Automated Secure Container Access System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current secure storage solutions, such as safe deposit boxes in vaulted areas, face challenges including user inconvenience due to appointment requirements and high overhead costs for institutions, as well as a lack of privacy and efficiency in accessing and retrieving items.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or kiosk with a robotic mechanism that allows users to remotely access and manage their secured containers through a user interface, enabling self-service, privacy, and efficient retrieval and insertion of items using image recognition and autonomous robotics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users access safe deposit boxes in vaulted areas, then secure storage is provided, but user convenience deteriorates due to appointment requirements and time constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure storageVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the secure container from the vaulted area, placing individual secure containers throughout the financial institution premises. This segmentation allows users to access their containers without entering a restricted vault area, eliminating appointment requirements while maintaining security through distributed authentication points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An automated authentication system acts as an intermediary between users and secure containers. The system verifies user credentials and grants access without requiring manual intervention from bank staff, enabling users to access their containers independently at any time during business hours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If vaulted areas are maintained for safety deposit boxes, then secure storage is provided, but institutional overhead costs increase due to manpower and space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure storageVSAvoidinstitutional overhead costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to independently authenticate and access their secure containers without staff assistance. The automated authentication and container access mechanisms eliminate the need for bank employees to accompany users, open vaults, or assist with container operations, significantly reducing manpower requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the secure container functionality from the centralized vaulted area and distributes it throughout the financial institution. This eliminates the need for a dedicated vault space and associated security infrastructure, reducing real estate and maintenance costs while maintaining security through distributed authenticated access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If users remotely access secure containers, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases requiring robotic mechanisms and image recognition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote access capabilityVSAvoidrobotic mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex robotic retrieval mechanisms with a simpler mechanical transfer system. A robotic arm or automated transfer mechanism moves containers between storage locations and user access points, while image recognition systems capture and verify container contents. This substitution of mechanical systems for automated control reduces overall system complexity compared to fully robotic solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If privacy is provided during item retrieval, then user security is improved, but system complexity increases requiring privacy glass mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser privacyVSAvoidprivacy glass mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements privacy glass or opaque panels specifically at the container access interface where user authentication and item retrieval occur. This localized privacy measure provides confidentiality only where needed during the access transaction, rather than enclosing the entire facility, minimizing the impact on overall system design while ensuring user privacy during sensitive operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250104498A1System for remote retrieval and insertion of contents within individually secured containers

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Remote access to secured containers is provided by a user interface apparatus having an associated receptacle for receiving physical items delivered from and to the remote secured container. Delivery of the physical items to and from the user interface device's receptacle and the secure container may be accomplished by a robotic mechanism or the like. The user of the remote secured container access system pre-registers, such that presentation of the user credentials at the user interface apparatus provides the user options for receiving items for the secured container and delivering items. Moreover, the user credentials are associated with a secure container identifier and access credentials for gaining access to the secured area and/or the secured container, such that presentation of the user credentials provides identification of the secure container and access to the secured area and/or the secured container.