Abstract:
A low profile illuminated ATM surround is provided. The surround is used with ATMs which are mounted through a wall. The surround is attached to the wall, providing a broad illuminated advertising area around the ATM while maintaining a very low profile, allowing the surround to be used in locations where minimal space is available.

Description:
THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to automated teller machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to surrounds used in installing an ATM. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    An increasing amount of banking is done without utilizing a bank teller. Many transactions are performed outside of the bank itself and without interacting with a bank employee. Automated teller machines, or ATMs are increasingly used to handle banking transactions such as cash withdrawal as they are convenient and often faster than using a bank teller or drive through window. 
         [0003]    As ATMs are used for a higher fraction of a bank&#39;s transactions, they become an increasingly important part of the bank&#39;s branding and customer image. Banks have made attempts to distinguish their ATMs from other banks&#39; ATMs so that their customers can quickly recognize their own banks ATMs. ATMs have thus become an important advertising venue and an important trademark and branding element. 
         [0004]    To make their ATMs easily recognizable, banks often integrate their logo onto or around the ATM itself and also use signs and other devices with the ATM to draw the attention of customers. There is a need to make ATMs more easily recognized by customers, more user friendly to customers, and to otherwise increase the attractiveness and visibility of the ATM. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved surround for through-the-wall ATMs. 
         [0006]    According to one aspect of the invention, an ATM surround is provided which extends around the customer interface of a through-the-wall ATM. The ATM surround is typically mounted to the wall and the customer interface of the ATM extends through an opening in the surround. According to another aspect of the invention, an illuminated flat panel ATM surround is provided. The ATM surround provides a flat area which is presented to people around the ATM and which provides a broad illuminated area usable for advertising, images, graphics or logos. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects of the present invention are realized in an illuminated ATM surround as shown and described in the following figures and related description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Various embodiments of the present invention are shown and described in reference to the numbered drawings wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a front view of an installed ATM surround according to the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the installed ATM surround of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate cross sectional view of the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an LED panel for the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of the LED panel of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of an ATM surround of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  shows a perspective view of an ATM surround of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows another front view of an installed ATM surround of the present invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the surround of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
       [0019]    It will be appreciated that the drawings are illustrative and not limiting of the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims. The embodiments shown accomplish various aspects and objects of the invention. It is appreciated that it is not possible to clearly show each element and aspect of the invention in a single figure, and as such, multiple figures are presented to separately illustrate the various details of the invention in greater clarity. Similarly, not every embodiment need accomplish all advantages of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The invention and accompanying drawings will now be discussed in reference to the numerals provided therein so as to enable one skilled in the art to practice the present invention. The drawings and descriptions are exemplary of various aspects of the invention and are not intended to narrow the scope of the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 1 , a front view of an installed ATM surround according to the present invention is shown. The surround  10  is installed in combination with an ATM  14  that is mounted through a wall  18 . The ATM  14  is typically installed inside of a building so that the ATM itself is in a secure environment. The ATM customer interface  22  extends through the wall and through the surround  10  so as to be accessible to a customer. A small bezel is typically used around the customer interface  22  and the corresponding opening  82  in the surround. The wall  18  may be an exterior wall, placing the ATM itself in a secure part of a bank or other building. In this situation, the customer interface  22  will extend through the wall and be accessible outside of the building. The wall  18  may also be an interior wall, placing the customer interface  22  in a building lobby. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 . It can be seen how the ATM  14  is mounted on one side of the wall  18  as well as how the customer interface  22  extends through the wall  18  and through the surround  10 . In a typical installation, the surround  10  and the ATM customer interface  22  are the only parts which are visible to a customer. 
         [0023]    As is visible in  FIG. 1 , the surround  10  includes a frame  26  and an illuminated field  30 . The illuminated field  30  is backlit so that the entire field  30  is illuminated. The field area  30  is typically used to display a graphic element  34 . The graphic element  34  may be a picture, logo, color, etc. and may often fill the entire illuminated field area  30 . A bank will often use the illuminated field area  30  to display their own name or logo so that customers can easily recognize the ATM. 
         [0024]    The surround  10  provides an area which is much larger than the customer interface  22 . Typical surrounds  10  may be about 4 feet wide and about 6 or 8 feet tall while the customer interface  22  is often about 20 inches wide and tall. As such, the illuminated field area  30  provides a large area around the customer interface  22 . The illuminated field area  30  may be a foot wide or more on the sides of the ATM and may provide several feet above and/or below the ATM. As such, the field area  30  provides a large area for displaying a graphic, name, or logo and, since it is illuminated, provides high visibility for the ATM. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows how the surround  10  is very low profile and does not extend far from the wall  18 . The surround  10  is mounted to the wall so that the surround and the illuminated field  30  are parallel to the wall. Typically, the surround may be about 2.5 inches thick or less. The surround may often be between about 2.5 inches thick and about 1.375 inches thick. This provides several benefits. The surround  10  allows for easy access to the ATM, particularly for handicapped people, as the surround does not extend further than the customer interface in most installations. This provides room below the customer interface and does not interfere with placing a wheelchair close to the ATM. Because the surround  10  is thin, the surround minimizes any intrusion into a sidewalk or lobby where the ATM is accessed. This makes it easier to install an ATM and surround where space is limited. Additionally, the thin surround  10  provides a very clean and modern appearance, making the ATM more visually appealing. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of a portion of the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 . The surround  10  includes a frame  26  and an illuminated field area  30 . A partial cross sectional view of the top of an ATM surround is shown. As such, the left side of the surround  10  would face outwardly from the wall  18  and be visible to customers. The right side of the surround  10  would be placed against the wall  18 . The illuminated field area  30  is formed by several elements. Typically, the surround  10  includes a front panel  38  which is made of acrylic sheet or a similar material. An LED illumination panel  42  is held behind the front panel  38 . The LED panel  42  projects light forward and the light passes through the front panel  38 , illuminating the front panel and any graphic element  34  which is applied to the front panel. The surround  10  typically includes a spacer element  46  which maintains a predetermined space between the front panel  38  and the LED panel  42 . Additionally one or more clamp elements  50  are used to hold the front panel  38 , LED panel  42 , spacer element  46 , and frame  26  together. Fasteners, adhesive, welding, etc. may be used to attach the frame  26 , clamp elements  50 , and spacer element  46  together as necessary. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  shows an alternate cross sectional view of the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 . The surround shown in  FIG. 4  is similar to that shown in  FIG. 3  and differs in the fastening elements  50  and spacer element  46  used to secure the front panel  38  and the LED panel  42  to the frame  26 . The front panel  38  and LED panel  42  of  FIG. 4  are similar to those of  FIG. 3 . As has been discussed, the LED panel  42  projects light forward from the front face of the LED panel. Although not necessary in all applications, the front panel  38  is often spaced apart from the LED panel by a small distance in order to manage heat from the LED panel and to ensure even lighting of the front panel  38 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an LED panel for the ATM surround of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view of the LED panel of  FIG. 5 . The LED panel  42  includes a plurality of LEDs  54  mounted around the peripheral edges of an acrylic panel  66 . A heat sink  58 , such as an aluminum channel, encloses the edge of the panel  42  and is mounted against the LEDs  54  to conduct heat away from the LEDs. Typically, a square or rectangular panel  42  is used. The LEDs  54  and heat sink  58  extend around all four edges of the panel  54 . 
         [0029]    The LEDs  54  emit light into the edge of the panel in a direction parallel to the panel, as indicated by arrow  62 . The back surface of the acrylic panel  66  has a grid of small grooves  70  which are cut, etched, or otherwise formed in the acrylic panel. These grooves  70  reflect the light from the LEDs forwards and out of the acrylic panel  66  as shown by arrow  74 . A reflective white film  78  is placed over the back surface of the acrylic panel  66 , covering the grooves  70 . Between the grooves  70  and the film  78 , nearly all of the light emitted from the LEDs  54  is projected forwards out of the LED panel  42 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of an ATM surround of the present invention. The ATM surround  10  has been prepared for installation around the customer interface  22  of an ATM  14 . As such, an opening  82  has been cut into the front panel  38  and the LED panel  42 . Even though the LEDs  54  shine light inwardly towards the opening  82 , the LED panel  42  of the present invention still directs nearly all of the light forward and out the front face of the Led panel  42  and very little light is emitted through the opening  82 . Nearly all of the light is directed forwards through the illuminated field area  30 . The light is evenly emitted from the front of the LED panel  42 , providing even illumination for the front panel  38 . 
         [0031]    As has been discussed, the front panel  38  and associated structures are typically chosen to provide a branding and advertising benefit, such as displaying a bank name or logo. As the front panel  38  is typically chosen to provide a branding element, it is often selected to include a desired color or type of plastic and often includes printing, painting, or vinyl to display a desired graphic. The front panel  38  may include vinyl, printing, or painting on its front or back surface to present a graphic image to a user. This may be achieved through the use of different color and image patterns as well as selectively blocking light through the use of opaque paint or vinyl. 
         [0032]      FIG. 7B  shows an alternate perspective view of the surround shown in  FIG. 7A . The frame  26  includes a metal panel  26 A which extends inwardly from the left side of the frame, covering a portion of the front panel  38 . The metal panel  26 A may include cut out portions as indicated at  26 B. The metal panel  26 A will block light from passing through and allow light to pass through the cut out portions  26 B, providing an additional visual element to increase the attractiveness of the surround  10 . Such a metal panel  26 A may be used to present a name or logo as well as different decorative patterns. 
         [0033]      FIG. 8  shows another front view of an installed ATM surround of the present invention. The ATM surround  10  is similar to those discussed above and contains the same features and benefits unless otherwise noted. The surround  10  differs primarily in that it is wider, necessitating the use of two front panels  38  placed next to each other. More importantly, the surround  10  necessitates the use of two LED panels  42  placed next to each other. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the surround of  FIG. 8 , taken through the center of the surround  10  adjacent the joint between the two adjacent LED panels  42  and front panels  38 . Of particular interest, the adjacent LED panels  42  result in two adjacent heat sinks  58  located at the joint between the LED panels. In a surround with a single LED panel  42 , the heat sinks  58  are disposed around the edges of the front panel  38  and typically covered by the frame  26 . Here, the heat sinks  58  are disposed in the center of the illuminated field area  30  where uneven illumination would interfere with a graphic displayed thereon. 
         [0035]    Because of the adjacent heat sinks  58 , a space  86  between the LED panel  42  and the front panel  38  is used to create even illumination. It has been determined that a space of about 1 inch is sufficient for even illumination of the front panel  38 . The space between the front panel  38  and the LED panel  42  may be adjusted for the requirements of the particular ATM surround  10 . Where a single LED panel  42  is used, the front panel  38  may be very close to the LED panel and still achieve even illumination of the front panel. Different materials which are used for the front panel  38  may necessitate changes in the space  86 . If the front panel is frosted, a smaller space  86  may be sufficient. If the front panel is transparent or translucent color, more space  86  may be necessary. Where two adjacent LED panels  42  are used, more space  86  may be necessary for even lighting. Typically, a space  86  of between about 0.5 and about 1.5 inches is used where two adjacent LED panels  42  are used. More particularly, this space  86  may be between about 1 and about 1.25 inches. Where a single LED panel  42  is used, the space  86  may be between 0 and about 1.5 inches, and more particularly between about 0.25 and about 1 inch while achieving even illumination. 
         [0036]    Even with the space  86 , the ATM surround  10  is quite thin. The surround  10  is often between about 1.5 and 2.5 inches thick. This provides for an attractive installation that does not take a considerable amount of space. Thus, the surround  10  may be used in a lobby or sidewalk area where minimal space is available. The surround  10  provides good accessibility to the ATM and does not hinder access for persons in a wheelchair. 
         [0037]    The ATM surround  10  is also beneficial for advertising as it provides a large illuminated area  30  which can completely surround the ATM customer interface  22  as desired. This provides a large uninterrupted space where desired advertising graphics can be displayed. 
         [0038]    There is thus disclosed an improved ATM surround. It will be appreciated that numerous changes may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.