Point-of-Sale Transaction Handoff to Guest Mobile Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic point-of-sale systems in retail establishments often create bottlenecks during the payment process, requiring guests to handle devices that may be unclean and inconvenient, and lack private options for tipping and feedback.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables transaction handoff from a point-of-sale terminal to a guest's smart device, allowing for transaction completion and feedback through a web browser, eliminating the need for guests to handle electronic devices and providing a cleaner, more private experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If electronic point-of-sale terminals are used for payment processing, then automated payment processing and accurate pricing are improved, but service bottleneck during payment and guest discomfort due to handling shared devices worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the payment interface by projecting the transaction token and payment options onto the guest's personal mobile device screen. This allows the guest to complete payment on their own clean device rather than handling the shared point-of-sale terminal, resolving the contradiction between automated processing and guest comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the point-of-sale system and the guest. The device receives the transaction token via projection, displays payment information, and transmits payment data back to the system, eliminating direct contact with the shared terminal while maintaining automated processing.
2Reliability
If staff members wait for guest payment completion at the point-of-sale terminal, then transaction monitoring is improved, but awkward hovering and reduced productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the point-of-sale terminal projects the transaction token and receives payment completion status without staff intervention. The terminal monitors the entire payment process autonomously, providing reliability while freeing staff for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system enables self-service by allowing guests to complete payment independently on their own devices. The point-of-sale terminal autonomously manages the transaction flow, eliminating the need for staff to hover and manually monitor each payment step.
3Ease of operation
If guests handle electronic point-of-sale terminals for payment, then transaction completion is improved, but cleanliness concern due to shared device handling worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects a virtual copy of the payment interface onto the guest's personal mobile device screen. This allows the guest to complete payment on their own clean device rather than handling the shared point-of-sale terminal, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and cleanliness concern.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for handing off a transaction for completion is provided, the method including: via a point-of-sale terminal, receiving a transaction token that corresponds to the transaction, the transaction token having been transmitted over the internet cloud through a gateway device that is collocated with the point-of-sale terminal, and presenting the transaction token for acceptance by a guest device; and receiving a notification that the transaction is complete, the notification having been transmitted over the internet cloud through the gateway device; where, upon acceptance of the transaction token by the guest device, the guest device launches a web browser that is employed to receive details of the transaction for display on the guest device and to enable entry and transmission of transaction completion details by a guest on the guest device, and to receive notice that the transaction is complete.