Patent Publication Number: US-8988186-B1

Title: Self-service device user asset condition alert

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     Aspects of the disclosure relate to providing apparatus and methods for improving self-service devices such as Automatic Teller Machines (“ATMs”), cash recyclers, and self-service kiosks. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Self-service devices such as Automatic Teller Machines (“ATMs”), cash recyclers, and self-service kiosks are typically operated by a user in a two-step method. First, the user inserts a banking card, transaction card or other object (referred to collectively herein as a “bank card”) that contains information identifying a user account. Then, the user enters a typically four-digit Personal Identification Number (“PIN”). 
     The self-service device then compares the identification information on the bank card or other object to the received PIN. If the PIN corresponds to a predetermined secure code associated with the identification information, such as a PIN offset value, the user is provided access to his or her accounts. 
     One drawback associated with the aforementioned, substantially ubiquitous, system is that following authorization, the user may access his accounts without knowing the present state of his accounts, and/or without knowing whether conditions exist with respect to his accounts that require immediate attention. 
     It would be desirable, therefore, to provide apparatus and methods that allow a user to access his or her accounts while alerting the user of emergent conditions that relate to his or her accounts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic self-service device is provided. The self-service device includes a receiver module configured to receive an input. The input includes information corresponding to a user account authorization notification. The self-service device may also include a transmitter module configured to transmit user account authorization notification to a central computing system and a receiver module that may be configured to receive authorization notification from the central computing system. The self-service device may also include a processor module. When a predetermined asset alert condition exists, the transmitter module may be configured to transmit an asset alert condition notification. When the predetermined asset alert condition does not exist, the processor module may be configured to authorize use of an account in response to the authorization notification. 
     Another embodiment of an electronic self-service device may also be provided. This embodiment of an electronic self-service device may include a receiver module configured to receive an input from at least one motion detector. The input may include information corresponding to a security alert condition. The device may also include a security alert mitigation module. The device may also include a processor module configured to determine whether the information exceeds a security alert condition threshold. When the information exceeds a predetermined security alert condition threshold, the processor module may be further configured to respond to the security alert condition using the security alert condition mitigation module. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows apparatus that may be used in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows an apparatus for use according to the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of another apparatus for use according to the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic diagram of apparatus for use according to the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of a network for use according to the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic diagram of another apparatus for use according to the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows elements of another illustrative hybrid device/process in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows an illustrative flow diagram that describes a method for implementing a user asset condition alert according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  shows another illustrative flow diagram that describes a method for implementing a user asset condition alert according to the invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows yet another illustrative flow diagram that describes a method for implementing a user asset condition alert according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  shows an illustrative flow diagram that describes a method for implementing a security condition alert according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus and methods for enhancing user account awareness when using self-service devices such as Automatic Teller Machines (“ATMs”), cash recyclers, and self-service kiosks are provided. User account awareness may include awareness of emergent conditions relating to one or more user accounts. 
     An ATM for use with apparatus and methods according to the invention may be made up of one or more of the following devices or other suitable devices: a CPU (which may control user interface mechanisms, transaction devices, and communication with a central server), a magnetic card reader (to identify the card being used), a PIN pad, a cryptoprocessor, a display, function keys (usually in close proximity to the display) and/or a touchscreen, a printer (to provide a transaction record to a customer), a vault (to store portions of the machinery requiring restricted access), and a housing. 
     In certain ATMs, a smart card reader (that reads a chip instead of a magnetic strip) and bill validation technology may also be implemented. A further feature of an ATM for use with systems and methods according to the invention may include printing each transaction to a roll paper journal that is stored inside the ATM. 
     The apparatus and methods may be scalable, for example, to cover all or a portion of the fleet of ATMs that run on a platform such as that available under the trademark APTRA platform, which is available from the NCR Corporation, Dayton, Ohio. 
     A conventional ATM preferably utilizes the following steps, as generally described above, in order to provide account access and/or funds to a user. First, the user inserts a banking card, transaction card or other object (referred to collectively herein as a “bank card”) that contains information identifying a user account. Then, the user enters a typically four-digit Personal Identification Number (“PIN”). Following the input of the PIN, the ATM typically checks the validity of the PIN against a PIN offset value stored on the bank card. 
     If the PIN corresponds to the PIN offset value, the ATM typically sends a message to a main frame computer, central server or other suitable computer. The message indicates that the holder of the bank card is authorized to access his or her accounts. This message is typically sent via one or more software and/or hardware implemented communication mechanisms. 
     Upon receipt of the message that the user is authorized to access his or her accounts, the main frame computer, central server or other suitable computer sends account information to the ATM and the user may begin to perform account transactions. 
     Upon receiving account information at the ATM, it is common for the ATM to provide a menu of various selections for the user to choose. One of the exemplary selections may be a “Fast Cash” selection where, upon selection, the user is provided a number of cash amounts that the user can elect to withdraw. Such a menu typically does not provide an account balance or any other account information. 
     Following receipt of a user selection of the cash amount that he or she wishes to withdraw, the ATM may provide the requested cash and the user may take the cash. Thereafter, the user may depart from the ATM with or without a printed receipt. Even if the user takes the printed receipt, the receipt may or may not include a statement of the user account balance. Accordingly, such a Fast Cash option, or any other similar option, may not alert the user to any user asset condition. 
     Systems and methods according to the invention preferably monitor such transactions and, where appropriate, either as determined based on a system-set threshold determination or based on a user-defined threshold determination, alert a user to a user asset condition. 
     Illustrative embodiments of apparatus and methods in accordance with the principles of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural, functional and procedural modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the invention described herein may be embodied in whole or in part as a method, a data processing system, or a computer program product. Accordingly, the invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software, hardware and any other suitable approach or apparatus. 
     Furthermore, such aspects may take the form of a computer program product stored by one or more computer-readable storage media having computer-readable program code, or instructions, embodied in or on the storage media. Any suitable computer readable storage media may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, and/or any combination thereof. In addition, various signals representing data or events as described herein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the form of electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires, optical fibers, and/or wireless transmission media (e.g., air and/or space). 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram that illustrates a generic computing device  101  (alternatively referred to herein as a “server”) that may be used according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The computer server  101  may have a processor  103  for controlling overall operation of the server and its associated components, including RAM  105 , ROM  107 , input/output module  109 , and memory  115 . 
     Input/output (“I/O”) module  109  may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen, and/or stylus through which a user of device  101  may provide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Software may be stored within memory  115  and/or storage to provide instructions to processor  103  for enabling server  101  to perform various functions. For example, memory  115  may store software used by server  101 , such as an operating system  117 , application programs  119 , and an associated database  121 . Alternatively, some or all of server  101  computer executable instructions may be embodied in hardware or firmware (not shown). 
     Server  101  may operate in a networked environment supporting connections to one or more remote computers, such as terminals  141  and  151 . Terminals  141  and  151  may be personal computers or servers that include many or all of the elements described above relative to server  101 . The network connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  125  and a wide area network (WAN)  129 , but may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment, computer  101  is connected to LAN  125  through a network interface or adapter  123 . When used in a WAN networking environment, server  101  may include a modem  127  or other means for establishing communications over WAN  129 , such as Internet  131 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are illustrative and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP, Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed, and the system can be operated in a client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-based server. Any of various conventional web browsers can be used to display and manipulate data on web pages. 
     Additionally, application program  119 , which may be used by server  101 , may include computer executable instructions for invoking user functionality related to communication. 
     Computing device  101  and/or terminals  141  or  151  may also be mobile terminals including various other components, such as a battery, speaker, and antennas (not shown). 
     Terminal  151  and/or terminal  141  may be portable devices such as a laptop, cell phone, Blackberry™, or any other suitable device for storing, transmitting and/or transporting relevant information. 
     Any information described above in connection with database  121 , and any other suitable information, may be stored in memory  125 . 
     One or more of applications  119  may include one or more algorithms that may be used to receive PINs, alert users regarding asset conditions and/or any other suitable tasks related to self-service device asset condition alert implementation. 
     In addition, applications  119  may also provide security alert conditions that relate to the ATM the user is operating and/or security alert conditions that pertain to the user account. Informing the user regarding security alert conditions that pertain to the user account may provide the user a substantial benefit at least in preventing further fraud regarding the user&#39;s account because such information may reduce the time elapsed prior to the user discovering the fraud. 
     The following table sets forth a list of exemplary alert conditions: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Security Alert Conditions 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Proximity of a Suspicious Person 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Possibility of Tampering With the ATM 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Atypical Number of Users Waiting for 
                   
               
               
                   
                 ATM, or Atypical Behavior by Person 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Waiting on Line to use ATM 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Recent Fraudulent Use of ATM 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The determination of proximity of a suspicious person that surpasses a predetermined threshold, a possibility of tampering with the ATM that surpasses a predetermined threshold, a determination of abnormality of waiting users that surpasses a predetermined threshold and a recent fraudulent use of an ATM that surpasses a predetermined threshold may all be determined by algorithms using known technologies. 
     Such known technologies may involve algorithms utilizing motion detection which may be used determination of motion and/or presence.  FIG. 11  below, and the portion of the specification corresponding thereto, illustrates exemplary algorithms that may be used to determine whether security alert conditions exist. 
     Suitable motion sensor technology may include passive infrared sensors, active ultrasonic sensors such as Doppler shift detection sensors, audible sound detection sensors and/or microwave sensors. 
     Determination of tampering and/or fraudulent use of the ATM may involve known ATM monitoring technology. 
     The invention may be operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, mobile phones and/or other personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. 
       FIG. 2  shows illustrative self-service device  200 , which may be an ATM. Self-service device  200  may include monitor  202 , keypad  204 , card reader port  206 , document acceptor  208 , item dispenser  210  and security screen  212 . 
     Monitor  202  may exchange visual and or audio information with a customer. Keypad  204  may include alphanumeric keys  214  for the customer to enter alpha-numerical and/or textual data. Keypad  204  may include control keys  216 . In some embodiments, control keys  216  may be used to communicate control information, such as instructions, to self-service device  200 . Keypad  204  may include soft keys. Soft keys  218  may have functions that are dictated by programming and are presented to the customer using information that may be displayed on monitor  202 . 
     Card reader port  206  may be the front end of any suitable card reader. The card reader may read magnetically encoded information on transaction instruments such as bank cards. In some embodiments, self-service device  200  may include a contactless chip reader, a wireless transceiver or any other suitable interface for exchanging transaction information with a transaction instrument. The transaction instrument may be a chip, an RFID tag, a smart card, a PDA, a telephone or any other suitable device. 
     In some embodiments, self-service device  200  may include a biometric sensor (not shown). The biometric sensor may identify a customer based on a feature, such as an anatomical feature, of the customer. For example, the biometric sensor may be configured to identify the customer based on all or part of a face, a fingerprint, an iris, a retina, a hand or any other suitable anatomical feature. The biometric sensor may identify the customer based on a behavioral feature such as a signature, a voice, a gait or any other suitable behavioral feature. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the biometric sensor may be used alone, or in combination with a PIN and/or bank card, as a user asset condition alert device. In such embodiments, the biometric sensor may act to identify a user such that asset condition alert features according to the invention may be implemented. Further, such a device may be used in combination with some or all of the other embodiments described in this application. 
     Document acceptor  208  may accept any suitable documents. For example, document acceptor  208  may accept envelopes, deposit forms, bills, checks or any other suitable documents. In some embodiments, document acceptor  208  may feed into a scanner that digitizes the documents for image-based transaction processing. 
     It should be noted that alerts according to the invention may or may not limit the ability of a user to withdraw and/or deposit documents in self-service device  200 . In certain embodiments, a user asset condition alert state may limit certain types of withdrawals and/or document deposits but not others. In other embodiments, a user asset condition alert state may prevent any withdrawals and only allow deposits. 
     Item dispenser  210  may dispense items. For example, item dispenser  210  may dispense bills. In some embodiments of the invention, dispenser  210  may be limited to dispensing certain amounts of funds, and/or certain sizes of bills. Such limitations may be user-defined and/or system set. In other embodiments, the user asset alert conditions may set localized limits on dispensing funds, as described elsewhere in this specification. 
     The following table sets forth an exemplary list of alert conditions to which systems and methods according to the invention may be directed. It should be noted that the conditions listed below are exemplary and should not be considered to be an exclusive list of alert conditions according to the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Asset Alert Conditions 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Low Balance Alert 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Overdraft Alert 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Possible Account Tampering Alert 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Atypical Activity by One of the Account 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Holders 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Combination of one or more of the 
                   
               
               
                   
                 foregoing 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Security screen  212  may visually screen a surveillance device (not shown). The surveillance device may provide video information about individuals that are present near the self-service device and the security conditions there. 
     Such security conditions may trigger a security condition alert that alerts an ATM user according to the invention. Such a security condition alert may be communicated to the user by any one or more of the mechanisms listed in the following table. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Security Alert Mechanisms 
                   
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Visible Warning of Security Alert 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Condition, Wherein the Visible Warning 
                   
               
               
                   
                 is Displayed on the ATM display 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Printed Warning via ATM Printer 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Audio Warning via ATM Speaker System 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Tactile Feedback via Internal Tactile 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Response Mechanism within ATM 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Combination of one or more of the 
                   
               
               
                   
                 foregoing 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 3  shows illustrative self-service device  300 . Self-service device  300  may have one or more of the features of self-service device  200  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Self-service device  300  may include housing  302 . Self-service device  300  may include vault  304 . Vault  304  may contain items (not shown). Item handling mechanism  306  may be present in vault  304 . Item handling mechanism  306  may store, arrange, dispense and/or otherwise handle items for dispensing from self-service device  200 . For example, item handling mechanism  306  may include conveyors (not shown) for positioning and repositioning items for dispensing by dispenser  308  through item port  310 . Items (not shown) in item handling mechanism  306  may be contained in item cartridges  312 . For example, when the items are bills, item cartridges  312  may be cash cartridges. 
     Item handling mechanism  306  may include item counter  314 . Item counter  314  may count items prior to dispensing by dispenser  308 . 
     Self-service device  300  may include LCD display  316  and a keypad (not shown) for customer interaction. Card reader  318  may be present for receiving transaction information from the customer via a suitable transaction instrument. Self-service device  300  may include receipt printer and dispenser module  320 . Receipt printer and dispenser module  320  may provide the customer with a record of a transaction. CPU  322  may control customer I/O, dispensing processes, which may include initialization, actuation, dispensing and any other suitable processes, receipt printing and dispensing, transaction channel communications, user asset condition alerts, security alerts and any other suitable processes. The transaction channel communications may be performed using modem  324 , which may be any suitable communication device. Modem  324  may communicate with a local or regional network router (not shown). Service monitor  326  may be provided for a service technician to exchange information and instructions with CPU  322 . 
       FIG. 4  shows control system  400  for controlling a self-service device such as  300  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). System  400  is controlled by CPU  402 . CPU  402  exchanges transaction information with electronic communication network N via modem  404 , which is in communication with router R. CPU  402  may receive transaction information from a customer via monitor  406 , keypad  408 , card reader  410  and deposit acceptor  412 . CPU  402  may dispense bills through bill dispenser  414 . Such CPU control may extend further to include control of user asset alert conditions or any suitable alert conditions. 
     In certain embodiments of the invention, CPU  402  may receive transaction information, such as a PIN, from keypad  408  and/or card reader  410 . In such circumstances, CPU  402  may preferably communicate such information to network N via modem  404 , which is in communication with router R. Such transaction information may trigger a user asset condition alert according to the invention. The algorithms for determining threshold valuation of user asset condition alert triggers, or any other suitable alert triggers, may be stored at a mainframe computer, a central server or at any other suitable location. In certain embodiments of the invention, such algorithms may be stored, at least in part, locally at the ATM itself. 
     It should be noted that prior to communicating with the network via router R, CPU  402  typically verifies the PIN received from the user with a PIN offset value stored on the magnetic stripe, or other storage mechanism, on the bank card. The PIN offset value typically corresponds to the input user PIN but is “offset” by some predetermined value (or using a predetermined algorithm) in order to prevent fraudulent conversion of the PIN information in the communication channel between the ATM and the main frame computer or central server. Thus, if a third party were to obtain the account information and the bank card PIN information, the third party could not access the user account without knowing a code that the self-service device used to match the PIN and the PIN offset value. 
     When the self-service device matches an input PIN with a PIN, the self-service device may preferably communicate, to a self-service device operations module, that the correct PIN information had been received at the self-service device. In response to receipt of the PIN information, the module may use the information review and/or monitor the user accounts to transmit user asset condition alerts, or other suitable alerts, to the self-service device. 
     It should be noted that other local security alert information may also be transmitted, together with or separate from, the PIN information to the main frame computer or central server. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, a CPU, such as CPU  402 , may be in communication with a memory (not shown) on the self-service device  400 . 
       FIG. 5  shows illustrative transaction information network  500 . Transaction information network  500  may include electronic communication network  502 . Network  502  may be in part a LAN, WLAN or a WAN or any other suitable network. Network  502  or portions thereof may be cabled, wired, optical fibered or wireless. 
     Self-service devices such as ATMs  504  may communicate via electronic communication network  502  with self-service device operations module  506 . Self-service device operations module  506  may include one or more devices shown in  FIG. 1 . A remote user may use self-service device operations module  506  to monitor, control and/or intervene in one or more processes of ATMs  504 . Such actions may correspond to one or more of the embodiments described herein. 
       FIG. 6  shows illustrative portions of communication system  600  for exchanging transaction information between ATM  602  and financial institution transactional platform  604 . ATM  602  may be an ATM such as  300  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Transactional platform  604  may be any suitable device for settlement and clearing of transactions. For example, platform  604  may be a financial institution mainframe. 
     Command lines in transactional information from ATM  602  may be executed at line handler protocol layer  606 . Device handler  608  may handle routing decisions based on transactional information requirements for authorization, settlement, clearance, transactional networks and issuing financial institutions. 
     In certain implementations according to the invention, such authorization may be transmitted together with, or separately from user asset condition alert information. Such user asset condition alert information may also be executed at line handler protocol layer  606 . 
     Authorization requests may then be processed by auth-process module  610 . Auth-process module  610  may then provide transactional information to host interface  612  for communication with platform  604 . 
     Supervisory module  614  may receive data from line handler  606 , device handler  608 , auth-process module  610 , or any other suitable source. The data may be used to manage ATM  602 . The data may be provided to a self-service operations module such as  506  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     In one embodiment of the invention, supervisory module  614  may further receive data relating to user asset condition alerts. Such data may be further communicated to self-service device operations module  506  and/or one or more of ATMs  504  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Apparatus and processes in accordance with the principles of the invention may include one or more features illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 . For the sake of illustration, the steps of the process illustrated in  FIG. 7-11  will be described as being performed by a “system.” The “system” may include one or more of the features of the apparatus that are shown in  FIGS. 1-6  and/or any other suitable device or approach. The “system” may be provided by an entity. The entity may be an individual, an organization or any other suitable entity. 
       FIG. 7  shows elements of an illustrative hybrid device/process in accordance with the principles of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows a self-service device  702 . Self-service device  702  may be an ATM, a self-service kiosk, a cash recycler or another suitable self-service device (referred to collectively herein as a “self-service device”). 
     The network accessibility  704  of device  702  preferably requires a secure network connection and further requires user authentication. Such network accessibility  704  may provide a connection to remote central self service device data storage  706 . 
     Such accessibility, together with ATM data transmission, may preferably be used to implement embodiments of user asset condition alerts and/or any other suitable user alerts. 
     PIN information transferred to self-service device  706  may trigger algorithms (set forth in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 8-10 ) for implementation of user asset condition alerts. 
     Such user asset condition alerts may control the flow of information from, and the availability of menu options on, self-service device  702 . Such unique alerts and/or options may preferably correspond to the user account information  708 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a first algorithm that may be used in implementing systems and methods according to the invention. Step  802  shows receiving a swipe of a bank card. Step  804  shows receiving PIN information. Step  806  shows authenticating PIN information and step  808  shows transmitting authentication information to a main frame computer (or other suitable computing device) via an electronic communications network (“ECN”). 
     Step  810  shows determining whether an asset alert condition exists on the account. Step  812  shows that, if an asset alert condition, as defined by a predetermined threshold value relating to account balance or some other suitable parameter, exists on the account, then the current work flow is interrupted. At step  814 , following current work flow interrupt, the main frame may send alert information to the ATM for execution—e.g., communication to the user. 
     Step  816  shows that, if an alert condition does not exist on the account, then the systems and methods proceed with the current work flow. The broken lines around boxes  812  and  816  signify that these steps are in the alternative—i.e., if one occurs the other does not. As such, the broken lines signify that steps encased in broken lines may or may not occur in any given flow path. 
       FIG. 9  shows another algorithm that may be used in implementing systems and methods according to the invention. The main difference between the algorithms shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is that  FIG. 9  includes the additional step,  910 , that illustrates the ATM transmitting an account critical request—e.g., a request that may affect the balance of funds in the account or some other similar request. Such a request may further include a “Fast Cash” withdrawal, a regular withdrawal or any other suitable account critical request. 
     Following such a request, a determination, as shown in  912 , may be made whether asset alert conditions exist on the account. Steps  914  and  916  mirror steps  812  and  814  of  FIG. 8 . Step  918  sets forth that, if asset alert conditions do not exist on the account then the main frame may execute the previously received account critical request. 
     It should be noted that, following either step  816  and/or step  916 , systems and methods according to the invention may evaluate the user response options to the alert conditions. Such evaluation may include reviewing user accounts to determine whether the user can ameliorate the alert conditions by, for example, moving funds from one account to another. Following such an evaluation, systems and methods according to the invention may provide options to customers on where to reallocate funds in order to respond to the alert conditions. 
       FIG. 10  shows yet another algorithm that may be used with systems and methods according to the invention. Steps  1002 ,  1004  and  1006  all mirror the corresponding steps in the previously described algorithms. 
     Step  1008  shows the ATM identifying a localized security alert condition at the ATM. Such security alert condition may include detection of a suspicious party within a pre-determined proximity of the ATM, or other similar security alert condition. 
     Step  1010  shows that, in one embodiment of the algorithm shown in  FIG. 10 , the ATM may transmit authentication information together with, or separate from, security alert information, to the main frame computer via the ECN. It should be noted that when the authentication information is transmitted to the main frame computer separate from the security alert information, the authentication information may be transmitted before, substantially simultaneously to, or after the security alert information. In certain embodiments where security information may be transmitted to the main frame computer before the transmission of the authentication information, some or all of the security information may be transmitted even prior to the establishing of authentication criteria associated with the PIN input by the user. In such embodiments, the relative speed of responses to the security alert conditions may be increased. 
     Step  1012  shows that the main frame may be used to activate local (to the ATM) security alert mitigation mechanism(s). Such alert mitigation mechanism(s) may be as set forth in the following table. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Local (to ATM) Security Alert Mitigation 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Mechanisms 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Disabling of ATM Cash Dispenser (See 
                   
               
               
                   
                 item 310 in FIG. 3) 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Disable ATM 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Sound Local ATM Alarm 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Increase Surveillance 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Alert Appropriate Security Authorities 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Combination of one or more of the 
                   
               
               
                   
                 foregoing 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Step  1016  shows that systems and methods according to the invention may, alternative to or in concert with steps  1010  and  1012 , activate local security alert mitigation mechanism(s) at or near the ATM. 
       FIG. 11  is an illustrative flow diagram that describes a method for implementing a security condition alert according to the invention. Step  1102  shows using motion sensor technology to determine a threshold level of proximity of a suspicious person. Such threshold levels may be determined based on forensic studies of trespass and/or theft associated with ATM machines. For example, a particular suspicious person may remain at a particular distance from an ATM for a certain number of users&#39; sessions in order to determine the PIN number of a user and/or the amount of money withdrawn by a user. Such behavior may trigger one or more of the above-described security alert mitigation mechanisms. Further, motion sensor technology may be replaced or combined with any suitable technology to determine a threshold level of proximity of a suspicious person. 
     Step  1104  shows that a security condition alert may also be generated if a threshold detection of tampering with ATM has been detected. 
     Step  1106  shows that a security condition alert may also be generated if a threshold level of users are waiting for the ATM and/or atypical behavior (such as behavior that fits a predetermined “suspicious person” paradigm) is exhibited by one or more of the users waiting on line to use the ATM. 
     Step  1108  shows that a security condition alert may be generated if a threshold detection of recent fraudulent use of the ATM has been exceeded. 
     In response to one or more of the foregoing determinations, methods according to the invention may proceed along at least one of two paths. The methods may either transmit authentication information and security alert information to a Main Frame computer via an ECN, as shown in step  1110 , and/or the method may activate security alert mitigation mechanism(s) local to the ATM, as shown in  1116 . Following step  1110 , the main frame may activate local security alert mitigation mechanism(s) at the ATM, as per step  1112 , or, in the alternative, send instructions to activate local security alert mitigation mechanism(s) at the ATM, as per step  1116 . 
     In yet other embodiments of the invention, if a user was away from his or her home region, the system may generate alerts that correspond to the user&#39;s remote status—i.e., the ATM may flag the other user accounts to indicate that the financial user is remote from his home location. For example, remote ATM authentication by a user may notify the user credit card account that the user is remote and, based on the location of the user, the credit card account may allow the user to perform certain high risk activities even though the user is not in his home region. 
     One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements shown and described herein may be performed in other than the recited order and that one or more elements illustrated may be optional. The methods of the above-referenced embodiments may involve the use of any suitable elements, computer-executable instructions, or computer-readable data structures. In this regard, other embodiments are disclosed herein as well that can be partially or wholly implemented on a computer-readable medium, for example, by storing computer-executable instructions or modules or by utilizing computer-readable data structures. 
     Thus, a self-service terminal with mechanism(s) for making deposits and for permitting withdrawals as well as methods for alerting a user regarding an alert condition have been provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration rather than of limitation. The present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.