Settlement Device Interface Segmentation for Clerk Intervention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-service payment terminals can be confusing for elderly persons, foreigners, or children, leading to inefficiencies as store clerks need to intervene to assist with payment processing, which can be time-consuming and disrupt workflow.
Innovation Solution
A settlement device with separate input and display interfaces for clerks and customers, allowing clerks to easily intervene in payment operations without confusion, by controlling which interface receives payment method selections and notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a self-service payment terminal is used, then work efficiency of store clerks is improved, but elderly persons, foreigners, or children may not know the procedure for paying, which wastes time
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal is divided into two separate interfaces: a customer interface for self-service operations and a clerk interface for intervention. This segmentation allows the system to serve different user groups with appropriate levels of automation while maintaining overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The clerk interface acts as an intermediary between the automated system and customers who need assistance. When detection unit identifies that a customer needs help, the clerk interface is activated to guide them through the payment process, bridging the gap between self-service automation and human assistance.
2Ease of operation
If a self-service payment terminal is used, then store clerk intervention is reduced, but customers who do not know the procedure require clerk assistance, disrupting workflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between self-service mode and clerk-assisted mode based on customer needs. The operation state detection unit monitors customer interactions and activates the clerk interface only when necessary, allowing the system to adapt its level of automation in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the operation state detection unit to determine when clerk intervention is needed. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically identify situations where customers are struggling and activate appropriate assistance, maintaining workflow efficiency by avoiding unnecessary clerk involvement while ensuring help is available when needed.
3Device complexity
If a single interface is used for both customer and clerk operations, then device complexity is reduced, but confusion occurs when both need to access the same functions
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal is divided into distinct customer and clerk interfaces with separate input units and display units. This physical and functional segmentation eliminates role confusion by providing dedicated interaction points for each user type, with the clerk interface remaining hidden or inactive during normal customer operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different interfaces are optimized for different user needs: the customer interface uses simple, large, intuitive controls suitable for all ages and languages, while the clerk interface provides comprehensive control and monitoring capabilities. Each interface has localized functions tailored to its specific user group, improving ease of operation for both.
Data Source
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AI summary
A settlement device includes a processor. The processor is configured to receive a selection of a price payment method out of a plurality of price payment methods by a store clerk via a first touch panel or a keyboard and to receive a selection of a price payment method out of the plurality of price payment methods by a customer via a second touch panel. When the first touch panel and the keyboard are configured to provide the selection, the processor is configured not to receive the selection from the second touch panel. When the second touch panel is configured to provide the selection, the processor is configured not to receive the selection from the first touch panel and the keyboard.