GB2584155A

GB2584155A - Banking pod

Info

Publication number: GB2584155A
Application number: GB1907401.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Moore James
Original assignee: Csba Ltd
Current assignee: Csba Ltd
Priority date: 2019-05-24
Filing date: 2019-05-24
Publication date: 2020-11-25
Also published as: GB202007451D0; GB2586691A; GB201907401D0

Abstract

A securable pod 200 having one or more walls 201a-201c in which an automated teller machine (ATM) 203 is positioned in such a way as to allow a user 205 to see the securable primary entrance 102 to the enclosure when the ATM is in use. The primary entrance may have a shutter or locking mechanism to secure the entrance. The locking mechanism may lock upon receiving a lock signal from a remote system via network connection and a panic button 208 within the pod may be used to trigger the sending of the lock signal. The panic button may also send a signal to a remote bank operator via network connection. A video conferencing device in the pod may be used to connect to a remote conferencing device of the remote bank operator. The pod may also have a secondary entrance 207 leading to a secured area, with the secondary entrance also optionally having a locking mechanism. There is also claimed a containerised bank containing one or more of said securable pods (figure 3).

Description

BANKING POD

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a securable pod for banking, in particular to a pod which can be positioned within a bank or other premises.

Background

As banking services have increasingly moved online, the number of physical banks has reduced sharply. However, there are many banking services that still require a customer to be physically present; and customers that do not have access to online banking services.

Physical banks are therefore still needed.

Fully automated banks offer an opportunity to reverse the decline in physical banks. A fully automated bank requires no or minimal staff, reducing operating costs. The automated bank can be located in a container, such as a shipping container, and placed in non-traditional locations such as car parks. Such banks may be termed containerised banks.

However, a fully automated bank may not provide the security of a traditional staffed bank. Customers in automated banks may be more vulnerable to attacks and thefts than in a traditional bank where staff are present. There is therefore a need to provide security measures to protect users of automated banks.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a securable pod for banking.

The pod comprises an enclosure defined by one or more walls; a securable primary entrance located in the one or more walls; and an automatic teller machine, ATM, positioned within the enclosure such that, when in use by a user, the user substantially faces the primary entrance.

It has been realised that a key vulnerability for a customer in a bank, particularly an automated bank, is when using the ATM. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are used within banks to allow customers to access banking services, such as withdrawing cash.

Typically, ATMs are positioned against or within walls, for example to protect cash containing elements of the ATM. In such a position, the user must face the wall whilst completing a transaction. The user does not have view of the bank around them, and so is vulnerable to thieves approaching from behind the user.

The present invention provides a securable pod which houses an ATM. When in use, the user faces the primary entrance of the pod, and so can see out into the rest of the bank. The user therefore is able to see anyone approaching them, and so can take action to prevent being attacked.

In particular, the ATM may comprise a display screen used by the user for banking services. The ATM may be positioned such that its display substantially faces away from the primary entrance, so that a user looking at the display faces the primary entrance. For example, a first plane defined by the display and a second plane defined by the first entrance may be parallel or substantially parallel. The first plane may be at an angle between 0° and 30° or between 0° and 10° relative to the second plane.

In some embodiments, the pod further comprises a secondary entrance located in the one or more walls. The secondary entrance may provide access for authorised personnel such as bank staff, and/or may provide an emergency escape route for users of the pod. The secondary entrance may be locked during normal use of the pod (i.e. when in use by a user in standard, non-emergency conditions). This ensures the user can only be approached from the primary entrance, i.e. the direction the user is looking in when using the ATM.

In some embodiments the primary entrance may comprise a roller shutter. In normal operation, the shutter may be in an open position, allowing easy access to the pod. When the pod is out of use, for example for servicing, or in emergency situations such as where a panic button has been pressed, the shutter may be moved to a closed position, securing the pod.

In some embodiments, the primary entrance and/or secondary entrance may comprise a locking mechanism configured to secure or unsecure the respective primary and/or secondary entrance. The locking mechanism may be configured to receive a lock signal from a remote system, and to secure the primary and/or secondary entrance upon receipt of the lock signal from the remote signal. Similarly, the locking mechanism may be configured to receive an unlock signal from a remote system, and to unsecure the primary and/or secondary entrance upon receipt of the unlock signal from the remote signal. For example, where the primary entrance is a shutter, the locking mechanism may be configured to move the shutter to a closed position upon receipt of the lock signal.

The locking mechanism may be configured to receive the lock signal from a remote system via a network connection. In particular, the locking mechanism may be configured to receive a lock signal from a remote bank operator. This allows the pod to be secured as needed remotely; not requiring staff present in the bank. In particular, the lock signal may be transmitted to the locking mechanism associated with the primary entrance when an emergency situation is detected, such as an attempted theft. In such situations, an unlock signal may be sent to the secondary entrance, allowing the user of the pod to escape.

In some embodiments, the pod may further comprise a panic button. The panic button may be positioned on a wall of the pod, or on the ATM. In particular, the panic button may be implemented on a user interface displayed on a touchscreen display of the ATM.

In some embodiments, upon activation of the panic button, the panic button and/or ATM may configured to send a signal to a remote bank operator via a network connection. This alerts the remote bank operator to the emergency situation. The remote bank operator may then issue the lock command to the lock mechanism of the primary entrance, for example.

In some embodiments, the ATM may comprise a video conferencing device. In such embodiments, the video conferencing device may be configured to connect to a remote video conferencing device of a remote bank operator upon activation of a help button. The help button may be a physical button, or a user interactable element on a graphical user interface. The video conferencing device allows the remote operator to see and interact with the user to provide help, such as general help with banking services; or in emergency situations sending the lock signal to the primary entrance, and/or sending the unlock signal to the secondary entrance. Activation of the panic button may also connect the video conferencing device to the remote video conferencing device. Alternatively, the help button may act as the panic button -i.e. the pod may comprise only a general help button which performs the function of a panic button, rather than having two distinct buttons.

In some embodiments, upon activation of the panic button, the panic button and/or ATM may be configured to send the lock signal to the locking mechanism of the primary entrance. The lock signal may be sent via a network, or via an electrical connection. Similarly a lock or unlock signal may be sent to the locking mechanism of the secondary entrance, in particular an unlock signal to provide an escape route for the user via the secondary entrance.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a containerised bank comprising one or more pods according to any of embodiment of the first aspect.

In some embodiments, the containerised bank may comprise a public area and a secured area. For example the secured area may be accessible only to select personnel, such as bank staff. Access to the secured area may be via a door from the public area of the bank. In such embodiments, the pod (or pods) may be positioned within the bank such that the primary entrance is located in the public area, and the secondary entrance is located in the secured area. Thus in normal use the user can access the pod through the primary entrance in the public area. In an emergency situation, the user can escape through the secondary entrance into the secured area, where they are safe from attack/theft. For example the secondary entrance may be configured to automatically lock, so that attackers cannot follow the user into the secured area. An unlock signal from a remote user may then be required to unlock the secondary entrance.

It is noted that although the banking pod is primarily described herein as being positioned within a bank, such as within a containerised bank, the pod may also be positioned within any other building, container, or premises.

Brief description of the drawings

By way of example only, certain embodiments of the invention shall now be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary banking pod according to the present invention; figure 2 is a schematic representation of an alternative banking pod; and figure 3 is a schematic representation of a containerised bank comprising a plurality of banking pods.

Detailed description

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a banking pod 100 according to the present invention. The pod 100 comprises a plurality of walls 101a-101c defining an enclosure (it is noted that further walls, in particular upper and lower walls forming respectively a floor and roof of the enclosure are not shown in the figure). A primary entrance 102 is located in an open side of the enclosure. The primary entrance provides access to the pod 100 during normal use.

The primary entrance comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure or unsecure the primary entrance 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the primary entrance comprises a motorised roller shutter, and the locking mechanism is configured to open or close the shutter.

An automatic teller machine (ATM) 103 is located within the enclosure. The ATM comprises a display screen 104, for showing information to a user 105. The ATM is positioned such that the user 105, when using the ATM (i.e. looking directly at the screen 104) faces the primary entrance 102. This allows the user 105 to see anyone approaching the pod 100, and so to take action if an attack or theft is likely.

In the illustrated example, the ATM 103 is positioned such that the plane of the screen 104 is parallel with the primary entrance 102, and approximately centrally between walls 101a and 101c. However, in other embodiments, the ATM 103 may be positioned anywhere within the enclosure defined by the plurality walls 101a-c. Preferably the ATM 103 is positioned to allow wheelchair access to the ATM 103 from the primary entrance 102. The ATM 103 may also be oriented at small angles with respect to the primary entrance 102. For example, the plane defined by the screen 104 may be at an angle of between 0° and 30° to the plane of the primary entrance 102, whilst still providing a substantially face-on view of the primary entrance 102 for the user 105. It will be appreciated that the orientation of the ATM 103 will depend in part upon the position of the ATM 103 within the pod, and the size and position of the primary entrance 102.

The pod 100 may comprise additional security measures, such as security camera 106.

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative pod 200. Pod 200 comprises elements 201-206, which correspond to the elements 101-106 described above in relation to pod 100. In particular, pod 200 comprises a primary entrance 202 and an ATM 203 positioned such that the user 205 substantially faces the primary entrance 202.

Pod 200 further comprises a secondary entrance 207, which may for example be a lockable door. Both the primary entrance 202 and the secondary entrance 207 comprise respective locking mechanisms, configured to lock or unlock the entrance 202, 207 upon receipt of a lock/unlock signal. For example, a remote bank operator may send a signal via a network to lock or unlock the primary entrance 202 and/or secondary entrance 207. Where the secondary entrance 207 is a door, the locking mechanism may close and lock the door upon receipt of the lock signal, or may just lock the door (e.g. the door may already be configured to automatically close whenever opened).

Pod 200 also comprises a panic button 207. In the illustrated embodiment the panic button 207 is positioned on interior side of wall 201a. However, the panic button 207 may be positioned anywhere within the pod 200, including on the ATM 203. In some embodiments, the display 204 may be a touchscreen display, and the panic button may be a user interactable element displayed on the display 204. Although described herein as a button, the panic button 207 may take the form of any alarm initiating device.

When the pod 200 is in normal use by the user 205, the secondary entrance 207 may be closed and locked. The primary entrance may be held open, to allow users 205 to freely access the ATM. In an emergency, however, a lock signal may be sent to the primary entrance to close and lock the primary entrance (e.g. close the roller shutter). An unlock signal may be sent to the secondary entrance, providing an escape route for the user 205.

This emergency response may be triggered by the user initiating the panic button 207, for example in response to an approaching attacker or thief.

The lock and/or unlock signals may be sent to the pod 200 by a remote bank operator, for example over a network. The pod 200 may comprise a wired or wireless network adaptor for connecting to the network. The remote operator may be prompted to send the lock/unlock signal by the triggering of the panic button 207. For example, the panic button 207 may send a signal to the remote bank operator indicating that the panic button 207 has been activated. The remote operator may use security camera 206 to investigate any issues. Alternatively, the panic button 207 itself, when activated, may send the lock/unlock signals to the locking mechanisms. For example the signals may be sent over a local wired or wireless network, or by electronic means, such as through an electrical cable.

In some embodiments, the ATM 103 or 203 may comprise a video conferencing device comprising a video camera for recording a video feed of the user 205, and a display for displaying an image of the remote bank operator (which may or may not be the same as display 204). The video conferencing device may be used for banking operations which require face-to face contact. During a video call with the remote operator, the user 205 may alert the remote operator to an emergency situation, in response to which the remote operator may issue the lock/unlock signals as described above. The panic button 207 may initiate a video call with the remote operator on the video conferencing device. Alternatively, the ATM 103 or 203 may comprise a general "call operator" or help button, which can be used both for emergency and non-emergency situations. The video conferencing device may be of the type described in co-pending application GB1903425.5, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a containerised bank 300, in which two pods 200 are placed (although any number of pods can be used, including only one pod 200). The containerised bank 300 is a bank formed of a housing, such as a metal container (e.g. a shipping container). The containerised bank 300 may particularly be an automated bank.

The bank 300 comprises two distinct internal areas: a public area 301 and a secure area 302. The public area is accessible to the public when the bank 300 is open, and contains services for customers, such as a meeting room 303. The secure area 302 is only accessible to authorised personnel, in this case via secured door 304. Secured door 304 comprises an authentication device to authenticate personnel before permitting access to the secure area 302. The bank 300 may contain additional security measures, such as security cameras 305 which provide a remote bank operator with views throughout both areas 301, 302 of the containerised bank 300.

Each pod 200 is positioned such that the primary entrance 201 is accessible from the public area 301; and the secondary entrance 207 is accessible from the secure area 302. In this position, users 205 can in normal use enter the pod from the public area 301 and use the ATM 203. The secondary entrance 207 is normally kept locked, but can be accessed via the secure area 302 by authorised personnel, for example for maintenance. In emergency use however, such as when a panic button 207 is pressed, a lock signal can be sent (as described above) to the primary entrance/s 202. Upon receipt of the lock signal, the locking mechanism associated with the respective primary entrance 202 secures that primary entrance 202, for example by closing the roller shutter. In this way, the pod 200 can be secured from any approaching attacker. An unlock signal may also be sent to the secondary entrance/s 207 of the pods 200, to enable users 205 in the pods 200 to escape to the secure area 302. The secondary entrances 207 may be configured to automatically lock when closed, so that the secondary entrances 207 are locked again after the users 205 have escaped to the secure area 302.

Thus containerised bank 300 can provide a safe, automated banking environment. The services most at risk from attackers/thieves are provided within pods 200, which are designed to provide the user 205 with a view of anyone approaching them; and to provide security measures for emergencies.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A securable pod for banking, the pod comprising: an enclosure defined by one or more walls; a securable primary entrance located in the one or more walls; and an automatic teller machine, ATM, positioned within the enclosure such that, when in use by a user, the user substantially faces the primary entrance.
2. The pod of claim 1, wherein the pod further comprises a secondary entrance located in the one or more walls.
3. The pod of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the primary entrance comprises a shutter.
4. The pod of any preceding claim, wherein the primary entrance and/or secondary entrance comprises a locking mechanism configured to secure or unsecure the respective primary and/or secondary entrance.
5. The pod of claim 4 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to receive a lock signal from a remote system, and to secure the primary and/or secondary entrance upon receipt of the lock signal from the remote signal.
6. The pod of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to receive the lock signal from a remote system via a network connection.
7. The pod of any preceding claim, wherein the pod further comprises a panic button.
8. The pod of claim 7, wherein upon activation of the panic button, the panic button and/or ATM is configured to send a signal to a remote hank operator via a network connection.
9. The pod of any of claim 7 or claim 8, as dependent upon claim 5, wherein upon activation of the panic button, the panic button and/or ATM is configured to send the lock signal to the locking mechanism.
10. The pod of any preceding claim, wherein the ATM comprises a video conferencing device, the video conferencing device configured to connect to a remote video conferencing device of a remote bank operator.
1 1. A containerised bank comprising one or more pods according to any of claims 1 to 10.
12. The containerised bank of claim 11, wherein: the bank comprises a public area and a secured area; and the pod comprises a secondary entrance; and wherein the pod is positioned within the bank such that the primary entrance is located in the public area, and the secondary entrance is located in the secured area.