Machine-Readable Card for Automated Data Access and Payment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in accessing specific data on the internet due to the need to navigate through content providers and search engines, and devices like PDAs may not receive data in compatible formats, requiring manual reformatting and payment information entry, which can be error-prone and complex.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where a card with machine-readable information is used to automatically locate and retrieve data, format it for the device, and handle financial transactions, allowing users to easily access data by reading the card with a communication device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual navigation and search are used to find specific data on the Internet, then users can access data, but the process is time-consuming and difficult for users without internet surfing skills
Solution Approach 1:
The card contains pre-stored data location information, URLs, and access parameters that are prepared in advance. When the user presents the card, the system automatically retrieves this pre-stored information to immediately locate and access the desired data, eliminating the need for manual navigation and search processes
Solution Approach 2:
The card acts as an intermediary object that bridges the user and the data location information. Instead of users directly navigating the complex Internet structure, the card mediates by containing and transmitting the necessary location data and access parameters to the system, which then automatically retrieves the data
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is re-formatted for different devices, then compatibility is improved, but the process requires manual entry of operating parameters which is error-prone and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The card stores pre-configured device-specific parameters and formatting information for different target devices. When a user presents the card, the system automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-stored parameters and performs the formatting conversion without requiring users to manually enter or understand technical formatting specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The card serves as an intermediary that contains all necessary device compatibility information. Instead of users directly handling complex formatting tasks, the card mediates by providing the system with pre-prepared formatting data, which the system then uses to automatically convert data to the appropriate format for the target device
3Ease of operation
If payment information is entered repeatedly for each purchase, then financial transactions can be completed, but the process is annoying and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The card contains pre-stored payment information and authentication data that are prepared in advance. When the user presents the card for a purchase, the system automatically retrieves this pre-stored payment information and processes the transaction without requiring the user to repeatedly enter credit card numbers, expiration dates, or other sensitive payment details
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system is disclosed comprising a communication network and a communication device. The communication device reads machine-readable information from a card, wherein the information on the card corresponds to data hosted by a content provider in the communication network. The communication device processes the information to locate the content provider, and transmits a request for the data and the information to the communication network. The communication network processes the information to translate the data hosted by the content provider to a format suitable for the communication device. The communication network also processes the information to handle a financial transaction for the data.