Mobile POS Item Retrieval System for Checkout Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-store point of sale transactions are inefficient when customers forget items, leading to increased checkout time and frustration for both the customer and other shoppers, as cashiers must wait for the item to be retrieved and then verify previous purchases.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows customers to add unretrieved items to their transaction using a mobile device, which communicates with the point of sale system to flag these items and facilitate their inclusion in the checkout process, enabling the customer to retrieve them later or have them delivered, using a server system that communicates with both the customer's device and the POS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cashier waits for the customer to retrieve the forgotten item, then the customer can purchase the item, but the checkout time increases and other customers become frustrated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting forgotten items through image recognition before the customer realizes they are missing. The system proactively notifies the customer and facilitates item retrieval without requiring the customer to manually check or the cashier to wait, thus preventing time loss while ensuring item retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary automated detection and notification mechanism between the customer and the forgotten item. Instead of direct customer-cashier interaction for item retrieval, the system mediates by detecting the missing item, notifying the customer through the mobile application, and enabling seamless re-addition to the cart, thereby reducing checkout time while maintaining reliable item retrieval.
2Ease of operation
If the cashier concludes the transaction and requires the customer to wait in line again, then the customer can retrieve the item, but additional inconvenience occurs due to verification requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting forgotten items and notifying customers before transaction completion. This prevents the need for customers to wait in line again, as the item can be added to the cart and transaction can be completed in one continuous process, eliminating redundant verification steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of the checkout process by enabling seamless integration of forgotten item retrieval with the ongoing transaction. The mobile application allows customers to re-add items to their cart and complete payment without interrupting the transaction flow, ensuring continuous useful action without requiring customers to wait in line again.
3Reliability
If the cashier manually verifies previous purchases for the unretrieved item, then payment accuracy is maintained, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where the mobile application communicates with the point-of-sale system to automatically verify and process forgotten items. The system provides real-time feedback on item detection, cart updates, and payment status, eliminating manual verification complexity while maintaining reliable payment accuracy through automated tracking and confirmation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical verification processes with automated electronic detection and processing. Image recognition technology substitutes for manual item identification, and automated cart management replaces manual tracking, thereby reducing transaction process complexity while maintaining reliable payment verification through systematic electronic record-keeping.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for processing transactions at an in-store POS where some of the items of the transaction have not been retrieved, i.e. the customer neglected to add a needed item to a shopping cart. A customer selects a product on a user computing device and invokes display of an optical code corresponding to an unretrieved product. A point of sale (POS) device then scans the optical code to add the product to the transaction. The POS device or user computing device may transmit an alert to a representative computing device instructing a store representative to retrieve the product and deliver it to the POS or some other location.