Change Machine Operator-Dependent Deposit Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing change machines in self-service POS terminals face issues with processing time increases, coin jams, and rapid filling of storage units when customers deposit large quantities of coins or bills, leading to increased coin collection frequency. To address this, a solution is needed that limits coin or bill deposits for customers while allowing store staff to deposit exceeding amounts without restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A change machine equipped with a denomination discriminating unit, counting unit, storage unit, operator determining unit, and deposit control unit that discriminates and counts deposited coins or bills, determines the operator's identity, and controls deposit and storage processes accordingly, allowing customers' deposits to be limited while permitting store staff to deposit exceeding amounts without limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the change machine accepts large quantities of coins or bills from customers, then the customer can complete the transaction, but the processing time increases and coin jams occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the deposit acceptance parameter based on operator identification. For customers, a limit is imposed (e.g., 20 coins/bills maximum per transaction). For store staff members, the limit is removed or increased. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible deposit quantities suited to different user roles.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposit limit is not fixed but dynamic, adjusting automatically based on who is operating the machine. The control unit modifies the acceptance criteria in real-time based on operator determination, enabling the system to adapt between customer mode (with limits) and staff mode (without limits).
2Ease of operation
If the change machine accepts large quantities of coins or bills, then the transaction can be completed, but the coin storing unit fills quickly and collection frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the deposit acceptance parameter based on operator type. Customers face a restricted parameter (limit of 20 coins/bills), while store staff face an unrestricted or higher parameter. This resolves the contradiction by allowing staff to efficiently refill the storing unit without increasing customer transaction complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deposit function is segmented into two distinct modes: customer deposit mode with limits and staff deposit mode without limits. This segmentation allows the system to optimize for different purposes - customer convenience with controlled input, and staff efficiency for bulk operations.
3Loss of time
If a limit is imposed on the number of coins or bills that can be deposited, then processing time and coin jams are reduced, but store staff cannot efficiently deposit change reserve money
Solution Approach 1:
The deposit limit parameter becomes dynamic based on operator identification. When a store staff member is detected (through ID card reading, biometric authentication, or other identification methods), the system automatically removes or increases the deposit limit. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing unrestricted access to staff while maintaining customer limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of deposit acceptance based on the operator's role. For staff members who need to deposit large quantities of change reserve money, the parameter is adjusted to allow unlimited or higher-volume deposits, thereby maintaining ease of operation for staff while preserving the time-saving benefits of limits for customers.
4Ease of operation
If the change machine accepts large quantities of coins or bills, then the transaction is completed, but the reliability decreases due to increased coin jams
Solution Approach 1:
The system modifies the deposit acceptance parameter based on operator type, imposing limits on customers to reduce coin jam risks while allowing staff to deposit without limits when needed for maintenance and refilling operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A change machine includes a denomination discriminating unit to discriminate denominations of deposited coins or bills, a counting unit to count the number of the coins or the bills for each of the denominations, a storage unit to store a limit number of the coins or the bills, a number determining unit to determine a denomination of the coins or the bills, the number of which counted in one transaction reached the limit number, an operator determining unit to determine which of a customer and a store staff member deposited the coins or the bills, and a deposit control unit to, if the customer deposited the coins or the bills, return the coins or the bills of the denomination and, if the store staff member deposited the coins or the bills, allows storage of the coins or the bills of the denomination.