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 ticket at an unattended automated machine. For security purposes a signature detector can be utilized to detect the signature and the user uses a ticket or a card to operate the machine. A card writer can write an amount on the ticket or the card related to the amount of the transaction being done and a calculator can calculate the amount to be written on the ticket or the card and can subtract a user's service charge. A cash acceptor in the machine can accept cash and a cash dispenser can dispense cash.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An automated system configured to redeem a currency amount of a ticket, the automated system comprising:
 a processor configured to process currency information;   a device configured to receive a ticket redemption request;
 said transaction request being at least one of, receiving an amount to dispense in cash and receiving an amount to credit a ticket; 
   a reader configured to read a ticket having currency information so that the processor can determine a whole-dollar amount of the ticket currency and a fractional-dollar amount of the ticket currency;   a cash dispenser configured to dispense cash for the whole-dollar amount of the ticket currency;   a ticket dispenser configured to dispense the ticket related to the received transaction; and   a printer configured to print a ticket having the remaining fractional-dollar amount of the ticket currency.   
     
     
         2 . The automated system of  claim 1 , further comprising a display configured to display the whole-dollar amount and the remaining fractional dollar. 
     
     
         3 . The automated system of  claim 1 , further comprising a device configured to determine if a user is authorized to use the automated machine. 
     
     
         4 . A method for using an automated system to redeem a currency amount of a ticket, the method comprising:
 providing a processor configured to process currency information;   receiving a ticket redemption request;   reading a ticket having currency information;   determining, by utilizing the processor, a whole-dollar amount of the ticket currency and a fractional-dollar amount of the ticket currency;   dispensing cash for the whole-dollar amount of the ticket currency; and   printing a ticket having the remaining fractional-dollar amount of the ticket currency.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising displaying the whole-dollar amount and the remaining fractional dollar on a display screen. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising determining if a user is authorized to use the automated machine. 
     
     
         7 . An automated system configured to conduct one or more transactions, the automated system comprising:
 a reader configured to read a card having account information;   a processor configured to access a communication network to access the account information;   a device configured to receive a transaction request and to receive an amount to credit a ticket;   a dispenser configured to dispense cash related to the received transaction; and   a printer configured to print a record of the transaction.   
     
     
         8 . The automated system of  claim 7 , further comprising a display configured to display at least one of, the account information, the amount to credit the ticket, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         9 . The automated system of  claim 7 , further comprising a device configured to determine if a user is authorized to use the automated machine. 
     
     
         10 . A method for using an automated system to conduct one or more transactions, the method comprising:
 reading a card having account information;   utilizing a processor to access a communication network to access the account information;   receiving a transaction request;   receiving at least one of, an amount to dispense in cash and an amount to credit a ticket;   dispensing cash related to the received transaction;   dispensing a ticket related to the received transaction; and   printing a record of the transaction.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising displaying at least one of, the account information, the amount to credit the ticket, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising determining if a user is authorized to use the automated machine. 
     
     
         13 . An automated ticketing system configured to conduct a plurality of transactions, the automated system comprising:
 a touchscreen display configured to identify one of a plurality of transactions and to identify tickets for purchase;   a card reader configured to read a card and to identify a user as being authorized to conduct the identified transaction;   a communication network interface configured to access financial information;   a cash dispenser configured to dispense cash related to the identified transaction;   a ticket dispenser configured to dispense the identified tickets; and   a processor configured to receive the identified transaction and control the cash dispenser and the ticket dispenser.   
     
     
         14 . The automated ticketing system of  claim 13 , wherein the touchscreen display is configured to display at least one of, an account information, information concerning the ticket, or a record of the identified transaction. 
     
     
         15 . A method for using an automated ticketing system to conduct a plurality of transactions, the method comprising:
 identifying, by utilizing a touchscreen display, one of a plurality of transactions and tickets for purchase;   reading a card and identifying a user as being authorized to conduct the identified transaction;   accessing, by utilizing a communication network interface, financial information;   dispensing, by utilizing a cash dispenser, cash related to the identified transaction;   dispensing, by utilizing a ticket dispenser, the identified tickets; and   receiving the identified transaction and controlling the cash dispenser and the ticket dispenser, by utilizing a processor.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising displaying at least one of, an account information, information concerning the ticket, or a record of the identified transaction. 
     
     
         17 . An automated system configured to withdraw cash and purchase a ticket, the system comprising:
 a display configured to receive a selected transaction request and identify tickets for purchase;   a reader configured to read a card and to identify a user as being authorized to conduct the selected transaction;   a communication network configured to access financial information;   a dispenser configured to dispense cash related to the selected transaction;   a dispenser configured to dispense the identified tickets; and   a printer configured to print a record of the transaction.   
     
     
         18 . The automated system of  claim 17 , wherein the display is configured to display at least one of, an account information, an amount of the cash related to the selected transaction, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         19 . A method for using an automated system to withdraw cash and purchase a ticket, the method comprising:
 receiving a selected transaction request and identifying tickets for purchase;   reading a card and identifying a user as being authorized to conduct the selected transaction;   accessing, by utilizing a communication network, financial information;   dispensing cash related to the selected transaction;   dispensing the identified tickets; and   printing a record of the transaction.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising displaying at least one of, an account information, an amount of the cash related to the selected transaction, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         21 . An automated system configured to withdraw cash and perform a transaction, the automated system comprising:
 a display configured to receive a selected transaction request;   a reader configured to read a ticket having currency information;   a processor configured to transfer a currency amount between the ticket and a card, and configured to store the transferred currency amount on the card;   a dispenser configured to dispense the card that includes the transaction;   a dispenser configured to dispense cash reflecting the selected transaction; and   a printer configured to print a record of the selected transaction.   
     
     
         22 . The automated system of  claim 21 , further comprising a display configured to display at least one of, the selected transaction request, the ticket currency information, the transferred currency amount, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         23 . The automated system of  claim 21 , further comprising a device configured to determine if a user is authorized to use the automated machine. 
     
     
         24 . A method for using an automated system to withdraw cash and perform a transaction, comprising:
 receiving a selected transaction request;   reading a ticket having currency information;   transferring a currency amount between the ticket and a card;   storing the transferred currency amount on the card;   dispensing a card that includes the transaction;   dispensing cash reflecting the selected transaction; and   printing a record of the selected transaction.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising a displaying at least one of, the selected transaction request, the ticket currency information, the transferred currency amount, or the record of the transaction. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising determining if a user is authorized to use the automated machine.