Retail POS System with Anonymous Discount Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing POS systems for retail are limited in their ability to automatically account for discounts from multiple providers and redeem them across different retailers, while also failing to protect customer data privacy, as they often require customers to manage and carry physical coupons or use systems that compromise customer anonymity.
Innovation Solution
A POS system that uses a long-distance data transmission network to connect checkout devices with servers that manage customer and discount data anonymously, allowing for automatic discount application from multiple providers without requiring customers to carry or manage coupons, by using external customer identification codes to retrieve and apply relevant discounts based on item lists and customer preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical coupons are used for discounts, then customers can receive discounts from multiple providers, but customers must manage and carry physical coupons which reduces convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical coupons with electronic coupon data stored in a database. The system creates digital copies of discount information that can be automatically retrieved and applied during checkout, eliminating the need for customers to physically carry and manage paper coupons while preserving all discount functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables automatic discount application by having the checkout system self-service the coupon retrieval and validation process. The system automatically queries the database using customer identification, retrieves applicable discounts, and applies them without requiring customer intervention in coupon management.
2Extent of automation
If customer identification data is stored and processed, then discounts can be automatically applied, but customer data privacy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the minimum necessary customer identification information needed for discount retrieval and does not store or process additional customer data. The system uses customer ID as a key to query discounts without retaining customer personal information, thereby maintaining automation while protecting privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary database that stores discount information keyed to customer identification codes. This intermediary layer allows automatic discount retrieval without requiring the retailer system to store or process sensitive customer data, acting as a privacy-protecting mediator between customer identification and discount application.
3Extent of automation
If electronic coupon systems are implemented within a single store, then discount redemption is automated, but the system requires additional technology on each shopping cart which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal discount management system that can serve multiple retailers and multiple customers through a centralized database. Instead of requiring separate electronic coupon systems in each store or on each shopping cart, the system provides multi-functional discount management across the entire retail network through standard checkout equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of equipping each shopping cart with electronic coupon technology with an information-based solution. Discounts are managed through database queries and data transmission over communication networks, substituting physical/cart-based technology with centralized digital infrastructure that uses existing checkout systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If coupons are printed and carried by customers, then discounts from multiple providers can be managed, but the process requires additional complications and customers may accidentally leave coupons at home
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces physical printed coupons with electronic coupon data stored in a centralized database. Customers receive digital representations of their discounts that are automatically retrieved during checkout, eliminating the need to print, carry, and manually present physical coupons while maintaining the ability to manage discounts from multiple providers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automatic discount retrieval where the checkout system automatically queries the database for applicable discounts using customer identification. This eliminates the need for customers to manually locate, present, or manage physical coupons, as the system automatically retrieves and applies all relevant discounts.
Data Source
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AI summary
The cash box system has a cash box device (1) of a retailer with a cash data processing unit (2) and an input device (3) for detecting an external customer identification code and for detecting an article identification of an article. The cash data processing unit calculates amount to be payable depending on the detected article identification. A data processing system (20) is coupled with the cash data processing unit over a remote data transmission network.