Abstract:
A self-service terminal, such as an ATM ( 10 ), comprises a speech generator ( 31 ) and loudspeaker ( 30 ) for producing natural language operating instructions for a user, and a user interface ( 12 ) permitting the user to interact with the terminal ( 10 ) in response to the spoken instructions. The user interface may include a microphone ( 32 ) and a speech recognition module ( 33 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a self-service terminal (SST), such as an automated teller machine (ATM). In particular, the present invention relates to an SST which facilitates communication with a user. 
   A conventional self-service terminal (SST), such as an automated teller machine (ATM), comprises a user keypad for, among other things, selecting menu options, inputting personal identification number (PINs) and the like, and a screen for displaying information to be read by the user, such as instructions and prompts. SSTs used to carry-out security sensitive operations, such as an ATM utilized in the withdrawal of funds from a bank account, may also incorporate means for assisting in identifying a user, or verifying the identity of a user, such as a card reader, accessed via a card reader slot. 
   While such conventional machines may be used without difficulty by many people, there is a significant proportion of the population who will experience difficulties interacting with such machines. In particular, user instructions and prompts are displayed on a relatively small CRT or LCD display, and thus persons with reading difficulties or any visual impairment may find it difficult if not impossible to operate a machine. For example, a person who is “long-sighted”, and who does not have vision-correcting eyeglasses in their possession, may have difficulty reading instructions and prompts from such a display. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is among the objectives of embodiments of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage. 
   According to the present invention there is provided a self-service terminal (SST) comprising: 
   instructing means for producing audible terminal operating instructions for the user; 
   interface means for permitting the user to interact with the terminal in response to said instructions; and 
   means for processing user interactions with the terminal. 
   According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a self-service terminal (SST), the method comprising: 
   producing audible device operating instructions for a terminal user; 
   permitting the user to interact with the terminal in response to said instructions; and 
   processing user interactions with the terminal. 
   As used herein, the term “device operating instructions” is intended to encompass terminal outputs such as prompts and information relating to a transaction or operation to be carried out on the SST, and also information or other matter not directly relevant is a current transaction or operation, such as information on other services provided by the device operator, for example information on services provided by a financial institution, or an invitation to arrange a meeting with an advisor. 
   In a preferred embodiment the present invention permits a self-service terminal to communicate with a user through natural speech or other sounds, and thus obviates the difficulties associated with the user having to read device operating instructions or prompts from a small screen or other display. 
   Preferably, the terminal further comprises means for recognizing natural speech, such that the user may interact with the terminal using spoken instructions and prompts. This permits the user and terminal to converse: the terminal will issue instructions in natural speech; the user will provide a spoken response; and the terminal will process and react to the user response. The instructions issued may be tailored to provoke a number of predetermined responses, for example “yes” or “no”, and the processing means may be tailored to expect and respond appropriately to a selected one of the anticipated responses. 
   Preferably also, the instructing means is capable of producing a selected one of a plurality of voices during a transaction or operation, for example a female voice and a male voice. The voice produced by the terminal may be pre-selected by the user, or be pre-selected depending on the age or sex of the user, for example the terminal may issue instructions with a young person&#39;s voice when it has been ascertained that a young person is using the machine. In addition, the instructing means may be capable of issuing instructions in a local accent or dialect, and where the terminal includes speech recognition means, such means may be capable of receiving and understanding instructions in a local accent or dialect: for example, in some parts of the United Kingdom, many people will use the word “Aye”, rather than “Yes”, and numbers, as may make up a personal identification number (PIN) or a sum of funds to be withdrawn from an ATM, are often pronounced differently in different geographical areas. 
   The terminal may further comprise means for identifying the user or verifying the identity of the user. Such means may include a card reader or a biometric sensor, and the user may also have to verify their identity by inputting a personal identification number (PIN) or code word. 
   The terminal may further comprise means for sensing that a user wishes to use the terminal, such as a proximity sensor which identifies that a user has approached the terminal, and on sensing the presence of the user the instructing means may issue an initial instruction, prompt or greeting and the user interaction means be prepared to receive one of a number of anticipated user inputs or responses, or to initiate a user identification or identity verification process. In the absence of an appropriate user input within a predetermined time interval, the terminal may return to a “waiting” mode, ready to greet the next user. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic representation of an SST in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in the form of an ATM; and 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram representation of the terminal of  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference is first made to  FIG. 1  of the drawings, which illustrates an SST in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention in the form of an ATM  10 . In this example, the ATM  10  includes many of the features of a conventional ATM, namely an interface means in the form of a user panel  12  including a card reader slot  14  (which is shown having means for identifying the user in the form of an identification card  15  partially inserted therein), a key pad  16  for entering the user&#39;s personal identification number (PIN) and transaction details, a cash dispenser slot  18  through which bank notes are dispensed to a user, a display screen  20  for providing information to the user, additional keys  21  disposed at opposite sides of the screen  20  for enabling the user to select preset functions displayed on the screen  20  and aligned with the additional keys  21 , and a receipt printer slot  22  through which a receipt for a transaction may be delivered to a user at the end of a transaction. 
   In addition, the ATM  10  of the present invention includes a loudspeaker  30  and a microphone  32 , which allow the ATM  10  and the user to communicate primarily or solely using natural speech, as described below. 
   Reference is now also made to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, which is a block diagram of the ATM  10  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows a user interface module block  40  including the loudspeaker  30 , a speech generation module  31 , the microphone  32  and a speech processing and recognition module  33 . The block  40  also includes the other elements found in a conventional ATM user interface, that is a card reader module  42 , the key pad  16 , the display  20 , and a receipt printer module  44 . The card reader module  42  and the receipt printer module  44  are associated with the respective slots  14  and  22  of the user panel  12  of the ATM  10 .  FIG. 2  also shows a cash dispenser module  46  which is associated with the cash dispenser slot  18 . 
   The ATM  10  further comprises processor means in the form of a controller unit  50  which communicates with components of the user interface module block  40 , with an operator panel  52  mounted inside of the ATM  10 , and with the cash dispenser module  46 . 
   The operator panel  52  contains circuitry for enabling an authorized operator to interact with the ATM  10 . Standard operator panels  52  are used on a commercially available ATMs and are well known in the art. Similarly, the cash dispenser module  46  will not be described herein as it is a standard feature of a conventional ATM. 
   The controller unit  50  includes a processor unit  54  and a non-volatile memory  56 . The processor unit  54  and memory  56  may be implemented by a micro-computer having non-volatile RAM; suitable computers and memories are readily available commercially. 
   In use, the user inserts their card  15  into the card reader slot, and identification data encoded on the card (typically in a magnetic strip located on one side of the card) is read by the card reader module  42 . By doing this the user is claiming an identity. For using this example of an ATM  10 , the user will have previously identified a preference for the manner in which the user communicates with ATMs  10 : in the conventional manner via the screen display  20  and the keypad  16  and keys  21 ; or, where available, by natural speech via the loudspeaker  30  and microphone  32 . In the latter case, the user is requested, by appropriate actuation of the speech generation module  31  and loudspeaker  30 , to state their identification number (PIN) or a code word to verify the claimed identity, that is to verify that the person in possession of the card  15  is the authorized card owner. The user then speaks into the microphone  32 , the speech recognition module  33  processing the speech sounds. If the user&#39;s identity is verified by recitation of the correct PIN or code word, the user is permitted to access the facilities provided by the ATM  10  and a menu of the various transactions available to the user is described via the loudspeaker  30 : the speech generation module  31  may be controlled to run through a sequence of options and to prompt a particular response if a particular option is to be selected, for example: 
   ATM: “If you wish to withdraw cash, please say “one” into the microphone; or
         if you wish to hear your account balance; please say “two”.”       

   User: “One”. 
   This “conversation” continues until the transaction has been completed, or is interrupted. 
   It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that the ATM  10  described above may be utilized without difficulty by users with reading difficulties and users who are visually impaired. Further, it is anticipated that many other users would prefer to converse with a terminal, particularly as the voice generation module  31  may be configured to issue instructions in a particular voice, accent or dialect: for example, the ATM  10  may converse with a user with a woman&#39;s voice, with a local accent and in local dialect. Other users may choose other voices, or the voice may be selected by the ATM operator: a user whose account is overdrawn may be advised, in a stern male voice, to immediately contact the relevant financial institution. Also, the voice may be varied during a transaction, for example one voice may be used to issue instructions and prompts, and another voice used to describe other services not related to the transaction in progress. 
   Similarly, the speech recognition module  33  may be configured to expect instructions and prompts from the user in different voices, accents and dialects. 
   Users may be reluctant to converse with a terminal within earshot of others, particularly where security sensitive information, such as a PIN or code word, is being relayed to the terminal. Accordingly, terminals in accordance with the invention may be enclosed, partially enclosed, or otherwise arranged to minimize the possibility of the conversation between the terminal and the user from being overheard by third parties. Alternatively, or in addition, the terminal may be provided with sensors  58  for determining the location of the user, and directional loudspeakers and microphones, such that the speech volume may be kept at a relatively low level, and to assist in eliminating background noise. 
   To obviate the requirement for the user to state an identification number (PIN) or the like, terminals in accordance with the invention may utilize biometric sensing means for identifying or verifying the identity of the user. Such biometric sensing means are known and may use one or more of a variety of biometric patterns, including iris patterns, fingerprints, palm prints, voice patterns, finger geometry, or other physical traits or characteristics. 
   The embodiment described above incorporates many of the features of a conventional ATM, however it is of course possible to provide a terminal in accordance with the invention which may omit, for example, the keypad  16 , display screen  20  and keys  21 , with a corresponding saving in costs, and providing greater flexibility in the design and configuration of the terminal. 
   In other embodiments, the SST may take a different form from that illustrated and described, for example a kiosk for issuing flight tickets.