Self-service terminal

Abstract

A self-service terminal ( 10 ) for receiving disposable containers ( 100 ) of valuable media items ( 108 ) is described. The terminal comprises: a breaching mechanism ( 124 ) for providing an opening in the containers ( 100 ); and an emptying mechanism ( 122 ) for removing valuable media from the opening in the containers. The terminal further comprises a secure area ( 50 ) in which containers are received and opened; and an item storage area ( 52 ) in which individual media items are stacked for removal. A dispenser ( 40 ) for receiving valuable media items stored in a disposable container ( 100 ) is also described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-service terminal comprising: 
 a disposable container for containing valuable media items;    a breaching mechanism for providing an opening in the container;    an emptying mechanism for removing valuable media items from the opening in the container;    a secure area in which the container is received and opened; and    an item storage area in which individual media items are stacked for removal.    
     
     
         2 . A terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the container includes a housing coupled to a marker by one or more frangible portions, the breaching mechanism providing an opening in the container by breaking the one or more frangible portions and removing the marker.  
     
     
         3 . A terminal according to  claim 2 , wherein the marker has properties similar to the media items stored within the container to facilitate picking of the marker.  
     
     
         4 . A terminal according to  claim 3 , wherein the marker has a property that differs from a corresponding property of the media items so that a pick mechanism can differentiate between a media item and the marker, thereby allowing a picked marker to be diverted to a purge bin.  
     
     
         5 . A terminal according to  claim 1 , further comprising a testing mechanism for verifying the integrity of a tamper evident seal.  
     
     
         6 . A self-service terminal comprising: 
 a disposable container for containing valuable media items;    means defining a secure area in which the container can be received and opened;    means defining an item storage area in which individual media items can be stacked for removal;    a breaching mechanism for providing an opening in the container when the container is received in the secure area; and    an emptying mechanism for removing media items from the container through the opening in the container into the item storage area to stack the media items in the item storage area for removal.    
     
     
         7 . A terminal according to  claim 6 , wherein the container includes (i) a housing portion, (ii) a marker, and (iii) means defining at least one frangible portion which couples the housing portion and the marker such that the breaching mechanism provides the opening in the container by breaking the at least one frangible portion and removing the marker.  
     
     
         8 . A terminal according to  claim 7 , wherein the marker has a number of properties similar to media items stored within the container to facilitate picking of the marker.  
     
     
         9 . A terminal according to  claim 8 , wherein the marker has a property that differs from a corresponding property of media items within the container such that a pick mechanism can differentiate between a media item and the marker, thereby allowing a picked marker to be diverted to a purge bin.  
     
     
         10 . A terminal according to  claim 6 , wherein the container includes means defining a tamper evident seal.  
     
     
         11 . A terminal according to  claim 10 , further comprising a testing mechanism for verifying the integrity of the tamper evident seal.  
     
     
         12 . An automated teller machine (ATM) comprising: 
 a disposable currency cassette for containing currency;    means defining a secure area in which the currency cassette can be received and opened;    means defining a currency storage area in which currency can be stacked for removal;    a breaching mechanism for providing an opening in the currency cassette when the currency cassette is received in the secure area; and    an emptying mechanism for removing currency from the currency cassette through the opening in the currency cassette into the currency storage area to stack the currency in the currency storage area for removal.    
     
     
         13 . An ATM according to  claim 12 , wherein the currency cassette includes (i) a housing portion, (ii) a marker, and (iii) means defining at least one frangible portion which couples the housing portion and the marker such that the breaching mechanism provides the opening in the currency cassette by breaking the at least one frangible portion and removing the marker.  
     
     
         14 . An ATM according to  claim 13 , wherein the marker has a number of properties similar to currency stored within the currency cassette to facilitate picking of the marker.  
     
     
         15 . An ATM according to  claim 14 , wherein the marker has a property that differs from a corresponding property of currency within the currency cassette such that a pick mechanism can differentiate between currency and the marker, thereby allowing a picked marker to be diverted to a purge bin.  
     
     
         16 . An ATM according to  claim 12 , wherein the currency cassette includes means defining a tamper evident seal.  
     
     
         17 . An ATM according to  claim 16 , further comprising a testing mechanism for verifying the integrity of the tamper evident seal.  
     
     
         18 . A dispenser comprising: 
 a disposable container for containing valuable media items;    means defining a secure area in which the container can be received and opened;    means defining an item storage area in which individual media items can be stacked for removal;    a breaching mechanism for providing an opening in the container when the container is received in the secure area; and    an emptying mechanism for removing valuable media items from the container through the opening in the container into the item storage area to stack the media items in the item storage area for removal.    
     
     
         19 . A dispenser according to  claim 18 , wherein the container includes means defining a tamper evident seal.