ATM Cheque Image Authorization for Real-Time Physical Return
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The process of depositing cheques at an automated teller machine (ATM) is laborious and inefficient, as the ATM retains the cheque and it is later cleared by an armored car carrier, which can lead to disputes and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The ATM captures images of cheques, sends them to a server for acceptance and transaction authorization, and returns the cheque in real-time or near real-time based on the authorization response, using a communications module, image module, and processor to manage the transaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ATM retains the cheque and clears it later by armored car carrier, then the cheque can be securely held and cleared, but the process becomes laborious and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy (image) of the cheque and transmits it to a remote server for processing. The physical cheque is returned to the customer immediately, while the digital copy is used for authorization and clearing operations. This separates the physical handling from the processing operations, eliminating the need for the ATM to retain and physically clear cheques through armored car carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical physical clearance process (armored car carrier transporting and verifying physical cheques) with a digital electronic processing system. The cheque image is transmitted electronically to a remote server that performs authorization and clearing operations, eliminating the need for physical handling and transport of cheques.
2Device complexity
If the ATM retains the cheque for later clearance, then clearance can be performed centrally, but disputes arise and the process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by transmitting the cheque image to the remote server and receiving an immediate authorization response. The server provides feedback on whether the cheque is valid and authorized before the physical cheque is returned to the customer. This immediate feedback mechanism eliminates delays and reduces disputes compared to later clearance processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authorization by validating the cheque image and obtaining authorization from the remote server before returning the physical cheque to the customer. This preliminary action ensures that the cheque is cleared and authorized in advance, eliminating the need for later physical clearance and reducing the likelihood of disputes.
3Productivity
If the ATM processes cheques in real-time with image capture and authorization, then processing efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ATM system integrates multiple functions into a single unified process: image capture, image transmission to remote server, authorization receipt, and physical cheque return. The remote server handles multiple operations including cheque validation, authorization, and clearing, allowing the ATM to focus on customer interaction while the complex processing is handled centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated teller machine comprises a communications module; an image module; a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the processor to receive a first cheque for deposit; engage the image module to capture an image of the first cheque; send, via the communications module and to a server computer system, a signal that includes the image of the first cheque for acceptance; send, via the communications module and to an automated teller machine switch, a signal that includes a request for transaction authorization approval based on the first cheque; receive, via the communications module and from the server computer system, a signal that includes an indication of acceptance of the image of the first cheque; receive, via the communications module and from the automated teller machine switch, a signal that includes an indication of approval of the request for the transaction authorization based on the first cheque; and responsive to receiving the signal that includes the indication of acceptance of the image of the first cheque and the signal that includes the indication of approval of the request for the transaction authorization, return the first cheque.