Disconnected Terminal Post-Paid System Using Cryptographic Tokens

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing post-paid payment systems for disconnected terminals, such as water and electricity meters, face challenges including manual data collection errors, high costs associated with data connection failures, and limited feasibility in areas without data networks, as well as difficulties in implementing post-paid methods in specific locations like public transport and paid parking.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables post-paid operations on disconnected terminals through a central server managing user accounts, cryptographic keys, and operation records, using tokens and hashes for secure and efficient data exchange, allowing operations to be validated and processed without manual intervention, even in areas with no data connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual data collection is used for disconnected terminals, then implementation is simple and feasible, but errors increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection accuracyVSAvoidbilling process speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The disconnected terminal autonomously generates operation records and cryptographic proofs without requiring manual intervention. The terminal self-manages data collection, hashing, and validation, eliminating human errors while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection with an automated cryptographic system. The terminal uses hash functions and digital signatures to automatically record and validate operations, substituting human labor with algorithmic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If data connection is implemented for connected terminals, then automation increases and manual intervention decreases, but cost increases and reliability decreases due to connection failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection automationVSAvoidsystem operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the data collection function from the data transmission function. The terminal autonomously collects and validates data locally (segment 1), then transmits only validated records when connection is available (segment 2). This segmentation allows automation without continuous connection dependency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal pre-validates operations and creates cryptographic proofs before transmission. By beforehand cushioning the data with validation and hashes, the system ensures reliability even if connection fails during or after transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of information

If continuous data connection is maintained for post-paid operations, then real-time monitoring is improved, but loss of energy increases and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation data availabilityVSAvoiddata connection energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous connection, the system uses periodic action where the terminal transmits data in batches when connection is available. The terminal maintains operation records locally and synchronizes periodically, reducing energy consumption while ensuring data availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If cryptographic validation is implemented for fraud prevention, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraud prevention capabilityVSAvoidterminal system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex cryptographic validation logic from the terminal and places it in the central server. The terminal only needs to generate and store simple hashes and digital signatures, while the server performs the complex validation, reducing terminal complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Ease of manufacture

If manual reading process is used for disconnected terminals, then implementation cost is reduced, but loss of time increases due to delays in data collection and billing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem implementation costVSAvoidbilling process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs preliminary action by autonomously recording and validating operations as they occur, rather than waiting for manual reading. This preliminary data preparation eliminates billing delays while keeping the terminal simple and cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11507949B2Post-paid process and system for multipurpose disconnected terminals

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 PAIVA DE BRITO SOUSA RUI ADRIANO

AI summary

This post-paid process and system for disconnected terminals solves the problem of a disconnected terminal being able to perform post-paid operations securely, using an electronic device of the user to communicate with a central server which creates a token with a temporal validity that serves to activate a compound of the disconnected terminal and, optionally, additional hardware. All operations performed in the terminal are locked to make it impossible to alter the data and signed with a cryptographic key before using the client device as transportation for the operations block to be processed in the central server and charged.