Granted Patent B1

US 7,229,007 · App. 09/710,342 · Granted Jun 12, 2007

Abstract

Claims (63)

1. Apparatus, comprising:

a) an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) which includes

i) a touch-sensitive display;

ii) a dispenser for dispensing cash to a user,

iii) a card reader, and

b) a plurality of N depressable push buttons

i) all of which protrude from a surface of the ATM, near the touch-sensitive display,

ii) all of which are three dimensional,

iii) which are of N different shapes,

iv) each of which executes a different one of N transactions when activated.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the N buttons are effective to enable a blind person to select and execute one of the N transactions, without reference to any text on the display.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the touch-sensitive display is effective to enable a sighted person to select and execute a transaction, with reference to text presented on the display.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the buttons are distinguishable from each other by a blind person, based on shape.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , and further comprising:

c) configuration means for enabling a user to change the function executed by at least some buttons.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one button performs a function A for a user U 1 , and a different function B for another user U 2 .

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the N different shapes include

i) an elliptical shape,

ii) a square shape,

iii) a circular shape,

iv) a diamond shape,

v) a triangular shape, and

vi) a five-pointed star shape.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

c) an indicator or text associated with each respective button, which describes a function which the button executes.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein

i) for some users, at least one button performs a function described by its associated indicator or text, and

ii) for other users, said button performs a different function, not described by the associated indicator or text of the button.

10. Apparatus, comprising:

a) an ATM having no display;

b) a plurality of depressable push buttons supported by and protruding through a surface of the ATM, wherein

i) each depressable push button has a combination of specific size, specific shape, and specific texture, and

ii) no two depressable push buttons have the same combination.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , and further comprising:

c) an indicator or text associated with each respective button, which describes a function which the button executes.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , and further comprising control means which

i) detects actuation of a selected button and

ii) in response, executes the function indicated by the indicator or text associated with the selected button.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 , and further comprising:

d) configuration means for enabling a user to change the function executed by each button.

14. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein at least one button performs a function A for a user U 1 , and a different function B for another user U 2 .

15. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

i) for some users, at least one button performs a function described by its associated indicator or text, and

ii) for other users, said button performs a different function, not described by the associated indicator or text of the button.

16. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the buttons include

i) a button of elliptical shape,

ii) a button of square shape,

iii) a button of circular shape,

iv) a button of diamond shape,

v) a button of triangular shape, and

vi) a button of five-pointed star shape.

17. Automated Teller Machine, comprising:

a) a row of depressable push buttons protruding through a surface of the ATM, all of different shapes;

b) no display;

c) a dispenser for dispensing cash to a user;

d) a card reader for reading a passcard supplied by a user;

e) control means for detecting a press of a button, and executing a function described by the label associated with the button; and

f) configuration means for allowing a user to change the function executed by said button, so that said button performs different functions for different users.

18. An Automated Teller Machine, ATM, comprising:

a) an interface in which every user-actuated depressable push button is a different combination of size, shape, and color, compared with all other buttons; and

b) controller means for accepting instructions for

i) allowing a first user to program a first set of buttons to perform a first set of functions, when later actuated by the first user; and

ii) allowing a second user to program a second set of buttons to perform a second set of functions, different from the first set, when later actuated by the second user.

Assignments (9)