Multi-mode point-of-sale device
In an embodiment, a point of sale (POS) device is provided. The POS device includes a memory and at least one processor. The processor is configured to perform an authorized set of functions established by an external management module. The authorized set of functions include purchase transaction processing of inventory identified as available to the POS device by the external management module.
1. A transaction processing system, comprising:
a point of sale (POS) device configured to operate with an operating system (OS) secured against alteration, the POS device comprising an interactive touchscreen display configured to switch between a first position and a second position, and a transceiver configured to transmit and receive transaction data,
wherein the POS device is further configured with a software application that is a hardened application configured to perform a restricted action, the restricted action including at least one of restricting sharing of data generated by the hardened application, disabling an ability to exit the hardened application, and preventing loading of software updates on the POS device; and
a server comprising a storage device configured to store inventory information accessed via the POS device and a communications module configured to receive and transmit the transaction data to the POS device, and selectively enable acceptance of data via a secure communications path,
wherein the server is configured to communicate with a remote device and to update the inventory information based on input received from the remote device and according to purchase transaction processing of inventory identified as available to the POS device.
2. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is further configured to:
transmit a request to the server over the secure connection path;
reject incoming data over the secure connection not sent in response to the request; and
accept incoming data over the secure connection sent in response to the request.
3. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is further configured to transition between an input state with a first interface and a purchase state with a second interface based on a detected switch between the first position and the second position of the interactive touchscreen display.
4. The transaction processing system of claim 3 , wherein:
the interactive touchscreen display is configured to face an operator of the POS device in the first position of the interactive touchscreen display and face a customer in the second position of the interactive touchscreen display, and
the first interface comprises an operator interface and the second interface comprises a customer interface, and wherein the second interface displays one or more previously entered and deferred purchase transactions in coordination with interactions with the first interface.
5. The transaction processing system of claim 4 , wherein the one or more previously entered and deferred purchase transactions are selectable using the first interface or the second interface.
6. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is further configured to:
during an input state, input a selected item selected by a customer, wherein the selected item is from the inventory identified as available to the POS device;
during a payment state, enable the customer to pay for the selected item; and
transmit a signal to the server indicating the selected item has been purchased, wherein the server is configured to update the inventory identified as available to the POS device based on the signal.
7. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device further comprises:
a position sensor, a processor, a drawer, a printer, a front-facing display, a payment card reader, a barcode scanner, and a speaker, and wherein the position sensor, the processor, the drawer, the printer, the front-facing display, the payment card reader, the barcode scanner, and the speaker are contained with the transceiver and the interactive touchscreen display within a single device.
8. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is pre-configured to operate and perform transaction processing upon power up without operator configuration.
9. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device further comprises:
a power button, wherein the processor is configured to connect power to the interactive touchscreen display in response to a first position of the power button and disconnect power to the interactive touchscreen display in response to a second position of the power button.
10. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device further comprises a peripheral device port.
11. The transaction processing system of claim 10 , wherein the peripheral device port comprises a Universal Serial Bus port configured to provide power to, while disabling data input from, a peripheral device.
12. The transaction processing system of claim 10 , wherein the peripheral device port is configured to receive a device identifier from a peripheral device and based at least on the device identifier, provide control signals and data flow to the peripheral device.
13. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the server is further configured to disable the acceptance of data except in response to a request initiated by the POS device.
14. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is further configured to:
receive the inventory identified as available to the POS device from the server; and
perform an authorized set of functions established by the server, the authorized set of functions comprising purchase transaction processing of the identified as available to the POS device and an operation of the interactive touchscreen display.
15. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , wherein the POS device is further configured to:
transmit a notification to the server, the notification including status information of the POS device; and
receive a modification from the server based on the notification, wherein the modification controls an operation of the POS device, wherein the modification includes a tag and at least one of a security update, a software feature update, and a bug fix update, and wherein the tag indicates a priority for installing the modification.
16. The transaction processing system of claim 15 , wherein the POS device is further configured to, based at least in part on the tag, disable a connection to the server.
17. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , the POS device further comprising:
a peripheral device port, wherein the peripheral device port comprises a Universal Serial Bus port configured to provide power to, while disabling data input from, a peripheral device.
18. The transaction processing system of claim 17 , wherein disabling the data input includes disabling an exit function of a software application installed on the POS device.
19. The transaction processing system of claim 1 , the POS device further comprising:
a peripheral device port, wherein the peripheral device port is configured to receive a device identifier from a peripheral device and based at least on the device identifier, providing control signals and data flow to the peripheral device.