Cash dispensing automated banking machine with improved fraud detection capabilities

• US 7,583,290 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Incorporated (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Blackson, Dale H., Stewart, Dean, Mason, Thomas S., Enright, Jeffery M., Ramachandran, Natarajan
• Primary Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US10/796,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20050073584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,002 Days
• Field of Search: 348140-175, 235370-390
• US Class Current: 348/150
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/18 involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/211 Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/188 Capturing isolated or intermittent images triggered by the occurrence of a predetermined event, e.g. an object reaching a predetermined position signal generation from motion picture films H04N5/253

Abstract

An automated banking machine is operative to dispense cash to authorized users. The user interface of the machine includes features for detection of fraudulent activities at the machine. Sensors are provided for detecting the installation of unauthorized card reading devices adjacent the card reader. Vibration sensors are used to detect the installation of unauthorized card reading or bill trap devices. A machine controller or other processor is programmed to detect events or circumstances which may indicate that improper activity is occurring. Cameras are used to capture images of the user interface. Changes in the images are analyzed by a computer to detect the installation of unauthorized devices.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) capturing with an imaging device, first image data corresponding to an image of at least a portion of a user interface of an automated banking machine that includes a cash dispenser, and storing the first image data in at least one data store through operation of at least one processor;

(b) subsequent to (a), capturing with the image device, second image data corresponding to an image of at least a portion of the user interface of the automated banking machine;

(c) comparing the first image data and the second image data through operation of at least one processor to determine if there is at least a level of change between the first and second image data;

(d) responsive to determining at least the level of change in (c), taking at least one programmed action responsive to operation of the at least one processor.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (a) and (b) the portion of the user interface includes a card accepting opening.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein (d) includes sending image data to at least one remote system address.

4. The method according to claim 2 wherein (d) includes executing at least one test to determine if an unauthorized card reading device has been installed.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein (d) includes sensing radiation with at least one sensor adjacent the card accepting opening.

6. The method according to claim 4 wherein (d) includes sensing vibratory properties of at least a portion of the machine.

7. The method according to claim 2 wherein (d) includes rendering the machine inoperative.

8. A method comprising:

(a) capturing with at least one imaging device, first image data corresponding to an image of a card accepting opening of an automated banking machine that includes a cash dispenser, and storing the first image data in at least one data store through operation of at least one processor;

(b) operating the at least one processor in detecting at least one triggering event associated with at least one sensed condition of the automated banking machine;

(c) subsequent to step (a) and responsive to the detecting in step (b), capturing with the at least one imaging device, second image data corresponding to an image of the card accepting opening;

(d) comparing the first image data and the second image data through operation of the at least one processor to determine if there is at least a level of change between the first and second image data; and

(e) responsive to determining at least the level of change in step (d), taking at least one programmed action through operation of the at least one processor, wherein the at least one programmed action includes executing at least one test to determine if an unauthorized card reading device has been installed to the automated banking machine;

wherein the at least one test includes at least one of;

sensing for radiation with at least one sensor of the automated banking machine, and

sensing for vibration in at least a portion of the automated banking machine.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the triggering event includes sensing a person in proximity to the machine beyond a set period.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the triggering event includes sensing at least one failed attempt by a card reader in the machine to read a card.

11. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the triggering event includes the sensing an object in the card accepting opening without reading a card proximately thereafter.

12. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the triggering event includes sensing opening of a shutter previously blocking the card accepting opening slot.

13. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the at least one triggering event includes sensing input to at least one key of the machine at a time not appropriate in operation of the machine, wherein the at least one key comprises at least one of a keypad key and a function key.

14. The method according to claim 8 wherein (e) includes sensing radiation with at least one sensor of the automated banking machine.

15. The method according to claim 8 wherein (e) includes sensing vibratory properties of at least a portion of the automated banking machine.

16. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the at least one triggering event includes the machine presenting cash to a user that is not taken by the user.

17. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (b) the triggering event includes at least one user not taking a transaction receipt provided by the machine.

18. The method according to claim 8 wherein in (e) the at least one programmed action includes sending captured image data from the automated banking machine to at least one remote system address, wherein the captured image data includes second image data captured in (c).

19. The method according to claim 8 and further comprising:

(f) responsive to the detecting in (b), causing the at least one processor to execute at least one action in a programmed sequence corresponding to the triggering event.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein in (f) the at least one action includes (c).

21. The method according to claim 19 wherein in (f) the at least one action includes capturing image data with another imaging device.

22. The method according to claim 21 wherein in (f) the another imaging device includes a camera having a different field of view than the imaging device in (a).

23. The method according to claim 19 wherein in (f) the at least one action includes moving data corresponding to at least one image from temporary data storage to more permanent data storage.

24. The method according to claim 19 wherein (a) includes capturing the first image data with a first imaging device, wherein (c) includes capturing the second image data with a second imaging device, wherein the second imaging device is spaced from the first imaging device.

25. The method according to claim 8 wherein (e) includes both:

sensing for radiation with at least one sensor of the automated banking machine, and

sensing for vibration in at least a portion of the automated banking machine.

26. A method comprising:

(a) capturing responsive to operation of an imaging device, a first image of at least a portion of a user interface of an automated banking machine that includes a cash dispenser;

(b) subsequent to step (a), capturing responsive to operation of the image device, a second image of the at least a portion of the user interface of the automated banking machine;

(c) determining through operation of at least one processor if there is at least a predetermined level of change between the first image captured in step (a) and the second image captured in step (b); and

(d) responsive to a determination in step (c) of at least the predetermined level of change between the first image and second image, taking at least one programmed action responsive to operation of the at least one processor, wherein the at least one programmed action includes;

(di) executing at least one test to determine if an unauthorized device has been installed to the automated banking machine; and

(dii) sending captured image data from the automated banking machine to at least one remote system address.

27. The method according to claim 26 wherein step (di) includes making a determination that an unauthorized card reading device has been installed to the automated banking machine, and wherein step (dii) is carried out responsive to the determination.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein in step (di) the at least one test includes at least one of:

sensing for radiation with at least one sensor of the automated banking machine, and

sensing for vibration in at least a portion of the automated banking machine.