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

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing point-of-sale (POS) systems require multiple displays for merchant and customer interaction, leading to complex architectures and ergonomically challenging transaction processes.

Innovation Solution

An articulating POS display assembly that allows a single display to be ergonomically rotated and positioned for both merchant and customer use, featuring various pivot mechanisms and adjustable arms to facilitate seamless transaction completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple displays are used for merchant and customer interaction, then information presentation capability is improved, but device complexity and ergonomic coordination deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation presentation capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single display device is designed to serve multiple functions by being articulating and repositionable. The display can be positioned to face the merchant for transaction initiation and then rotated to face the customer for information presentation and approval, eliminating the need for separate displays for each user role.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The display device incorporates dynamic positioning capabilities through articulating arms with multiple degrees of freedom. The display can be dynamically repositioned between different orientations and angles during the transaction process, allowing one static physical device to fulfill the role of multiple displays at different positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple displays are used for merchant and customer interaction, then information presentation capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation presentation capabilityVSAvoidergonomic coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating mechanism allows the display to be dynamically adjusted to ergonomic positions for both the merchant and customer. The display can be easily rotated and positioned at appropriate angles and heights for each user during the transaction flow, maintaining ergonomic comfort without requiring multiple fixed displays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single display is used for both merchant and customer, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability for different users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem architecture complexityVSAvoiduser-specific positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display device incorporates multiple articulating joints that provide dynamic positioning capabilities. The display can be rotated around vertical and horizontal axes, adjusted to different angles, and positioned at various heights, allowing a single display to adapt to the viewing requirements of both merchants and customers during transactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The single display is designed with universal positioning capabilities that allow it to serve multiple user roles. Through its articulating mechanism, the display can be configured for merchant-facing transactions and then repositioned for customer-facing information presentation, making one device universally applicable to both users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3786509B1Systems and methods for providing articulating point-of-sale apparatuses or devices
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 FIRST DATA CORP
  • EP3786509B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3786509B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3786509B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A point of sale device is disclosed, comprising a base, a rotatable display and an arm joint. The arm joint comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the base offset from, or near, a center of the base, and wherein the second portion is coupled to the rotatable display at or near a center of the rotatable display. The second portion is configured to rotate from a first position to a second position with respect to the first portion, such that the rotatable display is configured to rotate about the arm joint from a first orientation mode in the first position to a second orientation mode in the second position. A pivot joint is coupled to the rotatable display and configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the base, such that the rotatable display is configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the base. The second orientation mode is the first orientation mode, and content presented at the rotatable display in the second orientation mode is a rotated image of content presented at the rotatable display in the first orientation mode. Furthermore, an articulating point of sale display assembly is disclosed. (Fig 1)