Data processing and method

Abstract

 The invention provides for a data processing terminal (10), such as and ATM, including data processing means (20) and memory means for storage of software for appropriate functioning of the terminal, and including a magnetic card reader (26) arranged to receive a card carrying the said software and for reading the said software therefrom and into the said memory means. The magnetic card reader (26) is also arranged to receive a magnetic card allowing access to the terminal (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for loading software into a data processing terminal and, in particular, but not exclusively, the invention provides for a magnetic card reader for an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) that is arranged to read software required for the functioning of the ATM.

[0002] Data processing terminals such as ATMs include resident memory into which software is to be installed, such as operating system software and application software, so as to achieve the appropriate functioning of the terminal.

[0003] Currently, such software is loaded into such terminals by means of a diskette or CD ROM which carries the software and is physically received in the terminal for transfer of the software into the resident memory.

[0004] In order to load the software in this manner, the terminal requires dedicated peripheral devices for physically receiving such diskettes or CD ROMS and for subsequently reading the software stored thereon into the resident memory. Once such loading of the software has occurred, these peripheral devices generally remain redundant unless a software upgrade is required.

[0005] The incorporation of such peripheral devices into known data processing terminals can therefore be viewed as an unnecessarily expensive and uneconomic feature of known data processing terminals.

[0006] The present invention therefore seeks to provide a data processing apparatus and method which overcomes such disadvantages as currently arise in known data processing terminals.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing terminal including data processing means and memory means for storage of software for appropriate functioning of the terminal, characterised by a magnetic card reader arranged to receive a card carrying the said software and for reading the said software therefrom and into the said memory means.

[0008] By employing a magnetic card reader for the input of, for example, the operating systems software and/or application software, the present invention can advantageously employ hardware that is inherent in, for example, an ATM, and so such peripheral devices as a disc drive that would otherwise be required for use with a diskette or CD ROM are not required.

[0009] Manufacturing and design simplicity can thereby be enhanced whilst also reducing the costs involved.

[0010] A particularly advantageous embodiment therefore arises wherein the data processing terminal includes a magnetic card reader for reading data stored on an individual's magnetic card. As far as possible, the card reader hardware required for the entry of the software in accordance with the present invention is also arranged, at least in part, as the card reading hardware for reading an individual's card, such as a smart card or, for example, electronic purse.

[0011] The magnetic card reader for use in accordance with the data processing terminal embodying the present invention can advantageously be arranged for reading a smart card and, in one particular embodiment, the data processing terminal comprises an ATM.

[0012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of loading software into resident memory of a data processing terminal, comprising the steps of receiving in the terminal a magnetic card carrying the software and reading the software from the card to the resident memory.

[0013] Advantageously, the magnetic card is received, and the relevant data read therefrom, by hardware means which is also arranged to receive an individual's magnetic card, such as a smart card or so-called electronic purse.

[0014] The invention is described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates an automated teller machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a control system for the automated teller machine of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 illustrates a known magnetic card reader such as a magnetic card reader for use in known automated teller machines.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows an ATM 10 having a magnetic card input slot 12, a display screen 14, a keypad 16, and a cash delivery slot 18.

[0016] In use, an individual's magnetic card is inserted into the slot 12 and subsequently processed so as to allow for the verification of the identification of the individual for subsequent use of the ATM whether for the dispensation of cash or otherwise.

[0017] The control system for the ATM 10 is shown in Fig. 2 and comprises a processor 20 which is connected to receive input from the keypad 16, to control the display 14, and to control a cash counting and delivery system 22 connected to the cash delivery slot 18. A card reader 26 arranged for use within the present invention is also connected to the processor 20 and, further, the processor 20 is connected via connection 24 to the central authorisation system of the financial institution operating the ATM 10.

[0018] Turning now to Fig. 3 there is illustrated a magnetic card reader 26 which comprises a magnetic head 28, an amplifier 30, a wave shaping device 32, and a data memory 34 having an input 36 connected to, for example, an ATM central authorisation system. As mentioned with reference to Fig. 1, in operation, a card having a magnetic stripe is placed in the reading head of the ATM so as to be disposed adjacent the magnetic head 28. The magnetic data in the stripe on the card is read by the head 28, and an analogue electrical signal is supplied to the amplifier 30 which subsequently passes an amplified signal to the wave shaping device 32. The wave shaping device 32 then supplies a digitized version of the analogue signal to the data memory 34 in which it is stored. This stored version is equivalent to the data stored magnetically in the card.

[0019] The signal on the output 36 of the data memory 34 may for example be passed to the central authorisation system of an automated teller machine, the signal thereby indicating/verifying the identity of the card holder. The authorisation system then provides a return signal authorising the card holder to perform a transaction on the automated teller machine such as a cash withdrawal.

[0020] The above-mentioned operation of an automated teller machine embodying the present invention does not generally differ from corresponding actions conducted in association with current ATMs.

[0021] However, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic card reader is not only arranged to receive an individual's magnetic card for, for example, identification/verification, but rather is also arranged to receive, for example, a smart card carrying software required by the ATM for its general functionality.

[0022] Thus, a smart card carrying operating system software and/or applications software can be received in the magnetic card reader 26 and the software instructions held in the smart card can then be loaded into the resident memory of the ATM by use of an appropriate reading means such as the magnetic head 28.

[0023] Such uploading of the operating system software and/or application software can be conducted not only at the initial configuration of the ATM but also at later stages should a software upgrade be required. The upgrade can then be readily conducted by means of the magnetic card reader 26 without requiring any additional, and thus additionally expensive and potentially complex, peripheral devices.

[0024] A data processing terminal such as an ATM can therefore be provided which allows for simplified and cost effective input of operating systems software and/or applications software and without requiring dedicated peripheral devices which might otherwise appear somewhat redundant to the general operation of the terminal.

[0025] It should be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment. For example, the magnetic card reading arrangement provided for uploading the software into the terminal can merely, if required, share only some hardware features of the known magnetic card reader. Also, the invention can be incorporated in any form of data processing terminal such as self-service financial transaction terminals, and for which card authorisation is required.

Claims

1. A data processing terminal (10) including data processing means (20) and memory means for storage of software for appropriate functioning of the terminal, characterised by a magnetic card reader (26) arranged to receive a card carrying the said software and for reading the said software therefrom and into the said memory means.

2. A terminal as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the magnetic card reader (26) is arranged for reading data stored on a card allowing access to the terminal.

3. A terminal as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the magnetic card reader (26) is arranged for processing the magnetic card carrying the said software.

4. A terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic card reader (26) is arranged for reading a smart card.

5. A data processing terminal as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and serving as an automated teller machine.

6. A method of loading software into resident memory of a data processing terminal comprising receiving, in the terminal, a magnetic card carrying the software, and reading the software into the said resident memory.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the magnetic card carrying the software is arranged to be received in a magnetic card reader also arranged to receive a card allowing access to the terminal.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, and wherein the said software is read from a smart card received in the data processing terminal.

Drawing