Transaction cost recovery queue management
First Claim
1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for managing a queue at a merchant location, the method comprising:
- imposing a first surcharge at a first checkout lane;
monitoring a transaction activity at the first checkout lane;
imposing a second surcharge at a second checkout lane when the transaction activity at the first checkout lane exceeds a pre-determined threshold;
wherein monitoring the transaction activity comprising monitoring a number of transactions processed by a point-of-sale device during a pre-determined period of time; and
wherein the second surcharge is determined based on attaining a target level of transaction activity at the first checkout lane.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for determining a transaction cost recovery amount are provided. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined for each of a plurality of locations. The locations may include point-of-sale terminals and/or checkout lanes. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined based on Merchant Category Code (“MCC”) information. When a customer leaves a first location associated with a first MCC, the customer may be informed of a transaction cost recovery amount at a second location. The second location may be associated with a second MCC. The transaction cost recovery amount may be determined based on a product inventory. The transaction cost recovery amount may be imposed to maintain an inventory level above a critical level. The transaction cost recovery amount may be based on a decrease and/or increase in an inventory level.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a processor on a computer system, perform a method for managing a queue at a merchant location, the method comprising:
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imposing a first surcharge at a first checkout lane; monitoring a transaction activity at the first checkout lane; imposing a second surcharge at a second checkout lane when the transaction activity at the first checkout lane exceeds a pre-determined threshold; wherein monitoring the transaction activity comprising monitoring a number of transactions processed by a point-of-sale device during a pre-determined period of time; and wherein the second surcharge is determined based on attaining a target level of transaction activity at the first checkout lane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for managing a checkout queue, the system comprising a point-of-sale (“
- POS”
) controller configured to;impose a first surcharge at a first POS terminal; detect a change in a queue performance metric, the queue performance metric corresponding to a length of a patron queue waiting to use the first POS terminal; determine whether the change exceeds a threshold value; impose a second surcharge at a second POS terminal when the change in the queue performance metric exceeds the threshold value; and determine the second surcharge based on attaining a target queue performance metric. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- POS”
Specification