Contactless Transaction Device Location Alerting via Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional monitoring systems for locating individuals, such as those using GPS or cellular triangulation, are often embarrassing, unreliable, or uncomfortable, and do not effectively address the need for locating users of contactless transaction devices, particularly for vulnerable individuals like the elderly or those with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A contactless transaction device equipped with an antenna and microchip that stores consumer account data and location alert data, allowing for the transmission of location alerts to a transaction terminal during transactions, enabling real-time user location monitoring and alerting of guardians or authorities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems (GPS, cellular triangulation) are used to locate individuals, then location tracking capability is achieved, but the system causes embarrassment, discomfort, and suspicion to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transaction device (such as a contactless payment card) as an intermediary to enable location tracking. Instead of directly monitoring the user through conspicuous GPS devices, the system leverages the transaction device that the user already carries and interacts with during normal activities. The transaction device communicates with terminals to provide location information indirectly, thus maintaining tracking capability while reducing user embarrassment and discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the transaction device itself to serve dual purposes: its original function for transactions and an additional function for location monitoring. The device automatically communicates its location information to authorized parties when used for transactions, without requiring separate monitoring equipment or active user participation in the monitoring process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for conspicuous monitoring devices on the user.
2Reliability
If conventional monitoring systems are used, then location data can be obtained, but the systems are uncomfortable and unreliable for vulnerable individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the location monitoring function with the transaction device that users already possess and interact with regularly. By combining these two functions into a single device, the system eliminates the need for separate, uncomfortable monitoring equipment. The transaction device becomes a multi-functional tool that provides both payment services and location monitoring, thereby improving user comfort while maintaining monitoring reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a transaction device stores both consumer account data and location alert data, then the device serves dual purposes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the transaction device to perform multiple functions: its original purpose for consumer transactions and an additional purpose for location monitoring and alerting. The device is configured to store both consumer account data and location alert data, and to transmit appropriate data to different recipients based on the transaction context. This multi-functional design allows a single device to serve diverse purposes without requiring separate specialized equipment.
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
Facilitates the secure and discreet monitoring of users, ensuring their safety by providing real-time location alerts when predefined boundaries or conditions are violated, enhancing the reliability and comfort of user location tracking.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna operable to electromagnetically receive and transmit data
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention may relate to systems, methods, and apparatus to facilitate locating a user of a transaction device. In one embodiment, a contactless transaction device for facilitating locating the user can be provided. The contactless transaction device may include an antenna operable to electromagnetically receive and transmit data. The contactless transaction device may also include a microchip comprising a memory operable to store consumer account data and location alert data and in communication with the antenna, wherein the microchip is operable to transmit the location alert data to a transaction terminal via the antenna when the contactless transaction device is presented to facilitate a transaction with the transaction terminal.