Handheld Donation Receiver With Mobile Currency Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing donation receiving devices, such as kettles and offering plates, lack advanced authentication and verification mechanisms for currency acceptance, making them susceptible to tampering and inefficiencies in denomination recognition.

Innovation Solution

A handheld donation receiving apparatus with a denomination discriminator, mobile communication device interface, and electronic locks, utilizing rollers, transducers, and image processing to authenticate and verify currency, ensuring secure and accurate donation acceptance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional donation receiving devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the security and authentication mechanisms are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: donation receiving, mobile device charging, currency authentication, and secure storage. The mobile communication device serves dual purposes as both a controller and a power source, eliminating the need for separate authentication and power supply systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile communication device performs multiple functions: it acts as an authentication device, a power bank for charging the donation device, a controller for operating the donation receiving apparatus, and a communication interface for transaction recording. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If advanced authentication mechanisms are added, then security is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveauthenticationVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile communication device already contains authentication credentials (SIM card, stored data) that automatically verify the user's identity. The system leverages existing mobile device capabilities for authentication rather than requiring separate authentication hardware or complex user interactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is pre-configured with authentication data and power capacity before use. The power bank functionality is pre-charged, and authentication credentials are pre-stored, allowing the donation device to operate securely without requiring real-time configuration or complex user setup procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If currency verification mechanisms are implemented, then donation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrency verificationVSAvoidverification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary currency verification device that acts as a bridge between the donation device and the storage system. This separate specialized component handles the complex task of currency authentication using optical and physical characteristics, while the main donation device remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The verification system replaces manual currency inspection with automated optical sensors and transducers that measure physical characteristics like diameter, thickness, and optical properties. This substitution of mechanical/manual verification with sensor-based detection improves precision while the modular design keeps overall complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If electronic locks and secure storage are added, then security is improved, but the ease of repair is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmaintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the system into separable modules: the donation receiving device, the mobile communication device, and the currency verification device. The electronically controlled lock is integrated into the mobile device or as a separate module, allowing individual components to be replaced or repaired without affecting the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enhances security and efficiency by preventing tampering and accurately categorizing and verifying currency, providing secure and reliable donation processing.

Implementation Method 1

A rotation transducer may detect a length of currency inserted therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation detection:

Implementation Method 2

a displacement transducer may measure the thickness of the currency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDisplacement detection:

Implementation Method 3

The mobile communication device may comprise an application controller comprising an image processor which recognises at least one of shape, dimension, colour and, in embodiments, recognises alphanumeric values of the currency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImage processing: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentEP3884474B1A handheld mobile communication device connected donation receiving apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 DELLAS JAMES
  • EP3884474B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3884474B1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP3884474B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Donation receiving apparatus has a denomination discriminator interfacing a storage area. The denomination discriminator has at least one sensor for sensing at least one physical characteristic of currency passing therethrough. A device controller interfaces a mobile communication device interface and the denomination discriminator. In use, the device controller establishes communication with the mobile communication device, detects a denomination using the at least one physical characteristic and transmits the denomination to the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device may execute an application controller which displays a graphical user interface on a digital display thereof which may display the denomination.