Access Point Payment System for Unregistered Users
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional access points and routers are not configured to facilitate access to data networks by unregistered or unknown users, and they lack integration with third-party payment systems for authentication, especially for an 'access now, pay later' model.
Innovation Solution
A novel combination of access points with a unique payment system that allows user devices to access a data network without prior registration or login, using a creditworthiness indicator to authorize access and accumulate payment balances for later settlement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional access points are used with standard authentication protocols, then network security is maintained, but unregistered users cannot access the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a payment system as an intermediary between the access point and unregistered users. The payment system receives access requests from user devices, determines creditworthiness, and authorizes access without requiring traditional registration. This mediator enables network access for unknown users while maintaining security through payment-based authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the authentication function from traditional registration processes. Instead of requiring users to create accounts and log in, the payment system segments the authentication process into device identification, creditworthiness assessment, and access authorization - allowing unregistered users to access the network while maintaining security controls.
2Ease of operation
If registration and login processes are required for payment authentication, then payment security is ensured, but user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service access where user devices automatically present their identifiers to the payment system. The payment system autonomously evaluates creditworthiness based on device identifiers and makes authorization decisions without requiring user registration, login, or manual intervention. This eliminates complex registration processes while maintaining payment security.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system performs preliminary creditworthiness evaluation and access authorization before network connection is established. By pre-assessing device creditworthiness and authorizing access in advance, the system eliminates the need for registration and login processes, providing immediate access to approved devices while maintaining security controls.
3Ease of operation
If access is granted before payment, then user convenience is improved, but payment collection risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The payment system performs preliminary creditworthiness evaluation based on device identifiers before granting network access. Devices that pass the credit assessment are authorized for access, while those that fail are denied. This pre-screening mechanism enables convenient access for approved users while mitigating payment collection risks through advance credit evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the payment system continuously monitors device activity, data consumption, and payment status. Based on this feedback, the system can adjust credit limits, terminate access for non-payment, or update creditworthiness assessments, thereby managing payment collection risk while maintaining user convenience.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for access points and corresponding payment systems which facilitate access to a data network by a user device for payments of very small monetary amounts in an access now and pay latter arrangement. The method for such a payment system for at least one access point or access point server relies on an identifier associated with a mobile device for recording such identifier; receiving and confirming direct debit orders from the associated mobile device for access to a data network; and for storing the direct debit orders. Such payment system method monitors the total of the debit amounts in relation to the identifier and requests a user of the mobile device to register and settle at least a portion of the total amount after a predetermined time interval and/or on exceeding a predetermined total debit amount, in order to settle at least part of such total debit amount. In accordance with such requests, the access points may provide the user device with limited access to the data network for registering and settling with the payment system. Such limited access may comprise at least one of limited access to at least one network address of the payment system, limited duration of access, and limited transmission rate.