NFC Wireless Audio Lead Through for Visually Impaired Users

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Solution Overview

Problem

Visually impaired users face challenges in accessing self-service terminals due to the difficulty in finding small jack plug sockets and untangling wires, and existing wireless connection methods compromise network efficiency and security.

Innovation Solution

A self-service terminal using NFC to establish a wireless data connection with a remote output device, eliminating the need for physical sockets and reducing the need for dynamic registry updates, while ensuring secure data transfer through Bluetooth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a jack plug socket is provided for audio connection, then audio lead through can be achieved, but visually impaired users cannot easily find the socket and must untangle wires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of connectionVSAvoiddifficulty of finding socket

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical jack plug socket connection system with a wireless communication system. The self-service terminal includes a wireless communication module that can wirelessly transmit audio signals to external devices, eliminating the need for physical sockets and wires. This substitution resolves the contradiction by making connection effortless (improving ease of operation) while removing the need to locate physical sockets (eliminating detection difficulty).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If Bluetooth connection with device registry is used, then wireless audio connection is achieved, but network efficiency deteriorates due to frequent data transfer for registry updates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the device address information from the centralized registry system and stores it locally in the self-service terminal's wireless communication module. This extraction eliminates the need for frequent registry updates and data transfers over the network, thereby resolving the contradiction by maintaining wireless connection capability while preserving network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If device addresses are stored in centralized registry, then connection verification is enabled, but network security is compromised due to frequent data transfers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection verificationVSAvoidnetwork security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing device address information locally in the self-service terminal before actual connection is needed. This preliminary storage eliminates the need for frequent registry updates and network data transfers, thereby resolving the contradiction by maintaining connection verification capability while reducing network security risks associated with frequent data transfers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8290436B2Wireless self-service terminal audio lead through

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A system for the audio lead through of a visually impaired user of a self-service terminal employs near field communication techniques to transfer connection data required for the establishment of a Bluetooth connection between the self-service terminal and a remote audio output device. Once a Bluetooth connection is established audio files containing instructions on how to execute a transaction on the self-service terminal are transferred from the self-service terminal to the audio output device such that the user can hear audio files when played.