Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

• US 7,513,420 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Block, James, Steinbach, Klaus, Nelson, Jr., Donald S., Barker, David A., Magee, Paul D., Lute, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/638,949
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 705 40- 43
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• 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

Abstract

An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user'"'"'s financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface having;

a card reader;

a keypad including a plurality of keys;

a fascia, wherein the fascia includes a recess, wherein all the keys comprising the keypad are positioned in the recess;

a display;

a cash dispense opening;

a pair of panels, wherein one panel in the air is on an opposed side of the keypad from the other panel in the pair, and wherein each of the panels is operatively engaged with the fascia in the recess, and wherein each of the panels is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the machine through a respective hinge connection;

wherein each panel is selectively rotatably movable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position each of the panels extends in overlying relation of at least some of the keys of the keypad and is operative to restrict viewing of the keypad from locations other than a point of view of a user operating the machine at the user interface, and wherein in the second position each of the panels does not extend in overlying relation of any of the keys of the keypad.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the hinge connection of each respective panel is within the recess.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each panel is independently manually movable between the first and second positions.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 and further comprising at least one processor and at least one drive in operative connection with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one drive is in operative connection with each of the panels, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine when the machine is in condition to receive confidential data from users through the keypad, and is operative responsive to such determination to cause the at least one drive to move each of the panels to its respective first position.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one drive to move the panels to the second position responsive to the at least one processor determining that the machine is not in condition to receive confidential data from users through the keypad.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the keys of the keypad include key engaging surfaces, all of which key engaging surfaces generally extend in a plane, and wherein in the first position the at least one panel extends generally perpendicular relative to the plane.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the pair of panels is manually movable between the first and second positions.

8. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface having;

a card reader;

a keypad including a plurality of keys

a display;

a cash dispense opening;

at least one panel movably mounted in supporting connection with the machine adjacent the keypad, wherein the at least one panel is selectively movable between first and second positions, herein in the first position the at least one panel is operative to restrict viewing of the keypad from locations other than a point of view of a user operating the machine at the user interface;

at least one processor and at least one drive in operative connection with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one drive is in operative connection with the at least one panel, wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine when the machine is in condition during conduct of a transaction to receive confidential data from a user through the keypad, and is operative responsive to such determination to cause the at least one drive to cause the at least one panel to move to the first position.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least one panel is manually movable from the first position to the second position.

10. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a user interface having;

a card reader;

a keypad including a plurality of keys;

a display;

a cash dispense;

at least one panel movably mounted in supporting connection with the machine adjacent the keypad, wherein the at least one panel is selectively movable between first and second positions, wherein in the first position the at least one panel is operative to restrict viewing of the keypad from locations other than point of view of a user operating the machine at the user interface;

at least one processor and at least one drive in operative connection with the at least one processor, wherein the at least one drive is in operative connection with the at least one panel, and wherein the at least one panel is manually movable from the second position to the first position, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine that the machine is not in condition to receive confidential data through the keypad, and wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the determination to cause the at least one panel to be moved from the first position to the second position.

11. A method comprising:

a) operating an automated banking machine including a card reader, a keypad, a display and a cash dispensing outlet, responsive to operation of at least one processor in the machine;

b) during at least a portion of (a) receiving at least one confidential input to the machine from a user through the keypad;

c) prior to (b), determining through operation of the at least one processor in the machine that the machine is in condition during a transaction to receive the at least one confidential input through the keypad;

d) prior to (b) and responsive to the determination in (c), operating the at least one processor to cause at least one panel in supporting connection with the machine to move from a second position to a first position wherein in the first position the at least one panel is operative to restrict viewing of the keypad from locations other than a point of view of the user operating the machine in (b).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in (d) the at least one processor is operative to cause a pair of panels to move to the first position, wherein each panel is disposed on an opposed side of the keypad from the other panel and wherein in the first position each of the panels in the pair overlies at least some keys of the keypad.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein each of the keys of the keypad have a digit engaging surface, wherein all of the digit engaging surfaces extend generally in a single plane, and wherein in (d) each of the pair of panels is caused to move to extend generally perpendicular relative to the plane.

14. The method according to claim 12 wherein each of the panels in the pair is operatively connected to the machine through a respective hinge connection, and wherein in (d) each of the panels is caused to rotate about its respective hinge connection.

15. The method according to claim 11 and further comprising:

(e) subsequent to (b), moving each of the panels to the respective second position of the panel through operation of at least one drive, responsive to operation of the at least one processor.

16. The method according to claim 15 and further comprising:

(f) determining through operation of the at least one processor in the machine that the input of the at least one confidential input in (b) has been completed, and responsive to such determination by the at least one processor, causing each of the panels to move to the respective second position of the panel through operation of the at least one drive.

17. The method according to claim 11 and further comprising:

(e) subsequent to (b), manually moving each of the panels to the respective second position of each panel.