Hybrid NFC Non-NFC Payment System for Secure Mobile Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current payment systems lack efficient and secure methods for mobile transactions, particularly in scenarios where card-present verification is required without the physical presence of a salesperson, and they fail to effectively integrate Near Field Communication (NFC) with non-NFC communication for seamless data exchange and secure transaction processing.

Innovation Solution

A payment facilitating system utilizing NFC-enabled mobile communicators and POS terminals that establish both NFC and non-NFC communication links to enable direct data transfer, including payment card information and customer signatures, for secure and card-present transaction processing, while allowing for the exchange of membership information and discounts, and employing transaction identifiers for data association across communication sessions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If NFC communication is used for mobile payments, then transaction speed and convenience are improved, but security verification capability deteriorates without physical card presence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction speedVSAvoidsecurity verification capability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges NFC communication with non-NFC communication (such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) to create a hybrid communication system. This allows the system to leverage the speed of NFC for initial data transfer while using non-NFC communication for additional security verification, thereby maintaining both transaction speed and security capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism where transaction data is first exchanged via NFC, then verified through a second communication channel. This intermediary step ensures that the physical card presence is verified even when NFC alone cannot provide sufficient security, resolving the contradiction between speed and verification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If dual communication links (NFC and non-NFC) are established, then data exchange capability and security are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange capabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a communication system where the mobile device and POS terminal are designed to handle multiple communication protocols (NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) through universal communication modules. This allows the same hardware infrastructure to support both NFC and non-NFC communication without significantly increasing complexity, as the system is designed to be multi-functional from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic communication switching where the system automatically selects and switches between NFC and non-NFC communication modes based on transaction requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain simplicity by only activating the necessary communication channel for each specific transaction, rather than permanently maintaining both channels active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If transaction data is transferred directly between mobile device and POS terminal, then transaction efficiency is improved, but data security during transmission deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces encrypted communication channels as intermediaries between the mobile device and POS terminal. Rather than direct unencrypted data transfer, the transaction data passes through encrypted NFC and non-NFC communication channels, which act as secure intermediaries that protect the data while maintaining efficient direct transfer between the two endpoints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite security measures combining multiple encryption methods and communication protocols. Similar to composite materials in engineering, the system combines NFC encryption, non-NFC encryption, and transaction verification mechanisms to create a multi-layered security structure that protects data transmission while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2737443B1Payment facilitating system for use with a mobile communicator utilizing a near field communication (NFC) link
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 VERIFONE INC
  • EP2737443B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2737443B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2737443B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A payment facilitating system for use with a mobile communicator and a point of sale (POS) terminal, the system including a Near Field Communication (NFC) financial transaction communication link between the mobile communicator and the POS terminal, the NFC financial transaction communication link being operative to communicate NFC data for use in a financial transaction, a non-NFC financial transaction communication link between the mobile communicator and the POS terminal, the non-NFC financial transaction communication link being operative to communicate non-NFC data for use in the financial transaction, and a transaction effector operative to complete the financial transaction using both the NFC data communicated directly between the mobile communicator and the POS terminal over the NFC financial transaction communication link and the non-NFC data communicated directly between the mobile communicator and the POS terminal over the non-NFC financial transaction communication link.