Electronic Credential Payment System for Traffic Fee

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for paying traffic section fees, such as using bus cards or mobile phones with SE chips, are not convenient as they require specific hardware compatibility and may not efficiently handle payment processes.

Innovation Solution

A method where a client device generates and sends electronic credential information to charging apparatuses, which then communicate with a payment system to determine and pay traffic fees based on inbound and outbound station information, allowing for convenient payment using existing mobile devices without the need for specific hardware compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile phones with SE chips are used for payment, then payment functionality is enabled, but hardware compatibility requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment convenienceVSAvoidhardware compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an electronic credential as an intermediary that mediates between the client device and the charging apparatus. Instead of requiring direct hardware compatibility between mobile phones and POS machines, the electronic credential serves as a universal intermediary that can be generated by any client device and recognized by any charging apparatus, thereby eliminating hardware compatibility constraints while maintaining payment convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/hardware-based SE chip system with a software-based electronic credential system. The electronic credential is generated and stored in the payment system rather than being embedded in hardware, allowing any client device with payment application support to perform payments without requiring specific hardware components like SE chips or NFC capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If card swiping is used for payment, then payment process is simple, but security risk increases due to credential theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment simplicityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the payment credential into multiple components: the electronic credential itself, the payment account information, and the verification mechanism. The electronic credential is generated separately and used for authentication, while the payment account is stored securely in the payment system. This segmentation ensures that even if one component is compromised, the overall security remains intact, as the credential cannot be used without proper verification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary verification actions before payment processing. The charging apparatus verifies the validity of the electronic credential before accepting it for payment, and the payment system performs additional verification steps. This preliminary validation prevents unauthorized usage and credential theft from being effective, as invalid or stolen credentials will be rejected during the verification process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11605146B2Traffic section fee payment method, fee system, and payment system

Publication Date: 2023.03.14 ADVANCED NEW TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD

AI summary

A client device obtains and records inbound station information. The client device sends first electronic credential information to an inbound charging apparatus, where the first electronic credential information comprises authentication information generated by a payment system based on a user identity in the client device. The client device sends second electronic credential information and the inbound station information to an outbound charging apparatus, where the second electronic credential information comprises authentication information generated by the payment system based on the user identity in the client device.