Transaction automation and archival system using electronic contract disclosure units
A transaction automation and archival system is provided for controlling, real-time logging, and archiving complex commercial transactions such as the purchase and financing of an automobile. An electronic contract disclosure unit or ECDU includes a digitizing video display for imaging to the various documents involved in the transaction and a digitizer for allowing participants to sign, indicate choices, and otherwise interact directly on documents and images presented on the display. A computer controls the progress of the transaction, controlling, for example, the order of presentation of documents to a vehicle purchaser, receiving signatures on the displayed documents, offering choices of various packages to the purchaser, and insuring that the transaction is carried out properly. The transaction is logged for future review which may include a video record. One or more fingerprint readers allow participants to select between options while simultaneously verifying the identity of the individual making the selection.
1. An automated system for controlling a business transaction requiring at least the presentation of documents and information by a first user and the acknowledgement and execution of documents by a second user, the automated system comprising:
a housing having a substantially flat upper surface, the housing being sized and configured for placement between the first user and the second user with the upper surface being oriented generally horizontally and being accessible by the first user and by the second user;
a digitizing display within the housing and visible through the upper surface of the housing, the digitizing display including a video display on which documents can be imaged and a digitizer configured to detect motion of at least one associated stylus on the video display;
a three dimensional collaborative volume defined above the flat upper surface of the housing and within which a first user and a second user interact with each other and with the digitizing display during a business transaction;
a computer operatively coupled to the digitizing display;
software in the computer that, when executed, images documents associated with the business transaction in a predetermined order on the video display and receives and interprets motion of the at least one associated stylus on the video display;
the software, when executed, permitting selective rotation of documents associated with the business transaction for presentation of documents in one orientation to the first user for interaction by the first user and for presentation of documents in another orientation to the second user for interaction by the second user;
an imaging device configured to capture images of physical documents associated with the business transaction and to convert the captured images to digital images, the imaging device being coupled to the computer for transmitting the digital images to the computer;
the software, when executed, incorporating digital images of physical documents from the imaging device into the electronic record of the business transaction.
2. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a camera.
3. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 2 wherein the camera is mounted to the housing.
4. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 3 wherein the camera is mounted to a swing arm and the swing arm is pivotally mounted to the housing for positioning the camera in different desired positions.
5. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 1 wherein the imaging device comprises a scanner.
6. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an audio reproduction system in the housing and coupled to the computer, the audio reproduction system being configured to produce sounds during a transaction from at least one location displaced from the video display whereby the source of the sounds appears to the first and second users to be generally from within the collaborative volume during the transaction.
7. An automated system for controlling a business transaction as claimed in claim 6 wherein the audio reproduction system produces sounds during a transaction from at least a first location adjacent one side of the video display.
8. An automated system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the audio reproduction system produces sounds during a transaction from the first location and at least a second location adjacent another side of the video display.
9. An automated system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the second location is on an opposite side of the video display from the first location.
10. An automated system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the audio reproduction system comprises a speaker in the housing at the first location.
11. An automated system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the audio reproduction system further comprises a speaker in the housing at the second location.
12. An automated system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the audio reproduction system comprises at least one speaker in the housing.
13. An automated system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the audio reproduction system comprises at least two speakers in the housing.
14. An automated system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the two speakers are located adjacent respective sides of the digitizing display.
15. An automated system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the two speakers are located adjacent opposite sides of the digitizing display.
16. An automated system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sounds include a voice reciting selected writings on documents presented on the digitizing display.
17. An automated system as claimed in claim 6 where the sounds include sounds related to advertising of optional items available to the second user for selection.