E-Commerce Payment Platform Delayed Transaction Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment systems using plastic cards can be problematic when merchants do not accept card payments or when communication links between merchants and creditors are inoperable, limiting the ability to facilitate transactions and gratuities.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that enables payers to facilitate transactions with merchants by providing a list of nearby merchants, allowing payers to select and initiate transactions, and offering options for tipping, including automatic tip application during or upon transaction completion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic cards with magnetic stripes or chips are used for transactions, then card-based payment processing is enabled, but transactions cannot be completed when merchants do not accept card payments or when communication links to creditors are inoperable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary between payers and merchants. This system receives transaction requests, processes payments through alternative methods (not limited to plastic cards), and facilitates gratuity transfers. The intermediary enables transactions to proceed even when traditional card-based communication links fail or when merchants don't accept card payments, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional point-of-sale card readers are used, then card authentication and transaction processing are streamlined, but the system fails when communication links between merchants and creditors are inoperable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal computer system that performs multiple functions: it acts as a transaction processor, payment facilitator, gratuity manager, and communication bridge between payers and merchants. This multi-functional system replaces the specialized point-of-sale card reader and provides backup communication pathways, ensuring transactions can complete through alternative routes when traditional card network links fail.
3Adaptability or versatility
If plastic cards are used for payments, then standard credit/debit card infrastructure can be utilized, but the system lacks flexibility when merchants do not accept card payments
Solution Approach 1:
The computer system serves as an intermediary that abstracts away the complexity of multiple payment methods from both merchants and payers. It receives transaction requests and handles the complexity of selecting and executing appropriate payment methods (card-based or alternative), while merchants and payers interact with a simplified interface. This resolves the contradiction by centralizing complexity in the intermediary system.
Data Source
AI summary
An e-commerce payment platform is provided that enables configuring a GUI on a mobile device of a user; receiving, via the GUI, one or more specifications regarding a tipping process for providing tips to one or more transactions conducted via the e-commerce payment platform, the mobile device of the user, and a respective device of a service provider; storing the one or more specifications of the tipping process in a database; receiving a request for processing a transaction using the mobile device of the user and the respective device of the service provider that are detected in geographical proximity of each other; delaying processing the transaction until at least one of a tip is applied according to the one or more specifications of the tipping process; or a condition associated with the transaction has been met; and processing the transaction after the tip is applied or the condition is met.