Light ID Payment System for Commercial Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payment systems in commercial passenger vehicles face challenges in simplifying and securing transactions due to limitations in accessing transaction authorizing elements, such as banks or credit card companies, and require specific scanning devices like NFC or QR codes, which can be cumbersome and slow.

Innovation Solution

A payment system utilizing light identification technology, where a server in the vehicle communicates with a personal electronic device and a light sourcing device to display a light ID corresponding to payment credential information, allowing for secure and rapid processing of payments without the need for specific scanners or complex image recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC or QR code scanning devices are used for payment processing, then payment security is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment securityVSAvoidscanning device requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical/optical scanning systems (NFC readers, QR code scanners) with a light-based communication system. The light sourcing device emits modulated light signals that can be directly captured by the camera of a personal electronic device, eliminating the need for specialized scanning hardware while maintaining payment security through encrypted light identification data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium for transmitting payment credential information. Instead of direct device-to-device communication requiring complex protocols, the light sourcing device acts as an intermediary that converts payment data into visual light signals, which are then captured and processed by the personal electronic device's camera and image processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional payment systems are used in commercial vehicles, then transaction authorization is secured, but access to authorizing elements becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction authorization securityVSAvoidaccess to banks and credit card companies

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables self-service payment processing within the commercial vehicle environment. The system uses locally available components (light sourcing device, personal electronic device camera) to complete transactions without requiring external banking infrastructure or complex network connections to credit card companies, making the payment process as easy as capturing an image.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the personal electronic device's camera serve multiple functions - it acts as both a payment credential verifier and a communication receiver. This universal use of the camera eliminates the need for separate payment terminals or specialized access devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining secure transaction authorization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If light identification technology is used for payment verification, then transmission rate is improved, but interference from other light sources may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification transmission rateVSAvoidlight interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic modulation of the light signal to encode payment credential information. By varying the light emission in periodic patterns (on/off cycles, frequency modulation), the system achieves high transmission rates while the rhythmic nature of the signal helps distinguish it from ambient continuous light sources, reducing interference issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables easier, faster, and more secure payment processing by eliminating the need for specific device positioning and complex image recognition, with higher transmission rates and reduced interference, using pulse width modulation communication for secure and immediate information exchange.

Implementation Method 1

using pulse width modulation communication for secure and immediate information exchange

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPulse width modulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentUS11676137B2Payment schemes using light identification for passengers in commercial passenger vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 PANASONIC AVIONICS CORP

AI summary

A system for assisting a payment to a passenger on a commercial passenger vehicle is disclosed. The system is located in the commercial passenger vehicle and comprises: an onboard server configured to (1) receive, from a personal electronic device associated with a passenger, a request to process a payment along with payment credential information and (2) operate to authorize the payment; a light sourcing device in communication with the onboard server and configured to receive, from the onboard server, a verification request for the payment credential information, and display a light identification (ID); and the personal electronic device in communication with the onboard server and the light sourcing device and configured to capture an image of the light ID and obtain the verification request corresponding to the payment credential information from the captured image.