GB2087473A

GB2087473A - Secured Transaction Processing System

Info

Publication number: GB2087473A
Application number: GB8111945A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-08-25
Filing date: 1978-07-25
Publication date: 1982-05-26
Also published as: DE2857734C2; GB2087473B; GB2087474B; GB2003223B; BE869215A; IT7825827A0; GB2087472B; FR2406057A1; GB2087474A; GB2087472A; JPS5449200A; JPH0371554B2; JPS61117384A; DE2830936A1; CA1110116A; GB2003223A; NL7807902A; FR2406057B1; IT1097862B; DE2830936C2

Abstract

A secured transaction processing system comprising, in combination, an outer security booth 10 composed of a booth housing 12 and entrance means 20; and at least one transaction processing enclosure 220 mounted within said booth housing; said enclosure including access means to the interior of said enclosure and closure moans 22a registrable with said access means; turntable means 244 mounted within said enclosure; and means associated with said transaction processing enclosure for providing controlled environmental conditions therein. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 087 473 A 1

SPECIFICATION Secured Transaction Processing System

Development of devices providing security for the dealer or teller as well as security for the transaction itself, where items of value are being 70 transferred or held by the dealer or teller and the agency he represents, has been a continuing concern that has assumed increasing significance with the passing years. Attempted means for -10 providing an adequate degree of protection have 75 assumed a variety of forms. Most such security devices are conceived for use in banks and similar institutions which are seen generally to yield the richest and most readily convertible rewards to those intent on appropriation of items of value by 80 physical force or threat of physical force.

Accordingly, and for convenience, most of the discussion appearing herein will be in terms of such institutions and facilities. It will, of course, be obvious that the present invention has application, however, to payroll offices, tax collection agencies, ticket offices and other institutions and businesses apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Among the most commonly employed security apparatus heretofore has been closed circuit television systems wherein television cameras are placed strategically about the area in which transactions involving the transfer or custody of articles of value occur. The cameras are designed to record pictorially on tape any illegal acts occurring in the transaction area. These systems have often been rendered inoperative by covering the lenses of the television cameras which are normally placed at a height sufficient to oversee an area while permitting a sharply defined image of the robber or other miscreant. at greater heights, the cameras have been known to give an insufficiently distinct image to assure later identification. In any event, masks or other disguise may readily defeat the objective of identification. Similar devices using movie cameras have also been utillsed, but have been known to fall for the same reasons and, on occasion, for lack of adequate film. Further these systems provide only surveillance and do not serve physically to restrain a felon or protect the teller, dealer or clerk from harm or intimidation.

More recently, and increasingly, resort has been had to automated equipment mounted in unprotected stations on building exteriors, for example, in the belief that they were invulnerable to harm or exploitation. This assessment has proven to be in error, however, and these devices have been frequently pummeled and damaged with expensive equipment replacement costs.

Also, once installed, they have not previously been capable of ready removal or relocation.

Further, single or multiple electronic data processing apparatus or other specialty equipment used separately or in support or cooperation with a manual transaction system or automatic transaction equipment also requires, normally, a closely controlled environment in which to function. This environment has been provided usually, heretofore, by placing all of an organisation's data processing apparatus except, for example, remotely disposed terminals and the like, in a single large room where overall conditions are maintained substantially uniform. To accomplish this is expensive, the location of the equipment is often inconvenient and an accommodation to necessity rather than efficient utilisation; and a power failure or the like will necessitate, in the absence of an auxiliary power supply, a shut-down of an organisation's entire electronic data processing system; and in modern terms where banks are concerned, will cause a closing of the entire business enterprise, as well as other enterprises dependent upon it. This vulnerability exists as well with sensitive government installations and will ordinarily disconnect and disarm the protective systems and apparatus used to secure the electronic data processing system itself against injury.

Turning to consideration of the transaction security aspect of the present invention, however, means have, of course, been developed heretofore, having as their objective the protection of bank tellers or persons similarly engaged in dealing in other items of value with members of the public.

Thus, US Patent 2 460 917 is directed to a cashier or teller safety booth, incorporating a pivoted bin adapted to be swung out through the bullet-resistant wall protecting the cashier from potential harm by the customer or other membey of the public; the bin providing a conveyance for any articles of value to be transmitted between customer and teller. Devices such as this, designed to limit physical exposure of the teller while providing facility of communication between teller and customer, have often proved unsatisfactory to prevent robbery, escape of the robber, or injury to a guard or other bank personnel since the transaction area is open to the public and the robber has freedom to attempt escape, at least in terms of the security apparatus described, at any time.

United States Patent 2 700 944 describes, in turn, a protective apparatus comprising a hinged screen which may be activated to spring up and block the transaction interface between the teller and any threatening customer or other member of the public. The use of this device demands timing and a readiness by the teller or cashier to chance injury and otherwise incorporates the difficulties inherent in US Patent 2 460 917 described briefly hereinabove.

United States Patent 3 537 409 provides additional protection in bank security systems wherein the teller station is capable of being locked and removed from control of those within the bank so that even in the event of threat, the teller, for example, cannot unlock the teller enclosures, drawers, vault or the like. A significant difficulty with this system is that it must be activated, which will normally occur only upon 2 GB 2 087 473 A performance of an overt act of hostility, which, if sufficiently rapid, or reacted to with insufficient speed, may bar activation of the system completely.

According to the present invention there is provided a secured transaction processing system comprising, in combination, an outer security booth composed of a booth housing and entrance means; and at least one transaction processing enclosure mounted within said booth housing; said enclosure including access means to the interior of said enclosure and closure means registrable with said access means; turntable means mounted within said enclosure; and means associated with said transaction processing enclosure for providing controlled environmental conditions therein.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in 85 which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transaction security booth housing transacion processing enclosures embodying the invention; - Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the booth and processing enclosures of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the transaction security booth and processing enclosures of Figure 1 taken along the lines III- 111 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, of the transaction security booth taken along the lines IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view, partially in elevation, of an alternative closure means for a booth according to the invention:

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the closure means taken along the line VIVI of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a typical electrical circuit for use in controlling the activation and deactivation of the closure means and transaction interface in a transaction security booth of the invention, together with an over-ride control circuit means; and Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram 110 showing an electrical control circuit for use in a specific application of the apparatus of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a boothi 10 incorporates a transaction processing enclosure or a plurality thereof as shown, by way of illustration, in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive wherein a plurality of interiorly disposed enclosures 260 appear. These secondary protective enclosures are adapted to contain electronic data processing equipment, communications and automatic transaction or other transaction processing equipment including banking machines, associated vaults and the like requiring physical security and alternatively or, in addition, the maintenance of a specially and carefully sustained and controlled environment, as well as one which is provided with means to respond immediately to any departure from that control for whatever reason, such as fire detection and suppression and a small emergency power source if desired.

It may be mentioned at this point that the booth 10 of Figures 1 to 4 may be replaced by the booth of Figures 1 to 8 of my Patent Application No. 31050/78 (Serial No.

which the subject matter of the present application has been divided, whilst the transaction processing enclosures 200 may be replaced by the enclosures of Figures 5 to 9 of my Patent Application No. 8111968 (Serial No. another divisional of that application.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is secured to the door or entrance frame element 23, as well as the booth ceiling 16 and floor 18 on each side of the entrance 20 and disposed at an angle to the circumference of the booth 10 and directed toward the interior of the booth, entryway panels 204 adapted to contact and be in registry with, along their inner vertical margins with the door or closure means 22a. The closure means is slidably mounted to move about a vertical axis parallel to that of the transaction security booth 10 between the first and second positions; the diameter of the foregoing closure means 22a being substantially smaller than that of the outer enclosure housing 19.

The closure means is generally arcuately shaped in horizontal crosssection and moves between a first position in which the entrance 20 is open to occupancy as shown in Figure 1 and a second position shown in Figure 2 in which the entrance is closed, and access to the secondary enclosure 200 is provided. In order to prevent any marginal access to the secondary enclosure without complete occlusion of the entrance 20 during that period in which the closure means 22a, shown as hemi-cylindrical in Figures 1 to 3, is moving from its first to second position, the closure means 22a need only be made to define an angle greater than 1800 and less than 2700 in horizontal cross-section. Advantageously, the plurality of closure means 22b and 22c may also be employed in the manner described hereinafter in connection with the embodiment of the invention shown in the Figures 5 and 6. It is also possible to reduce the distance between the entrance 20 and access to the secondary enclosure or module from 1801, and by increasing their proximity reduce the degree of arc defined by the closure means 22a as described with respect to the closure means 22 and the interface 13 appearing, for example, in Figure 1 to. 4 of my said Application No. 31050/78 (Serial No.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, thd lateral margins 212 of the closure mEWns are in registry with the inner margins of the entryway panels 204 in the first (entrance open) position as shown in Figure 1 as well as in the second (entrance closed) position shown in Figure 2. If more room is desired in the interior of the booth 10, the entryway panels 204 can be made to extend outwardly from the entrance frame elements 23 and the closure means moved ) from 3 GB 2 087 473 A 3 outwardly as well with an extension or peak placed, when desired, in the relevant and proximate portion of the ceiling 16 to accommodate the arcuate shape of the closure means in the second position. A similar extension 70 can be provided in the booth floor 18 where the latter is not in flush relationship with the floor surrounding the booth. Similarly, the foregoing peak is unnecessary where, for example, a hung ceiling is disposed in a like plane about the ceiling 75 16 of the booth 10. Alternatively, the closure means 22b and 22c, described hereinafter with respect to the embodiment of the invention appearing in Figures 5 and 6, can be substituted for the closure means 22a to materially reduce the cross-sectional diameter of the space otherwise required in the entrance 20 for effective operation of the closure means 22a.

The closure means is otherwise mounted and operated, and the entrance closed and opened, and secured and unsecured in the same manner as described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of my said Patent Application No. 31050/78 (Serial No.). The closure means 22a (or 22b and 22c), however mounted is most desirably, of impact, and particularly, bulletresistant construction.

The secondary enclosures 200 are in a preferred embodiment adapted for use in cooperation with the closure means 22a of the outer booth 10.

A representative module 200 comprises a housing 220, generally cylindrical in conformation, although a variety of shapes or combinations of shapes may be employed, composed of a stationary vertical rear wall 222 one or more access means and one or more slidably mounted arcuately rotatable secondary closure means 224, (and M where an additional inner secondary closure means is present), the lateral margins of which, in the closed position and thus occluding the access means are in registry with the rear wall 222. In the completely open position the secondary closure means 224 and 225 are preferably disposed respectively 110 outside and inside the rear wall 222, the second closure means 224 and 225 moving in a path defining an axis substantially identical to that of the arcuate rear wall 222. The stationary rear wall 222 and secondary closure means elements 224 115 and 225, in a preferred embodiment, define semicircles each of about 1800 and, as is evident, provide a closed cylinder in the closed state.

The housing 220 composed of its foregoing movable and stationary components may be formed of a variety of materials. Where a computer assembly is to be contained in the enclosures 200 one secondary closure means 224 is desirably formed of a transparent, impact, and normally, a projectile-and-bullet, resistant material, and preferably in combination with a plurality of concentrically mounted secondary closure means 225, formed of a fire and impact resistant material, e.g. a metallic material.

For convenience of reference where two 130 concentric housings are used as the closure means the outer one is referred to herein by the designation 224 and the inner one by the reference 225. Where they are segmented horizontally, they are referred to in this designation by their upper or lower disposition as 224a, the upper outer housing element, 224b, the lower outer housing element; 225c, the inner upper housing component; and 225d, the inner lower housing component.

Illustratively, and as more particularly described in my said Patent Application No.

8111968 (Serial No.) an outer closure means 224, formed of a transparent impact (e.g. bullet- or projectile-) resistant material is mounted on a track 226a formed in the roof 16 of the booth 10 and, additionally or alternatively, in the perimeter of the module base 284 to enclose or provide access to the housed equipment 230. A second access element 225 is disposed within the outer access element 224 and formed of steel or other appropriate protective material. In the closed state these closure means or access elements are in registry at their lateral borders with the stationary wall 222 by means of closure plates 202. The secondary closure means 225 when opaque, as is normally the case, may also be segmented horizontally and the upper component thereof 225c moved to the open state to expose or at least render visible through the outer secondary closure means, 224 or 224a, the, equipment face and its operation.

Where employed to house an automatic banking machine, the Vault thereof will ordinaril be disposed under the transaction face 232 of the machine 230. In this event, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the outer and inner secondary closure means 224 and 225 respectively, which may otherwise be single units, are horizontally segmented to provide two separately rotatable components, an outer upper component 224a (shown in Figs. 1 and 4) and an outer lower component 224b and an inner upper component 225c and inner lower component 225d of approximately equivalent vertical as well as identical lateral dimensions. The upper secondary closure means 224a and 225c may be permitted to remain open durihg banking hours, for example, and closed at other times, or adapted to open when the first or other booth closure means 22a passes from the first to the second position.

Alternatively, where access is desired for servicing of the machine or vault-positioned under the automatic tellor or banking machine face 232, shown schematically, the lower secondary closure means 224b and 225d are rotated alone or in conjunction with the upper secondary closure means 224a and 225c and preferably in conjunction, too, with the closure of the entrance to the booth exterior by rotation of the - closure means 22a to the second position so that the serviceman, by way of illustration, or other authorized person can have access to the vault from the protected enclosure of the booth 10.

4 GB 2 087 473 A 4 In the preferred embodiment of the booth as shown, particularly, in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a second enclosure or module, also designated 220 may be present, adapted to incorporate accessory electronic data processing equipment 240 70 necessary to the operation of the banking machine. Its housing may, where required, be formed of similar material to that of the first module described hereinabove or formed of an impact fire resistant material. The housing 220 of the latter module is similar in conformation and is composed of a stationary rear wall 222 and one or more access elements with secondary closure means. In this instance, however, the secondary closure means 224 (and 225 where the inner element is present) are not so desirably segmented, ordinarily, but integral since access is not normally required by different classes of personnel for whom the illustrative banking machine 230 is provided in the first module. The secondary closure means can, of course, be segmented as well in this instance, if desired. Further, at least one movable secondary closure means 224 of the second mod6le housing 220 is desirably transparent for ease of observation of 90 the operative data processing device 240 present therein without disturbing the environment in which it is maintained. A second secondary closure element or protective shield 225 located internally to the stationary wall 222 and made of an impact and fire-resistant material, such as metal, and generally opaque is often preferentially present as well with respect to this second module.

In any case, the module 200, whether the first 100 or second, as described above, further comprises a turntable, plate or platform 244 disposed in independently rotatable relationship with the housing 220 and disposed contiguously within the periphery thereof in a preferred embodiment.

As will be evident in this context, the turntable 244 is essentially flat, may have other supplemental turntables independently superimposed thereon within the housing 200 as shown in my Patent Application No. 8111968 110 (Serial No.) and is round or circular in horizontal conformation. The internally disposed housing 225 and the sum of any horizontally segmented subdivisions thereof 225c and 225d will normally terminate below the periphery of the platform 244 at its lower margin and in the outer margin of the rotation plate 280 with which it is in fixed engagement at its uliper end. Where a banking machine such as an automatic paying or receiving machine is enclosed within the module the inner closure means or access element 225 will extend preferably from the roof 16 by means of a flange 289 to the floor 18.

The platform provides easy access to the rear or any other aspect of the transaction processing machine or electronic data processing apparatus present in the module for servicing or the like at the same site and through the same second closure means or access element used for all other purposes; accomplishing an economy of function and utilization of space unknown heretofore. Its rotation can be integrated selectively through a standard control panel (not shown) with opening of one or all segments of the secondary closure means and with closure to the exterior of the closure means 22a.

All of the functions thus far described as well as securing or latching and unlatching of the booth or module are accomplished conveniently by means of conventional electrical circuitry well known to one skilled in the art. The control means may for example be similar to that described with respect to the booth 10 described herein and in my said Application No. 31050/78 (Serial No.

In accordance further with the practice of the invention, the system thus described may also be responsive to an alarm and over-ride control in the manner generally of that described elsewhere herein so that in response to seismic shock from physical attack or unauthorised or unprogrammed attempt to gain access thereto, experienced by, for example, the banking machine as the result of attempted burglary or other tampering, the inner secondary closure means 225 or its components 225(c) or 225(d) will close while the closure means 22(a) will be retained in place securing the miscreant within the booth 10 in one preferred embodiment.

With continued reference to the transaction processing module 220, it will be seen that the upper or supra module housing 275 is continuous with or defines entry into a hung ceiling 16 which contains the conventional heat, ventilation and air-conditioning systems as well as electrical and communication lines into which the module may be grafted to provide, where electronic data processing units are encapsulated by the module, for example, the controlled environment necessary to its operation. The riser duct 290 serves to effect transmission of the foregoing environmental components to the interior of the module 200. Support members 14 in the stationary wall of the second enclosure as well as the outer booth may be integrated with the riser duct 290 for the purpose of transmitting the flow of gaseous components through the enclosure. To effect this transmission, the ceiling 16 is perforated (not shown). Also perforated (but not shown in the drawing) are the turntable 244 and upper rotatable module plate 280 to assure access and even distribution of the foregoing atmospheric environmental components within the module. It is also within the contemplation of this invention that a duct similar to-the foregoing may transmit in like manner from the heat, ventilation and air-conditioning system of the floor below that on which the module is located through the module base 284. It is also consistent with the foregoing description that individual units suitable for securing the necessary atmospheric control be placed within the supra module housing 275 for delivery to the module interior or chamber wherein the apparatus 230 is i GB 2 087 473 A 5 located as also described in co-pending application No. 31050/78 (Serial No.). Means of fire detection 294, fire suppression 295, and motor control unit 297 and a source of emergency power 299 for these systems are placed in the supra modular housing as shown diagrammatically in Figure 4 without affecting materially the ease of assembly, disassembly or mobility of the module 200 for the enclosure 220. Alternatively, these elements may 75 be located on the base 284 or the module 200 or under the floor 18 of the booth 10 and respectively, below the turntable of said enclosure or under a raised or flooring system in said booth.

Reference is now made to Figures 5 and 6, the operation of which utilises closure means 22b and 22c which serve as an alternative for use in the booth 10 in conjunction with the module 200 As shown in Figure 5 and 6 this apparatus may 85 serve as a personnel entry interface unit 340 for controlled entry of persons into a booth.

The assembly as so constructed, and shown in Figures 5 and 6, comprises a closure means composed of two arcuate shields 22b and 22c which are operative independently, but relative to one another, moving in a circular path about a common axis. While concentrically disposed, the lateral margin of one shield will be in registry with, and abut, the other, when they occupy complementary portions of the cylindrical path about which they travel. While both vertical shields may be semicircular in horizontal section; in a preferred embodiment the two will differ in the extent of the cylindrical perimeter they occupy. Thus, the inner primary shield 22c will define an arc of about or precisely 180'. The outer or secondary or revolving shield will encompass an arc of from 901 to about 1801. An arc of from 901 to about 1351 is generally preferred since a secondary shield 22b of this dimension while accomplishing the objectives for which it is utilized permits these objectives such as surveillance and security clearance, and protection of the secured area to be accomplished 110 employing, surprisingly, a significantly smaller cross-sectional area than where, for example, a single shield of 2701 is utilized. The inner shield 22c is mounted in fixed engagement at its upper end with the rotation plate 280. The rotation plate 115 280 is affixed at its axis to the vertically disposed rotatable support and drive shaft 276 which is connected in turn to the motor and drive assembly 350 and is secured to the support plate 352 bya conventional bearing assembly (not shown). The outer or primary shield or access element 22b defining an arc of 900 to 18011, as noted, is mounted for cooperative but independent movement in a conventional drive ring assembly slidably mounted about the 125 periphery of the rotation plate and is driven in turn, and separately from the drive assembly 350, by a second drive assembly 354 which, while energized electrically in a preferred embodiment may be mechanical, pneumatic-piston, electrical or the like. This latter drive assembly 354 is mounted eccentrically on the rotation plate 280 in cooperation with the drive shaft 276. Control of the second drive assembly or mechanism 354 is through a detection mechanism 356 on one of the two support girders 358 of the assembly and the drive assembly 354 and unit 356 are connected for interaction as described by conventional electrical control means. The support girders 358 maintain the stability of the assembly by engaging the lateral margin of the support plate 354 and by means of the struts 360 extending from each of the support girders 358 to the opposite margins of the aforesaid plate 360.

The closure means 22b and 22c in operation move between three primary positions, returning to the first of these positions upon completion of a cycle. Thus, one seeking access to a booth using the unit 340 will find the passage occluded and enter, for example, into the perimeter of the unit defined by the path of rotation of the shields 22b and 22c wherein or in proximity thereto provision is made for identification such as by use of a personnel identification card, or alternatively or in addition, by stepping on a pressure sensitive mat 400 normally responsive to only a single identified person, or employing other conventional means of activation common to security clearance. However effected, the patron or occupant of the foregoing perimeter will be facing the inner 1800 arcuate shield 22c which will define a concavity to the booth occupant. Arrayed concentrically behind it is the preferably smaller outer shield 22b. This is the first position referred to above. ActNtation of the unit 340 once accomplished as, for example, through the detector control mechanism 356 causes the inner shield 22c to rotate in a direction which is opposite to that of the outer shield 22b. The relative directions as shown in Fig. 6are counterclockwise for the inner shield 22c and clockwise for the outer shield. It will be obvious that these directions may be reversed within the contemplation of the invention and that the relative inner and outer disposition of the shields can also be altered, although the relationship defined, for example, in Fig. 6 is a preferred embodiment.

Initially, in achieving the second position referred to hereinabove by virtue of its disposition in ring drive assembly to the rotation plate 280 the outer shield 22b may be said to move in a clockwise manner although it simply stays in place while the inner shield 22c moves in a counterclockwise manner driven by the rotating plate 280 and its motor drive assembly to that point at which one lateral margin of each of the two shields is in registry with the other and the perimeter occupied by the shields is the sum of the arcs defined by the two shields individually. In this position entry into the booth remains impeded and egress into the area from which entry into the perimeter was secured is materially decreased or eliminated depending upon the arc defined by the outer shield 22b. The shields then 6 GB 2 087 473 A 6 continue, in effect, their clockwise and counterclockwise advance to the third and final position in the sequence in which the two shields are again arrayed concentrically, but this time across that portion of the perimeter from which entry was initially made; the shield 22c completely occluding this portion of the perimeter with the outer shield disposed behind it. The opposite side of the perimeter is in the third position open and unimpeded to the occupant of the interior of said perimeter or a booth 10. When the occupant is ready or has moved forward out of the perimeter or is authorised to leave the booth, the control means or detector means 356 will cause the shields to reverse direction and return to their first position. Whilst the shields, in their sequential movement from the first to the third position, and in returning to the first position, preferably move in opposite directions (that is a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction), they may alternatively move in the same, that is clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. The passage through the three foregoing positions is a continuous one which abets significantly the use of an outer shield of reduced arcuate extent in the practice of the invention. Although it is unlikely that a miscreant or vandal could gain access to the enclosure as defined by the elements 22b and 22c in their unlapped state resulting from their arcuate motion in opposite directions, including that of the inner shield 22c alone, it would be possible for an individual, for example, to' discharge a firearm or discharge a bomb or incendiary device into the booth when occupied by another if the outer or security shield does not describe an arc of greater than 90 11 as provided by this invention. To prevent injury to an authorised user of a booth protected by the enclosure means 22b and 22c, the drive motors may be equipped with slip clutches to temporarily suspend motion of said closure means if their pathways are blocked in which event the control means most desirably will return the shields to the foregoing first position. Similarly, slidable detection elements may be mounted at the edges of the shields 22b and 22c on tracks placed on slide closure means to electrically communicate with the control means, 356, so that if deflected by an object in their path, the motion of the closure means may be temporarily halted until such obstruction is removed or preferably reversed.

The closure means 22a may be replaced by the shields 22b and 22c as described above or alternatively by the closure means 22 of Figs. 1 to 8 of co-pending 3pplication 31050/78 (Serial No.

Fig. 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of normal electrical control circuit means for securing and releasing the door 22a in cooperation with a transaction interface in the booth. Also included is an electrical circuit means for additionally over-riding said normal securing and release means of the closure means or elements of the transaction interface.

The system thus includes a door control mechanism for a booth 10 for normal operation with an over-ride control which may be used, for example, at the discretion of the teller or other human custodial agency, for example within the bank.

The over-ride control and alarm means, when triggered, prevents the door or closure means 22a from opening. Authorities, remote from the booth, may also be alerted by an audible alarm or light on the outside of the booth and integrated into the over-ride circuit. The invention has the pecular advantage, in this respect, of permitting apprehension of the felon at the immediate site of his criminal endeavor, a uniquely desirable posture from the point of view of the putative victim and prosecuting authority. The power source 50 is connected through the normally closed contacts 70 of the alarm relay 68 and the close door switch 72 to the reversing motor controller 62. When this switch 72 is closed, it causes the closure means 22a to close and become secured either inherently by the use of a worm gear drive (not shown) or else by an independent latch (not shown). When the closure means is closed it causes the door closed switch 54 to close thus energising the transaction initiate solenoid 56. This solenoid unlocks the transaction interface or if desired opens it.

When the transaction across the interface is completed by the customer in cooperation with a transaction processing machine, the transaction complete switch 58 is activated by the banking machine enabling the door open switch 60 to unsecure the closure means and, simultaneously, open the door closed switch 54, thus deactivating the transaction initiate solenoid and securing the interface by a spring on the solenoid. It will be evident to one skilled in the art that any appropriate action referred to in this description can be effected by a transaction processing machine or apparatus acting in concert therewith. The cycle can be so adjusted too that there is, if desired, a time lag of variable duration between securing of the interface and unsecuring of the door orclosure means.

The securing and release means may be overridden by the alarm provision also contained in the circuit. When the alarm relay 68 is activated the normally closed contacts 70 of that relay open, causing the door open and close functions to be disabled. Although, as shown, the door 22a will either stop moving and simply remain in one position when the alarm is energized, provision may also be included to cause the door to close from whatever position it is in when the alarm is activated. The alarm relay 68 is activated by the closing of switch 64. Contacts 80 on the alarm relay are in turn closed which maintains tne alarm condition until the switch 82 is pressed and the circuit is opened.

Fig. 7 may be modified to embody an alternative and less preferred form of the present invention. This latter modification involves the removal of the switch 54, the solenoid 56, and their interconnecting wire. As changed, the circuit 1 A 4 7 GB 2 087 473 A 7 retains the door open and door close functions along with the alarm over-ride. The customer's ability to leave is temporarily disabled during transactions by means of teller or automatic operation of the transaction complete switch 58.

Basic, in any event, to the preferred embodiment of the invention is cooperation between the door or closure means and the transaction interface. The transactional interface is normally secured when it is in the closed position. It is unsecured by the condition of the door being completely closed. When the door is released or opened, if desired, by any means the transactional interface is secured. Also, the controls which are normally used to unsecure, or open, the door are not operative unless the transaction interface is secured. This is achieved by embodying the transaction initiate switch in a form which registers the condition of the transaction interface 13. When the interface is closed the switch 58 is closed thus enabling the door controls. When the interface is open so is the switch 58 and the controls are disabled. Thus the control means can activate the transaction machine only when the door is closed and 90 secured.

A further and more detailed embodiment of the circuitry used to effect the foregoing, and other and additional objectives and advantages in accordance with the practice described herein is illustrated by the following description taken in conjunction with the wiring diagram of Fig. 8 wherein the control system, connected to a standard conventional direct current power supply 100, is placed in service, illustratively, by 100 the teller, similar custodial agent or other agency activating the mode switch 110 to the "on" position. This step serves to energize the door control system and cause the booth "on" indicator 111 to light.

Depending on the position of the closure means or door at this point, either or both of the open door and close door indicators, 131 and 116, respectively, will also be lit. If not fully open, for example, the teller or other agency may cause 110 the door or closure means to be open by activating, for example depressing, the teller's open door push button 120 which will energize the open door relay 125 and the door drive motor 63 (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8). When the door is fully open the booth is available for entry by the customer and the close door indicator 116 will be lit.

Upon entering the booth the customer will depress the customer's close door push button 152 energising the close relay 113 and the door or closure rileans drive motor 63 initiating the movement of the door or closure means to the closed position. At this point, the open door indicator 131 will light providing the customer with notice of the incipient door closure. The customer can reverse the action of the closure means 22a by depressing the customer open door push button 119, if he elects not to stay in the booth and undertake any transaction across the interface. When the door is fully closed, close limit switch 114 will be activated energising the passthrough solenoid 117 and permitting the transaction interface to be opened, and if desired, activated to an open position. When the interface is open the interface limit switch 127 will be operated causing the open door indicator 131 to be extinguished and the open door push buttons. 119 and 120 to be disabled. At this point a transaction can be effected across the interface.

Upon completion of the transaction and the closure of the interface, the interface and passthrough limit switch 127 will be closed illuminating the open door indicators 131 and enabling the open door push buttons 119 and 120. The teller, customer or other agency can at this point in time initiate the open door function by depressing one of the open door buttons 119 or 120, which will serve to energize the open door relay 125 and the door drive motor 63 causing, in turn, the initiation in opening of the closure means. Opening of the door or closure means will not actually occur until the close limit switch 114 operates, to de- energize the transaction interface solenoid 117 latching the interface in the closed position. The close door indicator 116 is now lit and the customer may reverse the direction of the door by depressing the close door push button 152, if once again, he should change his mind and elect to undertake a further transaction across the interface. Contacts 136 and 156 are holding contacts on door open relay 125 and door close relay 113 which serve to keep the relays energized after the door open push buttons 119 and 120, and door cloged push button 152, are released. Switch 128 serves to extinguish door open indicator 131 when the door is in the fully open position. Contacts 115 and 129 serve to extinguish the door close and door open indicators 116 and 13 1, respectively, while the door drive motor 63 is in operation.

The teller may override the customer's close door push button 152 by depressing and holding depressed the teller's open door push button 120. The teller can also disable the door in any position at any time by switching the mode switch 110 to the "off" position 167. Further, the teller may elect to over-ride the customer controls and close the entrance by means of the door or closure means 22 by activation of the mode switch 110 to the "close" position. The booth is also removed, if desired, from normal service by moving the mode switch 110 to the "off" position 167 which will extinguish the indicators and disable the controls.

Upon the advent of an alert signal from any source, for example, theteller's alert push button 138, the alert indicator 141 and the alert relay 130 will be energized and latched by the holding contact 146. Energizing the alert relay 130 will open the normally closed contacts 126 which will cause the open door indicator 131 and the open door push buttons 119 and 120 to be disabled preventing the door from being opened by the drive motor.

8 GB 2 087 473 A 8 Simultaneously, but optionally and indeed preferably, a switching system, for example, a stepping relay, (not shown) may be incorporated in the system to connect a tape recorder to the booth, which is the source of the alert signal. During an alert condition the close door and interface functions are not disabled. The alert condition may be cleared by depressing either the reset alert or master reset push buttons 149 and 10 147, respectively.

Upon the advent of an alarm signal from any source (such as one of the alarm push buttons 164) the alarm relay 137 and the alarm indicator 155 will be energized and latched by the holding contact 170. At this time, a signal will be provided through the alarm bus 159 to energize the alert relay 130 and alert indicator 141 of the booth, and where a plurality of booths are present in the transaction area, the foregoing relays 130 and indicators 141 of all of these booths simultaneously. Diodes 157 and 158 shown in Fig. 8 serve to isolate the alert system, alarm system and the alarm bus 159 to prevent interference between these portions of the circuitry.

Energizing the alarm relay 137 will open the normally closed contacts 112 disabling the open door and close door indicators 116 and 13 1, the open door and close door push buttons 119, 120 and 152 and the interface or pass-through solenoid 117, thus securing the entrance of the booth which is the source of the alarm.

The alarm transmit loop contacts 16 1, normally closed, will open and transmit an alarm to a remotely positioned supportive security unit outside the transaction area, such as the police. Further, the alert condition at all the booths, initiated as described hereinabove, by the alarm bus 159 will disable the door opening function at all the remaining booths. The alarm condition also activates the switching system (not shown), in a preferred embodiment, to connect the tape recorder and the tape player to the booth which is the source of the alarm. During an alarm condition or state the alert relays 130 cannot be reset. The alarm condition is cleared by depressing the reset alarm push button 172. The alert condition will, however, persist until reset. Operatiop of the master reset push button 147 will clear the alarm relay 137 and alert relay 130 of each of the booths involved simultaneously. The alert and alarm reset controls are located on a master' control panel (not expressly shown in Fig. 8) positioned in a protected area remote from the booth, and unavailable, for example to the teller at the booth interface.

At any time, the door or closure means can be opened by operation of the emergency open door switch 139 located on the foregoing master control panel. Also located on this master control panel is the key switch enable switch 153 which 125 enables the so-called police key switch 154, allowing the closure means to be opened or closed at any time under supervision of the appropriate authorities. Diodes 143 and 145 serve to isolate portions of the circuitry to prevent interference between the emergency door open switch 139, the normal door open control and the alert system. Switches 122, 123, 134 and 135 are desirably incorporated for protection of the motor controller 62 (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7, as noted hereinabove) and the motor 63 (also shown diagrammatically in Fig. 7). Safety switches 121 and 133 provided on the door edges 23 stop the door in case a body is between the door edge and the booth frame.

It will be obvious to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that duplication of certain of the components in a number of locations described in the foregoing detailed application of the present invention is appropriate. By way of illustration, indicators are desirably duplicated on the customer's control panel within the booth, and the teller's and master control panels. In like manner, the alarm push button 164 or similarly convenient control means may be incorporated in the teller's station and in the master panel.

It will be evident that in the detailed control system of Fig. 8 the interface must be secured in the closed position before the closure means can be unsecured or opened.For this purpose the limit switch 127 will be closed by the closure of the interface or deactivation of the banking machine exchange unit to enable the door open controls. The transaction interface or pass-through solenoid 117 must in turn be energised to unsecure, and if desired, open the interface or activate the bank machine 38. The foregoing solenoid 117 can, in addition, only be energised when the closure means is fully closed. This is effected by the limit switch 114 which is operated only when the door or closure means is fully closed to enable the interface to be unsecured.

Although the control of the security system is achieved through electrical circuitry known to those skilled in the art such as that described hereinabove the control system may at least partly utilize mechanical, optical, hydraulic, pneumatic or other fluid or equivalent means to effect movement of a member such as the door 22a.

It will be evident that the term -transaction security system" or its equivalents as employed herein contemplate not only exchange units in which physical passage of money, tickets or other; items occurs, but delivery of information from a data processing apparatus or visua! observation of such apparatus, for example, occurs.

It will be evident, too, that the terms and expression which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation. There is no intention in the use of such terms and expression of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

A 4 9 GB 2 087 473 A 9

Claims

1. A secured transaction processing system comprising, in combination, an outer security booth composed of a booth housing and entrance means; and at least one transaction processing enclosure mounted within said booth housing; said enclosure including access means to the interior of said enclosure and closure means registrable with said access means; turntable means mounted within said enclosure; and means 75 associated with said transaction processing enclosure for providing controlled environmental conditions therein.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising secondary closure means to cooperate with said booth entrance means and mounted and movable from one position to another with respect to said entrance means to permit occupant entry into said booth, and control means interacting between said booth housing and said secondary closure means and adapted to admit occupancy to the interior of said booth under security conditions and to provide accessibility to said at least one transaction processing enclosure.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the secondary closure means of said transaction processing enclosure is slidably mounted and movable with respect to said access means to effect the opening and closing thereof, said turntable means is mounted independently with respect to said secondary closure means and is capable of supporting electronic data processing equipment or the like thereon so that the entire periphery of said turntable means and supported equipment is accessible through said access means, and a control means interacting with said secondary closure means to alternatively provide access or non-accessibility to the equipment disposed within said enclosure from the exterior of said enclosure.

4. A system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein said booth closure means is positioned substantially within said booth to cooperate with said entrance means and is slidably mounted and arcuately movable with respect to said entrance means to effect the opening and closing of said booth, and said control means interacting between said booth and said closure means is adapted to secure said entrance means while 115 simultaneously providing access to said transaction processing enclosure in one position and, alternatively, in another position, to open said entraance means and simultaneously provide for non-accessibilityto said transaction 120 processing enclosure.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said booth closure means is generally arcuate in shape and of diameter smaller than the width of said booth housing.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said booth closure means comprises a plurality of independently movably arcuate shields having a common axis and adapted for slidable arcuate movement about said axis to sequentially prevent 130 passage through the perimeter defined by the path of rotation of said shields in one direction, to inhibit passage in any direction from said perimeter, and to permit passage in said direction in which passage was initially prevented.

7. A system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein said booth closure means and booth housing are transparent to preserve a controlled atmosphere therein and provide visual access to said booth interior.

8. A system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 7, wherein said control means are electrical.

9. A secured transaction processing system comprising in combination: a booth housing; an interior within said housing; entrance means thereto; closure means positioned, in cooperation with said booth housing, having occupancy entrance capability and interacting with said entrance means to provide a closed security enclosure positioned within said housing and inaccessible directly to the exterior of said housing through said closure means; said closed security enclosure having internally positioned transaction interface means; said closure means go being generally arcuate in shape, of diameter smaller than that of said booth housing, and rotatably mounted on an axis substantially parallel to that of said booth; and arcuately movable from one to another position with respect to said entrance means; orientation in one position of said closure means providing entrance solely to said occupancy entrance capability and orientation of said closure means in another position closing said occupancy entrance capability from accessibility to the exterior of said booth housing through said entrance means while providing access to said closed security enclosure; and control means adapted to move said closure means from said one position to another position; and disposed within said closed security enclosure at least one transaction processing enclosure for the housing of electronic data processing equipment and the like comprising, in combination, at least one access means to the interior of said equipment enclosure; secondary closure means having outer surface conformance in size and shape with and registrable with said access means, said secondary closure means being slidably mounted and arcuately movable with respect to said access means to effect the opening and closing thereof; turntable means mounted independently with respect to said secondary closure means, rotatably secured within said equipment enclosure and capable of supporting said equipment thereon so that the entire periphery of said turntable means and supported equipment is accessible through said access means, control means interacting with said secondary closure means to alternately provide access or nonaccessibility to the equipment disposed within said equipment enclosure from the exterior of said enclosure; and means associated with said enclosure for providing controlled environmental conditions within the interior of said enclosure.

GB 2 087 473 A

10 10. A secured transaction processing system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said closure means comprises two arcuate shields, mounted for rotation concentrically about a common axis to provide sequentially for movement between first, second and third primary positions relative to each other and about an object passing through the perimeter defined by the path of rotation of said shields; said shields being adapted to provide a concentric arc in said first position while occluding the passage spanned by and behind said shields, barring access thereto to the object within said perimeter; one of said shields being adapted to rotate to said second position, where in said latter position, one lateral border of each of said shields is in registry with the other of said shields defining a closed area about said perimeter that is equal to a sum up to the arcs defined by both of said shields; said shields in this latter position continuing to occlude the passage spanned thereby in said first position and occluding as well a portion of the remainder of said perimeter; said shields being adapted further to rotate to said third position in which said shields are arrayed concentrically on the side of said perimeter opposite to that of said first position while providing, by movement of both of said shields in arcuate paths about said perimeter, unimpeded passage into the space occluded by said shields in said first and second positions; and completely occluding the previously unoccluded space about said perimeter in said third position.

11. A secured transaction processing system as claimed in claim 10 wherein one of said shields defines an arc of about 1801 and the second of said shields defines an arc of 901 to about 1801.

12. A secured transaction processing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said second shield defines an arc of 901 to about 1351.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1982. Published by the Patent Office. 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.

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