Automated Appointment Payment System for No-Show Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Providers of services and goods face challenges in managing appointments and handling payments efficiently, particularly in handling changes, no-shows, and referrals, which can be burdensome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A system and process for handling appointments and payments among customers and merchants, which includes features for managing appointment changes, handling no-shows, referrals, and unbooked slots, utilizing a network of user and merchant devices for real-time processing and customer interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If merchants manually manage appointments and handle payments, then they can maintain direct control over customer interactions, but the burden and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of appointment managementVSAvoidtime for managing appointments and payments

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automated appointment management where the system automatically handles appointment creation, modifications, cancellations, and payment processing without requiring manual merchant intervention. The yoga instructor example demonstrates how the system autonomously manages the entire appointment lifecycle including handling no-shows and rescheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between merchants and customers for appointment and payment management. This intermediary system automates communication, coordination, and transaction processing, reducing the direct burden on merchants while maintaining control over customer interactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If merchants handle appointment changes and no-shows manually, then they can maintain flexibility in decision-making, but the complexity of managing multiple tasks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in appointment managementVSAvoidcomplexity of managing appointment tasks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides multi-functional capabilities that handle diverse appointment management tasks including creating appointments, modifying schedules, handling cancellations, managing no-shows, processing payments, and sending notifications through a single integrated platform. This universal system reduces the need for multiple separate tools and procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to different appointment scenarios and merchant needs by automatically adjusting its behavior based on the situation. It can handle various types of changes (time, date, participant), different payment scenarios, and diverse notification requirements through a unified dynamic framework that responds to real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If merchants track customer attendance and manage cancellations manually, then they can maintain accuracy in record-keeping, but the burden on the merchant increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of attendance trackingVSAvoidease of tracking and managing appointments

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms that track customer attendance, monitor appointment status, and notify merchants of changes in real-time. The system automatically detects no-shows, processes cancellations, and provides feedback on appointment outcomes, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with automated electronic systems that use computing devices, communication networks, and software algorithms to track attendance, manage cancellations, and maintain records. This substitution eliminates manual effort while improving accuracy through automated data capture and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12299665B2Appointment and payment handling

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 BLOCK INC

AI summary

An appointment and payment handling system may operate to handle payments for appointments based on user locations at times associated with appointments. The appointment and payment handling system may determine if a location of a customer device associated with a customer associated with an appointment matches a location associated with the appointment. If the locations match, the appointment and payment handling system may create a payment record for a payment to the merchant from the customer based on the determination that the customer location matches the location associated with the appointment.