Biometric Identity Switch for Legacy POS Payment Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payment interactions between users and merchants are cumbersome due to the need for presenting payment cards or digital wallets, which can be inefficient and inconvenient, especially when multiple users are involved.

Innovation Solution

A biometric pay feature is introduced, where users enroll via a central repository, allowing biometric authentication at merchants, with a biometric identity switch coordinating interactions across different biometric providers and converting authorization packets for legacy POS terminals, enabling seamless biometric-enabled transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional payment methods (credit cards, digital wallets) are used, then payment transactions can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment transaction convenienceVSAvoidtransaction processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical payment methods (physical credit cards, digital wallet apps) with biometric authentication systems. The biometric reader captures physiological data (fingerprint, facial recognition, iris scan) that automatically identifies the user and authorizes the transaction, eliminating the need for manual card insertion, PIN entry, or digital signature processes. This substitution dramatically reduces transaction time and improves user convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The biometric authentication system enables self-service payment processing where the system automatically verifies user identity and authorizes transactions without requiring manual intervention. The biometric reader and processing system work autonomously to authenticate users and complete payments, reducing the need for cashiers or manual processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If biometric authentication is implemented, then payment convenience is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric payment convenienceVSAvoidbiometric system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a biometric identity switch as an intermediary component that manages communication between various biometric providers and the payment processing system. This switch handles the complexity of interfacing with different biometric readers, authentication protocols, and payment processors, allowing the overall system to maintain simplicity from the user's perspective while managing technical complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The biometric identity switch is designed to support multiple biometric providers and authentication methods through a single unified interface. This multi-functional component can handle fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, and other biometric types, allowing the system to accommodate various authentication methods without increasing overall system complexity for the end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple biometric providers are integrated, then authentication versatility is improved, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiometric provider compatibilityVSAvoidcoordination between providers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The biometric identity switch serves as a central coordinator that manages interactions with multiple biometric providers. It handles the complexity of protocol translation, data format conversion, and authentication workflow coordination between different providers, allowing the system to integrate multiple authentication methods without requiring direct coordination between each provider.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the biometric authentication function into separate modular components - individual biometric providers handle specific authentication types, while the biometric identity switch coordinates their operations. This segmentation allows each provider to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall system architecture through clear division of responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12567072B2Systems and methods for use in biometric-enabled network interactions

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for facilitating biometric-enabled network interactions. One example computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a biometric identity switch (BIS) computing device, from a point-of-sale (POS) terminal of a merchant, a request for an authorization packet for a transaction between the merchant and a user and identifying a biometric provider associated with a biometric in the request. The method also includes requesting, by the BIS computing device, from the identified biometric provider, a biometric identifier for the user, based on the biometric, receiving the biometric identifier from the identified biometric provider, determining the authorization packet for the user based on the biometric identifier, and transmitting the authorization packet to the POS terminal for use by the POS terminal in compiling an authorization request for the transaction.