Granted Patent B1

US 8,690,052 · App. 13/862,614 · Granted Apr 8, 2014

Abstract

Claims (177)

1. A method of retrofitting a card reading arrangement of an automated banking machine that is operable responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records,

wherein the machine includes a card reader module,

wherein the card reader module is located in a first interior area of the machine,

wherein the card reader module includes a short edge first (SEF) card entrance opening,

wherein the SEF card entrance opening is sized to receive a leading edge of card that is oriented short edge first,

wherein the card reader module includes a SEF card reader,

wherein the SEF card reader is arranged to read from a magnetic stripe positioned adjacent a long edge of card received by the SEF card entrance opening, user data that is usable to identify a financial account,

wherein the machine includes a cash dispenser,

wherein the cash dispenser is operative to selectively dispense cash to authorized users of the machine,

wherein the machine is associated with at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operable to allow an authorized user to use the machine to carry out a cash dispense transaction involving a financial account identified through use of user data read by the SEF card reader, responsive at least in part to receiving authorization from a remote financial transaction host for the cash dispense transaction,

wherein the at least one processor is operable to cause the financial account to be assessed a value associated with an amount of cash dispensed in carrying out the cash dispense transaction,

wherein the machine includes a user fascia,

wherein the fascia is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein when in the closed position, the fascia can be changed between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein when in the open position, the card reader module is manually accessible,

wherein the fascia includes a removable card slot area portion,

wherein the card slot area portion includes a SEF card input slot,

wherein the SEF card input slot is sized to receive a leading edge of card that is oriented short edge first,

wherein with the fascia in the closed position the SEF card input slot is substantially aligned with the SEF card entrance opening, which allows a leading short edge of a card inserted into the SEF card input slot to be received by the SEF card entrance opening,

wherein the method includes:

(a) placing the fascia in the unlocked condition;

(b) subsequent to (a), manually moving the fascia to the open position;

(c) subsequent to (b), manually removing the card reader module from the first interior area;

(d) subsequent to (c), manually installing in the first interior area, a different card reader module which differs from the card reader module removed in (c),

wherein the different card reader module includes a long edge first (LEF) card entrance opening,

wherein the LEF card entrance opening is sized to receive a leading edge of card that is oriented long edge first,

wherein the different card reader module includes a LEF card reader,

wherein the LEF card reader is arranged to read from a magnetic stripe positioned adjacent a long edge of card received by the LEF card entrance opening, user data that is usable to identify a financial account;

(e) subsequent to (b), manually removing the card slot area portion from the fascia;

(f) subsequent to (e), manually providing the fascia with a different card slot area portion which differs from the card slot area portion removed in (e),

wherein the different card slot area portion includes a LEF card input slot,

wherein the LEF card input slot is sized to receive a leading edge of card that is oriented long edge first;

(g) subsequent to (d) and (f), manually moving the fascia to the closed position,

wherein the LEF card input slot is substantially aligned with the LEF card entrance opening, which allows a leading long edge of a card inserted into the LEF card input slot to be received by the LEF card entrance opening; and

(h) subsequent to (g), locking the fascia.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the machine is part of a banking system that includes a plurality of automated banking machines, wherein the machine includes at least one display device and a biometric reader, and further comprising subsequent to (h):

(i) operating the LEF card reader to read card data from a magnetic stripe of a card;

(j) operating the biometric reader to read biometric data;

(k) operating the at least one processor to communicate to a financial transaction host, the card data read in (i) and the biometric data read in (j);

(l) operating the at least one processor to receive authorization from the financial transaction host for a cash withdrawal transaction, responsive at least in part to each of:

the card data read in (i) and stored card information having a predetermined relationship,

the biometric data read in (j) and stored biometric information having a predetermined relationship, and

the card data read in (i) and the biometric data read in (j) having a predetermined customer relationship;

(m) operating the cash dispenser to dispense cash, responsive at least in part to (l); and

(n) operating the at least one processor to cause a financial transfer associated with the cash dispensed in (m),

wherein the financial transfer involves a financial account that is associated with at least one of the card data read in (i) or the biometric data read in (j).

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (d) the LEF card reader includes a plurality of rotatable card moving components, and further comprising subsequent to (h):

(i) operating the plurality of rotatable card moving components to engagingly move a card at least partly through the LEF card input slot,

(j) operating the plurality of rotatable card moving components to engagingly provide two-dimensional jitter movement to the card during the movement of the card at least partly through the LEF card entry slot,

wherein the two-dimensional jitter movement includes movement in at least two non parallel directions.

4. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:

(k) operating the plurality of rotatable card moving components to change card speed during at least part of (j).

5. The method according to claim 1

wherein in (d) the different card reader module includes at least one module processor, at least one sensor, and a gate,

wherein the at least one processor is operable to receive signals from the at least one sensor,

wherein the at least one processor is operable to control movement of the gate,

wherein subsequent to (h) the gate is located adjacent the LEF card input slot,

and further comprising:

(j) operating the at least one processor based on signals received from the at least one sensor, to determine whether a leading edge of a card being manually positioned adjacent to the gate is a long edge of the card; and

(k) operating the at least one processor responsive at least in part to a positive determination in (j), to cause the gate to be moved from a closed position to an open position.

6. The method according to claim 5

wherein (j) includes operating the at least one processor based on signals received from the at least one sensor, to determine each of:

(ji) whether a leading edge of the card is a long edge of the card,

(jii) whether a magnetic stripe is positioned adjacent the leading edge, and

(jiii) whether a magnetic stripe is positioned on a correct side of the card;

wherein (k) includes operating the at least one processor responsive at least in part to a positive determination in each of (ji), (jii), and (jiii) to cause the gate to be moved from the closed position to the open position.

7. A method of retrofitting a card reading arrangement of an automated banking machine that is operable responsive at least in part to data read from data bearing records, wherein the method comprises:

(a) manually accessing the machine,

wherein the machine comprises a first card reader module that includes a first card reader,

wherein the first card reader includes at least one read head,

wherein the at least one read head is configured to read from a magnetic stripe inserted short edge first into the first card reader, data usable to identify a financial account on which financial transactions can be carried out,

wherein the machine includes a user fascia,

wherein the user fascia includes a first card slot portion,

wherein the first card slot portion includes a first card entry slot,

 wherein the first card entry slot is substantially aligned with the first card reader in a manner that allows a card inserted into the first card entry slot to be received by the first card reader,

 wherein the first card entry slot is of a first length,

 wherein the first length allows the first card entry slot to receive a card being inserted short edge first;

(b) manually removing the first card reader module from the machine;

(c) manually removing the first card slot portion from the user fascia;

(d) subsequent to (b), manually installing in the machine, a second card reader module which differs from the first card reader module,

wherein the second card reader module includes a second card reader,

wherein the second card reader includes at least one movable read head,

wherein the at least one movable read head is configured to read from a magnetic stripe inserted long edge first into the second card reader, data usable to identify a financial account on which financial transactions can be carried out; and

(e) subsequent to (c), manually installing in the user fascia, a second card slot portion,

wherein the second card slot portion includes a second card entry slot,

wherein the second card entry slot is of a second length,

wherein the second length is greater than the first length,

 wherein the second length allows the second card entry slot to receive a card being inserted long edge first;

wherein (d) and (e) cause the second card entry slot to be substantially aligned with the second card reader in a manner that allows a card inserted into the second card entry slot to be received by the second card reader.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the machine is part of a banking system that includes a plurality of automated banking machines, wherein the machine includes at least one display device, a cash dispenser, and a biometric reader, and further comprising subsequent to (e):

(f) operating the second card reader to read card data from a magnetic stripe of a card inserted into the second card entry slot;

(g) operating the biometric reader to read biometric data;

(h) operating the at least one processor to communicate to a financial transaction host, the card data read in (f) and the biometric data read in (g);

(i) operating the at least one processor to receive authorization from the financial transaction host for a cash withdrawal transaction, responsive at least in part to each of:

the card data read in (f) and stored card information having a predetermined relationship,

the biometric data read in (g) and stored biometric information having a predetermined relationship, and

the card data read in (f) and the biometric data read in (g) having a predetermined customer relationship;

(j) operating the cash dispenser to dispense cash, responsive at least in part to (i); and

(k) operating the at least one processor to cause a financial transfer associated with the cash dispensed in (j),

wherein the financial transfer involves a financial account that is associated with at least one of the card data read in (f) or the biometric data read in (g).

9. The method according to claim 7

wherein the at least one second module card reader includes a plurality of card moving components,

wherein subsequent to (d) and (e), the plurality of card moving components are operative to engagingly move a card at least partly through the second card entry slot,

and further comprising:

(f) operating the at least one second module card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to engagingly move a card at least partly through the second card entry slot.

10. The method according to claim 9

wherein subsequent to (d) and (e), the plurality of card moving components are operative to engagingly provide non parallel jitter motions to a card during movement of the card at least partly through the card entry slot,

and further comprising:

(g) operating the at least one second module card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to engagingly provide non parallel jitter motions to the card during at least a portion of the card movement in (f).

11. The method according to claim 9 and further comprising:

(g) operating the second module card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to change card speed during at least part of (f).

12. The method according to claim 7

wherein the second card reader module includes a card access gate,

wherein the gate controls card entry to the second card reader,

wherein in a closed position, the gate prevents card entry,

wherein in an open position, the gate allows card entry,

wherein the second card reader module includes at least one sensor,

wherein the second card reader module includes at least one module processor,

wherein the at least one module processor is in operative connection with the at least one sensor,

wherein the at least one module processor is operable to cause movement of the gate,

and further comprising:

(f) wherein subsequent to (d) and (e), operating the at least one module processor to cause the gate to be moved to the open position responsive at least in part to receiving from the at least one sensor, signals which indicate that a card is positioned adjacent to the gate which has a leading edge that corresponds to a long edge of a card.

13. The method according to claim 12

wherein (f) includes operating the at least one module processor to cause the gate to be moved to the open position responsive at least in part to receiving from the at least one sensor, signals which indicate that a card is positioned adjacent to the gate which has:

(fi) a leading edge which corresponds to a long edge of a card,

(fii) magnetic properties adjacent to the leading edge, and

(fiii) magnetic properties on an expected side of the card.

14. A method comprising:

(a) accessing an interior area of an automated banking machine,

wherein the machine includes a user fascia,

wherein the user fascia includes a first-sized card input slot,

wherein the first-sized card input slot is configured to receive therein, a leading edge of a first card being inserted short edge first (SEF) into the first-sized card input slot,

wherein the machine includes in the interior area, a first card reader arranged to receive the leading short edge of the first card when inserted SEF through the first-sized card input slot,

wherein the first card reader includes at least one magnetic read head that is configured to read data from a magnetic stripe of the first card when the first card is received SEF by the first card reader;

(b) modifying the user fascia by replacing the first-sized card input slot with a second-sized card input slot,

wherein the second-sized card input slot is configured to receive therein a leading edge of the first card being inserted long edge first (LEF) into the second-sized card input slot,

wherein the second-sized card input slot is of greater length than the first-sized card input slot; and

(c) modifying the interior area by replacing the first card reader with a second card reader,

wherein the second card reader is configured to receive a leading long edge of the first card,

wherein the second card reader includes at least one movable magnetic read head that is configured to read data from the magnetic stripe when the first card is received LEF by the second card reader;

wherein the modifications in (b) and (c) cause the second-sized card input slot and the second card reader to be relatively positioned in a manner that allows the second card reader to receive the leading long edge of the first card when inserted LEF through the second-sized card input slot.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the machine is part of a banking system that includes a plurality of automated banking machines, wherein the machine includes at least one display device, a cash dispenser, and a biometric reader, and further comprising subsequent to (a)-(c):

(d) operating the second card reader to read card data from a magnetic stripe of a card inserted LEF through the second-sized card input slot;

(e) operating the biometric reader to read biometric data;

(f) operating the at least one processor to communicate to a financial transaction host, the card data read in (d) and the biometric data read in (e);

(g) operating the at least one processor to receive authorization from the financial transaction host for a cash withdrawal transaction, responsive at least in part to each of:

the card data read in (d) and stored card information having a predetermined relationship,

the biometric data read in (e) and stored biometric information having a predetermined relationship, and

the card data read in (d) and the biometric data read in (e) having a predetermined customer relationship;

(h) operating the cash dispenser to dispense cash, responsive at least in part to (g); and

(i) operating the at least one processor to cause a financial transfer associated with the cash dispensed in (h),

wherein the financial transfer involves a financial account that is associated with at least one of the card data read in (d) or the biometric data read in (e).

16. The method according to claim 14

wherein the second card reader includes a plurality of card moving components,

wherein subsequent to (b) and (c), the plurality of card moving components are operative to engagingly move a card at least partly through the second-sized card input slot,

and further comprising:

(d) subsequent to (b) and (c), operating the second card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to engagingly move a card at least partly through the second-sized card input slot.

17. The method according to claim 16

wherein subsequent to (b) and (c), the plurality of card moving components are operative to engagingly provide non parallel jitter motions to a card during movement of the card at least partly through the card entry slot,

and further comprising:

(e) operating the second card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to engagingly provide non parallel jitter motions to the card during at least a portion of the card movement in (d).

18. The method according to claim 16 and further comprising:

(e) operating the second card reader to cause the plurality of card moving components to change card speed during at least part of (d).

19. The method according to claim 14

wherein the second card reader includes a card access gate that is movable between a closed position and an open position,

wherein the second card reader includes at least one sensor,

wherein the second card reader includes at least one reader processor,

wherein the at least one reader processor is in operative connection with the at least one sensor,

wherein the at least one reader processor is operable to cause movement of the gate,

and further comprising:

(d) operating the at least one reader processor to cause the gate to be moved to the open position responsive at least in part to receiving from the at least one sensor, signals which indicate that a card is positioned adjacent to the gate which has a leading edge that corresponds to a long edge of a card.

20. The method according to claim 19

wherein (d) includes operating the at least one reader processor to cause the gate to be moved to the open position responsive at least in part to receiving from the at least one sensor, signals which indicate that a card is positioned adjacent to the gate which has:

(di) a leading edge which corresponds to a long edge of a card,

(dii) magnetic properties adjacent to the leading edge, and

(diii) magnetic properties on an expected side of the card.

Assignments (26)