Native and Non-Native Event Control for Unauthorized In-App Purchases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital platforms lack the ability to monitor and control in-app purchases (IAP) made by non-authorised users, particularly children, due to their digital nature, which can result in unauthorized transactions from associated payment accounts.
Innovation Solution
A management platform is introduced that allows for the creation of a master account with subordinate accounts, enabling the establishment of funding and spending rules, and providing a dashboard for transaction monitoring, along with integration with automated teller machines (ATMs) for incentive fulfillment, to manage and restrict IAPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If digital platforms allow users to make in-app purchases using stored payment account information, then convenience of operation is improved, but risk of unauthorized transactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the digital platform into multiple independent components: a payment account system for storing payment information, a family management system for authorization control, and a transaction monitoring system. This segmentation allows the payment functionality to remain convenient while adding layers of authorization control to prevent unauthorized transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a family management system as an intermediary between the payment account and the in-app purchase transactions. This intermediary layer verifies authorization before allowing transactions to proceed, maintaining convenience for authorized users while blocking unauthorized transactions from children or non-authorized individuals.
2Ease of operation
If digital platforms store payment account information for future transactions, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized access increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authorization actions where family members are pre-designated and authorized before any payment transactions occur. The system pre-configures spending limits, allowed merchants, and authorization levels, so that even if payment information is accessible, unauthorized transactions cannot be completed without prior authorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The family management system acts as an intermediary layer between stored payment information and transaction execution. It monitors and controls access to payment account information, allowing convenient storage of payment details while preventing unauthorized access through layered authorization requirements.
3Reliability
If parental control features are added to digital platforms, then security against unauthorized transactions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal family management system that handles multiple functions: authorization control, spending limit enforcement, transaction monitoring, and payment information protection. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system rather than separate features, the complexity is managed more efficiently while providing comprehensive protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service capabilities where family members can autonomously manage their own spending limits, view transaction histories, and adjust authorization levels without requiring technical support or complex configuration. This reduces operational complexity for users while maintaining strong security controls.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system of using native and non-native events to control incentives in a computing environment is provided. A method includes: creating, by a processing circuit, a master account; creating, by the processing circuit, a subordinate account linked to the master account; receiving, by the processing circuit and from the master account, a first task and an associated incentive for the first task; detecting, by the processing circuit, a native or non-native event regarding the first task; and, implementing, by the processing circuit, an action corresponding to the associated incentive based on detecting the native or non-event regarding the first task. Detecting the native event includes receiving a message directly from a device linked to the processing circuit. Detecting a non-native event includes receiving an indication from a user device associated with the subordinate account.