Cognitive Multi-Card Handling for Transaction Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for testing transaction apparatus, such as POS and ATM machines, are time-consuming and require significant manual intervention, as they involve thousands of test cases and manual handling of multiple test cards, leading to potential errors and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A cognitive multi-card handling system that automatically identifies, selects, and ejects the required test card from a stack using a combination of image capturing, machine learning, and robotic mechanisms, allowing for automated testing without human intervention and handling various card types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional manual testing techniques are used with multiple test cards, then testing can be performed, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of test card handlingVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses an image capturing module to automatically capture images of test cards, extracts card details using OCR technology, and identifies the required test card without human intervention. The mechanical sub-system then automatically positions and ejects the correct test card based on test case requirements, making the system self-sufficient in card handling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical card handling with an automated mechanical sub-system that includes a linear mechanism for moving cards and a cam setup for ejecting cards. This mechanical automation substitutes human operators, enabling rapid card selection and ejection based on decoded test script descriptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual handling of multiple test cards is used, then different card types can be tested, but human operators may present wrong test cards resulting in unsuccessful completion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of test card selectionVSAvoidease of manual card handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a vision-based monitoring module that continuously monitors the card stack arrangement and provides feedback to ensure correct card positioning. The cognitive supervisory module decodes test script descriptions to identify required card characteristics and verifies card details through OCR, creating a feedback loop that ensures accurate test card selection and prevents wrong card presentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cognitive supervisory module that acts as a mediator between the test case requirements and the physical card selection. This module decodes test script descriptions, identifies required card properties, and coordinates with the mechanical sub-system to ensure the correct card is selected, eliminating direct human intervention in card selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated mechanisms with card handling systems are used, then testing speed improves, but they do not handle multiple test cards of different card types without manual intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting speedVSAvoidhandling of multiple card types

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a universal card handling mechanism that can process multiple card types including magnetic strip cards, smart cards, and non-contact smart cards. The image capturing module and OCR technology universally identify card details regardless of card type, and the mechanical sub-system universally positions and ejects any card from the stack, enabling automated handling of diverse card types without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-loading multiple test cards of different types into the card stack before testing begins. The system captures images of all cards in advance, extracts their details, and stores this information for rapid retrieval. When a test case requires a specific card type, the system can immediately identify and eject the correct card without manual intervention, maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10810473B1Cognitive multi-card handling system for automatic testing of transaction apparatus and testing method thereof

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a cognitive multi-card handling system for automatic testing of transaction apparatus and a testing method. Conventional techniques such as manual testing and automatic testing require lot of testing time and have limitations to test with number of test cards and different card types, identifying required test card from heterogeneous stack of multiple test cards and without much manual intervention. The disclosed cognitive multi-cards handling system comprising a mechanical sub-system and a multi-card handling sub-system provides a mechanism to test number of test cards of different card types, identify and eject the required test card from a heterogeneous stack of multiple test cards, as per the test case to perform the transaction operations. The disclosed testing method ensures smooth completion of automatic testing process consisting of thousands of test cases without manual intervention.