Point of Sale Payment System Using Visual Code Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point of sale (POS) payment systems are inefficient, requiring physical forms of payment and costly 'smart' POS devices, leading to delays and increased costs for merchants and inconvenience for consumers, especially in scenarios like parking and transportation services.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where payment information is associated with distinct payment code information, displayed as a sign at each payment location, allowing users to capture and transmit this code using their devices to initiate payments, eliminating the need for expensive POS devices and enabling payments through 'smart' devices like smartphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional physical payment forms and smart POS devices are used, then payment processing can be completed, but transaction delays and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a visual copy of payment code information displayed on a sign at the payment location. Instead of requiring a complex smart POS device, the system creates a simple visual representation (the sign with payment code information) that can be captured by a payer's device, eliminating the need for expensive hardware while enabling rapid transaction initiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical payment system (cash, checks, physical cards requiring manual insertion and processing) with an electronic/digital system where payment code information is captured through a payer's device (smartphone camera), transmitted electronically, and processed remotely, eliminating the need for physical payment forms and local POS hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If smart POS devices are implemented, then payment processing capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a simple visual copy (sign with payment code information) instead of a complex smart POS device. The sign contains encoded payment information that can be captured by any payer's device, eliminating the need for expensive hardware while maintaining payment processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system where payment code information is displayed on a sign at the payment location, and the payer's device acts as the intermediary to capture and transmit this information. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for the payer to have a complex POS device, distributing the complexity to the payer's existing smartphone instead.
3Reliability
If centralized POS devices are required, then secure payment processing is achieved, but consumer convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a visual copy of payment code information displayed on a sign at the payment location. Instead of requiring the consumer to interact with a centralized POS device, they simply capture the visual code with their device, maintaining security through encoded information while greatly improving convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional payment flow: instead of the consumer approaching a POS device to make a payment, the system displays payment code information at the payment location and the consumer captures it with their device. This inversion places the interaction at the point of service rather than at a centralized processing location.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for point of sale payments includes receiving, from a seller device over a network, payment information. The payment information is associated with payment code information in a database. The payment code information is then sent to the seller device over the network for posting at a service location. The payment code information is then captured by a payer device at the service location and transmitted over the network. The payment information is then retrieved from the database using the associated payment code information. The payment information is then sent to the payer device over the network. A payment confirmation is received from the payer device over the network and, in response, a payment from a payer account to a seller account is initiated and the payment information and an indication of the payment confirmation is sent to the seller device over the network.