Not your fathers ATM...
United States Patent Application 20010044747
Kind Code A1
Ramachandran, Natarajan ; et al. November 22, 2001
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System and method for dispensing digital information from an automated transaction machine
Abstract
An automated teller machine (ATM) (10) includes an input device (16) a card reader (20), a cash dispenser (24), and an output device (18). The ATM is operative to read account information from a card with the card reader and validate a user PIN input through the input device. The ATM may also be operative to dispense cash with the cash dispenser and dispense digital content with the output device responsive to user input selections. The ATM may be further operative to charge a user fee to an account associated with the card for the dispense of cash and digital content. Digital content dispensed by the ATM may include sound recordings such as MP3 files, video files, books, graphics, photographs, and other digital data. In cases where the ATM dispenses visual content the output device may include a printer that is operative to output printed photographs. Photographic image files may be acquired by the ATM from a remote photo processor or other digital information source accessible through the Internet or other network. The ATM may be operated through user inputs to manipulate image files. Image files may also be selectively received from or dispensed to a portable storage medium through a reading device or recording device connected to the ATM. Fees associated with the dispense of the image files may be transferred from an account associated with a user.
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Inventors: Ramachandran, Natarajan; (Uniontown, OH) ; Blackson, Dale; (Canton, OH) ; Church, James R.; (Kent, OH) ; Smith, Mark; (North Canton, OH)
Correspondence Name and Address: RALPH E. JOCKE
231 SOUTH BROADWAY
MEDINA
OH
44256
US
Assignee Name and Adress: Diebold, Incorporated
Serial No.: 775885
Series Code: 09
Filed: February 2, 2001
