ATM-Based Mobile Payment Intermediary System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many merchants face challenges in accepting mobile device payments due to the need for specialized equipment and expertise, hindering the transition from physical card payments to mobile device payments.
Innovation Solution
A system that enables merchants to receive payments via automatic teller machines (ATMs) by using a processor to receive payment requests, identify nearby ATMs, generate images for dispensing funds, and send these images to the merchant's system, allowing for cash payments without requiring the merchant to own mobile payment hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If merchants use specialized mobile payment terminals to accept mobile device payments, then payment acceptance capability is improved, but device complexity and expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising a payment gateway and a mobile payment terminal that mediates between the mobile device and the merchant's existing POS system. The payment gateway receives payment requests from mobile devices, processes them through secure communication protocols, and relays authorization results back to the terminal, which then completes the transaction with the merchant. This intermediary architecture enables mobile payment acceptance without requiring merchants to directly implement complex mobile payment infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile payment terminal is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional POS terminal for card payments and as a mobile payment acceptance device. The terminal can process multiple payment types (contactless cards, mobile device payments, cash) through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment. The system adapts its functionality based on the payment method presented by the customer, making the existing terminal universal rather than specialized.
2Reliability
If merchants implement mobile payment systems with high expertise requirements, then payment processing reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service features including automatic payment request generation when a mobile device approaches the terminal, automated authentication through biometric or token-based verification, and automatic transaction logging. The payment gateway automatically manages security credentials, tokenization, and communication protocols without merchant intervention. This self-service automation maintains high reliability through consistent protocol execution while significantly reducing the operational burden on merchants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where the payment gateway continuously monitors transaction status, device compatibility, and security conditions, then provides immediate feedback to the terminal and merchant. The terminal receives real-time updates on payment authorization status, and the system automatically adjusts its behavior based on feedback from each component. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable payment processing while simplifying merchant operations through automated decision-making based on real-time conditions.
3Device complexity
If merchants use existing POS systems without mobile payment integration, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to mobile payments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile payment capability is segmented into separate modular components: a payment gateway module that handles communication with mobile devices, a tokenization module for security, and a terminal interface module for user interaction. These modular segments can be independently added to or removed from the existing POS system through software integration, allowing merchants to incrementally adopt mobile payment functionality without completely replacing their existing simple hardware infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a new dimension of mobile payment capability through software layer integration rather than hardware replacement. The payment gateway operates in a digital communication dimension (wireless protocols, data encryption, token exchange) that overlays the existing physical POS dimension. This dimensional addition allows the system to handle mobile payments while maintaining the original simple hardware architecture, effectively adding capability without increasing physical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may include receiving, via a processor, a request for payment of a payment amount from a first computing system. The method may also involve receiving a location of the first computing system, identifying one or more automatic teller machines (ATMs) based on the location of the first computing system, generating an image configured to cause the one or more ATMs to dispense funds that correspond to the payment amount, and sending the image to the first computing system.