Virtual Checkout Queue System for Retail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Queuing at checkout counters is a significant source of frustration for shoppers, with long waiting times and the visibility of queues often deterring customers from entering stores, highlighting the need for more efficient checkout systems.
Innovation Solution
A virtual checkout queuing system that utilizes mobile devices for customers to request checkout processing, manage queue positions through a queuing system, and allows for queue transactions between customers or with retailers, enabling position swapping for incentives like loyalty points or real money, while providing targeted advertisements during wait times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional physical checkout queues are used, then customers can be served in order, but waiting times are long and customer satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical queue system through mobile devices. Customers receive digital queue tickets and can monitor their position remotely, eliminating the need to physically stand in line while maintaining queue order integrity. This virtual queue representation resolves the contradiction by decoupling the waiting process from physical presence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the customer and the checkout queue. The mobile device delivers queue tickets, notifies customers of their position, and enables remote queue management. This intermediary allows customers to be served in order without physically waiting, reducing waiting time loss while maintaining system fairness.
2Reliability
If customers stand in physical queues, then service order is maintained, but store entry is deterred and potential sales are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual queue ticket is a digital copy that preserves the service order information without requiring physical queue formation. Customers can receive and manage their queue position remotely, allowing the store to maintain reliable service ordering while eliminating the barrier to entry that physical queues create.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves the queue management from the physical spatial dimension to the digital information dimension. Instead of customers occupying physical space in line, queue positions are managed through digital tickets on mobile devices. This dimensional shift eliminates the space-consuming aspect of physical queues that deters store entry while preserving service order reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If queue positions are fixed, then fairness is maintained, but flexibility and customer control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static queue position into a dynamic state that can change based on customer preferences and offers. Customers can receive notifications about position changes, accept offers to move in queue, or transfer positions. This dynamic approach maintains baseline fairness through structured offers while providing adaptability for customers who wish to exercise control over their queue position.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where customers receive notifications about their queue position and available actions. This feedback enables customers to make informed decisions about whether to maintain their position, accept offers to move, or transfer positions. The feedback mechanism balances stability (through structured notification processes) with flexibility (through customer choice).
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and mechanism that virtualizes a physical queue in a retail establishment. Customers using this system have the ability to indicate they would like to pay now (i.e., enter the virtual queue) using a button on their mobile device, and then they continue shopping until the mobile device informs them to proceed to a checkout counter. In addition, the system implements features that address users waiting in the queue. One feature is about transactions within the queue. This means that customers can buy priority using their mobile device, while waiting. Another feature is targeted advertisement and recommendation of products, leading to increased impulsive purchases.