Check-out System Payment Apparatus Selection Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In semi-self-service check-out systems, salespersons face burden in selecting and designating a payment apparatus for transferring payment information, leading to confusion for shoppers and increased operational complexity.

Innovation Solution

A check-out system with a merchandise registration apparatus and multiple payment apparatuses, where the registration apparatus generates payment information and transmits it to a selected payment apparatus based on a user code, allowing shoppers to perform payments directly through an unoccupied payment apparatus, reducing the salesperson's burden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single payment apparatus is used to transfer payment information, then the system is simple to operate, but it causes confusion for shoppers when multiple transactions are pending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment process simplicityVSAvoidtransaction information clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the payment processing function across multiple independent payment apparatuses (12-1, 12-2, etc.), each capable of handling separate transactions. This segmentation allows different transactions to be processed simultaneously on different devices, preventing information confusion while maintaining operational simplicity for each individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The merchandise registration apparatus (11) acts as an intermediary that manages the selection and coordination of payment apparatuses. It automatically selects an appropriate unoccupied payment apparatus and transfers payment information, serving as a mediator between the shopper's transaction needs and the available payment devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If multiple payment apparatuses are provided, then transaction information clarity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction information clarityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple payment apparatuses are designed with identical, standardized functions and interfaces. Each device can independently perform the same payment processing tasks, making them universally interchangeable. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to handle multiple transactions simultaneously without requiring complex specialized configurations for each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The merchandise registration apparatus serves as a central coordinator that manages the complexity of multiple payment devices. It automatically selects appropriate payment apparatuses and handles information routing, shielding users from the underlying system complexity while enabling the benefits of multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the salesperson manually selects a payment apparatus, then payment information is accurately transferred, but the operational burden on the salesperson increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment information transfer accuracyVSAvoidsalesperson operational burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the merchandise registration apparatus automatically performs the function of selecting an appropriate payment apparatus. The device monitors the operational status of multiple payment devices and autonomously selects an unoccupied one for information transfer, eliminating the need for manual intervention while ensuring accurate transfer to the correct device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the merchandise registration apparatus continuously monitors the status of payment apparatuses and automatically adjusts its selection based on real-time availability information. This feedback loop ensures reliable information transfer to an appropriate device without requiring manual selection, reducing the salesperson's burden while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10685339B2Check-out system, including merchandise registration apparatus and payment apparatus, and electronic receipt management server

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

A check-out system includes a registration apparatus and a plurality of payment apparatuses. The registration apparatus receives input of merchandise information and receives input of a user code in connection. The registration apparatus generates payment identification based on the input merchandise information. The registration apparatus transmits the payment information. If the user code is input in the registration apparatus, the payment information is transmitted in correspondence with the user code. One of the payment apparatuses receives input of the user code. In response to the user code being input, the payment apparatus transmits a request for the payment information that was transmitted in correspondence with the user code. The payment apparatus receives the payment information that was transmitted in correspondence with the user code. The payment apparatus processes payment with respect to the received payment information.