Currency Acceptance Terminal for Unmanned E-Wallet Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for loading currency into electronic wallets are inconvenient, requiring physical visits to merchants or online transactions that expose sensitive information, and are not feasible at unmanned vending machines or standalone devices.

Innovation Solution

A payment management system comprising a currency acceptance terminal and a mobile terminal that allows users to load currency into their electronic wallets without human intervention, using a secure depository and cloud-based electronic wallet management, enabling secure and automated transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a customer physically visits a merchant's store to load currency into an electronic wallet, then the wallet can be loaded with currency, but the customer must wait in line and interact with a person, reducing convenience and increasing time loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of loading currencyVSAvoidtime spent waiting in line

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows customers to load currency into their electronic wallets automatically at unmanned currency acceptance terminals without requiring interaction with cashiers or staff. The terminal accepts currency, verifies it, and automatically credits the electronic wallet, enabling self-service and eliminating waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual process of currency loading by cashiers is replaced with an automated mechanical and electronic system. The currency acceptance terminal uses machine vision, sensors, and automated verification systems to detect, validate, and process currency, substituting human labor with automated technology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a customer uses a web page or app to add value to the electronic wallet, then the wallet can be loaded with value, but the customer must provide sensitive information online that they may not want to submit for privacy and security reasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding valueVSAvoidprivacy and security risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the sensitive information submission step from the value-loading process. Instead of requiring customers to enter bank account or credit card information online, the system uses a physical currency acceptance terminal that loads value directly onto the electronic wallet through automated currency verification and processing, removing the need to expose sensitive personal information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If standalone vending machines and unmanned devices are deployed, then service availability increases, but customers cannot add value to their electronic wallets with currency at these locations because no cashier is present

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availability at unmanned locationsVSAvoidability to load currency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The currency acceptance terminal is designed as a universal device that can be deployed at various unmanned locations such as vending machines, fuel stations, and other standalone devices. It performs multiple functions including currency acceptance, verification, electronic wallet crediting, and integration with existing payment systems, making it adaptable to different service environments without requiring human staff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If employees spend time loading currency into customers' electronic wallets, then currency can be loaded, but employees cannot spend time on important tasks to increase sales, reduce line waiting time, and improve customer service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrency loading capabilityVSAvoidemployee productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transfers the currency loading function from employees to an automated self-service terminal. Customers independently insert currency, and the terminal automatically verifies and processes it, completely eliminating the need for employee involvement in currency handling and allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks such as customer assistance and sales.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual currency processing performed by employees is replaced with an automated currency acceptance terminal that uses machine verification, optical sensors, and electronic processing systems. This mechanical and electronic substitution frees employees from repetitive currency handling tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12608701B2Methods, systems, and devices for loading currency into an electronic wallet

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 WAYNE FUELING SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Various methods, systems, and devices for loading currency into an electronic wallet are provided. In general, a currency acceptance terminal can be configured to accept currency from a user for loading into the user's electronic wallet, which may be used to purchase products from a merchant. The currency acceptance terminal can be unmanned such that the currency can be accepted and loaded into the electronic wallet without a cashier or other employee handling the currency or the currency acceptance terminal.