Cash dispensing automated banking machine diagnostic method
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine ( 10 ) includes a lockable first fascia portion ( 20 ) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device ( 104 ), inputs to which enable opening a chest door ( 18 ) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator ( 116 ) which enables moving a second fascia portion ( 22 ) for conducting service activities. A controller ( 72 ) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices ( 118, 126 ) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices ( 128 ) adjacent a card reader slot ( 28 ) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of unauthorized card reading devices. Servicing the machine is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article ( 98 ) which enables the controller to access diagnostic data stored in memory and which provides data indicative of the significance of the diagnostic data.
1. A method comprising:
(a) operatively connecting a portable diagnostic article to an article reading device of an automated banking machine;
(b) outputting through an output device, diagnostic indicia corresponding to diagnostic data stored in the machine responsive to a condition of at least one transaction function device of the machine, the diagnostic indicia being prevented from being output except when the diagnostic article has been operatively connected to the machine;
(c) outputting through an output device significance indicia corresponding to service data stored on the portable diagnostic article after the diagnostic article has been placed in operative connection with the machine.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the automated banking machine includes a currency dispenser device, and wherein in step (b) the diagnostic indicia includes indicia corresponding to a condition of the currency dispenser device.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein in step (b) and in step (c) the indicia is output through at least one output device on the automated banking machine.
4. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:
(d) servicing the automated banking machine responsive to the significance indicia.
5. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:
(e) providing at least one input to at least one input device of the automated banking machine, wherein the automated banking machine is operative responsive to the at least one input and the operative connection of the diagnostic article with the machine to cause the automated banking machine to conduct at least one diagnostic test of at least one transaction device of the machine.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the at least one diagnostic test is operative to produce at least one result, and further comprising:
(f) outputting through an output device of the machine responsive to the at least one result and the service data, indicia corresponding to a remedial action;
(g) servicing the machine by taking the remedial action.
7. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising:
providing at least one input to at least one device of the automated banking machine, wherein steps (b) and (c) are executed only when the at least one input comprises an authorized input.
8. The method according to claim 3 wherein the automated banking machine includes a browser, and further comprising:
(d) providing at least one input to at least one input device of the automated banking machine to process the service data through operation of the browser.
9. The method according to claim 7 and prior to step (d) further comprising:
loading browser software from the portable diagnostic article to at least one controller operating in the automated banking machine.
10. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
(e) engaging the portable diagnostic article with a computer device other than an automated banking machine, wherein the computer device is not in operative connection with an automated banking machine, and wherein the computer device is operative to output indicia corresponding to the service data.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the service data corresponds to instructions for servicing the automated banking machine, and wherein in step (c) and in step (e) indicia corresponding to the instructions are output.
12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the portable diagnostic article comprises a CD and wherein step (a) comprises placing the CD in a CD reader of the automated banking machine.
13. The method according to claim 1 and prior to step (b) providing at least one secret code on the diagnostic article, wherein at least one of steps (b) and (c) are performed responsive to the at least one secret code being an authorized code as determined through operation of the machine.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein the determination by the machine as to whether the secret code is authorized is dependent on a current date determined by the machine.
15. The method according to claim 3 and wherein the service data on the portable diagnostic article is encrypted, and prior to step (c) decrypting the service data through operation of the machine.
16. A method comprising:
(a) operatively engaging a portable diagnostic article with at least one component of an automated banking machine;
(b) responsive to step (a), operating the machine to enable an authorized machine servicer to obtain access to diagnostic data stored in machine memory;
(c) responsive to step (a), operating the machine to enable the authorized machine servicer to access from the article, machine servicing information applicable to the diagnostic data.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the automated banking machine includes a currency dispenser, wherein the diagnostic data corresponds to a condition of the currency dispenser, and wherein step (a) includes placing the article into the automated banking machine.
18. A method comprising:
(a) operating an automated banking machine to communicate with a diagnostic tool, wherein the machine is associated with memory having stored therein diagnostic data corresponding to at least one device of the machine, wherein the diagnostic tool includes significance data;
(b) responsive to step (a), operating the machine to output information corresponding to the diagnostic data;
(c) operating the machine to output the significance data, wherein the significance data enables significance of the information output in step (b) to be provided.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein step (b) includes operating the machine to output information through at least one display of the machine, wherein step (c) includes operating the machine to output significance data through the at least one display.
20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the significance data corresponds to machine servicing instructions, wherein step (a) includes obtaining machine servicing instructions from the diagnostic tool, and wherein step (c) includes operating the machine to output indicia corresponding to obtained machine servicing instructions.