Touch Interface for Merging Restaurant Invoice Accounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point of sale technologies are clumsy in handling complex invoicing scenarios, particularly in the hospitality industry, where dividing invoices among multiple accounts or groups is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when using touch screens and swipe gestures that cannot replicate all mouse functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that generates icons for defining accounts on a display, allowing users to select and merge accounts through intuitive touch inputs, enabling seamless allocation and management of invoices among multiple accounts using a graphical interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional keyboard and mouse are used for point of sale invoicing operations, then precise control and complex functionality (such as right click, scroll wheel) can be achieved, but the device becomes less portable and less convenient for mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display interface and the input device, replacing the need for separate keyboard and mouse. The screen responds to various touch gestures (tap, swipe, pinch) to perform different operations including navigation, selection, and account management, making the device universally functional for both display and interaction purposes
2Ease of operation
If swipe gestures are used to replace mouse functionality on touch screens, then portability and modern interface are improved, but complex operations (such as right click, scroll wheel) become highly complex requiring multiple fingers and interfering with usability
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct functional zones with icons representing different accounts and operations. Each icon can be independently selected through simple tap gestures, breaking down complex invoicing operations into discrete, manageable steps that require only single-finger interactions rather than complex multi-finger gestures
3Adaptability or versatility
If current point of sale technology is used for handling complex invoicing scenarios with multiple accounts, then invoicing functionality is provided, but the operation becomes awkward and clumsy particularly when dividing invoices among groups
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows multiple account icons to be selected and merged into a single consolidated view. Users can tap multiple account icons to combine their selections, and the system automatically handles the consolidation of invoice data across these accounts, enabling seamless division and allocation of invoices among multiple groups without manual intervention
4Adaptability or versatility
If more input devices and complex gestures are added to achieve mouse functionality on touch screens, then functionality is improved, but the simplicity and elegance of touch interface is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen interface is designed to be self-explanatory and self-service oriented. Icons are visually representative of their functions, and the interface automatically adapts to user actions without requiring complex gesture sequences. The system handles account selection, merging, and invoice allocation automatically based on simple touch inputs, eliminating the need for additional input devices while maintaining full functionality
Data Source
AI summary
A novel graphical interface and input method is provided. In certain implementations, a touch screen interface is provided with a plurality of icons that each represent seats around a table in a restaurant. Each icon is associated with a unique account. Accounts can be easily merged and split by using touch and swipe interfaces with the icons.