ATM Keypad Concealment and Cash Acceptor Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated banking machines face challenges in providing enhanced security, user-friendly operation, weather resistance, and effective handling of financial instrument sheets, including the need for secure input mechanisms and germ transmission reduction.

Innovation Solution

An automated teller machine (ATM) design featuring a user interface with a card reader, keypad concealment device, cash acceptor mechanism for separating and storing financial instrument sheets, and encryption capabilities to ensure secure and germ-minimized transactions, along with weather-resistant and secure housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a card reader and keypad are provided for user input, then user operation capability is improved, but security against unauthorized access and germ transmission increases risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operation capabilityVSAvoidgerm transmission and unauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the keypad from the main machine body and places it on a removable overlay or separate panel. This allows the keypad to be easily removed, replaced, or disinfected independently from the main ATM unit, reducing germ transmission while maintaining operational accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible, removable overlays or films that cover the keypad area. These thin film structures can be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced to minimize germ transmission while preserving the underlying input functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If encryption capabilities are added to secure transactions, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates encryption capabilities into existing communication modules and processors that already perform other functions. By making these components multi-functional, the system achieves enhanced security without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines encryption functions with existing data processing and communication hardware. Rather than adding separate dedicated encryption devices, the encryption capabilities are merged into the existing system architecture, maintaining simplicity while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a cash acceptor mechanism with sheet separation capability is implemented, then handling of financial instruments is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinancial instrument handling capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the sheet separation mechanism to automatically detect and separate individual financial instrument sheets without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated control systems. The mechanism uses simple physical principles like friction and gravity to achieve automatic sheet feeding and separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple, easily replaceable components in the sheet separation mechanism rather than expensive, complex systems. This allows for cost-effective manufacturing and easier maintenance while achieving the required handling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If weather-resistant housing is provided for outdoor operation, then operational reliability in various environments is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweather resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials for the housing that combine durability with ease of manufacturing. These composite structures provide weather resistance through material properties rather than complex protective layers or treatments, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS7513420B1Cash dispensing automated banking machine system and method

Publication Date: 2009.04.07 DIEBOLD NIXDORF INCORPORATED

AI summary

An automated banking machine (10) is operative to carry out financial transactions and includes a user interface (15). The user interface includes a card reader (16) which is operative to read data on user cards which identify user's financial accounts. A fascia of the machine includes a keypad (404, 438, 458) through which users input confidential data. Covers (400, 422, 430) prevent unauthorized persons from viewing confidential inputs to the keypad. Alternatively, movable panels (462, 464) are movable to prevent unauthorized viewing of confidential inputs. Alternatively a keypad cover is selectively collapsible to prevent digit access. A visual indicator is operative to indicate to a user that keypad inputs are being encrypted. Disinfecting techniques may be used to disinfect manual contact surfaces of the machine.