Bi-directional Real-time Tab Control for Mobile POS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patrons face challenges in managing and controlling tabs at venues, especially when dining with large groups, as they lose real-time control over their orders, leading to confusion and potential unpaid bills, which can frustrate both customers and waiters.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional real-time tab control system that assigns a unique tab number to user-operated devices, allowing users to control their orders through interfaces on mobile devices, enabling real-time updates, notifications, and management options such as splitting bills or setting limits, directly interacting with Point of Sale (POS) systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a patron opens a tab for a large party, then the ordering process becomes simple and hassle-free, but the patron loses real-time control over the tab and the final bill becomes substantial
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time feedback by notifying the patron's mobile device whenever items are added to the tab. This allows the patron to maintain awareness of the tab contents and exercise control by approving or denying charges, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of ordering and loss of tab control information
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the patron to independently approve or deny tab charges through their mobile device without requiring waiter intervention. This restores control to the patron while maintaining the simplified ordering process for large groups
2Productivity
If the venue experiences heavy customer traffic, then the venue can serve more customers, but locating the waiter to close the bill becomes frustrating and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patrons to independently close their tabs by approving charges and initiating payment through their mobile devices without requiring waiter assistance. This eliminates the time loss associated with locating waiters during peak traffic while maintaining high customer service capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows patrons to pre-approve charge limits and payment methods in advance. When the tab reaches the approved limit, the system automatically processes payment, eliminating the need for real-time waiter intervention for bill closing during high-traffic periods
3Ease of operation
If the patron leaves the venue without paying the bill, then the patron avoids payment, but the venue or waiter is stuck with the bill
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires patrons to pre-approve charge limits and select payment methods before dining. The tab cannot be closed without explicit patron approval, ensuring payment reliability while maintaining ease of leaving by automating the payment process through pre-configured payment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the patron about tab charges and approval status. The patron receives notifications and must actively approve charges, creating a reliable audit trail that prevents unauthorized billing while allowing the patron to leave promptly after approval
Data Source
AI summary
A user-operated device is assigned a unique tab number. The unique tab number is associated with an open order of a user. An interface is provided to the user-operated device for the user to control in real time the open order.