Device for handling banknotes comprising a height adjustable user interface

Abstract

The invention relates to a device ( 10 ) for handling banknotes that comprises a display unit ( 20 ) with a display surface ( 22 ) for displaying at least one graphic user interface ( 28 ) to a user of the device ( 10 ). The user interface ( 28 ) is only displayed in a portion ( 32 to 36 ) of the display surface ( 22 ), whereas this portion ( 32 to 36 ) is adjustable depending on the position of the user relative to the display surface ( 22 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of communicating between an automatic teller machine (ATM) and a user located next to the ATM, said method comprising:
 providing a vertically elongated display;   generating a graphic user interface;   sensing a physical characteristic of the user; and   moving the graphic user interface about the display as a function of the sensed physical characteristic of the user.   
     
     
         2 . A device for handling banknotes, comprising:
 a display surface for displaying at least one graphic user interface to a user of the device;   wherein the graphic user interface is positioned for display only in a portion of the display surface;   wherein the portion of the display surface is automatically chosen based on a position of the user relative to the display surface; and   wherein the portion is chosen from a preset range of display surface positions.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein a sensor unit is provided for determining the position of the user and wherein a control unit determines the portion as a function of an output of the sensor unit. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the device further comprises a card reading unit for reading a magnetic stripe card and/or a chip card that reads out data with information on a preset preferred portion of the display unit for displaying the user interface, the data being stored on the magnetic stripe card or the chip card and wherein a control unit chooses the portion of the display surface for displaying the user interface from the stored data. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the position of the user is the height of the user and/or the height of a vehicle in which the user sits. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the display surface is rectangular and has a first side with a first side length and a second side with a second side length, wherein the user interface is rectangular and has a third side with a third side length and a fourth side with a fourth side length, wherein the first side and the third side are parallel to each other, wherein the first side length and the third side length are equal, and wherein the second side length is larger than the fourth side length. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein at least two portions of the display surface for displaying the user interface are preset, the number of the preset portions corresponding to the relationship of the of the second side length to the fourth side length, and wherein the preset portions do not overlap. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein along the second side of the display surface and/or along a fifth side of the display surface opposite of the second side a multitude of keys for selecting control information displayed by the user interface are arranged, and wherein a control unit of the device, depending on the portion in which the user interface is displayed, activates a subset of the keys arranged adjacent to the portion on which the user interface is displayed and/or deactivates the remaining keys. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensor comprises a camera for taking at least one picture with an image of a detection area including the user, and wherein the control unit processes the image with an image processing program for determining the position of the user. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus comprises an automated teller machine. 
     
     
         11 . A device for handling banknotes, comprising:
 a display unit with a display surface for displaying at least one graphic user interface to a user of the device; and   a control unit for controlling the display unit such that it displays the user interface;   wherein the user interface is displayed in a location within a path of travel relative to the display surface;   wherein the location of the user interface is automatically adjustable within the path of travel based on characteristics associated with a position of the user relative to the display surface; and   wherein the adjustable location is determined by a correlation rule based, in part, on the characteristics associated with the position of the user.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein a sensor unit is provided for determining the characteristics associated with the user and wherein the control unit determines the position of the user interface as a function of an output of the sensor unit. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the characteristics are user height and/or the height of a vehicle in which the user sits. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein at least two positions of the user interface are driven by a correlation rule. 
     
     
         15 . A device for handling banknotes, comprising:
 a display unit with a display surface for displaying at least one graphic user interface to a user of the device;   wherein the user interface is automatically displayed in a preset frame of reference corresponding with a portion of the display surface;   wherein the preset frame of reference is automatically selectable based on a position of the user relative to the display surface; and   wherein the preset frame of reference can be adjusted by the user.   
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein a sensor unit is provided for determining the position of the user relative to the display surface. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 16 , wherein a correlation rule determines the position of the user interface within the frame of reference as a function of an output of the sensor unit. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the device further comprises a card reading unit for reading a magnetic stripe card and/or a chip card that reads out data with information on a preferred portion of the display unit for displaying the user interface, the data being stored on the magnetic stripe card or the chip card and wherein a control unit of the device determines the position of the user interface depending on this data. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the position of the user is based on the user height and/or the height of a vehicle in which the user sits. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the physical characteristic is the position of the user relative to the ATM.