Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Banking systems
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-03
2001-06-05
Pitts, Harold I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Banking systems
C902S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241151
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a self-service terminal (SST). In particular, the invention relates to a transaction based SST such as an automated teller machine (ATM) which uses voice or speech recognition.
ATMs are commonly located in public areas to provide ease of access for members of the public. A problem associated with using ATMs is that the user of an ATM may believe that the transaction being conducted is not private, particularly if the ATM uses voice or speech recognition. One reason for this is due to the public location of the ATM and the possibility of passers-by hearing, for example, the user speaking to the ATM.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a SST which obviates or mitigates the above disadvantage.
According to the invention, a self service terminal includes a user interface located within a fascia, characterized in that the fascia has a concave inner surface defining a privacy area.
The word concave is not intended to be limited to a continuously curved surface having a uniform radius, but is intended to include, for example, surfaces having a plurality of flat surfaces, where the flat surfaces provide a recess which is generally D-shaped in the horizontal plane.
Preferably, the fascia has a sound absorbing surface for minimizing reflection of sound from the fascia. The sound absorbing surface may be a coating applied to the surface, the surface may be treated to provide sound absorbing properties, or the entire fascia may be constructed from sound absorbing material.
By virtue of the invention a user of a SST can place his or her head in proximity to the privacy area, and speak and/or listen to the SST with increased privacy and isolation from passers-by.
The inner surface is bounded by one or more extremities which project out from the terminal, so that the user's head may be inserted beyond the one or more extremities of the fascia into the privacy area.
Preferably, the fascia defines an upright longitudinal axis. Conveniently, the upright axis is substantially vertical.
Preferably, the concave inner surface has a generally arcuate cross-section in a plane transverse to the upright axis.
Preferably, the fascia tapers relative to the upright axis so that the fascia is radially more distant from the upright axis at the top of the privacy area than at the bottom of the privacy area. Conveniently, the fascia has a conical or frusto-conical shape cut away in the plane of the upright axis.
Preferably, the privacy area is approximately 1 m high. Preferably, the privacy area is located within the range from approximately 0.5 m to approximately 3 m above ground level; more preferably, within the range 0.8 m to 2.5 m; conveniently, the bottom of the privacy area is located 1.1 m above ground level.
Preferably, the fascia defines a dispensing area beneath the privacy area. One advantage of having a dispensing area located beneath the tapered fascia is that the taper of the fascia leads the eyes of a user to the dispensing area. Another advantage is that the tapered fascia reduces the volume of the privacy area, thereby increasing the sense of privacy for users of the terminal.
Preferably, the terminal has a covering extending beyond the fascia to protect a user from precipitation or falling objects. Conveniently, the covering is a sound absorbing canopy.
Preferably, the covering has visual indicators for indicating the current status of the SST, for example, whether the SST is in service or out of service. The visual indicators may be colored lights, where one color of light is used if the SST is in service and another color of light is used if the SST is out of service. Alternatively, the visual indicators may be lights which, when illuminated, spell words such as “working” or “out of service”.
Preferably, the covering includes lighting for illuminating the inner surface of the fascia. Conveniently, this lighting may be dimmed if the SST is out of service.
Preferably, the SST is an ATM using voice or speech recognition.
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patent: 9720119 (1997-06-01), None
Nicoll Kenneth A.
Paton Grant C.
Swaine Stephen
Chan Michael
NCR Corporation
Pitts Harold I.
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