NFC Payment Terminal VAS Command Polling Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing near-field communication (NFC) payment terminals lack the ability to effectively communicate their capabilities to NFC-enabled devices before a handshake, limiting the preparation for value-added services (VAS) transactions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a VAS command into the polling loop of NFC payment terminals, which includes capability data, allowing the terminal to advertise its VAS capabilities and mode of operation, enabling devices to prepare for appropriate transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If NFC payment terminals use standard polling loops without VAS commands, then the terminal structure remains simple and operation is straightforward, but the terminal cannot effectively communicate its capabilities to devices before handshake
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting a VAS command into the polling loop that executes before the handshake process. This VAS command pre-communicates the terminal's capabilities (such as VAS support, payment protocols, and operational modes) to the NFC-enabled device, allowing the device to prepare appropriate responses and configure itself accordingly before the actual payment transaction begins.
2Adaptability or versatility
If NFC payment terminals advertise all possible capabilities, then devices can prepare for any transaction type, but the communication protocol becomes more complex and harder to process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the terminal's capabilities into distinct, organized components within the VAS command. The capability data is segmented into specific fields such as VAS support indication, supported payment protocols (Visa, MasterCard, Amex), and operational modes (VAS-only, VAS-plus-payment, payment-only). This segmented structure allows devices to efficiently parse and process only the relevant capability information without being overwhelmed by a monolithic data structure.
3Ease of operation
If NFC payment terminals wait for handshake before communicating capabilities, then the protocol remains simple, but devices cannot prepare for appropriate transaction modes in advance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by executing the VAS command during the polling phase, which occurs before the handshake. This allows the NFC-enabled device to receive capability information early, determine the appropriate transaction mode (VAS-only, VAS-plus-payment, or payment-only), and prepare the necessary data and protocols in advance. Consequently, the actual handshake and transaction execution can proceed more efficiently without delays for mid-transaction capability negotiations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for transmitting, as part of a polling loop, a value added services (VAS) command that includes capability data corresponding to a payment terminal. For example, the payment terminal can transmit a VAS command that advertises the payment terminal's capabilities as part of a polling loop. The payment terminal can listen for a response to the VAS command and, after receiving a response, the payment terminal may initiate a VAS protocol. The VAS command can also specify a mode in which the payment terminal is operating, such as a payment-only mode, a VAS mode, a payment-plus-VAS mode, etc.