Automated banking system for dispensing money orders, wire transfer and bill payment

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for conducting transactions through a financial network using a document such as a check or money order at an unattended automated machine. For security purposes a signature detector detects the signature and the user uses a card to operate the machine. A reader reads the amount on the document; and, for a check, the LAR and CAR amounts are compared. If the document is a money order, the user may be prompted to endorse the money order if the signature detector fails to detect a signature. A card writer writes an amount on the card related to the amount of the transaction being done and a calculator calculates the amount to be written on the card and subtracts a user's service charge. A bill may be paid and a receipt generator will provide a receipt preferably showing payment of the bill and the service charge. If the check or money order is for an amount greater than the bill and service charge amounts, the card writer may write the difference on the card. A portion of the check or money order may also be deposited in the user's account. A cash acceptor in the machine accepts cash and a cash dispenser may dispense cash.

1 . An automated banking system for payment of bills through a bills payment network comprising:
 an automated machine having a card receiver for receiving a user's card and for identifying a user as being qualified to use the automated machine;   a display for displaying a selection of bills payable through a bills payment network, the display displaying several methods of payment including payment by cash;   a selector operable by the user to select a bill to be paid from the bills being displayed;   a reader for reading an amount of the bill and an identity of a bill payee;   a communications network for connection from the automated machine to the bills payment network;   a bill receiver for receiving and storing the bill being paid; and   a transaction recorder for recording a bill transaction and payment.   
   
   
       2 . The automated banking system in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a card reader for reading a payment card for payment and verifying that the payment card is qualified for use with the bill payment network. 
   
   
       3 . The automated banking system in accordance with  claim 2  wherein the payment card is a smart card, and further comprising:
 an analyzer for analyzing whether the smart card has sufficient funds thereon to pay the bill; and   a smart card writer to write off an amount related to the bill being paid on the smart card.   
   
   
       4 . The automated banking system in accordance with  claim 2  wherein:
 the payment card is a credit card; and   wherein a credit card communication device is connected through the automated banking system to charge the bill amount to a credit card account of the user.   
   
   
       5 . The automated banking system in accordance with  claim 1  wherein:
 several bills may be selected for payment, and further comprising:   a totalizer for totaling amounts paid for each bill and for transactional charges; and   a receipt generator for generating a receipt showing the bills paid, transactional charges and a total amount paid by the user.   
   
   
       6 . A method for using an automated banking machine for payment of bills through a bill payment network, comprising:
 providing an automated banking machine having a card receiver for receiving a user's card and for identifying a user as being qualified to use the automated machine;   providing a display for displaying a selection of bill transactions that are available to be paid through a bills payment network connected to the automated machine;   manually selecting one of the bill transactions for paying a bill from those being displayed to the user;   displaying to the user several methods of payment including payment by cash;   inserting a bill into the automated machine for reading an amount of the bill and an identity of a bill payee;   communicating over a communications network for connection from the automated machine to the bills payment network;   transmitting information of payment being received from the user for the bill; and   storing the bill being paid in the machine.   
   
   
       7 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising:
 selecting an option of payment by a credit card;   inserting the credit card into the automated machine for reading; and   verifying that the credit card is qualified for use with the bill payment network.   
   
   
       8 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the user's card comprises a smart card, and further comprising:
 reading funds available for paying the bill on the smart card; and   writing off from the smart card an amount to cover a bill payment transaction and a transactional cost.   
   
   
       9 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the user's card comprises a credit card, and further comprising:
 communicating through the automated machine to a credit card account, an amount to be charged to the credit card account for a wire transfer transaction.   
   
   
       10 . The method in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising:
 selecting several bills for payment;   totaling an amount for each bill and its associated transactional charges; and   generating a receipt showing the bills paid, transactional charges and a total amount being paid by the user.