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Emergency services notification from an atm system and methodsRelated Patent Categories: Multiplex Communications, Pathfinding Or Routing, Switching A Message Which Includes An Address Header, Message Transmitted Using Fixed Length Packets (e.g., Atm Cells)Emergency services notification from an atm system and methods description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070081540, Emergency services notification from an atm system and methods. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to "MULTI-PURPOSE KIOSK AND METHODS," U.S. application Ser. No. 10/225,410, filed Aug. 20, 2002, the complete disclosure of which is also incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Automatic Teller Machines ("ATMs") are widely used by customers of financial institutions to perform transactions related to financial accounts. ATMs may be used for a variety of purposes, including the deposit or withdrawal of funds to such financial accounts. ATM's may also be used for credit card cash advances and other transactions, money transfers, payments (e.g., payment of a bill), balance inquiries, item purchase items (e.g., stamps), and other types of transactions involving the making and receiving of payments. One of the most common transactions involves the withdrawal of money from a checking or savings account. The customer may insert an ATM card and input a personal identification number ("PIN"), and may enter the desired withdrawal amount. If the transaction is approved, the requested amount is distributed. The withdrawal amount may then be deducted from the customer's account. [0003] One advantage of an ATM is that the transaction may be performed automatically, and yet this fact may also be a source of potential harm. ATMs may allow the withdrawal of funds without interaction with any bank teller or other person. A growing problem has arisen around this fact, as ATM customers are susceptible to being required to withdraw money via the ATM under threat of immediate physical harm. This situation, therefore, is made worse by the fact that there is often no way to notify authorities about this ongoing crime because of the automatic nature of the transaction. There is, thus, a need in the art for improved systems and methods to notify emergency service providers of the need for emergency services at an ATM. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to various embodiments of the invention, an ATM network host computer system may receive a first communications signal from an ATM, the signal comprising a request for emergency services. The ATM network host may determine an emergency services provider providing service to a geographic region which includes the ATM. The ATM network host may then transmit a second communications signal directed at the emergency services provider, wherein the second communications signal comprises the request for emergency services and the location of the ATM. [0005] According to some embodiments, the request for emergency services may simply comprise input of a personal identification number ("PIN") by a user to the ATM. The first communications signal may, thus, comprise an encrypted, formatted message including an ATM card number, a personal identification number ("PIN"), and an identifier for the ATM. Location information for the ATM may also be included in the communications signal. According to certain embodiments of the invention, a user may be associated with a first PIN and a second emergency PIN which both authorize an ATM transaction, wherein selection of the emergency PIN initiates a request for emergency services without any notice at the ATM. In various embodiments, the request for emergency services comprises a response to a query displayed at the ATM to ascertain whether emergency services are required. A response to such a query may comprise selection of an option from a graphical menu displayed on a screen of the ATM. [0006] In certain embodiments, a Public Safety Answering Point ("PSAP") may comprise an intermediary between the ATM and the emergency service provider, or may, alternatively, comprise the emergency services provider itself. In some embodiments, the emergency services provider is determined by communication with a database which stores information on a plurality of emergency services providers, wherein each provider provides service to a different geographic region. In various embodiments, the emergency service provider may be selected by matching the zip code of the ATM with the zip code of a provider stored in the database. In certain embodiments, a voice response unit, in communication with the ATM network host, transmits the request on behalf of the host. In other embodiments, the request for emergency services comprises transmission of an electronic message. [0007] According to various embodiments of the invention, the request for emergency services may include personal information relating to the user. In such embodiments, a database may be configured to store personal information related to each of a plurality of users. In other embodiments, the host may also be configured to establish a two-way communication connection between the ATM and the emergency services provider, which may comprise voice, text, or video communication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label. [0009] FIG. 1A illustrates a communications system that may be used to contact an emergency services provider from an ATM according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ATM that may be used to contact an emergency services provider according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method that may be used to facilitate contact with an emergency services provider over an ATM network according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method that may be used to contact an emergency services provider from an ATM according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method that may be used to contact an emergency services provider from an ATM via a PSAP according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram that illustrates a method for contacting a local PSAP from an ATM using an emergency PIN according to various embodiments of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram that illustrates a representative device structure that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0016] This description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention. Rather, the ensuing description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. [0017] Thus, various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the methods may be performed in an order different than that described, and that various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Different aspects and elements of the embodiments may be combined in a similar manner. [0018] It should also be appreciated that the following systems, methods, and software may be a component of a larger system, wherein other procedures may take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Also, a number of steps may be required before, after, or concurrently with the following systems, methods, or software. [0019] I. Overview: Systems, methods, and software are described for facilitating contact with an emergency services provider from an ATM. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the ATM network host computer system may receive a first communications signal from the ATM comprising a request for emergency services. The ATM network host may determine an emergency services provider providing service to a geographic region which includes the ATM. The ATM network host may then transmit a second communications signal directed at the emergency services provider, wherein the second communications signal comprises the request for emergency services and the location of the ATM. Continue reading about Emergency services notification from an atm system and methods... 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