ACCESSIBLE AUTOMATED TRANSACTION MACHINES FOR SIGHT-IMPAIRED PERSONS AND PRINT-DISABLED PERSONS

摘要

Systems which comprise (a) an automated transaction machine which includes oneor more customer interacting means such as, in the case of an integratedcircuit card terminal, at least an integrated circuit card reader; (b)infrared communication emitters and (c) individual short range infraredcommunication emitters located in the machine. The emitters (b; 30) areadapted to provide repeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulatedmessage signals identifying the direction to and location of the machine (20).Thus a person having a portable receiver for such signals is led to themachine and is able to position himself/herself in front of the machine inorder to operate it. The respective emitters of (c-30) provide a separaterepeating, directionally sensitive frequency modulated message signal (50)which identifies the location of the respective customer interface(s) on themachine so that by movement of the portable receiver in front of the machine,the location on the machine of the respective customer interfaces can bedetermined. Instructions on use and/or feedback concerning transactions canalso be provided from the system to the customer through the portablereceiver. The signal transmitters may also be adapted for highly efficient usein the presence of a wide range of levels of ambient light energy, e.g.,sunlight.