Imaging Barcode Scanner for Damaged Payment Cards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic stripe cards that are damaged become unreadable, leading to a time-consuming process of manually entering card data at self-checkout stations, which ties up attendants and prolongs transactions.
Innovation Solution
An imaging barcode scanner is activated to scan payment media, using cameras and image processing software to capture and decode payment information from cards, such as credit, debit, and gift cards, allowing for efficient data retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnetic stripe card reader is used to read payment cards, then payment information can be obtained automatically, but the system fails when magnetic stripes are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging barcode scanner is designed to perform multiple functions: it can read intact magnetic stripe cards using traditional card reader functionality, and alternatively capture images of damaged cards to extract payment information through OCR technology. This multi-functionality ensures the system adapts to different card conditions without failure.
Solution Approach 2:
When a magnetic stripe card is damaged and cannot be read traditionally, the system introduces an intermediary solution: the imaging barcode scanner captures an image of the damaged card, and OCR software acts as a mediator to extract payment information from the image, bridging the gap between damaged physical media and digital information retrieval.
2Reliability
If manual keyboard entry is used for damaged cards, then payment information can still be entered, but transaction time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical process of manual keyboard entry with an automated optical recognition system. The imaging barcode scanner captures the card image, and OCR software automatically extracts payment information, eliminating the need for customers to manually type card numbers and reducing transaction time from potentially several minutes to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The OCR-based system enables customers to independently scan and enter payment information from damaged cards without requiring attendant assistance. The customer simply places the damaged card on the scanner, and the system automatically processes the information, making the service self-sufficient and eliminating the need for human intervention in data entry.
3Productivity
If self-checkout stations are used, then customer service efficiency improves, but damaged cards require attendant intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging barcode scanner with OCR capability serves as an intermediary device at self-checkout stations that handles damaged cards automatically. When a customer attempts to use a damaged card, the system seamlessly transitions from traditional magnetic stripe reading to image-based OCR recognition, maintaining the self-service experience without requiring attendant intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing the card image and attempting OCR recognition before determining that attendant assistance is needed. This preliminary automated attempt reduces the frequency of attendant interventions and maintains self-checkout efficiency for most damaged card scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of obtaining payment information using an imaging barcode scanner. An example method includes activating, by a processor, an imaging barcode scanner to scan a payment medium, such as a payment card, to obtain payment information from the payment medium. The processor may activate the imaging barcode scanner after failing to receive the payment information from a default payment peripheral, such as a card reader.