Payment Device Dual Scanner Timing Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
In self and normal checkout devices, customers or clerks may be confused by unexpected notifications when a symbol is imaged by a reading unit other than the intended one, leading to inaccuracies in product registration and payment processes.
Innovation Solution
A payment device with a first and second reading unit, where the controller determines if the first reading unit has read a symbol within a predetermined time when the second reading unit does, and issues a notification only after this time if the first reading unit fails to read the symbol, ensuring accurate and clear communication to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple reading units are provided to improve symbol reading reliability, then the reliability of product registration is improved, but users may be confused by unexpected notifications when a non-intended reading unit reads the symbol first
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback notifications to the user when a symbol is successfully read. The notification includes information about which reading unit read the symbol, allowing the user to understand the system state and continue operation without confusion. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the multi-reading-unit system transparent to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification system acts as an intermediary between the multiple reading units and the user. It mediates the interaction by translating the actions of different reading units into understandable notifications, explaining which unit read the symbol and what the system is doing, thereby preventing user confusion while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple reading units.
2Speed
If notification is provided immediately when any reading unit reads a symbol, then the response speed is improved, but user confusion occurs due to unexpected notifications during ongoing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system provides immediate feedback when a symbol is read, but includes contextual information about which reading unit performed the read and the current system state. This allows fast notification while preventing confusion by making the source and context of each notification clear to the user.
3Ease of operation
If a specific reading unit is designated for symbol imaging, then the ease of operation is improved by providing clear user guidance, but the reliability deteriorates when the customer cannot firmly direct the symbol to the specific reading unit
Solution Approach 1:
The payment device is designed with multiple reading units that can all function to read symbols. Instead of relying on a single designated reading unit, the system provides universal symbol reading capability across multiple units, increasing the probability that at least one unit will successfully read the symbol regardless of user positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback notifications that indicate which reading unit successfully read the symbol. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability by ensuring that symbol reading succeeds with multiple units while providing user guidance through clear notification about the reading status and which unit performed the read.
Data Source
AI summary
A payment device of an embodiment includes a first reading unit and a second reading unit each of which reads a symbol attached to a product; a notification part; and a controller, wherein the controller determines whether the first reading unit has read a symbol within a predetermined time when the second reading unit reads a symbol attached to the product, the controller causes the notification part to issue a notification that a symbol has been read when the first reading unit has read the symbol, and the controller causes the notification part to issue a notification that the symbol has been read after a lapse of the predetermined time when the first reading unit has not read the symbol within the predetermined time.