Patent Application
20150068863
The invention relates to the field of automated teller machines and in particular a security apparatus for the detection and nullifying of the operation of a cash capture device inserted into a presenter area of an automated teller machine.
Automated banking machines are well known. A common type of automated banking machine used by consumers is an automated teller machine (“ATM”), colloquially known by terms such as “cash dispenser”, “cash machine” or “hole-in-the-wall”. ATMs enable customers to carry out banking transactions. Common banking transactions that may be carried out with ATMs include the dispensing of cash in the form of paper currency, the receipt of deposits, the transfer of funds between accounts, the payment of bills, account balance inquiries and mobile phone top-up etc. The types of banking transactions a customer can carry out are determined by capabilities of the particular banking machine and the institution offering the service.
In the United Kingdom there are around seventy thousand ATMs and this number is on the increase. ATM fraud is also on the increase and perpetrators are constantly devising new ways in which to fraudulently extract cash from inside ATMs. One method in which perpetrators attempt to extract cash from an ATM is by using a cash capture device. A cash capture device is one in which a perpetrator inserts a fraudulent device in to a cash dispensing slot such that the cash is retained inside the ATM and not dispensed to a user who has requested the cash. The perpetrator then returns to the ATM to remove the cash that is retained inside the ATM.
US 2005/0269345 discloses a security means comprising a spray tray; a dispenser slot positioned so as to dispense media into the spray tray; and a security cover positioned to cover said spray tray and slot. The cover is arranged so as to cause a sweep member to sweep past the dispenser slot and thus dislodge any foreign body adjacent the slot, when the cover is moved between closed and opened position. However, this approach does not provide a solution to detect a cash capture device, such as a cash claw being inserted through the cash dispenser into a presenter area of the ATM.
US 2008/0136657 discloses an ATM comprising a fascia having a cash dispensing aperture, a sensor arranged to detect the present of an object outside of the aperture and the distance to the object and a processor. The processor is arranged to determine from the output of the detector whether the distance to the object is within a predetermined maximum and whether the object is moving or stationary and then outputs a signal based on the detection. The purpose of this disclosure is to detect a dummy fascia and once detected an alarm is generated and the ATM taken off line.
ATM fraud appears to be on the increase because it produces cash and is fairly low risk relative to other crimes. The equipment used is inexpensive, readily available and expendable—which makes ATM fraud popular with organized crime networks. Hence there is a need in the art to provide an improved apparatus for cash capture device detection.
The present invention provides a security apparatus, comprising:
at least one proximity detector for detecting a cash capture device in a presenter area of an automatic teller machine (ATM) and for generating a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and
control circuitry for receiving the detecting signal from the at least one proximity detector and, in response to receiving the detecting signal, for causing a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position, wherein each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry, and wherein the dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM.
The present invention provides a machine comprising the ATM which comprises the security apparatus.
The present invention provides a method for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM, said method comprising:
detecting, by a proximity detector of at least one proximity detector in a security apparatus in the ATM, the cash capture device in the presenter area of the ATM and generating, by the proximity detector, a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and
receiving, by control circuitry in the security apparatus from the proximity detector, the detecting signal and in response causing, by the control circuitry, a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position, wherein each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry, and wherein the dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM.
The present invention provides a computer program product, comprising a computer readable storage medium in a security apparatus in an automatic teller machine (ATM), said storage medium having computer readable program code stored therein, said program code containing instructions which, upon being executed by one or more processors in the security apparatus, implement a method for providing security to the ATM, wherein the ATM comprises a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM, said method comprising:
detecting, by a proximity detector of at least one proximity detector in the security apparatus via execution of the one or more processors, the cash capture device in the presenter area and generating, by the proximity detector via execution of the one or more processors, a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and
receiving, by control circuitry in the security apparatus from the proximity detector via execution of the one or more processors, the detecting signal and in response causing, by the control circuitry via execution of the one or more processors, a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position, wherein each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry, and wherein the dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM.
a are illustrations of a top view of a presenter area of the automated teller machine with a security apparatus of the present invention installed.
Accordingly, viewed from a first aspect the present invention provides a security apparatus for detecting the presence of a cash capture device inserted into a paper currency presenting area of an automated teller machine (ATM). The security apparatus comprises: a proximity detector for detecting the insertion of the cash capture device in the paper currency presenting area and generating a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and control circuitry for receiving the detecting signal and disabling an operating motor of a paper currency dispensing shutter of the automated teller machine in response to receiving the detecting signal and causing the dispensing shutter to remain in an open position.
The proximity detector may comprise one or more proximity sensors.
The security apparatus may further comprise the control circuitry identifying the absence of any detecting signal from the one or more proximity detectors and in response the control circuitry causing the dispensing shutter to close.
The security apparatus may further comprise the control circuitry identifying the presence of a signal from the one or more proximity detectors and in response the control circuitry causing an ATM operating motor to be disabled.
The security apparatus may further comprise a power restoration delay timer for delaying the dispensing shutter closing for a configurable time period.
The security apparatus may further comprise the control circuitry identifying the absence of any detecting signal from the one or more proximity detectors and in response the control circuitry causing the restoration of power to the operating motor.
The security apparatus may further comprise a power restoration delay timer for delaying the restoration of power to the operating motor for a configurable time period.
The proximity detector may comprise a proximity detector assembly comprising one or more proximity detector sensors and an indicator light for indicating the presence of the detected object.
The proximity detector may be locatable at a position adjacent to a presenter belt of the presenter area of the ATM.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an ATM comprising the security apparatus of the first aspect.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of detecting the presence of a cash capture device in a presenter area of an ATM. The method comprises: detecting, by a proximity detector, the insertion of the cash capture device in the paper currency presenting area and generating a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and receiving, by control circuitry, the detecting signal and disabling an operating motor of a paper currency dispensing shutter of the ATM in response to receiving the detecting signal and causing the dispenser shutter to remain in an open position.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium storing computer readable program code that, when loaded into a computer system and executed thereon, cause said computer system to perform all the steps of a method according the third aspect.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a means by which a cash dispensing shutter of an ATM remains open when a cash capture device has been inserted into an ATM. Advantageously, the perpetrator is led to believe that the ATM is not working and withdraws the cash capture device from the ATM without damaging the ATM.
Some financial institutions have a presenter clear cycle run prior to a dispense operation. If a presenter clear cycle takes place when a cash claw is inserted into the ATM, the cash claw causes serious damage to the presenter area. To avoid this damage taking place, the present invention provides a means by which the main operating motor is disabled in the presence of a cash capture device thus preventing the clear operation. This disabling function also prevents the clearing operation taking place if the safe door is opened by bank staff.
It is assumed that the perpetrators will immediately remove the cash claw when they realize that the dispenser shutter has not closed. If the perpetrator does not remove the cash claw then on the subsequent cash transaction attempt, the ATM will go out of service and the bank's intervention will be required to restore the ATM to its operating state once the cash capture device has been removed. If the cash capture device is removed immediately following non-closure of the shutter, the dispenser will recover on the subsequent cash withdrawal.
The present invention also provides a function whereby a delay may be introduced to the restoration of the ATM to an operating state, advantageously preventing a fraudster from immediately attempting another cash claw insertion operation.
Advantageously, use of the present invention has the following advantages:
The ATM 100 also includes a DC power supply 210, an interlock printed circuit board (PCB) 255, and a safe door switch 260.
Presenter area further comprises a number of optical sensors 305, 310, 315 for detecting and validating the presence of paper currency in the presenter area.
For clarity, the presenter area 235 referred to herein comprises one or more presenter units 355, the dispenser shutter assembly 245 and cash dispenser aperture 125. A person skilled in the art will realise that there are many types of internal configurations of an ATM 100 and the above description is not limiting. Many other configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In use a user inserts their bank card into the card reader 130 and the display unit 105 requests the user to enter their personal identification number. The data processing apparatus 215 validates the personal identification number and the display unit 105 presents the user with a number of financial transaction options. When a request for cash withdrawal is made and approved, the data processing apparatus 215 sends an instruction to the pickup module 265 which causes the pickup module 265 to obtain the requested paper currency from one or more of the currency cassettes 340, 345. As the individual units of paper currency are requested, the units of paper currency are validated and if validated the presenter belts 365 transport the paper currency through the secure housing along a transportation path 330, 335 (following the direction of the arrows) for dispensing to the user through the cash dispenser aperture 125. Typically, when the paper currency is transported along the transportation path, the paper currency passes under various sensors 350, 315, 310 and 305. The sensors perform various functions such as:
Sensor 350—acknowledges presence of paper currency after the measuring process.
Sensor 315—acknowledges timely arrival of paper currency for dispense.
Sensor 310—acknowledges timing restrictions and initiates a signal for the dispenser shutter to open.
Sensor 305—acknowledges a timing sequence and signals for dispenser shutter to close.
Once the paper currency is transported a predetermined distance from sensor 305 the cash dispenser shutter 245 remains open until the user removes the paper currency from the cash dispenser aperture 125. Once the paper currency is removed by the user the cash dispenser shutter 245 closes.
A cash capture device, such as, a cash claw 400 is illustrated in
In operation and with reference to
This trapping of paper currency is illustrated with reference to
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the security apparatus will now be explained with reference to
Cross member 740 is attached to side member 710 using any suitable attachment means. In the illustrated example embodiment, attachment means comprises nut and bolt fastening 750 but a skilled person will understand that attachment means may comprise other fastener device such as a riveted joint, or a welded joint, an adhesive joint, or any other suitable attachment means. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, attachment means also functions to attach side member 710 to presenter belt support frame 720. The skilled person will also understand that separate attachment means of any suitable type may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.
As illustrated, cross member 740 is attached to side member 710 towards the end furthest from the cash dispenser shutter 705 but the skilled person will understand that cross member may 740 be attached at any suitable point without departing from the scope of the invention. Cross member 740 projects substantially at right angles to side member 710. In an embodiment, cross member 740 projects across substantially the whole width of the presenter belts 730. Further, cross member 740 projects between the upper and lower portions of the lower presenter belts 730 and spaced from each portion so that it does not contact either upper or lower portion of the belts.
In an embodiment, at least one proximity detector comprising proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is attached to cross member 740. Each proximity detector sensor assembly 760 may comprise at least one sensor suitable for the identification of a nearby metallic object. It will be understood by the skilled person, however, that any suitable proximity detector sensor may be used. In some embodiments, a sensor capable of detecting a non-metallic object may be used. In some embodiments, more than one sensor may be used in an assembly, and sensors of different types may be used together in a single proximity detector sensor assembly, or in different assemblies. Proximity detector sensors of several different types are well known in the art.
Each proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is attached at a point on the cross member 740 substantially adjacent a presenter belt 730. Further, each proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is attached to cross member 740 in such a way as to be between the under surface of the upper portion of a presenter belt 730 and the top of the lower portion of the presenter belt 730. Each proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is mounted so as to not inhibit motion of its lower presenter belt but to be close enough to the under surface of the upper portion of the lower presenter belt so as to detect objects above the top surface of the belt.
In an embodiment, at least one proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is mounted beneath the under surface of the upper portion of each presenter belt 730. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that other arrangements are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, proximity detector sensor assembly 760 is mounted beneath the under surface of the upper portion of the central presenter belt 730 only. In another embodiment, proximity detector sensor assemblies 760 are mounted beneath the under surface of the upper portion of each outer presenter belt 730 only. In a further embodiment, cross member 740 projects only part way through presenter belts 730, for example only as far as the central belt of the three illustrated in the embodiment. In yet a further embodiment, a proximity detector assembly 760 is mounted at a position along cross member 740 which is not directly below the upper portion of a lower presenter belt 730.
Each proximity detector sensor 760 is electrically connected by electrical connection wiring 770 to proximity detector control circuitry, which will be described later with reference to
Also illustrated is proximity detector sensor assembly 760 orientated approximately parallel to a lower presenter belt 730 and attached to cross member 740. In an embodiment proximity detector sensor assembly 760 may be mounted to cross member 740 in such a way as to be detachable. In another embodiment, proximity detector sensor assembly 760 may be fixed to cross member 740 in such a way as to allow adjustment of its position in relation to lower presenter belt 730. In one embodiment as illustrated, side member 710 terminates at its end closest to the shutter assembly in two finger-like portions 780 extending above and below the axle of the front most pulleys of the lower presenter belts 730.
When an object, for example cash claw 400 as previously illustrated is inserted in to the presenter area of the ATM, as illustrated in
The operation of an embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the flow diagram of
At step 1000, an object (e.g., cash claw 400) is detected in the proximity of a presenter belt in the presenter area of the ATM 100 by one or more of the proximity detector assemblies 760. At this point in time the dispenser shutter 245 is open after the perpetrator's transaction.
At step 1005, an LED 820 associated with one of the proximity detector assemblies 760 illuminates. At step 1010, one or all of the proximity detector assembly sensors of the assemblies which are deployed and are in use and which have detected the object 400 transmit, for example, a 24 volt signal to the control circuitry to signal that the dispenser shutter 245 should remain open. At step 1015 a switching means for controlling ATM motors is activated. The switching means may comprise two switching means, a first switching means 850 for operating the dispenser shutter motor 870 and a second switching means 860 for operating the ATM main operating motor 880.
At step 1020, a signal is sent by control circuitry 830 to operate first switching means 850 to disable the dispenser shutter motor 870 such that the shutter remains open when in the presence of an object such as cash claw 400, which causes the perpetrator to believe that the ATM is not working to motivate the perpetrator to withdraw the cash claw 400 from the ATM without damaging the ATM.
Some financial institutions operate a presenter clear cycle run prior to a currency dispense operation which involves operation of presenter belts. If such a presenter clear cycle takes place when an object such as cash claw 400 is present in the presenter area of the ATM, serious damage may be caused. Optionally, therefore, control circuitry 830 also operates second switching means 860 such that it disables ATM main operating motor 880 and operation of the presenter clear cycle is prevented. This disabling function also prevents the clearing operation taking place if the safe door is opened by an ATM operator.
At step 1025 control circuitry 830 detects that there is no longer any detection signal from the one or more proximity detector sensors 810 of assemblies 760 so that there is no longer an indication of an object in the proximity of one or more of the presenter belts, for example, because the perpetrator has removed the object 400 from the presenter area of the ATM.
At step 1035 the absence of a detection signal causes control circuitry 830 send another control signal to activate switching means 850 to reconnect the dispenser shutter motor 870 to electrical power to close the dispensing shutter normally. If previously disconnected, control circuitry 830 also initiates an action for activating switching means such that second switching means 860 reconnects the ATM main operating motor 880 and the ATM may return to normal operation.
In another embodiment, at optional step 1030, the proximity detector control assembly comprises a power restoration delay timer in the control circuitry 830 which commences timing operation when the removal of the object is detected. This provides a “wait state” period during which ATM operation is disabled with the shutter in the open position rather than immediately restoring power to motors, including dispenser shutter motor 870 and main operating motor 880.
The timer may be set for a configurable period of time after which normal operation of the ATM commences as power is restored. In one embodiment, the configurable period of time can be from zero to fifteen minutes. However, a person skilled in the art will realize that other configurable time periods are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
The present invention provides a security apparatus, comprising: (i) at least one proximity detector for detecting a cash capture device in a presenter area of an automatic teller machine (ATM) and for generating a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and (ii) control circuitry for receiving the detecting signal from the at least one proximity detector and, in response to receiving the detecting signal, for causing a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position, wherein each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry, and wherein the dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM.
The security apparatus may further comprise: first switching means for receiving from the control circuitry a first control signal that causes the dispensing shutter to remain in the open position via disconnection, by the first switching means, of access to electrical power by a shutter motor configured to open or close the dispensing shutter.
The first switching means may be configured, after the first control signal is received, to receive from the control circuitry another control signal that causes the first switching means to reconnect access to electrical power by the shutter motor to enable the shutter motor to close the dispensing shutter.
The present invention provides a machine comprising the ATM which comprises the security apparatus.
The present invention provides a method, and associated computer program product, for providing security to an automatic teller machine (ATM) having a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM, wherein the method comprises: (i) detecting, by a proximity detector of at least one proximity detector in a security apparatus in the ATM, the cash capture device in the presenter area of the ATM and generating, by the proximity detector, a detecting signal in response to the cash capture device being detected; and (ii) receiving, by control circuitry in the security apparatus from the proximity detector, the detecting signal and in response causing, by the control circuitry, a dispensing shutter of the ATM to remain in an open position, wherein each proximity detector is electrically connected to the control circuitry, and wherein the dispensing shutter in the open position is configured, in an absence of the cash capture device in the ATM, to dispense paper currency processed and stored in the presenter area of the ATM.
The method may further comprise: receiving, by first switching means in the security apparatus from the control circuitry, a first control signal that causes the dispensing shutter to remain in the open position via disconnection, by the first switching means, of access to electrical power by a shutter motor configured to open or close the dispensing shutter.
The method may further comprise: after said receiving the first control signal, receiving, by the first switching means from the control circuitry, another control signal that causes the first switching means to reconnect access to electrical power by the shutter motor to enable the shutter motor to close the dispensing shutter.
The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.
Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
A computer program product comprises a computer readable storage medium in a security apparatus in an automatic teller machine (ATM). The storage medium has computer readable program code stored therein. The program code contains instructions which, upon being executed by one or more processors in the security apparatus, implement the methods of the present invention, including a a method for providing security to the ATM, wherein the ATM comprises a cash capture device in a presenter area of the ATM.
It will be clear to one skilled in the art that many improvements and modifications can be made to the foregoing exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1315986.8 | Sep 2013 | GB | national |
