Mobile Device Transaction Information Retrieval via Server Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile transaction systems using proximity-based communication technologies like NFC struggle to efficiently obtain detailed transaction information post-transaction, as this information is often not readily available to the mobile device due to security constraints and requires manual intervention or multiple service queries.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus where a mobile device conducts transactions using proximity-based communication, stores transaction information, identifies the most probable registered service, and queries it to obtain detailed transaction information, leveraging location and network connection data to determine the service and prioritize queries for efficient data retrieval.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proximity-based communication technology is used for mobile transactions, then transaction security is improved, but transaction information retrieval becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidtransaction information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that stores transaction information and provides it to the mobile device after proximity-based transactions. This mediator resolves the contradiction by keeping security constraints at the communication level while enabling information retrieval through the server's database access capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing transaction information on the server during the transaction process. This allows subsequent retrieval operations to succeed without requiring the original proximity connection, thus resolving the information availability issue while maintaining security constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If manual intervention is required to obtain transaction information, then system complexity is reduced, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device automatically queries the server for transaction information using identifiers obtained from proximity-based communication. This self-service mechanism eliminates manual intervention requirements while maintaining relatively simple system architecture, thus improving user convenience without significantly increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-obtaining transaction identifiers during the proximity transaction and storing them for automatic querying. This preparation work enables subsequent automatic information retrieval without user intervention, improving ease of operation while keeping the overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If multiple service queries are performed to retrieve transaction information, then information completeness is improved, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying the specific transaction identifier and service type during the proximity transaction. This allows the mobile device to query the server with precise parameters, retrieving complete transaction information in a single targeted query rather than multiple broad searches, thus reducing time consumption while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the proximity-based communication to determine which specific service and transaction identifier to query. This feedback mechanism enables targeted information retrieval, improving efficiency by avoiding unnecessary queries while ensuring complete transaction information is obtained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 seamless and secure retrieval of transaction details, such as price or credit/debit information, without manual intervention, by automating the identification and querying of registered services, enhancing user experience and transaction efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

NFC technology is commonly used for contactless short-range communications based on radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, using magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9020431B2Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction information

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to obtain transaction information are described. One example method includes conducting a transaction using a proximity-based communication link, storing information related to the transaction in a database of a mobile device, identifying a service based on the information, querying the service from the mobile device, wherein the query is based on the information, and obtaining detail of the transaction from the service based on the information. Other implementations are possible.