Automated banking machine system and method
View Patent ↗A system includes cash dispensing automated banking machines ( 10 ). Each of the automated banking machines includes a cash dispenser ( 24 ) and at least one computer ( 28 ) in which a plurality of software products are operated. Entities responsible for operating the automated banking machines may receive messages that include information or update code items for software or firmware usable in the banking machines for which they have operational responsibility. Such messages may be provided by the banking machine manufacturer directly from a system operated by the manufacturer, or from sources that supply the manufacturer.
1. A method comprising:
(a) storing in at least one data store through operation of at least one computer, data corresponding to a plurality of customers of a company, and for each customer data corresponding to a manner of communication with the customer;
(b) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer for each respective customer, data corresponding to at least one company automated banking machine product operated by the customer which utilizes in its operation at least one computer software item;
(c) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer, data corresponding to a plurality of computer software items operated in respective company products;
(d) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer, data corresponding to update code items for providing update changes to respective computer software items;
(e) operating at least one computer in operative connection with the at least one data store to electronically communicate to a first customer, data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated in at least one company automated banking machine product by the first customer.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (b) the at least one company automated banking machine product comprises a cash dispensing automated banking machine, and wherein in (e) information corresponding to an update code item usable to provide update changes to a software item operated in an automated banking machine by the first customer is communicated to the first customer.
3. The method according to claim 2 wherein in (c) the computer software items include at least one operating system and at least one application operated on cash dispensing automated banking machines.
4. The method according to claim 3 wherein (a) includes storing in the at least one data store names of customers who have entered into at least one software license agreement with the company.
5. The method according to claim 3 wherein (a) includes storing in the at least one data store names of customers, and for each customer name at least one respective customer e-mail address.
6. The method according to claim 5 and further comprising:
prior to (e) generating through operation of at least one computer, identifying data associated with the first customer;
wherein in (e) communication with the first customer is carried out responsive to receipt by the at least one computer of the identifying data associated with the first customer.
7. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising:
(f) prior to (e),
(f)(i) communicating with the first customer through operation of the at least one computer at a corresponding e-mail address stored in (a);
(f)(ii) receiving from the first customer, data corresponding to at least one other e-mail address associated with the respective first customer;
(f)(iii) storing through operation of the at least one computer, the at least one other e-mail address in the at least one data store in association with the respective first customer;
wherein in (e) the at least one computer operates to electronically communicate to the first customer at the at least one other e-mail address, data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated in at least one company automated banking machine product by the first customer.
8. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising:
storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer, data corresponding to notification of the first customer of at least one update code item.
9. The method according to claim 8 and further comprising:
storing in at least one data store, at least one update code item.
10. The method according to claim 9 and further comprising:
delivering to the first customer at least one update code item electronically through operation of the at least one computer.
11. The method according to claim 10 and further comprising:
storing in the at least one data store, data corresponding to delivery of the at least one update code item to the first customer.
12. The method according to claim 6 and further comprising:
(f) storing in the at least one data store, data corresponding to at least one network address from which at least one update code item can be electronically delivered.
13. The method according to claim 12 and further comprising:
sending to the first customer through operation of the at least one computer, the at least one network address from which the at least one update code item can be electronically delivered.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein in (f) the at least one network address is not associated with the at least one computer.
15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in (b) in association with the first customer, data is stored for at least one company automated banking machine product and at least one company non-automated banking machine product;
and wherein in (e) the at least one computer operates to communicate to the first customer, data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated by the first customer in at least one automated banking machine product, and data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated by the first customer in at least one non-automated banking machine product.
16. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
(f) operating the at least one computer to electronically communicate to a second customer, data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated in at least one company automated banking machine product by the second customer;
wherein in (f) the at least one company automated banking machine product, at least one computer software item and at least one update code item are each different than at least one company automated banking machine product, at least one computer software item and at least one update code item in (e).
17. An article of computer readable media bearing computer executable instructions operative to cause at least one computer to carry out a method comprising:
(a) storing in at least one data store through operation of at least one computer, data corresponding to a plurality of customers of a company, and for each customer, data corresponding to a manner of communication with the customer;
(b) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer for each respective customer, data corresponding to at least one company automated banking machine product operated by the customer which utilizes in its operation at least one computer software item;
(c) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer, data corresponding to a plurality of computer software items operated in respective company products;
(d) storing in the at least one data store through operation of the at least one computer, data corresponding to update code items for providing update changes to respective computer software items;
(e) operating at least one computer in operative connection with the at least one data store to electronically communicate to a first customer, data corresponding to at least one update code item usable to provide update changes to at least one computer software item operated in at least one company automated banking machine product by the first customer.