Signature capture terminal

• US 20020140714A1
• Filed: 03/27/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC, NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Hoffman, Mark S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,146,577 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/700
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

Various forms of a signature capture terminal provide added flexibility, and easier access or use by disabled individuals. The signature capture terminal provides audio feedback to the user in response to user input. The audio feedback may take various forms such as secure audio, text-to-speech, and/or touchtone. User input may be entry of a PIN, a signature, or other data. In one form, input to the signature capture terminal is accomplished via a disability access device. The disability access device may be an overlay, a configured access card, or a specially adapted input terminal.

Claims

1. A signature capture terminal comprising:

a signature capture area operative to receive a signature of a user; and

an audio generator operative to produce audio feedback to the user in response to receipt of the signature, the audio feedback correlated to input of the signature.

2. The signature capture terminal of claim 1, wherein the audio feedback comprises an audio signal having a characteristic thereof that varies in correlation to the input of the signature.

3. The signature capture terminal of claim 2, wherein the characteristic comprises one of frequency and pitch.

4. The signature capture terminal of claim 3, wherein the audio signal has a second characteristic that varies in correlation to the input of the signature.

5. The signature capture terminal of claim 1, wherein the audio feedback is provided as secure audio.

6. The signature capture terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

a disability access device operative to receive a PIN; and

wherein the audio generator is operative to provide further audio feedback corresponding to input of the PIN.

7. The signature capture terminal of claim 6, wherein the disability access device comprises an EZ Access™

terminal.

8. The signature capture terminal of claim 1, further comprising:

an overlay adapted to be placed over the signature capture area and operative to accept PIN entry for the signature capture terminal.

9. The signature capture terminal of claim 8, wherein the audio generator is operative to generate further audio feedback in response to user input of a PIN via the overlay.

10. A signature capture terminal comprising:

a signature capture screen operative to graphically receive a signature of a user; and

an audio generator operative to produce audio feedback to the user in direct response to receipt of the signature, the audio feedback correlated to graphic input of the received signature.

11. The signature capture terminal of claim 10, wherein the audio feedback comprises an audible sound having a characteristic thereof that varies in relation to the graphic input of the received signature.

12. The signature capture terminal of claim 11, wherein the characteristic comprises one of frequency, pitch, and amplitude.

13. The signature capture terminal of claim 10, wherein the audio feedback is provided as secure audio.

14. The signature capture terminal of claim 10, further comprising:

a disability access device operable to receive a PIN; and

wherein the audio generator is operative to provide further audio feedback corresponding to input of the PIN.

15. The signature capture terminal of claim 14, wherein the disability access device comprises an EZ Access™

terminal.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

providing the audio signal to the user as secure audio.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of producing an audio signal that corresponds in a characteristic to input of the signature includes varying one of frequency, pitch, and amplitude as the characteristic.

16. A method of providing audio feedback to a user during presentment of a signature on a signature capture terminal comprising the steps of:

obtaining a signature of a user on a signature capture area of a signal capture terminal; and

producing an audio signal that corresponds in a characteristic to input of the signature.