Abstract:
An automated teller machine ( 10 ) comprising means ( 30 ) for generating and presenting an avatar ( 36 ) to the user, wherein characteristics, such as facial expressions, of the avatar ( 36 ) are dependent on inputs from users and a customer relationship management system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a self-service terminal and network of such terminals for enabling a dialog between the terminal and a server environment. In particular, the invention relates to an automated teller machine or retail station that is able to communicate with a customer relationship management server.  
         [0002]     Various approaches are currently available for enabling a dialog between self-service terminals and server environments. These allow a dialog controlled by the server to be presented to the consumer. As an example, it is sometimes desirable to allow ATMs to communicate with a customer relationship management server, which is able to provide personalized information to a customer, and/or advertising material that may be of interest. In existing systems information downloaded from the server is presented to the user in a text-based format, sometimes including images or pictures. Whilst this is very direct and unambiguous way to provide information, there is a need for a more sophisticated and responsive user interface.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine, comprising means for generating and presenting an avatar to the user. By using an avatar in an ATM environment to communicate information the overall experience for a user is simplified and enhanced. By avatar it is meant an image of a character and in particular animated character, such as an animation of a human being or an animal.  
         [0004]     Preferably, the self-service terminal is adapted to receive user inputs and control one or more characteristics or features of the avatar based on those inputs. The characteristics or features may be facial expressions and/or hand movements or body movements.  
         [0005]     Additionally or alternatively, the terminal may be configured to receive an input from a remote processor and control one or more features of the avatar based on that input. The remote processor may be associated with a customer relationship management system. The input from the remote processor may comprise personalized information for the user.  
         [0006]     The self-service terminal may include means for generating speech simultaneously with the avatar.  
         [0007]     Preferably, the means for generating an avatar is operable to generate one of a plurality of avatars. Preferably, the remote processor is operable to specify which one of the plurality of avatars should be presented to the user.  
         [0008]     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising a self-service terminal that has means for generating and presenting an avatar to a user and a remote information provider for providing instructions for controlling or effecting one or more characteristics of the avatar.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     Various aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a network for providing personalized information to the user of an automated teller machine;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic and more detailed view of the system of  FIG. 1 , and  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the ATM of  FIG. 1  in use. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows an ATM  10  that can communicate with a host via a network  14 , typically a secure banking internet. As is standard, the host is able to provide authorization and transactional information to the ATM to allow its standard transactional functionality to be performed, such as dispensing cash or receiving customer deposits. Provided in the ATM  10  is a main control application  16  that is operable to control most of the functionality of the terminal, such as communicating with the host, presenting information on screen (not shown) and responding to user key strokes or touch screen events or speech recognition software. Also included in the ATM  10  is a communication module  18  for establishing a communication link with the host and additionally a web service component or adaptor that is provided in a remote web server  22 .  
         [0014]     The web service adaptor is able to communicate with a CRM server  24 , which is operable to provide services such as advertising information or customer personalization details. Associated with the CRM server  24  is a relationship database  26 , which contains information on currently available advertising campaigns as well as personal information relating to users of the ATM network. This personal information can be supplied via various different channels. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the CRM server  24  can be accessed by a number of different channels, for example using a PC to gain online access, whether in a consumers home or in a banking environment or by telephone. In the latter case, although consumer access is via telephone, it will be appreciated that there has to be some form of PC interface to the CRM server. It should be noted that although in  FIG. 1  the web server  22  and the CRM server  24  are shown as being physically separate, this is a logical separation and both of these may be provided on the same machine.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows the ATM of  FIG. 1  in more detail. From this it can be seen that the control application  16  includes a consumer application for receiving and responding to user inputs  28 , a CRM client application  29  for communicating with the CRM, and an avatar module  30 , which is operable to generate an animated image for presenting on the screen of the ATM. Systems and methods for generating such animations are well known and so will not be described in detail. The ATM also includes a text to speech module  32  for generating speech simultaneously with the animated images, so that the impression can be created of a character that is conversing and interacting directly with the customer.  
         [0016]     The avatar module  30  is operable to receive instructions from the ATM consumer application  28  and modify the character displayed on screen accordingly. The instructions from the consumer application  28  are typically dependent on the selections that a user makes. In order to personalize the user&#39;s experience, the instructions from the consumer application  28  are also responsive to signals or messages sent from the CRM. In either case, to accommodate this, the consumer application  28  is adapted to send commands to the avatar module  30  to cause any desired changes in any one or more features of the avatar presented. Likewise, commands are sent to the speech module  32  to cause appropriate speech to be generated. These commands can either be generated at the consumer application  28  in response to information from the CRM or merely passed from the CRM server to the avatar module  30  via the consumer flow application  28 . Where the command is generated by the CRM, this will typically be in XML format, with the avatar and/or speech commands provided as an extension file or string of information.  
         [0017]     As an example of a feature that may be changed in response to user input or commands from the CRM, the avatar module may be operable to generate a plurality of different types of character, each targeted for a different generation or category of customers. In this case, once the CRM has identified the customer and their age, then it could send a signal to the consumer flow application to instruct the avatar module  30  to present a selected one of the plurality of characters. Alternatively or additionally, each avatar may be associated with a set of actions, such as smile, wave, frown etc. Each action would have a name or some other form of identifier. In this case, the CRM may be able to specify within the XML script when to start and stop actions as appropriate. For example the CRM may be operable to specify whether the avatar should have facial expressions that are serious or whether the avatar should smile. Below is an example of a script that could be used to cause the avatar to smile once and then stop, although as will be appreciated, this could be modified depending on the arrangement between the avatar and its interface: 
        &lt;speak&gt;Hello, I am about to smile.&lt;action name=“smile”&gt; Now I am smiling. &lt;/action name=“smile”&gt; I am no longer smiling.&lt;/speak&gt;
 
 This structure allows more than one tag to be applied to the avatar at the same time. The avatar module  30  determines how to represent the instruction. 
       
 
         [0019]     In use of the system of  FIG. 1 , a user inserts his card into the ATM card slot and enters his personal identification number. As is standard, the ATM  10  seeks authorization to provide financial information from the host  12 . In the event that this is confirmed, the consumer flow application  28  opens communications with the CRM system  24  via the web server  22 , and sends a signal identifying the user. At the same time, the consumer flow application  28  sends a message including user specific information, such as the customer&#39;s name, to the avatar module  30 , together with a command to present a suitable avatar. This causes the avatar module  30  to generate and present on the ATM screen  34  an animated character  36  saying, for example, “Good morning Mr Black”.  
         [0020]     Once the CRM system  24  is notified that a particular customer is using the ATM  10 , it is adapted to search its records and identify user specific information. For example, it may have a record that Mr Black always uses the £100 fast cash option. In this case, the CRM could be configured to send a command to the consumer flow application to cause the avatar and speech modules  30  and  32  to generate a character that asks “Would you like your usual £100 fast cash option?”. Whilst the avatar is presented on screen, the consumer flow application would cause the presentation of on-screen options for allowing the user to respond. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , one button on the ATM may be allocated to the response “yes” and another may be allocated to the response “no”. As is standard, were the user to select yes, the fast cash transaction would be carried out. Once the cash is dispensed, the consumer flow application sends a command to the avatar module  30  to cause the avatar  36  to say “Thank you for using this terminal”. In this way, by responding to user inputs and reacting to information from the CRM, the avatar  36  appears to react to and interact with the customer. This provides for a simplified and enhanced experience.  
         [0021]     A skilled person will appreciate that variations of the disclosed arrangements are possible without departing from the invention. For example, whilst the CRM client application of  FIG. 2  is shown as communicating with the avatar via the consumer flow application, communication could be via any other suitable channel. Alternatively or additionally, whilst the avatar  36  described above is able to provide personalized instruction to the consumer, the CRM  24  could cause the avatar to present information relating to special financial offers, which offers are specifically targeted at the customer. Also, it is appreciated that some customers may not wish to be presented with an avatar. To this end, the CRM may be operable to send to the ATM a signal to prevent usage of the avatar. Alternatively, the system may be set up so that the default is that no avatar is used. In this case, an avatar would only be presented in response to specific instructions from the CRM. Accordingly, the above description of a specific embodiment is made by way of example only and not for the purposes of limitation. It will be clear to the skilled person that minor modifications may be made without significant changes to the operation described.