Touchless Transaction Terminal Using Camera-Based Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch-based transaction terminals in retail environments pose a health risk due to the accumulation of bacteria and viruses on surfaces, which are frequently touched by multiple individuals, making it difficult to maintain hygiene, especially during busy periods like pandemics when thorough disinfection is impractical.
Innovation Solution
A touchless transaction terminal system that allows customers to perform transactions using their mobile devices, eliminating the need to touch the terminal's screen by using QR codes, camera-based identification, or proximity signals to link customer identifiers with payment methods, enabling contactless payment processing through network connections between mobile devices, transaction terminals, and cloud servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If touch-based transaction terminals are used for efficient customer service, then transaction processing speed and ease of operation are improved, but health safety deteriorates due to accumulation of bacteria and viruses on frequently touched surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch-based interaction system with a camera-based optical recognition system. Instead of requiring physical contact with the touchscreen to input data or select options, the system uses a camera to capture images of items or products, automatically identifies them, and processes the transaction information without any physical contact between the customer and the terminal surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device between the customer and the transaction terminal. The camera captures visual information about items, and this information is then processed by the system to complete the transaction. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct contact while still enabling efficient information transfer and transaction processing.
2Ease of operation
If touchscreens are placed at eye level for ease of operation, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but contamination risk increases due to exposure to respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen interface at eye level with a camera-based system that can capture images from a distance. The camera is positioned to photograph items on shelves or in carts without requiring the customer to lean in close or touch any surfaces, thereby maintaining ease of operation while eliminating exposure to respiratory droplets.
3Productivity
If touchscreens are reused throughout business hours for continuous operation, then productivity and resource efficiency are improved, but hygiene maintenance becomes difficult during busy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical touchscreen that requires frequent cleaning with a camera-based optical system. The camera and its associated processing software can be easily sanitized or replaced without disrupting business operations, making hygiene maintenance significantly easier while maintaining continuous productivity throughout business hours.
Data Source
AI summary
A touchless payment option is received for a transaction being processed at a transaction terminal. A payment option for a transaction interface on the transaction terminal is deactivated. A registered payment method is obtained for a customer associated with the transaction and the registered payment method is processed with a payment server to obtain payment for the transaction. Transaction screens associated with the transaction are automatically updated to reflect that payment was received by the transaction terminal. The customer does not touch any surface of touch display to initiate or to perform payment processing at the transaction terminal.