NFC Pairing for Secure Wireless Audio at Transaction Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transaction terminals, such as ATMs and SSTs, face challenges in providing secure and convenient audio access for visually impaired users due to the use of tethered headphones or handsets, which can interfere with operation and require manual pairing processes, while also needing to ensure privacy and security of audio data.

Innovation Solution

A system that establishes a secure wireless connection between a transaction terminal and a user's device using an out-of-band NFC pairing method, allowing for automatic and secure audio/speech communication, and enables speech-to-text and text-to-speech processing to facilitate seamless transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tethered headphones or handsets are used for audio access at transaction terminals, then audio guidance can be provided to visually impaired users, but the cable can interfere with user operation of the terminal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of terminal operationVSAvoidcable interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the physical cable connection by implementing wireless audio transmission. The transaction terminal establishes wireless communication channels (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to transmit audio guidance to the user's mobile device or wireless headphones, completely eliminating the tethered cable that caused operational interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with electronic wireless communication. Instead of using a physical audio jack and wired connection, the system uses wireless protocols to transmit audio signals, substituting the mechanical system with an electromagnetic field-based system that eliminates physical interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual pairing processes are required for wireless audio devices, then secure connections can be established, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming for users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of connection processVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-provisioning of cryptographic keys and device identifiers during manufacturing or initial setup. When a user brings a mobile device to the terminal, the pairing process is automatically initiated using pre-configured security credentials, eliminating the need for manual key exchange while maintaining secure connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables automatic device pairing through self-service mechanisms. The terminal and user device automatically authenticate each other using pre-shared keys or certificates, and the connection is established without requiring manual user intervention for security credential management, thus simplifying the process while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If audio is provided at the terminal through wired connections, then private audio guidance can be delivered, but the audio cable can get in the way during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio privacyVSAvoidoperational convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based audio transmission with wireless communication protocols. Audio guidance is transmitted electronically through electromagnetic fields via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to the user's personal device, eliminating the physical cable that interfered with terminal operation while maintaining audio privacy through encrypted wireless channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If the handset is tethered to the terminal with a retractable cord, then audio can be provided privately, but the constant pulling of the cord creates operational difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio privacyVSAvoidoperational ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the retractable cord mechanism entirely by implementing wireless audio transmission. The audio guidance is delivered through wireless communication to the user's mobile device, completely eliminating the physical cord that caused constant pulling and operational difficulty, while maintaining audio privacy through secure wireless channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12393936B2Secure wireless audio and speech at a transaction terminal

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 NCR ATLEOS CORP

AI summary

Audio/speech-based and text-based interactions between a transaction terminal and a user conducting a transaction are provided. In an embodiment, the terminal may establish a direct wireless connection to a user-operated device or an indirection wireless connection to the user-operated device through a proxy device. In an embodiment, the wireless connection is automatically established through a different out-of-band wireless communication between the terminal and the user-operated device. In an embodiment, text-based data for the transaction are provided over a second simultaneous wireless connection that is different from the wireless connection associated with providing the audio/speech data. In an embodiment, audio/speech data provided from the user during the transaction are enhanced for security and are filtered for accuracy using audio-based processing and/or image-based processing. In an embodiment, a speech-to-text and text-to-speech interface for a transaction at the terminal is provided.