PREDICTIVE FAULT RESOLUTION

• US 20130208295A1
• Filed: 02/14/2012
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Bryant, Matthew K., McGraw, William H., Dent, Nathan, Fitzgerald, Richard L., Munson, Nicholas J., Farinella, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,746,551 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/008 Reliability or availability analysis

Abstract

A method for predicting failure in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is provided. The method may include using a database to store information relating to the performance of a component function by an ATM component. The information may include normal performance information and fault information. The method may further include using a computational module to calculate a fault rate for the ATM component. The method may also include using a processor to compare the calculated fault rate to a threshold value associated with the component function. In the event that the fault rate exceeds the threshold value, the processor may initiate a request for service of the ATM component.

Claims

1. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for predicting failure in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), the method comprising:

using a database to store information relating to the performance of a component function by an ATM component during a predetermined time period, the information including normal performance information and fault information, wherein the normal performance information includes a number of times that the ATM component successfully performed the component function and the fault information includes a number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function;

using a computational module to calculate a fault rate for the ATM component, the fault rate being calculated at least in part by the equation [(number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function)/(number of times that the ATM component successfully performed the component function+number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function)];

using a processor to compare the fault rate to a threshold value associated with the component; and

in the event that the fault rate exceeds the threshold value, using the processor to initiate a request for service of the ATM component.

2. The computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises using a transmitter to transmit information to the database upon the lapse of a predetermined time period, the information including normal performance information and fault information generated by the component during the predetermined time period.

3. The computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein, in the method, the ATM component is a bill dispenser, the component function is the dispensing of bills, the normal performance information relates to the bill dispenser dispensing bills and the fault information relates to the bill dispenser failing to dispense bills.

4. The computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises using the computational module to calculate the threshold value.

5. The computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein, in the method, the threshold value is a first percentage and the fault rate is a second percentage.

6. The computer-readable media of claim 1 wherein, in the method, the ATM component is a first ATM component and the computational module is a first computational module, further comprising:

using a receiver to receive information from each of a plurality ATMs, the information including information relating to the performance of the component function by a component substantially similar to the first ATM component located at the each of the plurality of ATMs;

using a second computational module to compute the threshold value based at least in part on the information received from the plurality ATMs, wherein the second computational module is located at a remote server; and

using a transmitter to transmit the threshold value to the first computational module, wherein the first computational module is located at the ATM.

7. The computer-readable media of claim 6 wherein, in the method, the plurality ATMs are located in a climate similar to the climate in which the first ATM is located.

8. The computer-readable media of claim 6 wherein, in the method, the plurality ATMs are associated with a volume of usage similar to a volume of usage associated with the first ATM.

9. The computer-readable media of claim 6 wherein, in the method, the plurality ATMs are located within a predetermined distance from the first ATM.

10. Apparatus for predicting failure in an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), the apparatus comprising:

a database configured to store information relating to the performance of a component function by an ATM component during a predetermined time period, the information including normal performance information and fault information, wherein the normal performance information includes a number of times that the ATM component successfully performed the component function and the fault information includes a number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function;

a computational module configured to calculate a fault rate for the ATM component, the fault rate being calculated at least in part by the equation [(number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function)/(number of times that the ATM component successfully performed the component function+number of times that the ATM component failed to perform the component function)]*100;

a processor configured to determine if the fault rate exceeds a threshold value associated with the component function; and

in the event that the fault rate exceeds the threshold value, the processor being further configured to initiate a request for service of the ATM component.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor is further configured to initiate the request for service in the event that a technician has been dispatched to a second ATM located within a predetermined distance from the first ATM.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the threshold value is a first threshold value and the ATM is a first ATM, wherein:

the processor is further configured to compare the fault rate to second threshold value; and

in the event that the fault rate exceeds the second threshold value, the processor being further configured to initiate substantially immediately a request for service of the ATM component.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the threshold value is a first percentage and the fault rate is a second percentage.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the ATM component is a printer, the component function is the printing of receipts, the normal performance information relates to the printer printing receipts and the fault information relates to failure of the printer to print receipts.

15. One or more computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for predicting failure in a Self-Service Device (SSD), the method comprising:

using a database to store information relating to the performance of a component function by a SSD component during a predetermined time period, the information including normal performance information and fault information, wherein the normal performance information includes a number of times that the SSD component successfully performed the component function and the fault information includes a number of times that the SSD component failed to perform the component function;

using a computational module to calculate a fault rate for the SSD component, the fault rate being calculated at least in part by the equation [(number of times that the SSD component failed to perform the component function)/(number of times that the SSD component successfully performed the component function+number of times that the SSD component failed to perform the component function)];

using a processor to compare the fault rate to a threshold value associated with the component; and

in the event that the fault rate exceeds the threshold value, using the processor to initiate a request for service of the SSD component.

16. The computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises using a transmitter to transmit information to the database upon the lapse of a predetermined time period, the information including normal performance information and fault information generated by the component during the predetermined time period.

17. The computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein the method further comprises using the computational module to calculate the threshold value.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 15 wherein, in the method, the threshold value is a first percentage and the fault rate is a second percentage.