Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

• US 7,658,321 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2007
• Issued: 02/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Barker, David A., Nelson, Jr., Donald S., Lute, Richard C., Magee, Paul D., Block, James, Ramachandran, Natarajan, Hill, Jeffrey A., Greco, Athena
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, TUYEN KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/891,374
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/454, 705/43
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/042 characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• 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) 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 housing,

at least one input device,

wherein the at least one input device includes a plurality of manual contact points,

wherein the plurality of manual contact points are manually contactable by a machine user finger in providing user inputs through the at least one input device during a transaction conducted through operation of the automated banking machine,

at least one output device,

a cash dispenser,

a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) light sources,

wherein each UV light source is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a respective at least one of the plurality of manual contact points,

at least one processor in the housing,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one input device, the at least one output device, the cash dispenser, and the plurality of UV light sources,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine manual contact points that have been contacted during the transaction,

wherein subsequent to the transaction, the at least one processor is operative to selectively cause the plurality of UV light sources to cause UV light to irradiate the determined manual contact points.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the automated banking machine to carry out a plurality of transaction sessions, wherein each respective transaction session is carried out with a respective user, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the plurality of UV light sources to cause UV light to irradiate manual contact points after each transaction session.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause at least one first output through the at least one output device during at least a portion of a time the at least one processor cause causes UV light to irradiate the manual contact points.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the at least one first output includes indicia instructing a user to wait before commencing a transaction session.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one customer sensor, wherein the at least one customer sensor is in operative connection with the at least one processor, and wherein the at least one customer sensor is operative to sense a customer at the automated banking machine.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 and wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause at least one output through the at least one output device responsive to the at least one customer sensor sensing a customer at the automated banking machine prior to commencing a transaction session, wherein the at least one output includes indicia instructing the sensed customer to wait before commencing a transaction session.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the automated banking machine further includes a printer,

wherein the printer is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the printer is associated with a paper outlet of the banking machine,

wherein the plurality of UV light sources include a further UV light source operative to cause UV light to irradiate a paper outlet area including the paper outlet,

wherein the further UV light source is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the further UV light source to cause UV light to irradiate the paper outlet area.

8. he apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the further UV light source to output UV light after each transaction session.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one output device includes a display,

wherein the automated banking machine further includes a fascia portion,

wherein the fascia portion includes a side surface,

wherein the side surface extends outwardly relative to the display,

wherein the at least one input device includes at least one function key,

wherein the at least one function key is positioned between the display and the side surface,

wherein at least one UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources is supported at the side surface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one input device comprises a keypad, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of keys, and wherein at least one first UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a plurality of keys of the keypad.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the automated banking machine comprises a keypad cover, wherein the keypad cover overlies at least some of the plurality of keys of the keypad, and wherein the at least one first UV light source is supported by the keypad cover.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one input device includes a card reader operative to read data from user cards, wherein the card reader is in operative connection with a card reader opening, and wherein the at least one UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a card area proximate to the card reader opening.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the automated banking machine includes a card accepting housing, wherein the card accepting housing extends in surrounding relation of the card reader opening, and wherein the at least one card accepting housing includes at least one visible light source, and wherein the card area includes the card accepting housing.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the card reader includes a card transport area within the housing, wherein cards accepted through the card reader opening are moved in the card transport area, and wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one internal UV light source, wherein the at least one internal UV light source is operative to cause UV light to irradiate the card transport area, and wherein the at least one internal UV light source is in operative connection with the at least one processor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the automated banking machine to carry out transactions,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine for each transaction, plural areas on the automated banking machine involved with the respective transaction,

wherein the plural areas include at least two areas of a

cash outlet area,

printer outlet area, and

manual contact point area,

wherein responsive to the determination, the at least one processor is operative to cause at least two of the plurality of UV light sources to output UV light to irradiate the at least two areas.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the automated banking machine further includes a cash dispenser outlet in operative connection with the cash dispenser,

wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one first UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources,

wherein the at least one first UV light source is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a cash outlet area proximate to and including the cash dispenser outlet,

wherein the at least one first UV light source is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to selectively cause the at least one first UV light source to cause UV light to irradiate the cash outlet area.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one first UV light source to cause UV light to irradiate the cash outlet area after each dispense of cash therefrom.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16

wherein in a transaction session including a cash dispense, the automated banking machine receives at least one request input through the at least one input device indicative of a request to receive cash from the automated banking machine,

wherein the at least one processor responsive to at least one request input, operates to cause the at least one first UV light source to cause UV light to irradiate the cash outlet area.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one printer,

wherein the at least one printer is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one printer is in operative connection with a paper outlet,

wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one first UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources,

wherein the at least one first UV light source is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a paper output area including the paper outlet,

wherein the at least one first UV light source is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one first UV light source to cause UV light to irradiate the paper outlet area.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the at least one input device includes a card reader operative to read data from user cards,

wherein the card reader is in operative connection with a card reader opening accessible from outside the housing,

wherein at least one first UV light source of the plurality of UV light sources is operative to cause UV light to irradiate a card reader area proximate to the card reader opening.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20

wherein the card reader includes a card transport area inside the housing,

wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one internal UV light source operative to cause UV light to irradiate the card transport area.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the at least one processor is operative to determine which of the plurality of manual contact points were contacted,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause UV light to only irradiate the determined manual contact points.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the at least one processor includes software,

wherein the determination of the manual contact points that have been contacted during the transaction is based on the type of transaction,

wherein in different types of transactions, different particular areas of the automated banking machine are determined by the software to have been manually touched.

24. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a housing,

at least one user input device,

wherein at least one user input device includes at least one manual contact point,

wherein the at least one manual contact point is exposed to contact by user fingers when inputs are provided through the at least one user input device,

at least one output device,

wherein the at least one output device includes a display,

a cash dispenser,

at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source,

wherein the at least one UV light source is operative to cause UV radiation to irradiate the at least one manual contact point,

at least one processor in the housing,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one user input device. the at least one output device, the cash dispenser, and the at least one UV light source,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause UV radiation from the at least one UV light source to selectively irradiate the at least one manual contact point,

wherein the at least one processor causes the display to provide at least one output during at least a portion of a time the at least one processor causes UV radiation to irradiate at least one manual contact point,

wherein the at least one output includes indicia including user instructions to delay user operation of the automated banking machine.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the at least one output includes indicia comprising at least one customer message informing of a machine disinfecting process.

26. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including;

a housing,

at least one input device,

wherein the at least one input device is operatively supported by the housing,

wherein the at least one input device includes a keypad and a card reader operative to read data from user cards,

wherein the keypad includes a plurality of keys,

wherein the at least one input device includes at least one manual contact point,

wherein the at least one manual contact point is exposed to contact by user fingers when inputs are provided through the at least one input device;

a keypad cover overlying at least some of the keys of the keypad,

at least one output device,

wherein the at least one output device is operatively supported by the housing;

a cash dispenser,

wherein the cash dispenser is operatively supported by the housing;

at least one ultraviolet (UV) light source,

wherein the at least one UV light source is operatively supported by the housing,

wherein at least one UV light source is in operatively supported connection with the keypad cover,

wherein the at least one UV light source is operative to cause UV radiation to irradiate the at least one manual contact point;

at least one processor in the housing,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one input device, the at least one output device. the cash dispenser, and the at least one UV light source,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause UV radiation from the at least one UV light source to selectively irradiate the at least one manual contact point.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26

wherein the at least one UV light source that is in operatively supported connection with the keypad cover, is located adjacent the keypad cover,

wherein the at least one UV light source that is in operatively supported connection with the keypad cover, is supported by the keypad cover,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to selectively cause the at least one UV light source that is in operatively supported connection with the keypad cover, to selectively irradiate the keypad.