Offline Payment Processing via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vending machines and similar payment accepting units often face challenges in processing cashless payments due to the requirement for a persistent network connection, which can be interrupted, limiting their ability to accept payments in areas without internet access.
Innovation Solution
A mobile-device-to-machine payment processing system that uses a combination of short-range and long-range communication technologies to facilitate cashless payments over a non-persistent network connection, allowing transactions to be processed through a mobile device acting as an intermediary between the payment accepting unit and a server, enabling hands-free and manual payment modes without the need for a continuous network connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a persistent network connection is required for cashless payments, then transaction security and reliability are improved, but the system cannot operate in areas without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing transaction data, authorization codes, and payment information in the payment accepting unit before network connection is available. When the connection is interrupted, the pre-stored data enables the unit to complete transactions offline, and synchronization occurs when connectivity is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment accepting unit acts as an intermediary between the user and the remote server. It autonomously processes transactions using locally stored credentials and only communicates with the server when necessary for initial authorization or data synchronization, eliminating the need for continuous network connectivity.
2Reliability
If a persistent network connection is maintained, then real-time transaction verification is improved, but operational costs increase due to cellular connection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining continuous network connection, the system uses periodic communication only when needed - initially to obtain authorization codes and credentials, and subsequently to synchronize transaction data. This periodic action pattern eliminates ongoing cellular connection costs while maintaining verification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment accepting unit performs self-service by autonomously verifying transactions using locally stored authorization codes and credentials. It independently processes payments without requiring real-time server verification, thereby eliminating continuous cellular connection requirements and associated costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If network connection is interrupted, then operational flexibility in remote locations is improved, but transaction processing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares in advance by storing multiple authorization codes, payment credentials, and transaction templates in the payment accepting unit before deployment to remote locations. This preliminary data storage enables the unit to maintain full transaction processing capability offline, ensuring operational flexibility without sacrificing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An offline retail machine comprising a short-range transceiver, one or more processors, and memory performs communications operations via one or more mobile devices. The communications operations include establishing via the short-range transceiver a connection with a first mobile device, and transmitting first information to the first mobile device. Upon not receiving an acknowledgement that the first information was received by a remote server, the offline retail machine maintains the first information in the memory and establishes, via the short-range transceiver, a connection with a second mobile device, appends the first information to second information, and transmits the first and second information to the second mobile device. Upon receiving acknowledgement that the first and second information were received by a remote server, the offline retail machine deletes the first and second information.