Remote transaction system - Patent Review 4845636

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system for conducting business transactions between a seller and a buyer where the seller and buyer are at locations remote from one another. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system wherein the seller visually observes the buyer during the course of the transaction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the past several years, a trend has developed in which more and more business transactions are conducted not at central business centers but rather at remotely located machines or stations. An example of this trend has been the increasing popularity of automated teller machines (ATMs) which allow a person to conduct his banking activities at times and places more convenient for him than the hours and locations of the banking centers.

This trend toward remote business transactions has been spurred by the use of computers and computer-related equipment. This equipment has provided the capability of operating remote machines or stations beyond normal business hours. To date, however, the vast majority of remote transactions involve the user of the services and a computer controlling the system, and do not involve "face-to-face" transactions.

There has been an increasing need for businesses to be able to expand into new and remote markets. Because of the nature of many businesses, however, such expansion has been accompanied by high overhead expense. This is because many business transactions require a face-to-face communication between a buyer and a seller. For example, a rental car business must be able to observe a potential user in order to assess the apparent capability of the user to operate the automobile.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A remote transaction system according to the present invention generally includes a transaction booth which is located at a point remote from a central operations center. Communication lines extend between the operations center and the booth and interconnect audio and video communications equipment located at both the operations center and the booth. A decoder is located in the booth and is adapted to receive signals transmitted from the operations center and to control the audio and video equipment located in the booth in response to the signals. A programmable device such as a microcomputer may be used in place of the decoder and may be arranged to receive signals from the operations center and, in turn, control the equipment in the booth or may be programmed to control the equipment according to predetermined instructions. A payment means is provided wherein the user of the booth can pay for services or products using cash or a credit card. A dispenser is connected to the decoder or programmable device and, upon instruction from the operations center, dispenses items to the user. The booth provides a setting in which the user can sit or stand during the course of the transaction and be positioned with respect to the video equipment so as to have his image transmitted to the operations center for viewing by an operator. Additionally, the booth may have a video display unit for displaying images to the user at the discretion of the operator at the operations center.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a central operations center and remote transaction booths connected thereto

FIG. 2 shows a booth according to the present invention with its various major components.

FIG. 3 illustrates a verification module as utilized in the remote booth.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a diagrammatic representation of the equipment used in the booth and the interconnections between the equipment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the diode matrix used in conjunction with video equipment in the booth.

FIG. 6 shows a storage bin used in the dispenser module of a booth of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, a remote business transaction system generally comprises an operations center 10 and a plurality of remote transaction booths 11 operatively connected to the operations center 10 by means of audio communication lines 12 and video communication lines 13. An operator at the operations center 10 can communicate with any or all of the remote booths 11 and can visually observe people conducting business transactions in the various booths 11. Preferably, both audio and video communication lines, 12 and 13 respectively, will interconnect each of the various remote booths 11 with the operations center 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a remote transaction booth 11 according to the present invention generally comprises a housing 14 having a seating area 15 in which a person can enter to conduct a transaction. For purposes of this description, it will be assumed the person desires to rent or lease an automobile.

Located opposite the seating area 15 and facing the seating area 15 is a communication module 16. The communication module 16 contains various equipment, including a telephone-type device, a video phone, a recorder and a decoder (not shown in FIG. 2). A microcomputer or other programmable device may be included in the communication module 16. A payment submodule (not shown) may also be included in the communication module 16.

Located immediately below the communication module 16 is a dispenser module 22. The dispenser module 22 contains a plurality of storage bins in which individual items or objects to be dispensed to a user may be stored. A second decoder or programmable device is located in the dispenser module 22 and is used for selectively controlling the individual dispensing bins. A security lock mechanism prevents inadvertent dispensing of items from the bins.

Located adjacent the seating area 15 is a verification module or camera box 26. As shown in FIG. 3, the verification module 26 includes a camera 27 for focusing on a holder plate 28. The holder plate 28 is designed to receive an identification card or other identification means for photographing by the camera 27. As used in one embodiment, the plate 28 is of a substantially transparent material to facilitate the camera 27 capturing an image of a card or document placed on the holder.

In the various modules, the equipment is preferably wired to terminal blocks or plugs for connection to a wiring harness (not shown). The wiring harness interconnects the three modules with one another and with the external audio and video communication lines 12 and 13. This modular arrangement simplifies the process of constructing and maintaining the remote transaction booth.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are a diagrammatic representation of the equipment included in the remote transaction booth and the connections between that equipment. A momentary push-button switch 31 actuates a latching control relay 32 having contacts 33 which are used to energize all equipment in the booth with 120 volts AC power. Once the control relay 32 is actuated, it will latch on through contact 33.

The telephone includes a handset 17 and speaker phone 34 and is connected to an external communication line 12 to provide audio communication between the remote booth 11 and the operations center 10. The external communication line 12 may be a conventional telephone line 12. A contact 35 in the control relay 32 activates the speaker phone's "CALL" button to initiate the off-hook condition. This technique is well known in the art and will not be discussed further.

Equipment located at the telephone company's central office acknowledges the off-hook condition with return of a dial tone. Upon receipt of the dial tone, an automatic dialer 36 commences dialing of a preprogrammed phone number to the operations center. Satisfactory results for an auto-dialer 36 used in one embodiment of the invention were achieved with a model HOT SHOT INSTANT ACCESS DIALER made by Zoom Telephonic, Inc., and its operation with respect to detection of a dial tone and automatic commencement of dialing of a preprogrammed number are standard for that model.

The speaker phone 34 may be utilized for audio communication between a user in the booth and an operator at the remote operations center. Alternatively, an ordinary telephone handset 17 may be added so that audio signals transmitted to the remote center will not be unduly burdened by noise in the immediate vicinity of the booth. In one embodiment, the handset 17 has shown distinct advantages to the use of the speaker phone 34 alone.

In a preferred embodiment, a timer circuit 46 is included in the control relay latch-in circuit 32. A timer device 46 may be set for 60-second time out and the timer 46 will be reset each time a tone or pulse is detected on the audio communication line 12. If no tone or pulse signal is detected on the audio line 12 for a continuous 60-second period, the control relay 32 will be caused to drop out, removing 120 VAC power from all equipment in the booth 11 and, thus, terminating the connection of the booth 11 with the operations center 10. The use of such a timing device 46 is advantageous in the case where the initiating phone call from the booth 11 to the operations center 10 results in a "busy" signal or no answer at the operations center 10. If the telephone number is busy or there is no answer, the booth 11 will automatically be shut down after 60 seconds and the system will be reset to initiate another transaction.

The video equipment includes a video phone 18 which is connected with external communication lines 13. The video equipment transmits a video image of a person in the booth 11 to the operator at the operations center 10 and, conversely, transmits a video image from the operations center 10 to the booth 11. A video phone 18 known as the PHOTOPHONE, made by Image Data Corporation of San Antonio, Texas, has in practice proven to be suitable for use as a video phone 18 in the present invention. The PHOTOPHONE uses ordinary telephone lines to transmit and receive "slow scan", or "still", pictures. Technical specifications for the PHOTOPHONE are included in a brochure dated June, 1986 and distributed by Image Data Corporation, 7986 Mainland Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78250 (Box 380349, San Antonio, Texas 78280-9997), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A typical conventional video phone 18 is normally controlled by a keypad (shown in FIG. 5) accessible by a person in the booth 11. In the present embodiment, a diode matrix 37 has been added to the video phone 18 and is electrically parallel to the keypad. This diode matrix 37, as shown in FIG. 5, provides for control of the video phone 18 when used in conjunction with the decoder 20 which will be more fully described below. In normal operation of the system in accordance with the invention, the touch pad on the video phone 18 is not used.

Two cameras, 38 and 27, and a video switcher 39 are utilized in conjunction with the video phone 18 to provide alternative video images to the video phone 18 for transmission to the operations center 10. RCA type TC2012 cameras have been used in practice with satisfactory results. A first camera 38 is positioned in the communication module 16 or otherwise conveniently in the booth 11 to capture the image of a person sitting or standing in the booth 11. A second camera 27 is positioned in the verification module 26, as was shown in FIG. 3 and discussed above, to capture the image of identifying documentation.

The video switcher 39 is controlled remotely from the operations center 10 directly through the audio line 12 to selectively direct output from the first or second camera, 38 or 27, to the video phone 18 for transmission to the operations center 10, as will be discussed below. The video switcher 39 has its output connected to the video phone 18 and has separate inputs connected to the first camera 38 in the communication module 16 and the second camera or video device 27 in the verification module.

A Teletronix model VS100 camera switcher has been used in one embodiment of the present invention, although similar devices may be utilized. The model VS100 accepts control input from audio line 12 in the form of industry standard DTMF (Touch-Tone) signals, providing connection between one of several inputs and the output terminals. The Teletronix Model VS100 video switcher is described in a brochure distributed by Teletronix Systems Incorporated, 3255 Kerner Blvd., Suite 6, San Rafael, California 94901, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

A recorder 19 is adapted to receive input from the audio line 12 and the video switcher 39. An RCA Time Lapse Video Recorder, having a date/time mask feature, may be used to make a recording of the audio and video portions of a transaction occurring within the booth 11 by recording the audio and video signals. The recorder 19 is also provided with an electronic control feature which allows the recorder 19 to be controlled from a remote location as will be more fully discussed below. This electronic control feature is standard on the RCA Time Lapse Video Recorder.

A first or video sequencing decoder 20 has an input connected to the audio communication line 12 and is designed to receive control signals in the form of telephone touch tones or pulses, or combinations of tones or pulses, and to generate control signals or instructions in response thereto. Alternatively, the decoder 20 may be adapted to receive telephone touch tones or pulses and, in response thereto, complete electrical circuits by closing contacts. The decoder 20 used in one embodiment of the present invention is a Model UC100, manufactured by Teletronix of San Rafael, California, and has several output circuits which may be selectively activated in response to appropriate input signals. Individual relaytype devices in the decoder respond to tone inputs to close selected electrical contacts. The Teletronix Model VC100 is described in a brochure distributed by Teletronix Systems Incorporated, 3255 Kerner Blvd., Suite 6, San Rafael, California 94901, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIG. 5, certain of the output circuits of the video sequencing decoder 20 are electrically connected to the diode matrix 37 controlling the video phone 18. The actuation of selected relays in the decoder 20 results in closure of the corresponding contacts which simulates the operation of keys on the video phone keypad (by creating Touch-Tone signals). The decoder and diode matrix provide a means for controlling the video phone 18 from the operations center 10 by transmitting appropriate touch tones or pulses along the audio communication line 12. Only keys "2" and "5" are shown. Other keys necessary for the remote operation of the video phone may be similarly connected. Video phone functions such as receiving images, transmitting images and disconnecting may be controlled from the operations center 10 by means of the audio communication line 12, the first decoder 20 and the diode matrix 37.

Other output circuits of the video sequencing decoder 20 are utilized for connection to the electronic control mechanism of the security recorder 19. These ties allow for control of the recorder 19 by an operator at the operations center 10. As in the case of controlling the video phone 18, the decoder 20 is designed to receive standard telephone touch tones or pulses and complete individual electrical control circuits for controlling the recorder 19 in response to those tones or pulses. Recorder functions which may be controlled through the video sequencing decoder 20 include, for example, record, stop, rewind, and others.

Although the described embodiment utilizes the decoder 20 to receive Touch-Tone signals and control the booth equipment, a programmable device, such as a controller or microcomputer, could be used with equal success. A programmable device may be adapted to receive instructions via the audio line 12 and generate control signals for controlling the audio and video equipment. Appropriate interface equipment (e.g., modem) may be required. Alternatively, the device may be programmed to respond to input according to predetermined instructions to control the equipment.

A payment submodule 21 is housed in the transaction booth 11 and includes a credit card receiver 40 for receiving and reading the data from a credit card. The payment submodule 21 may be included in the communication module 16 or may be a separate module. As is commonly known, data is encoded on a magnetic strip of a credit card, the magnetic strip being readable by the credit card receiver 40. An ATM-type card reader may be utilized and may include a keypad for the use of bank cards requiring the input of a personal identification number to activate the card. One credit card reader which may be utilized with the present invention is manufactured by OMRON, and is distributed by Mitsubishi. Other ATM-type transaction terminals may also be utilized as payment submodules 21.

Credit information extracted from the credit card is transferred or transmitted to the operations center 10 via the audio line 12 for evaluation by the operator. It may then be transmitted to a credit card processing center for approval, according to well-known principles. The information may also be utilized for payment of goods or services involved in the business transaction.

In an alternative embodiment, means may be provided for accepting cash for payment of goods or services. Apparatus for such an arrangement is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described at length. When used with the present invention, a cash receiver will generate a signal which is transmitted to the operator at the operations center 10 via the audio communication line 12 indicating receipt of payment. The operator will then activate the dispenser 22 to dispense the selected item.

A dispenser module 22 is located in the booth 11 and houses the mechanism for dispensing items or objects to a person in the booth 11 in response to control signals received from the operations center 10. The dispenser 22 includes a plurality of bins 23, illustrated in FIG. 6, for storing the items to be selectively dispensed to a user of the booth 11. In one embodiment of the present invention, the items to be dispensed are automobile keys where the booth 11 is used in conjunction with car rental services. A second decoder or dispenser decoder 24, similar to the video sequencing decoder 20, has its input connected to the audio communication line 12 extending between the operations center 10 and the remote booth 11. In response to standard telephone touch tone or pulses, the dispenser decoder 24 generates control signals or instructions for individually controlling the bins 23 to selectively dispense the automobile keys or other items. Alternatively, the decoder 24 may complete individual dispenser control circuits in response to the touch tones.

As in the case of the decoder 20, the decoder 24 may be replaced by a programmable device for control of the dispenser module 22. The programmable device may be adapted to receive Touch-Tone signals and to generate control signals in response thereto or may be adapted to generate control signals according to a predetermined set of instructions such as a