Automated banking machine having a servicer display that allows a servicer to view a customer adjacent the customer display

• US 7,789,298 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Issued: 09/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Tula, Pedro, Ramachandran, Natarajan, Mercina, Paul, Booth, James, Hill, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Savusdiphol; Paultep
• Application Number:
  US11/715,010
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380, 235/381
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. A movable camera is positionable within the ATM housing. The automated banking machine carries out transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. Service personnel are enabled to direct the camera toward regions of machine components while conducting service activities that are not directly visible by a servicer. A camera assembly includes a microphone to sense sounds associated with machine components during test operations. The generated data may be used by an on-site servicer, or sent to an entity at a remote location. The visual images may be used to enhance diagnostic and servicing capabilities.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including a card reader operative to read cards including indicia usable to identify financial accounts, wherein the banking machine is selectively operative in an operational mode wherein the machine operates to carry out user transactions, and a service mode, wherein the automated banking machine includes;

a housing;

at least one serviceable component in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the at least one serviceable component includes a currency dispenser;

a user interface disposed on a first side of the housing, wherein the user interface includes at least one input device operative to receive inputs from machine users, wherein the at least one input device includes the card reader, and a first display operative to provide outputs to machine users; and

at least one controller in operative connection with the at least one serviceable component, wherein the at least one controller is operative to provide status data relating to at least one status of the at least one serviceable component;

at least one image capture device, wherein the at least one image capture device is operative to generate image data corresponding to at least one visual image of a region adjacent and external to the automated banking machine; and

a second display on the automated banking machine, wherein the second display is disposed away from the user interface, wherein the second display is in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the second display is operative to output indicia corresponding to the status data and the at least one visual image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a manual input device in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein at least one input through the manual input device causes selective output of the at least one visual image through the second display.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second display is operative to simultaneously output indicia corresponding to status data and the at least one visual image.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the second display includes a first output area, and a second output area disposed on the second display from the first output area, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the indicia corresponding to status data and the at least one visual image to be alternately selectively output in the first output area and the second output area.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a sensing device, wherein the sensing device is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein the sensing device is operative to sense potential machine users in the region, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the visual images to be displayed in the first output area responsive to the sensing device sensing a potential machine user.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein when the automated banking machine is in the service mode and the indicia corresponding to the status data is displayed in the first output area, the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one visual image to be displayed in the first output area responsive to the sensing device sensing a potential machine user.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the automated banking machine further comprises a microphone, wherein the microphone is operative to sense sounds in the region.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the second display is mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing generally opposite of the user interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

at least one speaker in operative connection with the microphone, wherein the at least one speaker is operative to provide audible outputs perceptible adjacent the second display.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the housing includes a back wall surface and a window in the back wall surface, and wherein the second display is visible through the window.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the housing includes an access opening, and a door movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the door is movable to open and close the access opening, and wherein the at least one serviceable component is enabled to be accessed through the access opening when the door is open.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the image capture device is mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing adjacent the user interface, and wherein the region includes an area immediately in front of the user interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising at least one data store in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one data store includes prohibited user data corresponding to images of persons who are not authorized to use the automated banking machine.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause data corresponding to the at least one visual image and the prohibited user data to be compared.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least one controller is operative to provide at least one output responsive to the data corresponding to the at least one visual image corresponding to prohibited user data.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising:

at least one data store in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one data store includes diagnostic data corresponding to at least one condition of the at least one serviceable component,

a diagnostic article, wherein when the diagnostic article is in operative connection with the at least one controller, the diagnostic article includes computer executable instructions operative to permit the at least one controller to output the diagnostic data from the machine.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

a diagnostic article reading device in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the diagnostic article comprises a portable article releasibly engageable with the reading device, wherein the reading device is operative to read computer executable instructions on the diagnostic article when the diagnostic article is in operative engagement with the diagnostic article reading device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause diagnostic data to be sent from the automated banking machine to at least one computer remote from the automated banking machine.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 and further comprising at least one service input device, wherein the service input device is operative to cause the at least one controller to cause an output through the first display, wherein the output indicates the banking machine is not operative.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automated banking machine further includes at least one service input device in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause an output through the first display indicative that the banking machine is not operative, responsive to at least one input to the at least one service input device.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein the at least one service input device includes a manually actuatable input device adjacent the second display.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the automated banking machine further includes:

a microphone operative to sense sounds adjacent the user interface; and

a speaker operative to output sounds sensed by the microphone, wherein the output sounds are perceivable adjacent the second display.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second display has a first output area and a second output area, and wherein indicia corresponding to status data is output in the first output area and the at least one visual image is output in the second output area.

24. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second display is operative to output the status data superimposed with the at least one visual image.

25. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the automated banking machine housing includes a wall surface, wherein the wall surface is disposed from the user interface, and wherein the wall surface includes a transparent window, and wherein the second display is within the housing and is visible through the transparent window.

26. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprises at least one data store in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the data store includes image data corresponding to visual images of persons, and wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause data corresponding to the at least one visual image to be compared to at least a portion of the image data.

27. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause data corresponding to the status data to be sent from the machine to at least one remote computer.

28. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a diagnostic article, wherein the diagnostic article is releasibly operatively connectable with the at least one controller, and wherein the at least one controller is operative to carry out at least one diagnostic operation with at least one serviceable component responsive to computer executable instructions received from the diagnostic article.

29. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including a card reader operative to read cards including indicia usable to identify financial accounts,

wherein the automated banking machine is selectively operative in

an operational mode, wherein the machine operates to carry out user transactions,

and

a service mode,

wherein the automated banking machine includes;

a housing,

at least one serviceable component in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the at least one serviceable component includes a currency dispenser,

a user interface disposed at a first side of the housing,

wherein the user interface includes

 

at least one input device operative to receive inputs from machine users, wherein the at least one input device includes the card reader,

 

and

 

a first display operative to provide outputs to machine users,

at least one controller in operative connection with the at least one serviceable component,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to provide status data relating to at least one status of the at least one serviceable component,

at least one image capture device,

wherein the at least one image capture device is operative to generate image data corresponding to at least one visual image of a region adjacent to the automated banking machine,

a second display,

wherein the second display is disposed away from the user interface,

wherein the second display is in operative connection with the at least one controller,

wherein the second display is operative to output indicia corresponding to the status data,

wherein the second display is operative to output indicia corresponding to the at least one visual image,

at least one sensor in operative connection with the at least one controller,

wherein the at least one sensor is operative to sense persons adjacent the user interface,

 

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the at least one visual image to be output through the second display responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor.

30. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including

at least one reader device operative to obtain data usable to identify financial accounts,

a machine customer interface including a customer display,

at least one image capture device,

wherein the at least one image capture device is operative to capture image data corresponding to at least one visual image of at least one customer region adjacent to the machine,

a servicer display,

wherein the servicer display is positioned away from the machine customer interface,

wherein the servicer display is inaccessible to customers of the machine,

at least one controller in operative connection with the customer display and the servicer display,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause indicia corresponding to transaction data to be output through the customer display,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause indicia corresponding to at least one machine component status to be output through the servicer display,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause indicia corresponding to the at least one visual image to be output through the servicer display.

31. The apparatus of claim 30

wherein the at least one image capture device is operative to capture images of a customer area located in front of the machine,

wherein the servicer display is located in a rear area of the machine,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause images of the customer area to be displayed through the servicer display.

32. The apparatus of claim 30

wherein the customer display is located at a first side of the machine,

wherein the servicer display is located at a second side of the machine, wherein the second side differs from the first side,

wherein the at least one image capture device is operative to capture visual evidence of a customer located adjacent the customer display,

wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the visual evidence to be displayed through the servicer display.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32 and further comprising at least one sensor in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one sensor is operative to detect a customer located adjacent the customer display, and wherein the at least one controller is operative to cause the visual evidence to be displayed through the servicer display responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor detecting a customer located adjacent the customer display.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 and further comprising a cash dispenser in operative connection with the at least one controller, wherein the at least one controller enables an authorized customer to use the cash dispenser to carry out a cash dispensing financial transaction.