Cash dispensing automated banking machine with improved user observation capabilities

• US 7,222,782 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2005
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Incorporated (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lute, Richard C. Jr., Booth, Jim, Magee, Paul, Nelson, Donald S. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A.
• Application Number:
  US11/186,112
• Publication Number:
  US 20050263586A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 902/8, 902/13, 902/14, 902/15, 902/16
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (15) and a cash dispensing mechanism (220). A fascia (12) of the machine includes a pair of horizontally disposed convex mirrors (338, 340). The mirrors are used to enable a machine user to view the rear area (343) behind the machine user. The machine can move the mirrors into operative viewing position in response to machine user input. The machine also includes lights that can be selectively directed and illuminated to reduce the risk of observation of inputs to the machine by unauthorized persons. A rear area light source focuses light away from the machine user'"'"'s line of sight to the user interface but toward the rear area (343) to obscure nonuser view of machine user input to the user interface.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface,

at least one input device,

at least one mirror adjacent the user interface,

wherein the at least one mirror enables a machine user adjacent the user interface to observe an area in the at least one mirror,

at least one mirror movement mechanism operative to move the at least one mirror,

at least one controller in operative connection with the at least one mirror movement mechanism and the at least one input device,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the machine further includes a cash dispenser, wherein the machine is operative to dispense cash via operation of the cash dispenser.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one mirror comprises at least one convex mirror.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to ambient lighting conditions.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to time of day.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to the machine receiving input via the at least one input device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the user interface includes the at least one input device, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to at least one user input to the at least one input device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the at least one input device comprises at least one proximity sensor, wherein the at least one proximity sensor is operative to sense a person adjacent the machine, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to the at least one proximity sensor sensing a person adjacent the machine.

9. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface,

at least one input device,

at least one mirror adjacent the user interface,

at least one mirror movement mechanism operative to move the at least one mirror,

at least one controller in operative connection with the at least one mirror movement mechanism and the at least one input device,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to user input to the at least one input device corresponding to selection of a certain transaction type.

10. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface,

wherein the user interface includes at least one user input device accessible to a machine user,

at least one rear area light source,

wherein the at least one rear area light source is positioned to focus light outside of machine user line of sight to the user interface and toward an area behind a machine user to obscure nonuser view to machine user input,

at least one machine controller in operative connection with the at least one input device,

wherein the at least one machine controller is operative to activate the at least one rear area light source in response to user input to the user interface.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one controller is operative to activate the at least one rear area light source in correlation with movement of at least one mirror.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one controller is operative to activate the at least one rear area light source in response to user input corresponding to selection of a certain type of transaction.

13. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface,

wherein the user interface includes at least one input device,

wherein the user interface includes at least one user interface light source,

wherein the at least one user interface light source is operative to illuminate a user interface area to facilitate operation of the user interface by a machine user,

at least one rear area light source,

wherein the at least one rear area light source is positioned to focus light outside of a machine user line of sight to the user interface and toward an area behind the machine user to obscure nonuser view to machine user input,

at least one controller in operative connection with the at least one input device,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one user interface light source to illuminate,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one rear area light source to illuminate.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the machine further includes at least one convex mirror adjacent the user interface,

wherein the at least one convex mirror enables the area behind the machine user to be observable by the machine user in the at least one convex mirror while the machine user provides user input to the at least one input device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the machine further includes at least one mirror movement mechanism operative to move the at least one convex mirror,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one convex mirror.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the at least one convex mirror is disposed further outward than the user interface in a direction horizontally toward the area behind the machine user.

17. A method comprising:

(a) operating an automated banking machine to receive input,

wherein the automated banking machine includes at least one controller, at least one input device, at least one mirror adjacent a user interface, and at least one mirror movement mechanism,

wherein the at least one mirror enables a machine user adjacent the user interface to observe an area in the at least one mirror,

wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one mirror movement mechanism and the at least one input device;

(b) operating the at least one controller to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein step (b) includes operating the at least one controller to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to the machine receiving input via the at least one input device.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the user interface includes the at least one input device, wherein step (b) includes operating the at least one controller to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to at least one user input to the at least one input device.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the at least one input device comprises at least one proximity sensor, wherein the at least one proximity sensor is operative to sense a person adjacent the machine, wherein step (b) includes operating the at least one controller to cause the at least one mirror movement mechanism to move the at least one mirror in response to sensing a person adjacent the machine.