Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Banking systems
Reexamination Certificate
2001-09-21
2004-01-06
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Banking systems
C235S380000, C235S382000, C235S375000, C705S035000, C705S041000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06672505
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to automated banking machines. Specifically this invention relates to an automated banking machine configuration system and method that provides for the selective and secure activation and configuration of software components and operational parameters.
BACKGROUND ART
Automated banking machines are well known. A common type of automated banking machine used by consumers is an automated teller machine (“ATM”). ATMs enable customers to carry out banking transactions. Common banking transactions that may be carried out with ATMs include the dispensing of cash, the receipt of deposits, the transfer of funds between accounts, the payment of bills and account balance inquiries. The types of banking transactions a customer can carry out are determined by capabilities of the particular banking machine and the programming of the institution operating the machine. Other types of automated banking machines may allow customers to charge against accounts or to transfer funds. Other types of automated banking machines may print or dispense items of value such as coupons, tickets, wagering slips, vouchers, checks, food stamps, money orders, scrip or travelers checks. For purposes of this disclosure an automated banking machine or automated transaction machine shall encompass any device which carries out transactions including transfers of value.
ATM platforms often have the ability to perform different types of transaction functions depending on the types of software applications that are installed on the machine. Thus one ATM machine may be operatively configured with software to perform only certain banking transactions such as cash dispensing,. while another ATM machine with the generally similar physical hardware can perform additional transactions such as bill payment by installing additional ATM software (and sometimes hardware) components.
ATMs often are manufactured with a limited set of pre-installed ATM software components with a standard set of default features. When additional features and capabilities for an existing ATM are desired, a service technician (“servicer”) may access a secure chest portion of the ATM or other area where a disk drive or other media reader is located, and install additional software components which provide the additional desired functionality for the ATM. Such additional software is often installed from one or more portable mediums such as floppy disks, CD-ROMs or a hard drive.
A problem with this approach is that it may be time consuming to install new software on ATMs. A further drawback for the provider of the software is that the entity installing the copies may not pay the license fees for all the copies installed.
Approaches to software protection are sometimes used for mass market software applications such as word processors and consumer operating systems. These systems allow the manufacturer to generate and distribute thousands of copies of the exact same CD-ROM image. Unless the user has one of the activation keys, the applications will not install. However, one major drawback of this software protection method is that each activation key will work with any of the thousands of copies of the CD-ROM. With the availability of inexpensive CD-ROM writers, unlimited pirated copies of such software can be created. As long as a single valid activation key is included with each pirated CD-ROM, all of the pirated copies are fully capable of being used to install the software. Although such unauthorized copying is illegal, it is nevertheless being done throughout the world for mass market consumer applications. Consequently there exists a need for a system and method of operationally adding the functions of software components to authorized ATMs that minimizes the opportunity for the additional software components to be operated on unauthorized ATMs.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is an object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that may be selectively configured.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that may be selectively configured by a servicer in the field.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that may be selectively configured only within the parameters of a license agreement.
It is a further object of the exemplary. form of the present invention to provide an automated banking machine that may be selectively configured in a manner which minimizes the opportunity for software components to be operated on additional unauthorized automated banking machines.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide a system and method for configuring automated banking machines.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide a system and method for selectively enabling a remote automated banking machine to be configured.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide a system and method for selectively enabling a plurality of remote automated banking machines to be configured.
It is a further object of the exemplary form of the present invention to provide a system and method for selectively enabling only an authorized ATM to be configured in a manner that is consistent with an authorized set of parameters.
Further objects of the exemplary form of the present invention will be made apparent in the following Best Modes for Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.
The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment of the invention by an automated banking machine that includes output devices such as a display screen, and input devices such as a touch screen and/or a keyboard. The banking machine further includes transaction function devices such as a dispenser mechanism for sheets of currency, a printer mechanism, a card reader/writer, a depository mechanism and other transaction function devices that are used by the machine in carrying out banking transactions.
The banking machine is in operative connection with at least one computer. The computer is in operative connection with the output devices and the input devices, as well as with the sheet dispenser mechanism, card reader and other physical transaction function devices in the banking machine. The computer includes at least one software application that is executable therein. The software application includes a plurality of different software components that may be selectively configured on the machine. The software components provide the computer with the programming necessary to carry out a plurality of different transaction functions with the machine. Based on the desired functionality for the machine, one or more of the software components may be selectively configured on the ATM. As used herein, the term “configure” encompasses the processes associated with either or both of configuring so as to enable carrying out desired functions and installing so as to enable instructions to be available for use by a computer device.
Configuration of software components is enabled to be performed responsive to a set of configuration rules. The configuration rules define which of the software components and associated features and parameters may be installed or modified by a servicer of the machine. The rules may enable a limited subset of components to be configured. The rules may also enable a complete set of software components to be configured on the machine. The rules may further specify individual parameters for the configuration of the software.
In one exemplary embodiment, authorization keys associated with the machine and the configuration rules must be input by a user before the software components are enabled to be configured on a machine. In a further exemplary embodiment, a digitally signed configuration certificate must be loaded on the machine before the software components are enabled to be configured. In this exemplary embodiment the configuration rul
Brunt Richard P.
Steinmetz Richard A.
Zahorec Kenneth W.
Diebold Incorporated
Jocke Ralph E.
Lee Michael G.
Paik Steven S.
Parmelee Christopher L.
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