GB2199433A

GB2199433A - Force monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2199433A
Application number: GB08630730A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond William Simpson-Davis; Roman Januszczak
Original assignee: De la Rue Systems Ltd
Current assignee: De la Rue Systems Ltd
Priority date: 1986-12-23
Filing date: 1986-12-23
Publication date: 1988-07-06
Also published as: GB8630730D0

Abstract

A force monitoring system, particularly for use with cash dispensing apparatus, comprises a pressure pad (10) connected to a microcomputer (4). The surface of the pressure pad (1), carries a number of indicia to enable the pressure pad to be used as a data entry unit. The microcomputer (4) determines, in a data entry mode, the position of applied pressure and causes a look-up table in a memory (7) to be addressed with the position information. <IMAGE>

Description

FORCE MONITORING SYSTEM The invention relates to a force monitoring system, for example for use in verifying signatures.

Conventional signature verification systems comprise a pressure pad on which a signature is writtep and which generates in conjunction with associated electronics signals indicative of the position of applied pressure on the pad while the signature is being written. These signals are sampled at regular intervals to determine the form of the signature from which certain characteristic features of the signature are determined. These characteristic features are then compared with previously stored reference features to verify the signature.

Typically, signature verification systems are used in conjunction with other systems responsive to verification of the signature to perform certain steps such as to dispense an amount of cash or to permit access to a building or the like. In many cases, particularly in the case of cash dispensers, the user is required not only to provide his signature but also to enter certain commands relating for example to the amount of cash he wishes to have dispensed, other operations which the dispenser is to perform and the like. To achieve this, a separate key pad is usually provided for use by the operator. However, the use of a key pad, signature verification pressure pad, and display, all of which the user must use or view at appropriate times leads to an undesirable complexity in the apparatus and also the need for an undesirable volume of space to mount the apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention, a force monitoring system comprises a pressure pad; force location means connected to the pressure pad to determine the position of an applied force on the pad; and processing means for generating one of a predetermined number of signals when the position of applied pressure is determined to be at one of a corresponding number of predetermined positions on the pad.

This system considerably simplifies the previously known systems by allowing the pressure pad to,be used as a data entry unit.

Preferably, the surface of the pressure pad is provided with indicia corresponding to the predetermined signals. With this arrangement, the user simply has to apply force either with his finger or a writing instrument onto the area of the pressure pad having the desired indicium in order to input that piece of information into the system. Typically, the indicia will comprise numeric and/or alphanumeric characters.

Conveniently, the processing means is adapted to operate the system in two modes, a data entry mode and a writing monitoring mode. The latter mode will be used, typically, to enable signatures to be entered for verification and thus allow the key pad to be omitted.

Conveniently, the processing means includes a store defining a look-up table which is addressed by signals corresponding to the predetermined positions on the pad to generate a corresponding one of the predetermined number of signals.

The force monitoring system is particularly useful in conjunction with a cash dispenser in which the system may be used not only for entering personal identification numbers (PIN) but also other information such as the amount of cash to be dispensed. In certain cases, the force monitoring system may only operate in the data entry mode. Typically, the force location means and the processing means will be provided by a common processor.

In order that the invention may be better understood, an example of cash dispensing apparatus incorporating a force monitoring system according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus; and, Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the apparatus.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a conventional pressure pad which has been adapted for use as an alpha-numeric key pad. In this example the pressure pad 1 may be of the type described in UK Patent Application No.8529912, and in this example, is incorporated in a cash dispensing apparatus.

The pressure pad 1 is operated by applying pressure to the surface of the pad. By applying a pressure to a specific area of the pad two pressure locations voltage signals corresponding to the X and Y locations of the position pressed are -generated by the pad. Hence, if a processing unit reads the voltage signals from the pad, it can determine which area of the pad was subjected to pressure.

The pressure pad 1 is marked with indicia such as numerals 2 and letters 3. Alternatively or additionally, commands may also be marked on the pressure pad.

The pressure pad is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 4 such as a microcomputer which receives the X, Y pressure location signals from the pressure pad. The CPU 4, in use, is connected to a memory 6, which stores the characteristics of a reference signature a PIN; a memory 7, which contains a look-up table with the necessary alpha-numeric character and command information; a display 8 such as a monitor to enable questions, commands or other information to be displayed to the user; and a cash dispenser 9 to enable cash to be dispensed to the user if appropriate. The memory 6 will typically be contained in a memory card carried by the user and inserted into a card reader of the apparatus.

The logical steps performed by the apparatus in Figure 1 to carry out signature verification and to enable the entering of alpha-numerical characters or commands, are illustrated by the flow diagram, in Figure 2.

Initially the apparatus is in the signature mode.

When pressure is applied 10 to the pressure pad 1, pressure location voltage signals 11, unique to the area pressed are sent to the CPU 4. The CPU 4 then determines whether the apparatus is in the signature verification mode or the alpha-numeric key pad mode 12. If the apparatus is in the signature verification mode 13, the pressure location signals are read at given time intervals in order to build up a description of the signature 14. The signature description is then compared 15 with a reference signature description stored in the memory 6 and the CPU 4 decides whether they are the same 16. If they are not, then the whole process stops 17, but if the signatures are determined to be the same, then the mode changes to the alpha-numeric mode and the process continues to the next sequence of operations.

The CPU 4 will ask the user, via the display 8 to enter the amount of cash to be dispensed. The user then depresses the pad 1 in the areas corresponding to the appropriate numerical indicia 2. As each area is depressed, the LUT in the memory 7 is addressed 20 and a corresponding signal is generated and fed to the CPU 4 (step 21). Finally the user depresses the area of the pad 1 on which is provided the indicium "E" signifying completion of entry. The CPU 4 then causes (step 22) the dispenser 9 to dispense that amount of cash.

Claims

1. A force monitoring system comprising a pressure pad; force location means connected to the pressure pad to determine the position of an applied force on the pad; and processing means for generating one of a predetermined number of signals when the Rosition of applied pressure is determined to be at one of a corresponding number of predetermined positions on the pad.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein indicia are provided at the predetermined positions on the pad.

3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the processing means is adapted to operate the system in either a data entry mode or a writing monitoring mode.

4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processing means includes a store defining a look-up table which is addressed by signals corresponding to the predetermined positions on the pad to generate a corresponding one of the predetermined number of signals.

5. A force monitoring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. Cash dispensing apparatus comprising a cash dispenser; and a force monitoring system according to any of the preceding claims, the force monitoring system being adapted to generate signals corresponding to an amount of cash to be dispensed, and the cash dispenser being responsive to those signals to dispense the required amount of cash.