Automated banking machine that operates responsive to data read from data bearing records and diagnostic method
View Patent ↗An automated banking machine ( 10 ) operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records such as user cards. The exemplary machine 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 and via remote communication.
1. A method comprising:
(a) receiving with at least one input device, at least one input from a machine service person located on site of an automated banking machine, wherein the machine includes a card reader operative to read data corresponding to financial accounts from user cards, a display device, a cash dispenser, and at least one communication device;
(b) responsive to the at least one input received in step (a), causing the machine to send communication through the at least one communication device to a remote servicer system that is remotely located from the machine;
(c) while the machine service person is located at the site, diagnosing at least one serviceable condition of the machine through communication received by the machine from the remote servicer system and communication sent by the machine to the remote servicer system; and
(d) displaying through the display device while the machine service person is located at the site, at least one output comprising instructions received by the machine from the remote servicer system as a result of the diagnosing in step (c), wherein the instructions include instructions from a service manual for the machine.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (a) the at least one input comprises information associated with identifying the machine, and further comprising assessing a charge against an entity associated with identification of the machine for use of the remote servicer system.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the machine includes a user interface, wherein the user interface includes the at least one input device, wherein (a) includes receiving at least one input through the user interface.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein in (a) the at least one input comprises identifying information associated with the machine service person.
5. The method according to claim 4 and further comprising assessing a charge against the machine service person for use of the remote servicer system.
6. The method according to claim 5 wherein in (a) the identifying information comprises card information on a debit or credit card associated with the machine service person, and wherein (a) includes reading the debit or credit card information with the card reader of the machine.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the machine includes a user interface, wherein the user interface includes the display device, wherein the user interface enables a customer of the machine to use the display device in carrying out a banking transaction, and wherein (d) includes displaying the instructions through the user interface.
8. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising:
(e) causing a fee to be assessed for the diagnosing in (c).
9. The method according to claim 8 wherein a charge is assessed each time the remote servicer system is accessed, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for accessing the remote servicer system.
10. The method according to claim 8 wherein a charge is assessed for the time period the remote servicer system is accessed, and further comprising determining a time period the remote servicer system was assessed, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for the determined time period.
11. The method according to claim 8 wherein a charge is assessed for the right to access the remote servicer system, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for the access right.
12. The method according to claim 3 wherein (a) includes receiving at least one manual input through the user interface.
13. A method comprising:
(a) providing by an on-site authorized service entity servicing an automated banking machine
which includes each of a card reader operative to read data on user cards corresponding to financial accounts, a cash dispenser, at least one input device, at least one display device, and at least one communication device,
at least one manual input to the machine that causes both,
the machine to be diagnosed through communication with a servicer system remotely located from the machine, and
a diagnosis fee to be accessed against the service entity;
(b) viewing by the service entity while located at the machine, servicer system-provided machine servicing information displayed through the at least one display device as a result of machine diagnosis caused at least in part by the at least one manual input provided in step (a); and
(c) providing by the service entity while located at the machine, remedial action on the machine that includes servicing a machine condition utilizing the machine servicing information viewed in step (b).
14. A method comprising:
(a) receiving with at least one input device, at least one input from a machine service person located on site of an automated banking machine, wherein the machine includes a card reader operative to read data on user cards corresponding to financial accounts, a display device, at least one communication device, and at least one transaction function device, wherein the at least one transaction function device includes a cash dispenser;
(b) responsive at least in part to the at least one input received in step (a), causing the machine to send communication through the at least one communication device to a remote servicer system that is remotely located from the machine;
(c) while the machine service person is located at the site, diagnosing at least one serviceable condition of the machine through communication received by the machine from the remote servicer system and communication sent by the machine to the remote servicer system, wherein the diagnosing includes testing operation of at least one transaction function device of the machine; and
(d) displaying through the display device while the machine service person is located at the site, at least one output corresponding to at least one remedial machine servicing action received by the machine from the remote servicer system as a result of the diagnosing in step (c), wherein the at least one remedial machine servicing action corresponds to the result.
15. The method according to claim 14 wherein step (c) includes causing the machine to perform a diagnostic test which includes operation of the at least one transaction function device, responsive to communication received by the machine from the remote servicer system.
16. The method according to claim 15 wherein (c) includes causing operation of the cash dispenser.
17. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (a) the at least one input comprises identifying information associated with the machine service person.
18. The method according to claim 17 and further comprising assessing a charge against the machine service person for use of the remote servicer system.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein in (a) the identifying information comprises card information on a debit or credit card associated with the machine service person, and wherein (a) includes reading the debit or credit card information with the card reader of the machine.
20. The method according to claim 14 wherein the machine includes a user interface, wherein the user interface includes the display device, wherein the user interface enables a customer of the machine to use the display device in carrying out a banking transaction, and wherein (d) includes displaying the instructions through the user interface.
21. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (a) the at least one input comprises information associated with identifying the machine, and further comprising assessing a charge against an entity associated with identification of the machine for use of the remote servicer system.
22. The method according to claim 14 and further comprising:
(e) causing a fee to be assessed for the diagnosing in (c).
23. The method according to claim 22 wherein a charge is assessed each time the remote servicer system is accessed, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for accessing the remote servicer system.
24. The method according to claim 22 wherein a charge is assessed for the time period the remote servicer system is accessed, and further comprising determining a time period the remote servicer system was assessed, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for the determined time period.
25. The method according to claim 22 wherein a charge is assessed for the right to access the remote servicer system, wherein (e) includes charging a fee for the access right.
26. The method according to claim 14 wherein the machine includes the at least one input device, wherein (a) includes receiving at least one manual input through the at least one input device of the machine.
27. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (d) the at least one remedial machine servicing action is executable by the machine service person in manually servicing the machine.
28. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (d) the at least one output comprises a graphic output corresponding to a component of the machine.