Cloud Receipt Store for In-Person Transaction Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering electronic receipts, primarily developed for web transactions, are inefficient for in-person transactions as they often rely on emailing receipts to customers, which may not be convenient and do not leverage modern technologies like cloud computing and advanced handheld devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where electronic receipts are generated and stored in a cloud-based 'receipt store' that customers can access, using devices with payment and profile information to facilitate receipt delivery through device readers at point-of-sale components, allowing for various delivery methods including direct device communication and cloud transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic receipts are emailed to customers as in web transactions, then receipts can be delivered electronically, but this method is inconvenient for in-person transactions and does not leverage modern technologies
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal receipt delivery infrastructure that works across both web and in-person transactions. The receipt store can be accessed via multiple channels (email, mobile devices, cloud access) making it adaptable to different transaction types while maintaining consistent electronic delivery benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a receipt store as an intermediary component between the point-of-sale system and the customer. This mediator receives receipts from various transaction sources and delivers them through multiple channels, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple email delivery and enabling versatile modern delivery methods
2Reliability
If a cloud-based receipt store is implemented, then receipt management is improved and modern technologies are leveraged, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receipt store is designed as a self-service cloud system that automatically receives receipts from point-of-sale systems and makes them accessible to customers without manual intervention. The system self-manages storage, retrieval, and distribution of receipts, improving reliability while keeping operational complexity manageable through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud-based receipt store serves multiple functions: storing receipts, delivering them via various channels, providing customer access, and integrating with different point-of-sale systems. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex systems into a single unified platform
3Loss of information
If detailed transaction information is collected and stored, then comprehensive receipt records are provided, but data management complexity and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates digital copies of transaction records and stores them in the cloud-based receipt store. Instead of managing physical receipts or complex paper-based systems, the patent uses digital replication of transaction data, which preserves all transaction details while simplifying management through standard digital storage and retrieval processes
Data Source
AI summary
A receipt store may be provided as a service. Electronic payment receipts generated in any type of transaction may be delivered to the receipt store. A customer may subscribe to a particular receipt store, to be used as a repository for that customer's receipts. The customer may carry a device that is used to communicate payment information (such as a credit card number) to a device reader when purchases are made. The device may also identify the customer's receipt store. A commercial establishment that accepts the customer's payment may generate an electronic receipt, and may deliver it to the receipt store specified by the customer's device. The establishment may also deliver the receipt to the customer's device, and the customer's device may send the receipt along to the receipt store.