Dynamic Payment Selection via Face Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic payment systems fail to consistently provide users with the most appropriate payment service at the time of payment, as they either lack flexible selection criteria or prioritize services based on pre-set rules that do not account for user-specific circumstances.

Innovation Solution

An electronic payment apparatus that performs face authentication using stored face feature information, collects value-related information from associated payment means, and determines the most suitable payment target based on this information, allowing for dynamic selection of the appropriate payment service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple payment services are provided with fixed priorities, then payment processing can be performed systematically, but the system cannot flexibly adapt to different user circumstances and payment timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of payment service selectionVSAvoidcomplexity of payment service management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic prioritization where the order of payment services is not fixed but changes based on real-time conditions. The determination unit dynamically adjusts the priority order by evaluating current balances, return rates, and user preferences at the moment of payment, allowing the system to adapt flexibly to different circumstances while maintaining systematic processing through automated decision-making algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters used for prioritization based on current state. Instead of using static priority assignments, the system dynamically evaluates parameters such as current balance, expected return rate, and payment amount to determine the optimal payment service order, enabling flexibility without requiring complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If payment services are selected based on pre-set priorities, then processing is systematic, but the selection does not account for user-specific circumstances at the time of payment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappropriateness of payment service selectionVSAvoidtime for determining payment service

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and storing essential information such as user preferences, payment service characteristics, and historical data. This preparation allows the determination unit to quickly evaluate current circumstances and make reliable decisions without time-consuming data gathering during the actual payment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the determination unit continuously evaluates current balance, return rate, and payment amount information, then adjusts the payment service selection accordingly. This feedback loop ensures reliable and appropriate selections while maintaining efficiency through automated real-time assessment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If face authentication is implemented with multiple electronic payment means, then security is improved, but the authentication process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of payment authenticationVSAvoidcomplexity of authentication process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication process into distinct functional components: the authentication apparatus handles face recognition and verification, while the electronic payment apparatus handles payment service determination and execution. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function, improving security through dedicated authentication processing while reducing overall system complexity through clear separation of concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20220300980A1Electronic payment apparatus, system, and method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program

Publication Date: 2022.09.22 NEC CORP

AI summary

An electronic payment apparatus (1) includes a storage unit (11) that stores a user (110a) and authentication information (111 to 11n) in each of a plurality of electronic payment means in association with each other, an authentication control unit (12) that causes an authentication apparatus to perform face authentication for a shot image, a collection unit (13) that collects value-related information relating to a payment value possessed by the user in each of the electronic payment means using the authentication information associated with the user who has succeeded in the face authentication, a determination unit (14) that determines the electronic payment means as a payment target from among the plurality of electronic payment means based on the collected value-related information, and an execution instruction unit (15) that issues an instruction to perform payment processing using the electronic payment means as the payment target.