Fractal Image Payment Verification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current credit and debit card systems are vulnerable to information theft due to the susceptibility of physical devices to copying and fraudulent activities, where the theft of payment information may not be detected until significant unauthorized charges have been made.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a customer-generated fractal image, created using a seed and payment device information, to facilitate secure commercial transactions by verifying the authenticity of the fractal image through a central authority, thereby ensuring the legitimacy of the transaction without exposing sensitive payment information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical payment devices (credit/debit cards) are used for transactions, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened due to susceptibility to copying and fraudulent activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical payment devices with a digital fractal image that can be displayed on a mobile device screen. The fractal image is generated using a seed and payment device information, creating a virtual copy that eliminates the need for physical cards while maintaining payment functionality. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation through digital display while improving security since the fractal image cannot be physically copied or stolen like traditional cards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms static payment device information into a dynamic fractal image generated by mathematical algorithms. The fractal image parameters (visual pattern, colors, structure) are derived from the seed and payment device information, creating a unique visual representation that changes with different seeds. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation through simple display while dramatically improving security through cryptographic transformation of the payment information.
2Productivity
If payment device information is stored and transmitted, then transaction facilitation is improved, but vulnerability to theft is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central authority as an intermediary that verifies fractal images during transactions. Instead of directly transmitting sensitive payment device information between customer and merchant, the system uses the central authority to validate the fractal image's authenticity. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining fast transaction processing through automated verification while eliminating the risk of payment information theft since the actual payment device information never leaves the secure storage of the central authority.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential verification function from the payment device information itself and separates it into a fractal image that can be safely transmitted. The fractal image contains the necessary proof of payment device ownership without exposing the actual payment device information (such as card numbers). This resolves the contradiction by enabling fast transactions through transmission of the extracted fractal image while protecting the original payment device information from theft.
3Ease of operation
If traditional payment systems are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but detection of fraudulent activities is worsened due to delayed detection until significant charges are made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate feedback verification through the central authority that validates each fractal image in real-time during the transaction process. The system provides instant confirmation of payment device ownership and transaction authorization, rather than delaying detection until after charges are processed. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining payment convenience through automated real-time verification while dramatically reducing fraud detection time to moments before the transaction completes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for approving a commercial transaction using a customer generated fractal image. The method includes receiving, from a central authority, a seed, and receiving a request for the customer generated fractal image for payment of the commercial transaction with a merchant. In response to the request, payment device information is obtained and the customer generated fractal image is generated using the seed and the payment device information. The customer generated fractal image is displayed on the mobile device where it is scanned by the merchant to obtain a scanned fractal image. The scanned fractal image is sent, by the merchant, to the central authority. The central authority approves the commercial transaction by generating an expected fractal using a copy of the payment device information and the seed, and comparing the scanned fractal image with the expected fractal.