Payment Device Display Modes for Clerk Control and Customer Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional payment devices in self-service systems display operational status information intended for store clerks, which can confuse customers and hinder efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A payment device with a controller that switches display modes based on user input, providing detailed operational information for store clerks and simplified status for customers, including threshold-based messages for inventory management and error handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the payment device displays detailed operational status information, then store clerks can efficiently manage the device, but customers may become confused by the technical information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestore clerk management efficiencyVSAvoidcustomer confusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display device dynamically switches between first and second display modes based on the detected user type. When a store clerk is detected, the display shows detailed operational status information. When a customer is detected, the display shows simplified information. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by providing appropriate information levels to different user groups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display content is customized according to the local user type. Store clerks receive comprehensive operational information including inventory status and device states, while customers receive simplified, user-friendly information. This localized information quality ensures each user group gets exactly what they need without unnecessary details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the payment device displays simplified information for customers, then customer confusion is prevented, but store clerks cannot efficiently manage the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer confusion preventionVSAvoidstore clerk management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts display content based on real-time user type detection. During customer interactions, simplified information is shown to prevent confusion. When store clerks access the device, the display automatically switches to detailed mode, ensuring efficient management operations are not compromised.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display device serves multiple functions by adapting its output to different user types. It provides customer-friendly simplified information during transactions and comprehensive operational data during management operations, making the single display device universally useful for both customer service and device management purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the payment device uses a single display mode, then device complexity is reduced, but it cannot accommodate different user information needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay system simplicityVSAvoiduser-specific information provision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display system uses dynamic mode switching based on detected user type rather than maintaining multiple physical displays or complex configuration systems. This dynamic approach provides multiple display modes (detailed and simplified) while keeping the underlying hardware and control logic relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display content parameters are changed based on user type detection. The system modifies information depth, detail level, and presentation format according to whether the user is identified as a store clerk or customer. This parameter-based adaptation allows a single display device to serve multiple user information needs without requiring complex structural changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4600886A1Payment device, method, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4600886A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4600886A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4600886A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A payment device connectable to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal installed in a store includes a slot through which bills or coins can be inserted, a plurality of storage units in which the bills or coins can be stored for each denomination, a display device, and a controller configured to, in response to a command received from the POS terminal, perform a payment process to receive and dispense bills and coins. The controller is further configured to: switch between first and second modes, and between payment processes, control the display device to display: in the first mode, first information for a store clerk of the store, the first information indicating a detail of a status of the payment device, and in the second mode, second information for a customer of the store without the detail of the status of the payment device.