Customer-Device Split Transaction Configuration for POS Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point-of-sale (POS) terminals require manual offline calculation and separate transaction processing for split transactions, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, and do not allow customers to configure split transactions on their own devices, posing hygiene risks and network connectivity challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables split transactions by using a machine-readable code to direct a customer's device to an interface for configuring transaction parts, with parameters sent to the POS terminal for processing, allowing iterative prompts and token inputs, and ensuring transaction completion despite processing failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual offline calculation and separate transaction processing are used for split transactions, then transaction processing can be performed with basic terminal functionality, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the customer device calculate and determine the split transaction configuration before the actual transaction processing at the POS terminal. The customer device computes the split amounts, selects payment methods, and prepares the transaction configuration in advance, so that when the transaction reaches the POS terminal, all calculations are already complete and only execution is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The customer device acts as an intermediary between the customer and the POS terminal for split transaction configuration. Instead of the POS terminal performing manual calculations or the customer writing down amounts, the customer device receives the total transaction amount, automatically calculates the split portions, and transmits the configured split transaction data to the POS terminal for processing.
2Ease of operation
If customers configure split transactions on the terminal device, then transaction configuration is centralized, but hygiene risks and network connectivity challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing customers to configure their own split transactions on their personal devices rather than requiring interaction with the POS terminal. The customer device autonomously performs the configuration, calculation, and preparation of split transaction parameters, then communicates this configuration to the POS terminal, eliminating the need for customers to physically interact with merchant terminals.
3Adaptability or versatility
If split transactions are processed separately, then each transaction part can be handled independently, but the overall process becomes more complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the split transaction configuration into distinct, independent components: the total transaction amount, individual split portions for each payee, selected payment methods for each portion, and associated metadata. Each segment is independently configured, validated, and transmitted, allowing the POS terminal to process each segment separately while maintaining overall transaction integrity through systematic reassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include: causing a point-of-sale terminal processing a transaction to display a machine-readable code, the machine-readable code encoding a web address; receiving a request from a device that scanned the machine-readable code, the request received at the web address; in response to receiving the request, causing the device that scanned the machine-readable code to output an interface; receiving, through the interface, an input of an indication to separate the transaction into multiple transaction parts and one or more parameters indicating how the transaction is to be separated; and sending, to the point-of-sale terminal, a message that configures the point-of-sale terminal to separate the transaction in accordance with the one or more parameters. The parameters may include an image captured at the device that scanned the machine-readable code. The server may determine a number of transaction parts from the image using image recognition having facial recognition.