Cash dispensing automated banking machine with user interface illumination devices

• US 7,150,392 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Utz, Zachary, Ramachandran, Natarajan, Turocy, Kenneth, Booth, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimberly D.
• Application Number:
  US10/738,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 235/397, 235/342, 235/462.45, 235/472.01
• 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

Abstract

An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16), receipt printer opening (30), cash dispensing opening (38) and deposit accepting opening (40). Multicolor light emitting devices (17, 31, 41, 43) are adjacent to and associated with a respective location where a user interacts with a particular transaction function device of the machine. One or more machine controllers (64) are selectively programmed to control the output color and duration of each light emitting device responsive to programming associated with the controller and an operative condition of the associated transaction function device.

Claims

1. An automated banking machine comprising:

a plurality of transaction function devices,

wherein the plurality of transaction function devices include at least a first transaction function device and a second transaction function device,

wherein at least one of the plurality of transaction function devices comprises a cash dispenser;

a user interface at which machine users can interact with at least the first transaction function device and the second transaction function device;

a plurality of multicolor light emitting devices including at least a first emitting device and a second emitting device;

wherein the first emitting device and the second emitting device are each selectively operative to emit at least three different colors,

wherein the first emitting device is viewably located at a first user interface location associated with the first transaction function device,

wherein the second emitting device is viewably located at a second user interface location associated with the second transaction function device, wherein the second user interface location is disposed from the first user interface location;

at least one controller in operative connection with the plurality of multicolor light emitting devices and the plurality of transaction function devices,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to carry out a banking transaction involving both the first transaction function device and the second transaction function device,

wherein during a step of the banking transaction involving the first transaction function device, the at least one controller causes the first emitting device to emit at least two different colors,

wherein during a step of the banking transaction involving the second transaction function device, the at least one controller causes the second emitting device to emit at least two different colors.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one controller is selectively programmable to cause the different colors to be emitted by the first emitting device during the step of the transaction involving the first transaction function device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controller is selectively operative to control the first emitting device to illuminate intermittently and for varying duration during the step of the transaction involving the first transaction function device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one color output from the first emitting device is produced by a combination of colors.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first emitting device is selectively operative to emit the colors of red, yellow and green.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the controller is operative to cause the first emitting device to emit green color light when a transaction step executed by the controller accepts user activity at the first user interface location.

7. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the controller is operative to cause the first emitting device to emit red color light responsive to inoperability of the first transaction function device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first emitting device changes between yellow and green during normal operation of the first transaction function device during the transaction.

9. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the first emitting device comprises an array of LEDs.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the array comprises a first line comprising a plurality of aligned LEDs of only one first color.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the first line comprises a plurality of vertically aligned LEDs of only one first color.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the first emitting device comprises a plurality of first lines, each first line comprising a plurality of vertically aligned LEDs of only one first color.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the first emitting device comprises a plurality of second lines, each second line comprising a plurality of vertically aligned LEDs of only one second color.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first emitting device comprises a flexible web.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the flexible web includes LEDs of different colors supported thereon.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the flexible web includes an adhesive layer, wherein the first emitting device is held to the apparatus by the adhesive layer.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 and further including a fascia, wherein the first transaction function device comprises a first module, wherein the first module is moveable relative to the fascia, and wherein the adhesive layer holds the first emitting device to the first module.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the user interface includes the fascia, and wherein the fascia includes an opening, and wherein when the first module is in an operative position the first emitting device is visible through the opening.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the second emitting device comprises a flexible web in supporting connection with a plurality of LEDs.

20. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the second transaction function device comprises a second module, wherein the second module is selectively movable relative to the fascia, and wherein the second emitting device is in supporting connection and movable with the second module.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one controller is selectively programmable with regard to at least one of color and duration output by the first emitting device responsive to an operative condition of the first transaction function device.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the fascia includes a fascia color, wherein the at least one controller is selectively programmable to cause the first emitting device to output color responsive to the fascia color.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the at least one controller is selectively programmable to vary at least one of color and duration output by the second emitting device responsive to an operative condition of the second transaction function device.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:

at least one third transaction function device in operative connection with the at least one controller;

wherein the plurality of multicolor light emitting devices further includes a third emitting device,

wherein the third device is adjacent a third user interface location associated with the third transaction function device;

wherein the at least one controller is operative to carry out the transaction involving the first, second, and third transaction function devices,

wherein during a step of the transaction involving the third transaction function device the at least one controller causes the third emitting device to separately emit at least two different colors.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the controller is selectively programmable to cause the third emitting device to emit at least three colors.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the apparatus is operative to perform a cash dispensing transaction including operation of the cash dispenser, wherein during the cash dispensing transaction each of the first, second, and third transaction function devices change operational states, and wherein during the cash dispensing transaction each of the first, second, and third emitting devices output at least two different colors.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the at least one controller is selectively programmable to vary output color by the first, second, and third emitting devices responsive to the respective operational state of the first, second, and third transaction function devices.

28. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first transaction function device comprises a card reader.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the second transaction function device comprises a cash dispensing mechanism that includes the at least one cash dispenser.

30. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the at least one second transaction function device comprises a cash acceptor mechanism, wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to receive notes from machine users.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 and wherein the apparatus further comprises a chest portion, and wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to store notes received from machine users into the chest portion.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31 wherein the second emitting device is in operative connection with the cash acceptor mechanism.

33. An automated banking machine comprising:

a plurality of transaction function devices,

wherein the plurality of transaction function devices include a card reader.

wherein the plurality of transaction function devices include a cash acceptor mechanism operative to receive notes from machine users,

wherein the plurality of transaction function devices include a cash dispenser,

a chest portion,

wherein the chest portion is generally L-shaped in cross section,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is in supporting connection with the chest portion,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to store notes received from machine users into the chest portion,

a user interface at which machine users can interact with at least the card reader and the cash acceptor mechanism,

a plurality of multicolor light emitting devices including at least a first emitting device and a second emitting device,

wherein the first emitting device and the second emitting device are each selectively operative to emit at least three different colors,

wherein the first emitting device is viewable at a first user interface location associated with the card reader,

wherein the second emitting device is viewable at a second user interface location associated with the cash acceptor mechanism, wherein the second user interface location is disposed from the first user interface location,

at least one controller in operative connection with the plurality of multicolor light emitting devices and the plurality of transaction function devices,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to carry out a banking transaction involving the card reader and the cash acceptor mechanism,

wherein during a step of the banking transaction involving the card reader, the at least one controller causes the first emitting device to emit at least two different colors,

wherein during a step of the banking transaction involving the cash acceptor mechanism, the at least one controller causes the second emitting device to emit at least two different colors.

34. An automated banking machine comprising:

a fascia;

at least one controller;

a plurality of transaction function devices in operative connection with the controller, wherein at least one of the plurality of transaction function devices comprises a cash dispenser;

a movable module including a first transaction function device,

wherein the module is selectively movable relative to the fascia;

a user interface including at least one location at which machine users can interact with at least one transaction function device;

at least one multiple color light emitting device viewable on the user interface and in operative connection with the at least one controller,

wherein a first multiple color light emitting device is adjacent a user interface location associated with the first transaction function device;

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the first multiple color light emitting device to emit light of a first color responsive to a first operative condition of the first transaction function device during a transaction;

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the first multiple color light emitting device to emit light of a second color responsive to a second operative condition of the first transaction function device during the transaction, wherein the second color differs from the first color;

wherein the first multiple color light emitting device is in supporting connection with the module, and wherein the first multiple color light emitting device is movable with the module.

35. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

at least one user interface, including a card reader;

at least one cash dispenser mechanism operative to dispense cash;

an outlet through which cash is delivered;

a chest portion adapted to store cash,

wherein the chest portion is generally L-shaped in cross section,

wherein the at least one cash dispenser mechanism is operative to move cash from the chest portion to the outlet;

a first multicolor light emitting device adjacent the card reader;

a second multicolor light emitting device adjacent the outlet;

at least one controller,

wherein the at least one cash dispenser mechanism is in operative connection with the at least one controller,

wherein the at least one controller is selectively operative to cause carrying out of a cash dispensing transaction and to cause a change in color output between at least two output colors by each of the first multicolor light emitting device and second multicolor light emitting device during the cash dispensing transaction.

36. The apparatus according to claim 35 where the at least one controller is operative to cause the change in color output by the first multicolor light emitting device responsive to a change in operative condition of the card reader during the cash dispensing transaction.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the change in color output by the second multicolor light emitting device responsive to a change in operative condition of the cash dispensing mechanism during the cash dispensing transaction.

38. The apparatus according to claim 35 wherein the apparatus further comprises a fascia, wherein a module is selectively moveable relative to the fascia, wherein the card reader and the first multicolor light emitting device are in supporting connection with the module, and wherein the card reader and the first multicolor light emitting device are movable with the module.

39. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

at least one user interface,

a card reader,

a cash acceptor mechanism,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to receive cash from users,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is associated with an inlet through which cash is receivable,

a chest portion,

wherein the chest portion is generally L-shaped in cross section,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is in supporting connection with the chest portion,

wherein the cash acceptor mechanism is operative to store received notes in the chest portion,

a first multicolor light emitting device adjacent the card reader,

a second multicolor light emitting device adjacent the inlet,

at least one controller,

wherein the controller is selectively operative to cause a carrying out of a cash accepting transaction including operation of the cash acceptor mechanism,

wherein the controller is operative to cause a change in color output between at least two output colors by each of the first multicolor light emitting device and the second multicolor light emitting device during the cash accepting transaction.