WO2021105815A1 - Point of sale device and method to operate the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A point of sale device and a method to operate the same is disclosed. The device includes a registration subsystem configured to register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer; to register a merchant with the platform, an item selection subsystem configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform, an order notification subsystem configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform, a customer identification subsystem configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, an invoice generation subsystem configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

Description

POINT OF SALE DEVICE AND METHOD TO OPERATE THE SAME

This International Application claims priority from a Patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 201921048363, filed on November 26, 2019, and titled “POINT OF SALE DEVICE AND METHOD TO OPERATE THE SAME”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to a financial transaction and business management system, and more particularly to a point of sale device and a method to operate the same.

BACKGROUND

Financial transaction monitoring system is a process to keep track of all the financial transactions performed by a customer on any platform. Point of sale device is a digital electronic device where the customer makes payment for purchase of items, print the list of purchased items or a combination thereof.

Conventionally, the devices which are available to enable the customer to make the payment, accept only debit and credit cards which in turn increases exposure to fraud, wherein the debit and credit cards are directly linked to the banks having large amount of money in the customers personal account. Also, such devices request the customer to enter a personal identification number (PIN) of the accepted card which could be read by someone standing behind or around the customer.

Moreover, some customers use a digital wallet or net banking to make the payment which requires internet connection and hardware to connect to the internet. However, such point of sale devices does not identify customer and customer’s outstanding balance and previous transactions. Further, in such point of sale devices, the merchant and the customer tend to keep the transaction records in books, electronic mails, short message service (SMS) and other chat options. Such distributed and unorganised information in different formats at different locations is highly vulnerable to loss of data and require lot of manual efforts to reorganize the relevant records. Further, the existing point of sale devices does not notify the customer with a soft copy of the bill containing information about the list of items purchased, the mode of payment done, the outstanding balance of the bill that customer owes to the merchant. Also, such point of sale devices does not receive any notification from the customer about a full payment or a partial payment done by the customer.

Hence, there is a need for an improved point of sale device and a method to operate the same in order to address the aforementioned issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a point of sale device is disclosed. The device includes one or more processors. The device also includes a registration subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The registration subsystem is configured to register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. The registration subsystem is also configured to register a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant. The device also includes an item selection subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The item selection subsystem is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem. The item selection subsystem is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform. The device also includes an order notification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The order notification subsystem is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem. The order notification subsystem is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform. The device also includes a customer identification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The customer identification subsystem is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem. The customer identification subsystem is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card. The device also includes an invoice generation subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The invoice generation subsystem is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem. The invoice generation subsystem is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

In accordance with another embodiment, a system to manage the point of sale device is disclosed. The system includes a registration subsystem operable by the one or more processors, wherein the registration subsystem is configured to register a plurality of merchants on a platform with a corresponding plurality of point of sale devices. The registration subsystem is also configured to register a customer with the platform by providing a customer card to the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. The system also includes an item selection subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The item selection subsystem is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem. The item selection subsystem is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform. The system also includes an order notification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The order notification subsystem is operatively coupled to the product selection subsystem. The order notification subsystem is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform. The system also includes a customer identification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The customer identification subsystem is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem. The customer identification subsystem is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card. The system also includes an invoice generation subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The invoice generation subsystem is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem. The invoice generation subsystem is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform. The system also includes a payment tracking subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The payment tracking subsystem is operatively coupled to the invoice generation subsystem. The payment tracking subsystem is configured to keep track of a plurality of payments done by the customer in a real time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method for operating a point of sale device is disclosed. The method includes registering a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. The method also includes registering a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant. The method also includes selecting one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform. The method also includes transmitting an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform. The method also includes identifying the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card. The method also includes generating an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a point of sale device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the point of sale device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of a system to manage a point of sale device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a method for operating a point of sale device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment representing a screen of the point of sale device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is another exemplary embodiment representing a keyboard of the point of sale device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 8 is yet another exemplary embodiment representing a printed circuit board (PCB) of the point of sale device of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a point of sale device and a method to operate the same. The device includes one or more processors. The device also includes a registration subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The registration subsystem is configured to register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. The registration subsystem is also configured to register a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant. The device also includes an item selection subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The item selection subsystem is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem. The item selection subsystem is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform. The device also includes an order notification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The order notification subsystem is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem. The order notification subsystem is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform. The device also includes a customer identification subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The customer identification subsystem is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem. The customer identification subsystem is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card. The device also includes an invoice generation subsystem operable by the one or more processors. The invoice generation subsystem is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem. The invoice generation subsystem is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a point of sale device (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “point of sale device” refers to an electronic digital hardware -based point of sale machine installed with customized software. The device (10) includes one or more processors (20). The device (10) also includes a plurality of components, wherein the plurality of components is required to execute the point of sale device (10). In one embodiment, the plurality of components may include a monitor or a screen () (as shown in FIG. 6), a barcode scanner, keyboard () (as shown in FIG. 7), a smart card reader, a printed circuit board () (as shown in FIG. 8), cables and wires, batteries, direct current (DC) jack, raspberry pi and the like.

In one embodiment, the device (10) may be integrated with a remote server to store data. In such embodiment, the remote server may include a cloud database. As used herein, the term “cloud database” refers to a database runs on a cloud computing platform and access to the database is provided as-a-service. In one embodiment, the data may include, data associated with a customer, data associated with a merchant, data associated with an agent.

The device (10) also includes a registration subsystem (30) operable by the one or more processors (20). The registration subsystem (30) is configured to register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. As used herein, the term “customer” refers to a consumer who buys products, receives services or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the customer may be a merchant or an agent. Also, as used herein, the term “customer card” refers to a customer identification card which is a radio frequency identification (RFID) card, a near field communication (NFC card), contactless card, contact card and the like. In one embodiment, the customer identification is encrypted and stored in the customer card. Further, the customer card may be used as a customer card, a prepaid card or a wallet card.

In one exemplary embodiment, the customer may register with the platform via a customer computing device such as a hand-held device or a portable device. In such embodiment, the customer computing device may be one of a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet and a desktop. In one embodiment, the customer data may include, but not limited to, a mobile number, name, an identification number and the like.

Further, the registration subsystem (30) is also configured to register a merchant with the platform upon receiving the merchant data from the merchant. As used herein, the term “merchant” refers to a shop, an agency, a service provider, an agent, an individual for selling product, deliver services or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the merchant may register with the platform via a merchant computing device such as a hand-held device or a portable device. In such embodiment, the merchant computing device may be one of a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet and a desktop.

Further, the device (10) also includes an item selection subsystem (40) operable by the one or more processors (20). The item selection subsystem (40) is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem. In one embodiment, the item selection subsystem (40) may be configured to check availability of one or more required items by the customer in a plurality of stores, wherein the device (10) synchronizes a local inventory database with a global database to reflect changes in a global database when any change is made by the merchant in the local inventory database. In one embodiment, the one or more items may include one or more products, one or more services or a combination thereof.

In some embodiment, the changes made by the merchant in the local inventory database may include change status of at least one item from available to out of stock and vice versa. As used herein, the term “local inventory database” refers to a list of items where the item could be a physical product or a service provided by the merchant. In one embodiment, each of the one or more items is associated with an item name, item price, item weight and the like.

Further, the item selection subsystem (40) is configured to select the one or more required items by the customer on the platform upon checking the availability of the one or more required items. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the customer may select one of a delivery option for getting one or more selected items. In such embodiment, the delivery option may include a self-pickup or a home delivery by an agent. As used herein, the term “agent” refers to a shop, an agency, a service provider, an agent or an individual or the platform for selling, delivering goods or delivering any service and the like. In one embodiment, the agent may be registered by the merchant on the platform by providing one or more agent details.

Further, the device (10) also includes an order notification subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (20). The order notification subsystem (50) is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem (40). The order notification subsystem (50) is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more required items on the platform. In some embodiment, the order notification subsystem (50) may also be configured to transmit the order notification by the customer to the agent when the customer selects the home delivery as the delivery option. In one embodiment, the customer may order the one or more selected items by swiping a generated customer card on the device (10). In another embodiment, the customer may order the one or more selected items on the platform via the customer computing device, wherein the device (10) identifies the customer by prestored customer data present on the remote server.

Further, the device (10) also includes a customer identification subsystem (60) operable by the one or more processors (20). The customer identification subsystem (60) is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem (50). The customer identification subsystem (60) is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card. In some embodiment, the device (10) may include an information fetching subsystem operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem (60). The information fetching subsystem may be configured to fetch an input from the remote server upon identifying the customer. In such embodiment, the input may include, a plurality of previous transactions done by the customer, a previous outstanding balance, current outstanding balance and the like.

In one embodiment, the device (10) may include a payment making subsystem operatively coupled to the information fetching subsystem. The payment making subsystem may be configured to make payment by the customer by selecting one of the mode of payment on the platform. In such embodiment, the mode of payment may include, but not limited to, a customer card, cash, e-wallets, net banking, cheque, demand draft and the like.

Further, in one embodiment, the device (10) may include a payment notification subsystem operatively coupled to the payment making subsystem. The payment notification subsystem may be configured to send payment receipt as a notification to the merchant by the customer.

Further, the device (10) may include a payment verification subsystem operatively coupled to the payment notification subsystem. The payment verification subsystem may be configured to verify the payment done via any one of the mode of payment by the customer prior to acknowledge the clearance of the bill.

Further, in one embodiment, the merchant acknowledges the customer by accepting or rejecting the payment receipt based on a verified result. Further, the customer may get notification about the rejection or acceptance of the payment receipt on the platform.

Furthermore, the device (10) also includes an invoice generation subsystem (70) operable by the one or more processors (20). The invoice generation subsystem (70) is operatively coupled to the payment verification subsystem. The invoice generation subsystem (70) is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon receiving payment from the customer. In one embodiment, a generated invoice may include a soft copy and hard copy of the invoice and transmit to the customer computing device. Further, in some embodiment, the plurality of details may include the one or more items purchased by the customer, quantity of the one or more items purchased by the customer, price of one or more purchased items, a mode of payment used by the customer to make payment, an outstanding amount in the generated invoice, order status, total outstanding amount and the like.

In one specific embodiment, the device (10) may include a payment tracking subsystem configured to keep track of the plurality of payments done by the customer in real-time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card. In such embodiment, the plurality of payments may include a complete payment corresponding to the generated invoice, a partial payment corresponding to the generated invoice, daily cash received, payment received through digital wallets, payments received through cheque or demand draft and the like. Further, the device (10) may include an updating subsystem configured to update a plurality of tracked payments of the corresponding customer on the remote server.

Further, in one embodiment, the device (10) may include a password generation subsystem configured to generate a one-time password for the customer upon identifying the customer by the merchant. In one embodiment, the agent may accept the order received from the customer on the agent computing device.

Further, the device (10) may also include a customer validation subsystem configured to enable the agent to verify the customer by validating the one-time password generated for the customer. Further, the agent may update the status of the order on the platform which in further reflects in the device (10) corresponding to the merchant.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the point of sale device (80) of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. A customer card is generated, by a registration subsystem (110), for the customer X (90). A customer X (90) registers on a platform, by the registration subsystem (110), using a customer handheld device (100) by providing a plurality of details including a name, a mobile number and an identification number. Also, a merchant Y (120) registers on the platform, by the registration subsystem (110), using a merchant handheld device (130) by providing a plurality of merchant details including the name, a mobile number and the identification number.

Further, upon registration of customer X (90) on the platform, the customer X (90) selects one or more products, by an item selection subsystem (140), from a corresponding merchant Y (120) on the platform by checking availability of the one or more required products on the platform. Further, upon selection of the one or more required products, the customer X (90) places order for the one or more required products, by an order notification subsystem (150), on the platform via the customer handheld device (100), where the customer X (90) is identified, by a customer identification subsystem (160), by a unique number associated with the generated customer card.

Upon identification of the customer X (90) on the platform, the information such as a plurality of previous transactions done by the customer X (90), previous outstanding amount, current outstanding amount and the like associated with the customer X (90) is fetched, by an information fetching subsystem (170), from a database (180). Further, the customer X (90) makes a payment, by a payment notification subsystem (190), of the one or more selected items by selecting a payment mode on the platform. Upon receiving the payment receipt from the customer X (90), a verification is done by a payment verification subsystem (200), by the merchant Y (120) prior to acknowledging the clearance of the payment.

Further, upon verification of the payment, an invoice along with a plurality of details is generated, by an invoice generation subsystem (210) and sends soft copy and hard copy of the invoice to the customer handheld device (100). Simultaneously, a generated invoice is sent to the customer X (90) for tracking the order status.

Furthermore, the registration subsystem (110), the item selection subsystem (140), the order notification subsystem (150), the customer identification subsystem (160) and the invoice generation subsystem (210) are substantially similar to a registration subsystem (30), an item selection subsystem (40), an order notification subsystem (50), a customer identification subsystem (60) and an invoice generation subsystem (70) of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of a system (220) for managing a point of sale device in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system (220) includes a registration subsystem (30) operable by the one or more processors (20). The registration subsystem (30) is configured to register a plurality of merchants on a platform with a corresponding plurality of point of sale devices. In some embodiment, the plurality of point sale devices is integrated with a remote server.

In one embodiment, the registration subsystem (30) may be configured to register the plurality of merchants on the platform with the corresponding plurality of point of sale devices by providing a unique number, wherein the unique number is associated with the plurality of point of sale devices.

In one embodiment, the system (220) may include a storage subsystem configured to store information associated with a plurality of registered merchants corresponding to the plurality of point of sale devices on a remote server.

Further, the registration subsystem (30) is configured to register a customer with the platform by providing a customer card to the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer. Further, the system (220) also includes an item selection subsystem (40) operable by the one or more processors (20). The item selection subsystem (40) is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem (30). Further, the item selection subsystem (40) is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform.

The system (220) also includes an order notification subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (20). The order notification subsystem (50) is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem (40). The order notification subsystem (50) is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform.

Further, the system (220) also includes a customer identification subsystem (60) operable by the one or more processors (20). The customer identification subsystem (60) is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem (50). The customer identification subsystem (60) is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card.

Further, the system (220) also includes an invoice generation subsystem (70) operable by the one or more processors (20). The invoice generation subsystem (70) is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem (60). The invoice generation subsystem (70) is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform. In one embodiment, a generated invoice may include a soft copy and hard copy of the invoice and transmit to the customer handheld device.

Further, in some embodiment, the plurality of details may include the one or more items purchased by the customer, quantity of the one or more items purchased by the customer, price of one or more purchased items, a mode of payment used by the customer to make payment, an outstanding amount in the generated invoice, order status and total outstanding amount.

The system (220) also includes a payment tracking subsystem (230) operable by the one or more processors (20). The payment tracking subsystem (230) is operatively coupled to the invoice generation subsystem (70). The payment tracking subsystem (230) is configured to keep track of the plurality of payments done by the customer in real-time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a general computer system (240) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system (240) includes processor(s) (20), and memory (250) coupled to the processor(s) (20) via a bus (260).

The processor(s) (20), as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit, or a combination thereof. The memory (250) includes a plurality of subsystems stored in the form of executable program which instructs the processor (20) to perform the configuration of the system illustrated in FIG. 1. The memory (250) has following subsystems: a registration subsystem (30), a product selection subsystem (40), an order notification subsystem (50), a customer identification subsystem (60) and an invoice generation subsystem (70) of FIG. 1.

Computer memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and executable program, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling memory cards and the like. Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with program subsystems, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. Executable program stored on any of the above-mentioned storage media may be executable by the processor(s) (20).

The registration subsystem (30) instructs the processor(s) (20) to register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer.

The registration subsystem (30) instructs the processor(s) (20) to register a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant.

The item selection subsystem (40) instructs the processor(s) (20) to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform.

The order notification subsystem (50) instructs the processor(s) (20) to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform.

The customer identification subsystem (60) instructs the processor(s) (20) to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card.

The invoice generation subsystem (70) instructs the processor(s) (20) to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram representing steps involved in a method (270) for operating a point of sale in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (270) includes registering, by a registration subsystem, a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer in step 280. In one embodiment, registering the customer with the platform may include registering the customer with the platform via a customer computing device such as a hand-held device or a portable device. In such embodiment, registering the customer with the platform via the customer computing device may include registering the customer with the platform via one of a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet and a desktop.

In one embodiment, receiving the customer data from the customer may include receiving a mobile number, name, an identification number and the like from the customer. In some embodiment, registering the customer with the platform by generating the customer card may include registering the customer with the platform by generating one of a radio frequency identification (RFID) card, a near field communication (NFC card), a debit card, a credit card and the like.

Further, the method (270) also includes registering, by a registration subsystem, a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant in step 290. In one exemplary embodiment, registering the merchant with the platform may include registering the merchant with the platform via a merchant computing device such as the hand-held device or the portable device. In such embodiment, registering the merchant with the platform via the merchant computing device may include registering the merchant with the platform via one of a mobile phone, a laptop, a tablet and a desktop.

Further, in one embodiment, the method (270) may also include checking, by an item selection subsystem, availability of one or more required items by the customer in a plurality of stores, wherein the device synchronizes a local inventory database with a global database to reflect changes in the global database when any change is made by the merchant in the local inventory database. In such embodiment, checking the availability of one or more required items may include checking the availability of one or more products, one or more services or a combination thereof.

The method (270) also includes selecting, by the item selection subsystem, the one or more items by the customer on the platform upon checking the availability of the one or more items in step 300. Further, in one embodiment, the method (270) may include selecting one of a delivery option by the customer for getting the one or more selected items. In such embodiment, selecting one of the delivery option by the customer may include selecting a self-pickup or a home delivery by an agent by the customer.

In some embodiment, the method (270) may include registering, by the registration subsystem, the agent by the merchant on the platform by providing one or more agent details. Further, the method (270) includes transmitting, by an order notification subsystem, an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform in step 310. In some embodiment, the method (270) may also include transmitting, by the order notification subsystem, the order notification by the customer to the agent when the customer selects the home delivery as the delivery option.

In one embodiment, the method (270) may include ordering the one or more selected items by the customer by swiping the customer card on the device. In another embodiment, the method (270) may include ordering the one or more selected items by the customer on the platform via the customer computing device, wherein the device identifies the customer by prestored customer data present on the remote server.

Further, the method (270) also includes identifying, by a customer identification subsystem, the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card in step 320.

In one specific embodiment, the method (270) may include fetching, by an information fetching subsystem, an input from the remote server upon identifying the customer. In such embodiment, fetching the input from the remote server may include fetching a plurality of previous transactions done by the customer, previous outstanding amount, current outstanding amount and the like.

Further, in one embodiment, the method (270) may include making, by a payment making subsystem, payment by the customer by selecting one of the mode of payment on the platform. In such embodiment, selecting one of the mode of payment may include selecting one of a customer card, cash, e-wallets, net banking, cheque, demand draft and the like. In some embodiment, the method (270) may include sending, by a payment notification subsystem, a payment receipt as a notification to the merchant by the customer.

Further, in some embodiment, the method (270) may include verifying, by a payment verification subsystem, the payment done by the customer prior to acknowledge the clearance of the bill.

Furthermore, in one embodiment, the method (270) may include acknowledges the customer by the merchant by accepting or rejecting the payment receipt based on a verified result. Further, the method (270) may include receiving the acceptance or rejection notification of the payment receipt from the merchant on the platform.

The method (270) also includes generating, by an invoice generation subsystem, an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer to perform transactions upon identifying the customer on the platform in step 330. In one embodiment, the method (270) may include transmitting the soft copy and hard copy of the invoice to the customer computing device.

In one embodiment, generating the invoice along with the plurality of details may include generating the invoice along with the one or more items purchased by the customer, quantity of the one or more items purchased by the customer, price of one or more purchased items, a mode of payment used by the customer to make payment, an outstanding amount in the generated invoice, order status and total outstanding amount.

In one embodiment, the method (270) may also include keeping, by a payment tracking subsystem, track of the plurality of payments done by the customer in real- time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card. In such embodiment, keeping track of the plurality of payments may include keeping track of a complete payment corresponding to the generated invoice, a partial payment corresponding to the generated invoice, daily cash received, payment received through digital wallets, payments received through cheque or demand draft and the like.

The method (270) may also include updating, by an updating subsystem, a plurality of tracked payments corresponding to the customer on the remote server. Further, the method (270) may also include generating, by a password generation subsystem, a one-time password for the customer upon identifying the customer by the merchant. Further, the method (270) may include accepting the order received from the customer by the agent on the agent handheld device.

The method (270) may also include verifying, by a customer verification subsystem, the customer by the agent by validating the one-time password generated for the customer. Further, the method (270) may include updating, by the updating subsystem, the status of the order on the platform which in further reflects in the device corresponding to the merchant.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a technical solution to the problem of the existing point of sale devices. The present disclosure provides an efficient device to keep track of all the payments done by the customer by sending payment receipt to the merchant upon making payment by the customer and further the merchant acknowledges the customer for the payment receipt. Also, the present device identifies the customer with the previous outstanding balance by registering the customer with a platform by providing an RFID card. Moreover, the present device keeps a record of daily cash payment received, payments received through digital wallet transactions, payments received through cheque or demand draft and daily total credits given to the customer.

Further, the present device uses a customer identification number to register the customer on the platform, thereby eliminating identical profiles of the customer. Moreover, the present device provides RFID cards to the customers to make payment irrespective of the customer having a credit card or a debit card, bank accounts, smartphone or android phone. This solution minimizes the risk of fraudulent transactions.

While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependant on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A point of sale device (10) comprising: one or more processors (20); a registration subsystem (30) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the registration subsystem (30) is configured to: register a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer; register a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant; an item selection subsystem (40) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the item selection subsystem (40) is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem (30), wherein the item selection subsystem (40) is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform; an order notification subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the order notification subsystem (50) is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem (40), wherein the order notification subsystem (50) is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform; a customer identification subsystem (60) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the customer identification subsystem (60) is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem (50), wherein the customer identification subsystem (60) is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card; and an invoice generation subsystem (70) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the invoice generation subsystem (70) is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem (60), wherein the invoice generation subsystem (70) is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform.

2. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is integrated with a remote server.

3. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a generated invoice comprises a soft copy transmitted to a customer handheld device. 4. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of details comprises the one or more items purchased by the customer, a quantity of the one or more items purchased by the customer, price of one or more purchased items, a mode of payment and an outstanding amount in the generated invoice.

5. The device (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a payment tracking subsystem configured to keep track of a plurality of payments done by the customer in real-time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card.

6. A system (220) to manage the point of sale device comprising: a registration subsystem (30) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the registration subsystem (30) is configured to: register a plurality of merchants on a platform with a corresponding plurality of point of sale devices; register a customer with the platform by providing a customer card to the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer; an item selection subsystem (40) operable by the one or more processors

(20), wherein the item selection subsystem (40) is operatively coupled to the registration subsystem (30), wherein the item selection subsystem (40) is configured to select one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform; an order notification subsystem (50) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the order notification subsystem (50) is operatively coupled to the item selection subsystem (40), wherein the order notification subsystem (50) is configured to transmit an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform; a customer identification subsystem (60) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the customer identification subsystem (60) is operatively coupled to the order notification subsystem (50), wherein the customer identification subsystem (60) is configured to identify the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card; an invoice generation subsystem (70) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the invoice generation subsystem (70) is operatively coupled to the customer identification subsystem (60), wherein the invoice generation subsystem (70) is configured to generate an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform; and a payment tracking subsystem (230) operable by the one or more processors (20), wherein the payment tracking subsystem (230) is operatively coupled to the invoice generation subsystem (70), wherein the payment tracking subsystem (230) is configured to keep track of a plurality of payments done by the customer in real time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card. 7. The system (220) as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a storage subsystem configured to store information associated with a plurality of registered merchants corresponding to the plurality of point of sale devices on a remote server.

8. A method (270) for operating the point of sale device comprising: registering, by a registration subsystem, a customer with a platform by generating a customer card for the customer upon receiving customer data from the customer; (290) registering, by the registration subsystem, a merchant with the platform upon receiving merchant data from the merchant; (290) selecting, by an item selection subsystem, one or more items by the customer on the platform upon registration of the customer on the platform; (300) transmitting, by an order notification subsystem, an order notification by the customer on the platform upon selection of the one or more items on the platform; (310) identifying, by a customer identification subsystem, the customer by verifying a unique number associated with the customer card against a prestored unique number upon receiving a notification of the corresponding order from the customer, wherein the prestored unique number is associated with a generated customer card; and (320) generating, by an invoice generation subsystem, an invoice along with a plurality of details for the customer upon identifying the customer on the platform. (330)

9. The method (270) as claimed in claim 8, wherein generating, by the invoice generation subsystem, the invoice comprises generating a soft copy of the invoice for transmitting the soft copy to a customer handheld device.

10. The method (270) as claimed in claim 8, further comprising keeping, by a payment tracking subsystem, track of a plurality of payments done by the customer in real-time, wherein the plurality of payments corresponds to the generated invoice on the platform via a generated customer card.