Area-Based POS and Payment Terminal Pairing via Checkout Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system that enables intuitive, efficient, and secure pairing and collaboration between a merchant POS device and a payment card reader terminal, allowing merchants to customize their POS systems without compromising payment security and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A system architecture that connects a merchant POS device and a payment reader terminal via a checkout service server, utilizing an application programming interface (API) for secure communication and transaction processing, enabling secure and efficient data transfer without direct wired or wireless connections between the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a merchant uses a separate payment terminal device to offload receipt of customer personal data, then payment security is improved and risk of data breach is reduced, but device complexity increases and requires additional pairing infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that facilitates secure communication and pairing between the merchant POS device and payment terminal device. The server manages the pairing process, stores pairing information, and enables secure data transfer without requiring direct complex connections between devices, thus improving security while managing system complexity through centralized coordination
2Adaptability or versatility
If a merchant uses a separate payment terminal device instead of a combined POS system, then customization freedom is improved and payment security is enhanced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to pairing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service pairing mechanisms where the system automatically performs pairing operations without requiring manual configuration by the merchant. The server facilitates automatic device identification, authentication, and pairing establishment, reducing the operational burden on merchants while maintaining customization freedom and security benefits of separate devices
3Speed
If direct wired or wireless connections are established between POS device and payment terminal, then communication speed is improved, but security risk increases due to direct data exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the server as an intermediary communication channel between the POS device and payment terminal device. All data transfers are routed through the server, which encrypts and secures the communication channels. This approach maintains efficient communication speeds while eliminating direct connections that would expose data to security risks, as the server acts as a secure gateway managing all data flows
Data Source
AI summary
A merchant uses a merchant point of sale (POS) device to identify items or services for purchase by a customer, and costs for each. One or more payment amounts are sent from the merchant POS device to a checkout server using an application programming interface (API), which the checkout server sends on to an authorized payment terminal device that then reads payment information from a payment object and sends the payment information back to the checkout server. The checkout server processes the transaction and confirms transaction completion to the merchant POS device and payment terminal device.