Patent ID: 8172134

Claim:
A method comprising: (a) initiating first servicing activity on an automated banking machine by causing the machine to be switched from an operational mode to a service mode, wherein the first servicing activity involves obtaining diagnostic information regarding the machine, wherein the machine when in the operational mode is available for customer transactions, wherein the machine when in the service mode is serviceable by at least one authorized service provider, wherein the machine when in the service mode is unavailable for customer transactions, wherein the machine includes a cash dispenser, wherein when the machine is in the operational mode, the cash dispenser is operable to dispense cash, wherein when the machine is in the service mode, the cash dispenser is unavailable to dispense cash to a customer of the machine, wherein the machine includes at least one reader, wherein when the machine is in the operational mode, the at least one reader is operable to read data from data bearing records, including user data usable to identify at least one of a financial account and a user of the machine, wherein the machine when in the operational mode is operable to carry out a cash dispense transaction involving a financial account responsive at least in part to computer-determined correspondence between user data read by the at least one reader and the financial account; (b) subsequent to (a), pausing the first servicing activity by causing the machine to be switched from the service mode to the operational mode, wherein during the pause the obtaining of diagnostic information is halted, wherein during the pause the machine is available for at least one customer transaction; and (c) subsequent to (b), resuming the first servicing activity by causing the machine to be switched from the operational mode to the service mode, wherein the resumed first servicing activity involves continuing the obtaining of diagnostic information regarding the machine; wherein (a)-(c) are carried out during a same servicing session involving the at least one authorized service provider.