Research Paper
System Design for Talking ATM for The Blind Users
Umar Dahiru
Undergraduate Student
University of East London
[email protected]
Sangeetha Elango
Senior Lecturer
FTMS COLLEGE
[email protected]
Riyaz Ahamed A.H
Senior Lecturer
FTMS COLLEGE
[email protected]
Abstract
ATM stands for Automated teller machine. System design for talking ATM is a type of automated
teller machine (ATM) that provides audible instructions so that persons who cannot read an ATM
screen can independently use the machine. All audible information is delivered privately through a
standard headphone jack on the face of the machine or a separately attached telephone handset.
Information is delivered to the customer either through pre-recorded sound files or via text-tospeech synthesis. System design for talking ATM provide the ability to conduct transactions using
both visual and auditory components. Essentially, a talking ATM will provide a means of persons
with visual impairments to utilize the ATM by making use of audible instructions. While many
ATMs today include an audio component that makes use of a speaker system, the system design for
talking ATM employs the feature of a headphone jack or telephone handset that allows the user to
conduct the transaction with a degree of security. This paper focuses on system design for talking
ATM only for blind users to enhance the quality of service these users get from bank as it will
reduces risk of being defrauded easily as blind users usually fall victim of fraud. The paper
summarizes how ATMs have matured into a technology application providing financial services to
all segments of our society, and the technical functionality behind the provisioning of those
services. In future we will implement the solution for the blind users to make use of ATM
independently without the help of anybody as they easily defrauded by bank staff or other
individuals at the ATM point as we identified the system design is provided in the paper.
Keywords:
1.
ATM, Blind users, visual impairments, text-to-speech synthesis, Pre-recorded sound
files.
Introduction
The idea of self-service in retail banking developed through independent and
simultaneous efforts in Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the USA,
Luther George Simjian has been credited with developing and building the first automatic teller
machine (which didn't dispense cash). An experimental Bankograph was installed in New York
City in 1939 by the City Bank of New York, but removed after 6 months due to the lack of
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customer acceptance. The Bankograph was an automated envelope deposit machine (accepting
coins, cash and cheques) and did not have cash dispensing features. (Bátiz-Lazo, B 2008)
This relief however did not extend to blind and visually impaired users of the same
banks because they cannot see the ATM screen, so they easily defrauded by individuals or even
bank staff during transaction at the ATM point. The blind automatically fall victim of fraud every
time they will make use of ATM. (Bátiz-Lazo, B 2009)
The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a self-service machine that dispenses cash and
performs some human teller functions like balance enquiry, bills payments, mini statements and
so on. ATM transactions are carried out through the use of a debit/credit card which enables the
card holder(s) to access and carry out banking transactions without a teller. (Bátiz-Lazo, B
2008)
The introduction of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) brought succour to entire world
as long queues in the banking halls began to wane, as most users opted to transact through that
channel. This relief however did not extend to blind and visually impaired users of the same
banks. This ugly scenario prompted the development of system design for talking ATM specially
designed for blind users of banks. A system design for talking ATM is a type of automated teller
machine (ATM) that will provides audible instructions so that persons who cannot read an ATM
screen can independently use the machine. All audible information is delivered privately
through a standard headphone jack on the face of the machine or a separately attached
telephone handset. Information is delivered to the user either through pre-recorded sound files
or via text-to-speech synthesis. . (Bátiz-Lazo, B 2008)
The situation has been pathetic for blind users as very few financial institutions has
made provision for them. The advent of a Truly Accessible ATM will make persons with
disabilities more independent in respect of personal financial matters. It provides complete
accessibility to a wheelchair as well as to a visually challenged ATM user.
Our system will come as a timely intervention to help users with visual disadvantage to
equally have a fair treatment in banks like their other user. In this research, we got an idea of
system design for talking ATM, which is truly accessible to blind users as they easily defrauded
at the ATM point. (Friend, C. 2009.)
The world’s first Voice aided or talking ATM for the blind was an NCR machine unveiled
by the Royal Bank of Canada on October 22, 1997 at a bank branch on the corner of Bank Street
and Queen Street in Ottawa, Ontario. The talking ATM was a result of concerns Chris and Marie
Stark, two blind customers, raised with the bank beginning in 1984. Their concerns turned into
a discrimination complaint with the Canadian Human Rights Commission in 1991. The machine
was manufactured by NCR and adapted by Ottawa based T-Base Communications at a cost of
about $500,000 Canadian dollars. (Blindcanadians.ca).
Nigerian government provides schools for the blind right from primary school,
secondary and tertiary institutions level to study in order to make their life easier. In some of
the blind schools some assistive technologies are provided for the blind to study easily such as
the screen reader, braille translation softeare, braille writing equipment’s and so much more.
(Caulton and Prine 2010).
Malaysian government has provided people with visual impaired with some facilities
which are accessible such as; accessible wheelchair users in public parks which is accessible for
disabled in public transportation terminals. Moreover, an accessible footpath was provided to
help the blind to walk freely and independently in the country with no issue, this makes their
life easy as they don’t need to ask for anyone to guide them while walking. (Soltani, S. H. K.
2012)
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2.
Problem Statement
It is only in developed countries of the world that nearly all banks deploy Voice aided
ATM for it blind users. Operating by Blind users is not easy as they are easily defrauded by bank
staffs or their close assistance without their knowledge. The processes involved in the process
of using ATM has no provision for blind users and has some negative effects to both users and
banks. These problems necessitated for a prompt action that will require a voice aided or
talking ATM system that will bring succour, comfort and security to blind users.
3.
Proposed Solution
The talking ATM employs the feature of a headphone jack or telephone handset that
allows the user to conduct the transaction with a degree of security. The talking ATM makes it
possible for persons to plug into the system and hear a series of audible communications that
allow the user to indicate the type of transaction desired. Once the user has selected the
transaction type, audible prompts walk the user through the process. Often, the technology
currently in use with a talking ATM will involve either pre-recorded sound files or equipment
that is configured to manage a text to speech synthesis process.
4.
System Design
This paper will deal with the various methods used in data collection, designing and
developing the new system, the database structure, sequence and UML diagrams.
The data collection and the validation is the primary and the secondary method that will
be used to ensure the effectiveness of this work while collecting data, oral interview will be
conducted among the management of the banks as we as the staff. On the other side,
observations will be taken into consideration on how the operation will be done. Moreover,
record of inspections will be carried out such as studying the banks form and the ATM form as
well.
The research method that the system design for talking ATM for blind users will use is
quantitative research method. It is a type of research that is applicable to quantifiable
phenomena, it includes series of data analysis to understand and explain the phenomena. It
further concentrates on measuring scale, frequency and range of phenomena collecting and
analyzing data, example of this research is questionnaire. (Dennis et al., 2012)
For one to develop any software, some software development methodology has to be
follow and for the successful development of the system, designer has to go through all the
phases of that same methodology. The phases includes Planning, analysis, design and
implementation. The final system will be developed after the users accept the design prototype.
The methodology is suitable for system design because changes can be made during the
development of the system. (Dennis et al., 2012)
To develop system design for talking ATM for blind users, some design principles has to
be understood and these include use case diagram and use case description which is used in
designing the integration diagrams, also class diagram which provide a standard way to
visualize the design of the system. Activity diagram will also show the description of the flow of
the system functions.
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VB.NET is preferred to use for the implementation phase because it is a fully objectoriented programming language that allows the development of application which can be run in
Windows and web browser without programming complexity. (Bradley & Millspaugh, 2008).
SQL server is planned to use back end support to store the date and it provides ful
security in the case of ATM where money is involved so a strong and secured database is needed
like the SQL server to maintain and protect the system against all unwanted operations.
(Elmasri & Navathe, 2011)
5.
Expected Result
While many ATM today include and audio components that makes use of speaker
system, the system design for talking ATM for blind users will employ the feature of a
headphone jack or telephone handset that will allow user to conduct the transaction with a
degree of security. But when we complete this system design the users can enjoy the following
functions in ATM:
1. A visually challenged person can independently operate an ATM machine for Cash
Withdrawal, Balance Enquiry and PIN change ATM operations.
2. Talking ATM mode enabled through insertion of a headphone in an audio jack of ATM
machine.
3. Use of ATM keypad matrix to do complete ATM operation. This functionality is similar
to an IVR wherein you use only number options to select different options.
4. A keypad is a standard telephone matrix keypad with a raised dot on the key number 5
which is a universal design. A visually challenged user use this key 5 as a reference key
and can easily locate other number keys.
5. Keypad buttons orientation is provided so that a visually challenged person can easily
find buttons like Cancel, Clear and Enter. Also these three function keys have distinct
raised symbols so that a visually challenged user can feel and press a correct key. Keypad
number pressed is supported by a beep sound.
6. Important features a visually challenged user can choose in the beginning of his ATM
operation are language choice, volume control, hide or display screen and orientation to
the ATM machine.
7. Complete screen text and audio synchronization is provided.
6.
Conclusion
Once the system is completed will be of a great benefits to the blind users as well as the
banks and the government itself because a blind user can independently use the ATM without
the help of third party. We will basically give more emphasis on the real time infrastructure of
how a voice aided ATMs can be useful for enhance ATM access to visually impair customer of
the bank. At the end of this project the ATM will be simulation of a voice aided provide the
ability to conduct transactions using both visual and auditory components by making use of
audible instructions. At the end we will come with a conclusion that when this project is being
implemented the blind can use the ATM independently without third party assistance and will
also reduce ATM fraud.
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