Automatic teller machine (ATM) for vehicle driver

The present invention relates to an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver, and more particularly, to an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver in which a display unit itself of the automated teller machine is configured to be rotatable so that the vehicle driver may manipulate the display unit conveniently, whereby the vehicle driver can easily verify the data displayed on the display unit and input the information as necessary. The automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the present invention comprises a main body installed in a financial service area; a panel unit provided on a front surface of the main body to be provided with a financial transaction means; a display unit provided at one side of the panel unit, the display unit being configured to be rotatable frontward and rearward; a manual button unit provided at a predetermined location of the panel unit to receive a rotational angle of the display unit from a vehicle driver; and a control unit for controlling the rotational angle of the display unit through a signal transmitted from the manual button unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver, and more particularly, to an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver in which a display unit itself of the automated teller machine is configured to be rotatable so that the vehicle driver may manipulate the display unit conveniently, whereby the vehicle driver can easily verify the data displayed on the display unit and input the information as necessary while the vehicle driver remains in a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

An automated teller machine (ATM) is an automated machine which can assist basic financial services such as deposit or withdrawal without any bank clerk regardless of time and place in relation to financial services. The automated teller machine is constructed such that a customer can directly perform financial transactions such as deposit and withdrawal with a medium such as an ATM card or a bankbook.

Recently, in the financial institutions, the automated teller machines have been increasingly installed in order to substitute the bank teller's inherent service with the automated teller machines due to the reduction in labor costs.

In the meantime, such automated teller machines have been installed at various places such as unmanned sectors for the financial institutions, convenience stores, public institutions and the like. Recently, for the convenience of customers driving their respective vehicles, a financial service area for a vehicle driver has been generated in the financial institutions in order that even a customer within a vehicle can utilize the automated teller machines.

However, since the automated teller machine in such a financial service area is installed such that the customer can perform the financial transactions through a window of the vehicle while the customer is in the vehicle, sometimes the customers have difficulty in verifying the information provided onto a display unit of the automated teller machine and inputting the data as necessary due to the difference in the heights of vehicles or customers.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, accordingly, an automated teller machine which is movable has been developed, and such an automated teller machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,289 entitled “Dispensing Apparatus and Deposit Apparatus for Drive up Machine” (herein, referred to as “Prior Art 1”) and Japanese laid open patent publication No. 1995-272064 entitled “Automated Transaction Apparatus (herein, referred to as “Prior Art 2”).

FIG. 1is a view illustrating a configuration of Prior Art 1 described above.

Referring toFIG. 1, an automated teller machine according to Prior Art 1 consists of a data input unit1manipulated by a driver, a sensing means2for sensing a window of a vehicle, and a moving means3for enabling the data input unit1to be moved vertically and horizontally by means of the sensing means2. If the vehicle is introduced into and stopped in a financial service area, the sensing means2senses the window of the vehicle so that the moving means3allows the data input unit1to be moved to a location adjacent to the window of the stopped vehicle, and therefore, the driver inputs the data through the data input unit1.

FIG. 2is a view illustrating a configuration of Prior Art 2 described above. An automated teller machine according to Prior Art 2 consists of a main body1′ for processing a financial transaction with a driver positioned within a vehicle, a location-detecting means2′ for detecting the location of the vehicle which is approaching toward the main body1′, and a main body location-adjusting means3′ for allowing the main body1′ to be moved horizontally and vertically according to the detection result of the location-detecting means2′ so that the location of the main body1′, the distance between the main body1′ and the vehicle, and the height of the main body1′ may be adjusted. When the vehicle approaches to the main body and is stopped, the location-detecting means3′ detects the vehicle, and the main body location-adjusting means3′ provided at a lower end of the main body1′ allows the main body1′ to be moved to a location adjacent to the vehicle. Then, the driver inputs the data.

In Prior Arts 1 and 2 as described above, the main body of the automated teller machine is configured to be directly moved to a location adjacent to the vehicle. In these structures, since the main body of the automated teller machine, which has a large volume, is directly moved to the driver, a large space is required for operating the automated teller machine. As such, the power consumption is so high that the efficiency of the automated teller machine is lowered. In addition, the driver waits until the main body is moved and approaches to the vehicle, and then performs the financial transaction, so that there is a problem in that the financial transaction is temporally delayed more or less.

Also, since the main body is directly moved in the forward and backward directions in a vehicle passage, the main body may cause an accident with the vehicle and influence detrimentally a safety of the vehicle driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is conceived to solve the above-mentioned problem. An object of the present invention is to provide an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver in which an angle of a display unit provided on a front surface of the automated teller machine is configured to be directly adjustable by a driver within a vehicle so that the driver may conveniently perform a financial transaction while the driver remains in the vehicle.

In order to achieve the above object, the automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the present invention comprises a main body installed in a financial service area; a panel unit provided on a front surface of the main body to be provided with a financial transaction means; a display unit provided at one side of the panel unit, the display unit being configured to be rotatable frontward and rearward; a manual button unit provided at a predetermined location of the panel unit to receive a rotational angle of the display unit from the vehicle driver; and a control unit for controlling the rotational angle of the display unit through a signal transmitted from the manual button unit.

As described above, the automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the present invention is constructed such that the driver within the vehicle introduced in the financial transaction area can directly adjust the angle of the display unit provided on the front surface of the automated teller machine, whereby the driver within a vehicle can conveniently verify the information, input information, and perform the financial transaction. Simultaneously, the present invention has the advantageous effects in that it is possible to install the automated teller machine in a narrow space and to save the maintenance cost due to the low power consumption.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments unless modifications and changes thereto are departed from the technical sprit of the invention.

FIG. 3is a view showing an external configuration of an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 4is a view showing an internal configuration of an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the automated teller machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body10installed in a financial service area, a panel unit20provided on a front surface of the main body10to be provided with a financial transaction means, a display unit30provided at one side of the panel unit20to be rotatable frontward and rearward, a manual button unit40provided at a predetermined location of the panel unit20to receive a rotational angle of the display unit30from the vehicle driver, and a control unit50provided in the main body to control the rotational angle of the display unit through a signal transmitted from the manual button unit40.

The main body10forms an external appearance of the automated teller machine and installed in the financial service area at which the vehicle driver conducts a financial transaction.

The panel unit20is provided at an upper portion of the main body so that the panel unit20is provided in the front surface thereof with a financial transaction means such as the display unit30, a button-operating part21, a card-inserting part22, a bankbook-introducing part23, a specification-outputting part24and a bill-depositing/withdrawing part25, so that the driver within the vehicle may directly conduct the financial transaction.

The display unit30is a display means through which various kinds of information required for the financial transaction is inputted and outputted. The display unit30is composed of a touch screen to enable the driver to input necessary data with verifying the provided information while he(she) is sitting in the vehicle.

The display unit30is integrated with a housing31surrounding the external periphery of the display unit30and inserted into and fixed to the panel unit20. Hinges32are provided at both side edges of a lower portion of the housing31to be fixed to the panel unit20. As such, the housing31surrounding the display unit30can be rotated together with the display unit30within a certain angle range with respect to the hinges served as a rotational axis.

The display unit30is fixed to the panel unit21in a state where the display unit30is inclined forward by approximately 10° so that the driver within the vehicle may comfortably view the display unit30. By means of the manual button unit40described later, the display unit30can be adjusted into a state in which the driver utilizes conveniently the display unit30.

The manual button unit40consists of a plurality of operating buttons41,42and43arranged on the front surface of the panel unit20. Each of the operating buttons41,42and43is configured to enable the display unit30to be rotated by a predetermined angle, so that each operating button41,42or43transmits a signal to the control unit50described later to adjust a rotational angle of the display unit30. In addition, a button frame44to which the operating buttons41,42and43are mounted can be protruded by a certain height from the panel unit20so as to enable the driver within a vehicle to operate conveniently the operating buttons41,42and43.

For example, the manual button unit40can be configured such that the display unit30inclined at 10° from a surface of the panel unit20is further inclined by 8° when the operating button41located at the uppermost portion, the display unit is further inclined by 8° from the former location when the operating button42located at the mid portion and the display unit can be inclined by at the maximum angle at which the display unit can be inclined, when the operating button43located at the lower portion. In this description, the manual button unit40consisting of three operating buttons is illustrated. However, the manual button unit can be constructed to enable the display unit30to be rotated upward and downward at regular angle through only two buttons.

The control unit50is connected to the manual button unit40so that the control unit50may control the rotational angle of the display unit30by means of the signal transmitted from the manual button unit40. That is, if the vehicle driver manipulates the manual button unit40to allow the signal to be transmitted to the control unit50, the control unit50controls the rotational angle of the display unit30so that the rotational angle may be adjusted to an angle which corresponds to the corresponding operating buttons41,42and43.

In the meantime, an angle adjusting device60is provided within the panel unit20to enable the display unit30to be rotated forward and rearward, and the angle adjusting device60is connected to the control unit50and the housing31surrounding the display unit30.

FIG. 5is a view showing an external configuration of the angle adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 6is a view showing an internal configuration of the angle adjusting device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the angle adjusting device60includes a case61; a driving motor62fixed to one inner side of the case61; a transfer screw63, one end of which is connected to the driving motor62, to be rotated according to the operation of the driving motor62; a transfer guide64inserted into and connected to the other end of the transfer screw63so that the rotation of the transfer screw63allows the transfer guide64to be transferred in the lengthwise direction of the transfer screw63; and a transfer frame65coupled to the transfer guide64so that the transfer frame may be transferred in the lengthwise direction of the transfer screw63together with the transfer guide64.

The driving motor62, the transfer screw63, the transfer guide64and the transfer frame65are accommodated in the case61, and a pair of guide grooves611are formed on both sides of a lower surface of the case61in the lengthwise direction so that a fixing plate652for connecting the display unit30to the transfer frame65described later may pass through the guide grooves611to be fixed thereto.

The driving motor62is fixed to the one inner side of the case61, and a driving shaft of the driving motor62is protruded out of the case61. A driving gear621is coupled to the driving shaft.

The transfer screw63is fixed to coupling openings612formed on one inner side and the other inner side of the case61. A shaft gear631engaged with the driving gear621is provided at one end of the transfer screw63so that the rotational motion of the driving gear621may be transmitted to the shaft gear63to rotate the transfer screw63. Preferably, if an auxiliary gear622disposed between the driving gear621and the shaft gear631is engaged with the driving gear621and the shaft gear631, the dimensions of the driving gear621and the shaft gear631can be reduced, so that the driving gear621and the shaft gear631may not be protruded outwards when the case61is secured to the panel unit20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the driving gear621and the shaft gear631from being interfered with an external device.

The other end of the transfer screw63is inserted into and coupled to the transfer guide64. If the transfer screw63is rotated by the driving motor62, the transfer guide64is transferred in the lengthwise direction along a screw-thread formed on the transfer screw63.

The transfer screw63has a transfer plate651fixed to the transfer guide64, and a pair of fixing plates652for connecting the transfer guide64and the display unit30to each other.

Here, the rotation of the transfer screw63allows the transfer plate651to be transferred together with the transfer guide64. Also, a pair of guide rods66may be provided on both inner sides of the case61so that the transfer plate651may be stably transferred along the guide rods66.

In addition, a pair of fixing plates652may be configured to pass through a pair of guide grooves611formed on the lower surface of the case61, respectively. One side of each fixing plat is connected to the transfer plate651in the case61while the other sides of the fixing plates are connected to both sides of the housing31, respectively.

And, through holes652aare formed at lower portions of the fixing plates652, respectively, and a fixing bar33traversing the pair of through holes652ais provided at an upper portion of the housing31. Both ends of the fixing bar33are connected to both ends of the upper portion of the housing31so that the housing31and the display30can be naturally rotated according to the movement of the transfer guide64.

At this time, each through hole652ais formed as a through hole elongated in the vertical direction so that the fixing bar33inserted into the through holes652amay be moved upward and downward in the through holes652a.

In other words, if the driving motor62is driven in a state where the through holes652aof the fixing plate652are connected to the fixing bar33of the housing31, the fixing plate652is moved frontward and backward along the transfer guide64, the housing31connected to the fixing plate652is rotated with respect to the hinges32served as the rotational axis and provided at a lower portion thereof, and the fixing plate33is moved upward or downward in the elongated through hole652aalong a rotational radius of the housing31.

As such, if the driving motor62is driven by means of the control of the control unit50in the angle adjusting device60, the driving gear621connected to the driving motor62is rotated, and the shaft gear631of the transfer screw63configured to be engaged with the driving gear621is rotated to rotate the transfer screw63, so that the transfer guide64coupled to the transfer screw63is moved frontward and backward. At this time, the transfer frame65connected to the transfer guide64is also moved together with the transfer guide64along the guide rod66and the guide groove611, and the housing31connected to the transfer frame65is simultaneously rotated with respect to the hinges32served as the rotational axis. In other words, the housing31surrounding the display unit30is secured to the panel unit20by means of the hinges32provided at the lower portion thereof, and the housing31is moved into or out of the panel unit20with respect to the hinges32served as the rotational axis according to an operation of the angle adjusting device60connected to an upper portion of the housing31, so that the rotational angle is adjusted.

In addition, the rotational range of the display unit30is determined by a moving distance of the transfer guide64moved along the transfer screw63. The angle adjusting device60further includes a brake67for braking the rotation of the transfer screw63, so that the rotational angle range within which the housing31is rotated may be adjusted by means of the control of the control unit50.

The brake67is provided at a location opposite to the driving motor62in the case61and provided with a first braking gear671provided out of the case61. A second braking gear632engaged with the first braking gear671is provided at one end of the transfer screw63to brake the rotating transfer screw63.

Next, an operation and usage state of the automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the present invention constructed as above are illustrated.

FIG. 7is a view showing a usage state of an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8is a view showing an operating state of the angle adjusting device and the display unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 7, if a vehicle is introduced in a financial service area and stopped in front of the automated teller machine100, a driver pushes the operating button of the manual button unit40provided on the panel unit of the ATM100to adjust the angle of the display unit30suitable to a height of the vehicle or the driver's height.

Referring toFIG. 8, if the signal for adjusting the angle of the display unit30is inputted from the manual button unit40, the control unit50drives the driving motor62of the angle adjusting device60, the shaft gear631of the transfer screw63, which is engaged with the driving gear621, is rotated according to the operation of the driving motor62, and the transfer guide64coupled to the transfer screw63is moved forward along the screw-thread of the transfer screw63by means of the rotation of the transfer screw63. As a result, the transfer frame65fixed to the transfer guide64is simultaneously moved in the forward direction.

As such, the pair of fixing plates652constituting the transfer frame65are also moved forward, and the housing31connected to the fixing plates by the fixing bar33passing through the through holes652aformed at a lower portion of the fixing plate652is rotated forward with respect to the hinge32fixed to the lower portion thereof and served as the rotational axis, so that the display unit30provided on the housing31may be rotated forward.

If the angle of the display unit30, whose inclination was adjusted as described, is inappropriate, the driver manipulates the operating button of the manual button unit40again, so that the display unit30may be adjusted to be an angle that is the most comfortable for the driver. Even in this case, it will be apparent that the angle adjusting device30is operated through the manner which is the same as that described with reference toFIG. 8.

If an angle adjustment of the display unit30is completed, the driver touches a surface of the display unit30to input the data and to conduct a predetermined financial transaction.

Thereinafter, if a predetermined transaction is completed, the display unit is returned to its original state.

Hereinafter, other embodiments of the automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the present invention constituted as described above will be illustrated.

FIG. 9is a view showing a configuration and usage state of an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, an automated teller machine200for a vehicle driver according to the second embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body110installed in a financial service area, a panel unit120provided on a front surface of the main body110to be provided with a financial transaction means, a display unit130provided at one side of the panel unit120to be rotatable frontward and rearward, a sensing unit140provided at the main body110to recognize the height of a vehicle, and a control unit50for controlling a rotational angle of the display unit130through a signal transmitted from the sensing unit140.

Here, a configuration and operation of each of the main body110, the panel unit120, the display unit130and the control unit150of the automated teller machine200for a vehicle driver according to the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of each of the structural members constituting of the automated teller machine according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4.

In the sensing unit140, a plurality of sensors are vertically disposed on one side of a front surface of the main body110to sense the height of vehicle introduced in the financial service area. Here, the ultrasonic sensor, the infrared sensor and the like may are utilized as the sensor.

If the sensing unit140measures the height of the vehicle, for example, heights of the roof and the window of the vehicle, and transmits the signal to the control unit150, the control unit150controls the angle adjusting device to enable the display unit130to be rotated by an angle corresponding to a measured height of the vehicle.

A manual button unit170may be further provided on the main body110. In this case, in a state where the play unit130is inclined at a certain angle by the sensing unit140, the driver manipulates the manual button unit170to finely adjust the angle of the display unit140, so that the display unit130may be adjusted to a state that is suitable for a position of the driver.

FIG. 10is a view showing a configuration and usage state of an automated teller machine for a vehicle driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 10, an automated teller machine300for a vehicle driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body210installed in a financial service area, a panel unit220provided on a front surface of the main body210to be provided with a financial transaction means, a display unit230provided at one side of the panel unit220to be rotatable frontward and rearward, a sensing unit240provided at a front surface of the main body210to recognize whether a vehicle is introduced in front of the main body; and a control unit (not shown) for controlling a rotational angle of the display unit230through a signal transmitted from the sensing unit240.

Here, a configuration and operation of each of the main body210, the panel unit220, the display unit230and the control unit (not shown) of the automated teller machine300for a vehicle driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of each of the structural members constituting of the automated teller machine according to the first embodiment shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4.

In the sensing unit240, a plurality of sensors are horizontally disposed on one side of a front surface of the main body11to determine whether a vehicle is introduced in front of the main body210. Here, the ultrasonic sensor, the infrared sensor and the like may are utilized as the sensor.

The sensing unit240transmits a signal to the control unit (not shown) only in a case where a plurality of sensors may sense simultaneously an object, that is, a vehicle. In other words, if a vehicle is stopped in front of the automated teller machine300for a vehicle driver according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sensors disposed on the main body210sense simultaneously the object due to a length of vehicle and transmit the signal to the control unit (not shown), and the control unit (not shown) drives the angle adjusting device (not shown) in response to the signal so that an angle of the display unit230is automatically adjusted. At this time, the display unit230can be inclined at a maximum rotational angle or at an approximately intermediary angle within a rotational angle range. The rotational angle of the display unit can be determined by a predetermined angle in the control unit (not shown).

A manual button unit250may be further provided in the main body210. In this case, in the state where the display unit230is inclined at a certain angle by the sensing unit240, the driver manipulates the manual button unit250to finely adjust the angle of the display unit230, so that the display unit may be adjusted to a state that is suitable for the position of the driver.

As described above, the automated teller machine for a vehicle driver is advantageous in that since an angle of the display unit is adjusted by sensing a vehicle through the sensing unit and the driver within a vehicle can adjust directly and finely a height of the display unit so that the vehicle driver can verify the information and input information conveniently to perform easily the financial transaction. In addition, a vertical distance and a horizontal distance between the vehicle driver and the display unit are adjusted by only the angle adjustment for the display unit without moving the main body, so that the present invention has the advantageous effects in that the automated teller machine may be installed in a narrow space and the efficiency of the machine may be increased due to the low power consumption.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and substitutions can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment and the accompanying drawings.