Mobile Commerce Proximity Detection via Signal Strength
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile commerce systems face challenges in providing a secure and scalable solution for real-time transactions, with limitations in integrating with existing point-of-sale systems and electronic payment systems, and issues with security and usability, particularly in high-pressure environments.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an intermediate remote server to facilitate communication between a third-party app on a customer's mobile device and a merchant's computing device, using relative signal strength to determine proximity and enhance transaction security, and utilizes service-UUIDs to track devices and maintain tracking even when device-UUIDs change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If cloud-based technology with central servers is used for mobile commerce transactions, then real-time transaction capability is improved, but security risks increase due to potential vulnerabilities in centralized systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized cloud architecture into distributed peer-to-peer nodes. Each mobile device acts as an independent node that can verify and process transactions locally, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized systems while maintaining real-time transaction capability through direct device-to-device communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cryptographic protocols and consensus mechanisms as intermediaries between transaction parties. These intermediaries enable secure verification and agreement on transaction validity without requiring trust in a central server, thus improving security while preserving real-time processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple stakeholder integrations are implemented in mobile commerce systems, then system functionality and versatility are improved, but system complexity and integration difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal protocol layer that enables different stakeholders (merchants, customers, payment processors, logistics providers) to interact through standardized interfaces. This multi-functional protocol handles various transaction types and stakeholder relationships without requiring separate integration solutions for each combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configurable parameters and metadata to adapt the system behavior for different stakeholder combinations. By changing parameters such as transaction rules, verification requirements, and communication protocols based on the specific stakeholders involved, the system achieves versatility without hardcoding complex integration logic for each scenario.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional point-of-sale systems are used at merchant locations, then existing infrastructure is maintained, but integration capability with mobile commerce apps is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway component that acts as an intermediary between traditional point-of-sale systems and mobile commerce applications. This gateway translates between the legacy POS interface and the mobile app protocol, enabling integration without modifying the stable existing POS infrastructure while providing full mobile commerce functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of the point-of-sale system within the mobile application. By copying the essential POS functionality and interface patterns into the mobile app, the system maintains compatibility with traditional workflows while enabling mobile-based transactions, thus bridging the gap between legacy infrastructure and modern mobile commerce.
4Power
If electronic payment terminals are used for transactions, then payment processing capability is improved, but feature limitations beyond basic payment transactions persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the single-function payment terminal into a multi-functional mobile commerce platform. The mobile application layer provides additional features such as product catalog browsing, digital coupon redemption, loyalty program management, and inventory checking, all built on top of the core payment processing capability of the electronic terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested architecture where the mobile application is embedded within the electronic payment terminal interface. The app provides enhanced functionality while the terminal handles secure payment processing, creating a layered system where each layer adds capabilities without replacing the core payment function of the terminal.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for facilitating mobile commerce interactions between a customer and a merchant, whereby a customer, having initiated a mobile commerce transaction via a mobile device, arrives at a merchant location to complete the transaction. In some embodiments, an intermediate remote server is employed to facilitate communication between a third party app running on a customer mobile computing device, and an app-agnostic merchant computing device residing at a merchant location. In some embodiments, the relative signal strength of a local wireless transceiver associated with a customer mobile computing device is employed to determine the proximity of a customer relative to a merchant at a merchant's premises. This proximity information may be employed to display, on the merchant computing device, a list of customers that is prioritized according to relative proximity.