Method for reducing power usage at a remote terminal
A method, computing device, computing system and computer program which receive, by at least one first computing device of a plurality of computing devices, and from a master computing device in communication with each of the plurality of computing devices, at least one command for changing a state of at least one user interface device of the first computing device; and responsive to receiving the command, change a state of at least one said user interface device from a first state with a first power usage to a second state with a second power usage that is less than the first power usage, thereby reducing the power usage of the first computing device.
1. A computer-implemented method for reducing power usage of at least one computing device, comprising the steps of:
sending, from each of a plurality of computing devices, data indicative of a status and capability of each respective computing device, to a master computing device;
determining, by the master computing device, at least one selected user interface device of at least one selected computing device to change a state of;
determining the selected user interface device to change a state of based on a geographical location of each computing device of the plurality of computing devices relative to a geographical location of other computing devices of the plurality of computing devices and/or based on a day of the week and/or based on a time of day and/or based on a capability of each computing device of the plurality of computing devices relative to a capability of other computing devices of the plurality of computing devices, wherein said determining comprises:
inputting the data indicative of the status and capability of each respective computing device into at least one machine learning module;
outputting, from the machine learning module, data indicating at least one selected user interface device of at least one selected computing device to change a state of; and
applying a moving average to the data output from the machine learning model;
receiving, by at least one first computing device of a plurality of computing devices, and from the master computing device in communication with each of the plurality of computing devices, at least one command for changing a state of the at least selected one user interface device of the selected computing device based on the output from the machine learning module; and
responsive to receiving the command, changing a state of the at least one said user interface device from a first state with a first power usage to a second state with a second power usage that is less than the first power usage, thereby reducing the power usage of the first computing device.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
changing a state of the user interface device comprises de-activating the user interface device.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:
de-activating the user interface device comprises switching off a respective power supply that supplies power to a respective user interface device.
4. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:
de-activating the user interface device comprises switching the user interface device from a normal state into a standby state, whereby the standby state uses less power than the normal state.
5. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:
de-activating the user interface device comprises switching off a main power supply of the first computing device, thereby de-activating all user interface devices of the first computing device.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5 , further comprising:
receiving, at a self-powered network interface device integrated into the main power supply of the first computing device, said command.
7. The method as claimed in claim 2 , wherein:
de-activating the user interface device further comprises switching the first computing device from a normal state into a standby state, whereby the standby state uses less power than the normal state, thereby de-activating all user interface devices of the first computing device.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:
switching the first computing device into a standby state comprises only providing power to at least one main processor core of the first computing device.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
responsive to changing the state of the user interface device, displaying a message on a display of the first computing device indicating a location of at least one other computing device of the plurality of computing devices that remain in a normal state.
10. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, via a timer device integrated into a main power supply of the first computing device, that a predetermined time has elapsed; and
responsive to said determining, switching the main power supply from an off state to an on state or from an on state to an off state.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
responsive to receiving said command, de-activating at least one heater of the first computing device.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1 , whereby:
the user interface device is one or more of a cash dispenser, an encrypted PIN pad, a statement printer, a receipt printer, a card reader, a barcode reader, an ID scanner, or a Point of Sale Terminal.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , whereby:
each of the plurality of computing devices is one of an Automated Teller Machine, ATM, a Self-Service Terminal, SST, a Point of Sale, POS, terminal or a kiosk.