GB2461266A - Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities - Google Patents

Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2461266A
GB2461266A GB0811520A GB0811520A GB2461266A GB 2461266 A GB2461266 A GB 2461266A GB 0811520 A GB0811520 A GB 0811520A GB 0811520 A GB0811520 A GB 0811520A GB 2461266 A GB2461266 A GB 2461266A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
electronic information
cabinet
user
transaction kiosk
user interface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0811520A
Other versions
GB0811520D0 (en
Inventor
Lindsay Frost
Steven Silcock
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NEOPRODUCTS
Original Assignee
NEOPRODUCTS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NEOPRODUCTS filed Critical NEOPRODUCTS
Priority to GB0811520A priority Critical patent/GB2461266A/en
Publication of GB0811520D0 publication Critical patent/GB0811520D0/en
Publication of GB2461266A publication Critical patent/GB2461266A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B21/00—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards
    • A47B21/03—Tables or desks for office equipment, e.g. typewriters, keyboards with substantially horizontally extensible or adjustable parts other than drawers, e.g. leaves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B81/00—Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
    • A47B81/06—Furniture aspects of radio, television, gramophone, or record cabinets
    • A47B81/061—Furniture aspects of radio, television, gramophone, or record cabinets the device supports being adjustable
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
    • E04H1/1205—Small buildings erected in the open air
    • E04H1/1222—Sales kiosks

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Abstract

The kiosk includes a cabinet1with a side face5with a user interface3which projects from the side face into a user position. The user interface includes desktop15incorporating a keyboard16and a monitor18having its display screen orientated towards a front face6of the cabinet. The user interface3can be moved vertically by means of a motorised screw or other means allowing the keyboard16and monitor18to be adjusted by the user to a comfortable height when the user is in position. Sensors are provided to determine the limits of movement of the user interface, and the cabinet1may incorporate a printer for providing hard copies of the electronic information. The cabinet may also incorporate a scanner. The cabinet may have a hinged lid incorporating a well for receiving printed sheets.

Description

ELECTRONIC INFORMATION AND TRANSACTION KIOSK
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an electronic public access information and transaction terminal (referred to herein as a "kiosk") which is suitable for assisting people with disabilities as well as being suitable for use by able-bodied users.
BACKGROUND
Government information and transaction services have been delivered by touch-screen kiosks for a number of years, but people with disabilities have always been poorly supported by this technology.
The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive form of electronic information and transaction kiosk which supports users with disabilities without compromising the ease and comfort of access for able-bodied users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention proposes an electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities, which includes: -a cabinet with mutually perpendicular bottom, front and side faces and a user position adjacent to the side face; -a user interface projecting from the side face of the cabinet into the user position, including a keyboard and a display screen orientated towards the front face of the cabinet; and -user-operable powered adjustment means for moving the user interface relative to the cabinet into an optimum position for each user.
In addition to being convenient for able-bodied users the kiosk also provides comfortable forward-facing access for wheelchair based users, and support for users with upper body mobility problems or infirmity.
The kiosk may optionally include a footplate projecting from the side face substantially co-planar with the bottom face.
The user interface preferably comprises a desktop which incorporates the keyboard. The display screen is preferably attached to the rear of the desktop.
The user interface preferably has a laterally projecting arm which joins the desktop to the cabinet. The arm may be engaged with means for moving the user interface up and down. In an ergonomically preferred configuration the arm may be of cranked shape with an upright limb.
Stop sensors may be provided to limit the range of movement of the user interface and provide user safety by detecting obstacles such as wheelchair arm or the legs of a user, while in downward motion. If such objects are detected, the motion immediately ceases.
The cabinet preferably incorporates a printer for providing hard copies of electronic information assessed by users. The cabinet preferably has a top face which incorporates a well for receiving printed sheets, and the well may be incorporated in a hinged lid of the cabinet. The front face of the cabinet may incorporate a sliding tray for holding a user-accessible document scanner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Fgure I is a general view of a first electronic information kiosk in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a general view of a second electronic information kiosk in accordance with the invention; Figure 3 is an exploded general view of the second electronic information kiosk; and Figure 4 is an exploded general view of the second information kiosk viewed from the opposite side from Fig. 3 and shown partly in ghost outline.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The forms of public access electronic information and transaction terminal, or kiosk, described below are suitable for assisting people with disabilities as well as able-bodied users. The kiosks have been specifically designed for, but are not limited to, self service access to government information and transaction services.
Each kiosk is designed to assist users who have various disabilities, which may include: * Lower and upper body musculo-skeletal disabilities and infirmities (including disabled people requiring motorised and non-motorised wheelchairs and scooters for mobility) * Cardio-vascular and respiratory disorders requiring them to minimise the effort of using kiosk access * Sight disabilities, and * Intellectual disabilities The first information kiosk which is shown in Fig. I includes a cabinet 1, a footplate 2, and a height-adjustable user interface 3.
The cabinet I is formed of steel or other strong vandal-proof material and includes a pair of opposing upright side faces 4 and 5, an upright front face 6 and an opposing rear face 7, a top face 8 and a bottom face 9.
There are no sharp edges, protrusions or entrapment points that may be hazardous to users, particularly users with disabilities. The cabinet contains electronic data processing apparatus which may be connected to remote data sources via an internet link or a local area network connection for example. Access to the interior of the cabinet can only be gained by means of a locked door. A user position 10 is located adjacent to one of the side faces 5. The same side face 5 may contain one or more recesses 12 for holding a supply of information leaflets. The footplate 2 projects from the side face 5 of the cabinet substantially co-planar with the bottom face 9 to define the lower extent of the user position 10.
The user interface 3 projects from the side face of the cabinet into the user position 10 above the foot plate 2. The user interface includes a horizontal platform-like desktop 15 which may incorporate a keyboard 16 and a trackball 17. In addition, a plinth 18 is affixed at the rear of the desktop 15 to carry a display monitor 19, the screen of which is orientated towards the front face 6 of the cabinet 1, thereby enabling comfortable forward-facing access for wheelchair based users, and support for users with upper body mobility problems or infirmity. The user interface 3 is connected to the cabinet I by a short arm 20 which projects laterally from the rear of the desktop 15, and after passing through a vertical slot 22 at the rear of the side face 5, has an internally screw-threaded portion engaged with a motorised screw mounted vertically inside the cabinet 1.
By manipulating designated keys on the keyboard 16, or other suitable manual controls, a user can adjust the vertical position of the user interface by means of the motorised screw until the keyboard and monitor are at an optimum position for comfort of use by a particular user irrespective of whether they are disabled or able-bodied. Safety stop sensors may be provided at the upper and lower limits of movement of the arm 20 to shut off the motor and prevent damage.
The cabinet may be bolted down to the floor for safety purposes.
The second electronic information kiosk which is shown in Fig.s 2 to 4 has a cabinet I and a height-adjustable user interface 3. The cabinet 1 is formed of steel or other strong vandal-proof material and includes a pair of opposing upright side faces 4 and 5, an upright front face 6 and an opposing rear face 7, a top face 8 and a bottom face 9. There are no sharp edges, protrusions or entrapment points that may be hazardous to users, particularly users with disabilities. The cabinet may be bolted down to the floor for safety purposes. The cabinet contains electronic data processing apparatus 30, 31 (Fig. 4) which may be connected to remote data sources via an internet link or a local area network connection for example. Access to the interior of the cabinet for servicing purposes can be gained through a removable door 32 (Fig. 3) which comprises most of the front face 6.
A user position 10 is located adjacent to the cabinet 1, beneath the user interface 3 which projects from the side face 5 of the cabinet. The user interface includes a horizontal platform-like desktop 15 which may incorporate a keyboard 16 and a trackball 17. In addition, a plinth 18 is affixed at the rear of the desktop 15 to carry a display monitor 19, the screen of which is orientated in the same direction as the front face 6 of the cabinet 1, thereby enabling comfortable forward-facing access for wheelchair based users, and support for users with upper body mobility problems or infirmity. The user interface 3 is connected to the cabinet I by a cranked arm 40, including a short stub 41 which projects laterally from the rear of the desktop 15, a vertical limb 42 which rises adjacent to the side face 5, and a lower horizontal limb 43 which passes into the cabinet 1 through a vertical slot 22 at the rear of the side face 5 in the lower portion of the cabinet. As can be seen in Fig. 4, inside the cabinet 1 the lower limb 43 is slidably engaged with two vertical guides 44 and 45.
In addition, the limb 43 incorporates an internally screw-threaded portion which is engaged with a motorised screw 46 mounted vertically between the guides 44 and 45. By manipulating designated keys on the keyboard 16, or other suitable manual controls, a user can adjust the vertical position of the user interface by means of the motorised screw and threaded limb 43 until the keyboard and monitor are at an optimum position for comfort of use by a particular user irrespective of whether they are disabled or able-bodied.
Other means of raising and lowering the user interface 3 could be used.
For example, the cabinet 1 could contain hydraulically or pneumatically operated pushers to move the limb 43. Safety stop sensors may be provided at the upper and lower limits of movement to shut off the motor and prevent damage.
Additional safety sensors may also be provided. For example, referring to Fig. 2, in this embodiment the lower face of the desktop 15 incorporates a pressure-sensitive strip or area 50 to provide user safety by detecting obstacles, such as wheelchair arm, or the legs of a user, while in downward motion. If contact with the strip 50 occurs, the motion immediately ceases. Other forms of proximity detector could also be used such as optical sensors.
The second information kiosk also incorporates a printer to allow the user to receive hard copies of any electronic information which the user desires to take away, such as job details. Referring to Fig. 3, immediately above the door 32 there is a tray 60 which can be slid out of the front face 6 to hold a user-accessible document scanner, e.g. a flat bed scanner. The top face 8 comprises a lid 61 which is hinged along its rear edge 62 allowing the lid to be raised to gain further access to a printer unit 63 mounted inside the cabinet. Referring back to Fig. 2, The top of the lid 61 is formed into a well 64 to receive printed sheets which exit through a paper slot 65 at the rear of the well 64. Movement of paper through the printer unit 63 and out through the slot 65 is achieved by known means, including a transfer roller 66 (Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. 4, the printer unit 63 is mounted on brackets 67 which allow the printer unit to be rotated forwards through 90 degrees so that the roller 66 can readily be removed during servicing of the kiosk. Other ways of removing the printer unit for access to the roller 66 could also be employed.
Additional features may be incorporated in the kiosk to facilitate use by disabled people. For example, the layout of the keyboard 16 and symbol set can be adapted to make them more convenient for use by people with sight disabilities. Similarly, the biometrics of the display 19 and printer 63 may be specially adapted for ease of use by the disabled, particularly in respect of screen height, screen contrast, and the character size used for the screen and printer.
The kiosk preferably incorporates a user accessible Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, to enable connection to the kiosk of other devices intended to assist users with disabilities such as braille keyboard or display.
The kiosk may include a "smart" interface which enables the attributes of the kiosk to be automatically set according to the access requirements of the user, activated through a secure "sign on". This sign on could be activated through ID card, user name and password sign-in, or by means of a biometric interface (fingerprint or iris recognition).
Such user access settings could include: * Keyboard shelf/monitor height adjustment * Character font size on screen * Character font size on print outputs * Display refresh speeds * Screen contrasts and colours * Assistive device interface activation The controlling parameters would be pre-established in a kiosk or network resident database and automatically activated at each sign on. The attributes would then automatically reset to standard "idle" attributes after a user sign off, or a pre-determined period of kiosk inactivity.
It will thus be appreciated that the forms of information kiosk described above allow a disabled user to have full access to electronically stored information such as job vacancies without having to suffer the indignity of having to request assistance. A seated wheelchair or mobility scooter user can move freely into position adjacent to the cabinet 1, during which the user interface 3 can be moved out of the way to assist access, and then adjusted to a suitable height once the user is in position.
Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.
* * * * * * * *

Claims (14)

  1. CLAIMS1. An electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities, which includes: -a cabinet with mutually perpendicular bottom, front and side faces and a user position adjacent to the side face; -a user interface projecting from the side face of the cabinet into the user position, including a keyboard and a display screen orientated towards the front face of the cabinet; and -user-operable powered adjustment means for moving the user interface relative to the cabinet into an optimum position for each user.
  2. 2. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim I which includes a footplate projecting from the side face substantially co-planar with the bottom face to define the lower extent of the user position.
  3. 3. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the user interface comprises a desktop which incorporates the keyboard.
  4. 4. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 3 in which the display screen is attached to the rear of the desktop.
  5. 5. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 3 or 4 in which the user interface has a laterally projecting arm which joins the desktop to the cabinet.
  6. 6. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to -11 -Claim 5 in which the arm is engaged with means for moving the user interface up and down.
  7. 7. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 6 in which said means for moving the user interface comprises a threaded element rotatably engaged with a screw.
  8. 8. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 in which the arm includes an upright limb.
  9. 9. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to any preceding claim in which stop sensors are provided to limit the range of movement of the user interface.
  10. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to any preceding claim in which the cabinet incorporates a printer for providing hard copies of electronic information assessed by users.
  11. 11. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 10 in which the cabinet has a top face which incorporates a well for receiving printed sheets.
  12. 12. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 1 in which the well is incorporated in a hinged lid of the cabinet.
  13. 13. An electronic information and transaction kiosk according to Claim 10, 11 or 12 in which the front face of the cabinet incorporates a compartment for holding a user-accessible scanner.
  14. 14. An electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for -12 -users with disabilities which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.* * * * * * * *
GB0811520A 2008-06-24 2008-06-24 Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities Withdrawn GB2461266A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0811520A GB2461266A (en) 2008-06-24 2008-06-24 Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0811520A GB2461266A (en) 2008-06-24 2008-06-24 Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0811520D0 GB0811520D0 (en) 2008-07-30
GB2461266A true GB2461266A (en) 2009-12-30

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Family Applications (1)

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GB0811520A Withdrawn GB2461266A (en) 2008-06-24 2008-06-24 Electronic information and transaction kiosk suitable for users with disabilities

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2554269A1 (en) * 1983-10-26 1985-05-03 Saunier Duval Variable geometry control and drive console
DE8713713U1 (en) * 1987-10-13 1987-11-26 Schmidt-Wohlrab, Jakob, 2300 Kiel Office furniture to accommodate an office computer
US5348324A (en) * 1990-05-03 1994-09-20 Electronic Voting Systems, Inc. Transportable component stand
US6131874A (en) * 1999-03-15 2000-10-17 Ims Innovation Limited Information display system
FR2832016A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-09 Auguste Pizzanelli Mobile information system, e.g. for sports or conference use, has large modular deployable crate contained and touch screen computer with screen readable at a distance and badge reader
US6646863B1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2003-11-11 Neptune Networks, Inc. Semi-private internet kiosk
US20040165348A1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2004-08-26 Clark Richard A. Mobile clinical workstation

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2554269A1 (en) * 1983-10-26 1985-05-03 Saunier Duval Variable geometry control and drive console
DE8713713U1 (en) * 1987-10-13 1987-11-26 Schmidt-Wohlrab, Jakob, 2300 Kiel Office furniture to accommodate an office computer
US5348324A (en) * 1990-05-03 1994-09-20 Electronic Voting Systems, Inc. Transportable component stand
US20040165348A1 (en) * 1998-09-18 2004-08-26 Clark Richard A. Mobile clinical workstation
US6131874A (en) * 1999-03-15 2000-10-17 Ims Innovation Limited Information display system
US6646863B1 (en) * 2000-10-26 2003-11-11 Neptune Networks, Inc. Semi-private internet kiosk
FR2832016A1 (en) * 2001-11-08 2003-05-09 Auguste Pizzanelli Mobile information system, e.g. for sports or conference use, has large modular deployable crate contained and touch screen computer with screen readable at a distance and badge reader

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0811520D0 (en) 2008-07-30

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)