Biometric Token Reverse Vending Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reverse vending machines for empty beverage containers often malfunction due to issues like printer paper jams or mechanical failures, leading to unreliable token provision for customer remuneration, with customers frequently losing or forgetting receipts.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a sensor to detect and register a person's biometric feature, such as a fingerprint, which serves as a token for the return value of beverage containers, ensuring reliable and secure payment at a designated payout point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a printer is used to provide receipts for returned beverage containers, then customers receive proof of return, but the system becomes unreliable due to paper jams, printer failures, and mechanical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the token provision function from the mechanical printer system and transfers it to a biometric sensor system. The sensor detects and stores biometric data (fingerprint, facial recognition, etc.) as the token, eliminating the need for paper receipts and printer mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by removing the unreliable mechanical components while maintaining the essential function of providing proof of return.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical printer system with an electronic biometric sensing system. Instead of using moving parts, paper, and mechanical discharge mechanisms, the system uses sensors to detect biometric features and stores the data electronically. This substitution eliminates paper jams, mechanical failures, and the complexity associated with physical receipt printing while improving reliability.
2Ease of operation
If receipts or cards are provided as tokens, then customers can be remunerated for returned containers, but customers frequently lose or forget these tokens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the customer's biometric data as the token, stored in the system's memory or database. This digital copy replaces physical receipts or cards that can be lost. The biometric data serves as a unique identifier that the customer cannot lose, as it is stored electronically and can be retrieved through the same biometric sensor at the payout point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a biometric sensor as an intermediary between the customer and the token system. The sensor captures and stores biometric data, which acts as an unlosable token. At the payout point, the same or a corresponding sensor re-detects the biometric feature to retrieve the token and process payment, eliminating the need for customers to physically carry or remember receipts.
3Reliability
If biometric sensors are used to detect features, then reliable token provision is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The biometric sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as the token provision device, the token storage key, and the token verification mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced sensing technology. The same sensor type can be used at both the return point and the payout point.
Solution Approach 2:
The biometric system is self-identifying and self-verifying. The customer's biometric data automatically identifies their return value entitlement, and the same biometric feature automatically verifies their identity at the payout point. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual intervention, complex authentication protocols, and additional verification components, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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
This solution minimizes the risk of customers forgetting or losing receipts, enhances the reliability of the reverse vending machine by using biometric data as a secure token, and streamlines the payment process by ensuring accurate tracking and remuneration.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which is arranged to detect at least one biometric feature of a person inserting beverage containers into the reverse vending machine
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, system and use of a least one sensor in a reverse vending machine for empty beverage containers for, on the sensor's detection at least one biometric feature of a person, allowing such a feature to serve as an identifying token for return value due for empty beverage containers delivered by the person to the reverse vending machine. The biometric feature is, at a return value payout point and by using at least one other sensor, redetected and re-recognized as a previously registered feature for payment of the return value in the form of a payout of the return value, credit for the return value or issuance of a lottery ticket with a stake equivalent to the return value. Said biometric feature is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: fingerprints, facial features, eye characteristics, iris features, handprints, palm line patterns, blood vessel patterns, body shape, height, weight, DNA-characteristics and voice spectrum.