User interface for a self-service terminal

[0002] The present invention relates to a user interface for a self-service terminal (SST), and is particularly directed to a user interface for a self-service terminal such as an automated teller machine (ATM).

[0003] A typical user interface for an ATM includes a number of different types of media entry slots through which different media may be received and/or dispensed. Such media entry slots include a card entry slot through which an ATM customer may insert a customer identifying card, a cash dispense slot through which currency can be delivered, a receipt dispense slot through which a receipt can be delivered, and an envelope deposit slot through which an envelope containing a valuable document may be deposited.

[0004] In known user interfaces the location of each type of media entry slot is usually indicated with either a printed decal or an illuminated light panel. Both a decal and an indicator may be used to indicate the location of a particular media entry slot on the user interface. However, a disadvantage results when both a decal and an indicator are used, because additional panel space on the user interface is needed to accommodate both the decal and the indicator.

[0005] According to the invention a user interface for a self-service terminal comprises a media entry slot through which media can be either received or dispensed, characterized by;

[0006] an illuminable light panel adjacent the media entry slot, and a decal overlying the light panel and having areas of relatively high optical transmission and areas of relatively low optical transmission so as to provide textual and/or graphical information relating to the media entry slot.

[0007] Preferably, the light panel comprises an electroluminescent light panel. The decal includes (i) a semi-translucent background portion which illuminates when the light panel is illuminated, and (ii) a clear textual and/or graphical information portion which illuminates with more brightness than the background portion when the light panel is illuminated. The media entry slot may be a card entry slot of a card reader, a currency dispense slot of a currency dispenser, a receipt dispense slot of a receipt printer, or an envelope deposit slot of an envelope deposit module, for example.

[0008] Also according to the invention a self service terminal may comprise a processor; data input means; and display means; characterized by a user interface according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0009] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automated teller machine (ATM) embodying a user interface in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a block representation of the ATM of FIG. 1;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged portion of the user interface of the ATM of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken approximately along lines 4—4 of FIG. 3, of a light panel assembly of the user interface; and

[0014] FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic view of an energizeable electroluminescent light strip or light pad which is used in the light panel assembly of FIG. 4.

[0015] In FIGS. 1 and 2, an ATM 10 comprises a user interface in the form of a front panel 12. The front panel 12 includes a card reader 14, a key pad 16, a currency dispenser 18, a CRT display 20, a receipt printer 22, and an envelope deposit module 24. As particularly shown in FIG. 1, the card reader 14 has a card entry slot 14athrough which a customer 26 can insert a customer identification card 28 at the commencement of a financial transaction. The currency dispenser 18 has a currency dispense slot la through which cash currency notes stored inside the ATM 10 can be delivered to the customer 26. The receipt printer 22 has a receipt slot 22athrough which a receipt of the financial transaction is delivered to the customer 26 at termination of the financial transaction. The envelope deposit module 24 has an envelope deposit slot 24athrough which the customer 26 may insert an envelope which contains a valuable document to be deposited. The customer 26 has access to the card entry slot 14a,the currency dispense slot 18a,the receipt slot 22a,and the envelope deposit slot 24avia the front panel 12.

[0016] When the customer 26 inserts the customer identification card 28 into the card entry slot 14a,the card reader 14 reads data on the card. The customer 26 is then prompted on the CRT display 20 to enter a personal identification number (PIN) via the key pad 16. After the correct PIN is entered, menus are displayed on the display 20 to enable the customer 26 to carry out the desired financial transaction. After the financial transaction is completed, the receipt printer 22 prints a receipt of the financial transaction and delivers the receipt through the receipt slot 22aof the receipt printer 22 to the customer 26.

[0017] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the ATM 10 further comprises a controller unit 30 which communicates with components of the front panel 12. The controller unit 30 includes a microcomputer 32 and a memory 34 connected via bus line 36 to the microcomputer 32. The microcomputer 32 receives input signals on lines 31, 33, 41 from the card reader 14, the key pad 16, and the envelope deposit module 24, respectively, and provides control signals on lines 35, 37, 39 to the currency dispenser 18, the display 20, and the receipt printer 22, respectively. The memory 34 may be non-volatile RAM.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, an enlargement of a portion of the front panel 12 is illustrated. A cross sectional view taken approximately along line 4—4 of FIG. 3 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The enlarged portion of FIG. 3 is in the vicinity of the receipt slot 22aon the front panel 12. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a clear plastic molding 50 is attached to the front panel 12 in a rectangular opening 52 of the front panel 12 using a suitable adhesive. The clear plastic molding 50 has a shape as best shown in FIG. 4. The rectangular opening 52 is located just above the receipt slot 22a.

[0019] The molding 50 has recess 54, as shown in FIG. 4, into which a decal 56 is disposed. The decal 56 is attached to the molding 50 using a suitable adhesive or the like. The decal 56 has a semi-translucent background portion 57, a clear textual portion 58, and a clear graphical portion 59, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] The molding 50 also has a U-shaped slot 60 into which an energizeable light panel 62 is disposed. The light panel 62 is supported in the U-shaped slot 60 of the molding 50. Preferably, the light panel 62 comprises an energizeable electroluminescent light strip which is manufactured by Concept Data Display Ltd. located in Leeds, England. These light panels are sold under the name of Flexi-brite and provide a flexible cold lighting system. A somewhat schematic view of such an electroluminescent light strip is shown in FIG. 5.

[0021] The light panel 62 shown in FIG. 5 includes a panel portion 64 and a pair of electrical terminals 66, 68 connected to one end of the panel portion 64. When a suitable voltage, such as from batteries or a main power supply (not shown) is applied to the electrical terminals 66, 68, the panel portion 64 illuminates. Brightness of the panel portion 64 is relatively uniform across the entire area of the panel portion 64.

[0022] When the panel portion 64 of the light panel 62 illuminates, light passes from the panel portion 64 through the clear plastic molding 50 and illuminates the decal 56. When the decal 56 is illuminated, more light passes through the clear textual portion 58 and the clear graphical portion 59 than the semi-translucent background portion 57 of the decal, so that the customer 26 can read the textual and graphical portions 58, 59 of the decal 56, and easily locate the adjacent slot.

[0023] One advantage of the illustrated arrangement is that the decal 56 overlies the light panel 62, and the decal and light panel cooperate together as an integrated unit. This results in more panel space on the front panel 12 being available to accommodate other features and functions of the ATM 10.

[0024] To assist use even further, the light panel can be illuminated intermittently, so that the textual and graphical portions flash at intervals, and attract the user's attention.

[0025] Although the assembly of the decal 56 and the light panel 62 described hereinabove is located above the receipt slot 22a,the assembly could be located either below or at the side of the receipt slot 22a.Also, a similar decal and light panel arrangement could be directed to any other card entry slot of the ATM 10, with the textual and graphical portions appropriate to that slot.