Mobile POS Bill Splitting via QR Table Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bill payment systems at restaurants are inefficient and require server intervention for splitting and processing payments, especially for larger groups, leading to increased wait times and server workload.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application integrates with a restaurant's POS system, allowing users to identify their table and split and pay an itemized bill electronically without server assistance, using a QR code for table identification, selecting line items, generating sub-invoices, and applying payments through a user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a server manually processes bill splitting and payment collection, then payment can be completed with physical cash or cards, but server workload increases and customer wait time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables customers to autonomously complete bill splitting and payment without server intervention. Customers use mobile devices to scan QR codes, view bills, split costs among group members, and make electronic payments independently, transforming a previously server-dependent process into a self-service operation that reduces both workload and wait time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physical cash handling and card swiping with electronic payment processing. The system uses digital currency transfers and electronic payment gateways to substitute the physical exchange process, enabling faster transaction processing and eliminating the need for servers to physically collect and process payment media
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of diners in a group increases, then more payment coordination is needed, but the complexity of bill splitting and payment coordination increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically segments the total bill into individual portions for each group member based on their ordered items. The mobile application divides the invoice into line items and allocates costs to specific customers, eliminating the need for manual calculation and coordination that becomes increasingly complex with larger group sizes
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system provides universal functionality that handles any group size through a unified interface. The same mobile application and QR code scanning mechanism works for both small and large groups, automatically adapting to the number of diners present without requiring different processes or increasing operational complexity
3Reliability
If servers must return to tables multiple times for payment collection and signatures, then payment can be verified, but service efficiency decreases and table turnover time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the iterative physical process of servers returning to tables with a single electronic payment transaction. Digital signatures and electronic payment authorization eliminate the need for repeated visits to verify payment method availability or collect signatures, maintaining reliability while dramatically improving service efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains payment authorization and verification in advance through electronic payment processing before the customer leaves the table. By completing the payment verification process upfront through the mobile application, the system eliminates the need for subsequent server visits to collect payment or confirm authorization
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter discloses systems and methods in which a mobile application integrates with a point of sale (POS) system such that users may split and pay an itemized bill.