Accessible automated transaction machines for sight-impaired persons and print-disabled persons

• US 6,186,396 B1
• Filed: 08/28/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Talking Signs, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Talking Signs, Inc.
• Inventors: Crandall, William F. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/091,576
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/362, 235/361, 235/486, 340/825.49, 902/10, 902/20, 902/25, 434/112, 434/113, 404/42, 404/10
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/001 Teaching or communicating with blind persons G09B21/02 - G09B21/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/006 using audible presentation of the information

Abstract

Systems which comprise an automated transaction machine which includes one or more customer interacting means such as, in the case of an integrated circuit card terminal, at least an integrated circuit card reader; infrared communication emitters and individual short range infrared communication emitters located in the machine. The emitters are adapted to provide repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signals identifying the direction to and location of the machine. Thus, a person having a portable receiver for such signals is led to the machine and is able to position himself/herself in front of the machine in order to operate it. The respective emitters provide separate repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signal which identifies the location of the respective customer interface on the machine so that by movement of the portable receiver in front of the machine, the location on the machine of the respective customer interfaces can be determined. Instructions on use and/or feedback concerning transactions can also be provided from the system to the customer through the portable receiver. The signal transmitters may also be adapted for highly efficient use in the presence of a wide range of levels of ambient light energy, e.g., sunlight.

Claims

1. A automated transaction system rendered accessible for sight-impaired persons and print-disabled persons, which system comprises:

a) an automated transaction machine which includes one or more customer interacting means;

b) infrared remote communication means providing repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signals identifying the direction to and location of the machine such that a person having a portable receiver for said signals is led to and enabled to position himself/herself in a proximate operative relationship with the machine; and

c) individual short range infrared communication means in the machine, each said short range infrared communication means providing a separate repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signal which at least identifies the location of the respective customer interacting means on the machine such that said person can by movement of such portable receiver identify the location on the machine of the respective customer interacting means thereof.

2. A system of claim 1 wherein said short range infrared communication means in the machine also provide frequency modulated message signals for conveying transaction information to the receiver of said person while located in an operative relationship with the machine, said information being in response to actions taken by the person using one or more of said customer interacting means.

3. A system of claim 1 wherein said machine is an integrated circuit card terminal and wherein said customer interacting means comprises at least an integrated circuit card reader.

4. A system of claim 1 wherein said infrared remote communication means and said individual short range infrared communication means comprise separate arrays of emitters each of said emitters delivering a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers, said remote communication means being operated at a higher power input than said short range infrared communication means.

5. A system of claim 4 wherein said machine is a integrated circuit card terminal and wherein said customer interacting means comprises at least an integrated circuit card reader.

6. A system of claim 4 wherein said system further comprises separate short range infrared communication means in the machine to provide frequency modulated message signals for conveying transaction information to the receiver of said person while located in an operative relationship with the machine, said information being in response to actions taken by the person using one or more of said customer interacting means.

7. A system of claims 1 wherein said machine is an information kiosk and wherein said customer interacting means comprise at least an interactive audio and/or visual device.

8. A system of claims 4 wherein said machine is an information kiosk and wherein said customer interacting means comprise at least an interactive audio and/or visual device.

9. A system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said infrared remote communication means and said individual short range infrared communication means comprises (i) an emitter for sending the respective frequency modulated infrared signal, (ii) a light energy receiver for detecting a change in the level of surrounding ambient light energy and for producing a response to such change in proportion to the change detected, and (iii) a controller for adjusting, directly or indirectly, the frequency modulated infrared signal in response to the light energy receiver response to the change detected.

10. An automated transaction system rendered accessible for sight-impaired persons and print-disabled persons, which system comprises:

a) an integrated circuit card terminal which includes as customer interacting means thereof, at least an integrated circuit card reader;

b) one or more infrared remote communication means providing repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signals identifying the direction to and location of the terminal such that a person having a portable receiver for said signals is led to and enabled to position himself/herself in a proximate operative relationship with the terminal;

c) individual short range infrared locator communication means in the terminal, each said short range infrared locator communication means providing a separate repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signal which at least identifies and leads to the location on the terminal of the respective customer interacting means such that said person can by movement of such portable receiver identify the location of the respective customer interacting means; and

d) one or more short range infrared interactive communication means in the terminal providing frequency modulated message signals for conveying transaction information to the receiver of said person while located in an operative relationship with the terminal.

11. A system of claim 10 wherein said remote communication means comprises an array of emitters each of said emitters delivering a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

12. A system of claim 10 wherein each said short range infrared locator communication means comprises at least one emitter which delivers a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

13. A system of claim 10 wherein said short range infrared interactive communication means comprises at least one emitter which delivers a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

14. A system of claim 10 wherein the instructions and information programmed into at least (i) said short range infrared locator communication means and (ii) said short range infrared interactive communication means is either in universal ASCII format, analog format, or a binary code that provides for a voice message equivalence.

15. A system of claim 14 wherein the voice message equivalence is digitally recorded natural speech.

16. A system of claim 14 wherein the voice message equivalence is synthesized speech.

17. A system of claim 10 wherein at least one of said infrared remote communication means and said individual short range infrared communication means comprises (i) an emitter for sending the respective frequency modulated infrared signal, (ii) a light energy receiver for detecting a change in the level of surrounding ambient light energy and for producing a response to such change in proportion to the change detected, and (iii) a controller for adjusting, directly or indirectly, the frequency modulated infrared signal in response to the light energy receiver response to the change detected.

18. An automated transaction system rendered accessible for sight-impaired persons and print-disabled persons, which system comprises:

a) an information kiosk which includes as customer interacting means thereof, at least an interactive audio and/or visual device;

b) one or more infrared remote communication means providing repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signals identifying the direction to and location of the kiosk such that a person having a portable receiver for said signals is led to and enabled to position himself/herself in a proximate operative relationship with the kiosk;

c) individual short range infrared locator communication means in the kiosk, each said short range infrared locator communication means providing a separate repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signal which at least identifies and leads to the location on the kiosk of the respective customer interacting means such that said person can by movement of such portable receiver identify the location of the respective customer interacting means; and

d) one or more short range infrared interactive communication means in the kiosk providing frequency modulated message signals for conveying transaction information to the receiver of said person while located in an operative relationship with the kiosk.

19. A system of claim 18 wherein said remote communication means comprises an array of emitters each of said emitters delivering a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

20. A system of claim 18 wherein each said short range infrared locator communication means comprises at least one emitter which delivers a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

21. A system of claim 18 wherein said short range infrared interactive communication means comprises at least one emitter which delivers a frequency modulated infrared signal in the pattern of a cone having a beam width in the range of about 10°

to about 50°

at a modulated frequency of about 25 KHz with a band width in the range of about 3 to about 6 KHz and having an infrared carrier frequency in the range of about 850 to about 950 nanometers.

22. A system of claim 18 wherein the instructions and information programmed into at least (i) said short range infrared locator communication means and (ii) said short range infrared interactive communication means is either in universal ASCII format, analog format, or a binary code that provides for a voice message equivalence.

23. A system of claim 22 wherein the voice message equivalence is digitally recorded natural speech.

24. A system of claim 22 wherein the voice message equivalence is synthesized speech.

25. A system of claim 18 wherein at least one of said infrared remote communication means and said individual short range infrared communication means comprises (i) an emitter for sending the respective frequency modulated infrared signal, (ii) a light energy receiver for detecting a change in the level of surrounding ambient light energy and for producing a response to such change in proportion to the change detected, and (iii) a controller for adjusting, directly or indirectly, the frequency modulated infrared signal in response to the light energy receiver response to the change detected.