Rotatable Money Receiving Unit for Flexible Checkout Labor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In semi-self-service checkout systems, there is an imbalance in labor distribution between salespersons and customers, with customers bearing excessive labor at off-peak times and not benefiting from reduced waiting times during busy periods.
Innovation Solution
A settlement apparatus with a rotatable money receiving unit and dual display and input devices allows salespersons to flexibly manage customer labor by enabling self-service settlement options, allowing customers to confirm and complete transactions independently during busy times and reducing their role during off-peak times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a semi-self-service checkout system is implemented, then labor of salesperson is reduced and customer waiting time is shortened during busy times, but excessive labor is imposed on customers during off-peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotatable money receiving unit that can dynamically change its facing direction between customer-facing and operator-facing positions. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt between self-service mode (customer-facing) and assisted-service mode (operator-facing), resolving the contradiction by making the service mode flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the money receiving unit's orientation angle to switch between service modes. By rotating the unit 180 degrees, the system transforms from a state where customers perform settlement operations to a state where operators assist customers, thereby adjusting the level of customer labor based on operational needs.
2Loss of time
If self-service settlement is enabled, then customer waiting time is reduced during busy periods, but customer labor increases during off-peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable money receiving unit enables the system to dynamically switch between self-service and assisted-service configurations. During busy periods, the unit faces customers allowing them to complete settlements independently, reducing waiting time. During off-peak periods, the unit rotates to face operators who can assist customers, reducing customer labor while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-service functionality through the customer-facing orientation of the money receiving unit, allowing customers to perform settlement operations independently. This reduces waiting time during busy periods while the operator can attend to other tasks, effectively addressing the time loss issue.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the money receiving unit is fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but flexibility in managing customer labor is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The money receiving unit is designed with rotational capability, transforming from a fixed structure to a dynamic one that can change its facing direction. This adds moderate complexity to the device structure but provides significant adaptability, allowing the system to switch between self-service and assisted-service modes based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable money receiving unit serves multiple functions: it can face customers for self-service operations and face operators for assisted-service operations. This multi-functionality increases device versatility without requiring separate dedicated units for each service mode, balancing the trade-off between complexity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A settlement apparatus according to an embodiment includes first and second display devices, and first and second input devices. A money receiving unit receives and discharges money and is rotatable between a first position facing the operator and a second position facing the customer. When the money receiving unit is in the second position, a processor performs a settlement transaction in which the customer inserts money into the money receiving unit. The processor receives an input indicating one of the operator and the customer should confirm completion of the settlement transaction. When the received input indicates that the customer should confirm completion of the settlement transaction, the second display device displays at least one settlement execution button. The processor completes the settlement transaction based on an input received in the second input device with respect to the at least one settlement execution button.