DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SIMULATING A VOICE AIDED ATM SYSTEM FOR BLIND AND VISUAL IMPARED CUSTOMERS OF NIGERIAN BANKS

ABSTRACT

This project aimed at creating a simulated ATM for blind customers to enhance the quality of service these customers get from their banks. It also targeted at breaching the barrier that prevented blind Nigerians, and persons with visual impairments to utilize the ATM. This simulated voice aided ATM makes use of audible instructions that allow the user to conduct transactions with a degree of security. The research methodology used in this project research is the SSADM (Structured System Analysis and Design Method). This work successfully implemented a model of a voice aided ATM that will help to overcome the obstacles that hinder the provision of financial services to all segments of our society. The new system was designed using Microsoft visual basic 6.0 programming language. This language was chosen because of its easy syntax and features for developing windows based applications.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title Page        -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -

Certification    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -

Abstract          -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -

Dedication      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -

Acknowledgement      -           -           -           -           -           -           -

Table of content          -           -           -           -           -           -           -

            CHAPTER ONE:     GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -

1.1       Aims and Objectives   -           -           -           -           -           -

1.2       Statement of Problem -           -           -           -           -           -

1.3       Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -

1.4       Organization of the Study      -           -           -           -           -

1.5       Scope of the Study     -           -           -           -           -           -

1.6       Limitation of the Study          -           -           -           -           -

            CHAPTER TWO:    LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0       Literature review and system analysis            -           -           -          

2.1       Literature Review       -           -           -           -           -           -

2.2       Feasibility Study         -           -           -           -           -           -

2.3       System Analysis          -           -           -           -           -           -

2.3.1    Fact Finding    -           -           -           -           -           -           -

2.3.2    Analysis of the Existing System         -           -           -           -

2.3.3    Statement of the Problems      -           -           -           -           -

2.3.4    Solution to the problems         -           -           -           -           -

            CHAPTER THREE:            RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1       Research Methodology           -           -           -           -           -

3.2       System Design            -           -           -           -           -           -

3.2.1    Input and Output Format       -           -           -           -           -          

3.3       Database Design         -           -           -           -           -           -

3.4       Use Case Modeling for ATM Systems           -           -           -

3.5       Sequence Diagram of ATM    -           -           -           -           -

            CHAPTER FOUR: SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

4.1       System Implementation          -           -           -           -           -

4.2       Choice of Programming Language     -           -           -           -

4.3       Installation Requirement         -           -           -           -           -

4.4       Hardware Requirement           -           -           -           -           -

4.5       Software Requirement            -           -           -           -           -

4.6       Process of Installation             -           -           -           -           -

4.7       System Testing            -           -           -           -           -           -

4.8       System            Changeover    -           -           -           -           -           -

4.9       System Documentation           -           -           -           -           -

            CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

5.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -

 5.1      Summary         -           -           -           -           -           -           -

5.2       Conclusion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -

5.3       Recommendation        -           -           -           -           -           -

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.0       INTRODUCTION

The Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is a self-service cash dispenser that also performs human teller duties such as balance inquiries, bill payments, and mini statements. ATM transactions are made with a debit/credit card, which allows the cardholder(s) to access and conduct financial transactions without the assistance of a teller.

Almost every adult has used an ATM, most likely without giving any thought to who owns and controls the machine. Banks own a large number of ATMs.. ATMs can be found not only near or inside banks, but also in places like shopping malls, airports, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other places where large crowds gather. These businesses typically provide ATMs as a convenience to their customers and even non-customers. Although these corporations and firms provide after-hours access to a variety of services such as cash withdrawals, deposits, and transfers, many of them are placed by independent businesses that profit from operating ATMs..

ATMs go by a variety of names, including ATM machine, automated banking machine, cash machine, and regional variations based on trademarks on ATM systems owned by specific banks.

Customers are identified at most modern ATMs by inserting a plastic ATM card with a magnetic stripe or a plastic smart card with a chip that has a unique card number as well as certain security information such as an expiration date or CVVC (CVV). The customer provides authentication by submitting a personal identification number (PIN)..

Customers can use an ATM to access their bank accounts, making cash withdrawals, debit card cash advances, checking account balances, and purchasing pre-paid mobile phone credit. Banks are now the primary providers of ATMs. Banks have become the primary deployers of ATMs around the world. There are two reasons for this: they want to increase their market share, though due to the prevalence of ATMs, this is unlikely to be the primary means by which ATMs increase profitability for most banks; or/and above a certain level of operations, the cost of a single transaction conducted at an ATM is potentially less than the cost of a transaction conducted from a teller, as the cost of an ATM transaction is potentially less than the cost of a transaction conducted from a teller, as the cost of an ATM transaction, ATMs are capable of handling more transactions per unit of time than are tellers (Laderman, 2000). The use of ATMs by banks and by bank clients in Nigeria is just getting started and has exploded in recent years. This is especially true in light of recent bank mergers, which has most likely made it possible for additional banks to build ATMs or at the very least join common networks (Fasan, 2007). With the rising use of ATMs in the banking industry, the issue of technology relevance has become more essential. In Nigeria, ATM services have been available for less than ten years. They were run at UBA as elite services for individuals who wanted to be treated like royalty..

Long lines in banking halls began to fade after the introduction of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), since most consumers preferred to transact through that channel. However, this respite did not apply to customers who were blind or visually challenged at the same banks. This dreadful scenario led the invention of a voice-assisted or talking system specifically for bank customers who are blind. A talking ATM, also known as a voice-aided ATM, is a type of automated teller machine (ATM) that gives auditory instructions so that those who are unable to read can use the machine independently..

All auditory data is given in private via a conventional headphone jack on the machine's face or a separately connected telephone handset. Pre-recorded sound files or text-to-voice speech synthesis are used to communicate information to customers.

In Nigeria, the situation for blind bank customers is appalling, as no financial institution has made provision for a voice-assisted ATM.. 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 technology arrived at the right time to assist clients with vision impairments in receiving the same level of fair treatment in banks as their other customers. We explain a simulated voice-assisted ATM system that is actually accessible to blind consumers with the help of bank attendance in this project. It contains all of the functionality of a real ATM machine, such as cash withdrawal, changing the default PIN number, and checking the balance, among others..

1.1          AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

With the help of bank attendance, this project aims to simulate a voice-assisted ATM system for blind and visually impaired customers of Nigerian banks, which will allow them to check their balance, change their default PIN, recharge their mobile phone, and withdraw cash, with the following objectives.:

(i)                 To design a robust and friendly user interface voice aided ATM system that is easy to use by blind customer with little assistant from bank staff.

(ii)               To provide better banking options to blind customer.

(iii)             To provide solution alternatives to the operations inherent in the existing system.

(iv)             To review existing literature on voice aided ATM system.

(v)               To examine the relevant of adopting a voice aided ATM system.

(vi)             To offer useful recommendations on how do improve on existing ATM systems.

1.2     STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Only in wealthy nations do nearly all banks offer voice-assisted ATMs to their blind customers. Blind consumers find it difficult to conduct business because they are easily scammed by bank employees or their close associates without their knowledge. The processes involved in utilizing an ATM are inaccessible to blind clients and have severe consequences for both customers and banks. These issues needed immediate action, which prompted the development of a voice-assisted or talking ATM system that would provide relief, comfort, and security to blind clients..

1.3           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THEORY

When fully deployed, this project will help both financial organizations that use ATMs and all of its blind customers, as well as eliminate ATM queues. It would reinvent Nigeria's financial sector as being entirely ICT oriented. This research will help to enhance effective management in the Nigerian banking sector in a variety of ways.

1.4        ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This project was covered under five stages:

Chapter 1:      Deals with the introduction. The background of the project is discussed. The objectives of the project, statement of problem, its significance, scope, and constraints are pointed out.

Chapter 2:      This chapter reviews the related literature on the research work.

Chapter 3:      Discusses system Investigation and Analysis. It deals with detailed investigation and analysis of the existing system and problem identification.

Chapter 4:      This chapter describes how the new system was designed, how it works and what it needs or requires. This also shows the implementation of the new system with the written program, flowcharts and pseudo codes

Chapter 5:      This chapter summarizes, concludes and recommends the research.

1.5           SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The research work is restricted to ATM operated by financial institution and for only blind customer will cover among other things:

1.      Changing of customer default PIN.

2.      Withdrawal of fund.

3.      Checking of balance.

4.      Recharging of mobile phones.

1.6              LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Some of the constraints encountered during this project design include the following:

Financial Constraints: The design was completed, but not without considerable financial risk. The computer time has to be paid for. The typing and planning of the work both have their own cost implications.

High-level programming skills: The programming element of this project presented a slew of issues that took me several days to resolve. Database connections utilizing Visual Basic.NET to access databases caused numerous difficulties.

Several Literature Sources: Despite the fact that the topic appears to be a widespread word, it is not a popular topic to research on the Internet. It had a smaller number of literature sources..