Electronic Receipt Audit via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in facilitating in-store customer audits for purchases made using electronic receipts, as there can be delays in receiving electronic receipts due to network issues or device charging, making it difficult for store security associates to verify payments, especially when customers opt for electronic receipts instead of paper receipts.
Innovation Solution
A system where a POS system transmits purchase information to a receipts management server, which generates electronic receipts and sends a modified version to an audit electronic device, including identifying information like phone number, membership number, and transaction ID, allowing security associates to verify purchases using an audit electronic device even without immediate network coverage or charged devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If customers opt for electronic receipts instead of paper receipts, then environmental friendliness and cost savings are improved, but the ability to perform in-store audits is worsened due to delays in receiving electronic receipts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (audit device with access to receipt database) that mediates between the electronic receipt generation and the audit verification process. This intermediary allows security associates to access receipt information through alternative means (device ID, transaction ID) when customers cannot immediately access their electronic receipts, thus maintaining audit reliability while preserving the benefits of electronic receipts
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing receipt information in a database and pre-establishing access mechanisms (device ID association, transaction ID tracking) before audits are needed. This allows security associates to quickly retrieve and verify receipt information without waiting for customers to receive or locate their electronic receipts, resolving the timing conflict between electronic receipt delivery and audit verification
2Ease of operation
If electronic receipts are transmitted immediately after purchase, then customer convenience is improved, but network dependency increases causing delays when network coverage is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary audit system that does not depend on immediate network delivery to customers. The audit device can access receipt information through the database using alternative identifiers (device ID, transaction ID) that are generated at the point of sale, bypassing the need for network-dependent electronic receipt delivery to the customer's device
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of receipt information stored in a centralized database that can be accessed independently of the customer's electronic device. The audit device retrieves these copies using transaction identifiers, ensuring that audit verification can proceed even when the original electronic receipt has not been successfully delivered to the customer due to network issues
3Measurement precision
If security associates manually verify each electronic receipt on customer devices, then audit accuracy is improved, but audit time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements copying by creating accessible copies of receipt information in a centralized database that can be retrieved by the audit device. Instead of requiring associates to manually verify receipts on customer devices, the system copies relevant receipt data (transaction ID, items, totals) to a location where associates can efficiently access and verify it, maintaining accuracy while reducing time and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the manual mechanical process of verifying receipts on customer devices with an automated information retrieval system. The audit device automatically retrieves receipt information from the database using transaction identifiers, replacing the manual verification process with an automated lookup and comparison process that is both accurate and time-efficient
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for allowing a store security associate to complete a purchase audit for a customer leaving a brick and mortar store are disclosed. The techniques include preparing an electronic receipt for completed purchase transaction and transmitting a copy of the electronic receipt to a store audit electronic device at the brick and mortar store. The techniques also include receiving customer information into the store audit electronic device to identify the copy of the electronic receipt associated with a customer, displaying the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device, and reviewing the copy of the electronic receipt on the store audit electronic device to verify that the customer has purchased items which are in the customer's possession as the customer exits the store.