Self-Service Terminal Feature Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Self-service terminals, such as kiosks, face challenges in optimizing their operations and feature usage to maximize efficiency and customer service, particularly in high-demand situations like busy travel times, where existing methods lack the ability to dynamically adjust available features based on real-time usage statistics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving monitoring the operation of self-service terminals, determining feature usage patterns, analyzing this data to identify optimal features, and enabling or disabling them in real-time to optimize terminal functionality, using software that can manage and adjust the availability of features based on historical and anticipated usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all features are continuously enabled in the self-service terminal application, then service coverage and versatility are improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic feature enablement/disabling based on real-time usage statistics. The system continuously monitors feature usage patterns and automatically adjusts which features are active in the self-service terminal application, transitioning from a static all-features-enabled approach to a dynamic adaptation mechanism that optimizes system performance while maintaining service coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of the terminal by adjusting feature availability states based on analyzed usage data. By modifying which features are enabled or disabled according to usage statistics, the system optimizes the balance between service coverage and system complexity without requiring manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If usage monitoring and analysis systems are implemented, then operational optimization is improved, but computational resources and processing time are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidcomputational resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial monitoring by focusing only on the most frequently used features and key usage patterns rather than analyzing every single interaction. This selective approach to data collection and analysis reduces computational overhead while still providing sufficient information to optimize terminal operations effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where usage statistics are collected, analyzed, and used to adjust feature availability, which in turn affects future usage patterns. This closed-loop control mechanism allows the system to self-optimize based on actual performance data, improving operational efficiency while using computational resources only when needed for analysis and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If features are dynamically enabled and disabled based on usage statistics, then resource utilization is improved, but system response time and adaptability delay increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidsystem response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of usage statistics to predict future feature usage patterns and proactively adjusts feature availability before peak demand occurs. By anticipating usage trends and pre-configuring the optimal feature set, the system reduces the need for frequent real-time adjustments, thereby minimizing response time delays while maintaining efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If comprehensive usage data is collected and analyzed, then feature optimization accuracy is improved, but data storage requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeature optimization accuracyVSAvoiddata storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and focuses on the most relevant usage statistics and key performance indicators rather than storing and analyzing all possible data points. By identifying and isolating the critical features and metrics that drive optimization decisions, the system achieves high optimization accuracy while minimizing data storage requirements and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8788302B1Method of controlling a self-service terminal

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A method of controlling a self-service terminal which makes optimal use of features offered by the self-service terminal. The method includes the steps of monitoring operation of a self-service terminal application, determining features of the self-service terminal application used by operators, storing usage information about the features, identifying triggering information, analyzing the usage information and the triggering information to determine optimal features to enable in the self-service terminal application, and enabling the optimal features.