SELF-SERVICE MACHINE

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The invention relates to a self-service vending machine with a scanner for scanning objects, such as documents. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method and a computer program for operating a self-service vending machine. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The present technical field concerns a self-service machine, such as an ATM or a bank service terminal, with a scanner device for scanning objects. The scanner device comprises a scanner slot with a transparent base, a back wall, two side walls, a cover, an opening on one side, and an optical sensor located below the transparent base for receiving an optical sensor signal from an object positioned above the transparent base.

[0003] Many people, such as customers or users of self-service machines, are hesitant to place their hand into a slot with only one opening, such as the scanner slot of such a machine, if they cannot see their hand. This fear or uncertainty also increases the risk that the document to be scanned will not be correctly aligned in the scanner slot. In the worst-case scenario, the document cannot be scanned correctly by the self-service machine. This also significantly reduces the user-friendliness of the machine.

[0004] JP 2017 174183 A discloses a self-service machine comprising a reading device designed to prevent errors in reading documents. REVELATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to improve the operation of a self-service vending machine.

[0006] The problem is solved by a self-service vending machine with the features of claim 1, by a method for operating a self-service vending machine with the features of claim 12, and by a computer program product with the features of claim 13.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a self-service vending machine is proposed, which includes a scanner unit for scanning objects. The scanner unit has a scanner slot with a transparent base, a back panel, and a lid, an opening on at least one side, and an optical sensor located below the transparent base for receiving an optical sensor signal from an object positioned above the transparent base. The scanner unit may also have two side panels. The lid has a switchable light shield with two operating modes: a transparent mode and an opaque mode. Furthermore, a control unit is provided, which is configured to switch the light shield between the transparent and opaque modes.

[0008] The self-service vending machine comprises, in particular, a control device, such as a computer or control unit, a network connection for data communication, a power supply, an input device for user input, such as a keyboard, for example a virtual keyboard on a touchscreen or a virtual keyboard, and a display, for example in the form of the aforementioned display. The control unit is implemented, in particular, as part of the control device.

[0009] Switchable light protection can also be referred to as switchable privacy protection.

[0010] The optical sensor can also be called an image sensor. The optical sensor is designed, for example, as a camera or a scanner. In opaque mode, the optical sensor can capture the object's optical signal without interfering stray light from the back of the object by activating the light shield through the transparent base.

[0011] The opaque mode can also be called scan mode. The transparent mode can also be called setup mode. It's called setup mode because in this mode the user can see their own hand through the transparent light shield and align the object to be scanned accordingly on the transparent base of the scanner setup.

[0012] As mentioned earlier, many people are afraid to put their hand into a shaft where they cannot see it. To alleviate this fear, the light shield is switched to transparent mode and then—only during the brief scanning phase—to opaque mode. Switching the light shield reduces unwanted stray light or backlighting, allowing the useful light (from the camera's light source) to be more effective. In particular, any images or text on the back of the object can be suppressed in the captured image by reducing or eliminating the transmitted light.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the switchable light shield is designed as an electrically switchable light shield. The control unit is configured to switch the electrically switchable light shield between the transparent mode and the opaque mode by means of an electrical voltage.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the switchable light shield comprises a PDLC film or a plurality of PDLC film layers.

[0015] A PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) film becomes transparent when an electrical voltage is applied. PDLC films are based on a polymer liquid crystal film sandwiched between two layers of film. This film is connected to a power source. Within the solid polymer are randomly oriented liquid crystal molecules. Incident light is scattered by these molecules, and the film is opaque, appearing not transparent to the human eye, but rather like frosted glass. When an electrical voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules realign within the electric field, and the film appears transparent. When the voltage is removed, the liquid crystal molecules become disordered again, and the film becomes opaque once more.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the lid has a carrier layer on which the switchable light shield is arranged, in particular laminated. In the embodiment of the PDLC film as switchable light shield, the glass is the carrier material for the applied PDLC film.

[0017] According to another embodiment, the support layer comprises a glass or an acrylic glass.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the switchable light shield has an electrochromic glass.

[0019] Electrochromic glass can also be called smart glass. In electrochromic glass, a film or layer that acts as a switchable light shield is integrated into the glass. PDLC glass is based on a polymer liquid crystal film embedded between two glass panes. This film is connected to a power source. Within the solid polymer are randomly oriented liquid crystal molecules. Incident light is scattered by these molecules, and the glass is opaque, appearing not transparent to the human eye, but rather like frosted glass. When an electrical voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules realign themselves within the electric field, and the glass appears transparent. When the voltage is removed, the liquid crystal molecules become disordered again, and the glass becomes opaque once more. The structure of smart glass is similar to laminated window glass, although a vacuum may be present in the space between the two glass panes.The foil or layer is then installed in this intermediate area.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the support layer comprises an acrylic glass which is suitable for diverting light incident on a surface of the acrylic glass via its side surfaces.

[0021] Polymethyl methacrylate (abbreviated PMMA, also known as acrylic glass) is a transparent thermoplastic. It is best known under the trade name Plexiglas. PMMA boasts excellent light transmission (92 percent) and, thanks to injection molding, offers numerous shaping possibilities, which in turn provide advantages for diffusing stray light. This special thermoplastic is highly flexible, allowing for the production of acrylic glass molding compounds as crystal-clear covers, as well as with textures or special light-diffusing properties. Thus, PMMA offers not only advantages in terms of robustness, durability, and lightfastness, but also enables precise light distribution with minimal scattering losses – a crucial factor for efficient light transmission.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the optical sensor is designed as a camera with upstream optics, wherein the camera with the upstream optics is arranged in a scanner funnel below the transparent base. This can be, for example, a camera with autofocus, a camera with a fixed-focus lens, or a fisheye camera.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the optical sensor also has a lighting unit assigned to the camera and arranged in the scanner funnel.

[0024] To achieve the most homogeneous illumination of the object on the transparent base, the light sources of the lighting unit are preferably arranged around the optical sensor. Due to the densely packed design in the self-service vending machine and the significant heat generated by conventional light sources, LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) are preferably used.

[0025] According to claim 1, the control unit is configured to switch between transparent mode and opaque mode depending on a trigger signal. The control unit can be a separate or dedicated unit. However, the function of the control unit can also be performed by the central PC or the central control computer.

[0026] According to the first aspect, the trigger signal is provided by application software of the self-service machine.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the optical sensor has a camera with autofocus, wherein the trigger signal is generated depending on the focusing by the camera's autofocus on the object.

[0028] According to another embodiment, the self-service machine is designed as an ATM, an account service terminal, a service machine, a self-service vendor, or a parcel station.

[0029] The account service terminal is a bank service device that cannot withdraw money, but can display account balances and, in particular, print account statements.

[0030] An ATM can also be called a cash machine, bank ATM, or cash dispenser. An ATM is a technical device suitable for withdrawing and, additionally, depositing cash at financial institutions, banks, and savings banks. An ATM has a safe unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a banknote module for dispensing banknotes from the safe unit and / or for depositing banknotes into the safe unit. Furthermore, the control unit includes an input device for user input. This input device includes, for example, the keyboard mentioned above.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the object is a document, a paper document, an electronic document, proof of identity, or a pictorial code representation, for example on a letter or on a package.

[0032] A paper document is, for example, a deposit slip, a payment slip, or a transfer form. An electronic document is, for example, a collection code from a parcel locker. A pictorial code representation, such as a QR code or a barcode, can be displayed on a paper document as well as on a screen, such as that of a smartphone. Proof of identity is, for example, a passport.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the self-service machine includes a character recognition unit for automatically recognizing characters in the object based on the recorded optical sensor signal of the object.

[0034] The character recognition unit is specifically an optical character recognition (OCR) system. This system can recognize numbers, letters, and potentially present Chinese characters and the like.

[0035] The respective unit, for example, the control unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software, or as a combination of both. In a hardware implementation, the respective unit can be a device or part of a device, for example, a computer or a microprocessor. In a software implementation, the respective unit or part of the unit can be a computer program product, a function, a routine, an independent process, part of program code, and / or an executable object. The aforementioned respective units can also be implemented in, or executed within, multiple independent processor cores within a common integrated circuit.

[0036] According to a second aspect, a method for operating a self-service vending machine with a scanner device for scanning objects is proposed. The scanner device has a scanner slot with a transparent base, a back panel, and a lid, and an optical sensor located below the transparent base for receiving an optical sensor signal from an object positioned above the transparent base. In this method, a switchable light shield, formed as part of the lid, is toggled between two operating modes: a transparent mode and an opaque mode.

[0037] The embodiments and features described for the proposed self-service vending machine apply accordingly to the proposed method.

[0038] According to a third aspect, a computer program product is proposed which, on a program-controlled device, initiates the execution of the procedure described above.

[0039] A computer program product, such as a computer program tool, can be provided or delivered from a server on a network, for example, as a storage medium such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or as a downloadable file. This can be done, for example, in a wireless communication network by transmitting the corresponding file containing the computer program product or tool.

[0040] Other possible implementations of the invention also include combinations of features or embodiments described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In such cases, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

[0041] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a self-service vending machine; Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of the scanner device according to Fig. 1 in setup mode; Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of the scanner setup according to Fig. 2 in setup mode and with the beam paths shown; Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of the scanner setup according to Fig. 1 in scan mode; Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the embodiment of the scanner device according to Fig. 4 in scan mode and with the beam paths shown; Figs. 6 and 7 show a comparison of the embodiment of the scanner device according to Fig. 1 in setup mode and in scan mode with the customer's hand inserted; Fig. 8 shows a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a self-service machine; and Fig. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a self-service machine.

[0042] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements have been given the same reference symbols, unless otherwise indicated.

[0043] In Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a self-service machine 1. The self-service machine 1 is, for example, an ATM, an account service terminal, a service vending machine, a self-service kiosk, or a parcel station.

[0044] The self-service vending machine 1 has a housing 2, a display 3 arranged on the housing 2 and a scanner device 4 which is arranged on the housing 2 and can protrude at least partially into the housing 2.

[0045] Scanner unit 4 is configured to scan an object O. Object O could be, for example, a document, such as a paper document. Document O could also be an electronic document. Furthermore, object O could be proof of identity, such as a passport, or a pictorial code representation, for example, on a letter or package.

[0046] The scanner device 4 has a scanner shaft 5 with a transparent base 6, a rear wall 7, a cover 8, and two side walls 9. An optical sensor 10 is provided below the transparent base 6 for receiving an optical sensor signal from an object O arranged above the transparent base 6. The optical sensor 10 is, in particular, a camera, preferably with upstream optics 11. The camera 10 with the upstream optics 11 is arranged in a scanner funnel 14 below the transparent base 6.

[0047] As in Fig. 1 As shown, an additional lighting unit 15 can also be provided in the scanner funnel 14. In the example of the Fig. 1 The lighting unit 15 has two light sources arranged to the left and right of the camera 10 in the scanner funnel 14. Preferably, the light sources are arranged around the camera 10. The lighting unit 15 therefore comprises a plurality of light sources. Preferably, these light sources are LEDs due to their lower power dissipation and the associated heat generation.

[0048] The lid 8 has a switchable light shield 12 with two operating modes: a transparent mode and an opaque mode. The self-service machine 1 also includes a control unit 13, which is configured to switch the switchable light shield 12 between the transparent and opaque modes.

[0049] In the opaque mode, the optical sensor 10 can detect the optical sensor signal of the object O through the transparent base 6 by activating the light shield 12, without interfering stray light F from the rear of the object O. Therefore, the opaque mode can also be referred to as scan mode.

[0050] The transparent mode can also be called setup mode. It is called setup mode because in this mode the user or customer can see their own hand through the transparent light shield 12 and align the object O to be scanned accordingly on the transparent base 6 of the scanner setup 4 (see also Fig. 6 ).

[0051] This shows the Fig. 2 a schematic view of the embodiment of the scanner device 4 according to Fig. 1 In setup mode without beam paths. The setup mode is characterized by the fact that the switchable light shield 12 is in transparent mode. This is in Fig. 2 illustrated by the fact that the box representing the switchable light protection 12 in Fig. 2 (as also in Fig. 3 ) is drawn without hatching. Furthermore, the Fig. 3 the embodiment of the scanner device 4 according to Fig. 2 In setup mode, the light paths from the ambient light F and the lighting unit 15 to the camera 10 are shown. On the one hand, the light from the lighting unit 15 can assist the user in setting up the object O on the floor 6. On the other hand, the user can see both the object O – represented here by the rear light R with its associated beams – and their hand – if it is in the shaft – through the transparent light shield 12, thus alleviating the user's fear of the shaft and also facilitating the setup of the object O.

[0052] Furthermore, the Fig. 4 the embodiment of the scanner device 4 according to Fig. 1 in scan mode and the Fig. 5 Figure 4 shows the embodiment of the scanner device. Fig. 4 in scan mode and with the beam paths drawn in. Fig. 4 (Scan mode) differs from the Fig. 2 (Setup mode) such that the box representing the switchable light protection 12 in Fig. 4 (as well as in Fig. 5 ) is drawn with hatching.

[0053] The Fig. 5 The scanner setup shows 4 after Fig. 4 In scan mode and with the beam paths shown, from the illumination unit 15 after reflection from object O to the camera 10 and from ambient light F, which is reflected by the light shield 12 and is therefore equal to the rear light R, on the outside of the self-service machine 1. Accordingly, the camera 10 can record the optical sensor signal of object O, which lies on the ground 6, without interfering stray light F from the rear of object O by switching on the light shield 12. The illumination unit 15 supports the recording, as shown in Fig. 5 shown by the beam paths.

[0054] This is shown by the Fig. 6 und 7 a comparison of the embodiment of the scanner device 4 according to Fig. 1 in setup mode ( Fig. 6 ) and in scan mode ( Fig. 7 ) with the customer's hand inserted. To alleviate the customer's anxiety, the sun protection factor 12 is switched to transparent mode during the setup phase according to Fig. 6 switched to put it into opaque mode - especially only during the short scan phase - according to Fig. 7 to switch. By switching the light shield 12, the unwanted stray light or rear light F is blocked according to Fig. 5 This reduces the ambient light, allowing the useful light from camera 10 to take effect. In particular, any images or text on the back of object O can be suppressed in the captured image if the ambient light F or transmitted light is attenuated or even reduced to zero.

[0055] For this purpose, the self-service machine 1 can also have a character recognition unit (not shown) which is set up for the automatic recognition of characters in the object O based on the recorded image of the object O.

[0056] The one relating to the Fig. 1 bis 7 The switchable light shield 12 described above is specifically designed as an electrically switchable light shield. The control unit 13 is specifically configured to switch the electrically switchable light shield 12 between the transparent mode and the opaque mode by means of an electrical voltage.

[0057] The switchable light shield 12 is, for example, designed as a PDLC film. Alternatively, the switchable light shield 12 can also have multiple PDLC film layers. The lid 8, for example, has a carrier layer onto which the switchable light shield 12 is laminated.

[0058] The carrier layer comprises in particular an acrylic glass which is designed to deflect light incident on a surface of the acrylic glass via its side surfaces.

[0059] Alternatively, the switchable light protection 12 can also have an electrochromic glass.

[0060] The control unit 13 is specifically designed to switch between transparent and opaque modes depending on a trigger signal. This trigger signal can be provided, for example, by application software of the self-service machine 1. The trigger signal can also be generated when a predefined button of the self-service machine 1 is pressed, in particular a predefined button of a touch sensor (not shown) of the display 3.

[0061] In the event that a camera 10 with autofocus is used as the optical sensor, the trigger signal can also be generated depending on the focusing by the autofocus of the camera 10 on the object.

[0062] Furthermore, the Fig. 8 a schematic side view of a second embodiment of a self-service vending machine 1.

[0063] The second embodiment of the self-service vending machine 1 is based on the first embodiment according to the Fig. 1 bis 7 and includes all the features of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the second embodiment has, according to Fig. 8 Each side of the scanner device 4 has a privacy screen 16. The respective privacy screen 16 can preferably be activated as a privacy screen by means of a light source. In certain cases, the privacy screen 16 can also be deactivated as a privacy screen, for example, when a bank advisor is assisting a customer using the self-service machine 1.

[0064] Fig. 9 Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for operating a self-service vending machine 1. The self-service vending machine 1 is, for example, according to the first embodiment, as described in the following: Fig. 1 bis 7 or according to the second embodiment Fig. 8 trained.

[0065] The procedure of Fig. 9 includes steps S1 to S3: In step S1, the scanner unit 4 of the self-service machine 1 is operated in setup mode (see Fig. 2 , 3 as well as Fig. 6 ).

[0066] In step S2, a switchable light shield 2, designed as part of the cover 8, is switched from the setup mode (or transparent mode) to the scan mode (opaque mode).

[0067] In step S3, an optical sensor signal from an object O arranged above the transparent floor 6 is recorded, in particular scanned, by means of an optical sensor 10.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it can be modified in many ways. In particular, features of the embodiments are also applicable to a money transfer machine or a bank statement printer. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0069] 1 Self-service machine 2 Housing 3 Display 4 Scanner unit 5 Scanner slot 6 Base 7 Back panel 8 Lid 9 Side panel 10 Optical sensor 11 Optical sensor optics 12 Switchable light shield 13 Control unit 14 Scanner hopper 15 Lighting unit 16 Discretion panel Hand Object Foreign light Rear light / scattered light S1 Process step S2 Process step S3 Process step

Claims

1. Self-service machine (1) with a scanner device (4) for scanning objects (O), comprising a scanner shaft (5) with a transparent base (6), a rear wall (7) and a cover (8) and an optical sensor (10) arranged below the transparent base (6) for recording an optical sensor signal of an object (O) arranged above the transparent base (6), wherein the cover (8) comprises a switchable light protection (12) with two operating modes comprising a transparent mode and a non-transparent mode and a control unit (13) is provided, which is configured to switch the switchable light protection (12) between the transparent mode and the non-transparent mode, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to switch between the transparent mode and the non-transparent mode depending on a trigger signal, wherein the trigger signal is provided by an application software of the self-service machine (1), and wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera (10) with autofocus, wherein the trigger signal is generated depending on focusing by the autofocus of the camera (10) on the object (O).

2. Self-service machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the switchable light protection (12) is designed as an electrically switchable light protection, wherein the control unit (13) is configured to switch the electrically switchable light protection (12) between the transparent mode and the non-transparent mode by means of an electrical voltage.

3. Self-service machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the switchable light protection (12) comprises a PDLC film or a plurality of PDLC film layers.

4. Self-service machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (8) comprises a carrier layer, on which the switchable light protection (12) is arranged, in particular laminated.

5. Self-service machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the switchable light protection (12) comprises an electrochromic glass.

6. Self-service machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the carrier layer comprises an acrylic glass, which is suitable for deflecting light incident on a surface of the acrylic glass via its side surfaces.

7. Self-service machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the optical sensor is designed as a camera (10) with upstream optics (11), wherein the camera (10) with the upstream optics (11) is arranged in a scanner funnel (14) below the transparent base (6).

8. Self-service machine according to claim 7, characterized in that the optical sensor further comprises an illumination unit (15) assigned to the camera (10) and arranged in the scanner funnel (14).

9. Self-service machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the self-service machine (1) is designed as an automated teller machine, as an account service terminal, as a service machine, as a self-seller or as a parcel station.

10. Self-service machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the object (O) is a document, a paper document, an electronic document, a proof of identity, for example a passport, or a pictorial code representation, for example on a letter or on a parcel.

11. Self-service machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by a character recognition unit for automatic recognition of characters in the object (O) based on the recorded optical sensor signal of the object (O).

12. Method for operating a self-service machine (1) with a scanner device (4) for scanning objects (O), comprising a scanner shaft (5) with a transparent base (6), a rear wall (7) and a cover (8) and an optical sensor (10) arranged below the transparent base (6) for recording an optical sensor signal of an object (O) arranged above the transparent base (6), wherein a switchable light protection (12) designed as part of the cover (8) is switched (S2) between two operating modes comprising a transparent mode and a non-transparent mode, wherein the switching between the transparent mode and the non-transparent mode is performed by a control unit (13) depending on a trigger signal, which is provided by an application software of the self-service machine (1), and wherein the optical sensor comprises a camera (10) with autofocus, wherein the trigger signal is generated depending on focusing by the autofocus of the camera (10) on the object (O).

13. Computer program product which causes the method according to claim 12 to be carried out on a program-controlled device.