Mobile Payment System Using Proximity Detection and Payee Identification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new techniques to facilitate the payment of gratuities, merchant orders, donations, or other payments using modern, readily available instruments or devices, such as smartphones, due to the decline of cash usage and the inconvenience of delayed billing in service-based transactions.

Innovation Solution

Processor-based computing systems are used to identify and communicate with computing devices associated with potential payees within a defined proximity of a user's mobile device, retrieve and display photographic and biographic information of these payees, and initiate payments to selected payees for partial or full payment of customer orders or gratuities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cash-based gratuities are used, then payment can be made immediately at the point of service, but the system becomes less adaptable to modern society where cash is deprecated and many individuals do not possess or carry monetary currency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to modern payment preferencesVSAvoidease of making gratuity payments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cash-based payment system with an electronic mobile device-based system. The mobile device uses its processor, display, and communication capabilities to enable contactless payment, eliminating the need for physical currency while maintaining the simplicity of immediate gratuity payment at the point of service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as the payment interface, displays gratuity options, processes electronic transactions, and communicates with the merchant's point-of-sale system. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for separate cash handling infrastructure while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If traditional billing systems are used, then payments can be processed through established mechanisms, but there is a lengthy delay between ordering or finishing a meal and receiving the bill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime delay in payment processingVSAvoidcomplexity of payment system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the mobile device with payment applications and establishing communication protocols with the merchant's point-of-sale system before the actual payment is needed. This allows the payment process to be initiated immediately when the customer wishes to pay, eliminating delays associated with traditional billing cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The payment system maintains continuous operational capability through automated electronic communication between the mobile device and the point-of-sale system. Unlike traditional systems that require discrete billing cycles, the electronic system enables continuous, real-time payment processing without interruption or delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If cash is used for gratuities, then the payment process is simple and direct, but many individuals avoid paying gratuities even when cash is available due to feeling that tipping is awkward or undesirably patronizing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of payment processVSAvoidadaptability to social interaction preferences

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the physical cash exchange with an electronic digital payment system. This replacement maintains the simplicity and directness of the payment action while eliminating the social awkwardness associated with handing over cash, as the transaction occurs through automated electronic communication between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the customer and the payment system. Instead of directly exchanging cash with the service provider, the customer interacts with a user interface on their mobile device, which then electronically transfers the payment. This intermediary layer maintains simplicity while providing social comfort through contactless interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250053953A1Proximity based interactions via mobile devices

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 CITIBANK N A

AI summary

Techniques are provided for performing automated operations to identify one or more computing devices associated with potential payees that are within a defined proximity of a user mobile device. Potential payees may include individuals and merchant point-of-sale computing systems. A processor-based computing system retrieves stored photographic and biographic information regarding the identified potential payees, and displays the retrieved photographic and biographic information for possible selection by a user of the mobile device. One or more payments from the user of the mobile device may be specified and initiated via the processor-based computing system to potential payees selected by the user, including for partial or full payment of a customer order of the user with a merchant associated with an identified point-of-sale computing system.