Combined Media Depository with Dynamic Partitioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
ATMs face challenges in dynamically optimizing storage for cash and checks due to unpredictable deposit quantities and limited space, leading to frequent servicing needs.
Innovation Solution
A media depository system with a combined container that segregates cash and checks using moveable supports and an urging mechanism, allowing for dynamic storage and alerting when containers are full, thereby optimizing storage and reducing servicing frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate deposit containers are provided for cash and checks, then media items can be segregated by type, but the ATM footprint increases and storage capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate deposit containers for cash and checks into a single shared container. The container has a partition with two openings that allows both cash and checks to be deposited and stored separately within the same physical space, thereby reducing the ATM footprint while maintaining media segregation.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into multiple storage areas using a partition that divides the container into a cash storage area and a check storage area. This segmentation allows different media types to be kept separate within the unified container structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed number of deposit containers is allocated for cash and checks, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize storage dynamically is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs moveable supports (such as springs or elastic elements) that automatically adjust the storage capacity allocation between cash and checks based on the volume of deposits. When one media type occupies more space, the moveable support shifts to allocate more space to the other media type, enabling dynamic optimization without complex control systems.
3Reliability
If separate containers are used for cash and checks, then media items are segregated, but servicing frequency increases when one container type fills up
Solution Approach 1:
By merging cash and check storage into a single container with partitioned sections, the system ensures that both media types share the same storage space. This prevents the scenario where one separate container fills up while another remains underutilized, thereby reducing servicing frequency while maintaining segregation through the internal partition.
4Area of stationary object
If limited deposit containers are provided, then ATM footprint is reduced, but storage capacity for unpredictable deposit quantities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The moveable supports in the container dynamically adjust the storage capacity allocation between cash and checks based on the actual volume of deposits. This allows the limited container space to be fully utilized regardless of the unpredictable mix of cash and check deposits, effectively increasing storage capacity without expanding the ATM footprint.
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
The system enables automatic and dynamic allocation of storage space for cash and checks, preventing frequent servicing and ensuring ATMs can continue to accept deposits until containers are full, improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The urging mechanism may comprise a resilient member coupled between the first and second moveable supports
Data Source
AI summary
A media depository comprises: an input for receiving deposited media items, a discriminator arranged to receive individual deposited media items from the input, and to ascertain whether each individual deposited media item is a banknote or a check; and a combined media container. The combined media container comprises: first and second media entrances, located opposite each other; first and second moveable supports, also located opposite each other; and an urging mechanism coupled to the first and second moveable supports and arranged to urge the first moveable support towards the first media entrance and the second moveable support towards the second media entrance, so that the first and second moveable supports are initially located at the first and second entrances respectively, and move closer to each other as media items are deposited.