Mobile Device Barcode Exchange for Dynamic Electronic Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic transaction systems, such as electronic payment and ticketing systems, rely on paper-based barcodes that require users to access the internet, purchase items, and print tickets, which is inefficient and lacks dynamic processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A system where a mobile communications device with a digital camera and video display exchanges information with an automated information system, using graphical representations like barcodes to encode and decode datasets, enabling dynamic processing of transactions between the device and the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If paper-based barcodes are used for electronic transactions, then users can access and print tickets through the Internet, but the process is inefficient and lacks dynamic processing capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidtime required for purchase and printing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical printing process with digital display and camera capture. Instead of printing barcodes on paper, the system displays graphical representations directly on a mobile device screen and uses the device's camera to capture and process these displays, eliminating the need for physical printing and significantly reducing transaction time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic processing by enabling real-time generation, display, and processing of graphical representations during the transaction process. The mobile device can dynamically create and update barcodes based on transaction data, and the system can process multiple transactions in sequence without requiring physical ticket replacement or reprinting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional barcode readers are used to read printed barcodes, then ticket information can be transmitted to processing centers, but the system lacks bi-directional communication capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile communication device universal by combining multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both the display device for graphical representations and the reading device via its camera. The automated information system similarly combines display and reading capabilities, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the display function and reading function into the same device. The mobile device displays graphical representations and uses its camera to capture them, while the automated information system displays barcodes and uses its reader to scan them. This merging enables bi-directional communication without requiring complex multi-device architectures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If users access the Internet via computer to purchase tickets, then transactions can be processed through vendor websites, but the process requires multiple steps including printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidnumber of steps in transaction process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the printing step from the transaction process. By using digital display and camera capture instead of physical printing, the system removes an unnecessary intermediate step while maintaining all essential transaction functions, thereby reducing the total number of steps users must complete

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by having the mobile device capture and store transaction data immediately when displayed, rather than requiring physical printing first. The barcode reading and data extraction happen directly from the digital display, preparing the information for immediate processing without waiting for physical ticket production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9098498B2Electronic transactions with mobile communications devices via encoded graphical representations

Publication Date: 2015.08.04 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD

AI summary

Information is exchanged between a mobile communications device and an automated information system. In one embodiment, the mobile communications device is equipped with a video display and a digital camera, and the automated information system is equipped with a video display and a graphical representation receiver. The automated information system displays a first graphical representation encoded with a first dataset. The mobile communications device captures an image of the first graphical representation, decodes the first dataset, processes the first dataset, generates a second dataset, encodes the second dataset in a second graphical representation, and displays the second graphical representation. The automated information system receives the second graphical representation, decodes the second dataset, and processes the second dataset. Examples of graphical representations include barcodes.