Mobile Device Electronic Receipt Verification via Unique Transaction Identity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic payment systems using mobile devices face challenges in automatically registering credit card details for transactions and provide only total amounts in receipts, lacking itemized breakdowns, which can be cumbersome for users and merchants.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for generating and receiving electronic receipts on mobile devices, using a unique transaction identity to verify and transmit itemized transaction data directly to the device, eliminating the need for initial card registration and paper receipts, and enabling real-time display of line-item data through NFC-enabled mobile devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile device applications store all credit card details into a single location, then the difficulty of carrying all owned credit cards is alleviated, but the credit card details still need to be registered with a server before they can be used to perform electronic payment transactions, which requires effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of carrying credit cardsVSAvoidtime required for card registration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically registering credit card details with the server in the background before the user needs to make a payment. The mobile device application stores credit card details and pre-configures them for transaction use, eliminating the need for manual registration at the point of sale. This preliminary setup allows users to simply tap their device at the POS terminal without any registration steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service by enabling the mobile device to autonomously handle credit card registration and transaction processing without requiring user intervention or technical knowledge. The application automatically manages server communication, data transmission, and transaction execution, making the process as simple as tapping the device at the payment terminal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If paper receipts are issued by merchant stores on the credit card payment, then the total amount billed is provided, but no cost break-down is included and the owner has to keep a copy of all such paper receipts if he or she wishes to tally them against the monthly statement of account

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completeness in receiptsVSAvoidcomplexity of receipt management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical paper receipt system with an electronic digital receipt system. Instead of issuing physical paper receipts that require manual collection and storage, the merchant store's system electronically transmits detailed transaction data directly to the user's mobile device. This substitution eliminates the need for physical receipt handling while providing complete itemized breakdowns of all charges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of paper receipts in the form of electronic transaction records stored on the user's mobile device. These electronic copies contain complete itemized information and can be easily accessed, searched, and archived without requiring physical storage space. The digital receipt system replicates the functionality of paper receipts while adding enhanced information capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If the merchant store issues paper receipts, then the receipt can be provided to the customer, but the merchant store has to stock a supply of the paper upon which the receipts are printed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper inventory requiredVSAvoidease of receipt provision

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the physical paper inventory system with an electronic generation system. Instead of maintaining stockpiles of pre-printed receipt paper, the merchant store's system generates electronic receipts on-demand using software. This eliminates the need for physical paper inventory while maintaining the ability to provide receipts to customers immediately after transactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10083427B2Method for receiving an electronic receipt of an electronic payment transaction into a mobile device

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 MASTERCARD INT INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for receiving an electronic receipt of an electronic payment transaction into a mobile device, the method comprising: storing, into an installed application in the mobile device used to perform the electronic payment transaction, a unique transaction identity issued on the electronic payment transaction; generating, in a server, an electronic receipt issued on the electronic payment transaction; verifying that the electronic receipt matches against the unique transaction identity stored in the installed application; and receiving the electronic receipt into the mobile device in response to the verifying step determining that the electronic receipt matches against the unique transaction identity stored in the installed application. Also provided is a mobile device for receiving an electronic receipt of an electronic payment transaction and a system for receiving an electronic receipt of an electronic payment transaction into a mobile device.