Automated transaction machine for use by a merchant and a customer

Apparatus comprising:

• a chest portion, wherein the chest portion includes at least a first side and a second side, and wherein the chest portion comprises a sheet storage area;
• a sheet inlet opening in the first side of the chest portion, wherein the sheet inlet opening is adapted to have a sheet pass therethrough in a direction toward the chest portion during a sheet receiving operation;
• a first sheet outlet opening in the first side of the chest portion, wherein the first sheet outlet opening is distinct and spaced from the sheet inlet opening, wherein the first sheet outlet opening is adapted to have a sheet pass therethrough in a direction away from the chest portion during a sheet dispensing operation;
• a second sheet outlet opening in the second side of the chest portion, wherein the
• second sheet outlet opening is adapted to have a sheet pass therethrough in a direction away from the chest portion during a sheet dispensing operation;
• a housing in supporting connection with the chest portion;
• wherein the housing includes at least a first side and a second side,
• wherein a first user interface is positioned at the first side of the housing and a second user interface is positioned at the second side of the housing, and wherein the first and second user interfaces are positioned above the chest portion;
• a sheet storage reel movably mounted in supporting connection with the chest portion;
• a take-up reel movably mounted in supporting connection with the chest portion;
• a flexible web extending between the storage reel and the take-up reel, the web extending adjacent to a first passage area intermediate of the storage reel and take-up reel;
• a reel drive mechanism in operative connection with the storage reel and take-up reel, wherein the reel drive mechanism is selectively operative to move sheets in supporting connection with the web between the sheet storage reel and the first passage area;
• a sheet transport mechanism, wherein the sheet transport mechanism is selectively operative to move sheets between a second passage area and the sheet inlet opening, the first sheet outlet opening, and the second sheet outlet opening;
• a sheet validator in operative connection with the sheet transport mechanism, wherein the sheet validator is operative to distinguish acceptable sheets from unacceptable sheets;
• at least one controller in operative connection with an input device, the reel drive mechanism, sheet transport mechanism and sheet validator, wherein the controller is operative responsive to the-sheet validator sensing a valid sheet inserted into the sheet inlet opening to cause the valid sheet to be stored in supporting connection with the web on the storage reel, and the controller is further operative responsive to at least one input to an input device to cause the valid sheet to be moved from the storage reel to a sheet outlet opening.

An automated transaction machine apparatus including:

• a secure chest portion,
• wherein the chest portion includes at least a first side and a second side,
• wherein the first side includes an inlet opening,
• wherein the first side includes an outlet opening,
• wherein the second side includes an outlet opening,
• wherein the chest portion includes a sheet storage area,
• wherein the chest portion includes a sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism,
• wherein the sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism is operative to move sheets, while remaining in the chest portion, from an area adjacent the inlet opening to the sheet storage area,
• wherein the sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism is operative to move sheets, while remaining in the chest portion, from the sheet storage area to an area adjacent the outlet opening of the first side,
• wherein the sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism is operative to move sheets, while remaining in the chest portion, from the sheet storage area to an area adjacent the outlet opening of the second side,
• a housing,
• wherein the housing is positioned above the chest portion,
• wherein the housing includes at least a first side and a second side,
• a first user interface,
• wherein the first user interface is positioned adjacent the first side of the housing,
• a second user interface,
• wherein the second user interface is positioned adjacent the second side of the housing,
• at least one controller,
• wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the first user interface, the second user interface, and the sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism,
• wherein the at least one controller is operative to control the sheet receiving and dispensing mechanism to cause movement of sheets responsive to an input to either the first user interface or the second user interface.

An automated transaction machine apparatus comprising:

• a chest enclosure portion,
• wherein the chest portion includes a sheet storage area,
• wherein the chest portion includes at least a first side and a second side,
• a sheet inlet opening at the first side of the chest portion,
• a first sheet outlet opening at the first side of the chest portion, wherein the first sheet outlet opening is distinct from the sheet inlet opening, and wherein the first sheet outlet opening is disposed from the sheet inlet opening in an elongated direction along the chest portion,
• a second sheet outlet opening at the second side of the chest portion,
• a housing enclosure portion,
• wherein the housing enclosure portion is supported by the chest portion,
• wherein the housing enclosure portion includes at least a first side and a second side,
• a first user interface positioned at the first side of the housing,
• wherein the first user interface includes a first receipt outlet,
• a second user interface positioned at the second side of the housing,
• wherein the second user interface includes a second receipt outlet, a controller
• wherein the controller is operative responsive to a particular input at the first user interface to cause a sheet inserted in the sheet inlet opening to be placed in the sheet storage area,
• wherein the controller is operative responsive to a particular input at the first user interface to cause a sheet to be delivered from the sheet storage area to the first sheet outlet opening,
• wherein the controller is operative responsive to a particular input at the second user interface to cause a sheet to be delivered from the sheet storage area to the second sheet outlet opening.

An automated transaction machine apparatus comprising:

• a chest portion,
• wherein the chest portion includes at least a first side and a second side,
• a sheet inlet opening in the first side of the chest portion,
• a first sheet outlet opening in the first side of the chest portion,
• a second sheet outlet opening in the second side of the chest portion,
• a housing in supporting connection with the chest portion,
• a first user interface in supporting connection with the housing,
• a second user interface in supporting connection with the housing,
• wherein the housing includes at least one door,
• wherein the at least one door provides access to one of the first and second user interfaces, wherein the one user interface includes at least one user input device,
• wherein the at least one door is movable between a closed position and an open position,
• wherein the at least one door in the closed position closes access to each user input device of the one user interface,
• wherein the at least one door in the open position provides access to each user input device of the one user interface.