Mobile Device Contactless Payment via Secure Element and NFC
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing payment process at point of sale (POS) is lengthy and cumbersome, requiring multiple interactions between customers and service members, especially when dealing with debit card transactions that often require PIN authorization, hindering efficiency in payment settlements.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device equipped with a secure element generates or loads an electronic invoice, allowing NFC communication to read and authorize payments wirelessly, facilitating contactless transactions by integrating with a payment gateway and enabling the use of electronic purses for seamless payment processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional credit/debit card payment process is used, then payment security is maintained through physical card verification and PIN authorization, but payment process time increases significantly requiring multiple interactions between customer and service member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the payment card functionality within the mobile device, including card account information, security credentials, and transaction processing capabilities. This virtual card copy enables contactless payment transactions that eliminate the need for physical card handling and multiple verification steps, directly reducing payment process time while maintaining security through cryptographic authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical payment process (physical card insertion, manual PIN entry, paper receipt handling) with an electronic/mobile-based system. The mobile device uses NFC or other wireless communication to transmit payment information electronically, substituting the mechanical interactions at the POS terminal with contactless electronic data exchange, thereby streamlining the payment flow and reducing transaction time.
2Productivity
If mobile device with NFC is used for contactless payment, then payment speed increases and multiple interactions are reduced, but device complexity increases requiring secure elements and NFC hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested architecture where the secure element (a security-focused microcontroller) is embedded within the mobile device, and the payment application is nested within the operating system, which in turn runs on the mobile device hardware. This layered nesting allows the complex security functions to be contained within dedicated secure modules while presenting a simple user interface, enabling fast contactless payments without requiring the entire mobile device to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a secure element as an intermediary component between the mobile device's main processor and the payment terminal. This secure element acts as a trusted intermediary that handles sensitive cryptographic operations and card account information, allowing the main device to remain relatively simple while the intermediary handles the complex security requirements for fast, contactless payment authentication.
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
This solution streamlines the payment process by reducing the need for physical card interactions and PIN authorization, enabling faster and more efficient settlement of charges through mobile devices, enhancing convenience and reducing transaction time.
Implementation Method 1
the data including the electronic invoice and other information regarding the mobile device or an owner thereof is read off wirelessly into the NFC mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for mobile devices configured to support settlement of charges in electronic invoices or bills are described. A first mobile device is used to obtain from a second mobile device data pertaining to the electronic invoices for payment. The data includes the electronic invoice and other information regarding a registered user of the second mobile device. After the user verifies the amount being charged and authorizes the payment, the first mobile device determines if there is a balance enough to cover the authorized payment before communicating with a payment server configured to proceed with the payment and send a confirmation to the second mobile device.