System and method for financial transactions

• US 7,857,207 B1
• Filed: 04/24/2007
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Original Assignee: United Services Automobile Association
• Inventors: Hopkins, John Chandler III
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEDEKEL, TABITHA F
• Application Number:
  US11/739,412
• Time in Patent Office: 1,344 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/379, 235/380
• 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 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for providing a financial transaction. The systems and methods provide techniques for providing an automated teller machine (ATM) and allowing a customer to operate the ATM at the ATM to complete the transaction. In addition, the customer, while at the ATM, can communicate with a representative at a centralized hub that is remote from the ATM and the representative can take control of the ATM to complete the transaction.

Claims

1. A system for providing an insurance transaction, the system comprising:

an automated teller machine (ATM) configured to allow a customer access to an account, whereby the customer is a first party that may operate the ATM to complete the insurance transaction relating to the account that is held by a second party;

a remote teller subsystem configured to provide a third party access to the account and access to operate the ATM via an electronic communications network wherein the remote teller subsystem is configured to enable the third party to operate the ATM to perform a transaction to dispense an insurance document following a request for help from the customer; and

a communication subsystem configured to allow communication between the third party and the customer using two-way audio communication and two-way video communication.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the third party is a customer service person remotely located from the ATM.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote teller subsystem is configured to permit the third party to control one or more operations of the ATM from a centralized hub, wherein the centralized hub is remote from the ATM, to complete the transaction for the customer.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications network is configured to allow for a picture-in-picture image to be displayed on the ATM.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the ATM is operable to receive biometric data from the customer and verify the customer is authorized to perform the insurance transaction.

6. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions for providing an insurance transaction, said computer-readable instructions comprising instructions for:

allowing a customer access to an account via an automated teller machine (ATM), whereby the customer is a first party that may operate the ATM to complete the insurance transaction relating to the account, and the ATM includes a video display device configured to display account information;

receiving an assistance request from the customer at the ATM;

contacting a third party for assistance with the insurance transaction;

granting the third party access to remotely operate the ATM to assist with the insurance transaction, wherein the third party'"'"'s access is contingent on receiving the assistance request from the customer;

communicating between the third party and the customer using two-way audio communication and two-way video communication; and

displaying, at the ATM, using at least a portion of the video display device, the third party assisting with the insurance transaction; and

dispensing an insurance document, wherein the dispensing of the insurance document is at least partially based on the third party operating the ATM following the customer contacting the third party for assistance with the insurance transaction.

7. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the third party is a customer service person remotely located from the ATM location.

8. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, further comprising:

permitting the third party to control one or more operations of the ATM from a centralized hub, wherein the centralized hub is remote from the ATM, to complete the transaction for the customer.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the communications network allows for a picture-in-picture image to be displayed on the ATM.

10. The computer-readable medium of claim 6, wherein the ATM is operable to receive biometric data from the customer and verify the customer is authorized to perform the financial transaction.

11. A method for providing a insurance transaction, the method comprising:

allowing a customer access to an account via an automated teller machine (ATM), whereby the customer is a first party that may operate the ATM to complete the insurance transaction relating to the account that is held by a second party;

receiving an assistance request from the customer at the ATM;

contacting a third party for assistance with the insurance transaction;

granting the third party access to operate the ATM via a communications network to assist with the insurance transaction, wherein the third party'"'"'s access is contingent on receiving the assistance request from the customer;

communicating between the third party and the customer using two-way audio communication and two-way video communication to assist the customer in completing the transaction; and

dispensing, by the ATM, an insurance document, wherein the dispensing of the insurance document is at least partially based on the third party operating the ATM following the customer contacting the third party for assistance with the insurance transaction.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the third party is a customer service person remotely located from the ATM location.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

permitting the third party to control one or more operations of the ATM from a centralized hub, wherein the centralized hub is remote from the ATM, to complete the transaction for the customer.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the communications network allows for a picture-in-picture image to be displayed on the ATM.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the ATM is operable to receive biometric data from the customer and verify the customer is authorized to perform the insurance transaction.