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. Apparatus comprising:
an automated banking machine including:
a housing;
at least one currency dispenser operatively supported by the housing;
at least one input device operatively supported by the housing, wherein the at least one input device includes at least one of a card reader and a keypad;
at least one output device operatively supported by the housing, wherein the at least one output device includes at least one display device;
at least one communication interface operatively supported by the housing;
at least one processor in the housing;
at least one software component including instructions that are executed by the at least one processor;
at least one data store in the housing,
wherein the at least one data store includes data corresponding to at least one condition of at least one of:
the at least one currency dispenser,
the at least one input device,
the at least one output device, and
the at least one software component;
wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one currency dispenser, the at least one input device, the at least one output device the at least one data store, and the at least one communication interface;
wherein the at least one processor is operative to:
cause the automated banking machine to generate an encrypted first data message corresponding to the at least one condition;
cause the automated banking machine to communicate the encrypted first data message through the at least one communication interface to at least one remote computer disposed away from the automated banking machine;
cause the automated banking machine to receive from the remote computer through the at least one communication interface an encrypted second data message corresponding to at least one remedial action, wherein the at least one remedial action corresponds to the at least one condition; and
cause the automated banking machine to decrypt the encrypted second data message.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one condition corresponds to at least one of performance, a malfunction, a near malfunction, and an operational trend associated with the at least one currency dispenser.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the second data message to cause at least one diagnostic test to be carried out through operation of the at least one currency dispenser.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the second data message to cause indicia to be output through the at least one display device, wherein the indicia corresponds to at least one corrective action for the at least one condition.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to the second data message, to cause the automated banking machine to take at least one corrective action, wherein the at least one corrective action is operative to at least partially correct the at least one condition.
6. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one condition corresponds to the at least one software component, and wherein the second data message includes at least one code change to the at least one software component.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one code change to be made to the at least one software component.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the at least one code change includes at least one of a software correction, a software update, and a software upgrade to the at least one software component.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the automated banking machine to assess a charge responsive to the second data message being received by the automated banking machine.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one condition corresponds to the at least one software component, and wherein the second data message includes at least one code change applicable to the at least one software component.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one code change includes at least one of a correction, an update and an upgrade to the at least one software component.
12. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one code change includes at least one complete software component.
13. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the at least one code change to be stored in the at least one data store.
14. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first data message and the second data message further include authentication data, wherein the at least one processor is operative to use the authentication data to authenticate the second data message.
15. A method comprising:
a) operating at least one processor in an automated banking machine to cause the automated banking machine to carry out cash dispensing transactions;
b) operating the at least one processor to store in at least one data store in the automated banking machine, data corresponding to at least one condition of at least one of: at least one input device of the automated banking machine, at least one output device of the automated banking machine, at least one currency dispenser of the automated banking machine, and at least one software component that includes instructions that are executed by the at least one processor;
c) operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to generate an encrypted first data message corresponding to the at least one condition;
d) operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to send the first data message to the at least one remote computer;
e) operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to receive an encrypted second data message from the at least one remote computer, wherein the received second data message corresponds to at least one remedial action, wherein the at least one remedial action at least partially remedies the at least one condition; and
f) operating the at least one processor to decrypt the second data message.
16. The method according to claim 15 and further comprising:
g) responsive to the second data message received in (e), operating the at least one processor to cause at least one display device of the automated banking machine to output indicia corresponding to the at least one remedial action.
17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the at least one condition corresponds to at least one of performance, a malfunction, a near malfunction, and an operational trend in operation of the at least one currency dispenser, and wherein in (g) the indicia corresponds to a service activity that can be carried out to service the at least one currency dispenser.
18. The method according to claim 15 wherein the first data message and the second data message include authentication data, wherein the method further comprises:
g) subsequent to (f), operating the at least one processor to authenticate the second data message using the authentication data.
19. The method according to claim 15 wherein the second data message received in (e) includes at least one code change to the at least one software component, and wherein the method further comprises:
g) operating the at least one processor to cause the at least one code change to be stored in the at least one data store.
20. A method comprising:
a) operating at least one processor in a cash dispensing automated banking machine, to store in at least one data store in the automated banking machine, data corresponding to at least one condition of at least one software component that operates m the at least one processor
b) operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to create a first encrypted data message corresponding to the at least one condition;
c) operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to send the first encrypted data message to at least one computer remote from the automated banking machine;
d) subsequent to (c), operating the at least one processor to cause the automated banking machine to receive from the at least one computer a second encrypted data message, wherein the received second encrypted data message includes at least one code change to the at least one software component; and
e) subsequent to (d), operating the at least one processor machine to decrypt the second encrypted data message.