Self Service Coin Redemption Card Printer Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coin redemption machines are limited in their ability to dispense multiple types of value cards from a single machine, requiring additional dispensers and increasing machine footprint and cost, and often necessitate frequent servicing due to the need for pre-printed cards of specific denominations.
Innovation Solution
A kiosk system that receives loose mixed coins, processes them to determine their value, and allows users to select from various graphic options and gift card providers, printing a personalized value card with the selected graphic and associated value, which can be dispensed directly to the user, using a coin receiving area, coin processing module, user-input device, storage device, display, and printing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pre-printed card types are stored in separate dispensers, then card variety is improved, but device complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single card dispenser is designed to handle multiple card types through a carriage mechanism that can shuttle between different card stacks, allowing one dispenser to perform the function of multiple dedicated dispensers
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple card stacks are arranged within a single dispenser housing, with a carriage mechanism that can access and retrieve cards from different stacks, effectively nesting multiple card inventories within one dispenser unit
2Area of stationary object
If multiple card stacks are accommodated in a single dispenser, then device footprint is reduced, but servicing frequency increases when card types run out
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using pre-printed cards with fixed values, the system uses blank cards that are printed on-demand with the required graphics and values, eliminating the need to physically restock different card types and allowing infinite card variety without additional hardware
3Ease of manufacture
If pre-printed cards with predetermined values are used, then card production is simplified, but card variety and customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Blank cards are prepared in advance and stored in stacks, but the specific graphics and values are applied only when needed through on-demand printing, combining the benefits of pre-prepared stock with custom customization
Solution Approach 2:
The card characteristics (graphics, values, designs) are not fixed during manufacturing but are dynamically changed through digital printing parameters based on user selection, allowing the same physical card substrate to serve multiple card types
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
Enables the efficient dispensing of various value cards from a single machine, reducing the need for multiple dispensers and frequent servicing, while providing users with flexibility in card selection and design, thereby minimizing machine footprint and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
printing, using a printing device, the user-selected graphic on a portable storage medium print area
Data Source
AI summary
A method of transferring funds to a personalized portable storage medium using a kiosk, includes the acts of receiving funds comprising a batch of loose mixed coins in a coin receiving area of the kiosk, processing the coins in a coin processing module, determining a total value of the funds using a controller, displaying the total value of the funds to a user of the kiosk, and permitting the user to select a desired graphic from amongst a plurality of available graphic selections using via a user input device. The method also includes the acts of printing, using a printing device, the user-selected graphic on a portable storage medium print area, the portable storage medium comprising a storage medium bearing data to which a value relating to the total value is associated and dispensing the portable storage medium bearing the user-selected graphic to the user, the portable storage medium having a first value relating to the total value.