Electronic cash dispenser

Details Electronic cash dispenser Electronic cash dispenser

1998-09-11

2001-01-30

Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)

Boots, shoes, and leggings

C235S379000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06179457

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention refers to an electronic cash dispenser for dispensing cash, comprising a banknote dispensing unit, and a portable keyboard for entering data and commands and for determining the amount to be dispensed in cash.
BACKGROUND ART
In known banknote dispensing systems, commonly called Automatic Teller Machines (ATM), there is a fixed console having a display device, a reader for magnetic or intelligent bank cards, and a keyboard for entering the user's personal identification code.
These systems, in which the keyboard and display are fixed, preclude user security and confidentiality in the true sense of the word, whether the user wants to withdraw banknotes or obtain information on his current account.
In fact, any curious bystander behind the user can see the transactions carried out on the keyboard and also the information displayed on the display.
In order to improve security and confidentiality of user transactions, very often the consoles of “ATM” systems are placed in a room to which limited access is provided.
This is obviously a very costly solution requiring further control and security devices, such as for example, doors opened by electronic control means or other security systems.
In order to improve confidentiality, has been proposed, as described in European publication EP 661676 A1, an “ATM” system wherein the keyboard and the display are included in a portable console connected to the banknote dispensing unit by means of an armoured cable.
Such a system, even if it helps on improving confidentiality, does not solve the problem to improve security. In fact, with the above-cited system, the user is obliged to simultaneously control devices differently located. In particular, the user, by having the console in his hands, is obliged to manage, at the same time, the devices located in the fixed console. As a result the user can louse or forget to keep back the card. This last is not a costly solution, but is, in some way, more unsecured than to leave the keyboard an the display on the fixed console.
From European Publication EP 484198 A1, it is, also, known a portable console designed for making payments, as for example in a store or a trading centre.
Such a portable console comprises a keyboard, a display, a card reader and is remotely connectable through a radio link connection, to a transaction centre or a concentrator for making on line or off-line payments.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The technical problem that this invention proposes solving is that of producing an electronic cash dispenser system that eliminates the drawbacks of known dispenser systems and guarantees users a high level of confidentiality and security.
This technical problem is solved by the electronic cash dispenser according to the present invention, which is characterized by a portable reading/writing device for reading and/or writing bank cards and by a control unit connected to the banknote dispensing unit, to the portable keyboard and to the portable reading/writing device, and suitable for controlling operation thereof.
According to a further characteristic of this invention, the portable device for reading and writing intelligent cards, generally called “smart cards”, is also utilizable for crediting smart cards with a given amount of money, withdrawing it from the user's current account.
According to another characteristic of this invention, the portable keyboard may also be used for withdrawing cash directly from the amount credited on the smart cards.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4757185 (1988-07-01), Onishi
patent: 5036461 (1991-07-01), Elliott et al.
patent: 0 661 676 A1 (1995-07-01), None
patent: WO 90/07756 (1990-07-01), None
patent: WO 94/11836 (1994-05-01), None
Research Disclosure, “Hand-Held Keyboard Display On a Retracting Cable for a Self-Service Machine”, No. 291, p. 475, 1988.
International Search Report.

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