Electronic Receipt Dispensing System Post-Transaction Flexibility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic receipt systems lack flexibility in dispensing electronic receipts, as they can only be generated at the time of printing data creation, limiting the ability to dispense electronic receipts after the receipt process is completed without a prior request.

Innovation Solution

An electronic receipt dispensing system that includes a transaction system server, a database, and a point-of-sale terminal, allowing for the generation and transmission of electronic receipt data separately from paper receipt data, enabling electronic receipt dispensing at any time post-transaction completion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If electronic receipt generation is tied to printing data creation time, then system complexity is reduced, but dispensing flexibility and versatility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiddispensing flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the receipt dispensing process into two independent parts: paper receipt generation and electronic receipt generation. The electronic receipt generation is separated from the printing data creation process, allowing it to be triggered independently at different times. This segmentation enables the system to maintain simplicity while gaining flexibility, as each component can operate autonomously based on its own timing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by storing transaction data in advance in a database during the printing data creation process. This pre-stored data can then be used to generate electronic receipts at any later time without requiring the original printing process to be repeated. The preliminary storage of transaction information enables flexible electronic receipt dispensing while keeping the system structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If electronic receipt generation occurs only at printing data creation time, then processing time is reduced, but service versatility and user convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidservice versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a copy of the transaction data from the printing data and stores it in a database. This copied data can then be used to generate electronic receipts at any time without requiring the original printing process to be repeated. The copying mechanism enables fast electronic receipt generation while maintaining service versatility, as the same transaction data can be reused multiple times for different purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

Transaction data is preliminarily stored in the database during the initial printing data creation process. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly generate electronic receipts later without repeating the entire data collection and processing steps. The pre-stored data enables both rapid processing and flexible service delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If electronic receipt and paper receipt generation are combined in one process, then device complexity is minimized, but operational flexibility and independence deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the receipt generation system into separate modules: a paper receipt generation module that handles printing data creation, and an electronic receipt generation module that independently processes stored transaction data. This segmentation allows each module to operate independently with its own timing and triggers, improving operational flexibility while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transaction data storage function serves multiple purposes: it supports both paper receipt generation and electronic receipt generation. By making the database storage universal, the system allows a single data storage mechanism to serve multiple functions, reducing overall complexity while enabling flexible operational choices for different receipt types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4443363A1Electronic receipt dispensing system and method
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4443363A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4443363A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4443363A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electronic receipt dispensing system includes a transaction system server, a database, and a point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The transaction system server stores registered commodity information in the database for a sales transaction at the POS terminal. The transaction system server generates, after a request for a printed receipt, printing data for a transaction receipt for a completed sales transaction based on stored information in the database, then transmits the generated printing data to the POS terminal. After a request for an electronic receipt, the transaction system server generates electronic receipt cooperation data for a transaction receipt for the completed sales transaction based on the stored information in the database, then transmits the electronic receipt cooperation data to an electronic receipt system server.