Transaction Terminal Self-Calibration via Mobile Code Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transaction devices, such as fuel pumps and produce scales, require frequent calibration to prevent fraud and ensure compliance with regulations, but manual verification by skilled technicians is inefficient and time-consuming, leading to extended downtime and increased liability for retailers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for device self-calibration and component resolution using a mobile device to encode and verify security information, allowing non-technical personnel to process operations and parameters on transaction terminals, ensuring traceability and auditability without the need for physical presence of skilled technicians.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual calibration verification by skilled technicians is implemented, then calibration accuracy and regulatory compliance are ensured, but device downtime increases and service efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoiddevice downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-calibration through automated code verification. The terminal device automatically verifies calibration codes, extracts parameters, and applies calibration settings without requiring physical presence of skilled technicians. This self-service mechanism maintains calibration accuracy while eliminating waiting time for technician dispatch and on-site verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual calibration verification with an automated electronic system. Instead of technicians physically present at devices to verify calibration settings, the system uses automated code verification, parameter extraction, and electronic application of calibration data, substituting human mechanical verification with automated digital processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If skilled technicians are dispatched for calibration verification, then proper authentication and documentation are ensured, but service cost and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication and documentationVSAvoidservice operational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs self-authentication and self-documentation through automated code verification. The system automatically verifies calibration codes against authorized parameters, authenticates the calibration process, and generates documentation records without requiring skilled technicians. This eliminates the operational complexity of coordinating technician dispatch while maintaining authentication integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an automated verification system as an intermediary between calibration actions and authentication requirements. Instead of requiring direct human intervention for authentication and documentation, the automated system acts as an intermediary that verifies calibration codes, validates parameters, and generates documentation records, simplifying the service operational process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If non-technical personnel are empowered to perform calibration, then service speed increases and technician availability improves, but calibration accuracy and compliance risk decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice speedVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the need for skilled technician judgment and manual verification with automated electronic verification systems. Non-technical personnel can initiate calibration through automated code verification, and the system automatically extracts parameters, validates settings, and applies calibration data. This substitution of human expertise with automated digital verification maintains calibration accuracy while enabling faster service by non-technical staff.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses standardized calibration codes and parameter templates that replicate the expertise of skilled technicians in digital form. Instead of requiring technicians to manually verify and document calibration settings, the system uses pre-defined calibration codes and parameter copies that encode proper calibration procedures, allowing non-technical personnel to accurately perform calibration by following automated guidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If frequent calibration is performed to prevent fraud, then regulatory compliance and customer trust are maintained, but device availability and operational efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoiddevice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs self-calibration through automated code verification and parameter application. When calibration is required for regulatory compliance, the system automatically verifies calibration codes, extracts necessary parameters, and applies calibration settings without requiring physical technician intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains regulatory compliance while minimizing device downtime and preserving operational availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual calibration verification processes with automated electronic verification systems. Instead of technicians physically present to verify and document calibration settings, the system uses automated code verification, parameter extraction, and electronic application of calibration data. This substitution enables frequent calibration to maintain regulatory compliance while eliminating the operational inefficiency of manual technician involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11457357B2Device self-calibration and component resolution
Publication Date: 2022.09.27 NCR VOYIX CORP
  • US11457357B2 patent drawing
  • US11457357B2 patent drawing
  • US11457357B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Events generated from a terminal are analyzed and a problem associated with a component peripheral of the terminal is identified. Operations and parameters to the operation are obtained to resolve the problem. The operations and parameters are encoded in a code along with security information. The code is provided to a mobile device. The mobile device provides the code back to the terminal. The terminal verifies the security information from the code and decodes the operations and parameters. The operations with the parameters are processed to resolve the problem on the terminal, and the security information and code are logged for auditing.