Checkout Machine Automatic Discount Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Store clerks face a burden in manually applying discounts and processing transactions for house electronic money, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased workload when customers choose to use specific discount-target payment methods.
Innovation Solution
A checkout machine equipped with a processor, memory for discount information, and input/output devices that automatically determines if a discount is applicable based on the selected payment method and applies the discount, thereby streamlining the transaction process by integrating a discount table that specifies eligible payment methods, discount rates, and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If store clerks manually check and apply discounts for house electronic money, then discount accuracy is maintained, but clerical workload increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The checkout machine automatically determines whether to apply discounts by itself based on payment method selection, eliminating the need for clerks to manually check discount eligibility. The system serves itself by autonomously comparing selected payment methods against stored discount information and executing discount application without human intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of clerks checking discount eligibility and applying discounts with an automated electronic system. The processor automatically retrieves discount information, determines applicability, and applies discounts based on payment method selection, substituting human clerical operations with electronic information processing.
2Reliability
If multiple operations are required for discount application and settlement, then discount accuracy is ensured, but transaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate operations (discount eligibility checking, discount calculation, and settlement processing) into a single integrated automated workflow. The processor performs all these functions sequentially without requiring separate manual interventions, merging what were previously distinct clerical tasks into one continuous automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing discount information and pre-determining discount eligibility based on payment method selection. This allows the discount application to be prepared in advance during the selection phase, so that when settlement occurs, the discount is already calculated and ready to be applied, reducing actual transaction time.
3Productivity
If automated discount determination is implemented, then processing speed increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The checkout machine's processor is designed to perform multiple functions: it handles standard checkout processing, retrieves discount information, determines discount eligibility, calculates discounts, and executes settlements. By making the processor universal and capable of handling all these diverse functions, the system avoids adding specialized hardware for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces discount information as an intermediary data element that mediates between payment method selection and discount application. This intermediary layer simplifies the system architecture by providing a standardized interface for discount rules, allowing the processor to handle various discount scenarios through a unified mechanism rather than requiring complex conditional logic for each case.
Data Source
AI summary
A checkout machine installed in a store includes an input device, a memory that stores discount information indicating payment methods acceptable to the store and whether a discount is to be applied to a settlement amount when each of the payment methods is used, and a processor to acquire a settlement amount for a transaction in the store. Upon selection of one of the payment methods via the input device, the processor determines whether a discount is to be applied to the settlement amount based on the discount information. When a discount is to be applied to the settlement amount, the processor applies the discount to the settlement amount and executes settlement processing for completing the transaction using the selected payment method.