Self-service terminal

• US 20100042236A1
• Filed: 08/15/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Chow, Alan C.
• Application Number:
  US12/228,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20100042236A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/16 for devices exhibiting advertisements, announcements, pictures or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/206 Software aspects at ATMs

Abstract

A self-service terminal (SST) and a method of operating the SST are described. The SST comprises a control application arranged to control operation of the SST. The control application is operable to play a first musical sequence on execution of an initial event at the terminal. The first musical sequence may comprise an arrangement of musical notes that serves as an audible indicator associated with a manufacturer of that terminal. A method of identifying a manufacturer of an SST by means of an audible indicator during a transaction at the SST is also described.

Claims

1. A self-service terminal comprising a control application arranged to control operation of the terminal, the control application being operable to play a first musical sequence on execution of an initial event at the terminal.

2. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the initial event comprises insertion by a customer of a card into a card reader of the terminal.

3. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first musical sequence comprises an arrangement of musical notes that serves as an audible indicator unique to a manufacturer of that terminal.

4. A self-service terminal according to claim 3, wherein the first musical sequence is stored and played as a digital file.

5. A self-service terminal according to claim 3, wherein the first musical sequence is generated on-the-fly by the terminal.

6. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first musical sequence is resident on the terminal.

7. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first musical sequence is downloaded to the terminal.

8. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the first musical sequence is accompanied by a graphic component, so that the first musical sequence is part of a first video sequence.

9. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the control application is operable to play a second musical sequence on execution of a closing event at the terminal.

10. A self-service terminal according to claim 1, wherein the closing event comprises removal by a customer of a card from a card reader of the terminal.

11. A method of identifying a manufacturer of a self-service terminal during a transaction at the self-service terminal, where the self-service terminal is owned, operated, and branded by a third party, the method comprising:

detecting an initial event at the terminal; and

playing a first musical sequence in response to detecting the initial event.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the first musical sequence comprises a sequence of notes, including a note corresponding approximately to 261 Hertz.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the method may further comprise:

detecting a secure transaction selection; and

playing a musical sequence in response to detection of the secure transaction.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the secure transaction selection comprises one of a plurality of transactions, some of which require a high level of security and others not requiring a high level of security.

15. A computer program comprising instructions for implementing all of the steps of claim 11.