Cash dispensing ATM and method

Abstract

A system for connecting transaction services to an ATM ( 10, 500 ) that includes a network ( 20 ). A user interface service ( 12 ) and a lookup service ( 22 ) are in operative connection with the network. Transaction services such as a printer service ( 16 ), card reader service ( 18 ), and cash dispenser service ( 14 ) are also in operative connection with the network. These transaction services are operative to register with the lookup service and to upload a service proxy to the lookup service. The user interface service is operative to locate transaction services on the network by invoking a remote lookup method on the lookup service. The lookup service is operative to return service proxies that match the type of service that is required. The user interface service is further operative to invoke methods of the service proxies that remotely control the functionality of the transaction services on the network. The user interface service is further operative to register events with the service proxies for notification when certain events on the services occur.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A cash dispensing automated transaction machine comprising 
 at least one network;    at least one computer processor in operative connection with the at least one network;    a cash dispenser in operative connection with the at least one computer processor;    a user interface software component operative in the at least one computer processor;    a lookup service in operative connection with the at least one network; and    at least one transaction service in operative connection with the at least one network, wherein the transaction service includes a service proxy software component, wherein the transaction service is operative to send a copy of the service proxy to the lookup service, and wherein the user interface software component is operative to cause the at least one computer processor to acquire a copy of the service proxy from the lookup service, wherein the service proxy is operative in the at least one computer processor and is responsive to the user interface software component to cause the transaction service to operate to cause the machine to perform a transaction function.    
   
   
       13 . The machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the transaction service includes a transaction function device and wherein the machine comprises at least one input device, wherein the user interface software component is operative responsive to an input received through operation of the at least one input device to invoke a method of the service proxy which causes the transaction function device of the transaction service to operate.  
   
   
       14 . The machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the transaction function device includes a the cash dispenser, wherein the transaction function includes dispensing cash through operation of the cash dispenser.  
   
   
       15 . The machine according to  claim 13  and further comprising a printer and wherein the transaction function device includes the printer, and wherein the transaction function includes printing at least one document.  
   
   
       16 . The machine according to  claim 13  and further comprising a reading device and wherein the transaction function device includes a the reading device, and wherein the transaction function includes reading with the reading device.  
   
   
       17 . The machine according to  claim 13  and further comprising an item accepting device and wherein the transaction function device includes the item accepting device, and wherein the transaction function includes accepting an item with the item accepting device.  
   
   
       18 . The machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the transaction service is operative to send a discovery request message to the lookup service; wherein the lookup service is operative to send a discovery response message to the transaction service responsive to the discovery request message, and wherein the transaction service sends the copy of the service proxy to the lookup service responsive to the discovery response message, whereby the transaction service is operative to register with the lookup service.  
   
   
       19 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the discovery request message includes an IP address associated with the transaction service, and wherein the discovery response message includes an IP address associated with the lookup service.  
   
   
       20 . The machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the transaction service is operative to send the discovery request message proximate in time to when the transaction service is first connected to the network.  
   
   
       21 . The machine according to  claim 12 , wherein the user interface software component is operative to send the lookup service at least one lookup search message, and wherein the lookup service is operative to send the copy of the service proxy to the computer processor responsive to the at least one lookup search message.  
   
   
       22 . The machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the user interface software component includes a user interface service, and wherein the lookup service is in operative connection with a data store, wherein the data store includes the copy of the service proxy and a copy of a user interface service proxy that corresponds to the user interface service, wherein the transaction function device includes a computer processor wherein the computer processor of the transaction function device is operative to copy of the user interface service proxy from the lookup service, wherein the user interface service proxy is operative in the computer processor of the transaction function device and is responsive to the transaction service to cause the user interface service to operate to cause the machine to perform a user interface function.  
   
   
       23 . The machine according to  claim 22  wherein the machine includes a display, and wherein the user interface function includes providing an output through the display.  
   
   
       24 . The machine according to  claim 22  wherein the user interface function includes enabling receipt of at least one input through the input device.  
   
   
       25 . A method comprising 
 (a) connecting a transaction service in an automated transaction machine, wherein the transaction service includes at least one transaction function device, and wherein the automated transaction machine includes at least one computer processor a lookup service, at least one input device and a user interface software component;    (b) providing a copy of a service proxy from the transaction service to the lookup service;    (c) acquiring with the user interface software component through operation of the at least one computer processor a copy of the service proxy from the lookup service;    (d) receiving at least one input to the input device;    (e) invoking a method of the service proxy with the user interface software component through operation of the at least one computer processor responsive to the at least one input;    (f) responsive to the method invoked in (e) causing with the transaction service the transaction function device of the transaction service to operate.    
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the transaction function device includes the cash dispenser and wherein in step (f) the cash dispenser operates to dispense cash.  
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the transaction function device includes a printer, and wherein in step (f) the printer operates to print at least one document.  
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the transaction function device includes a card interface device and wherein in step (f) the card interface device operates to change the amount of value stored on a smart card.  
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 25  wherein the transaction function device includes a deposit accepting device, and wherein in step (f) the deposit accepting device operates to accept a deposit.  
   
   
       30 - 31 . (canceled)  
   
   
       32 . A method comprising the steps of: 
 a) connecting a transaction service to an automated transaction machine, wherein the automated transaction machine includes at least one computer processor, a cash dispenser, a lookup service and a user interface software component;    b) providing a first message from the transaction service to the lookup service;    c) providing a second message from the lookup service to the transaction service responsive to the first message;    d) registering the transaction service with the lookup service responsive to the second message, including sending a copy of a service proxy from the transaction service to the lookup service;    e) acquiring with the user interface software component though operation of the at least one processor a copy of the service proxy from the lookup service;    f) invoking a transaction method of the service proxy with the user interface software component through operation of the at least one processor; and    g) performing a transaction function with the machine through operation of the transaction service responsive to the transaction method invoked in (f).    
   
   
       33 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein step (g) includes returning an operational status of the transaction service to the user interface software component.  
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 32 , wherein the transaction service includes the cash dispenser, and wherein step (g) includes dispensing cash from the machine through operation of the cash dispenser.  
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 34 , wherein step (e) includes sending a third message to the lookup service from the user interface software component, and sending the copy of the service proxy from the lookup service to the user interface software component responsive to the third message.  
   
   
       36 - 43 . (canceled)