Docking Station Charging Layout for Integrated Mobile Payment Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing merchant payment systems face challenges in housing both mobile computing devices and payment receivers within a single casing while allowing for independent charging, resulting in a complex and cumbersome setup with multiple charging cables and protocols.
Innovation Solution
A merchant payment system with a casing that securely houses a mobile computing device, a charging regulator, and a payment receiver, along with a docking station that can charge individual components or both through a single charging input, featuring recesses, apertures, and a strap for user convenience, and utilizing wireless charging options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the mobile computing device and payment receiver are housed in a single casing, then portability and integration are improved, but charging complexity increases due to multiple charging cables and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station incorporates multiple charging ports (USB-C, Lightning, Micro USB) and wireless charging capabilities in a single device, allowing it to charge different devices through various protocols simultaneously. This universal charging solution eliminates the need for multiple separate charging cables and protocols, resolving the contradiction between integration and charging complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary charging hub between the power source and multiple devices. Instead of directly connecting multiple charging cables to the mobile computing device and payment receiver, the docking station mediates the charging process, managing power distribution to each device through appropriate ports and protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple charging cables and protocols are used for the mobile computing device and payment receiver, then individual charging flexibility is maintained, but wire clutter and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station provides multiple charging ports (USB-C, Lightning, Micro USB) and wireless charging capabilities in a single device, allowing different devices to be charged through various protocols simultaneously. This universal charging solution maintains individual charging flexibility for each device while consolidating multiple cables into a single docking station, thereby reducing wire clutter.
3Ease of operation
If the mobile computing device and payment receiver require removal from the casing for recharging, then charging access is simplified, but portability and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The charging functionality is extracted from the individual devices and consolidated into a separate docking station. This allows the mobile computing device and payment receiver to remain in the protective casing for portability while still enabling charging through the docking station's multiple ports and wireless charging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary charging hub that enables charging without requiring removal of devices from the casing. The docking station mediates the charging process by providing multiple charging interfaces and wireless charging capabilities that can charge devices while they remain in their protective cases.
Data Source
AI summary
A merchant payment system designed for a high-traffic merchant. In an embodiment, the merchant payment system comprises a casing, a mobile computing device, a charging regulator, a payment receiver, and a docking station configured to charge the mobile computing device and payment receiver. The outer casing is configured to house the mobile computing device, a charging regulator, and payment receiver. Additionally, the docking station is configured to charge various mobile computing devices (e.g., a tablet or a mobile phone) housed within the casing. Moreover, the docking station is configured to supply a predetermined voltage and current to the charging regulator which in-turn supplies a first predetermined voltage and current to the payment receiver and a second predetermined voltage and current to the mobile computing device.