Checkout Apparatus Preventing Coin Reverse Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-service POS systems and semi-self-service POS systems face issues with customers avoiding bank fees by depositing large volumes of coins for purchases, leading to improper use and potential financial losses for stores.
Innovation Solution
A checkout apparatus with a coin change machine and a bill change machine that calculates and dispenses change based on the amount of coins and bills deposited, determining if the coin amount is equal to or more than the minimum bill amount and if the change amount is sufficient, to prevent reverse exchange by dispensing coins or bills accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the change machine dispenses change based on the deposited amount without checking the coin amount, then the customer can receive change efficiently, but the store may incur bank fees due to reverse exchange transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary checking of the coin amount deposited before processing the change dispensing operation. The determination unit checks whether the coin amount is equal to or more than the minimum bill amount in advance, and only then allows the change machine to dispense change. This preliminary action prevents reverse exchange transactions that would incur bank fees while maintaining efficient change dispensing for legitimate transactions.
2Ease of operation
If the system allows reverse exchange transactions, then customers can avoid bank fees by depositing large volumes of coins, but the POS system is used improperly and causes financial losses for the store
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the customer about the coin amount deposited and whether it meets the minimum bill amount requirement. The determination unit gives feedback by allowing or disallowing the change dispensing operation based on the coin amount check. This feedback mechanism guides customers to use the POS system properly for legitimate transactions while preventing improper reverse exchange transactions that would cause financial losses.
3Quantity of substance
If the change machine dispenses all deposited coins as change, then the customer receives maximum change, but the store loses control over the coin volume in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of coin amount verification before allowing change dispensing. The determination unit sets a threshold parameter (minimum bill amount) that must be met by the deposited coin amount. This parameter change allows the system to control the coin volume by only allowing dispensing when the deposited coins meet the minimum threshold, preventing unlimited coin accumulation while maintaining customer convenience for legitimate transactions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a checkout apparatus includes a coin change machine configured to dispense stored coins as change, a bill change machine configured to dispense stored bills as change, a change calculation unit configured to calculate a change amount, a first determination unit configured to determine whether the amount of coins is equal to or more than an amount of a minimum amount bill, a second determination unit configured to determine whether the calculated change amount is equal to or more than the amount of the minimum amount bill, and a change unit configured to output, to the coin change machine, a coin dispensing signal for dispensing, with coins, an amount not exceeding an amount of deposited coins and equal to or more than the amount of the minimum amount bill in the change amount.