Emergency services notification from an ATM system and methods

Abstract

Systems, methods, and software are described for facilitating contact with an emergency services provider from an ATM. An 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 location. 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.

1 . A method for facilitating contact with an emergency services provider from an Automatic Teller Machine (“ATM”) comprising: 
 receiving, at an ATM network host computer system, a first communications signal from the ATM comprising a request for emergency services;    determining the emergency services provider providing service to a geographic region which includes the ATM; and    transmitting a second communications signal directed at the emergency services provider, wherein the second communications signal comprises the request and location of the ATM.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the request for emergency services comprises input of a personal identification number (“PIN”) by a user to the ATM.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first communications signal comprises an encrypted, formatted message including an ATM card number, a personal identification number (“PIN”), and an identifier for the ATM.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the identifier for the ATM includes location information.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, 
 a user is associated with a first PIN and a second PIN, and the selection of either PIN by the user authorizes a transaction at the ATM from an account associated with the user;    the second PIN further comprises an emergency PIN, wherein selection by the user initiates the request for emergency services; and    the transmitting step is undertaken without any notice of receipt of the request for emergency services from the ATM network host computer system to the ATM.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 receiving, at an ATM network host computer system, an initiating communications signal from the ATM comprising an encrypted, formatted message including an ATM card number and a personal identification number (“PIN”): and    wherein the request for emergency services comprises a response to a query displayed at the ATM to ascertain whether emergency services are required.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the response comprises the selection of an option from a graphical menu displayed on a screen of the ATM.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step includes communication with a Public Safety Answering Point (“PSAP”).  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining step further comprises: 
 communication with a database which stores information on a plurality of emergency services providers, wherein each provider of the plurality provides service to a different geographic region; and    a query of the database by the ATM network host computer system to determine the emergency services provider that provides service to the geographic region that includes the location of the ATM.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the emergency services provider comprises a Public Safety Answering Point (“PSAP”).  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step comprises a transmission from a voice response unit in communication with the ATM network host computer system.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step comprises a transmission of an electronic message.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communications signal includes personal information relating to the user.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communications signal is first transmitted to an intermediate entity, and from the intermediate entity it is directed at the emergency services provider.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 establishing a two-way communication connection between the ATM and the emergency services provider.    
     
     
         16 . A system for facilitating contact with an emergency services provider from an Automatic Teller Machine (“ATM”) comprising: 
 an ATM, wherein the ATM is configured to: 
 receive input from a user comprising a request for emergency services; and  
 transmit a first communications signal comprising a request for emergency services; and  
   an ATM network host computer system, in communication with the ATM, wherein the ATM network host computer system is configured to: 
 receive the first communications signal;  
 determine where the ATM is located;  
 determine an emergency services provider providing service to a geographic region which includes where the ATM is located; and  
 transmit a second communications signal directed at the emergency services provider, the second signal comprising the request and location of the ATM.  
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the request for emergency services comprises input of a personal identification number (“PIN”) by a user to the ATM.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a database, in communication with the ATM network host computer system.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein, 
 the first communications signal further comprises an identifier associated with the user;    the database is configured to store personal information related to each of a plurality of users, each user of the plurality associated with at least one identifier;    the ATM network host computer system is configured to query the database to identify a subset of the personal information related to the identifier associated with the user; and    the request includes the subset.    
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the identifier is selected from the group consisting of: an ATM card account number, a credit card account number, a social security number, a bank account number, a savings account number, a stored-value account number, a personal identification number, a unique character set, a unique data set, and any combination thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein, 
 the database stores information on a plurality of emergency services providers, wherein each provider of the plurality provides service to a different geographic region; and    the ATM network host computer system is configured to query the database to determine the emergency services provider that provides service to the geographic region that includes the location of the ATM.    
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein, 
 each different geographic region comprises at least one zip code; and    the ATM network host computer system is configured to use a zip code for the ATM to match to one of the at least one zip codes in the database to determine the emergency services provider.    
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the ATM network host computer system comprises the database.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein, 
 the ATM further comprises a microphone and a speaker, and is capable of audio communication through the ATM network host computer system; and    the ATM network host computer system is configured to establish an audio communication connection between the ATM and the emergency services provider.    
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the user initiates a request for emergency services after the ATM has validated identity of the user.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the ATM is further configured to: 
 delay dispersing cash to the user in response to the input.    
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the ATM is further configured to: 
 automatically decrease, in response to the input, a maximum amount of cash that may be withdrawn by the user.    
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the ATM is further configured to: 
 capture an image, in response to the input, of an area adjacent the ATM with a camera which is communicatively coupled with the ATM.    
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein upon validation of the identity of the user, the ATM is configured to query the user to ascertain whether emergency services are required, and the request for emergency services comprises a response to the query.  
     
     
         30 . An ATM network host computer system, the system having at least one computer readable storage medium having at least one computer-readable program for operation of the computer system, wherein the computer-readable program includes instructions to: 
 receive a first communications signal from the ATM comprising a request for emergency services;    determine an emergency services provider providing service to a geographic region which includes the ATM; and    transmit a second communications signal directed at the emergency services provider, the second signal comprising the request and location of the ATM.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein, 
 a user is associated with a first PIN and a second PIN, and the selection of either PIN by the user authorizes a transaction at the ATM from an account associated with the user; and    the second PIN further comprises an emergency PIN, wherein selection by the user initiates the request for emergency services.