Receipt Delivery Preferences via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional point-of-sale systems are inflexible and do not allow customers to configure their preferred receipt types, such as digital or paper, at checkout, limiting customer input and the ability to customize transaction records.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a customer fingerprint to associate customer preferences with receipt delivery options, allowing customers to specify digital and/or paper receipts through a mobile device, which are then synchronized with the point-of-sale system to deliver the chosen receipt types during transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional point-of-sale systems are used, then transaction processing is efficient, but customers cannot configure their preferred receipt types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the customer and the POS system. The mobile device stores customer preferences and communicates them to the POS system, allowing customization without modifying the core POS system architecture. This mediator enables adaptability while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows customers to pre-configure their receipt preferences in advance using their mobile devices. These preferences are stored and automatically retrieved during checkout, eliminating the need for complex real-time configuration at the POS terminal and reducing system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If POS systems have proprietary software, then merchant-specific functionality is available, but customers cannot input or extract useful information
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the proprietary POS system and the customer. It provides a flexible interface for customers to input preferences and retrieve information, while the POS system maintains its proprietary architecture unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables customers to self-configure their receipt preferences through their mobile devices without requiring POS system customization. Customers can independently manage their preferences and automatically apply them during transactions, improving ease of operation without compromising system adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If paper receipts are always printed, then all customers receive physical proof of purchase, but environmental waste increases and customer convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of receipt delivery from a fixed physical format to a flexible digital-physical hybrid. By allowing customers to select digital receipts on their mobile devices, the system reduces paper consumption while maintaining proof of purchase functionality. The receipt format parameter becomes dynamic based on customer preference.
Solution Approach 2:
Customers independently choose their preferred receipt format through their mobile devices, with the system automatically delivering receipts in the selected format. This self-service approach eliminates unnecessary paper printing while ensuring all customers receive their preferred proof of purchase, improving convenience and reducing waste simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for delivering customer specified receipt types at checkout. A customer specifies receipt delivery preferences at a mobile device (e.g., specifying delivery of a digital receipt and/or a paper receipt at checkout). The mobile device sends the customer's receipt delivery preferences to a receipt preferences database server for storage in a receipt preferences database. During a sales transaction, a point-of-sale (“POS”) system refers to the receipt preferences database (or a relevant portion thereof) to access the customer's receipt delivery preferences. Based on the customer's receipt delivery preferences, the point-of-sale (“POS”) system delivers appropriate types of receipts (e.g. digital and/or paper) to the customer.