Granted Patent B2

US 7,118,031 · App. 10/832,960 · Granted Oct 10, 2006

Abstract

Claims (90)

1. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a currency dispensing device in supporting connection with the housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device, wherein the at least one input device includes a card reader and a keypad, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of keys adapted to accept personal identification numbers (PINs) input by users of the apparatus, and wherein at least one area extends between at least two keys of the keypad;

at least one key area sensing device adjacent the keypad, wherein the at least one key area sensing device is operative to sense at least one property in the at least one area such that positioning an unauthorized manual input intercepting device adjacent the keypad causes at least one change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one key area sensing device, wherein the at least one key area sensing device comprises a radiation emitter and a radiation receiver;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one key area sensing device and is operative to generate at least one signal responsive to the at least one change, whereby installation of an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the keypad is indicated.

2. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a currency dispensing device in supporting connection with the housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device, wherein the at least one input device includes a card reader and a keypad adapted to accept personal identification numbers (PINs) input by users of the apparatus, wherein the user interface further comprises a card reader slot associated with the card reader;

at least one key area sensing device adjacent the keypad such that positioning an unauthorized manual input intercepting device adjacent the keypad causes at least one change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one key area sensing device, and at least one card slot area sensing device adjacent the slot such that positioning an unauthorized card reading device adjacent the slot causes at least one further change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one card slot sensing device;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one key area sensing device and is operative to generate at least one signal responsive to the at least one change, whereby installation of an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the keypad is indicated.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one card slot sensing device is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein the at least one controller is operative to generate at least one further signal responsive to the at least one further change, wherein an unauthorized card reading device adjacent the slot is indicated.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising at least one radiation emitter, wherein the at least one radiation emitter is operative to emit radiation in generally surrounding relation of the slot.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the at least one slot area sensing device comprises at least one radiation sensor adapted to sense radiation from the at least one radiation emitter.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the at least one radiation emitter is operative to emit visible light in generally surrounding relation of the card slot.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising a vibration sensor in operative connection with the housing, wherein the vibration sensor is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein installation of an unauthorized device on the user interface is operative to cause at least one change in at least one vibration property sensed by the vibration sensor.

8. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a currency dispensing device in supporting connection with the housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device, wherein the at least one input device includes a card reader slot associated with a card reader and a keypad adapted to accept personal identification numbers (PINs) input by users of the apparatus;

at least one key area sensing device adjacent the keypad such that positioning an unauthorized manual input intercepting device adjacent the keypad causes at least one change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one key area sensing device;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one key area sensing device and is operative to generate at least one signal responsive to the at least one change, whereby installation of an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the keypad is indicated;

at least one card slot area sensing device adjacent the card slot such that positioning an unauthorized card reading device adjacent the slot causes at least one further change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one card slot sensing device, wherein the at least one card slot area sensing device is in operative connection with the at least one controller and wherein the at least one controller is operative to generate at least one further signal responsive to the at least one further change, wherein an unauthorized card reading device adjacent the slot is indicated; and

a vibration sensor in operative connection with the housing, wherein the vibration sensor is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein installation of an unauthorized device on the user interface is operative to cause at least one change in at least one vibration property sensed by the vibration sensor.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the at least one controller is operative responsive to sensing the at least one change in the at least one vibration property, to output at least one signal indicative of the installation of an unauthorized device on the user interface.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising at least one oscillator in operative connection with the housing, wherein the at least one oscillator is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein the vibration sensor is operative to sense vibration imparted to the machine by the at least one oscillator.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the at least one controller is operative responsive to at least one of sensing the at least one change sensed by the key area sensing device, the at least one further change sensed by the at least one card slot sensing device, and at least one change in vibration property sensed by the vibration sensor, to send at least one message to a remote computer.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the at least one controller is operative to execute fuzzy logic, and wherein the at least one controller is operative to send the at least one message to the remote computer responsive to execution of fuzzy logic.

13. A method comprising:

a) sensing an unauthorized manual input intercepting device adjacent a keypad of a user interface of an automated banking machine including sensing a change in radiation reflected from a surface adjacent at least one key of the keypad with at least one key area sensing device;

b) responsive to sensing the unauthorized manual input intercepting device, providing at least one output from the machine;

c) receiving at least one input through at least one input device of the automated banking machine, the at least one input device including the keypad;

d) dispensing currency through operation of a currency dispenser in the machine responsive to the at least one input;

e) sensing with at least one card area sensing device adjacent a card slot on the user interface, wherein the card slot is operatively connected with a card reader, at least one unauthorized card reading device attached to the user interface;

f) responsive to sensing the at least one unauthorized card reading device, providing at least one output from the machine.

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the at least one input device includes the card reader and wherein in (c) the at least one input comprises data read from a card moved in the card slot.

15. The method according to claim 14 and further comprising:

g) imparting vibration to at least one portion of the user interface through operation of at least one oscillator;

h) sensing vibration with at least one vibration sensor;

i) determining through operation of at least one controller in the machine responsive to vibration sensed in (h) that an unauthorized device has been attached to the user interface.

16. The method according to claim 13 wherein (e) comprises:

emitting radiation with at least one radiation emitting device adjacent the card slot; and

sensing radiation from the at least one emitting device with at least one radiation sensor adjacent the card slot.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein (e) includes emitting visible radiation in generally surrounding relation of the card slot.

18. A method comprising:

a) sensing with at least one key area sensing device adjacent a keypad of a user interface of an automated banking machine, an unauthorized manual input intercepting device;

b) responsive to sensing the unauthorized manual input intercepting device, providing at least one output from the machine;

c) receiving at least one input through at least one input device of the automated banking machine, wherein the at least one input device includes the keypad and a card reader and wherein the at least one input comprises data read from a card moved in the card slot;

d) dispensing currency through operation of a currency dispenser in the machine responsive to the at least one input;

e) sensing with at least one card area sensing device adjacent a card slot on the user interface, wherein the card slot is operatively connected with the card reader, at least one unauthorized card reading device attached to the user interface;

f) responsive to sensing the at least one unauthorized card reading device, providing at least one output from the machine;

g) imparting vibration to at least one portion of the user interface through operation of at least one oscillator;

h) sensing vibration with at least one vibration sensor;

i) determining through operation of at least one controller in the machine responsive to vibration sensed in (h) that an unauthorized device has been attached to the user interface.

19. The method according to claim 18 and further comprising:

j) responsive to determining in (i) that an unauthorized device has been attached to the user interface, providing at least one output from the machine.

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

k) executing fuzzy logic in the at least one controller in the machine, wherein at least one of the outputs provided in (b), (f) and (j) is provided responsive to execution of the fuzzy logic.

21. The method according to claim 19 wherein at least one output provided in at least one of (b), (f) and (j) comprises notifying a user of the automated banking machine through at least one output device of the user interface.

22. The method according to claim 19 wherein at least one output produced in at least one of (b), (f) and (j) comprises sending at least one message from the banking machine to a remote computer indicative of installation of an unauthorized device on the machine.

23. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a currency dispensing device in supporting connection with the housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device;

a vibration sensor in operative connection with the housing, wherein installation of an unauthorized device on the user interface is operative to cause at least one change in at least one vibration property sensed by the vibration sensor;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the vibration sensor.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the at least one controller is operative responsive to sensing the at least one change in the at least one vibration property, to output at least one signal indicative of the installation of an unauthorized device on the user interface.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24 and further comprising at least one oscillator in operative connection with the housing, wherein the at least one oscillator is in operative connection with the at least one controller, and wherein the vibration sensor is operative to sense vibration imparted to the machine by the at least one oscillator.

26. A method comprising:

a) imparting vibration to at least one portion of a user interface of an automated banking machine through operation of at least one oscillator;

b) sensing vibration with at least one vibration sensor in supporting connection with a housing of the automated banking machine;

c) determining through operation of at least one controller in the automated banking machine responsive to vibration sensed in (b) that an unauthorized device has been attached to the user interface; and

d) responsive to determining in (c) that an unauthorized device has been attached to the user interface, providing at least one output from the machine.

27. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device, wherein the at least one input device includes a keypad adapted to accept personal identification numbers (PINs) input by users of the apparatus, wherein the keypad comprises a plurality of keys, and wherein at least one area extends between at least two keys of the keypad;

at least one key area sensing device extending in the at least one area, wherein the at least one key area sensing device comprises at least one radiation emitter and at least one radiation receiver, wherein the at least one key area sensing device is operative to sense at least one property in the at least one area such that positioning an unauthorized manual input intercepting device adjacent the keypad causes at least one change in at least one property that is sensed by the at least one key area sensing device;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one key area sensing device and is operative to generate at least one signal responsive to the at least one change, whereby installation of an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the keypad is indicated.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27 and further comprising a layer overlying the at least one key area sensing device, wherein the layer comprises material able to at least partially transmit therethrough radiation from the emitter and at least partially reflect radiation from the emitter.

29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the radiation receiver is operative to sense radiation emitted from the emitter and reflected from the layer.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein the emitter is operative to emit radiation when users of the machine are instructed to input their PINs.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30 wherein detection of a change in the at least one property causes the controller to cause the machine to take at least one action.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31 and further comprising an image capture device in operative connection with the controller, wherein the image capture device includes the user interface within a field of view, and wherein the at least one action includes capturing image data corresponding to a visual image of the user interface.

33. An automated banking machine apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a user interface in supporting connection with the housing, the user interface including at least one input device and at least one output device, wherein the at least one input device is enabled to receive identifying inputs from users of the apparatus;

at least one sensing device adjacent the at least one input device, wherein the at least one sensing device comprises at least one radiation emitter and at least one radiation receiver;

at least one surface adjacent the at least one input device, wherein the at least one surface is operative to partially transmit and partially reflect radiation emitted by the at least one emitter, and wherein the at least one radiation receiver is operative to sense emitted radiation reflected from the at least one surface, wherein positioning an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the at least one surface causes at least one change in a property of radiation sensed by the at least one receiver;

at least one controller in the housing, wherein the at least one controller is in operative connection with the at least one receiver, wherein the controller is operative to generate at least one signal responsive to the at least one change, whereby installation of an unauthorized input intercepting device adjacent the at least one input device is indicated.

Assignments (23)