Magnetic Field Encoded Tag for Fraud-Resistant Retail Check-In
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for consumer check-in at retail locations are prone to fraud, expensive, and inaccurate, lacking a reliable and cost-effective solution for validating a consumer's presence using existing technologies like GPS, NFC, QR codes, and audio solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing magnetic-field encoded tags, where a unique pattern of alternating magnetic orientations and strengths is used, allowing consumers to check-in by waving their mobile device over a magnetic tag, which is decoded to identify the consumer and associate them with a specific retail location, notifying the retailer of their presence without requiring additional hardware on the consumer's device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If GPS is used for self-check-in, then consumers can check-in automatically without human validation, but GPS suffers from local black-spots, slow settling times, and incorrect readings making it unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic tags as an intermediary between the consumer's mobile device and the retailer's location verification system. Instead of relying on GPS satellite signals that suffer from black-spots and delays, the magnetic tag serves as a local mediator that provides immediate, accurate location verification when the mobile device is waved over it at the point of sale.
2Ease of operation
If QR codes or barcodes are scanned for check-in, then consumers can check-in using their camera, but this process is slow and frustrating and pictures can be captured for fraudulent check-in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical scanning system (camera-based QR code/barcode scanning) with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using light and image processing that can be captured and replicated, the system uses magnetic field interaction that requires physical proximity and wave motion, making it both faster and resistant to remote fraudulent capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires the consumer to wave the mobile device over the magnetic tag, creating a dynamic interaction pattern. This motion-based activation with magnetic field oscillation makes it difficult to cheat by simply photographing the tag, as the system detects the specific motion pattern and magnetic field interaction over time rather than a static image.
3Measurement precision
If NFC tags are used for check-in, then accurate location verification is achieved, but specialized NFC hardware is required in the consumer's smartphone increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the magnetic field sensor in mobile devices serve a dual purpose: it functions as both a compass for navigation and as a check-in sensor for location verification. By using the existing magnetometer that is already present in virtually all smartphones for its original navigation function, the patent eliminates the need for specialized NFC hardware while achieving accurate location verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the magnetometer, a sensor that already exists in every smartphone for navigation purposes, and repurposes it for check-in functionality. This self-service approach means the consumer's existing device capabilities are sufficient for check-in, eliminating the need for additional specialized hardware components.
4Extent of automation
If audio solutions like ShopKick are used for check-in, then self-check-in is enabled, but expensive hardware installations are required and spatial resolution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive magnetic tags that can be easily attached to point-of-sale devices or surfaces. These simple magnetic tags replace expensive audio hardware installations, providing a low-cost, disposable-like solution that requires minimal infrastructure investment while enabling accurate self-check-in.
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
Provides a user-friendly, inexpensive, and accurate check-in process that is resistant to fraud, utilizing existing magnetometer capabilities in smartphones, ensuring reliable consumer validation without the need for expensive hardware installations.
Implementation Method 1
a code is received from a mobile device of a consumer; the code is acquired at a retail location of a retailer as a magnetic-field encoded tag that the mobile device is waved over to acquire
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for checking into a retail establishment are provided. A retailer provides a substrate having a magnetic-field encoded tag. A consumer waves the consumer's device over the tag to electronically capture the magnetic-field encoded tag. The consumer's device is used to communicate the tag to a retailer to validate that the consumer is physically present and now checked into the retail establishment of the retailer.