GB2207789A

GB2207789A - A remote monitoring control system

Info

Publication number: GB2207789A
Application number: GB08818250A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masataki Kaneko; Takeshi Aoki
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1987-07-31
Filing date: 1988-08-01
Publication date: 1989-02-08
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-01
Also published as: KR890002781A; GB2207789B; GB8818250D0; KR910005330B1; JPS6436373A

Abstract

A remote monitoring control system for monitoring the condition of at least one automatic transaction apparatus includes a central monitoring station. A first detector, located at the automatic apparatus, detects a fault condition of the automatic transaction apparatus. A second detector detects when the automatic transaction apparatus is undergoing maintenance work. A display device at the central monitoring station, displays the information provided by the first detector and a designation switch at the central monitoring station is actuated to restart the automatic transaction apparatus, restart being inhibited if the second detector indicates maintenance work. <IMAGE>

Description

'A Remote Monitoring Control System' The present invention relates to a remote monitoring control system for monitoring an automatic transaction apparatus.

Various types of depositing/dispensing apparatus are used for automatic banking transactions and are known as automatic teller machines (ATMs) which are installed at bank branches and at other locations. These ATMs allow customers to automatically withdraw and deposit cash (bills). The ATM can continue to serve even outside banking hours.

Therefore, ATMs can be installed in Department Stores and Supermarkets (for example), and the number of ATMs being installed is increasing and will continue to do so. The operating conditions of these ATMs are monitored by a monitoring device installed in the central office such as the main bank.

A prior system of this kind is disclosed in Japanese patent disclosure (Kokai) No. 62-145398 Emura et al Jun 6, 1987, and includes an abnormality detecting means for detecting fault conditions or errors which relays information to a monitoring device.

The monitoring device receives the information from the ATM decodes, displays and reports to a clerk in charge.

If the occurrence of abnormalities in the ATM operation is reported as mentioned hereinabove, a maintenance operative is dispatched to the scene to carry out maintenance work on the ATM which then restarts its normal operation on receipt of a restart instruction from the monitoring device.

However, the maintenance operative may perform the maintenance work with an access door opened in order to remove the processing device from the housing of the ATM through said door. Normally the processing device handles cash to be received or served. In this case, if a restart instruction is transmitted even though the maintenance work is continuing a rotating part such as a motor may start to operate, causing danger to the maintenance operatives.

Other prior art systems such as disclosed in U.S. Patent No.

4,542,287 and U.S. patent no. -4,608,485 suffer from the same safety problems.

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide an automatic transaction system with higher safety so as not to cause a danger to the maintenance worker.

Some embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of an automatic transaction apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the automatic transaction apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the automatic transaction apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a sectional view for illustrating the operation of the state-defector, Figure 5 is a front view of the remote monitor shown in Figure 2; Figures 6a through 6e are respectively flow charts for explaining the operation of the automatic transaction apparatus of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 an automatic transaction apparatus 100 comprises an L-shaped recess forming a control panel 102 at the front of the enclosure. A bill inserting and dispensing port 104 having a door 106 is formed in a horizontal panel of the panel section 102. A cathode-ray tube (CRT) display 108 incorporating a touch sensor is arranged in the level surface of the operating section 102.

The CRT display 108 displays prompts for operating procedure or other information on the CRT screen. When each display portion as to I.D. number, an amount of money, account number, and admitting, confirming or cancelling of transactions is pressed, corresponding signals are supplied to main control portion 200.

A card port 110 for inserting a magnetic ID card on - which is recorded I.D. number - and account information and then dispensing it after the operation has been completed, a pass book insertion port 112 for inserting a pass book, a coin inserting port 114 for inserting coins and a coin dispensing port 116 for dispensing coin are also formed in. the panel of the operating section 102.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the automatic transaction apparatus 100.

A main control portion 200 incorporates a microcomputer for controlling the overall operation of the ATM. The main control section 200 comprises an one-chip microcomputer which includes a central processing unit (CPU) 202, a read only memory (ROM) 204 for storing a control program shown in the flow charts of FIGS.6A through 6E, a random acess memory (RAM) 206 used as a work area for arithmetic. operation of data or the like, and an I/O port 208 for controlling the input/output operation of data with the respective units of the auromatic transaction apparatus. The one-chip microcomputer comprises, for example, an i8086 available from Intel Corp., U.S.A.

A magnetic card reader unit 210 accepts a magnetic card inserted through said card inserting/dispensing port 110 and reads the account information such as I.D. number and, account number from the magnetic stripe portion on the card.

A magnetic card reader unit control section 212 controls the magnetic card reader unit 210 in accordance with the signal from the main control section 200. A pass book reader/printer unit 214 reads the stripe portion on the pass book inserted through said pass book insertion port 110 and records the transacting contents on the pass book and journal paper (not shown). A pass book reader printer control section 215 controls the pass book reader printer unit 214 in accordance with the signal from the main control section 200. A note teller unit 216 for receiving bills inserted through said bill inserting/dispensing port 104 and dispensing a specified amount of bills to said bill inserting/dispensing port 104. A note teller control section 218 controls the note teller unit 216 in accordance with the signal from the main control section 200.A coin teller unit 220 for receiving coins inserted through said coin inserting port 8 and dispensing a specified amount of coins to said coin dispensing port 116. A coin teller control section 222 controls the coin teller unit 220 accordance with the signal from the main control section 200.

A service unit 224 incorporates the above-mentioned CRT display 108. An audio instruction unit 226 incorporates a loud speaker to instruct the customer by producing an audio message. An internal monitor 228 monitors and displays the transacting state of the automatic transaction processing apparatus 100. A floppy disk 230 records of transactions data, for example, bank names, branch office names. The main control section 200 is connected to a host computer (not shown) and a data transfer control section 232 for controlling data transfer between the main control section 200 and a host computer. A power supply portion 234 supplies specified electric power to each circuit.

A fault detector 236 detect that the magnetic card reader unit has a fault such as a jammed magnetic card and is connected to the magnetic card reader control section 212. Similar fault detectors 238, 240, and 242 are provided for the passbook, note teller and coil teller sections.

These fault detectors 236, 238, 240, 242 are disclosed in U.S. patent no. 4,458,816 owned by the same assignee as the present invention.

The main control section 200 receives the fault information from each of the fault detectors 236, 38, 240, 242. This fault information is stored in the random access memory (RAM) 206.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the rear of the automatic transaction apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 3, double-leafed hinged doors, 302 and 304 are installed on the rear of the automatic transaction apparatus. An interlock switch 306 is provided inside the housing 308 of the automatic transaction apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 4(A) this interlock switch 206 incorporates a spring which urges a shaft 203 outwardly. The interlock switch 223 contains a switching means which operate in response to the sliding of the shaft 308.

As shown in Figure 4b, if the door 302 is closed, the interlock switch 306 will be set to the OFF condition because the door 302 pushes the shaft 308. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4c, if the door 201 is open, the shaft 308 will be pushed out by the spring interlock switch 306 to the ON condition, because the force on the shaft 308 is released. Further as shown in Figure 4d, the interlock switch 306 can be forced to lock to the OFF condition by moving the shaft 308 of the interlock switch 203 further out forcibly. As shown in Figure 2 interlock switch 203 is connected to the main control section 11, and sends the detecting signal D1 to the main control section 11.

As shown in Figure 3 sensors, 310 and 312 are installed respectively inside the doors 302 and 304. These may for example be infrared detectors for detecting the heat from the body of a maintenance operative in a predetermined area around the automatic transaction apparatus 100, or they may utilise other known electromagnetic or ultrasonic detection methods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The sensors 310, 312 are connected to the main control section 200, and send detecting signals6 and D7 to the main control section 200.

As shown in Fig.3,Various processirgunits are mounted in the enclosure of the automatic transaction apparatus and can be removed through the doors 302, 304, These include the card reader unit 210, the pass book reader/printer unit 214, the note pass book reader/printer unit 214, and the/teller unit 218,and the coin teller unit 220. A state-detecting means for detecting the maintenance states of the automatic transaction apparatus 100 while each processing device is taken out of the automatic transaction apparatus 100 is incorporated into each processing unit. In the magnetic card reader unit 210, an interlock switch 314 to detect that the magnetic card reader unit 210 has taken out is provided.

This interlock switch 314 is connected to the MC reader unit control sectio 212, and sends the detecting signal D2 to the main control section. In the pass book reader/printer unit 214, an interlock switch 316 to detect that the pass book reader/printer unit 214 has taken out is installed. This interlock switch 316 is connected to the pass book reader printer control section 216, and sends the detecting signal D3 to the main control section. In the note teller unit 216 for receiving and serving bills, an interlock switch 318 to detect that the note teller unit 216 has taken out is provided. This interlock switch 318 is connected to the not teller control section 218, and sends the detecting signal D4 to the main control section. And in the coin teller unit 220 for receiving and serving coins, an interlock switch 320 to detect that the unit 220 has taken out is provided.This interlock switch 320 is connected to the coin teller control section 222, and sends the detecting signal D5 to the main control section. The interlock switches 314, 316, 318, and 320 as a state-detecting means has the same configuration as the above-mentioned interlock switch 306. Detection signal of customer sensors 310, 312 and interlock switch 306, 314, 316, 318, 320 sends to the main control section 200 and stored into random access memory 206 as shown in the following state signal table.

TABLE DETECTING MEANS STATE SIsNAL (ON=1, OFF=O) INTERLOK SWIlTCH 306 (D1) 1 (DOOR DETECTOR) INTERLOCK SWITCH 314 (D2) O INTERLOCK SWITCH 316 (D3) O INTERLOCK SWITCH 318 (D4) 1 INTERLOCK SWITCH 320 (D5) 0 CUSTOMER SENSOR 310 (D6) CUSTOMER SENSOR 312 (D) O In :this; way the maintenance condition can be detected The main control section 200 is connected through a remote monitor input/output control section 236 to a remote monitor unit 238 and a central remote monitor device 240.

The remote monitor unit 238 is located in a region (e.g., in a monitor room) remote from the housing 2. The central monitoring device 242 is located in å region remote from the bank branches. The remote monitor input/output control section 236 performs selective -communication between the main control section 200 and one of the remote monitoring unit 238 or the central monitoring device 240. In this case, the main control section 200 communicates with the remote monitoring unit 238 during banking transaction hours and the main control section communicate with the central monitoring device 240 while outsidebanking transaction hours.

The remote monitor unit 238 monitors the conditions of the ATM and performs processing operations. The remote monitor unit 238 is connected with a plurality of ATMs.

The central monitoring device 240 is also connected with a plurality of ATMs. The central monitoring device 240 including the central remote monitoring unit 242 and CRT display unit 244. The central remote monitoring unit 242 is the same as the remote monitoring unit 238. The transacting state of this automatic transaction apparatus 100 can be monitored by a central monitoring device 240. A monitoring camera 246 is also installed near the automatic transaction apparatus 100 to transmit the picture information of a customors operating of the automatic transaction apparatus 100 to the central monitoring device 240. The picture information of the monitoring camera 246 can be monitored by the central monitoring device 240.

The central remote monitor unit 240 and remote monitor unit 238 comprises, as shown in Fig. 5, a reset switch 402 for causing the AThI - to Execute the reset operation medium, a discharge switch 404 for causing the ATM to execute a discharge operation to discharge a transaction medium, a medium charge switch 406 for causing the ATM to execute the charge operation to charge a transaction medium, machine selection switch 408 for designating one of the ATM, a digital display section 410, and indicating lamps 412.

A remote monitor unit 15 and monitor unit receives fault information from the main control section 200, and displays fault information at the digital display section 410 and indicating lamps 412.

above The transaction apparatus having ' the / tonstruction will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS 6A through 6D.

A message "PLEASE SELECT TRANSACTIONS" is displayed at the CRT display unit 108, and at the same time, selection keys for "WITHDRAWAL", "DEPOSIT", "BALANCE ENQUIRY" and "PASSBOOK WRITING" are also displayed on the CRT screen.

The customer depresses the selection key and performe a transaction.

The transaction state of the automatic transaction machine (ATM) 100 in local branch offices is monitored by the central monitoring device 240. When, a fault such as a magnetic card jam occurs in the ATM, the fault detector 236 detects the jam (ST1) . This fault information is sent to the main control section 200 through the MC reader control section 212.

When the main control section 200 receives the fault.

signal from detector 36, it causes the automatic transaction apparatus 100 to stop the transaction operation (ST2). At the same time, the main control section 200 sends a fault signal b to to the central monitoring device 240 through the remote monitor input/output control section (ST3). When the central monitoring unit 242 receives the fault signal from the main control section 200 (ST4), the central monitoring unit causes the indicating lamps 5O to indicate the fault.. - An operator depresses the machine selection switch 408 in accordance with the indicated lamps.

When the operator depresses the machine selection switch the 408, central monitoring unit 242 displays the fault information on the digital display section 412 and on the indicator lamps 410.

Thereafter the operator depresses one of the medium discharging switch 404, medium charging switch 406 or reset fault signal switch 402 in accordance with the type of displa 'yed I In a case where the bperator depresses the medium discharg switch 404 (ST6) The central monitoring unit 242 sends a discharge. instruction to the main control section 200 (ST7). When main control section 200 receives the discharge instruction from the central monitoring unit 242 (ST8), main control section 200 checks the condition of detect whether it is in the the automatic transaction apparatus,i.e., maintenance to condition or not.That is, central processing unit 202 checks each output of the sensor 310, 312 and interlock switch 306, 314, 316, 318 and 320 in accordance with the state signal table stored in random access memory 206.

When faults occur in the automatic transaction apparatus a maintenance operative will be dispatched to repair the ATM 100. The operative will open the doors 302 and 304 located at the rear side of the ATM 100 as shown in Fig.3. If the state signal proceed D1 does not equal "0" step (12) will / to step (13). As a result, the discharge instruction transmitted from the central monitoring unit 242 will be cancelled by the central processing unit 202. If the state signal D1 equal "0" step (12) proceeds to step (14).

As above mentioned, if the state signal D6 does not equal "0" step (14) will go to step (13) as a result, the discharging instruction transmitted from the central monitoring unit 242 will be canceled by the central processing unit 202. If the state signal D6 equal "0" step (14) will go to step (15).

If the state signal DF does not equal "O" step (15) will and proceed to step (13)/a result the discharging instruction transmitted from the central monitoring unit 242 will be cancellbdDy central control unit 202 (ST13). If the state signal D7 equal "0" step (15) will proceed to step (16).

If the state signal D2 equal "0" step (16) willproceed to step (17).If the state signal D2 does not equal "0" step (16) will proceed to step (13) as a result, the discharging restoration instraction will be canceled by the central processing device. If the state signal D3 equal "0" step (17) will go to step (18).

If the state signal D3 does not equal "0" step ( will proceed to step (13) and as a result, the discharge restoration instruction transmitted from the central monitoring device 240 will be cancelled by central processing unit 202 (ST13). If the state signal D3 equal "0" step (17) will proceed. to step (18).

If the state signal D4 equal "0" step (18)willFroceed to step (19). If the state signal D4 does not equal "0" step (18) will proceed to step (13) and as a result the discharge instruction transmitted from the central monitoring device 240 will be cancelledby central processing unit 202 (ST13).

If the state signal D5 equal won step (19) will roceedto step (20). If the state signal D5 does not equal "0" step (19) will proceed to step (13) and as a result, the discharge instruction transmitted from the central monitoring device 240 will becancelledby central processing unit 202 (ST13).

At step (20) the main control section 200 causes the MC reader unit to discharge the magnet i.e. card through.

the card inserting/dispensing port when state signal Dl, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6 and D7 equal "0" When this discharge operation is completed and the trouble detector does not detect a jam, the MC reader unit control section 212 sends a jam release signal to the main control section 200. Thereafter the main control section 200 sends the fault state information to the central monitoring device 240 (ST3).

When the central monitoring unit 242 receives the fault state information from the main control section 200 (ST4), central monitoring unit causes the degitalthdksplay section 412 to display the fault (ST5). When/operater deppresses the reset switch (ST6), the central monitoring unit sends a reset instruction to the main control unit 200 (ST7). When main control section 200 receives the reset instruction from the central monitoring unit 242 (STB) the central processing unit 202 checks the condition of the of the to detect a sensor/ automatic transaction apparatus ,i .e.,/ maintenance condition.The central processing unit 202 checks each state signal Dl,D2,D3,D4,D5,D6,d7 in accordance with the state signal table stored in random access memory 206 (ST30 ST37).

The main control section 200 causes each unit to restartthe apparatus so long as the customer sensors do not detect a maintenance operation, the interlock switch 306 does not detected the opening the door ntn*e % tock switchs 314, 316, 318, 320 do not detect that /unit has been take out of the ATM (ST38). When this initial operation is completed, the central procesing unit 200 causes each unit to restart the transaction operation (5T39).

the On the other hand, when/operater depresses the charge switch in ST6, the central monitoring unit sends a charge instruction to the main control unit 200 (ST7). When main control section 11 receives the charge instruction from the the 202 central monitoring unit 242 (ST8),/central processing each unit 202 checks the * output of/sensor 310, 312 and interlock switches 306, 314, 316, 318 and 320 in accordance with the state signal table stored in random access memory 206 (ST21- ST28).

The main control section 200 causes the MC reader unit 210 to execute 8 charge operation, so that MC reader conveys long as the magnet card to the predetermined charge section so/ customer sensors 310, 312 do not detect the maintenance worker, the inter lock switch 306 do not detect the opening of the door and interlock switches 314, 316, 318 and 320 do not a detectthat/unit has been take out of the ATM (ST29). When this charge operation is completed and operator deppresses the reset switch as mentioned above, central processing unit 202 causes each unit to execute the initial stage action (ST38).

When this initial operation is completed, the central processing unit 202 causes each unit to restart the transaction operation (ST39).

Claims

1. A remote monitoring and control system for automatic bank teller machines, including a central monitoring station, first detector means for detecting operational faults in the or each teller machine, and second detector means for detecting whether the respective machine is undergoing maintenance, the central monitoring station including control means for restarting the teller machine in the event of a fault, and the system also including interlock means for preventing restarting of the teller machine if a signal is produced by the second detector means.

2. A remote monitoring and control system having a monitoring device for monitoring a condition of an automatic transaction apparatus, including; a central monitoring station; at least one automatic transaction apparatus remote from said central monitoring station; first detecting means, located at said automatic apparatus, for detecting a faulty operation of the automatic transaction apparatus; second detecting means for detecting when said automatic transaction apparatus is being maintained by a maintenance worker; display means, at said central monitoring station, for displaying the information provided by the first detecting means; designation means, at said central monitoring station, for causing the automatic transaction apparatus to restart operation;; control means, located at the automatic transaction apparatus, for allowing the restart of the operation according to the designation information from the designation means only if the second detecting means has not detected that the automatic transaction apparatus is undergoing maintenance.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said second detecting means comprises door open detecting switch means for detecting when a door of said apparatus is open.

4. A system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said second detecting means includes an interlock switch means for detecting when a first part of said automatic transaction apparatus is removed from said automatic transaction apparatus.

5. A system according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein said second detecting means includes sensing means for sensing the presence of a person in a predetermined area.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said second switch means includes means for sensing a maintenance state of said automatic transaction apparatus.

7. A system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.