Mobile Wallet Card Management via Location-Based Digital Copying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges with managing multiple wallet cards, leading to delays at checkout, forgotten gift cards, and unused discounts due to the bulkiness and weight of carrying physical cards, as well as forgetting the balance on gift cards over time.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device equipped with a controller, location determination module, memory, and scanner module stores information related to wallet cards and alerts users when entering relevant establishments, displaying card information or balances, allowing for timely use of gift cards and ensuring discounts are not missed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If consumers carry all their wallet cards physically, then they have access to all cards for discounts and rewards, but the wallet becomes large and unwieldy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates digital copies of physical wallet cards by scanning them with a mobile device camera. The scanned card information (including barcode, magnetic stripe data, and visual appearance) is stored in the device's memory, allowing the digital copy to function as a replacement for the physical card without requiring the physical card to be carried.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of carrying actual cards in a wallet with an electronic/digital system. The mobile device uses its camera, processor, and display to replicate card functions, substituting physical card handling with electronic detection and presentation of card information.
2Length of stationary object
If consumers carry fewer wallet cards to minimize wallet size, then the wallet becomes more manageable, but necessary cards may be omitted leading to lost discounts
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a wallet, camera, database, and display device. The single device can store and present multiple different card types (grocery cards, rewards cards, gift cards) without requiring separate physical cards for each function, ensuring comprehensive card access while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
By creating digital copies of all necessary cards and storing them in the mobile device's memory, the system ensures that no necessary card is omitted. The digital copies are readily accessible and can be presented whenever needed, eliminating the risk of forgetting to bring a physical card.
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumers carry multiple wallet cards including gift cards, then all gift cards are accessible, but the wallet becomes bulkier and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies digital copying to gift cards specifically. The mobile device scans and stores the gift card information (barcode, magnetic stripe data) in its memory, replacing the need to carry the physical gift card. This eliminates the weight of multiple gift cards while maintaining full access to all gift card balances and functionality.
4Loss of information
If consumers manually track gift card balances, then they may monitor spending, but they may forget balances over time leading to decreased card usage
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback about gift card balances and usage status. The mobile device continuously maintains updated information about each gift card's balance and can notify the user of low balances or usage patterns, eliminating the need for manual tracking and preventing forgetfulness about card statuses.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device automatically performs the tracking and monitoring functions that would otherwise require manual consumer effort. The device self-manages the gift card information, keeping balances current and accessible without requiring the user to actively remember or manually check each card's status.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method of managing information, information is stored associated with at least one wallet card in an electronic device. An establishment is entered with the electronic device. The location of the establishment is determined. A determination of whether at least one wallet card is associated with the location. Information from the at least one wallet card is outputted in response to the determination of the location is associated with the at least one wallet card.