NFC Payment Support Using Tag Writing on Card-Mode-Limited Phones
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Solution Overview
Problem
iOS-based user terminals, despite their high market share, cannot perform NFC-based payments due to software restrictions on card mode activation, limiting their usability and user convenience compared to Android devices with MST-based payment functions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that enable NFC payments by writing medium identification information to an NFC tag module, decrypting and transmitting it to a payment terminal, using an NFC payment support device that includes an NFC tag module, control unit, communication unit, and power supply, allowing secure and efficient NFC transactions even on iOS devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If iOS-based user terminals use NFC hardware with card mode disabled by software restrictions, then device security and control are maintained, but NFC payment functionality cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (NFC reader or another mobile device) that mediates between the iOS terminal and the payment system. The intermediary reads the NFC tag data from the iOS device and transmits it to the payment terminal, enabling payment functionality without requiring card mode activation on the iOS device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system is segmented into separate functional components: the iOS device handles only NFC tag writing (data storage), while the intermediary device handles data reading and transmission, and the payment terminal handles transaction processing. This segmentation allows each component to operate within its functional constraints while achieving the overall payment objective.
2Device complexity
If a small NFC payment support device is added to member stores without replacing existing payment terminals, then installation cost and complexity are reduced, but the system must support multiple payment modes
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC payment support device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various payment scenarios: it can read NFC tags from iOS devices, communicate with traditional payment terminals, and support both contactless and intermediary-based payment modes. This universal design allows a single device to replace or supplement multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on the payment scenario. When an iOS device is present, the system uses the intermediary mode with NFC tag reading. When traditional cards or terminals are used, it reverts to standard contactless or magnetic stripe modes. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to support multiple payment modes without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each mode.
3Ease of operation
If NFC tag writing function is actively utilized for payment support, then NFC payment is enabled on iOS devices, but additional NFC tag module and control logic are required
Solution Approach 1:
The iOS device's existing NFC hardware is made self-sufficient for the payment function by enabling it to write payment credentials to its own NFC tag. The device serves its own payment needs without requiring external payment terminals to have complex reading capabilities, as the iOS device itself becomes the source of payment data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of supporting near field communication (NFC) payment for a user terminal, and a device configured to perform the method. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a method of providing an environment in which NFC payment may be performed by actively utilizing an NFC writing function of a user terminal to enable the NFC payment for the user terminal when the user terminal does not support a card mode during the NFC payment, and a device configured to perform the method.