Touchless ATM Authentication Using Mobile NFC Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional ATM transactions require physical contact, which raises health concerns and vulnerability to intrusion and spying, and existing solutions do not adequately address these issues.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for conducting touchless ATM transactions using a mobile device with a provider institution mobile application, enabling secure, contactless communication through short-range wireless protocols like NFC, allowing pre-staging of transactions and reducing the need for physical interaction with the ATM.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If physical contact with ATM is required for transactions, then transaction reliability is maintained through direct interaction, but health risks and intrusion vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction reliabilityVSAvoidhealth risks and intrusion vulnerabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the user and the ATM. The mobile device communicates with the ATM via short-range wireless communication (NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) to transmit authentication credentials and transaction information, eliminating the need for physical contact with the ATM while maintaining transaction reliability through secure credential verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/physical interaction with the ATM (inserting cards, typing PINs on the ATM keyboard) with wireless electronic communication. The mobile device uses NFC, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi to transmit data to the ATM, substituting physical contact with electromagnetic field-based communication that eliminates health risks and spying vulnerabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If physical contact with ATM is required, then authentication can be performed directly at the device, but time spent at the ATM increases and security risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication convenienceVSAvoidtime spent at ATM

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements pre-staging of transactions where users can initiate, configure, and authenticate transactions remotely through the mobile application before arriving at the ATM. The mobile device prepares all necessary credentials and transaction parameters in advance, so that upon arrival, the transaction can be completed rapidly through simple wireless communication without requiring extended time at the ATM

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If traditional ATM interaction is used, then direct control over transaction process is maintained, but vulnerability to spying and intrusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidspying and intrusion vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as a secure intermediary that stores authentication credentials (device credentials, account credentials) and transaction information in encrypted form. The mobile application manages the transaction process remotely, transmitting only necessary authenticated data to the ATM via secure wireless protocols, thereby maintaining processing efficiency while eliminating vulnerabilities to physical spying and intrusion at the ATM

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the ATM interface and functionality within the mobile application. The mobile device replicates authentication and transaction control capabilities, allowing users to interact with their accounts and initiate transactions through the mobile app rather than requiring physical presence at the ATM, thus reducing exposure to spying and intrusion risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12579535B2Contactless ATM transactions

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 WELLS FARGO BANK NA

AI summary

A method includes transmitting, by a user device, a request to a user-interactive device via a first short-range wireless communication and automatically launching a mobile application on the user device based on the request. The method further includes transmitting, by the user device, first information to the user-interactive device via a second short-range wireless communication according to the request and receiving, by the user device, a second request from the user-interactive device via the second short-range wireless communication. The method further includes transmitting, by the user device, second information to the user-interactive device via a third short-range wireless communication.