Mobile Payment Integration for Fuel Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel pump systems do not allow customers to initiate transactions using mobile devices and do not enable the combination of fuel and non-fuel purchases into a single transaction, leading to increased credit card processing fees for merchants.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables customers to initiate fuel purchases using mobile devices, allowing for the combination of fuel and non-fuel purchases into a single transaction by scanning a QR code or entering a URL, and providing options for payment through the mobile device or fuel pump, with the potential to reduce credit card transaction fees by up to 50%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If customers use mobile devices to initiate transactions, then customer convenience and transaction integration are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the customer and the fuel pump system. The mobile device hosts a application that communicates with the fuel pump controller, acting as a mediator that simplifies the customer interface while managing the complexity of mobile payment integration, QR code scanning, and transaction coordination internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel pump controller is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a traditional fuel dispensing controller and a payment processing system that can handle mobile device communications, QR code generation/reading, and integration with point-of-sale systems for additional item purchases.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate transactions are required for fuel and non-fuel purchases, then transaction processing is simple, but credit card processing fees increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel transaction system with the point-of-sale system into a unified transaction process. The fuel pump controller integrates with the store's POS system, allowing customers to purchase additional items (snacks, beverages, etc.) in the same transaction as their fuel purchase, consolidating what would have been separate credit card transactions into one.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both traditional fuel-only transactions and combined fuel-plus-additional-items transactions through a single integrated interface, maintaining simplicity for basic operations while enabling complex combined purchases.
3Ease of operation
If fuel pumps only accept card swiping for payment, then the system is simple to operate, but customer flexibility and remote initiation are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The payment interface is made dynamic by supporting multiple interaction modes: traditional card swiping for simplicity, QR code scanning for mobile integration, and touchscreen input for additional item selection. The system adapts its interface based on the customer's chosen method, maintaining ease of operation for basic transactions while providing versatility for advanced options.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device application serves as an intermediary that provides flexible payment options including mobile wallet integration, while the fuel pump controller maintains its traditional simple card reader interface, allowing the system to support multiple payment methods without complicating the physical pump interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods allowing for a customer to initiate a fuel purchase transaction utilizing a mobile device are described. The customer may further be presented with advertisements on his mobile device and/or be provided with the opportunity to purchase additional items for inclusion on his fuel transaction. In some embodiments, the customer may pay for his transaction using mobile wallet information or other information associated with the mobile device. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the customer may pay for his transaction using input means of the fuel pump.