NFF Base Station Signal Mimicry for Automatic Mobile Payment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic payment systems using mobile devices are often cumbersome, insecure, and require additional hardware or software features, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs, while existing methods do not adequately address the need for faster, cheaper, and more convenient transactions.
Innovation Solution
A Near Field Focus (NFF) base station system that mimics conventional telecommunications network signals to enable mobile devices to automatically perform payment transactions without connecting to the conventional network, using a microstrip antenna for focused signal transmission and a processor to authenticate and bill subscribers, allowing payments through existing mobile devices without additional hardware or software requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional circuit devices or RFID chips are added to mobile devices for payment, then payment functionality is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables mobile devices to perform payment transactions using their existing telecommunications capabilities. The mobile device's standard communication hardware and software are utilized for multiple purposes including voice calls, messaging, and now payment transactions, eliminating the need for dedicated payment hardware and reducing device complexity while maintaining payment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device uses its own built-in resources (telecommunications network connection, processor, memory) to perform payment transactions without requiring external payment-specific hardware. The device autonomously handles transaction processing by communicating with the base station and payment server using its existing capabilities
2Reliability
If formal transaction processes are used for card payments, then security is improved, but transaction speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the mobile device's connection to the telecommunications network and authenticating the subscriber before the actual payment transaction. The base station identifies the mobile device and retrieves subscriber information in advance, so that when a payment is initiated, the authentication process is already complete or can be quickly finalized, thereby speeding up transactions while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential authentication and identification functions from the complex card payment process and implements them through the mobile device's existing telecommunications protocol. By using the network connection and base station identification capabilities that are already present in mobile devices, the system simplifies the transaction process while maintaining security through the subscriber's unique network credentials
3Adaptability or versatility
If built-in software applications are used for payments, then payment capability is provided, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device's existing telecommunications software and hardware perform payment functions in addition to their original purposes. The standard communication stack, processor, and network interface are utilized for payment transactions, eliminating the need for separate payment software applications and reducing device manufacturing costs while maintaining payment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device uses its own built-in telecommunications software and network connection to perform payment transactions without requiring additional payment-specific applications. The device leverages its existing software capabilities for multiple functions including payments, reducing the need for expensive specialized software and lowering overall device cost
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simple, quick, and secure payment transactions using standard mobile devices, reducing costs and improving user experience by leveraging existing mobile networks and devices, while enhancing security and convenience by eliminating the need for dedicated payment hardware or software.
Implementation Method 1
A local base station, known as a Near Field Focus (NFF) base station, transmits a signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for automatic electronic payment based on the detection of a mobile station (140) adapted to operate in a cellular telecommunications network comprises the steps that consist in transmitting (205), on the part of a transmitter (125) associated with a Near Field Focused - NFF - base station (115), which is external to the cellular telecommunications network, a signal that indicates the presence of the NFF base station (115) by mimicking the signal of an antenna of the cellular network; detecting (210), on the part of a receiver (130) associated with the NFF base station (115), a request for connection to the NFF base station (115) that originates from the mobile station (140); transmitting (215), on the part of the transmitter (125), an identity request signal to the mobile station (140); detecting (220), on the part of the receiver (130), an identity reply signal sent by the mobile station (140); determining (225) identification data of a subscriber (145) who is associated with the mobile station (140) on the basis of the detected identity reply signal; and billing (235) the subscriber (145) on the basis of the determined subscriber identification data, the billing step comprising the steps that consist in: a) sending (310), on the part of a communications device (137) associated with the NFF base station (115), the subscriber identification data and an amount to be paid to a subscriber server (150); extracting (320), on the part of the server (150), a plurality of billing parameters associated with the subscriber (145); sending (370), on the part of the server (150), the plurality of billing parameters and the amount to be paid to a payment server (180); and billing (380), on the part of the payment server (180), the amount to be paid to the subscriber (145) on the basis of the plurality of payment parameters.