Mobile Terminal Symbol Generation for POS Data Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile sales operations where a point of sale (POS) terminal cannot be used, the manual registration of items using a handy terminal without network-based communication functions doubles the workload for sales clerks, as they must later manually register items using the POS terminal based on printed sales receipts.
Innovation Solution
A mobile terminal equipped with a memory, scanner, display, printer, and processor, which scans a symbol to obtain an item code, stores item information, generates a readable symbol for the POS terminal, and outputs it via display or printer, simplifying the migration of item registration data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual item registration is performed using a handy terminal without network communication function, then mobile sales operations can be conducted, but the workload doubles as items must be registered again using the POS terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by generating a machine-readable code (second code) that contains item information from the handy terminal. This code serves as a copy of the item data that can be read by the POS terminal, eliminating the need for manual re-entry and reducing the doubling workload while maintaining mobile sales capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a machine-readable code as an intermediary between the handy terminal and the POS terminal. The code acts as a mediator that transfers item information from the mobile device to the fixed POS system, enabling data migration without direct network communication or manual intervention
2Loss of information
If item registration data is migrated manually from electronic equipment to POS terminal, then data transfer is possible, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual operation of data entry with an automated optical scanning system. The POS terminal's scanner reads the machine-readable code to automatically input item information, substituting manual typing operations with automated optical recognition, thereby reducing both migration time and operational complexity
3Reliability
If double registration operation is required (handy terminal and POS terminal), then complete item registration is achieved, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating the machine-readable code containing item information at the handy terminal before reaching the POS terminal. This preliminary encoding of data eliminates the need for subsequent manual registration operations, maintaining registration completeness while significantly improving operational efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile terminal for obtaining and temporarily storing information about an item to be purchased before the item is registered using a point of sale (POS) terminal, includes a memory, a scanner, a display, a printer, and a processor configured to: control the scanner to scan a first symbol and obtain an item code from the first symbol, store, in the memory, item information indicating an item corresponding to the obtained item code, generate a second symbol indicating the stored item information and readable by the POS terminal, and control the display or the printer to output the second symbol.