POS Transaction Media Feedback with Profile-Based Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-sale (POS) terminals provide limited and inflexible audio feedback upon completion of electronic payment transactions, lacking the ability to customize or convey detailed information.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows for customizable media content, such as audio, images, or videos, to be played on POS terminals or associated devices based on predetermined rules and user profiles, utilizing existing authentication data overhead for transmission, thereby enhancing network efficiency and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single type of audio feedback is used in current POS terminals, then the system is simple and reliable, but the feedback cannot be customized or convey detailed information
Solution Approach 1:
User profiles and media file selections are predetermined and stored in advance. When a transaction is authorized, the pre-selected media file corresponding to the user profile is transmitted and played, eliminating the need for real-time customization decisions and reducing system complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing multiple complete media files in the POS terminal, the system transmits references or pointers to media files that are stored centrally on the issuing bank computing device. The POS terminal plays back copied content from the transmitted reference, reducing local storage requirements and system complexity
Solution Approach 3:
The authentication data overhead field is used for multiple purposes: it carries both the authorization indication and the media file reference information. This multi-functional use of existing data structures avoids adding separate communication channels or increasing system complexity
2Loss of information
If customizable media content is transmitted to POS terminals, then personalized feedback is enabled, but network traffic and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The media file reference information is extracted from the bulk authentication data and placed in a dedicated overhead field. This allows the essential feedback information to be transmitted quickly without waiting for the entire authentication package, reducing latency while maintaining information completeness
Solution Approach 2:
Media file selections are predetermined and associated with user profiles before transactions occur. During the transaction, only the reference to the pre-selected media file needs to be transmitted, rather than the complete media content, significantly reducing network traffic and transmission time
Solution Approach 3:
The system transmits only the specific media file reference information that is locally relevant to each user profile, rather than transmitting all possible media files or generic feedback content. This targeted approach minimizes network traffic while maximizing feedback relevance
3Productivity
If media files are transmitted through authentication data overhead, then network efficiency is improved, but the authentication protocol must handle additional data types
Solution Approach 1:
The existing authentication data overhead field is repurposed to carry media file reference information in addition to its original authorization indication function. This universal use of existing data structures improves network efficiency by utilizing already-established communication channels without adding protocol complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication data overhead field is treated as a flexible parameter that can accommodate different data types (authorization status, media file references, user profile identifiers). By changing how this parameter is utilized rather than adding new parameters, the system maintains protocol simplicity while enabling enhanced functionality
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for customizing the feedback provided to a user at a point-of-sale (POS) terminal upon completion of an electronic payment transaction. The feedback may include the content of one or more media files that may be customized by a user in response to different conditions being met, and which may be specified as part of a user profile. Additional or alternative feedback may be specified by an entity identified with the user's payment account, such as a bank or creditor, which may comprise additional or alternative media file(s) that may be identified in response to specific predetermined conditions being met upon the electronic payment transaction being initiated. The feedback may be sent to the POS terminal and/or to a different device based upon the type of electronic payment transaction and/or the capabilities of the POS terminal.