Articulating Point-of-Sale Display to Reduce Dual-Interface Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Point-of-sale (POS) systems require multiple interfaces for merchant-customer interaction, leading to complex architectures and ergonomically challenging transaction processes due to separate displays for merchants and customers.

Innovation Solution

An articulating POS display assembly with a base and pivotally attached arms allows a single display to rotate from a merchant-facing position to a customer-facing position, enabling ergonomic positioning and simpler transaction processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate displays are used for merchant and customer interfaces, then transaction functionality is complete, but device complexity and ergonomic coordination become challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction functionalityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the merchant and customer display interfaces into a single articulating display device. The display can be positioned to face either the merchant or the customer, eliminating the need for two separate displays while maintaining complete transaction functionality. This consolidation reduces system complexity while preserving adaptability to different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single display device is designed to serve multiple functions by articulating between different positions. It can function as a merchant-facing display for transaction initiation and modification, and as a customer-facing display for presenting transaction information, thereby achieving multi-functionality with a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate displays are used for merchant and customer interfaces, then transaction functionality is complete, but ease of operation and coordination become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction functionalityVSAvoidergonomic coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display is designed with dynamic articulation capabilities, allowing it to move between fixed positions (merchant-facing and customer-facing) and intermediate positions. This dynamic positioning enables ergonomic coordination for different users without requiring multiple static displays, making the system easier to operate and adapt to different transaction scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single display is used for both merchant and customer interfaces, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different user positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem architectureVSAvoidinterface positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating mechanism provides dynamic positioning capabilities with multiple fixed positions (including merchant-facing, customer-facing, and intermediate positions). This allows the single display to adapt to different user positions and transaction scenarios while maintaining simpler system architecture compared to multiple separate displays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating arm is divided into multiple segments with individual joints that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the display to achieve multiple fixed positions and intermediate positions, providing adaptability to different user positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If articulating mechanism with multiple positions is implemented, then ease of operation and ergonomics are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic positioningVSAvoidarticulating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating mechanism provides dynamic positioning with multiple fixed positions and intermediate positions, enhancing ergonomic operation. The mechanism includes joints that can be independently positioned, allowing the display to be easily adjusted to different angles and orientations for both merchant and customer use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating arm is segmented into multiple sections with individual joints, each capable of independent positioning. This segmentation allows for enhanced ergonomic flexibility while keeping each individual joint relatively simple in design, balancing ease of operation with manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9717351B2Systems and methods for providing articulating point-of-sale apparatuses or devices

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 FIRST DATA CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure can include systems and methods for providing articulating point-of-sale (POS) apparatuses or devices, such as displays. In one embodiment, an articulating point-of-sale (POS) display assembly may include a base and a movable arm attached to the base. The movable arm may be configured to move from a first position to a second position with respect to the base. The assembly may further include a pivotable display device attached to the movable arm. The pivotable display device may be configured to pivot from a third position to a fourth position with respect to the movable arm. The assembly may also include an arm joint attaching the movable arm to the base, and a pivot joint attaching the pivotable display device to the movable arm.