Beacon-Based Payment Notification System for Agent Locations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers often face challenges in locating bill payment and money transfer agent locations, especially when they are unaware that a nearby business offers these services, leading to missed payment opportunities and potential late payments.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that uses electronic beacon devices installed at agent locations to transmit universally unique identifiers (UUIDs), major identifiers, and minor identifiers, allowing mobile devices to detect the presence of these locations and generate payment notifications, including payment data and agent location information, enabling users to prepare and complete payments at the agent location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If consumers rely on traditional notification methods (calendar apps, local reminders), then they can be alerted to payment due dates, but they cannot be notified of nearby agent locations in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacon devices as intermediary elements installed at agent locations. These beacons transmit identification signals that the mobile application detects to notify consumers of nearby agent locations. This intermediary solution bridges the gap between traditional notification systems and real-time location awareness without requiring complex system-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application leverages the consumer's existing mobile device capabilities (GPS, sensors, notification system) to provide the location awareness function. The beacon devices autonomously transmit their presence, and the application autonomously processes the signals and generates notifications, creating a self-service system that adds functionality without burdening the consumer with complex setup or maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If consumers are unaware that a nearby business offers payment services, then they cannot make convenient payments, but increasing visibility may require physical signage or advertising
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/physical methods of information dissemination (signage, advertising, word-of-mouth) with an electronic/digital system. Beacon devices emit electronic signals that are detected by the mobile application, which then provides digital notifications to consumers. This substitution enables real-time, dynamic information delivery without the costs and limitations of physical advertising.
3Speed
If consumers must be physically near an agent location to make payments, then payment speed increases, but they may miss opportunities when traveling through the vicinity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by notifying consumers in advance that they are near or have entered an agent location. The beacon-triggered notification alerts the consumer before they may have naturally noticed the agent location, giving them immediate awareness and the opportunity to proceed with payment without delay. This preliminary notification eliminates the time loss associated with discovering the agent location after arrival.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for beacon device-based customer notifications is provided. The method is implemented by a computing device including a processor. The method includes receiving, from a beacon device, a beacon device advertisement that includes a universally unique identifier (UUID), a major identifier, and a minor identifier. The method also includes identifying, based on at least one of the UUID, the major identifier, and the minor identifier, that the beacon device is associated with an agent location, where the agent location is corresponds to a bill payment and money transfer facility. The method further includes generating a payment notification for display on the computing device, where the payment notification includes payment data and agent location data, receiving, from a user, an instruction to prepare to make a payment at the agent location, and causing the agent location to stage the payment for completion by the user.