WO2002075680A1

WO2002075680A1 - Funds deposit apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2002075680A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/001303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Clive Patrick Smeardon; David John Goodinson; Cheryl J. Bulmer
Original assignee: De La Rue International Limited
Priority date: 2001-03-20
Filing date: 2002-03-19
Publication date: 2002-09-26
Also published as: GB0106974D0

Abstract

A funds deposit apparatus comprising a funds receiving assembly (13) including a funds acceptor (3, 4) for receiving and authenticating and/or identifying funds deposited by a user; a controller (8) coupled to the funds receiving assembly; and a coupler (9) for enabling the controller (8) to communicate with a remote account provider (12). When the acceptor (34) indicates to the controller (8) that funds have been deposited, the controller is adapted to confirm to the account provider (12) the amount of funds deposited via the coupler (9).

Description

ERBIUM DOPED FIBRE AMPLIFIER HAVING A TUNEABLE PUMP LASER

rrττ-ϊτ τ-v Γ TJ TTITJ

ι τ rmvτττrγvr

The present invention relates to an optical amplifier, in particular an erbium doped fibre amplifier (EDFA), having control means to compensate for non optimum performance.

BACKGROUND ART

In an optical amplifier, such as an EDFA, for a given pump power, to obtain the maximum amount of gain for a given erbium concentration in the fibre core, the fibre length should be increased to the point at which the pump power becomes equal to the intrinsic pump threshold. This determines the optimum length of the fibre to maximise the signal gain for the amplifier. However, for other applications, the fibre length may need to be optimised for other parameters such as the noise figure or output saturation power.

For a number of reasons, when an optical amplifier has been assembled, the fibre length may prove to be sub-optimal. It is known to compensate for sub-optimal provide such deposit apparatus in areas unconnected with the account provider.

An example of this type of funds deposit apparatus is described in more detail in US-A-5663546. In accordance with the present invention, a funds deposit apparatus comprises a funds receiving assembly including a funds acceptor for receiving and authenticating and/or identifying funds deposited by a user; a controller coupled to the funds receiving assembly; and a coupler for enabling the controller to communicate with a remote account provider whereby when the acceptor indicates to the controller that funds have been deposited, the controller is adapted to confirm to the account provider the amount of funds deposited via the coupler. We have developed a new type of funds deposit apparatus which does not require proprietary connections to the account provider but can make contact with the account provider via any communications medium while incorporating on board authentication and/or identification functions. This has a number of advantages. Firstly, there is no longer any need for proprietary connections and this enables the apparatus to be sited in a wide variety of locations, typically any location with access to a, typically public, wired or wireless communications network. Secondly, it allows the construction of funds deposit apparatus which can serve more than one account provider without the need for a corresponding number of proprietary network connections. Thirdly, by providing on board verification, preferably authentication and denomination users accounts can be immediately credited with deposited funds .

Typically, the receiving assembly will include one or more of a cash (coin and/or banknote) acceptor, magnetic card reader and IC card reader. Where the receiving assembly includes a cash acceptor, typically the assembly will further comprise a cash denominator and/or a cash authenticator. In some applications, a denominator may not be required if, for example in the case of coins, slots are provided which can only be supplied with coins of particular denominations. In general, however, it will be important to include a cash authenticator . In the case of currency bills, it will normally be necessary to include both a cash denominator and a cash authenticator.

Where a cash acceptor is included, the receiving assembly will typically further comprise a secure cash safe.

In order to enable a user to identify the account to which the funds are to be credited, the apparatus preferably further comprises an input device such as a touch screen, keypad, magnetic, or IC card reader. The magnetic or IC card reader could be the same as or different from any such reader provided within the receiving assembly.

Preferably, the apparatus also includes an output device such as a printer, particularly a thermal printer. This enables the controller to confirm to the user the transaction which has taken place.

The controller may be adapted to access only one account provider but, as mentioned above, in the preferred approach, the controller is adapted to access more than one account provider.

A variety of methods may be used to enable the coupler to connect the controller to an account provider. The preferred methods involve the use of wireless links since this enables the funds deposit apparatus to be placed in a wide variety of situations irrespective of whether there are fixed communication links such as telephone access points available. An example is a radio-pad/X.25 combination with the coupler accessing the account provider via a suitable telephone number. In other cases, a wired connection such as a PSTN could be used. In a further option, the coupler is adapted to communicate with the account provider via the Internet . Access to the Internet could be achieved via a wired or wireless link.

Preferably, the controller is adapted to encrypt data defining the funds deposited and account details to which the funds are to be credited prior to forwarding that data to the account provider. Conveniently, the encryption may be such that this confirms to the account provider the authenticity of the data. For example, each funds deposit apparatus may include a private key of a public/private key encryption system.

The coupler may be a modem or other interface device depending upon the form of the network to which it is connected.

We also provide a funds deposit system comprising one or more funds deposit apparatus according to the. invention; and at least one account provider including a memory and a processor, the processor being connected to a coupler so as to receive details of deposited funds from the funds deposit apparatus and to credit appropriate account information held in the memory.

The account provider will be located in a secure area and could be in the same or a different country from the funds deposit apparatus.

Following deposit of funds, the user can then use those funds in any known manner, either for purchasing goods or services over the Internet or so as to withdraw funds in the form of cash.

An example of a funds transfer system according to the system will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a funds deposit apparatus;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of the main components of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates schematically one example of a funds transfer system; and, Figure 4 illustrates schematically a second example of a funds transfer system.

The apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 is in the form of an ATM (automatic teller machine) having a housing 1 supporting a magnetic or IC card reader 2 accessed via a slot 2A, a banknote acceptor 3 accessed via a slot 3A, a coin acceptor 4 accessed via a slot 4A, and a thermal printer 5 which generates receipts etc dispensed through a slot 5A. A touch screen 6 is located on an upper section of the housing 1 while a secure safe or cabinet 7 is provided in the base of the housing 1, accessed via a normally locked door 7A and into which coins and notes are deposited following acceptance. The reader 2, and acceptors 3,4 can all have a conventional construction. As shown in Figure 2, the card reader 2, note acceptor 3 and coin acceptor 4 are all connected to a controller 8 in the form of a microprocessor which is also coupled with the touch screen 6 and the thermal printer 5. The controller 8 transmits data via a modem 9. A first example of a funds transfer system is shown in Figure 3 which illustrates the Internet at 10. The Internet 10 is connected to two account providers 11,12 and to a multiplicity of funds transfer apparatus of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, four of these 13 being shown in Figure 3. Each account provider includes a modem 14, microprocessor 15 and memory 16. These are only shown for the account provider 12 in Figure 3.

In a typical application, the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is located in a site where the Internet can be accessed such as an Internet cafe, kiosk, convenience store or any retail outlet or public place with the modem 9 coupled to a telephone line 17.

The user approaches the machine and selects an option using the touch screen 6 under the control of the controller 8. Those options may be to add funds to an existing account, review an existing account balance, print a balance statement, review past purchases etc. At this point, the user is prompted to insert their account card in the card reader 2 and will then be asked to enter a personal identifier such as a PIN via the touch screen. In other examples, a biometric reader such as a fingerprint reader could be provided for this. The controller 8 will validate the PIN and if valid, will enable the user to perform the required transaction. If this is to deposit cash, then the user will insert the currency bills and/or coins in the appropriate acceptors 3,4 which will denominate and authenticate the currency bills and coins and the controller 8 will then provide to the user via the touch screen 6 an indication of the calculated amount. If the user agrees the amount, he confirms this via the touch screen 6 and the currency and coins are transported to the secure cabinet 7 in a conventional manner.

The controller 8 then encrypts data defining the deposited funds and the account number using, for example, a secret key of a public/private key pair. The controller 8 then accesses the web site of the account provider concerned using the appropriate web site address and conventional browser software and then transmits- the data across the Internet 10 to the account provider 12.

On receipt of the data, this is passed via the modem 14 to the microprocessor 15 which will decrypt the data and credit the amount to the appropriate account in the memory 16. The microprocessor 15 will then issue a confirmatory message which is transmitted back across the Internet 10 to the originating apparatus 13 to confirm that the funds have been correctly credited and the controller 8 will cause the thermal printer 5 to print a suitable credit slip.

In this case, more than one account provider can be accessed by the machine 13 and this information will be obtained from the user's account card. The controller 8 will store web site addresses for each account provider and select the appropriate address. As an alternative to the account card, the user could simply provide the appropriate details via the touch screen 6.

It will be appreciated that this system can be used even where the user's identity is unknown. A number of systems exist for maintaining anonymous accounts as, for example, described in US-A-5663546 and WO-A-01/93219.

A second example of a funds transfer system is shown in Figure 4. In this case, each funds transfer apparatus 13 (only one shown in Figure 4) communicates via a wireless link 20 such as a mobile telephone network with a base station 21 of the network. The base station 21 is connected via a landline 22 based on a X.25 system to an account provider 12, the signals being routed to the account provider 12 by using an appropriate telephone number address .

The Figure 4 approach is preferred over the Figure 3 approach, particularly because of the wireless link 20 which enables the apparatus 13 to be located and a wide variety of locations. In all other respects, the system of Figure 4 operates in the same way as the system of Figure 3.

Claims

1. A funds deposit apparatus comprising a funds receiving assembly including a funds acceptor for receiving and authenticating and/or identifying funds deposited by a user; a controller coupled to the funds receiving assembly; and a coupler for enabling the controller to communicate with a remote account provider whereby when the acceptor indicates to the controller that funds have been deposited, the controller is adapted to confirm to the account provider the amount of funds deposited via the coupler.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving assembly includes one or more of a cash (coin and/or banknote) acceptor, magnetic card reader and IC card reader. ^{■ •}

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving assembly includes a cash acceptor, the receiving assembly further comprising a cash denominator and/or a cash authenticator.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the receiving assembly includes a cash acceptor, the apparatus further comprising a secure cash safe.

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an input device such as a touch screen, keypad, magnetic, biometric, or IC card reader.

6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, the apparatus further including an output device such as a printer, particularly a thermal printer.

7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is adapted to access more than one account provider.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler is adapted to communicate with the account provider via a wireless link.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wireless link is defined by a mobile telephone network.

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler is adapted to communication with the account provider via the Internet, the account provider being accessed via a web site address for the account provider .

11. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller is adapted to encrypt data defining the funds deposited and account details to which the funds are to be credited prior to forwarding that data to the account provider.

12. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler comprises a modem.

13. A funds deposit system comprising one or more funds deposit apparatus according to any of the preceding claims; and at least one account provider including a memory and a processor, the processor being connected to a coupler so as to receive details of deposited funds from the funds deposit apparatus and to credit appropriate account information held in the memory.