Signals and indicators – Indicators – By touch
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-01
2001-05-29
Hirshfeld, Andrew H. (Department: 2859)
Signals and indicators
Indicators
By touch
C116S209000, C434S113000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237524
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for flagging the position of manually usable means in a manually operable device such as a self service machine.
It has become commonplace for customers requiring banking services to make use of automated teller machines (ATMs) to obtain cash or to deposit funds. Similarly customers for food and beverages frequently make use of self service dispensing machines to obtain the supplies they require. Whilst such machines have been successful for the majority of customers and in the majority of circumstances, there remains a problem for individuals who may be visually impaired or who may have to use a machine in conditions where the light levels are inadequate. In such cases the interaction between the user and the machine may result in an unsatisfactory operation of the machine because of the physical difficulty of identifying and locating manually usable portions of the machine such as the keys of a keyboard or a slot for the reception of magnetic cards or for the dispensing of cash or receipts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the physical location of manually usable means included in a manually operable device.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of indicating the position of a manually usable means included in a manually operable device, characterized by supplying air from an air supply to at least one air nozzle which is associated with said manually usable means and which when activated projects a jet of air which serves as a tactile flag as regards the position of said manually usable means.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a self service machine including at least one manually usable means, characterized by at least one air jet flag means associated with a manually usable means, said at least one flag means comprising at least one air nozzle which is connectable to an air supply and which when activated projects a jet of air which serves as a tactile flag as regards the position of the associated manually usable means.
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patent: 5616901 (1997-04-01), Crandall
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patent: 0720131 (1996-07-01), None
Hirshfeld Andrew H.
NCR Corporation
Smith R Alexander
Welte Gregory A.
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