Point-of-transaction machine with improved versatility and related method

• US 20030132282A1
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hummingbird Investment Trust DDT 11/27/
• Original Assignee: Monica L. Workens
• Inventors: Workens, Monica L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,811,078 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash

Abstract

A point-of-transaction machine that allows global users to reach all aspects of their finances, from their brokerage account to their banks, mortgage accounts, credit card accounts and more. Unlike conventional ATMs where you can only reach your bank account(s), the initial screen when signed on will give the global user options on which account or accounts they want to transact business. This initial screen will satisfy the banking, mortgage, and security law requirements of most countries, including those of the United States and Canada where such companies are required to be independent. The point-of-transaction machine will collect fees for each transaction, similar to current ATM usage fee agreements and will allow certain users to complete transactions without fees.

Claims

1. A point-of-transaction machine comprising:

a touch responsive screen;

a card reader;

a numerical keypad; and

a deposit mechanism for receiving deposit cash, checks, executed documents and combinations thereof from a customer;

whereby the users may reach all aspects of their finances, from their brokerage account to their banks, mortgage accounts, credit card accounts and more;

whereby the screen initially provides the user with options on which account or accounts they want to transact business and satisfies banking, mortgage, and security laws requiring the separate and distinct maintenance of such accounts;

whereby the point-of-transaction machine can collect fees for each transaction, similar to current ATM usage fee agreements and will allow certain users to complete transactions without fees.

2. A financial network comprising:

a financial institution network associated with a financial institution;

at least one financial service server, each financial service server being associated with a financial service provider that is independent of the financial institution network; and

accessing means electronically coupled to the financial institution network and the at least one financial service server for providing public access thereto, the accessing means including a point-of-transaction machine with a card reader, inputting means and a deposit device, the card reader being operable for reading information stored on a card that is issued to a customer, the inputting means being configured to permit the customer to input information, the deposit device being configured for receiving deposits of cash, checks, executed documents and combinations thereof from the customer.

3. The financial network of claim 2, wherein the inputting means is selected from a group consisting of keypads, keyboards, touch-responsive screens and combinations thereof.

4. The financial network of claim 2, wherein the accessing means includes a financial services application server and a private frame relay, the private frame relay being employed to transmit data between the point-of-transaction machine and the financial services application server, the private frame relay further being employed to transmit data between the financial services application server and the at least one financial service server.

5. The financial network of claim 4, wherein private frame relay is further operable for transmitting data between the financial institution network and the financial services application server.

6. The financial network of claim 4, wherein the point-of-transaction machine is directly coupled to the financial institution network.

7. The financial network of claim 6, wherein the point-of-transaction machine utilizes a SNA/SDLC control protocol for communicating with the financial institution network.

8. The financial network of claim 7, wherein the point-of-transaction machine utilizes a Diebold 912 messaging protocol for communicating with the financial institution network.

9. The financial network of claim 4, wherein the point-of-transaction machine utilizes a TCP/IP protocol for communicating with the financial services application server.

10. The financial network of claim 9, wherein the point-of-transaction machine further utilizes a HTML language for communicating with the financial services application server.

11. The financial network of claim 3, wherein one of the financial services application server and the financial institution network includes a database having a user identification code and a password code that identify the customer and authorize an associated financial transaction at an associated financial services provider.

12. A method for conducting a financial transaction comprising:

providing a point-of-transaction machine having a card reader, inputting means and a deposit device, the card reader being operable for reading information stored on a card that is issued to a customer, the inputting means being configured to permit the customer to input information, the deposit device being configured for receiving deposits of cash, checks, executed documents and combinations thereof from the customer;

placing a card in the card reader;

inputting a PIN;

selecting the financial transaction from a group of financial transactions, the group including banking transactions and non-banking transactions, the banking transactions including cash deposits; and

levying a fee for conducting the financial transaction.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

correlating the card and the PIN to a user identification code and a password code; and

forwarding the user identification code and the password code to a server to authorize the non-banking transaction.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the fee is levied against the customer.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of transmitting information between the point-of-transaction machine and a server to conduct the non-banking transaction.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the server is associated with a brokerage house, mortgage banker, a utility or a credit card account servicer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the information is transmitted over a private frame relay.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

manually inputting a user identification code and a password code; and

forwarding the user identification code and the password code to a server to authorize the non-banking transaction.