Method of measuring message response time performance of a data processing system including data terminals
First Claim
1. A method of measuring message response time performance of a data processing system which includes a central processing unit having data storage, data processing and communications means and also including a plurality of data terminals each having communications means, timing means and means for recording time data, comprising the following steps:
- sending a first system message to the central processing unit from a data terminal, said message including a sequence number previously provided to said data terminal by said central processing unit;
generating a first timing message by said data terminal at substantially the same time that said first system message is sent to said central processing unit, said first timing message including time data taken from the timing means in said data terminal at the time that said first data message is sent to said central processing unit from said data terminal, also including the sequence number included in said system message, and further including an identification of the message as being sent from said terminal to said central processing unit;
recording said first timing message;
sending a second system message from said central processing unit to said data terminal in response to said first system message, said second system message including a sequence number bearing a predetermined relationship to the sequence number contained in said first system message;
generating a second timing message by said data terminal at substantially the same time that said second system message is received by said data terminal, said second timing message including time data taken from the timing means in said data terminal at the time that said second system message is received by said data terminal, also including the sequence number contained in said second system message, and further including an identification of the message as being sent from said central processing unit to said data terminal;
recording said second timing message;
associating said first timing message with said second timing message by virtue of the predetermined relationship between the sequence numbers included in said first and second timing messages; and
comparing the time data included in said first and second timing messages to establish the total time elapsed between the sending of said first system message by said data terminal and the receipt of said second system message by said data terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of measuring message response time performance of a data processing system includes the generation of timing messages when a data or status message is sent from a data terminal, such as a point of sale terminal in the system to a central processing unit, and when a data message is received at the terminal from the central processing unit. The timing messages include identification of type of message, time data taken from a timer in the terminal, and a sequence number which permits related messages to be paired so that the time values in each can be compared to determine a response time for the total period required for transmission of messages from the terminal to the central processing unit, any necessary data processing at the central processing unit and transmission of a message from the central processing unit back to the terminal.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of measuring message response time performance of a data processing system which includes a central processing unit having data storage, data processing and communications means and also including a plurality of data terminals each having communications means, timing means and means for recording time data, comprising the following steps:
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sending a first system message to the central processing unit from a data terminal, said message including a sequence number previously provided to said data terminal by said central processing unit; generating a first timing message by said data terminal at substantially the same time that said first system message is sent to said central processing unit, said first timing message including time data taken from the timing means in said data terminal at the time that said first data message is sent to said central processing unit from said data terminal, also including the sequence number included in said system message, and further including an identification of the message as being sent from said terminal to said central processing unit; recording said first timing message; sending a second system message from said central processing unit to said data terminal in response to said first system message, said second system message including a sequence number bearing a predetermined relationship to the sequence number contained in said first system message; generating a second timing message by said data terminal at substantially the same time that said second system message is received by said data terminal, said second timing message including time data taken from the timing means in said data terminal at the time that said second system message is received by said data terminal, also including the sequence number contained in said second system message, and further including an identification of the message as being sent from said central processing unit to said data terminal; recording said second timing message; associating said first timing message with said second timing message by virtue of the predetermined relationship between the sequence numbers included in said first and second timing messages; and comparing the time data included in said first and second timing messages to establish the total time elapsed between the sending of said first system message by said data terminal and the receipt of said second system message by said data terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification