System and method for authenticating a user using a device

A computer-implemented method for authenticating a user on a device during a session comprising:

• receiving input data from the input device
• detecting a user's presence in the input data,
• starting a countdown timer if no user presence is detected,
• continuously detecting a user's presence during the countdown timer,
• ending the session if a user's presence is not detected during the countdown timer and the timer reaches its end, and;
• re-authenticating a user and keep the session active if a user's presence is detected during the countdown timer.

A self-service machine for allowing a user to perform one or more functions comprising:

• a body,
• a user interface disposed on the body,
• the user interface adapted to receive inputs from the user and present outputs or information to the user,
• the user interface being angled such that a standing user or a user seated in a wheelchair can interact with the user interface,
• a memory unit and a processor, the processor operatively coupled to the memory unit,
• an input device configured to capture and transmit input data,
• the processor operatively coupled to the input device,
• the processor comprising an authentication engine executable by the processor,
• the authentication engine configured to:
• receive input data from the input device,
• detect a user's presence in the input data,
• start a countdown timer if no user presence is detected,
• continuously detect a user's presence during the countdown timer,
• end the session if a user's presence is not detected during the countdown timer and the timer reaches its end, and;
• re-authenticate a user and keep the session active if a user's presence is detected during the countdown timer,
• continuously reauthenticate the user each time a user's presence is detected while the countdown timer is on, and;
• reset the countdown timer if a user is successfully re-authenticated, and;
• wherein the countdown timer duration is 1 minute or less.