ATM Mobile Access With Private Screen and Cardless Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users may feel insecure about others seeing their ATM transactions and often forget to bring their cards, making interactions with ATMs inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

ATMs and mobile devices communicate via short-range wireless technologies to enable banking transactions using a mobile app, allowing secure access and verification through GPS and multi-factor authentication, with the ATM screen becoming inactive during mobile device use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users interact with ATM using conventional card-based method, then banking services can be accessed, but users feel insecure about others seeing their transactions and may forget to bring cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidconvenience of access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical card with a digital representation (mobile device with banking application) that replicates card functionality. The mobile device stores account information and communicates with the ATM via wireless technologies (NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), eliminating the need for a physical card while maintaining transaction capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical card insertion process with wireless electronic communication. Instead of physically inserting a card into the ATM slot, the mobile device transmits authentication data and transaction information wirelessly through short-range communication protocols, eliminating mechanical contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If ATM screen displays transaction information, then users can see their selections, but others near the ATM can also see the screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser feedback visibilityVSAvoidprivacy exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the display function from the ATM and relocates it to the user's mobile device. The mobile device's screen shows all transaction information, account details, and confirmation messages, removing the need for the ATM screen to display sensitive information publicly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the user and the ATM system. It receives data from the ATM wirelessly and presents it on the user's private display, acting as a confidential communication channel that prevents public exposure of transaction details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances security and convenience by allowing secure, cardless transactions with privacy and ease of access, reducing the need for direct ATM interaction.

Implementation Method 1

The ATM and the mobile device may be configured to communicate via short range wireless communication, such as one or more of near-field communication (NFC), Zigbee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Ultra-Wideband technologies.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication (NFC):

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBluetooth wireless communication:

Implementation Method 3

The presence may be verified using a Global Positioning System (GPS) location obtained from the mobile device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlobal Positioning System (GPS):

Data Source

PatentUS20250356331A1Banking at an ATM using a mobile device

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Methods for banking at an automated teller machine (ATM) using a mobile device. The ATM may automatically detect the presence of the mobile device in a vicinity of the ATM and initiate contact with the mobile device, or a mobile device may initiate contact with the ATM. After verifying user permission to access the ATM, the mobile device may be enabled to provide user access to one or more of the banking services available at the ATM using the mobile device and to view banking-related information on the mobile device. A mobile application on the mobile device may be used to access the ATM using the mobile device. While a mobile device is accessing the ATM, a screen on the ATM may become inactive for banking services and the option to select banking services directly at the ATM may be disabled.