Self-service device security alert response system

• US 8,395,500 B1
• Filed: 04/15/2010
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Dent, Nathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tweel, Jr., John A
• Application Number:
  US12/760,662
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/568.1, 235/379, 235/380, 348/143, 348/150, 705/35, 705/43, 705/44
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1609 using active vibration detection systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

An electronic self-service device, and a method for using same, is provided. A self-service device according to the invention may include a receiver module configured to receive an input from at least one motion detector. The input may include information corresponding to a security alert condition. The device may also include a security alert mitigation module and a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold. When the information exceeds a predetermined security alert condition threshold, the processor module may be further configured to ameliorate the security alert conditions using the security alert condition mitigation module.

Claims

1. A self-service device comprising:

a receiver module configured to receive an input from at least one motion detector, the input including information corresponding to a security alert condition;

a security alert mitigation module; and

a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold, wherein when the information relates to a behavior, said behavior is determined to be non-threatening below the threshold and threatening above the threshold; and

,

when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to mitigate the security alert condition using the security alert condition mitigation module;

wherein the behavior comprises remaining within a predetermined proximity to the device and the threshold is defined by a pre-determined length of time.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor module is further configured to notify a user of the alert condition by displaying a visual alert to a user at the self-service device, wherein the visual alert comprises a warning to the user, said warning displayed on a screen of the self service device.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor module is further configured to notify a user of the alert condition by implementing a tactile alert to the user at the self-service device.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor module is further configured to notify a user of the alert condition by sounding an audio alert at the self-service device.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor module is further configured to notify a user of the alert condition by displaying a visual alert, sounding an audio alert and implementing a tactile alert to the user at the self-service device.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to interrupt a current work flow of the self-service device.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the device is further configured to contact a central computing system.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to disable selected actions of the self-service device.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to disable the self-service device.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to electronically notify security personnel.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein, when the information exceeds the threshold, the processor module is further configured to sound an audio alarm.

12. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for detecting, and responding to, a security alert condition at an ATM, the method comprising:

using a receiver module to receive an input from at least one motion detector, the input including information corresponding to a security alert condition;

using a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold, wherein when the information relates to a behavior, said behavior is determined to be non-threatening below the threshold and threatening above the threshold; and

,

when the information exceeds the threshold, using the processor module to invoke a security alert condition mitigation module in order to mitigate, at least in part, the security alert condition, wherein the mitigation comprises displaying warning to an ATM user on an ATM screen.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising notifying a user of the alert condition by implementing a tactile alert to the user at the ATM.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising notifying a user of the alert condition by sounding an audio at the ATM.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising notifying a user of the alert condition by displaying a visual alert, sounding an audio alert and implementing a tactile alert to the user at the ATM.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising using the receiver module to receive input from the at least one motion detector that corresponds to a predetermined activity paradigm associated with a suspicious person.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising using the receiver module to receive input from the at least one ATM detector that corresponds to a predetermined activity paradigm associated with fraudulent use of the ATM.

18. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using the processor module to interrupt a current work flow of the ATM.

19. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using a transmitter module to contact a central computing system.

20. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using the processor module to disable a selected action of the ATM.

21. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using the processor module to disable the ATM.

22. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using the processor module to electronically notify security personnel.

23. The method of claim 12 further comprising, when the security alert condition is detected, using the processor module to sound an audio alarm.

24. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the behavior comprises remaining within a predetermined proximity to the ATM; and

the security alert condition threshold is defined by the length of time a person remains within the predetermined proximity to the ATM.