Proximity-Based Checkout Indicator System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Checkout transactions in retail environments are often time-consuming due to interactions with devices and third-party verifications, leading to delays and inefficiencies, especially when employees need to multitask.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that uses proximity-based indicators to display a list of entities engaged in or about to engage in a transaction, allowing employees to multitask by assisting multiple customers asynchronously based on their proximity and transaction status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If employees assist customers sequentially at checkout, then each customer receives focused attention, but overall transaction time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the customer assistance process by dividing employees' attention into discrete, manageable units based on proximity zones. Each employee can mentally segment their workload by focusing on one customer at a time within their immediate vicinity while the system handles tracking of other customers, enabling sequential service with parallel monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically tracking customer locations and queue positions before employees need to assist. This pre-processing of customer data allows employees to prepare for upcoming interactions while maintaining eye contact and focus on current customers, reducing cognitive load and improving service quality.
2Productivity
If employees monitor multiple customers simultaneously, then productivity increases, but attention quality to each customer decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (mobile device with proximity tracking) that mediates between multiple customers and the employee. The intermediary handles the cognitive burden of tracking multiple customers by providing automated proximity indicators and queue information, allowing the employee to maintain high-quality interpersonal interactions while the system manages the complexity of monitoring multiple customers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to employees through proximity-based indicators that show which customers are nearest and require attention. This feedback loop allows employees to adjust their attention dynamically based on real-time conditions, maintaining service quality by knowing exactly which customer needs focus at any moment while still being aware of the broader context.
3Reliability
If checkout processes include third-party verification steps, then transaction reliability increases, but transaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating third-party verification processes in the background before customers reach the point of interaction. Verification steps such as credit checks or authentication can begin automatically when customers enter the proximity zone, allowing these time-consuming operations to complete while employees continue assisting other customers or preparing for the next interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by ensuring that verification processes run continuously in the background without interrupting the customer service flow. While verifications are pending, employees can continue providing value through customer assistance, product information, or queue management, ensuring that no time is wasted and the overall transaction process moves forward efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for providing proximity-based indicators of other devices engaged in checkout transactions. The method includes causing a second device to be locatable by a first device while the second device is being used to complete a checkout transaction; and at the first device, displaying a list comprising an entity associated with the second device, the second device operable to communicate with the first device. The entity in the list associated with the second device comprises an indication of proximity of that entity to the first device, determined based on a proximity value for the second device.