ATM with facial recognition features

Abstract

The invention relates to a self-service automated transaction machine that permits an authorized user to perform transactions therewith based on facial recognition. Examples of transactions include withdrawing cash, depositing cash, and exchanging cash. The machine includes a plurality of cameras from which plural facial images are captured in determining whether to grant machine access to an individual adjacent the machine.

1 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a facial recognition system self-service automated transaction machine, 
 wherein the machine is operative to carry out transactions involving exchange of monetary value,  
 wherein the machine includes a user interface, 
 wherein the user interface includes at least one input device and at least one output device, 
 wherein the at least one input device is operative to receive input from an individual adjacent to the machine,  
 wherein the at least one output device includes a display device,  
 
 
 wherein the machine includes a plurality of cameras, 
 wherein each camera is operative to capture at least one image of at least one facial appearance feature of an individual adjacent to the machine,  
 
 wherein the machine includes at least one computer, 
 wherein the at least one computer includes software comprising machine readable instructions,  
 wherein the at least one computer is in operative connection with the at least one input device and the at least one output device,  
 wherein the at least one computer is operative to control the plurality of cameras to capture a plurality of facial appearance feature images of an individual adjacent to the machine, 
 wherein the at least one computer is operative to generate a facial recognition image record corresponding to the individual responsive to the plurality of images in a determination of whether the individual corresponds to an authorized user of the machine,  
 wherein the at least one computer is operative to grant machine access to the individual to perform an exchange transaction with the machine and cause an indication of the access to be output through the display device responsive to a determination that the individual is an authorized user of the machine.  
 
 
   
   
   
       2 - 35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one computer is operative to communicate with a data store arrangement containing facial recognition data for each of a plurality of authorized users of the machine.  
   
   
       37 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the machine comprises an automated teller machine (ATM), wherein the ATM includes a currency dispenser operative to dispense currency from the machine, wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform with the machine an exchange transaction involving operation of the currency dispenser to dispense currency from the machine.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus according to  claim 37  wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform with the machine a cash withdrawal transaction where a monetary value amount credited to an account is exchanged for a monetary value amount in cash, and wherein the cash withdrawal transaction includes deducting a monetary value amount of surcharge associated with the cash withdrawal from the account.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus according to  claim 37  wherein the ATM further includes a currency receiving mechanism, wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform with the machine an exchange transaction involving operation of the currency receiving mechanism to receive currency into the machine.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform with the machine a currency exchange transaction involving operation of both the currency receiving mechanism and the currency dispenser.  
   
   
       41 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the machine includes a card reader device, wherein the card reader device is operative to read smart card memory data representative of a monetary value, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to operate the machine to modify the memory data.  
   
   
       42 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein responsive to a determination that an individual is not an authorized user of the machine, the at least one computer is operative to output at least one prompt message through the display device requesting input of a user card.  
   
   
       43 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  and further comprising a gaming casino, wherein the machine is located in the gaming casino.  
   
   
       44 . The apparatus according to  claim 43  wherein the machine includes a gaming material reader device, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform an exchange transaction involving gaming materials.  
   
   
       45 . The apparatus according to  claim 44  wherein the gaming material reader device comprises a token reader device, and wherein the at least one computer is operative to enable an authorized user of the machine to perform with the machine an exchange transaction involving tokens.  
   
   
       46 . A method comprising: 
 (a) operating at least one computer of a facial recognition system self-service automated transaction machine to control a plurality of cameras of the machine to capture a plurality of facial appearance feature images of an individual adjacent to the machine, wherein the at least one computer is in operative connection with at least one input device and at least one output device of a user interface of the machine, wherein the at least one output device includes a display device;    (b) operating the at least one computer to generate a facial recognition image record corresponding to the individual responsive to the plurality of images captured in step (a) in a determination of whether the individual corresponds to an authorized user of the machine; and    (c) responsive to a determination that the individual is an authorized user of the machine, operating the at least one computer to grant machine access to the individual to perform an exchange transaction with the machine and cause an indication of the access to be output through the display device.    
   
   
       47 . The method according to  claim 46  and further comprising: 
 (d) operating the at least one computer to communicate with a data store arrangement comprising at least one data store containing facial recognition data for each of a plurality of authorized users of the machine; and    (e) comparing data corresponding to the facial recognition image record generated in step (b) to facial recognition data in the at least one data store.    
   
   
       48 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the machine comprises an automated teller machine (ATM), wherein the ATM includes a currency dispenser operative to dispense currency from the ATM, and wherein step (c) includes enabling an authorized user of the machine to perform an exchange transaction involving operation of the currency dispenser, and further comprising: 
 (d) subsequent to step (c), operating the currency dispenser to dispense currency from the ATM.    
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48  wherein the ATM further includes a currency receiving mechanism operative to receive currency into the ATM, wherein step (c) includes enabling an authorized user of the machine to perform an exchange transaction involving operation of the currency receiving mechanism, and further comprising: 
 (e) subsequent to step (c), operating the currency receiving mechanism to receive currency into the ATM.    
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 49  wherein step (c) includes enabling an authorized user of the machine to perform a currency exchange transaction, wherein step (d) and step (e) occur during the same currency exchange transaction.  
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein step (c) includes enabling an authorized user of the machine to perform an exchange transaction involving a smart card, and further comprising: 
 (d) subsequent to step (c), operating the machine to modify smart card memory data representative of a monetary value.    
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the machine is located in a gaming casino, wherein step (a) includes capturing a plurality of facial appearance feature images of an individual in a gaming casino.  
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 52  wherein the at least one input device includes a gaming material reader device, wherein step (c) includes enabling an authorized user of the machine to perform an exchange transaction involving gaming materials, and further comprising: 
 (d) operating the gaming material reader device to read gaming materials.    
   
   
       54 . Computer readable media bearing instructions which are operative to cause the at least one computer to cause the machine to carry out the method steps recited in  claim 46.