Mobile Terminal Checkout System to Reduce Cart Device Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cart POS systems face challenges with increased system costs and reduced operability due to the need for multiple devices attached to shopping carts, which complicates the checkout process and increases congestion at checkout counters.
Innovation Solution
A checkout system that utilizes a mobile terminal installed on a shopping cart, allowing for payment calculations and method selection, displaying payment options, and performing electronic money transactions, thereby reducing the need for additional devices on the cart and streamlining the checkout process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a checkout device and payment device are attached to the shopping cart, then the checkout process can be performed on the cart, but the device complexity and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile terminal is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the information terminal for commodity registration and the checkout device for payment processing. By integrating these functions into a single device that customers already possess, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices on the shopping cart, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customers to use their own mobile terminals for both shopping and checkout operations. The mobile terminal autonomously performs commodity registration by scanning codes and executes payment processing without requiring additional equipment on the cart, allowing customers to serve themselves throughout the entire shopping and checkout process
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are attached to the shopping cart, then checkout functionality is enabled, but the operability of the cart deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The checkout and payment functions are extracted from the shopping cart system and relocated to the customer's mobile terminal. This extraction eliminates the need to attach additional devices to the cart, thereby preserving the cart's simplicity and ease of operation while still enabling full checkout functionality through the mobile device
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal serves as a universal device that handles both information display during shopping and checkout processing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated checkout equipment on the cart, maintaining cart operability while providing complete checkout capability
3Productivity
If an information terminal is attached to many shopping carts, then commodity registration is enabled, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Customers use their own mobile terminals to perform commodity registration by scanning product codes. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the system to provide dedicated information terminals on each cart or at checkout counters, thereby maintaining efficient commodity registration while significantly reducing system cost
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing physical information terminals on every cart, the system uses the customer's existing mobile terminal as a copy or substitute. The mobile device's camera and processing capabilities are leveraged to perform scanning and data entry functions, eliminating the need to manufacture and deploy expensive dedicated hardware on each cart
4Ease of operation
If a payment device is attached to the shopping cart, then payment processing is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The payment processing function is extracted from the shopping cart and relocated to the customer's mobile terminal. The mobile device reads payment information from a card or electronic source and completes transactions autonomously, enabling full payment processing capability without adding any physical payment devices to the cart structure
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile terminal serves as a universal payment device that can handle various payment methods (card reading, electronic payments) without requiring separate dedicated payment equipment on the cart. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive payment processing while maintaining cart simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A checkout system includes an information processing apparatus comprising a first processor and a first interface, and a mobile terminal comprising an input device that receives a first input of first data of a commodity to be purchased by a customer and a second input for executing a checkout process, a second interface, and a second processor that, upon receipt of the first input, controls the second interface to transmit the first data to the apparatus, and upon receipt of the second input, control the second interface to transmit a first notification to the apparatus. In addition, the first processor, calculates an amount of payment based on the first data upon receipt of the first data, acquires second data about payment set for the customer, and performs a checkout process based on the first and second data upon receipt of the first notification.