Group Bill Payment System Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for splitting group bills are inconvenient and risky, as they require manual tracking and payment by a responsible group member, who may face errors or delinquencies, affecting all group members.

Innovation Solution

A secure group bill payment system that allows multiple group members to contribute payments via a network, with features such as authentication, rule-based payment requests, and automatic transmission of group payments to providers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual payment tracking is used by a responsible group member, then the system is simple to implement, but the reliability of payment is poor and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service payment processing where the bill splitting system automatically calculates charges, requests payments from group members, and transmits payments to providers without requiring manual intervention. The system monitors payment status and sends notifications automatically, eliminating the need for a responsible party to manually track payments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical payment tracking with automated electronic processing. The system uses computer-based calculations to determine individual charges, electronic communication to request and receive payments, and automated transmission to providers, substituting the manual mechanical process with an automated information-processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a responsible group member manually manages payments, then the system requires minimal technology, but the ease of operation is poor due to tracking burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment management easeVSAvoidtime for payment tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically calculating each group member's charge based on the bill and predefined rules, automatically sending payment requests, and automatically transmitting payments when received. This eliminates the time-consuming manual tracking and administration that would otherwise be required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by automatically monitoring payment status and sending notifications to group members about payment receipt and status. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for manual checking and reduces the time required to track payments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If conventional bill splitting methods are used, then the system is simple to implement, but the productivity is low due to manual processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment processing productivityVSAvoidpayment automation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical payment processing with automated electronic systems that calculate charges, communicate payment requests, receive payments, and transmit to providers without human intervention, thereby increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables continuous automated operation where payment processing occurs without interruption or manual intervention. The system continuously monitors bills, calculates charges, processes payments, and sends notifications, maintaining continuous useful action rather than requiring periodic manual processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Loss of time

If manual payment collection is used, then the system requires minimal technology, but the loss of time is high due to tracking and reminder requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for payment collectionVSAvoidsystem technology level

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically monitors payment status and sends real-time notifications to group members about payment receipt and status, eliminating the need for manual tracking and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically collecting payments from group members and transmitting them to providers, eliminating the need for manual collection and reducing the time required for payment processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12236406B2Systems and methods for real-time, distributed processing of group bill payments

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for group bill payment comprising creating a secure group bill payment account associated with a plurality of group members. The group bill payment account may be configured to receive information via a network from the plurality of group members; permit a group member to manage the group bill payment account following an authentication process; and transmit a group payment to a provider. Systems and methods may further comprise receiving instructions from a group member to create a rule for requesting payment, the bill being from a provider and associated with group members; receiving the bill issued by the provider; determining a charge based on the bill and the rule; sending a payment request based on the charge; receiving a deposit into the group bill payment account; transmitting a group payment; and sending a notification.