Mobile Payment Apportionment via Receipt Data Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for apportioning the cost of a purchase among multiple payers, especially when one uses a payment card, are inconvenient and disrupt social interactions, as they often require manual calculations and reimbursements, leading to potential unfair distributions and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A technique that allows a consumer to use a mobile device to specify how a payment card transaction amount should be split among multiple payers through a mobile payment application communicating with a remote payment service system, enabling quick and easy apportionment post-transaction, reducing social interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If one member of the group uses a credit card and others reimburse in cash, then the payment can be processed, but it is inconvenient and time-consuming to calculate and collect cash reimbursements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual cash handling and calculation with an automated electronic system. The mobile device captures the receipt image, the payment service system automatically processes the transaction data, calculates apportionment, and executes payments electronically. This substitution of mechanical cash-based processes with automated digital processing eliminates the time-consuming manual calculation and collection steps while maintaining accurate payment processing.
2Ease of operation
If the group asks the waiter to split the check, then the bill can be divided, but it is troublesome for the waiter and inconvenient if the check is not split equally
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service bill splitting where the consumer uses their own mobile device to capture the receipt and specify apportionment. The payment service system automatically performs the calculation and distribution without requiring waiter intervention. The consumer can specify custom apportionment rules (equal split, individual items, percentages) making the system adaptable to any splitting scenario without increasing complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment service system acts as an intermediary between the consumer and the payment processing. It receives the receipt data, performs automated calculation of apportionment based on consumer specifications, and coordinates the distribution of payments. This intermediary handles the complex calculation and coordination logic, freeing the consumer from manual computation while ensuring accurate and flexible bill splitting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual calculation and cash reimbursement is used, then payment can be apportioned, but it creates awkward interruptions in social interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing the receipt data immediately after the transaction is completed. The consumer can then specify apportionment at their convenience, and the system automatically processes the distribution. This eliminates the need for immediate social interaction during the calculation and payment phases, allowing the group to resume their social activities while the automated system handles the financial settlement in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual cash exchange and face-to-face calculation with automated electronic processing. The mobile device captures receipt data, the payment service system performs automated calculation and coordination, and electronic payments are executed without requiring physical cash handling or extended social interaction. This substitution maintains the flexibility of custom apportionment while eliminating the social disruption of manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technique enables a payer who uses a payment object to pay for goods or services to specify, by using a mobile device, how the payment amount should be apportioned the payer and additional payers. In certain embodiments, the technique involves communication between a mobile payment application installed on the payer's mobile device and a remote payment service system (PSS). The payment amount is transferred from the payer to the payee. The mobile payment application enables the payer to identify additional payers and specify how the payment amount should be apportioned between the payers. The mobile payment application communicates this information to the PSS, which then executes or triggers reimbursement to the payer to carry out the specified apportionment.