Dual Protocol Display Label for Contactless Payments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional contactless payment methods using display labels are ineffective due to damage, fading, camera issues, and unfavorable light conditions, leading to a poor user experience as users often need to manually enter payment information.

Innovation Solution

A dual protocol display label that combines an optical code with a near-field communication (NFC) tag, allowing merchant information to be acquired through both optical code scanning and NFC-based wireless communication, ensuring reliable information retrieval regardless of environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an optical code is used on a display label for contactless payment, then the payment process can be automated through scanning, but the system becomes vulnerable to damage, fading, and environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of payment information acquisitionVSAvoidreliability of information retrieval

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two different communication protocols (optical code scanning and NFC wireless communication) into a single display label system. The display label includes both an optical code that can be scanned and an NFC tag that can wirelessly transmit payment information, allowing the system to switch between protocols depending on environmental conditions and device capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the communication parameter from a single fixed protocol to multiple switchable protocols. The display label can operate in optical code mode or NFC mode based on the payer's device capabilities and environmental conditions, thereby adapting the information transmission method to maintain reliability across different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a single protocol (optical code only) is used on the display label, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different conditions and user needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of display label structureVSAvoidadaptability to environmental conditions and device capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display label is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both optical code and NFC tag capabilities. This allows the same display label to work with different types of payer devices (those with camera scanning capability and those with NFC capability) and to adapt to different environmental conditions, making the payment system universally applicable across various scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual entry of payment information is required due to scanning failures, then the system can handle adverse conditions, but the user experience deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle adverse conditionsVSAvoidtime for payment transaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC tag acts as an intermediary solution when optical code scanning fails due to adverse conditions. Instead of requiring manual entry of payment information, the system automatically transmits the required information through NFC wireless communication, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding the time loss associated with manual entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If the optical code is the only method for information transfer, then manufacturing is simple, but the system fails when the printed surface is damaged or faded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of display label productionVSAvoidrobustness against damage and fading

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an NFC tag alongside the optical code as a pre-prepared backup mechanism. This NFC tag is manufactured into the display label in advance, providing a cushioning alternative that activates when the optical code becomes unreadable due to damage or fading, thereby ensuring continuous reliability without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 convenient and reliable acquisition of merchant payment information, improving the user experience by providing alternative communication modes for contactless payments, even in adverse conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a near-field communication (NFC) tag affixed to the label substrate, wherein the near field communication tag is configured to broadcast one or more data signals having the merchant information encoded therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11030514B2Methods, systems and computer program products for contactless payments

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to contactless payments using an electronic payment transaction environment. In particular, the disclosure provides methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing contactless payments based on a dual protocol display label including an optical code and an NFC tag, each configured to communicate merchant information for the purposes of enabling electronic payments to a merchant.