POS Payment Terminal Status Alerts for Failed Settlement Methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

POS terminals may fail to perform certain settlement methods due to issues like mechanical or communication failures, leading to inefficiencies and customer inconvenience when multiple settlement options are unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A settlement apparatus and method that detects failures in various settlement methods and informs customers through a display or wireless communication about executable settlement options, allowing them to choose alternative methods or terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a POS terminal supports multiple settlement methods, then settlement flexibility and customer service quality improve, but system complexity and failure risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettlement method flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the settlement system into independent functional modules, each handling a specific settlement method (cash, credit card, electronic money). Each module operates autonomously and can be independently managed, maintained, and switched on/off without affecting other modules. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple settlement methods while reducing overall complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If a POS terminal continues operation despite settlement method failures, then productivity is maintained, but information accuracy for customers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesettlement processing continuityVSAvoidsettlement method availability information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the operational status of each settlement method module and automatically updates the customer display interface. When a settlement method fails or becomes unavailable, the system detects this status change and immediately informs customers through the display, ensuring information accuracy while maintaining continuous operation of available methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If customers are informed of settlement method failures, then customer convenience improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer convenienceVSAvoidinformation display system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service information display system that automatically detects settlement method availability and presents this information to customers without requiring manual intervention from operators. The system autonomously monitors module statuses, determines which settlement methods are available, and displays this information in real-time, reducing the need for complex manual information management systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3886022B1Settlement apparatus and settlement method informing system
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP3886022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3886022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3886022B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

According to one or more embodiments, a settlement apparatus includes a processor. The processor detects a state of the settlement apparatus related to execution of settlement processing at the settlement apparatus using a plurality of settlement methods. The processor determines, based on the detected state of the settlement apparatus, whether there is a first settlement method among the plurality of settlement methods which cannot be executed at the settlement processing apparatus. The processor then notifies a customer of settlement method information indicating the first settlement method cannot be executed at the settlement processing or that another settlement method, other than the first settlement method, can be executed at the settlement apparatus instead of the first settlement method.