Multi-mode point-of-sale device

Abstract

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a cloud-based point-of-sale system and a multi-function point-of-sale (POS) device. In an embodiment, the POS device includes an interactive display that switches between a first position oriented towards and for use by an operating clerk, and a second position oriented towards and for use by a customer. The POS device is able to detect the switch between the first position and the second position. A processor in the POS device outputs a first graphical user interface (GUI) on the interactive display in response to detection of the first position and a second GUI in response to detection of the second position. In an embodiment, the components of the POS device are combined together in a unified assembly.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A point of sale (POS) device, comprising:
 an interactive interface configured to scan or receive a selection of one or more items associated with a customer for a purchase; and   at least one processor configured to operate the POS device in a self-checkout mode, and while the POS device operates in the self-checkout mode, the at least one processor is further configured to:
 transmit, to a web server, a status-based notification for an event associated with the POS device; 
 receive, from a second POS device, a remote control command for controlling the POS device; 
 resume control of the interactive interface to the at least one processor responsive to completion of the remote control command by the second POS device; 
 attempt to contact the third-party for approval in response to determining that the customer or any of the one or more items of the purchase require approval from a third-party; 
 process payment of the items responsive to receiving the approval from the third-party; and 
 reject the purchase of the items responsive to not receiving the approval from the third-party. 
   
     
     
         3 . The POS device of  claim 2 , wherein the event associated with the POS device comprises a determination that remote assistance is needed for the purchase. 
     
     
         4 . The POS device of  claim 2 , wherein the remote control command is configured to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface. 
     
     
         5 . The POS device of  claim 4 , wherein to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface of the POS device, the processor is further configured to:
 display, via the interactive interface, the one or more items; and   transmit, to the second POS device, the displayed one or more items for display by the second POS device.   
     
     
         6 . The POS device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a camera, wherein the remote control command is configured to enable the second POS device to remotely control the camera.   
     
     
         7 . The POS device of  claim 2 , wherein to attempt to contact the third-party for the approval, the at least one processor is further configured to:
 determine whether contact information exists in at least one of a customer data record of the customer, a parent's customer data record, or a customer data record of the third-party; and   if the contact information exists in the customer data record or the parent's customer data record, transmit a message to the third-party for approval using the contact information.   
     
     
         8 . The POS device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 determine that purchasing approval is not received from the third party by performing at least one of:
 receiving a message from the third-party rejecting the purchase; or 
 determining that no message from the third-party is received within a predetermined period of time after attempting to contact the third party. 
   
     
     
         9 . The POS device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive an input, wherein the input includes at least one of an identification of the customer or an age of the customer.   
     
     
         10 . The POS device of  claim 9 , wherein to determine that the customer or any of the one or more items of the purchase require approval, the at least one processor is further configured to:
 receive, based on the input, account information associated with the customer; and   determine, based on the account information and the input, that the customer requires the purchasing approval from the third party.   
     
     
         11 . A method for purchase processing by a POS device operating in a self-checkout mode and comprising an interactive interface, the method comprising:
 receiving, by the POS device, a selection of one or more items associated with a customer for a purchase;   transmitting, to a web server, a status-based notification for an event associated with the POS device;   receiving, from a second POS device, a remote control command for controlling the POS device;   resuming control of the interactive interface to the POS device responsive to completion of the remote control command by the second POS device;   attempting to contact the third-party for approval in response to determining that the customer or any of the one or more items of the purchase require approval from a third-party;   processing payment of the items responsive to receiving the approval from the third-party; and   rejecting the purchase of the items responsive to not receiving approval from the third-party.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the event associated with the POS device comprises a determination that remote assistance is needed for the purchase. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the remote control command is configured to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface of the POS device, the method further comprising:
 displaying, via the interactive interface, the one or more items; and   transmitting, to the second POS device, the displayed one or more items for display by the second POS device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the POS device further comprises a camera and wherein the remote control command is configured to enable the second POS device to remotely control the camera of the POS device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining whether contact information exists in at least one of a customer data record of the customer, a customer data record of a parent, or a customer data record of the third-party; and   transmitting, using the contact information, a message to the third-party for the approval if the contact information exists.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 determining that purchasing approval is not received from the third party by performing at least one of:
 receiving a message from the third-party rejecting the purchase; or 
 determining that no message from the third-party is received within a predetermined period of time after attempting to contact the third party. 
   
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a point-of-sale (POS) device while the POS device is a self-checkout mode, causes the POS device to perform operations comprising:
 receiving, by the POS device, a selection of one or more items associated with a customer for a purchase;   transmitting, to a web server, a status-based notification for an event associated with the POS device;   receiving, from a second POS device, a remote control command for controlling the POS device;   resuming control of the POS device to the at least one processor responsive to completion of the remote control command;   attempting to contact the third-party for approval in response to determining that the customer or any of the one or more items of the purchase require approval from a third-party;   processing payment of the items responsive to receiving the approval from the third-party; and   rejecting the purchase of the items responsive to not receiving the approval from the third-party.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable device of  claim 18 , wherein the event associated with the POS device comprises a determination that remote assistance is needed for the purchase. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable device of  claim 18 , wherein the remote control command is configured to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface. 
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable device of  claim 18 , wherein to enable the second POS device to remotely control the interactive interface of the POS device, the operations further comprising:
 displaying, via the interactive interface, the one or more items; and   transmitting, to the second POS device, the displayed one or more items for display by the second POS device.