Multi-Cashless Kiosk Payment Module for Legacy Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy self-service kiosks are limited to supporting only one cashless payment device due to single-channel communication, restricting users to physical debit/credit cards and incurring card-not-present charges for online payments, as they cannot accommodate multiple electronic payment methods like e-wallets or tap-and-pay services.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cashless device is integrated into the kiosk, comprising a processor and memory that toggles between payment modes, communicates with user devices via short-range protocols, and activates the vending machine controller to unlock the keypad and dispense products, enabling simultaneous operation of multiple cashless payment modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a legacy kiosk machine uses single-channel communication architecture, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability is limited to only one cashless payment device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface that can handle multiple payment devices through a single channel. The system uses a pluggable hardware module that can be configured to work with different payment technologies (card readers, QR scanners, NFC devices) without requiring separate communication channels for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested architecture where a pluggable hardware module is integrated within the existing kiosk controller. This nested module provides additional functionality for supporting multiple payment devices while maintaining compatibility with the legacy single-channel communication architecture of the parent system.
2Ease of operation
If only one cashless payment device is installed in the kiosk, then the device complexity remains low, but the usability is reduced as users cannot access multiple payment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple payment device functionalities into a single pluggable hardware module. This merged design allows users to access multiple payment methods (card, QR code, NFC) through one integrated device rather than requiring separate physical devices for each payment type.
Solution Approach 2:
The pluggable hardware module is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate different payment technologies. Users can select from multiple payment methods through a unified interface, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple separate devices to be installed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the kiosk supports only physical card payments, then the device complexity is minimal, but harmful factors increase due to card-not-present charges for online payments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pluggable hardware module as an intermediary between the user's digital payment methods and the kiosk's payment processing system. This intermediary enables tap-and-pay and other contactless payment methods, eliminating card-not-present charges while maintaining compatibility with the existing kiosk architecture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cashless payment devices are installed simultaneously, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity and communication requirements exceed legacy kiosk capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The pluggable hardware module serves as a universal communication interface that can handle multiple payment device protocols through a single channel. The module is designed to work with various payment technologies (magnetic stripe, RFID, QR code, NFC) without requiring separate communication channels for each device type.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution nests multiple payment device functionalities within a single pluggable module that interfaces with the legacy kiosk's single communication channel. This nested architecture allows multiple payment modes to be supported while maintaining compatibility with the parent system's communication constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling multiple modes for cashless transactions over a self-service kiosk. The system includes a user device and a self-service kiosk. The self-service kiosk includes a vending machine controller, a keypad and a multi-cashless device. The multi-cashless device is configured to communicate with the user device to receive transaction data. The multi-cashless device is configured to toggle between a set of payment modes depending upon the transaction data, wherein each payment mode, from the set of payment modes, corresponds to a payment module from a set of payment modules associated with the multi-cashless device.