Self-Service Terminal Using Portable Device for Local Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional self-service terminals, such as ATMs, are expensive due to requirements for physical and electronic security, expensive user interfaces, and reliable telecommunications links, limiting their deployment in areas without reliable infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A self-service terminal that interfaces with a user's portable electronic device to receive transaction authorizations, eliminating the need for on-terminal authorization requests and telecommunications links, using a communication port and authorization approval facility to validate transactions locally, thereby reducing costs and expanding deployment possibilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ATMs use dedicated networks or modems for communication, then reliable transaction authorization is achieved, but device cost and operational cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authorization request function from the terminal and relocates it to the user's portable device. The terminal only needs to receive authorization results and execute transactions, eliminating the need for complex telecommunications infrastructure while maintaining authorization reliability through the portable device's communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device serves as an intermediary between the authorization center and the terminal. It receives authorization requests from the terminal, communicates with the authorization center, and returns authorization results, thereby eliminating the need for direct complex communication infrastructure at the terminal.
2Ease of operation
If ATMs include large displays, loudspeakers, and encrypting PIN keypads, then user interface functionality is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interface functions (display, input, audio) from the terminal and relocates them to the user's portable electronic device. The terminal is reduced to basic functions of receiving authorization results and executing transactions, dramatically reducing its complexity and cost while maintaining full user interface functionality through the portable device's screen, keyboard, and speaker.
3Reliability
If ATMs require secure storage for currency and cryptographic devices, then security is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cryptographic authorization functions from the terminal and relocates them to the user's portable electronic device. The terminal only needs to securely store and dispense cash, while all cryptographic operations for transaction authorization are performed by the portable device, reducing the terminal's security infrastructure requirements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If ATMs are deployed in areas without reliable telecommunication infrastructure, then deployment flexibility is improved, but transaction authorization reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device acts as an intermediary that bridges the terminal and the authorization center. Since the portable device has built-in communication capabilities, it can establish connections where the terminal cannot, enabling deployment in locations without reliable fixed telecommunication infrastructure while maintaining authorization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-service terminal, such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The ATM has a communication port for interfacing with a user's portable electronic device. The ATM is operable to receive a transaction authorization from the user's portable electronic device, to examine the transaction authorization, and to dispense an item to fulfil a requested transaction associated with the transaction authorization, without the terminal preparing an authorization request to a remote computer.