US6400276B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-service terminal
Assignee: NCR Atleos Corp
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Filing: 2000-06-08
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2020-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal ( 25 ) having a user interface is described. The system comprises: image capture means ( 30 ) for capturing images of at least part of the user interface; image storage means ( 34 ) for storing at least one image captured by the image capture means ( 30 ); image processing means ( 32 ) for comparing the at least one stored image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface so as to detect the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface; and alarm means ( 38 ) for generating an alarm signal if the image processing means ( 32 ) detects the addition of an alien device.
Inventors
- 👤 Barrie Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:56
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/18; G08B13/189; G08B13/194; G08B13/196; G08B13/19695; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/205; G07F19/207; G07G; G07G3/00; G07G3/003; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S706/00; Y10S706/902; Y10S706/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal having a user interface, the system comprising: image capture means for capturing images of at least part of the user interface; image storage means for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the image capture means; image processing means for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface so as to detect the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface; and alarm means for generating an alarm signal if the image processing means detects the addition of an alien device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal having a user interface, the system comprising: image capture means for capturing images of at least part of the user interface; image storage means for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the image capture means; image processing means for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface so as to detect the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface; and alarm means for generating an alarm signal if the image processing means detects the addition of an alien device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image capture means comprises one or more digital cameras.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image capture means incorporates one or more optical fibers embedded in the self-service terminal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing means is programmed to subtract a stored image from a subsequently captured image received from the image capture means, and to process the resultant image to detect differences between the stored image and the subsequently captured image due to the addition of one or more alien devices to part of the user interface of the self-service terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing means is programmed to control activation of the alarm means so that an alarm signal is only generated when the image processing means detects the addition of an alien device with respect to more than a predetermined minimum number of the stored images.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing means is programmed to perform time averaging of images captured by the image capture means for preventing legitimate use of the self-service terminal from triggering an alarm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing means is configured to analyze traffic patterns at one or more user interface apertures of the self-service terminal to determine if unusual activity is occurring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A monitoring system according to claim 1 , wherein the alarm signal produced by the alarm means is relayed to an alarm unit for generating an audible alarm remote from the self-service terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal having a user interface, the system comprising: a camera for capturing images of part of the user interface; a memory for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the camera; a processor for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface to determine if an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface; and an alarm device for generating an alarm signal when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the user interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
105 words
A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal having a user interface, the system comprising: a camera for capturing images of part of the user interface; a memory for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the camera; a processor for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface to determine if an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface; and an alarm device for generating an alarm signal when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the user interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the camera comprises one or more digital cameras.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the camera incorporates one or more optical fibers embedded in the self-service terminal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
64 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to subtract a stored image from a subsequently captured image received from the camera, and to process the resultant image to detect differences between the stored image and the subsequently captured image due to the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface of the self-service terminal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to control activation of the alarm device to generate the alarm signal only when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface with respect to more than a predetermined minimum number of the stored images.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is programmed to perform time averaging of images captured by the camera for preventing legitimate use of the self-service terminal from activating the alarm device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze traffic patterns at one or more user interface apertures of the self-service terminal to determine if unusual activity is occurring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
A monitoring system according to claim 9 , wherein the alarm signal produced by the alarm device is relayed to an alarm unit for generating an audible alarm remote from the self-service terminal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
A self-service terminal comprising: a user interface; a camera for capturing images of part of the user interface; a memory for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the camera; a processor for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface to determine if an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface; and an alarm device for generating an alarm signal when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the user interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
96 words
A self-service terminal comprising: a user interface; a camera for capturing images of part of the user interface; a memory for storing at least one of said interface images captured by the camera; a processor for comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface to determine if an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface; and an alarm device for generating an alarm signal when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the user interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the camera comprises one or more digital cameras.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the processor is programmed to subtract a stored image from a subsequently captured image received from the camera, and to process the resultant image to detect differences between the stored image and the subsequently captured image due to the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
57 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the processor is programmed to control activation of the alarm device to generate the alarm signal only when the processor determines that an alien device has been added to the part of the user interface with respect to more than a predetermined minimum number of the stored images.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the processor is programmed to perform time averaging of images captured by the camera for preventing legitimate use of the self-service terminal from activating the alarm device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze traffic patterns at one or more user interface apertures of the self-service terminal to determine if unusual activity is occurring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A self-service terminal according to claim 17 , wherein the alarm signal produced by the alarm device is relayed to an alarm unit for generating an audible alarm remote from the self-service terminal.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of detecting the addition of an alien device to a user interface of a self-service terminal, the method comprising: (a) capturing images of at least part of the user interface; (b) storing at least one captured interface image; (c) comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of said interface part to detect the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface; and (d) producing an alarm signal when the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface is detected.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of detecting the addition of an alien device to a user interface of a self-service terminal, the method comprising: (a) capturing images of at least part of the user interface; (b) storing at least one captured interface image; (c) comparing the at least one stored interface image with a subsequently captured image of said interface part to detect the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface; and (d) producing an alarm signal when the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface is detected.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 24 , wherein step (c) includes the step of: (c-1) subtracting a stored image from a subsequently captured image; and (c-2) processing the resultant image to detect differences between the stored image and the subsequently captured image due to the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface of the self-service terminal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 24 , wherein step (d) includes the step of: (d-1) producing the alarm signal only when the addition of an alien device to the at least part of the user interface is detected with respect to more than a predetermined minimum number of the stored images.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of: (e) performing time averaging of captured images for preventing legitimate use of the self-service terminal from producing an alarm signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of: (e) analyzing traffic patterns at one or more user interface apertures of the self-service terminal to determine if unusual activity is occurring.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 24 , further comprising the step of: (e) relaying the alarm signal to an alarm unit for generating an audible alarm remote from the self-service terminal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |