SERVICES PORTAL

• US 20090160668A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp., Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Clear, Cynthia A., Crowley, Stephen R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,130,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1085 involving automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/207 Surveillance aspects at ATMs

Abstract

A user device may be capable of providing a service portal and feedback on the condition of the user device, such as a user device. A condition analysis of the user device may be performed by a user, such as a person or a computing device. A condition analysis may be performed to determine the physical condition and the operational condition of the user device. A condition rating may be assigned to the user device that may be commensurate with the condition analysis. The condition data and condition analysis may be entered into and stored in a data store. A maintenance action may be performed based at least in part on the condition rating. The user device may be a user device that may be operated by a financial institution or other business entity. A user may be a customer and/or an employee, vendor, or contractor of the financial institution or other business entity.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring operation of a user device, comprising:

performing a condition analysis of the user device including compiling physical condition data relating to a physical condition of the user device and compiling operational condition data relating to an operational condition of the user device;

determining a condition rating commensurate with the condition analysis of the user device based at least in part on the physical condition data and the operational condition data;

accessing an operations data store over a computer network using a security identifier, the operations data store configured to store the physical condition data and the operational condition data;

entering the physical condition data and the operational condition data into the data store based at least in part on the condition analysis of the user device; and

identifying a maintenance action for the user device based at least in part on the rating of the user device.

2. The method of claim 1, where the method of monitoring operation of a user device occurs over a time period.

3. The method of claim 2, where the time period is one of a day, a week, a month, and a year.

4. The method of claim 1, where the user device is at least one of an automated teller machine, an account management kiosk, and a cash recycler.

5. The method of claim 4, where the operations data store is operated by a financial institution or other business entity.

6. The method of claim 1, where the condition analysis includes performing at least one of a visual inspection and an operational inspection.

7. The method of claim 1, where the condition analysis is performed by at least one of an operator of the operations data store, a user, a service provider, and a maintenance provider of the user device.

8. The method of claim 1, where the condition rating is at least one of excellent, fair, and poor.

9. The method of claim 1, where the security identifier is at least one of an identification card having a unique identifier and a username and password.

10. The method of claim 1, where physical condition data and the operational condition data are entered into the data store through a user interface on the user device.

11. The method of claim 10, where the user interface includes an image depicting the condition rating.

12. The method of claim 1, where the maintenance action is one of a repair, a routine maintenance, and a preventative maintenance.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising dispatching a repair entity to perform the maintenance action.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising assessing a performance of the repair entity.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically notifying an operator of the user device when a condition analysis is performed on the user device.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising alerting an operator of the user device of the maintenance action.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a report of the condition analysis of the user device.

18. A method of maintaining a user device operated by a business entity, comprising:

an identification module for identifying a user of the user device;

a user interface module for displaying an assessment of a physical condition and an operational condition of the user device;

a report module for generating a report of the assessment; and

a feedback module for providing feedback to the business entity, the feedback including the assessment and the report.

19. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions to perform a method, comprising:

performing a condition analysis of the user device including compiling physical condition data relating to a physical condition of the user device and compiling operational condition data relating to an operational condition of the user device;

determining a condition rating commensurate with the condition analysis of the user device based at least in part on the physical condition data and the operational condition data;

accessing an operations data store over a computer network using a security identifier, the operations data store configured to store the physical condition data and the operational condition data;

entering the physical condition data and the operational condition data into the data store based at least in part on the condition analysis of the user device; and

identifying a maintenance action for the user device based at least in part on the rating of the user device.

20. A system for maintaining a user device, comprising:

a first computing device having a user interface and capable of receiving a user identification having a unique identifier;

a second computing device coupled to the first computing device, the second computing device comprising memory having a plurality of modules comprising computer-executable instructions, including;

an identification module for recognizing the unique identifier and identifying a user of the user device by the unique identifier;

a user interface module for displaying the user interface to the user, the user interface configured to receive assessment data relating to an assessment of a physical condition and an operational condition of the user device;

a report module for generating a report of the assessment; and

a feedback module for providing feedback to a business entity that operates the user device, the feedback including the assessment and the report; and

a processor for executing the computer-executable instructions.