Requirements for Example ATM System

The software to be designed will control a simulated automated teller machine (ATM) having a magnetic stripe reader for reading an ATM card, a keyboard and display for interaction with the customer, a slot for depositing envelopes, a dispenser for cash (in multiples of $20), a printer for printing customer receipts, and a key-operated switch to allow an operator to start or stop the machine. The ATM will communicate with the bank's computer over an appropriate communication link. (The software on the latter is not part of the requirements for this problem.)

The ATM will service one customer at a time. A customer will be required to insert an ATM card and enter a personal identification number (PIN) - both of which will be sent to the bank for validation as part of each transaction. The customer will then be able to perform one or more transactions. The card will be retained in the machine until the customer indicates that he/she desires no further transactions, at which point it will be returned - except as noted below.

The ATM must be able to provide the following services to the customer:

1. A customer must be able to make a cash withdrawl from any suitable account linked to the card, in multiples of $20.00. Approval must be obtained from the bank before cash is dispensed.
2. A customer must be able to make a deposit to any account linked to the card, consisting of cash and/or checks in an envelope. The customer will enter the amount of the deposit into the ATM, subject to manual verification when the envelope is removed from the machine by an operator. Approval must be obtained from the bank before physically accepting the envelope.
3. A customer must be able to make a transfer of money between any two accounts linked to the card.
4. A customer must be able to make a balance inquiry of any account linked to the card.

The ATM will communicate each transaction to the bank and obtain verification that it was allowed by the bank. In the case of a cash withdrawl or deposit, a second message will be sent after the transaction has been physically completed (cash dispensed or envelope accepted).

If the bank determines that the customer's PIN is invalid, the customer will be required to re-enter the PIN before a transaction can proceed. If the customer is unable to successfully enter the PIN after three tries, the card will be permanently retained by the machine, and the customer will have to contact the bank to get it back.

If a transaction fails for any reason other than an invalid PIN, the ATM will display an explanation of the problem, and will then ask the customer whether he/she wants to do another transaction.

The ATM will provide the customer with a printed receipt for each successful transaction, showing the date, time, machine location, type of transaction, account(s), amount, and ending and available balance(s) of the affected account ("to" account for tranfers).

The ATM will have a an operator panel with a key-operated switch (located on the "inside the bank" side) that will allow an operator to start and stop the servicing of customers. When the switch is moved to the "off" position, the machine will shut down, so that the operator may remove deposit envelopes and reload the machine with cash, blank receipts, etc. The operator will be required to verify and enter the total cash on hand before starting the system from this panel.

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Copyright © 1996, 1997, 1998 - Russell C. Bjork. Permission for non-commercial reproduction for educational use is hereby granted; all other rights are reserved.