Automated banking machine system and method
View Patent ↗A wireless ATM system ( 30 ) comprises one or more wireless ATMs ( 32, 34, 36 ) that are operative to wirelessly communicate with a wireless ATM server ( 38 ). The wireless ATMs each include a wireless network interface ( 41 ). The wireless ATM server includes a corresponding wireless access point or wireless hub ( 40 ). Wireless transmission between the wireless ATMs and wireless ATM server is secured with a wireless encryption protocol. The wireless ATM server is operative to communicate with at least one host banking system ( 46 ) through at least one public or private network ( 44 ). The wireless ATM server is operative to route transaction and event messages between the host banking system and each of the wireless ATMs using a message gateway router ( 43 ). The wireless ATM server further includes a firewall ( 42 ).
1. A method comprising:
a) receiving with an automated banking machine at least one first wireless communication signal from a portable wireless device;
b) sending through operation of the automated banking machine at least one first network communication signal corresponding to the at least one first wireless communication signal, to at least one server in operative connection with the automated banking machine through a wide area network;
c) receiving through operation of the automated banking machine at least one second network communication signal from the at least one server;
d) sending through operation of the automated banking machine at least one second wireless communication signal to the portable wireless device corresponding to the at least one second network communication signal;
e) receiving through operation of the automated banking machine at least one third wireless communication signal from the portable wireless device, wherein the at least one third wireless communication signal includes data representative of a financial account;
f) validating through operation of the automated banking machine that the account is authorized to accept a charge of a usage fee; and
g) charging the usage fee to the account responsive to operation of the machine.
2. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
dispensing cash from the automated banking machine.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the portable wireless device comprises a voice communication device.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the portable wireless device includes at least one memory including data representative of cash value, and further comprising modifying the data representative of cash value responsive to operation of the automated banking machine.
5. A method comprising:
a) providing, with an automated banking machine, a wireless network connection between a portable wireless device and the automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser;
b) providing, with the automated banking machine, a network connection between the automated banking machine and a public wide area network;
c) determining with the automated banking machine that the portable wireless device is permitted to access the public wide area network;
d) responsive to (c), providing with the automated banking machine, the portable wireless device with access to the public wide area network through the wireless network connection with the automated banking machine;
e) receiving, with the automated banking machine, information corresponding to an account through the wireless network connection from the portable wireless device; and
f) causing, with the automated banking machine, a fee to be associated with the account for providing the portable wireless device with access to the public wide area network in (d).
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein in (d) the public wide area network includes the Internet.