Automated Machine Maintenance Security Code and Self-Reconciliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current maintenance processes for automated machines are inefficient due to high downtime and lack of security, as maintenance providers manually key in information and are not alerted to misplaced items, leading to increased settlement times and errors.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a maintenance management apparatus and automated machines equipped with secure item storage units, which perform pre-processing, authenticate maintenance providers using a security code, and automatically reconcile items, reducing manual intervention and enhancing security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual information entry is used during maintenance, then maintenance providers can access and update machine information, but maintenance downtime increases and error rates rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenance operationVSAvoidmaintenance downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The automated machine performs self-service by automatically reconciling item quantities between secure and non-secure storage units during maintenance appointments, eliminating the need for manual information entry by maintenance providers and reducing maintenance downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-processing maintenance information and preparing reconciliation data before the maintenance provider arrives, so that the machine is ready for automatic reconciliation as soon as the maintenance appointment begins, reducing overall maintenance downtime

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If manual information entry is used during maintenance, then maintenance providers can update machine information, but error rates increase due to manual keying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenance operationVSAvoidaccuracy of maintenance data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual data entry with an automated electronic reconciliation system that automatically compares and updates item quantities between storage units, eliminating human error associated with manual keying

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If security codes are implemented for maintenance access, then machine security is improved, but authentication time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of maintenance accessVSAvoidauthentication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-generating and communicating maintenance security codes to authorized providers before the maintenance appointment, so that authentication can occur immediately upon arrival without delay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20200357248A1Remote maintenance initiation and communication for an automated machine

Publication Date: 2020.11.12 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A system for performing secure maintenance on automated machines may include a maintenance management apparatus and an automated machine. The maintenance management apparatus is configured for scheduling the maintenance appointment for the automated machine, in response to scheduling the maintenance appointment and creating and communicating a maintenance security code to the automated machine. The automated machine is configured for receiving a request from a maintenance provider to initiate the maintenance appointment, validating the maintenance provider using the maintenance security code and providing access to a secure item storage unit, determining that the maintenance provider has completed the maintenance appointment, and communicating information associated with the maintenance appointment to the maintenance management apparatus and/or a computing device of the maintenance provider.