Barcode Scanning Middleware for Simplified Mobile Payment Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Merchants face inconvenience and additional costs when providing paperless transactions like credit card payments, as they need to connect to multiple electronic equipment and set up specific card readers for services like Apple Pay or Samsung Pay, limiting flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A card not present (CNP) transaction system that uses a transaction control device to scan barcodes, obtain middleware addresses, and send connection messages, with middleware establishing connections to obtain transaction tokens and amounts, and an acquirer server verifying and confirming transactions, thereby simulating card reader behavior to simplify hardware requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If merchants set up authorized card readers to provide mobile payment services, then payment functionality is provided, but hardware cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a middleware component that acts as an intermediary between the transaction control device and the acquirer server. The middleware handles the complex communication and transaction processing protocols, allowing the transaction control device to remain simple while still providing full mobile payment functionality. The middleware translates between different payment protocols and the acquirer server interface, eliminating the need for merchants to purchase and configure specialized card readers.
Solution Approach 2:
The transaction control device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple payment types (credit cards, mobile payments, etc.) through a single device. By integrating barcode scanning, WiFi connectivity, and standardized communication protocols, the device can perform various payment functions without requiring additional specialized hardware for each payment type, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If merchants purchase electronic equipment from financial service providers, then transaction capability is enabled, but additional cost is incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The middleware serves as a cost-saving intermediary by handling complex transaction processing software-wise rather than requiring expensive hardware. Instead of merchants purchasing specialized card readers from financial service providers, the middleware implements the necessary transaction protocols and communication interfaces through software, significantly reducing hardware costs while maintaining full transaction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses barcode scanning as a simple, low-cost alternative to traditional card reading hardware. By capturing payment information through barcode images and processing them through the middleware, the system replicates the functionality of expensive card readers using inexpensive mobile device cameras and image processing, thereby reducing hardware expenditure while preserving transaction capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If specific card readers are required for different payment services, then service functionality is provided, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transaction control device is designed as a universal platform that can handle multiple payment services (credit cards, mobile payments like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, etc.) through a single device. The integrated WiFi module and standardized communication protocols enable the device to connect with different payment networks without requiring separate specialized card readers for each service, thus maintaining full service functionality while greatly improving implementation flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The middleware acts as a flexible intermediary layer that handles the complexity of different payment service protocols. Instead of requiring merchants to configure different hardware for each payment service, the middleware software manages the protocol translations and communications, allowing a single transaction control device to seamlessly handle multiple payment types with ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A card not present (CNP) transaction system includes a transaction control device for scanning a barcode to obtain transaction information and an address of a middleware and to send a connection message to the address of the middleware according to the transaction information, the middleware for establishing a connection with a transaction control device according to the connection message received, to obtain a transaction token and a transaction amount from the transaction control device through the connection and to send a transaction message according to the transaction token and the transaction amount, and an acquirer server for receiving the transaction message to establish a connection with the middleware and to generate a transaction confirmation message to the middleware according to the transaction message after verifying the transaction token.