Digital Purchase Tracking via POS Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic commerce systems lack the ability to conveniently track specific transaction details, leading to manual record-keeping by purchasers and increased costs for merchants due to the need for paper receipts, which are often discarded and require resource-intensive cleanup.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tracking purchases that includes a processing unit, transaction record interface, and memory to store and provide access to detailed transaction records, allowing for wireless communication between point-of-sale systems and mobile devices, and a third-party service provider to offer services based on transaction data, including targeted advertising.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If paper receipts are provided for every transaction, then purchasers can track their spending, but merchants incur increased costs for paper, supplies, and printer maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical paper receipts with digital copies transmitted electronically to purchasers. The system captures transaction data at the POS terminal and sends it via email or text message, creating a digital replica of the traditional paper receipt that eliminates the need for physical paper, printers, and associated supplies while maintaining the same record-keeping function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical paper receipt delivery system with an electronic communication system. Instead of using physical printers, paper, and manual distribution, the system uses automated email or text message transmission to deliver transaction information, eliminating mechanical wear and resource consumption
2Loss of information
If detailed product information is provided to account providers, then purchasers can better track specific products, but the complexity of transaction processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides transaction information into two segments: basic transaction data (merchant name, amount, date) that is already captured by standard POS systems, and detailed product information (specific items purchased, prices, descriptions) that is extracted and attached separately. This segmentation allows the system to build upon existing infrastructure while adding detailed product tracking capabilities through modular enhancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that bridges the POS terminal and the account provider system. This intermediary captures detailed product information at the point of sale, formats it appropriately, and transmits it along with the basic transaction data, thereby managing the complexity through a dedicated interface layer rather than requiring complete system redesign
3Loss of information
If purchasers manually keep records of paper receipts, then they can track spending, but time is lost in manual record-keeping and organization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the transaction record system to serve itself by automatically capturing, formatting, and distributing transaction information without requiring purchaser intervention. The system autonomously collects data from the POS terminal, processes it through the appropriate channels, and delivers it to the purchaser, eliminating the manual labor of record-keeping while maintaining accurate spending tracking
Data Source
AI summary
A novel method for obtaining transaction information includes receiving a first transaction record including data indicative of one or more products purchased by a first purchaser from a first merchant, storing the data included in the first record, receiving a second transaction record including electronic data indicative of one or more products purchased by the purchaser from a second merchant, storing the data included in the second record, and providing the first purchaser access to the first transaction record and the said second transaction record. The method is performed on a handheld device which is carried by the first purchaser. A point-of-sale system is also disclosed and includes: a processing, a product interface operative to receive product data, memory operative to store a first transaction record, and a transaction record interface operative to output electronic data indicative of the first transaction record.