Auxiliary Scoreboard Unit for Automated Retail Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated retail systems, such as vending machines and ticketing machines, lack engagement and excitement, leading to impersonal transactions and low customer interaction, and customers are often disinclined to participate in surveys without incentives.
Innovation Solution
An auxiliary unit or interactive machine is connected to existing automated retail systems, featuring a display unit to show multiple identities and scores, which can be changed by customer interactions, including commercial activities, and includes a user interface for input and a communication module for management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated retail systems are used for transactions, then transaction efficiency is improved, but customer engagement and interaction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scoreboard display as an intermediary element between the automated retail system and the customer. This scoreboard shows scores associated with different identities (e.g., sports teams, celebrities) and allows customers to interact by making purchases to change the scores. The scoreboard mediates the transaction process by adding a gamified layer that enhances engagement while the automated system handles the actual transaction efficiency.
2Loss of information
If traditional surveys are conducted to gather customer feedback, then information collection is achieved, but customer participation is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional survey approach by changing the parameters of customer interaction. Instead of asking customers to complete surveys, the system allows them to express their preferences and feedback through purchase decisions that affect scoreboard scores. The feedback mechanism is embedded in the commercial transaction itself, making participation natural and engaging rather than obligatory.
3Device complexity
If automated systems provide impersonal service, then operational costs are reduced, but customers feel disconnected from personalized service
Solution Approach 1:
The scoreboard acts as a mediator that personalizes the automated interaction. By allowing customers to choose which identities to support and watch the scores change based on their purchases, the system creates a personalized experience where customers feel their actions matter. The automated system maintains operational simplicity while the scoreboard adds the personalized engagement layer.
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary unit can be connected to existing automated retail system such as vending machine, kiosks, or automated ticketing machines to increase interactions and sales with customers. The auxiliary unit can have a display unit to show multiple identities and their corresponding scores. The scores can be changed after a transaction between the automated retail system and the customers is complete. The display unit can be a form of a scoreboard and the identities can be either parties in competition or issues worth surveying.