POS-Independent Transaction System via Mobile Web and App
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Point of Sale (POS) systems are expensive, burdensome for merchants, and limit payment options, while mobile apps require multiple downloads and compromise security, failing to provide flexible and secure transaction solutions for customers and merchants.
Innovation Solution
A system allowing customers to conduct transactions independently of POS systems through a merchant-specific website and mobile application, enabling check-in, payment processing, and financial transactions using multiple payment card numbers without the need for POS hardware or app downloads, utilizing a server with databases and a gateway for secure payment processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional POS systems are used, then transaction processing is standardized and records are stored, but the system becomes expensive and burdensome for merchants to install and implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential transaction processing functionality from the complex POS system hardware and relocates it to mobile devices. The mobile application on customers' devices and the merchant's mobile device handle check-in, billing, and payment processing, eliminating the need for dedicated POS hardware while maintaining transaction reliability through secure server communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses universal mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that merchants and customers already possess, rather than requiring specialized POS hardware. These multi-functional devices can perform camera scanning, mobile computing, and communication functions, replacing the need for dedicated transaction processing equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple POS registers are implemented at a single merchant location, then customer service availability increases, but hardware expense increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of deploying multiple physical POS registers, the system uses digital copies of the transaction processing capability on mobile devices. The merchant can serve multiple customers simultaneously using a single mobile device, and customers can check in and pay from any location in the venue using their own mobile devices, eliminating the need for multiple hardware registers.
3Ease of operation
If mobile applications are used for online payment, then payment convenience improves, but customers must download and install multiple apps which creates clutter and security concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a server as an intermediary that hosts the payment processing functionality. Instead of requiring customers to download payment apps, the server provides web-based access to payment services. Customers can initiate payments through their mobile devices' web browsers, and the server handles the transaction processing, eliminating the need for app installations while maintaining payment convenience.
4Adaptability or versatility
If payment services require customers to use their specific app, then service control is maintained, but payment options are limited to a single service
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal payment platform that can handle multiple payment services and methods through a single interface. The server architecture supports various payment providers and methods, allowing customers to choose from different payment options while maintaining a simple, unified user experience. The merchant's mobile application can integrate with multiple payment services without requiring separate apps for each provider.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that allows for conducting merchant transactions independent of a POS system. The system employs both a merchant venue-specific website and a mobile app. A customer at the merchant venue logs into the website with his or her mobile phone, and the mobile app is automatically notified of the login. The venue keeps track of the customer's total bill amount in any way, and enters it into the mobile app, which in turn updates the website with the total amount owed. The customer can then pay his or her bill through the website, via his/her phone. In this manner, a quick and easy payment system is implemented, allowing users to pay with the card or payment method of their choice, without need for a POS system and without need for downloading or installing any additional software on their mobile device.