Modular Mobile POS Device with Segmented Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile payment processing terminals lack customization and additional functionality, requiring connection to external devices for data entry and processing, and are not adaptable to changing merchant needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular and mobile point of sale device with separable units that includes a main module and attachable modules for configurable data entry and processing, utilizing EMV card readers, NFC, RFID, and communication protocols for secure and customizable transaction processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile payment terminals use fixed functionality design, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing merchant needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal is divided into a base unit and separate functional modules (magnetic stripe reader, chip reader, contactless reader, receipt printer). Each module can be independently attached or detached, allowing the device to be customized for different merchant needs without increasing the complexity of the base unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit is designed with universal interfaces and communication protocols that can work with multiple types of functional modules. This allows a single base unit to support various payment methods (magnetic stripe, EMV chip, contactless) and additional functions (receipt printing, customer display) through module attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional functionality is integrated into mobile payment terminals, then versatility improves, but device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Heavy or bulky functional components (such as receipt printers, customer display modules) are separated into detachable modules that only attach when needed. The base unit remains lightweight and portable for mobile merchants, while additional functionality is available through optional module attachment at the point of sale.
3Adaptability or versatility
If modular design with separable units is implemented, then adaptability improves, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The module attachment mechanism combines mechanical connection with electrical contact in a unified interface design. This ensures that when modules are attached, both physical stability and reliable electrical data/power transmission are achieved simultaneously, maintaining connection reliability while preserving modular configurability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If external computing devices are used for data processing, then functionality is extended, but operational complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The functional modules integrate necessary processing capabilities directly into the attached units (e.g., magnetic stripe reading, chip decoding, contactless communication). This eliminates the need for complex external computing device connections, as each module handles its own data processing and communicates results to the base unit through simple standardized interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided systems and methods for a modular mobile point of sale device having separable units for configurable data processing. A modular device may include a main unit that includes data processing features to allow for a mobile point of sale, including a data entry unit for payment data, a communication component to secure communicate that data to a centralized transaction processor, and a processing unit to receive the data and instruct the centralized to process the data with an online service provider. The module device may also be physically and communicatively coupled to additional modules that may increase the on-device functionality of the main unit, include a module to allow user input and additional modules to accept other types of transaction input. On detection of a connected unit, the main unit may secure connect to and authenticate each attached module.