Granted Patent B1

US 7,158,952 · App. 09/433,134 · Granted Jan 2, 2007

Abstract

Claims (38)

1. A self-service terminal for a terminal user to conduct a self-service transaction, the self-service terminal comprising:

a first structure;

a second structure in the form of a roof structure extending over a terminal user location which is in front of the first structure;

a card reader disposed at the first structure and for receiving a user card from the terminal user;

an image generator for (i) producing a first image which contains first terminal operating instructions for the terminal user conducting the self-service transaction, and (ii) producing a second image which is different from the first image and which contains second terminal operating instructions for the terminal user conducting the self-service transaction;

a display screen disposed at the first structure and having a card reader slot opening formed therein and aligned with the card reader such that the card reader is able to receive a user card when the terminal user inserts the user card through the card reader slot opening; and

a projector disposed at the roof structure and positioned relative to the display screen for (i) projecting the first image onto the display screen to direct the terminal user to location of the card reader slot opening formed in the display screen so that the terminal user can insert a user card through the card reader slot opening, and (ii) projecting the second image onto the display screen to direct the terminal user to a location which is other than the location of the card reader slot opening so that the terminal user can continue with next steps in conducting the self-service transaction.

2. A self-service terminal according to claim 1 , further comprising a receipt printer disposed at the first structure and for printing a transaction receipt for the terminal user conducting the self-service transaction, and wherein the display screen has a receipt printer slot opening formed therein and aligned with the receipt printer such that the receipt printer is able to deliver a transaction receipt through the receipt printer slot opening to the terminal user upon completion of the self-service transaction.

3. A self-service terminal according to claim 1 , wherein the image generator is disposed at the roof structure.

4. An automated teller machine (ATM) for an ATM customer to conduct an ATM transaction, the ATM comprising:

a first structure;

a second structure in the form of a roof structure extending over an ATM customer location which is in front of the first structure;

a keypad disposed at the first structure and for allowing the ATM customer to enter transaction data for conducting the ATM transaction;

a cash dispenser disposed at the first structure and for dispensing cash to the ATM customer conducting the ATM transaction;

an image generator for producing first and second images containing instructions for the ATM customer to conduct the ATM transaction;

a display screen disposed at the first structure and having a first area in which the keypad is located and a second area in which a cash dispenser slot opening is formed therein and aligned with the cash dispenser such that the cash dispenser is able to dispense cash through the cash dispenser slot opening to the ATM customer during the ATM transaction; and

a projector disposed at the roof structure and positioned relative to the display screen for (i) projecting the first image onto the display screen to direct the ATM customer to the keypad so that the ATM customer can enter transaction data for conducting the ATM transaction, and (ii) projecting the second image onto the display screen to direct the ATM customer to the cash dispenser slot opening formed in the display screen so that the ATM customer can collect cash when the cash dispenser dispenses cash through the cash dispenser slot opening to the ATM customer.

5. An ATM according to claim 4 , further comprising a card reader disposed at the first structure and for receiving an ATM customer card from the ATM customer, and wherein the display screen has a card reader slot opening formed therein and aligned with the card reader such that the card reader is able to receive an ATM customer card when the ATM customer inserts the ATM customer card through the card reader slot opening.

6. An ATM according to claim 5 , further comprising a receipt printer disposed at the first structure and for printing an ATM transaction receipt for the ATM customer conducting the ATM transaction, and wherein the display screen has a receipt printer slot opening formed therein and aligned with the receipt printer such that the receipt printer is able to deliver a printed ATM transaction receipt through the receipt printer slot opening to the ATM customer upon completion of the ATM transaction.

7. An ATM according to claim 4 , wherein the image generator is disposed at the roof structure.

8. A method of operating a self-service terminal, the method comprising:

producing a first image which contains terminal user operating instructions for a terminal user conducting a self-service transaction at the self-service terminal;

projecting the first image onto a first area of a display screen in which a first slot opening is formed to direct the terminal user in locating the first slot opening;

producing a second image which is different from the first image and which contains terminal user operating instructions for the terminal user conducting the self-service transaction at the self-service terminal;

receiving a first item which has been inserted through the first slot opening by the terminal user; and

projecting the second image onto a second area of the display screen in which a second slot opening is formed to direct the terminal user in locating the second slot opening after the first item has been inserted by the terminal user through the first slot opening formed in the display screen; and

dispensing a second item through the second slot opening to deliver the second item to the terminal user.

9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein each of the first and second images comprises an animated image.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the first area of the display screen is adjacent to the first slot opening and is highlighted at appropriate times while the self-service transaction is being conducted by the terminal user.

11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein the second area of the display screen is adjacent to the second slot opening and is highlighted at appropriate times while the self-service transaction is being conducted by the terminal user.

12. A method of operating an automated teller machine (ATM), the method comprising:

producing a first image which contains ATM operating instructions for an ATM customer conducting an ATM transaction at the ATM;

projecting the first image onto a first area of the display screen in which an ATM card reader slot opening is formed to direct the ATM customer in locating the ATM card reader slot opening;

producing a second image which is different from the first image and which contains ATM operating instructions for the ATM customer conducting the ATM transaction at the ATM;

receiving an ATM customer card which has been inserted through the ATM card reader slot opening by the ATM customer; and

projecting the second image onto the second area of the display screen in response to receiving the ATM customer card through the ATM card reader slot opening formed in the display screen to direct the ATM customer in locating a device in the vicinity of the second area of the display screen so that the ATM customer can continue with next steps in completing the ATM transaction at the ATM.

13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second images comprises an animated image.

14. A method according to claim 13 , wherein the first area of the display screen is adjacent to the ATM card reader slot opening and is highlighted at appropriate times while the ATM transaction is being conducted by the ATM customer.

Assignments (9)