Mobile Device Presence Detection for Contactless Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for customers to order and purchase goods in-store or drive-thru settings are cumbersome and expensive, requiring human interaction and manual processing, which can be inconvenient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a detection server to identify mobile devices in designated areas, initiating a menu selection application for ordering, and a merchant server to receive and process purchase orders, allowing for contactless payment through NFC-enabled devices, thereby bypassing the need for human cashiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a customer places an order at a point of sale counter with a sales employee, then the order can be processed with human assistance, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to place orders autonomously through mobile devices without requiring salesperson assistance. The automated order placement system allows customers to independently select items, submit orders, and complete transactions, eliminating the need for human interaction at the point of sale counter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human-to-human interaction at the point of sale with an automated electronic system. Mobile devices communicate wirelessly with the merchant's system to transmit order information, substituting the manual process of reading menus, verbal ordering, and cash handling with automated digital communication and electronic payment processing.
2Reliability
If a customer interacts with a salesperson to place an order, then assistance is available, but errors may occur and availability is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human-to-human interaction at the point of sale with an automated electronic system. Mobile devices communicate wirelessly with the merchant's system to transmit order information, substituting the manual process of reading menus, verbal ordering, and cash handling with automated digital communication and electronic payment processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback to the customer through the mobile device interface, confirming order selections and providing real-time status updates. This automated feedback loop ensures accuracy by allowing customers to review and confirm their orders before submission, eliminating reliance on human memory and reducing ordering errors.
3Extent of automation
If manual payment processing is used with cash, checks, or payment cards, then traditional payment methods are supported, but the process is not automated and requires human interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual payment processing with automated electronic payment processing. The system uses wireless communication to transmit payment information from the mobile device to the merchant's system, substituting the manual handling of cash, checks, or payment cards with automated electronic transaction processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient, efficient, and error-free ordering and payment processes by detecting customer presence and using mobile devices for menu selection and payment, reducing operational costs and enhancing customer experience.
Implementation Method 1
In near field communication, a wireless smart device may communicate with a wireless transceiver or wireless device reader via inductive coupling of the reader antenna to the device antenna
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for detecting customer presence to initiate the ordering and purchase of goods and services are disclosed. In one example, a system includes a detection server configured to detect the presence of a mobile device in a designated area associated with a merchant location and for initiating a menu selection application in the mobile device for placing an order for at least one product. The system further includes a merchant server configured to receive, from the mobile device, purchase order data associated with the order for the at least one product, a customer identifier associated with the mobile device, and a location identifier associated with the designated area, and for utilizing the customer identifier to send a notification message that indicates that the at least one product is available to the mobile device.