Self-Service Terminal Multi-Transaction Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional self-service terminals (SSTs) execute financial transactions sequentially, even when multiple transactions of the same type are requested by a user, which limits their ability to provide complex services and is inefficient for sophisticated users.

Innovation Solution

The SST includes a processing module that allows users to conduct multiple financial transactions by storing transaction data in a transaction cache and queue, enabling simultaneous execution of transactions after the selection and data-entry stages, and displaying the effects on financial accounts before fulfillment, with the option to amend transactions before authorization and fulfillment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional SST executes transactions sequentially, then each transaction is completed atomically and independently, but the time required to complete multiple transactions increases and user interaction is repeated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction atomicityVSAvoidtotal transaction completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and validating all transaction data in advance during the selection and data-entry stages, storing them in a transaction cache. This allows multiple transactions to be prepared simultaneously before execution, reducing the total time required while maintaining atomicity through batch processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The transaction processing is segmented into distinct phases: data collection phase where multiple transactions are gathered and validated, and execution phase where they are processed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain atomicity boundaries while improving overall throughput by processing multiple transactions in batches rather than one-at-a-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional SST processes each transaction independently, then the system architecture is simple and easy to implement, but the device complexity increases when attempting to support complex multi-transaction services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation simplicityVSAvoidcomplex service support capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The processing module is designed with universal functionality to handle both simple sequential transactions and complex multi-transaction batches through a unified interface. The same module can process single transactions or multiple transactions simultaneously, providing adaptability for complex services while maintaining implementation simplicity through consistent processing logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

A transaction cache and queue mechanism acts as an intermediary between user input and transaction execution. This intermediary layer manages the complexity of multi-transaction processing by buffering and organizing transaction data, allowing the core processing logic to remain simple while supporting versatile transaction patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If traditional SST completes one transaction before gathering data for the next, then user interface interactions are clear and sequential, but the quantity of user interactions and data entry steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface clarityVSAvoidnumber of user interactions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple transaction data-entry operations are merged into a single continuous data collection phase. Users can specify multiple transactions sequentially at the interface, and the system combines all data entry interactions into one unified session, reducing the total number of separate interaction cycles while maintaining clear interface guidance through structured prompts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8196812B2Conducting multiple financial transactions on a self-service terminal

Publication Date: 2012.06.12 NCR ATLEOS CORP

AI summary

A self-service terminal (SST) for use in conducting multiple financial transactions between a user of the SST and a financial institution includes one or more user-interface devices and a processing module. The user interface devices are configured to receive information from and provide information to the user. The processing module is configured to: (1) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a first one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the first one of the transactions; (2) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a second one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the second one of the transactions; and (3) thereafter initiate execution of the first one of the transactions and the second one of the transactions over a financial-transaction network.