Offline Mobile Payment via QR Code and Bluetooth Token

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile payment systems face challenges with high NFC configuration costs, limited merchant adoption due to installation requirements, and poor wireless network coverage in underdeveloped areas, making offline transactions difficult and inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a client device and POS terminal that employs a transaction token with an expiry date, displayed as a two-dimensional code, allowing for offline transactions via Bluetooth communication, enabling users to perform transactions without network connectivity and without the need for dedicated merchant terminals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC is used for mobile payment, then transaction security is improved, but device cost and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidNFC configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a two-dimensional code (QR code) as a visual copy of transaction information instead of requiring NFC hardware. The code contains encoded transaction data that can be scanned and processed, replacing the need for complex NFC configuration while maintaining transaction security through cryptographic verification of the code content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electromagnetic NFC communication system with an optical system (visual code scanning). Instead of using radio frequency fields for data transmission, the system uses visual codes that can be captured by camera and decoded, simplifying device requirements and eliminating NFC configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If merchants install dedicated terminals for top-up, then transaction reliability is improved, but deployment difficulty and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction reliabilityVSAvoidterminal deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables ordinary mobile devices to perform merchant terminal functions through the visual code scanning mechanism. Any device with a camera and the corresponding application can act as a top-up point, eliminating the need for specialized dedicated terminals and enabling widespread deployment without additional hardware installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows cardholders to perform top-up operations themselves by generating and sharing visual codes with other users. This peer-to-peer approach eliminates the need for merchant-installed terminals, as users can top-up each other's accounts directly through their mobile devices, significantly reducing deployment barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If online top-up is used, then account management convenience is improved, but network coverage requirements increase accessibility barriers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccount top-up convenienceVSAvoidnetwork coverage dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent generates visual codes in advance that contain pre-encoded transaction information and cryptographic signatures. These codes can be stored offline and exchanged without network connectivity. The verification and processing can be completed locally, with optional later synchronization to the server, enabling top-up operations in areas with poor or no network coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If offline transaction mode is implemented, then accessibility in poor network areas is improved, but transaction verification complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffline transaction capabilityVSAvoidverification process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a visual code as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates transaction information, cryptographic signatures, and verification data. This intermediate format allows complex verification logic to be condensed into a scannable code structure, simplifying the user interface while maintaining robust offline verification capabilities through cryptographic validation of the code content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240303626A1Method, client device and POS terminal for offline transaction

Publication Date: 2024.09.12 LAU WING LOK KEITH

AI summary

Provided is a method, a client device and a POS terminal for offline transaction. The method includes: obtaining a transaction token in advance from a payment server, wherein the transaction token includes an expiry date; displaying a code for transaction for a POS terminal to scan the code when the transaction is performed with the POS terminal; the code includes the transaction token and a last transaction record; receiving a new transaction record via Bluetooth, sent by the POS terminal; wherein the new transaction record is generated by the POS terminal according to the transaction amount and the last transaction record after verifying that the transaction token is in a valid state; the valid state includes the expiry date being later than the current time; and storing the new transaction record for performing the next transaction with a POS terminal.