Consumer Interaction Module for Legacy POS Mobile Ticketing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-sale (POS) devices lack advanced communication features, requiring merchants to purchase new devices at significant expense to support interactions with user devices for processes like payment processing and ticketing, and existing mobile ticketing solutions are closed, proprietary, and require significant upgrades, limiting interoperability and usability.
Innovation Solution
A consumer interaction module that can be inserted into existing POS terminals, providing wireless communication capabilities and enabling interactions with user devices and servers, allowing for payment processing, loyalty programs, and multi-modal transit rides through a standalone device with a secure access module or SIM card slot, utilizing proximity validation and cloud-based ticket storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new POS device with advanced communication features is purchased, then communication capabilities are improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The consumer interaction module is designed to be inserted into existing POS terminals to provide wireless communication capabilities (NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) that enable mobile ticketing and contactless payments. This allows legacy POS devices to gain advanced features without replacement, making the solution universally applicable across different terminal types.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumer interaction module acts as an intermediary component between the existing POS terminal and user devices. It bridges the communication gap by providing wireless interfaces that the terminal lacks, enabling interactions with smartphones and other mobile devices without requiring the terminal itself to have these capabilities built-in.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing POS devices are upgraded with communication features, then interoperability with user devices is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the communication functionality into a separate, modular consumer interaction module that can be independently inserted into the POS terminal. This segmentation isolates the complex wireless communication features from the terminal's core system, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining interoperability capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumer interaction module contains its own controller and communication interfaces, making it a self-contained unit that handles wireless communications independently. This self-service capability reduces the burden on the POS terminal system, as the module manages its own operations without requiring complex integration with the terminal's existing systems.
3Reliability
If a proprietary mobile ticketing system is implemented, then ticketing control is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system supports multiple ticketing methods including proximity-based ticketing, barcode scanning, and mobile device interactions through a single consumer interaction module. This multi-functionality maintains reliable ticketing control while providing users with flexible, easy-to-use options across different device types and scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumer interaction module serves as an intermediary that translates between different ticketing formats and protocols. It mediates between the POS terminal's ticketing system and various user devices, enabling seamless operation whether users employ proximity validation, barcodes, or mobile applications, thereby improving ease of operation without compromising control.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile ticketing module includes: a terminal interface able to interact with a ticketing terminal; and a communication module comprising at least one antenna able to interact with a user device. A payment processing system includes: a ticketing terminal; a consumer interaction module communicatively coupled to the ticketing terminal; and a server communicatively coupled to the consumer interaction module. An automated method of processing payment requests, the method includes: receiving, at a consumer interaction module, a payment request from a ticketing terminal; sending the payment request to an authorization server; receiving a response from the authorization server; sending the response to the ticketing terminal; and receiving, at the consumer interaction module, a ticket. The consumer interaction module may be able to interact with various mobile device applications. The module may facilitate payment processing, administration of loyalty programs, advertising, and micro positioning.