Adaptive Network Throttling for ATM Bandwidth Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Self-service terminals like ATMs face challenges in timely responding to customer requests due to bandwidth constraints on shared network links, where unpredictable network conditions and lack of control over bandwidth usage by other devices lead to slow responses and inefficient bandwidth utilization.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive network throttling is implemented, where the ATM dynamically adjusts the amount of data transmitted and inserts time delays based on actual response times to balance its communication needs with those of other devices, ensuring a target bandwidth is maintained, thereby optimizing bandwidth usage and reducing congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the ATM transmits a large amount of information over the shared network link, then the ATM can provide comprehensive banking services, but the response time to customer requests increases due to bandwidth constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of information transmittedVSAvoidresponse time to customer requests

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The ATM dynamically adjusts the amount of information transmitted in each batch based on measured network conditions. The system varies transmission quantities adaptively rather than using fixed sizes, optimizing the balance between service comprehensiveness and response time based on real-time bandwidth availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ATM measures the actual response time for each transmission and uses this feedback to adjust subsequent transmission quantities. The system continuously monitors network performance and modifies its behavior based on measured conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If the ATM transmits information frequently to maintain responsive service, then customer request response time improves, but network congestion increases due to shared bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse time to customer requestsVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ATM transmits information in controlled batches rather than continuously or all at once. By using partial actions (intermittent batch transmissions) rather than excessive continuous transmission, the system maintains responsive service while allowing other devices to share the network bandwidth, reducing overall network congestion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The ATM uses periodic measurements of network response time to determine when to transmit and how much data to send. This periodic monitoring and transmission approach prevents continuous network usage, allowing other devices to access the shared bandwidth while maintaining service responsiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Device complexity

If the ATM uses a fixed transmission size, then the system is simple to implement, but the network bandwidth utilization is inefficient under varying network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission control mechanismVSAvoidbandwidth utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission size is made dynamic rather than fixed. The ATM adjusts transmission quantities based on measured network conditions, transforming a static system into an adaptive one that optimizes bandwidth utilization efficiency in response to varying network states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transmission parameter (amount of data sent) based on measured network conditions. By modifying this key parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, the system achieves efficient bandwidth utilization across varying network conditions without requiring complex infrastructure changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If the ATM monitors network conditions frequently to optimize transmissions, then bandwidth utilization efficiency improves, but the complexity of monitoring and control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring and control mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ATM performs self-monitoring of its own network transmissions by measuring the time from when it sends data to when it receives a response. This self-service approach to monitoring eliminates the need for external monitoring infrastructure, achieving efficient bandwidth utilization through simple timing measurements performed by the ATM itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8634322B2Apparatus and methods for adaptive network throttling

Publication Date: 2014.01.21 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for adaptive network throttling are provided. Adaptive network throttling may allow a device to communicate information using a shared network link without negatively impacting other devices utilizing the shared link. Adaptive network throttling may regulate communication of each device independently of network link or device hardware specifications. Adaptive network throttling may ensure that each device utilizing the shared network link inserts a time delay following a communication of information. The time delay may represent bandwidth on the shared network link that is not being used by a device. The unused bandwidth may be available to other devices communicating over the shared network link.