IP Diagnostics Software Pinpoints POS Terminal Connection Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
IP-enabled Point of Sale (POS) terminals are difficult to diagnose and troubleshoot, leading to increased support costs and merchant inconvenience, as existing methods like PING and traceroute are unreliable due to firewall issues and inability to pinpoint failure points.
Innovation Solution
The development of IP Diagnostics software that tests major failure points in the IP chain from the POS terminal to the host computer, including physical Ethernet connections, gateway tests, DNS tests, and host tests, to identify and resolve connection issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If PING or traceroute method is used to diagnose IP communication errors, then the diagnostic process can be initiated, but the method is blocked by firewalls and cannot reliably identify failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a mediator between the POS terminal and the network. This intermediary captures packet data and routing information without requiring direct firewall penetration, allowing reliable diagnosis of IP communication failures while respecting firewall constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical PING/traceroute approach with a software-based packet capture and analysis system. This substitution enables diagnostic functionality that works around firewall restrictions by using alternative protocols and data collection methods that don't rely on ICMP echo requests.
2Loss of information
If PING or traceroute method is used to diagnose IP communication errors, then some diagnostic information can be obtained, but the method cannot pinpoint specific failure points in the IP chain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP communication chain into distinct diagnostic segments (terminal to gateway, gateway to DNS server, DNS server to host, etc.). Each segment can be tested independently using specialized diagnostic tools that capture detailed routing information, enabling precise identification of where in the chain the failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to diagnostic information by capturing and analyzing actual packet data and routing paths rather than relying on simple reachability tests. This dimensional expansion provides detailed information about protocol-level interactions and identifies specific failure points with high precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional POS terminals are used, then the terminal structure is simple and easy to understand, but the terminal cannot provide IP-based communication capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal diagnostic system that handles multiple types of IP communication failures through a single integrated framework. The system can diagnose various protocols (HTTP, FTP, SMTP, etc.) and network conditions using the same packet capture and analysis mechanism, providing versatile diagnostic capability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the POS terminal to perform self-diagnosis by incorporating diagnostic tools and packet capture capabilities directly into the terminal. The terminal can autonomously identify its own communication issues and provide diagnostic information without requiring external intervention, reducing the burden on support personnel while maintaining manageable complexity.
4Productivity
If IP-enabled POS terminals are deployed, then communication flexibility is improved, but the support costs and troubleshooting difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary diagnostic actions by automatically capturing and analyzing packet data and routing information before transaction failures occur. The system performs continuous network monitoring and maintains diagnostic logs that can be immediately accessed when problems arise, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-mortem troubleshooting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the diagnostic system continuously monitors IP communication health and provides real-time information about network conditions. When failures occur, the system immediately generates diagnostic reports and feedback messages that guide troubleshooting efforts, significantly reducing the time needed to identify and resolve issues.
Data Source
AI summary
The ‘IP Diagnostics’ software is a new and innovative method of aiding the deployment and troubleshooting of IP enabled POS terminals. Its purpose is to identify where a failure in the IP connection is occurring. The IP Diagnostics application does this by testing major failure points within the IP chain from the POS terminal to the host.