Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine ( 10 ) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface ( 15 ). The user interface includes a card reader ( 16 ) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad ( 404, 438, 458 ) through which users input confidential data. Covers ( 400, 422, 430 ) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels ( 462, 464 ) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.
1. A method comprising:
(a) providing by a person, at least one input to a handheld ultraviolet (UV) light emitting unit to cause UV light to contact exterior surface areas of a cash dispensing automated banking machine,
wherein the exterior surface areas include at least two areas of the machine from among:
a function key area,
a keypad key area,
a card reader opening area,
a printer outlet area, and
a cash outlet area,
(b) subsequent to (a), providing by the person, at least one input to the machine to cause cash to be dispensed from the machine.
2. A method comprising:
(a) operating at least one computer associated with a cash dispensing automated transaction machine,
wherein the machine includes at least one ultraviolet (UV) light sensor,
wherein the machine includes at least one machine area which comprises at least one of:
a function key area,
a keypad key area,
a card reader opening area,
a printer outlet area, and
a cash outlet area;
(b) operating the at least one computer responsive at least in part to operation of the at least one UV light sensor, to determine that at least one machine user manual contact point on the machine was contacted by UV light emitted from a selectively operable UV light source,
wherein the at least one machine user manual contact point is located in the at least one machine area; and
(c) subsequent to (b), operating the at least one computer to cause the machine to carry out at least one transaction function.
3. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) responsive to (b), operating the automated banking machine to dispense a disinfectant material therefrom.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein in (d) the disinfectant includes a gas including ozone.
5. The method according to claim 3 wherein in (d), the disinfectant includes an aerosol material that contacts at least one manual contact area of at least one input device of the automated banking machine.
6. The method according to claim 3 wherein in (d) the disinfectant includes a lotion adapted to application to a machine user's hands.
7. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) responsive to (b), operating the at least one computer to cause at least one manual contact area of the automated banking machine to be contacted by UV light output by at least one further UV light source.
8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the automated banking machine includes a keypad cover overlying at least some of a plurality of keys included in a keypad, and wherein in (d) at least one further UV light source operatively supported by the keypad cover causes UV light to contact at least one key of the keypad.
9. The method according to claim 7
wherein the automated banking machine includes
a display,
a fascia portion including a side surface that extends outwardly relative to the display, and
at least one manually engageable function key positioned between the display and the side surface,
wherein in (d), at least one further UV light source in operatively supported connection with the side surface is operative to cause UV light to contact the at least one manually engageable function key.
10. The method according to claim 7 wherein in (d) the at least one manual contact area includes a card area of the machine.
11. The method according to claim 7 wherein in (d) the at least one manual contact area includes a paper outlet area of the machine.
12. The method according to claim 7 wherein in (d) the at least one manual contact area includes a cash outlet area of the machine.
13. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) responsive at least in part to (b), operating an internal UV light source inside a housing of the automated banking machine.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein (d) includes operating the internal UV light source to cause UV light to contact at least one of a card transport area and a cash transport area inside the housing.
15. The method according to claim 2
(d) operating the at least one computer to determine that the UV light differs from UV light in sunlight.
16. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) receiving at least one user input to the automated banking machine through at least one user input device;
(e) responsive at least in part to the at least one user input received in (d), operating the automated banking machine to dispense disinfectant therefrom.
17. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) receiving at least one user input to the automated banking machine through at least one user input device;
(e) responsive at least in part to the at least one user input received in (d), operating at least one further UV light source on the automated banking machine to cause at least one manual contact area on the automated banking machine to be contacted by UV light output by the at least one further UV light source.
18. The method according to claim 2 and further comprising:
(d) prior to (b), selectively operating the UV light source to emit the UV light toward the at least one machine user manual contact point; and
(e) operating the at least one UV light sensor to sense UV light emitted from the UV light source in (d).
19. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine including:
a housing;
at least one input device, wherein the at least one input device is in operatively supported connection with the housing, wherein the at least one input device includes a keypad and a card reader;
at least one output device, wherein the at least one output device is operatively supported connection with the housing;
a cash dispenser, wherein the cash dispenser is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
at least one ultraviolet (UV) light sensor, wherein the at least one UV light sensor is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
at least one disinfectant dispensing device, wherein the at least one disinfectant dispensing device is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
at least one processor in operative connection with the at least one input device, the at least one output device, the cash dispenser, the at least one UV light sensor, and the at least one disinfectant dispenser device,
wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to UV light sensed through operation of the at least one UV light sensor, to cause operation of the at least one disinfectant dispenser device.
20. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine including:
a housing;
at least one input device, wherein the at least one input device is operatively supported by the housing, wherein the at least one input device includes a keypad and a card reader;
at least one output device, wherein the at least one output device is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
a cash dispenser, wherein the cash dispenser is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
at least one ultraviolet (UV) light sensor, wherein the at least one UV light sensor is in operatively supported connection with the housing;
at least one UV light source, wherein the at least one UV light source is in operatively supported connection with the housing, and wherein the at least one UV light source is operative to cause UV light to contact at least one manual contact point on the automated banking machine;
at least one processor in operative connection with the at least one input device, the at least one output device, the cash dispenser, the at least one UV light sensor, and the at least one UV light source, and wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to UV light sensed through operation of the at least one UV light sensor to cause operation of the at least one UV light source.