20 and read by a conventional card reader 32 ~Fig. 2B) or the card may be read by silnply manually moving the card ~properly oriented) to place the da~a thereon in reading relationship with the reader 32. The data on the card 30 may include the account number of the owner of the card and the particular bank at which the account resides if the terminal is used in a multi-bank environment. Reading the card 30 activates theterminal 20, although it may be activated by entering an account number on the associated keyboard 34. For the moment, activation of the terminal 20 signifies, for example, that the terminal is coupled with its host bank computer system via a comlnunication line, that the account number entered is verified, and that personal data associated with the entered account number is transferred from the bank computer system to the terminal 20.
Because a thief or a user having unlawful possession of the card 30 also may attempt to actuate a typical terminal, it is yenerally advisable to require .
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" 1 17~77 1 some additional information from the user to establish his identity or right to use the terminal 20. As pre-viously stated, this additional information may be obtained by entering a memorized secret number on the keyboard 34. A palm print or fingerprint may be required as an alternative; however, in the preferred embodiment described herein, the additional information required is obtained from the user's act of signing his signature which is entered into the terminal 20 at station 36.
The terminal 20 makes accessible the signature line portion of a check Eorm or a blank check at station 36 - (by means to be later described hereinafter) and the display 38 requests the user to sign his name on the blank check at the station 36.
As the user writes his signature on a blank check at station 36 (Fig. 1), the process of wrlting his name generates an analog wavefQrm which is peculiar or unique to him. The terminal 20 employs ~ignature veri-fication techni~ues to analyze the analog waveform to confirm or deny that the signature entered at station 36 corresponds to the official signature associated with the account number entered. At this point in time, it is important to note that the signature which is entered at station 36 and used for account verification is the samq signature that will appear ultimately on the check which is issued by the terminal 20. This feature enhances - the acceptance by merchants of checks issued by the terminal 20.
Assuming that the signature entered at station 36 (Fig. 1) is a valid signature for the associated account, the terminal 20 will instruct the user thereof ~via the display 38) to enter upon the keyboard 34 the monetary amount of the check to be issued. The monetary amount requested is then compared with evaluation cri-teria such as the financial or monetary balance remainingin the affected account, the number of times the affected account has been used in a day, how the requested mone-tary amount compares with any monetary limits per check ,:

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which the associated bank may have established, and the like, and a decision is made to approve or disapprove the requested withdrawal. However, in order to simplify the discussion, the "evaluation criteria" will be r~-ferred to hereinafter as simply "a suficient monetarybalance".
Assuming that the user has a sufficient monetary balance in his checking account to permit the withdrawal of the requested amount, the display 38 will ins~ruct the user to enter a Payee Code Number (hereinafter referred to as PCN) on the keyboard 34. The PCN's for the various major merchants in the area are then dis-played on the display 38 (or they may simply appear on a printed list which is available at the terminal). The PCN is used by the terminal 20 to print the payee'~; name on the check.
After the PCN is entered on the keyboard 34, the blank check with the approved signature thereon i9 moved ~o a print station within the terminal 20 wh~re a printing mean~ designated generally as 100 (Fig. 2A) prints the pertinent data on the check.
Fig. 3 shows one embodiment of a completed check 42 as it is issued by the terminal 20. The print-ing means 100 prints the date of the check, the monetary amount in both word and numerical forms, the bank logo or name, the bank number shown by reference numeral 44, a conventional MICR encoded monetary amount-shown by ~ reerence numeral 46, and a conventional MICR encoded account number and~bank information data which are shown ~ ~ 30 by reference numeral 48. The terminal 20 may also supply a "tissue copy" 50 of the check 42 for the user to keep for his records. The check 42 may have the notation "Guaranteed Check~" thereon to distinguish it from a simple personal check which requires the time-consuminy checking procedures mentioned earlier. With the guaran-teed check 42,;the~user then presents it to the merchant ~ who reviews it~for payee, date, amount and accepts it ;~ ~ without requiring additional information.
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Naturally, less than all the printing done by the printing means 100, as described, may be effected to suit particular applications.
Some of the features oE this invention ~hich will be described in more detail hereinafter, are as follows:
1. A uniquely printed check is provided.
2. The check dispensed by the terminal 2~ is not alterable without detection, nor is it available elsewhere.

3. The critical portions; such as monetary amount, account number, etc. are fully printed in MICR
~Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) style or printing.

4. Personal verification other than by sig-nature analysis is possible, e.g. PIN.

5. The check 42 is ully prin~ed and signedby the user of the terminal 20 before issuance ~hereby.

6. The checks like 42 are traceable to entrie~ made on a journal within the terminal 20 when the journal is provided as an option. The journal may take the form of a printed notation or an electronic recording on an appropriate medium such as a magnetic tape.

7. A numeric keyboard is available for the entry of the monetary amount on a check and the entry of the Payee of the check.
~;~ 8. The user's account number and associated ;~ bank are entered via a plastic identification card tlike a credit card~, or they may be entered via the keyboard 34.
9. Real time communication to a host bank's computer system provides up-to-date account information such as account balances.
I0. The display 38 is used for displaying data entered and also for providing lead-through instruc-tions.
Having discussed the general~functioning of the terminal 20 and its principal advantages, it appears .
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` ` l 17077 1 g appropriate to discuss, in detail, some of the individual elements thereof.
Fig. 4 is a side view, in diagrammatic form, o a transducer 50 which has its writing table 52 posi-tioned at station 3G in Fig. 1 so as to enable a user ofthe terminal 20 to write his signature on a check form or blank check when the check is positioned on the writing table 52. The transducer 50 may be any conven-tional transducer which transforms the various pressure variations which are generated as an individual writes on the writing table 52 into an analog signal or waveform.
In one embodiment, the table 52 is supported on one end of a cantilever 54 whose remaining end is secured to a stationary frame member 56 by a fastener 58. The canti-lever 54 has a reduced area 60 which enables the tab}e52 to be de1ected resiliently downwardly ~as viewed in Fig. ~) under the pressure of writing and to return to the position shown when the pressure is removed. A rod 62 has one end thereo secured to the underside o cantilever 54 and the remaining end thereof has a core member 64 thereon which is positioned between coils 66, 68 and 70 in magnetic, flux-coupling relationship there-with. When an individual writes upon a check positioned on table 52, the core member 64 moves in the directions of arrows 72 in response to the writer's individual writing characteristics. A conventional oscillator 74 provides the excitation voltage to the coil 66 (which is the primary) at a frequency of 20 Khz. in the embodiment described. The coils 68 and 70 are coupled to a conven-tional circuit 76 (shown in dashed outline) which pro-duces an analog output signal on conductor 7~, which signal varies in accordance with the individual's own peculiar writing characteristics so as to provide an identification of the individual using the terminal 20.
The coil 68 is connected to a rectifier 80 and the coil 70 is similarly connected to a rectifier 82. When the core member 64 is in the neutral or null position shown ' ,. ' , . .

117(~771 in Fig. 4, the voltages induced in the coils 68 and 70 will be identical and 180 degrees out of phase with each other so that there is no net output from the circuit 76. ~hen tlle core member 64 is displaced from its null position, one of the coils 68 or 70 will have a higher voltage induced therein than the other. The voltages induced in coils 68 and 70 are rectified in rectifier circuits 80 and 82, respectively. The outputs of recti-~ier circuits 80 and 82 are fed into a filter circuit 84 which filters out the high-frequency ripple therein.
The filter circuit 84 also includes a potentiometer circuit (not shown) with one terminal thereof receiving the filtered output from rectifier 80 and the other terminal of the potentiometer circuit similarly receiving lS the filtered output from the recti:Eier 82. The output of the filter circuit ~4 whch comes from the sliding contact of ~he potentiometer circuit mentioned appears on conductor 86 which is fed into the positive .input of a conventional operational amplifier 88. The voltages induced in the coils 68 and 70 represent, essentially, a linear function of the displacement of the core member 64 responding to movements of the writing surface 52.
Because there is no mechanical friction between the core member 64 and the coils 66, 68, and 70, and because the mass of the core member 64 is very small, the transducer 5~ accurately generates electrical signals representative of the incrementally small motion generated at the writing table 52 during the process of writing. The cantilever 54 may be made of a tough metal so that it can withstand a large range of bending moments which may be developed during writing on writing table 52. A stop 90 may be placed under the writing table 52 so as to limit the downward movement of the table 52 as viewed in Fig. 4. A portion of the top counter or panel 28 and the front panel 94 of the terminal 20 are shown in Fig.
4 simply to show the location of the writing table in the terminal 20. One waveform 96, as generated by an . . . :

, '` ' --1 1--individual writing his signature on table 52 and as received on output conductor 78 coming Erom the circuit 76, is shown in Fig. 8. The waveform 96 will be dis-cussed in more detail hereinafter.
Another group of elements to be described in detail relate~s to the means for transporting (designated generally as 98 in Fig. SA) a blank check to the station 36 in Fig. 1 and the printing means 100 for printing data on the check which has an authorized signature thereon.
The check transport means 98 is shown in diagrammatic form in Figs. 5A and 5B and is viewed from the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1. The check transport means 9~ may comprise any conventional means to move a check to the station 36, to the printing m~ans 100 ~Fig.
5B) and to move a completed check like 42 out oE the terminal 20 via slot 102 in the side panel 104 oE the terminal 20. Naturally, the particular c~eck transport means 98 selected i5 dependent upon the type of check to be issued from the terminal 20.
In the embodiment described, the check trans-port means 98 includes a fixed rod 106 upon which a supply roll 107 (Fig. 5A) ~f check forms is mounted.
The side panels 108 and 104 and the front panel 94 ~Fig.
1) of the terminal 20 have suitable key-locked, access panels ~not shown) therein to enable the terminal to be supplied with check forms and to be serviced.
A portion or strip 110 of the check forms used in the terminal 20 is shown in Fig. 7. The strip llO is comprised of pre-printed forms which form separate checks like 112 and 114 when severed along a cut line 116. Naturally, the amount of data which is preprinted on a check like 112 is dependent upon a particular application. The check 112 does not have a particular bank logo pre-printed thereon in order to enable the check to be used with several banks which share the check dispensing facilities provided by the terminal 20.
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1~70771 --1 ?--If only a single bank, for example, utili2es the terminal 20, then, that bank's logo and associated MICR encoded data may be pre-printed on strip 110. Each individual check like 112 of the strip 110 may have a sel~cted "security pattern", such as wavy scored lines thereon, as shown in the corner 118 of check 112 to provide a "distinctive look" to the guaranteed check issued from the terminal 20 and to make erasures on the check more apparent. The checks like 112 may have the term, "Guar-anteed Check", printed thereon so as t:o further dis-tinguish them from conventional personal checks. Also, each check like 112 may have preprinted sequential num-bers or cOmmQn supply roll numbers printed thereon in order to allow a specific number or range of numbers to be categorized as non-acceptable when presented to the merchant in case the numbered check form or supply roll is known to have been ~btained by illegal means.
From the supply roll 107 (Fig. 5A) the st:rip 110 of check forms passes around a roller 120 which is rotatably mounted within ~he Erame tnot sho~n) o the terminal 20. A drive roller 122 and its associated back-up or pinch roller 124 are used to index or move the strip 110 towards the station 36. A detector or sensor 126l such as a photoelectric cell, is located along the path of travel of the strip 110 to coact with a mark on the strip 110. The mark selected may be any convenient mark on the front or back of the strip 110, which mark is detected by the sensor 126 which is suit-ably located along the path of travel of the strip llU
so as to accurately position a check in the strip at station 36 in preparation for receiving a user's signa-ture as previously described. A second drive roller 128 and its associated pinch rolIer 130, having the strip 110 sandwiched therebetween, are also used for trans-porting the strip. A conventional check drive #l (alsomarked 132), shown only diagrammatically in Fig. 5A, is used to rotate or drive the drive rollers 122 and 128 ", . , ' , ~ , . .

11707~1 under the control of the control means 242 shown in Figs.
~A and 2B so as to position the signature line 134 ~Figs. 6A and 7) over the writing table 5~. In the embodiment described, the opening 136 (Fig. 6A) at the station 36 is smaller than the size of the writing table 52 so as to prevent unauthorized access into the interior of the terminal at the opening 136. A writing instru-ment 138, secured to the terminal 20 with a flexible retaining cord, permits a user to sign his name upon the line 34. Generally, a ball point pen is preferable as a choice for instrument 138, as it enables a wide range of writing pressures to be exerted upon the writing table 52. A protectiva cover exists over the opening 136 to prevent unauthorized wri-ting on the strip 110 and table 52 when the terminal is not in use. rrhe protective cover may be a conventional sliding cover or a hinged cove~r 140 ~ig. 4) which pivots out o~ the way to expose the strip 110 at station 36 when a valid card is inserted at station 26 ~Fig. 1) to activate the terminal 20.
A~ter the terminal 20 analyzes the signature (by techniques to be later described herein) in order to determine whether or not the user is authorized, and assuming that the signature and the amount requested by the user are valid, then the strip 110 is moved to the right as viewed in Fig. SA by check drives #1 and #2, and then the movement of the strip 110 is stopped. The sensor 126 is used to de-energize the check drives #1 and ~2 so as to position the strip 110 so that a new check is positioned at the station 36, and the "signed check" is positioned with regard to a stationary knife 146. The strip 110 is cut by a moveable knife 142 which is moved by an actuator 144 against the stationary knife 146. Drive rollers 148, 150 ~Fig. 5A), 168, and 170 (Fig. 5B) and their associated pinch rollers 152, 154j 188 and 190, respectively, are then used to transfer the cut check to the printing means 100 in Fig. 5B where the cut check is referenced as 156. The drive rollers 148, I
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' ~ 17077 150, 16~ and 170 are driven by the check drive #2.
Check drive ~2 (also marked 166) and the actuator 144 are under the control of the control means 242 ~Figs. 2A
and 2B) to be later described herein.
A pivotally mounted deflector 158 (Fig. SA) is used to deflect selected checks severed from the strip 110 into a reject bin 160 located within the terminal 20. If a signature is not accepted or is not recognized by the terminal 20 as being valid, or if a valid user changes his mind about wanting the check after he has signed it, or if it is determined by the host bank that there are insufficient funds in the account being pro-cessedr for example, then the control means 242 within the terminal 20 will energize a conventional deflector actuator 162, pivoting the deflector 158 to the position shown by the dashed outline 158-1. In other words, instead of going to the printing means 100, such a severed check like 164 ~shown in dashed outline) will be de~lected in~o the internal reject bin 160.
Assuming, then, that an authorized user is requesting an authorized amount from his account and all the data necessary for printing is determined, the check drives #1 and ~2 will be actuated and de-actuated as previously described and the strip 110 will be severed by knife 142 in Fig. 5A. The check drive #2 is then energized to rotate the drive rollers 148 and 150 to move the severed check towards the printing means 1~0 in Fig. 5B. The check drive #2 also rotates the drive rollers 168 and 170 to receive and finally position the check over the platen 172. A suitable detector or sensor 174, such as a photoelectric cell which senses the leading edge 176 of the check 156 (Fig. 5B), for example, may be used to de-energize the check drive #2 (166~ so as to position the check 156 in printing rela-tionship with the printing means 100.
The printing means 100 (Figs. 5B and 6B~ maybe conventional. In the embodiment described, the ~' .

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printing means 100 includes a table or carriage 178 which is slidably mounted on stationary, spaced-apart rods 180 and 182 which are mounted within the terminal 20. The carriage 17~ is slidably mounted on these rods 180 and 182 and it is incrementally moved in the direc-tion of arrow 184 by a carriage drive 186. AS iS best shown in Fig. 5B, the platen 172 overlies and is secured to the carriage 178. Suitable pinch rollers 188 and 190 cooperate ~ith their opposed drive rollers 168 and 176, respectively, to transport the check 156 lshown in exaggerated thickness~ on to the platen 172 and to retain the check 156 on the platen 172 during the print-ing of the check.
The printing means 100 (Figs. 5B and 6B) also includes a plurality of printing actuators such as 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, and 204 which are fixedly mounted in a print head or support 206 in equally-spaced, aligned relationship therein so as to enable the associ-ated printing elements 207 to print dots along a printing line on the check 156 when the associated actuators like 192 through 204 are energized. The paper from which check 156 is made may be of the "carbonless" type, or an ink ribbon (not shown) containing magnetic ink for MICR
encoding may be used to effect the printing. The support 206 has spaced, elongated slots 208 and 210 therein which receive pins 212 and 214, respectively. The pins 212 and 214 are fixed to the frame 216 tdiagrammatically shown) of the terminal 20, and the slots 208 and 210 are aligned to enable the support 206 and the printing actuators 192-204 to be moved or reciprocated in the opposing directions indicated by the arrows 218. A
head drive 220, operatively coupled to the support 206, is used to incrementally index or move the support 206 (for on-the-fly printing) towards the right (as viewed in Fig. 6B) when printing along a printing line on the check 156 and to print along a new print line thereon when the carriage 178 is indexed one print line in the , . .

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direction of arrow 184. Bi-directional printing can be effected by the printing means 100 shown, and printing can be effected quickly over the entire area of the check 156 by the proper selection o~ the number of printing actuators like 192 and 194 and the centerline distance between adjacent said printing actuators. In other words, the printing on a check 156 can be effected, ~or example, by starting near the top 222 of the check.
The head drive 220 proyressively moves the support 206 in one direction, to the right, for example, as viewed in Fig. 6B, for a total distance equal to the centerline-to-centerline distance between adjacent printing actu-ators like 192 and 194. A conventional printer adapter and control means 224 is used to control the energization of the actuators like 192-204 to effect the desired printing. After a line of printing is e~ected, the carriage 178 is indexed one printing line by the carriage drive 186 in the direction of arrow 184 ~Fig. 6B) and printing is then e~ected by pro~ressively moving the support 206 to the lef~ ~in the example being discussed).
When the support 206 reaches its left-most position, the carriage drive 186 again indexes the carriage 178 one printing line in the direction of arrow 184 and the head drive 220 then moves the support 206 progressively to the right to repeat the printing process. By this technique, printing can be effected over substantially the entire area of the check 156. During the time that printing is e~fected, the check 156 is held stationary on the platen 172 by the drive rollers 168 and 170 and their associated pinch rollers 188 and 190, respectively;
these rollers and their associated check drive #2 (166) -- may be mounted on the carriage 178 to travel therewith.
After total printing is effected on the check, the carriage 178 is moved in a direction which is oppo-site to that indicated by arrow 184 (Fig. 6B) to align the completed and printed check 156 with the discharge slot 102 through which the check 156 is dispensed. When ~' :

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, ~.~70~7 1 the check 156 is so aligned, the check drive #~ ~166) is again eneryized along with a check drive #3 (234) to rotate the drive wheels 16~ and 170 to transfer the check to the drive wheels 226 and 228 and their associated pinch rollers 230 and 232, respectively. The drive wheels 226 ~nd 228 are rotated or driven by the conven-tional check drive #3 (234), these drive wheels transport the check (shown as 156-1 in Fig. 6B) partially out of the dispensing slot 102 where it momentarily is retained until it is picked up by the user of the machine.
Some additional sensors are associated with the check transport means 98 and the printing means 100.
An exit sensor 236 (Fig. 5B) is located near the exit slot 102 in the side panel 104 to produce a "Check Present" signal when a check like 156-1 is present thereat, and thereafter, when the check 15~-1 is removed, a "Check Removed" signal is produced. When a check like 164 in Fig. 5A is deflected into the reject bin 160, it produces a signal on reject sensor 238 which convention-ally de~ects the check as it falls into the reject bin160. A conventional supply sensor 240 (Fig. 5A) cooper-ates with the supply roll 107 to give an indication when the supply of check forms is low. A print head position sensor 239 (Fig. 6B) is positioned to conventionally produce a signal when the print head or support 206 is moved to the extreme left ~as viewed in Fig. 6B) by the head drive 220, thereby indicating a re~erence or home position. A carriage position sensor 241 (Fig. 6B) which coacts with carriage 178 is used to indicate when the carriage 178 is in a home position where it is aligned with the slot 102. A card sensor 237 ~Fig. 2B) is associated with the card reader 32 so as to give an indication of the presence of a credit card therein.
The sensor 237 may be used to initiate the start of a reading operation when the reader 32 itself moves the card, and it may also be used to indicate (to the user) the presence of his card in the terminal 20 and to ~, :

()77 l indicate the need for removal therefrom upon completion of the use of the terminal 20.
The control means 242 alluded to earlier herein for the terminal 20 i5 shown in ~igs. 2A and 2B.
The control means 242 includes a central processing unit or processor 244, a read only memory (ROM) 246, a random access memory (RAM) 248, and a conventional tri-state bus 250 which are interconnected as i5 conventionally done. The necessary programs `for controlling the oper-ations of the terminal 20 are stored in the ROM 246, and the RAM 248 is used for conventionally handling tempor-ary storage.
The control means 242 (Figs. 2A and 2B) also includes conventional adapters such as the display adapter 252, the printer adapter and control 224, the check transport adapter ~54, the sensors adapter 256, the communications adapter 258, the keyboard ad~pter 260, the reader adapter 262, and the signat~re veri-fication adapter 264 which are coupled to the bus 2S0 to enable the elements associated with these adapters to communicate with the processor 244 and to be controlled thereby. It appears appropriate to discuss the unction-ing of the control means 242 as it relates to a typical operation performed thereat.
The first step to initiate action at the terminal 20 is or a user of the terminal to insert his authorization or identification card into the reading station 26 (Fig. 1). When the card is inserted in the terminal 20 at station 26, the sensor 237 (Fig. 2B) will initiate the reading of the card by the card reader 32.
If a first reading is unsatisfactory, the user will be instructed via the display 38 to again pass the card in reading relationship with the reader 32 for manually operated units, and for automatically operated units, the associated card transport mechanism (not shown) will again move the card in the reader 32 to be read again.
In the example being described/ the data which is read "~ .

v .~ , . . .

`'` 117077l from the card is, for example, khe user's account number and a bank number for the particular bank at which the account resides. The data from the reader 32 is handled by the reader adapter 262 and is routed via the bus 250 to the communication adapter 258. The terminal 20 also includes a conventional Automatic Dialing and Modem circuit 266 ~Fig. ~B) which is used to initiate the appropriate numbers for accessing the associated bank data system 268 via the telephone lines 270. Integrated circuit chips such as S2562 and S2859, for example, which are manufactured by American ~icro-systems, Inc. are typical chips which can be used for the dialing functions mentioned. The circuit 266 also contains a modulator-demodulator unit (MODEM) which translates ~he data or binary signal levels into the appropriate modulated signals for transerring the data over the telephone lines 270. In the embodiment des-cribed, data is transerred over the lines 270 at a rate oE about 300 bits per second, however, if necessary or desirable, the more expensive modems and communication lines for transferriny data at rates of up to about 10,000 bits per second may be used. The signature verificatiorl data coming from the bank data system 268 for the user's account generally comprises a few thou-sands of bits in the embodiment described; consequently, it takes only about a few seconds to transfer this data via the circuit 266, the communications adapter 258, and bus 250 to the RAM 248 associated with the processor 244.
The next step in the process of using the terminal 20 is initiated via the application or oper-ating program in the ROM 246 which requests the user (via the display 38) to sign his name at the signature line 134 on the blank check which is positioned at the write station 36 as previously explained. The hinged cover 140 ~Fig. 4) is then moved to expose the check and writing table 52 to enable the user to write his signa-ture thereon.
, 1 17077 ~

As the user records his signature at the writing station 36, the associated waveform like 96 in Fig. 8 is generated by the transducer 50 (Figs. 2A and 4). The output of the transducer 50 is fed into the signature processing circuitry 272 (Fig. 2A) which will be described in more detail hereinafter. ~or the moment, it is sufficient to state that the circuitry 272 treats the waveform 96 so as to get it into a reduced, digital form or format so that it can be compared with the authorized or corresponding signature verification data stored in RAM 248 and received from the bank data system 268. The ROM 246 has the necessary algorithms for conventionally treating the data coming from the signature processing circuitry 272 (via the adapter 264) and for placing it in a format which facilitates compar-ing it with the signature veriEication data stored in the RAM 248.
If the comparison of stored signature verifi-cation data wi~h that ~ust received from the transducer 50 indicates a valid signature, then the processor 244 ~via the application program stored in ROM 246) will request the user (via the display 38) to enter the monetary amount of the check desired on the keyboard 34.
Thereafter, the payee code (obtained by the user from a conveniently~displayed list, ~or example) is entered on the keyboard 34. An example of the payee code is shown in Table #1.

Table #l Payee Code Payee Name 01 Department Store A
02 Department Store B

11 Grocery Store A
12 Grocery Store B
~ ., ., . ~.
.. ~ - .
.

After the user enters the payee code, the associated payee name will be obtained from the ROM 246 and later printed on the check by the printing means 100, as previously described.
If the user's signature is determined to be not valid, he is given a predetermined number ~usually two) of extra opportunities to provide an authorized signature. To accomplish a second try, for example, the checX transport means 98 (Fig. 5A) moves the check strip 110 to the right as viewed in Fig. 5A and then cuts off (via knife 142) the check with the unaccepted or unau-thori2ed signature thereon. This action positions a new blank check at station 36 to enable the user to repeat the process o~ signature verification. If after a third try (for example), in obtaining a valid signature, the comparison indicates an invalid signa~ure, then the control means 242 will indicate to the user (via the display 38) that no check will be issued to the us~r.
~he control means 242 will also release the user's card rom the reader 32. As an alternative embodiment, the reader 32 may be used to transport the unsuccess~u}
user's card into a card capture bin (not shown) located within the terminal 20.
Assuming that a valid signature has been received froln the transducer 50 and that the monetary amount and the payee code have been entered upon the keyboard 34, the application program stored in the ROM
246 (Fig. 2A) will then transfer the monetary amount over the bus 250, adapter 258, and modem circuit 266 to ~; 30 the bank data system 268. If the evaluation criteria such as the cash balance in the account under question are satisfactory for the monetary amount requested, an issue signal will be initiated from the bank data system 268 and sent back to the processor 24~ which will initi-ate the printing operation already discussed. As an alternative, at the tilne that the valid signature data - is first forwarded to the RAM 248 to begin the signature ~, . : , :

1 1'`~0771 -22~

verification procedure, the evaluation criteria such as the cash balance for that account number could also be transferred from the bank data system 268 to the RAM 248 associated with the processor 244. ~hen the monetary amount requested via the keyboard 34 is obtained, it can be compared with the cash balance, for example, to obtain the authorization for issuing a check as pre-viously described. It is apparent that other sequential combinations of the described events are also possible, for example, the amount of the check could be requested and confirmed as satisfactory, and then the signature could be requested and then verified.
After a check authorization signal is received, the application program stored in the ~OM 246 will initiate the printing of the check.
The check authorization signal is used to energize the check drives #l and $2 via the check trans-port adapter 254, causing the strip 110 to be moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. SA. The signature station sensor 126 provides a signal ~via the sensors adapter 256 in Fig. 2B) to de-energize the check drives #l and ~2 so as to position the strip 110 at the station 36 for a new user. As previously stated, the application program in ROM 246 controls the operation o~ the terminal 20 causing a cut signal to be issued to the knife actuator 144 to sever the signed check from the strip 110. Therea~ter, the check drive #2 is actuated to move the now-severed check to the printing means 100. The print station sensor 174 (Fig. 5B) issues a signal via the sensors adapter 256 to de-energize the check drive #2 so as to position the check numbered 156 in Fig. 5B
in printing relationship with the printing means 100 which is controlled by the printer adapter and control means 224.
The~printer adapter and control means 224 (Fig. 2A) is conventional and controls the carriage drive 186, head drive 220, head sensor 239, carriage ,.. ,,~ ' ~
.. :

'"'` 11~077~

sensor 2~1 and actuators 192-204 to print the data on the check 156 as previously described. Essentially, the bank number data, account number, payee, and monetary amount are printed on the check 156.
After the printing of the check 156 is com-pleted, the check ~rives #2 and #3 are actuated to move the cornpleted check 156-1 partially out of the slot 102 to enable the user to grasp it. The exit sensor 236 produces the check present signal when check 156-1 is present at the slot 102 and the signal is fed through the sensors adapter 256 to the processor 244 which initiates an instruction on the display 38 informing the user of this fact. After the check 156-1 is removed, a change in the output of exit sensor 236 produces the check removed sign~l which is used to initiate a conven-tional end-of-operations procedure to terminate th~
operation of the terminal 20, includin~3 the energiæation of a conventional actuator (not sho~n) which moves the hinged cover 140 ~Fig. 4) to protect the writing table S2 and a new blank check form thereon. ~oving the hinged cover 140 as described could also be effected at the end of the signature entry procedure.
As an optional feature, if the user does not remove the completed check 156-1 from the slot 102 within a predetermined time, the check present signal from the exit sensor 236 and a timer (not shown) asso-ciated with the processor 244 may be used to initiate a reject signal. This reject signal is fed through the check transport adapter 254 to the check drives #2 and #3 to energize them in a reverse direction (from that previously described) causing the check 156-1 to be withdrawn into the terminal 20. A modified deflector 274 (Fig. 9) is used to deflect checks like 156-1 coming from the drive wheel 168 into the reject bin 160. ~hen the deflector 274 is moved by the actuator 144 to the position shown by the reference numeral 274-1, it de-flects the withdrawn check ~now shown as 156-2) into the 1~70771 re~ect bin 160. Ele~ents ~n Fi.g. 9 which are identical to e~e.~ents already described are referenced with iden-tical numbers and need not be explained further.
The signature processing circuitry 272 (Fig.
2A) alluded to earlier herein is shown in more detail in Fiq. 10. Because signature processing circuitry in general is well known, and because the detail$ o~ such c~rcuitry do not for~ a part o~ this invention, any such convent~Qnal c~rcu~try may be used. For exa~ple, U.S.
Patent ~o. 3,618,019 which issued Nove~ber 2, 1971 dis-clos.es circuitry Wh;`Ch prov~des or signature verificatiQn by means of pressure patterns. Accordingly, the circuitry 272 wiLl be descr~bed only generally herein.
The signature processing circuitry 272 is shown within the dashed outline in Fig. 10, and ineludes an A/D conyerter 276, a si,gnal processing un~t 278, a eon~xol un~t 280, and an Qut~ut Xe~istex 282. The eonyerter 276 receiyes the an~lo~ pressure variatlQns (,as seen i,n the waVe~or~ 96 sho~ ~n Fi~. 8) re~ulting frQ~ a user si~ning h~,s na~e and eonverts ~hese varia-t~i,ons .in~, cligital'signal~. ~h,ich are procqssed by the s~gnal processin~ unit 278.
~he si~nal prQee,ss~ng unit 278 (,F.i~, 10) '~ utilizes ~ number of di~fe.rent par,a,~eters in arriying at an output which distingui~shes one parti.cular user's ~ signature fro~ another. For exa~ple, the nu,~ber o~
,~ peaks ~n a w,ave~or~ (l~ke'~6), the distance between :: pe,aks, ~he ~u~be.. r~cl~ t~es a use~ t~s the. ~en dur~.ng si~nin~, ancl the t~i~e, for sl:~n~n~ ,a,re a, ~e~:Q~ such para~eters. ~Up~th:e co.~plet~ion ~ p~oce,ss,~,ng b~ the unit 278, ~ unic~ue~b~na,r~ coded eo~binat,ion o~ s,i~nals or b~axy bits (Wh;~,ch ~ he. re~erre~ to he~rei.na~ter as a s~n~ature ~ec~or~ :~Qr the s~i,gner~,i,s ~or~rded to the tp~t re.gi~$ter 282;.where. i,t:i,s stQre~d te~porari,~y.

~ .. , _ . . .. . -117~7'7~

Upon a request by the processor 244 (Fig. 2A), the signature vector from the output register 282 is trans-ferred via the signature verification adapter 264 and bus 250 to the RAM 248 where it is used in comparing this particular signature vector with that received from the bank data system 268 for the associated account number. The signature vector can vary in length, for example, from a few bytes which are 8 bits long to a length which is over 100 such bytes of data. Generally, the more sophisticated systems which provide a higher degree of verification re~uire the higher number of bytes to define the signature vector. The signature verification adapter 264 has the necessary firmware such as a ROM (not shown) associated therewith to handle the formatting and transEerrence of the bytes of data over the bus 250. The control unit 280 ~Fig. 10) provides all the necessary control pulses in the proper se~uence to ef~ect ~he control of the signature processir~g cir-cuit 272.
In general, when a customer intends to use the services of the terminal 20, it is necessary, first, that he supply his bank with a predetermined number of signatures ~such as five signatures, for example) so as to establish his ~Isignature vector" which will be used as a basis of comparison with the signature vector derived at the terminal 20. The data representing the five signatures in the exarnple given may be treated statistically so as to arrive at an "average" signature vector and also to arrive at an "error value" which is analogous to a statistical standard deviation. This error value can be used to set a threshold value which can be adjustably set tightly or loosely. When the threshold value is set tightly, it means that almost all the signatures subjected to verification are rejected.
When the threshold value is set loosely, it means that al~ost all the signatures subjected to verification are accepted. For a practical system, it is necessary that 1 17077 ~

the threshold limits be set so as to accept an author-ized individual's signature and reject all other unau-thorized or fraudulent signatures.
Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the comparison process for producing an accept or a reject signal as earlier discussed herein. In this regard, the standard signature or signature vector for the account number from the bank data system 268 is compared (as shown by block 284) with the signature vector from the signature processing circuitry 272 to produce the accept or reject signals shown. The ROM 246 in Fig. 2A has the appro-priatel conventional process steps stored therein to effect the compare operation shown by block 284. In some situations, the ROM 246 may also include some process steps for treating the standard signature vector and the signature vector prior to the compare operation shown in block 284. Because this aspect may be conven-tional, it i9 no~ described in any further detail.

, .

~ .

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A check issuing terminal comprising:
first means for identifying an account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by said terminal is to be charged;
second means for inputting into said terminal identification data which will be used in determining whether to accept or reject a user of said terminal as authorized to issue a check against said account number;
third means for supplying authorized identification data to said terminal and also for supply-ing evaluation criteria for said account number;
entry means for entering check data including at least said monetary amount;
means for comparing said identification data with said authorized identification data and for generating an accept signal or a reject signal as a result of said comparing; said comparing means also comparing said monetary amount with said evaluation criteria and for generating an issue signal when the associated comparison is favorable;
means for transporting a record medium to a print station in said terminal; and means for printing said check data in-cluding at least said monetary amount on said record medium at said print station in response to said accept signal and said issue signal, whereby said record medium becomes said check which is issued from said terminal.
2. The check issuing terminal as claimed in

claim 1 in which said second means includes means for converting a handwriting sample by said user into said identification data.
3. The check issuing terminal as claimed in
claim 2 in which said second means further comprises a
3. (concluded) write station and also in which said transporting means moves said record medium to said write station where said user writes his signature upon said record medium, said record medium with said signature thereon becoming said check which is issued from said terminal in response to said accept and issue signals.
4. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 3 in which said comparing means issues a no-issue signal when said monetary amount is unfavorable with respect to said evaluation criteria, and in which said transporting means also includes a reject bin into which a record medium with a said signature thereon is de-posited when either a said reject signal or a said no issue signal is generated by said comparing means.
5. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 4 in which said transporting means also includes means for supplying a strip of said record medium to said write station where it becomes said record medium with said signature thereon, and in which said trans-porting means also includes a means for cutting said record medium with said signature thereon from the rest of said strip of record medium.
6. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 5 in which said transporting means also includes a diverter which diverts a said record medium with a signature thereon into said reject bin in response to a said reject signal or a no-issue signal, and enables said transporting means to transfer said record medium with a signature thereon to said print station in re-sponse to said accept and issue signals.
7. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 6 in which said diverter is shaped to provide a bi-directional diverting function.
3. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 1 in which said printing means includes ink and a printing format to enable said account number and mone-tary amount to be printed in magnetic ink character recognition encoding.
9. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 3 in which said write station includes a table and transducer which convert the pressure variations with respect to time resulting from said user writing his signature upon said record medium into said identifica-tion data.
10. A check issuing terminal comprising:
means for identifying an account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by said terminal is to be charged;
a write station;
means for supplying a check form to said write station to enable a user to sign the user's name on said check form which becomes a signed check form;
means for converting the user's act of signing the user's name on said check form into identi-fying data which is unique to said user;
means for entering check data including said monetary amount for the check to be issued;
means for comparing said identifying data with authorized data for said user to generate an accept signal when the comparison is favorable, and also for comparing said monetary amount with the monetary balance for said account number to generate an issue signal when the associated comparison is favorable; and means for printing on said signed check form said check data including said monetary amount in response to said accept and issue signals so as to comprise said check which is dispensed from said ter-minal.
11. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 10 in which said write station includes a table and transducer which convert the pressure variations with respect to time resulting from said user writing his signature upon said check form into said identifica-tion data.
12. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 1 in which said printing means includes ink and a printing format to enable said account number and mone-tary amount to be printed in magnetic ink character recognition encoding.

13. A check dispensing terminal comprising;
means for reading an identification card for entering an account number into said terminal;
a signature table to enable a user of said terminal to sign his name on a check form located at said table;
means for supplying check forms to said signature table;
verifying means operatively connected to said signature table to identify a user of said terminal who signs his name on a said check form at said signa-ture table as the rightful user of said account number;
keyboard means for entering check data such as monetary amount and payee for use in printing on said check form;
a display for displaying data and instruc-tions associated with the use of said terminal;
means for printing said check data on said check form;
a data bank source;
processor means operatively connecting said reading means, verifying means, supplying means, keyboard means, display, and data bank source whereby said processor means will generate an issue signal when
13. (concluded) said verifying means indicates that said user is a rightful user of said account number and said user can rightfully issue a check for the monetary amount entered on said keyboard means, said issue signal being used by said printing means to print said check data on said check form with said signature thereon.
14. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 13 in which said terminal includes a housing with a slot therein through which said check form with said signature and check data thereon may extend to be grasped by said user, and further comprising means to withdraw said check form into said housing if it is not removed therefrom in a predetermined time.
15. The check issuing terminal as claimed in claim 14 in which said printing means includes ink and a printing format to enable at least said account number and monetary amount to be printed in magnetic ink char-acter recognition encoding; said check form having mark-ings thereon to identify it as being dispensed from said terminal.
16. A document dispensing terminal comprising;
a write station;
means for supplying a document to said write station to enable a user to provide written in-dicia on said document;
means for converting the writing of indicia by said user into identifying data unique to said user;
means for comparing said identifying data with authorized data for said user to generate an accept signal when the comparison is favorable; and means for dispensing said document bearing said indicia from the terminal in response to a favorable comparison.
17. A method of issuing a check from a terminal comprising the steps:
(a) identifying the account number against which a monetary amount of a check to be issued by the terminal is to be charged;
(b) requiring that the user write his signature on a check form which is supplied by said terminal;
(c) using the user's act of writing his signature on said check form to ascertain whether or not said user is authorized to use said account number;
(d) verifying that said user has satis-fied certain evaluation criteria associated with said account number for said monetary amount for which a check is to be issued;
(e) printing check data including at least said monetary amount on said check form with said signature thereon upon ascertaining that said user is authorized to use said account number and also that said user has satisfied said certain evaluation criteria asso-ciated; and (f) dispensing from said terminal said check form with said signature thereon and with said check data printed thereon, which last-named check form becomes said check which is issued from said terminal.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17 in which said step (e) is effected by:
(e-l) printing at least said account number and said monetary amount in a magnetic ink char-acter recognition font.