US Patent 7545816 Transaction processing systems maintenance

A communications network can comprise a plurality of network sites, to each of which a transaction terminal, a maintenance terminal, or a server may be connected. Each transaction terminal (which may be an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal) may have at least one service element, such as a card transport or currency bin, which is to be maintained in operation. Intelligent agent programs may move between terminals collecting information from or imparting information to each terminal visited. The information that is collected or imparted may be used for facilitating efficient servicing or maintenance of the transaction terminals.