ATM Dual Sensor Controllers for Cash Dispensing Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated teller machines (ATMs) face issues with mis-dispense claims due to malfunctions and lack of supervision, leading to unwarranted claims and inefficient cash inventory management, resulting in increased costs and operational challenges.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising sensors and a processor to detect partial retrieval of dispensed currency, record interactions, and generate fraud records, which includes image and biometric data to identify anomalies and mis-dispense claims, thereby enhancing fraud detection and cash inventory management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If cash retraction feature is enabled in ATMs, then uncollected cash can be recovered, but false mis-dispense claims increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecash recoveryVSAvoidclaim accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system captures images of the customer and the cash dispensing process before the transaction completes. This preliminary documentation creates evidence that can distinguish between genuine malfunctions and intentional fraud, allowing the ATM to retract cash while reducing false claims through verifiable records.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensors to continuously monitor and document the cash dispensing process and customer interaction. This feedback mechanism provides real-time verification that can be used to validate or reject mis-dispense claims, enabling confident cash retraction while identifying fraudulent attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If multiple sensors are added to detect fraud, then fraud detection capability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraud detectionVSAvoidsensor system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging sensor performs multiple functions: capturing customer identification, documenting the cash dispensing process, and providing evidence for fraud detection. This multi-functional approach improves fraud detection capability without requiring separate specialized sensors for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor system acts as an intermediary that objectively documents the transaction process. Rather than requiring complex active detection mechanisms, the passive imaging sensor captures evidence that mediates between the cash dispensing system and the fraud detection process, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9997029B2Dual sensor controllers for automated teller machines

Publication Date: 2018.06.12 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Apparatus and methods for a sensor system are provided. The system may be configured to detect a dispensing of cash from an automated teller machine (“ATM”). The system may be configured to orient one or more sensors to capture a first information stream that includes the dispensing of cash. The system may be configured to detect a retraction of cash by the ATM. The system may orient one or more sensors to capture a second information stream that includes the retraction. The system may be configured to determine an estimate of cash collected by an ATM customer. The estimate may be based on a comparison of the first information stream and the second information stream.