ATM network response diagnostic snapshot

• US 8,593,971 B1
• Filed: 01/25/2011
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: Bryant, Matthew K., Munson, Nicholas J., Farinella, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Application Number:
  US13/012,876
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/241
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0829 Packet loss
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0858 One way delays
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

Methods and apparatus according to the invention are directed towards providing apparatus for targeting network problems. Such apparatus may include a database configured to store a workload. The apparatus may also include a transmitter configured to transmit the workload to a CPU included in an ATM via a telecommunications network. The workload may include instructions to (1) execute a script, (2) record an output generated from the execution of the script, and (3) transmit the recorded output via the telecommunications network to a receiver. The apparatus may further include the receiver being configured to receive the transmitted recorded output via the telecommunications network.

Claims

1. An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) configured to target ATM operational problems, the ATM comprising:

an ATM receiver configured to receive a workload transmitted via a telecommunications network; and

an ATM central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute the workload, the workload including instructions to (1) execute a script, (2) record an output generated from the execution of the script, and (3) transmit the recorded output via the telecommunications network to a receiver;

wherein;

the execution of the script by the ATM CPU includes transmitting an echo request packet to a device external to the ATM CPU and internal to the ATM; and

the recorded output includes (1) a measurement of time elapsed between the transmission of the echo request packet to the external device and the reception of a reply request packet from the external device, and (2) any packet loss.

2. The ATM of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications network is a cable network.

3. The ATM of claim 1, wherein the telecommunications network is an internet connection.

4. The ATM of claim 1, wherein the recorded output further includes a minimum round-trip time, a maximum round-trip time and a mean round-trip time.

5. The ATM of claim 4, wherein the recorded output further includes a standard deviation of the mean.

6. The ATM of claim 1, wherein the recorded output further includes a determination of the connection of the ATM CPU to the external device.

7. The ATM of claim 1, wherein the external device is an ATM deposit module.

8. A method performed by an Automated Teller Machine ATM), wherein the ATM includes a computer readable medium having code stored thereon which, when executed by an ATM processor, performs to target ATM operational problems, the method comprising:

using an ATM receiver configured to receive a workload transmitted via a telecommunications network;

using an ATM processor configured to execute a script included in the workload, the script including instructions to query one or more characteristics of a network connection that electronically connects the ATM processor to a device external to the ATM processor and internal to the ATM;

using the ATM processor to make a determination relating to the one or more characteristics of the network connection between the ATM processor and the device external to the ATM processor based on the query; and

using an ATM transmitter configured to transmit, via the telecommunications network, information corresponding to the determination made by the ATM processor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a characteristic of the network connection includes the speed of the network connection.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the external device is in electronic communication with the ATM processor via a universal serial bus (USB) connection.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the external device is in electronic communication with the ATM via an application-specific integrated circuit.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the external device is a cash dispenser.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the external device is a keypad.

14. A computer readable medium having code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, is configured to target ATM operational problems, the method comprising:

using a database configured to store a workload;

using a transmitter configured to transmit the workload to an automated teller machine (ATM) central processing unit (CPU) via a telecommunications network, the workload including instructions to (1) send an echo request packet to a device external to the ATM CPU and co-located on the ATM, (2) measure at least the round-trip time and any packet loss between the ATM CPU and the external device and (3) transmit information corresponding to the round-trip time and packet loss from the communication between the ATM and the external device; and

using a receiver configured to receive the information transmitted from the ATM CPU.