Body-Conducted Identifier Pairing for Payment Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-to-point radio communication methods, such as Bluetooth, face challenges in selecting the correct terminal among multiple devices, especially in scenarios like wireless payment transactions, where multiple terminals are capable of communicating with users, leading to complex and user-unfriendly pairing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing electromagnetic wave conduction capabilities through the user's body to transmit an identifier from an electronic transaction terminal to a user terminal, allowing for automatic selection and pairing without the need for biometric identification or direct terminal presentation, using near-field communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional Bluetooth pairing methods are used, then communication can be established between terminals, but the pairing process becomes complex and cumbersome for users when multiple terminals are present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary channel through the human body to transmit the terminal identifier. Instead of direct terminal-to-terminal communication, the body acts as a mediator that conducts electromagnetic waves from the terminal to the user's device, enabling reliable identification without complex user interactions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual pairing mechanisms (requiring users to manually select or validate connections) with electromagnetic wave conduction through the body. This substitution eliminates the need for complex user validation steps while maintaining reliable pairing
2Reliability
If biometric characteristics are used for pairing, then authentication can be performed, but the system becomes restrictive and requires pre-recording of biometric data in the terminal
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the terminal to store and verify biometric characteristics of users, the patent inverts the approach by having the user's body transmit the terminal's identifier back to the terminal. This reversal eliminates the need for pre-recorded biometric data while maintaining secure authentication
Solution Approach 2:
The user's body serves itself as the communication channel and authentication mechanism. The body naturally conducts electromagnetic waves to transmit the terminal identifier, eliminating the need for external biometric verification systems or pre-configured authentication data
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple terminals are within radio range, then users have communication options, but incorrect pairing may occur leading to transaction errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the pairing process specific to the physical location where the terminal identifier is transmitted through the body. Only the terminal that transmits the identifier through the user's body at that specific moment can be paired, ensuring accuracy while maintaining flexibility in terminal selection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and error-free pairing of a single electronic transaction terminal with the correct user terminal, simplifying the process for users and preventing incorrect pairings, even when multiple terminals are within range.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an identifier from the electronic transaction terminal to said user terminal, on a communication channel using electromagnetic wave conduction capabilities of the user's body, called a near-field channel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method of pairing between a first terminal (10b), called the electronic transaction terminal (ETT, 10b), and a second terminal (12a) of a user, called the user terminal. The method comprises, on the electronic transaction terminal, the following steps: - transmitting (E20) an identifier (Id_10b) from the electronic transaction terminal to said user terminal (12a), on a channel (14) using the electromagnetic wave conduction capabilities of the user's body, called the near-field channel (NFC, 14), when the user touches the electronic payment terminal; - receiving (E23, E23'), on a radio channel (13) distinct from the near-field channel, data from said user terminal; and - if the data received on the radio channel (13) contains (E24, E24') the transmitted identifier, pairing (E25) with said user terminal.