POS Mesh Network Failover for Event Transaction Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-of-sale devices in event environments face challenges due to uncertain and intermittent network communications, leading to hardware failures and economic losses, requiring a resilient and energy-efficient network model for transaction processing and data transmission without relying on large computing resources or large data packets.
Innovation Solution
A dual networked system comprising a wireless local area network (WLAN) and a mesh network, where each point-of-sale device forms a node, allowing seamless communication through a wireless network module when a primary access point fails, utilizing low-frequency and low-bandwidth communication to ensure transaction processing and data synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional centralized wireless network is used in event environments, then network coverage can be provided, but the network becomes vulnerable to failures from weather, temporary structures, and hardware issues
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized wireless network is segmented into multiple independent mesh network nodes (point-of-sale devices). Each node operates autonomously and can relay data for other nodes, creating a distributed network that eliminates single points of failure. When one node fails due to environmental factors, the network automatically routes through alternative nodes, maintaining connectivity and reliability.
2Productivity
If point-of-sale devices use traditional wireless networking, then transaction processing is enabled, but energy consumption increases and bandwidth efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network implements periodic data synchronization and routing updates rather than continuous communication. Nodes maintain sleep modes between periodic activity cycles, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining transaction processing capability. Data is transmitted only when necessary for synchronization or transaction purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The network dynamically adjusts transmission power levels, data packet sizes, and communication frequency based on network conditions and transaction requirements. This optimization reduces energy consumption by transmitting only essential data at appropriate power levels, while maintaining full transaction processing functionality.
3Reliability
If point-of-sale devices form a mesh network for redundancy, then network resilience improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network implements self-organizing capabilities where nodes automatically discover each other, establish routing paths, and adapt to node failures without manual configuration. Each point-of-sale device autonomously performs network management functions, reducing the complexity burden on individual devices while maintaining overall network resilience.
4Ease of operation
If access points are used for wireless connectivity, then network coverage is provided, but hardware failures can cause entire sections to become unable to process transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized access point architecture is segmented into distributed mesh nodes where each point-of-sale device can independently provide wireless connectivity and relay services. This eliminates the scenario where one failure disables entire sections, as each node operates independently and can compensate for failures in neighboring nodes through alternative routing paths.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various aspects of a dual networked point-of-sale system and methods of data exchange upon network failure. In one aspect, a point-of-sale device is provided that is in communication with a wireless access point. Wherein upon failure of the wireless access point, the point-of-sale device attempts to connect through a mesh network to an additional point-of-sale device to attempt processing a financial transaction. In some aspects, the point-of-sale device heals itself from network failure by utilizing the node to node connection of a mesh network, in other aspects, the event environment becomes a swarm network wherein a plurality of point-of-sale devices interact and communication on both a traditional WLAN and a mesh network, providing network stability and redundancy.