Indirect Token Transaction Handoff for POS Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic point-of-sale systems in retail establishments often create bottlenecks during payment processing, requiring guests to handle devices that may be unclean and inconvenient, and lack private options for tipping and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables transaction handoff from a point-of-sale terminal to a guest's smart device using indirect or ephemeral payment authorization tokens, allowing for secure, private, and clean payment processing without the need for guests to handle the terminal, and enabling concurrent display of transaction details on both devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electronic point-of-sale terminals are used for payment processing, then transaction accuracy and automated payment processing are improved, but service bottleneck and transaction processing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a token as an intermediary that decouples the payment authorization from the terminal handling. The token contains encrypted payment information and can be processed independently, allowing the terminal to initiate payment without waiting for guest interaction, thus resolving the bottleneck while maintaining accuracy through cryptographic verification
2Extent of automation
If staff members present electronic devices to guests for payment completion, then automated payment processing is improved, but service atmosphere and guest comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service payment completion where guests receive a token that they can process independently without staff hovering. The terminal initiates the payment and the guest completes it autonomously using the token, eliminating the need for staff to present devices and wait, thus improving both automation and service atmosphere
3Productivity
If electronic point-of-sale terminals are handled by multiple guests, then payment processing functionality is improved, but cleanliness and hygiene deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the payment authorization data from the physical terminal and embeds it in a portable token. The terminal only needs to initiate the payment and verify the token, while the actual payment completion can occur independently, reducing the need for frequent terminal handling and improving hygiene
4Productivity
If guests are required to enter tip amounts and feedback on electronic devices, then payment processing is improved, but private feedback and guest privacy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The token serves as an intermediary that enables private feedback collection. Guests can enter tips and feedback through the token interface without staff observation, and the information is transmitted securely through the payment processing system, maintaining both functionality and privacy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transaction handoff includes: registering a payment instrument with a server, associating the payment instrument with indirect tokens, and storing a payment token that associates the indirect tokens with the payment instrument and a device identifier in a database record; via a device, receiving an indirect token from the server; via a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, entering the indirect token, and transmitting indirect token via the internet cloud to the server; via the server, using the payment token to access the device identifier and transmitting a push notification; upon acceptance of the push notification, executing an application on the device and simultaneously displaying transaction details on both the device and POS terminal; receiving completion data that is entered via the device and transmitting the completion data to the server; and completing the transaction at the server and notifying the POS terminal and the device that the transaction is complete.