Cash dispensing automated banking machine and method
View Patent ↗A cash dispensing automated banking machine is provided that is capable of dispensing cash to users operating the machine. The machine includes a plurality of output devices including a display screen and a speaker output device and/or a headphone port. The machine also includes at least one input device capable of receiving inputs which cause the machine to dispense cash. The machine also includes features which facilitate operation of the machine by visually impaired users, such as proximity sensors adjacent the input and output devices. The machine is responsive to the detection of a portion of a user adjacent to a device of the machine to cause an audible output associated with the device.
1. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine including:
at least one computer;
at least one output device in operative connection with the at least one computer;
a plurality of user accessible devices that each include a respective indicator device that includes a respective proximity sensor thereon, wherein each user accessible device, indicator device, and proximity sensor is in operative connection with the at least one computer, wherein each proximity sensor is operative to detect when at least one portion of a machine user is adjacent the respective proximity sensor, wherein each indicator device includes a plurality of LEDs that are operative to emit visible light, wherein the user accessible devices include a cash dispenser and a card reader;
wherein during a portion of a transaction that involves use of a first one of the user accessible devices and does not involve use of a second one of the user accessible devices, the at least one computer is operative to:
cause a first indicator device included with the first user accessible device to repeatedly flash the LEDs of the first indicator device;
cause the at least one computer to be operative responsive to a first proximity sensor included with the first indicator device detecting at least one portion of the machine user adjacent the the first user accessible device, to cause at least one audio output corresponding to the first user accessible device to be outputted through the at least one output device;
not cause a second indicator device included with the second user accessible device to repeatedly flash the LEDs of the second indicator device; and
not cause the at least one computer to be operative responsive to a second proximity sensor included with the second indicator device detecting at least one portion of the machine user adjacent the second user accessible device, to cause at least one audio output corresponding to the second user accessible device to be outputted through the at least one output device.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one audio output includes verbal information operative to identify the respective user accessible device the at least one portion of a machine user is adjacent.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the verbal information includes an identifying name for the respective user accessible device.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one output device includes an external port in operative connection with the at least one computer, wherein the external port is releasably operatively engageable with a portable speaker device, whereby a machine user performing a transaction with the automated banking machine is enabled to operatively connect the portable speaker device to the automated banking machine through the external port.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , and further comprising the portable speaker device, wherein the portable speaker device includes a headphone.
6. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes the external port.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cash dispenser includes a cash outlet from which cash is dispensed, and wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes the cash outlet of the cash dispenser.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes a card reader.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes an input key.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes a keypad.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user accessible devices includes a deposit device inlet.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one portion of a machine user includes a user finger.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first proximity sensor is operative to detect the at least one portion of the machine user responsive to light reflected off of the at least one portion of the machine user, which light is originally emitted from at least on LED of the first indicator device.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one proximity sensor associated with a respective at least one user accessible device is operative to detect at least one portion of a machine user adjacent the respective at least one user accessible device without the at least one portion of the machine user touching the respective at least one user accessible device.
15. A method comprising:
a) operating at least one computer in a cash dispensing automated banking machine to cause the automated banking machine to be in a first state of operation, wherein the automated banking machine includes a first user accessible device and a second user accessible device, wherein the first user accessible device includes a first proximity sensor, wherein the second user accessible device includes a second proximity sensor, wherein the automated banking machine includes at least one output device;
b) detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of a user is adjacent to the first user accessible device;
c) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (a) and (b) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a first audio output corresponding to the first user accessible device;
d) operating the at least one computer to cause the automated banking machine to be in a second state of operation;
e) detecting with the second proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the second user accessible device;
f) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (d) and (e) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a second audio output corresponding to the second user accessible device; and
g) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (d), not causing an output through the at least one output device that is responsive to detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the first user accessible device.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the first audio output includes first verbal information including a first user accessible device identifying name.
17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein (c) and (f) include outputting the first audio output and the second audio output through an external port on the machine, wherein the external port is releasibly operatively engageable with portable speaker devices usable by persons performing transactions with the machine.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein (c) and (f) include outputting the first audio output and the second audio output through a headphone placed in operative engagement with the external port of the machine.
19. The method according to claim 17 , wherein in (a) at least one of the first and second user accessible devices includes the external port.
20. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the first user accessible device includes a cash dispenser outlet.
21. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the first user accessible device includes a card reader.
22. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the first user accessible device includes an input key.
23. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the first user accessible device includes a keypad.
24. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the first user accessible device includes a deposit device inlet.
25. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (a) the at least one user portion includes a user finger.
26. The method according to claim 15 , wherein (b) includes detecting that at least one portion of a user is adjacent the first user accessible device without the at least one portion of the user touching the first user accessible device.
27. At least one article of computer readable media bearing computer executable instructions operative to cause at least one computer in a cash dispensing automated banking machine to cause the machine to carry out a method comprising:
a) operating the at least one computer to cause the automated banking machine to be in a first state of operation, wherein the automated banking machine includes a first user accessible device and a second user accessible device, wherein the first device includes a first proximity sensor, wherein the second device includes a second proximity sensor, wherein the automated banking machine includes at least one output device;
b) detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of a user is adjacent to the first user accessible device;
c) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (a) and (b) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a first audio output corresponding to the first user accessible device;
d) operating the at least one computer to cause the automated banking machine to be in a second state of operation;
e) detecting with the second proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the second user accessible device;
f) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (d) and (e) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a second audio output corresponding to the second user accessible device; and
g) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (d), not causing an output through the at least one output device that is responsive to detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the first user accessible device.
28. A method comprising:
a) operating at least one computer in a cash dispensing automated banking machine to cause the automated banking machine to be in a first state of operation, wherein the automated banking machine includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device includes a first indicator device and a first proximity sensor on the first indicator device, wherein the second device includes a second indicator device and a second proximity sensor on the second indicator device, wherein the first indicator device includes a plurality of LEDs operative to emit visible light, wherein the second indicator device includes a plurality of LEDs operative to emit visible light;
b) detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of a user is adjacent to the first device on the automated banking machine, wherein the first device is operative to at least one of: receive at least one user input to the machine; provide at least one output from the machine; and provide at least one item from the machine;
c) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (a) and (b) concurrently, outputting through at least one output device a first audio output, wherein the first audio output includes first verbal information including a first device identifying name;
d) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (a) only, repeatedly flashing the LEDs of the first indicator device;
e) operating the at least one computer to cause the automated banking machine to be in a second state of operation;
f) detecting with the second proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the second device on the automated banking machine;
g) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to both (e) and (f) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a second audio output, wherein the second audio output includes second verbal information including a second device identifying name; and
h) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (e), repeatedly flashing the LEDs of the second indicator device.
29. The method according to claim 28 , wherein (c) and (g) include outputting the first audio output and the second audio output through an external port on the machine, wherein the external port is releasibly operatively engageable with portable speaker devices usable by persons performing transactions with the machine.
30. The method according to claim 29 , wherein (c) and (g) include outputting the first audio output and the second audio output through a headphone placed in operative engagement with the external port of the machine.
31. The method according to claim 28 , wherein in (a) the first device includes a cash dispenser outlet.
32. The method according to claim 28 , further comprising:
i) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (e), stopping the LEDs of the first indicator device from repeatedly flashing;
j) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (e), not causing an output through the at least one output device that is responsive to detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the first device.
33. The method according to claim 32 , wherein in (a) the second device includes a card reader.
34. The method according to claim 32 , wherein (d) occurs during (b), wherein (b) includes detecting with the first proximity sensor the at least one portion of the user responsive to light reflected off of the at least one portion of the user, which light is originally emitted from at least one LED of the first indicator device.
35. The method according to claim 28 , further comprising:
responsive to (e), outputting through the at least one output device a third audio output, wherein the third audio output includes at least one first verbal instruction to operate the second device.
36. The method according to claim 28 , wherein (b) includes detecting that at least one portion of a user is adjacent the first device without the at least one portion of the user touching the first device.
37. At least one article of computer readable media bearing computer executable instructions operative to cause at least one computer in a cash dispensing automated banking machine to cause the machine to carry out a method comprising:
a) operating the at least one computer in the automated banking machine to cause the automated banking machine to be in a first state of operation, wherein the automated banking machine includes a first device and a second device, wherein the first device includes a first indicator device and a first proximity sensor on the first indicator device, wherein the second device includes a second indicator device and a second proximity sensor on the second indicator device, wherein the first indicator device includes a plurality of LEDs operative to emit visible light, wherein the second indicator device includes a plurality of LEDs operative to emit visible light;
b) detecting with the first proximity sensor that at least one portion of a user is adjacent to the first device on the automated banking machine, wherein the first device is operative to at least one of: receive at least one user input to the machine; provide at least one output from the machine; and provide at least one item from the machine; and
c) responsive to both (a) and (b) concurrently, outputting through at least one output device a first audio output, wherein the first audio output includes first verbal information including a first device identifying name;
d) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (a), repeatedly flashing the LEDs of the first indicator device;
e) operating the at least one computer to cause the automated banking machine to be in a second state of operation;
f) detecting with the second proximity sensor that at least one portion of the user is adjacent to the second device on the automated banking machine;
g) responsive to both (e) and (f) concurrently, outputting through the at least one output device a second audio output, wherein the second audio output includes second verbal information including a second device identifying name;
h) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (e), repeatedly flashing the LEDs of the second indicator device.