Self-Service Terminal Layout With Curved Sides for Dense Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-service terminals require a large amount of space, especially when multiple units are set up in a sales room, limiting their space-saving and variable arrangement.

Innovation Solution

The self-service terminals are designed with a circular cross-section and beveled transverse sides, allowing them to be arranged in a linear or corner configuration, enabling flexible positioning to maximize space usage and reduce visual disturbance between operators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If self-service terminals are arranged in a conventional rectangular layout, then the arrangement is simple and stable, but the space utilization is poor and visual disturbance between operators occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidvisual disturbance

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The self-service terminal employs a circular cross-sectional design instead of conventional rectangular shapes. This curved geometry allows terminals to be positioned closer together while maintaining operator privacy through natural visual shielding, eliminating the need for additional partitions and optimizing space utilization in the sales room.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Productivity

If multiple self-service terminals are set up in a sales room, then service capacity increases, but the space requirement increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capacityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal integrates multiple functions including reading device, data processing device, card reader, printer, and monitor into a single compact unit. This functional integration reduces the overall space footprint while maintaining full service capability, allowing more terminals to be deployed in the same area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circular cross-section enables terminals to be arranged in tighter configurations compared to rectangular designs, maximizing the number of service points that can be accommodated within the available sales room space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Area of stationary object

If self-service terminals are arranged in a compact configuration, then space utilization improves, but arrangement flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidarrangement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The circular cross-sectional design provides rotational symmetry that enables terminals to be positioned in various orientations (linear rows, corner modules, angled arrangements) while maintaining consistent spacing and aesthetic appearance. This geometric property delivers both compactness and versatility in layout configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2398001B1Assembly of self-service terminals and self-service terminals

Publication Date: 2014.01.22 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7

AI summary

The invention relates to an arrangement of self-service terminals, wherein the self-service terminal (1) extends vertically in a column-like manner from a base to a top and has a back, a front and a transverse side connecting the back to the front, and wherein a data processing device for processing data and a number of peripheral devices are provided, wherein the self-service terminal (1) has a circular segment cross-section with beveled transverse sides (22) such that at least two self-service terminals (1) can be arranged with their transverse sides (22) facing each other,that in a first positioning arrangement, adjacent self-service terminals (1) are arranged in a straight line next to each other to form a linear module (24) and/or that in a second positioning arrangement, adjacent self-service terminals (1) are arranged at an angle to each other to form a corner module (25).