Automated banking machine audible user interface system and method
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine is operative to output a visual and audible user interface which enables a consumer to operate the machine. The visual user interface includes a plurality of hierarchically organized visual screens. For each visual screen, the exemplary machine includes corresponding verbal instructions which are output through external loudspeakers or a headphone placed in operative connection with an external port of the machine. Upon insertion of the headphone into the port, the machine is operative to mute the output to any external loudspeakers and set the audio output through the headphone to a minimum or medium volume level. The automated banking machine is responsive to operating at least one volume control key to cycle the audible output through a plurality of different volume levels. For each input, the machine is operative to output verbal description of the function associated with the input.
1. A cash dispensing automated banking machine comprising:
at least one computer
a cash dispenser in operative connection with the at least one computer;
an external port in operative connection with the at least one computer, wherein the external port is adapted to enable a portable speaker device to be releasibly connected thereto by a user performing a transaction with the machine;
wherein the at least one computer is operative to determine whether the portable speaker device is connected to the external port, wherein when the portable speaker device is determined to not be connected to the external port, the at least one computer is operative to cause a display device to output visible information associated with the transaction, wherein when the portable speaker device is determined to be connected to the external port, the at least one computer is operative to:
cause the display device to output a message indicating that information not being shown through the display device may be displayed through the display device by providing an input through an input device of the machine;
prior to receiving the input, not cause the display device to output the visible information associated with the transaction and to cause the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction; and
after receiving the input: i) cause the display device to output the visible information associated with the transaction; and ii) cause the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction.
2. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the visible information includes visible instructions for operating the automated banking machine, wherein the verbal information includes verbal instructions for operating the automated banking machine.
3. The machine according to claim 2 , further comprising at least one input device in operative connection with the at least one computer, wherein the visible instructions and the verbal instructions prompt a user to provide the at least one input through use of the at least one input device.
4. The machine according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one input corresponds to an amount of value.
5. The machine according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one computer is operative to cause the cash dispenser to dispense cash in an amount that corresponds to the amount of value.
6. The machine according to claim 4 , further comprising a depository mechanism, wherein the at least one computer is operative to cause the depository mechanism to accept at least one item which is associated with the amount of value.
7. The machine according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one item includes a check.
8. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the visible information includes an amount of value, wherein the verbal information includes the amount of value.
9. The machine according to claim 8 , wherein the amount of value includes an account balance.
10. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein the portable speaker device includes a headphone.
11. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein when the portable speaker device is determined to be connected to the external port, the at least one computer is operative to cause the display device to output an advertisement.
12. The machine according to claim 1 , wherein when the portable speaker device is determined to be connected to the external port, the at least one computer is operative to cause the display device to output a message indicating that information is not being shown through the display device while the portable speaker device is connected to the machine.
13. A method comprising:
a) determining through operation of at least one computer of an automated banking machine, that a portable speaker device is connected to an external port of the automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser, a display device, and an input device;
b) through operation of the at least one computer, causing the automated banking machine to perform a first transaction, wherein when the portable speaker device is not connected to the external port, the automated banking machine is operative to output through the display device of the automated banking machine, visible information associated with the transaction; and
c) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (a): i) not outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine, the visible information associated with the transaction; ii) causing the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction; and iii) outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine a message indicating that information not being shown through the display device may be displayed through the display device by providing an input through the input device of the automated banking machine; and
d) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to receiving the input:
i) outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine the visible information associated with the transaction; and ii) causing the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein in (b) the visible information includes visible instructions for operating the automated banking machine, wherein the verbal information includes verbal instructions for operating the automated banking machine.
15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the visible instructions and the verbal instructions prompt a user to provide at least one input through at least one input device of the machine, wherein (b) is carried out responsive to the at least one input.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein in (b) the at least one input corresponds to an amount of value.
17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein (b) comprises:
dispensing, through operation of the cash dispenser, an amount of cash that corresponds to the amount of value.
18. The method according to claim 16 , wherein (b) comprises:
receiving a deposit, through operation of a depository mechanism of the automated banking machine, at least one item which is associated with the amount of value.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein in (b), the at least one item includes at least one check.
20. The method according to claim 13 , wherein in (b) the visible information includes an amount of value, wherein the verbal information includes the amount of value.
21. The method according to claim 20 , wherein in (b) the amount of value includes an account balance.
22. The method according to claim 13 , wherein in (a) the portable speaker device includes a headphone.
23. The method according to claim 13 , and further comprising, wherein when the portable speaker device is determined in (a) to be connected to the external port, outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine an advertisement.
24. The method according to claim 13 , and further comprising, wherein when the portable speaker device is determined in (a) to be connected to the external port, outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine a message indicating that information is not being shown through the display device while the portable speaker device is connected to the machine.
25. Computer readable media bearing computer executable instructions operative to cause at least one computer in an automated banking machine to cause the automated banking machine to carry out a method comprising:
a) determining through operation of the at least one computer of the automated banking machine, that a portable speaker device is connected to an external port of the automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser, a display device, and an input device;
b) through operation of the at least one computer, causing the automated banking machine to perform a first transaction, wherein when the portable speaker device is not connected to the external port, the automated banking machine is operative to output through the display device of the automated banking machine, visible information associated with the transaction; and
c) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to (a): i) not outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine the visible information associated with the transaction; ii) causing the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction; and iii) outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine a message indicating that information not being shown through the display device may be displayed through the display device by providing an input through the input device of the automated banking machine; and
d) through operation of the at least one computer responsive to receiving the input:
i) outputting through the display device of the automated banking machine the visible information associated with the transaction; and ii) causing the external port to produce an audible output through the portable speaker device which includes verbal information associated with the transaction.