Mobile App QR Code Bypass for Retail Checkout Time Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional checkout process at physical retailers is time-consuming and redundant when shoppers fulfill orders on behalf of customers using online shopping concierge services, as they need to wait in line and individually scan items.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application allows shoppers to bypass the physical checkout by scanning items and encoding a QR code containing basket details, enabling the online shopping concierge service to transmit payment directly to the retailer, thus eliminating the need for in-store scanning and reducing wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If shoppers use traditional checkout process at physical retailer, then payment can be completed through standard procedures, but time is lost due to waiting in line and redundant item scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the payment processing function from the traditional physical checkout process. The mobile application captures item data and transmits it directly to the retailer's system, separating the payment authorization step from the physical item scanning and queueing process. This allows shoppers to bypass the traditional checkout line while still completing payment through the retailer's system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application performs preliminary actions by capturing item data, calculating totals, and preparing payment information before the shopper reaches the physical checkout. The system pre-processes the transaction data and transmits it to the retailer, so that when the shopper arrives at checkout, the payment is already authorized and ready to be completed, eliminating wait time.
2Reliability
If shoppers individually scan each item at physical checkout, then accurate item tracking is achieved, but redundant activity increases since items are already scanned by mobile device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile device as a copying mechanism. The mobile application captures images or data of items and creates a digital representation of the shopping basket. This copy of the item list is then transmitted to the retailer's system, which uses it to process the transaction without requiring physical scanning at checkout. The copy maintains sufficient accuracy for transaction processing while eliminating redundant scanning actions.
3Reliability
If traditional checkout process is used, then standard payment processing procedures are followed, but card processing fees increase due to multiple transaction steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary payment processing by authorizing the transaction and pre-calculating the total amount through the mobile application before the shopper reaches the physical checkout. This preliminary action consolidates multiple transaction steps into a single authorized transaction, reducing the number of separate card processing operations required and thereby reducing processing fees.
Data Source
AI summary
An online shopping concierge service allows shoppers to purchase items on behalf of customers and checkout using a mobile application, circumventing traditional point-of-sale check-out systems. A customer places an order using a mobile application or website associated with the online shopping concierge service. The online shopping concierge service charges a payment instrument of the customer in the value of the selected items. The system transmits the order to a shopper, who receives an order for fulfillment on a mobile device. The shopper collects and scans items using a mobile application. The mobile application transmits an identification of the items for purchase and their total cost to the online shopping concierge service, which transmits payment to the retailer. Alternatively, the mobile application encodes an identification of the items for purchase into an encoded image, which is scanned by a cashier, allowing the shopper to complete an accelerated check-out.