Cash dispensing automated banking machine diagnostic device

• US 20040149818A1
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Self-Service Systems (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Griswold, Glenda, Shepley, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 6,953,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/203 Dispensing operations within ATMs dispensing in general G07D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a diagnostic article, wherein the diagnostic article includes service data, and wherein when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine the diagnostic article is operative to cause at least one controller in the machine to enable access to diagnostic data stored in the machine concerning at least one transaction function device of the machine, and to enable output of indicia to a user through at least one output device responsive to the service data.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the diagnostic article includes service data such that when the article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine the diagnostic article is operative to cause at least one controller in the machine responsive to the service data to enable output through at least one output of the machine indicia indicative of significance of the diagnostic data.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the diagnostic data includes service data such that when the article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, the machine having the plurality of transaction function devices including a currency dispenser device, and the diagnostic data is associated with the currency dispenser device, at least one controller in the machine responsive to the service data and the diagnostic data enables at least one output device of the machine to output indicia indicative of significance of the diagnostic data associated with the currency dispenser device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the diagnostic article includes at least one secret code, and wherein when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller in the machine enables access to at least a portion of the diagnostic data responsive to the article including the at least one secret code.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the at least one secret code is adapted such that when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, access to at least a portion of the diagnostic data is enabled by at least one controller in the machine responsive to the article including the at least one secret code and at least one input to an input device on the machine.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the diagnostic article includes service manual data such that when the article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller in the machine is operative to enable output of indicia corresponding to the service manual data through at least one output device on the automated banking machine.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the service manual data is encrypted such that when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller of the automated banking machine is operative to decrypt the service manual data.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the diagnostic article includes service manual data such that when the article is placed in operative connection with a computer device not in operative connection with an automated banking machine, the computer device is operative to output indicia corresponding to the service manual data.

10. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the diagnostic article includes browser software, and wherein responsive to the diagnostic article being placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller in the automated banking machine is operative to load the browser software from the diagnostic article.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the service data is adapted to be processed by the browser software, and wherein responsive to the diagnostic article being in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller of the automated banking machine is operative to process the service data using the browser software and to output indicia through at least one output device of the automated banking machine.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the browser software is adapted to interpret non-standard imbedded instructions in the service data.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the diagnostic article includes diagnostic instructions, and wherein when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, at least one controller in the machine is operative responsive to the diagnostic instructions to cause the at least one controller to interact with at least one of a plurality of transaction function devices in the machine to conduct at least one diagnostic test.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the service data included on the diagnostic article is operative when the diagnostic article is in operative connection with an automated banking machine, to cause at least one controller in the machine responsive to the service data and the result of the at least one diagnostic test, to cause the output of indicia to an output device on the automated banking machine corresponding to at least one remedial action.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the service data on the diagnostic article is such that the diagnostic instructions are not executed when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with a computer device not in operative connection with an automated banking machine.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the service data included on the diagnostic article is operative to cause a computer device not in operative connection with an automated banking machine to output indicia corresponding to at least one service activity for an automated banking machine.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the diagnostic article comprises a CD.

18. The apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising an automated banking machine including at least one controller in operative connection with at least one output device and a plurality of transaction function devices including a currency dispenser device, and wherein the at least one controller is operative responsive to the service data when the article is in operative connection with the at least one controller to enable outputs of indicia through at least one output device indicating significance of at least a portion of the diagnostic data.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the automated banking machine comprises at least one data store, and wherein at least a portion of the diagnostic data is stored in protected relation in the data store, and wherein the controller enables indicia corresponding to at least a portion of the diagnostic data to be output through at least one output device on the machine only when the diagnostic article is in operative connection with the at least one controller.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein responsive to the diagnostic article being placed in operative connection with the at least one controller of the banking machine, the at least one controller is enabled to conduct at least one diagnostic test operation including operation of at least one of the transaction function devices.

5. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the at least one secret code is adapted such that when the diagnostic article is placed in operative connection with an automated banking machine, access to at least a portion of the diagnostic data is enabled by at least one controller in the machine responsive to the article including the at least one secret code and a current date determined through operation of the at least one controller.