Lead Through Indicator Circuit Card Assembly Wiring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated banking machines lack an efficient method to control and coordinate the operation of lighting devices for guiding users through transactions, leading to complex wiring and increased costs due to the need for multiple connectors and channels for each device.
Innovation Solution
A lead through indicator circuit card assembly (LTI CCA) with a transceiver coupled to a bus and interfaces with lighting devices, using lead through indicator logic to determine the correct connector and channel for each device, allowing for centralized control of lighting operations via a hub that converts signals from the controller to compatible formats for the LTI, thereby simplifying wiring and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wiring methods are used to control lighting devices in automated banking machines, then each lighting device requires its own connector and channel, but this increases wiring complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal bus system where a single CAN bus serves multiple lighting devices associated with different peripherals (card reader, PIN pad, receipt printer, cash dispenser). Instead of dedicating separate wiring channels to each device, the system uses a shared communication bus with addressing capabilities, allowing one communication infrastructure to control multiple lighting devices through logical channel assignment rather than physical separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple separate control channels into a single integrated bus system. The hub device merges multiple connector functions into one unified interface that communicates with the controller over a single CAN bus. This consolidation reduces the number of physical connectors and wiring channels from multiple separate connections to a single shared communication medium, directly addressing the wiring complexity issue.
2Ease of operation
If multiple connectors and channels are used for each lighting device, then each device can be controlled independently, but this increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
The hub device serves multiple functions by acting as a central interface for all lighting devices. A single hub handles control signals for card reader lights, PIN pad lights, receipt printer lights, and cash dispenser lights through one unified communication interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control circuits and connectors for each device, reducing manufacturing costs while preserving independent control capability through software-based channel management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses logical channel copying where the same physical bus infrastructure is virtually replicated into multiple communication channels through software addressing. Each lighting device receives dedicated control attention via logically separated channels on the shared physical bus, creating a virtual copy of separate wiring without the physical cost. The hub maps logical channel addresses to physical bus communications, achieving independent device control at fraction of the cost of physical wiring replication.
Data Source
AI summary
In an example embodiment, there is disclosed herein an apparatus with a transceiver coupled with a bus; and a plurality of interfaces coupled with a plurality of lighting devices, and lead through indicator (LTI) logic coupled with the transceiver and the plurality of interfaces. The LTI logic is operable to receive a signal via the bus with data for operating a selected one of the plurality of lighting devices. The LTI logic determines an interface and a channel for the selected one of the plurality of lighting devices. The LTI logic send a signal to the selected one of the plurality of lighting devices on the connector and channel corresponding to the selected one of the plurality of lighting devices to operate the selected lighting device in accordance with the data for operating the selected one of the plurality of lighting devices.