Beacon and Cloud Payment Automation for Faster POS Checkout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional point-of-sale systems require direct customer interaction with tangible forms of payment, leading to inefficiencies and long lines during busy times, particularly at fuel pumps and retail checkouts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing beacons and cloud technology in POS systems to enable communication with mobile devices for seamless payment transactions without user interaction, allowing mobile devices to transmit payment information and product data autonomously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional point-of-sale systems require direct customer interaction with tangible forms of payment, then payment authorization can be confirmed, but transaction processing time increases and customer wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having customers register their payment methods and preferences in advance through a mobile application. The beacon device retrieves pre-stored payment information and automatically processes transactions without requiring customers to physically present payment cards or interact with the POS terminal during the transaction, thus confirming payment authorization while minimizing transaction processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device to autonomously communicate with the beacon device and automatically transmit payment information. The customer simply needs to have the mobile device nearby (within beacon range), and the system automatically completes the transaction without requiring the customer to interact with the POS terminal or cashier, thereby reducing both transaction processing time and customer wait time while maintaining reliable payment authorization
2Reliability
If traditional point-of-sale systems require customer interaction and tangible payment forms, then payment security can be maintained, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical interaction of physically presenting and swiping/payment terminal insertion with wireless communication between the mobile device and beacon device. The beacon device receives payment information wirelessly from the mobile device, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining security through encrypted communication protocols and automated authentication processes, thus improving operational efficiency without compromising payment security
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon device serves as an intermediary between the mobile device and the POS system. It receives payment information from the mobile device via wireless communication, processes it, and transmits authorization requests to the POS system. This intermediary role enables secure automated transaction processing without requiring direct customer interaction with the POS terminal, thereby enhancing operational efficiency while maintaining robust payment security through multiple layers of verification
3Device complexity
If manual payment processing is used, then system complexity remains low, but customer wait time increases during busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing payment information, customer profiles, and transaction preferences in the mobile device and beacon device before the actual transaction occurs. When a customer approaches the POS area, the beacon device automatically retrieves the necessary information and initiates the transaction process without requiring manual data entry or card handling, thus reducing customer wait time during busy periods while adding only moderate system complexity through pre-synchronization of payment data
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the mobile device to automatically communicate with the beacon device and initiate payment processing without customer intervention. The beacon device autonomously retrieves payment information, processes the transaction, and updates the POS system, eliminating the need for manual payment handling and significantly reducing customer wait time during high-volume periods while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated workflows
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and method comprising: transmitting, by a point-of-sale system, a beacon identifier receivable by a mobile device; and receiving, by the point-of-sale system and without interaction by a user of the mobile device, payment information associated with the user, the payment information authorizing payment for the product. Further disclosed are systems and methods comprising: receiving, at a mobile device, a beacon identifier from a point-of-sale system, the beacon identifier associated with a product; and transmitting, by the mobile device and without interaction by a user of the mobile device, payment information associated with the user, the payment information authorizing payment for the product.