Equivalency Machine for Online Order In-Store Checkout Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current online ordering and in-store pickup process is inefficient due to unnecessary credit card fees and human error, leading to incorrect items being selected or substituted, which increases costs and reduces transparency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a unique identifier linked to online orders to compare items scanned at the in-store checkout with the original order, employing an Equivalency Machine to determine if the items meet acceptable criteria, thereby bypassing or altering the in-store payment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the order is entered twice (online and in-store), then the checkout process is completed, but credit card fees are unnecessarily increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the online ordering system with the in-store point of sale system by linking them through a unique identifier. This integration allows the system to recognize that items have already been paid for online, eliminating the need for duplicate payment processing and reducing credit card fees while maintaining checkout completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary equivalency machine that acts as a mediator between the online ordering system and the in-store POS system. This machine compares items using equivalence rules to verify they match, enabling the system to bypass duplicate payment processing while ensuring order accuracy.
2Productivity
If the Picker manually selects items from shelves, then the order is fulfilled, but human error results in incorrect items or unacceptable substitutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the equivalency machine continuously monitors and compares items selected from shelves against the original online order. The system provides real-time verification by checking equivalence rules (brand, size, price, etc.) and alerts pickers of discrepancies, ensuring high item selection accuracy while maintaining efficient order fulfillment.
3Productivity
If the Picker substitutes unavailable items, then the order can be completed, but transparency is reduced and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The equivalency machine serves as an transparent intermediary that records and communicates all item substitutions. When items are substituted, the system logs the changes and notifies relevant parties, maintaining full transparency about what was ordered versus what was delivered while still enabling order completion.
4Reliability
If traditional in-store checkout is used for online orders, then payment is processed, but the process is inefficient and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by processing payment online before the in-store pickup. The system verifies payment completion through the unique identifier link, allowing the in-store checkout to bypass payment processing entirely and focus only on item verification, thereby dramatically improving checkout efficiency while maintaining reliable payment processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system for comparing orders placed online with items scanned or entered into the merchants point of sale system in-store, the system comprising of (a) one or more point of sale agents linkable to one or more point of sale systems; (b) an order manager linked directly or through an API to the one or more point of sale agents; (c) a database to store order information for orders that were placed online; (d) a unique identifier that links the order that was placed online with the Picker and with items that have been entered into the POS system; (e) a rules engine that compares orders placed online with the items that have been scanned and/or entered into the point of sale system; and (f) a reporting system that distributes order details to the necessary parties after the in-store transaction is completed.