Biometric Virtual Account System for Secure Donated Fund Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Donors desire to provide donations in the form of gift cards while retaining control over how the funds are used and ensuring secure access to the funds, which is not adequately addressed by traditional gift cards.

Innovation Solution

A system that provides a virtual account for an individual based on biometric measurements, allowing donors to control how the funds are used and ensuring secure access through biometric authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional gift cards are used, then donors can provide donations, but donors cannot retain control over how the funds are used and access security is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess securityVSAvoidcontrol over fund usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical gift cards and account identifiers with a biometric authentication system. The biometric measurement system captures physiological characteristics (fingerprint, facial recognition, iris pattern) to authenticate access, eliminating the need for physical cards that can be lost or stolen. This substitution provides both enhanced security and maintained donor control over fund usage restrictions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication parameter from account identifiers or physical card presence to biometric measurements. By using unique physiological parameters that cannot be replicated or lost, the system achieves higher reliability in access control while maintaining the ability to enforce donor-imposed restrictions on fund usage through the virtual account system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If account identifiers are used for access, then individuals can access funds, but the identifiers may be lost or stolen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to fundsVSAvoidsecurity of access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the account access mechanism through biometric data storage and processing. Instead of relying on physical cards or identifiers that can be replicated or lost, the system stores and processes biometric measurements to create a secure virtual access mechanism that cannot be physically lost or stolen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical gift cards are issued, then donors can provide controlled donations, but the cards are subject to expiration dates and fees

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedonor control over fund usageVSAvoidfees and expiration losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical gift cards with a virtual account system that eliminates physical card expiration and associated fees. The virtual account infrastructure allows for persistent storage of funds without the degradation inherent in physical card systems, while maintaining donor control through programmable restrictions on fund usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements selective enforcement of restrictions rather than universal expiration. Donor-imposed restrictions are enforced only when and where applicable, allowing funds to remain accessible indefinitely subject to those restrictions, rather than imposing blanket expiration dates that cause unnecessary loss of available funds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12211045B2System, method, and computer program product for virtual accounts based on biometric measurements

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AI summary

Provided is a method for providing a virtual account based on a biometric measurement, the method includes receiving biometric data associated with a biometric measurement of an individual, generating an virtual account of the individual based on receiving the biometric data associated with the biometric measurement of the individual, provisioning access to the virtual account of the individual based on the biometric measurement of the individual, and sending a message to a user device based on generating the virtual account associated with the individual, where the notification message includes an indication associated with the virtual account. A system and computer program product are also disclosed.