Offline Payment Reconciliation via Local QR Code Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In situations where either a user or a merchant lacks network connectivity, performing transactions becomes difficult or impossible due to the lack of immediate reconciliation options.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a processor and computing module capable of reading pre-set readable indicia, such as QR codes, from mobile devices, storing payment information, and reconciling transactions once network connectivity is established, allowing for authentication and payment processing even with limited or no network connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network connectivity is required for immediate reconciliation, then transaction reliability is improved, but transaction availability deteriorates in areas with limited or no network access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction reconciliation reliabilityVSAvoidtransaction availability in areas with limited network access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing transaction data locally on the mobile device before network connectivity is available. The mobile device captures transaction information, stores it in local memory, and queues it for later reconciliation when network access is restored, enabling transactions to be initiated without immediate network dependency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the transaction parties and the network. It stores transaction data locally and uses available network connections (including opportunistic connections during brief network availability) to transmit transaction information for reconciliation, bridging the gap between offline transaction initiation and online reconciliation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If transactions are processed offline without immediate reconciliation, then transaction availability is improved, but transaction reliability deteriorates due to lack of verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction availability without network accessVSAvoidtransaction verification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by storing authenticated transaction data locally on the mobile device. The mobile device verifies transaction information and stores it in a secure, authenticated state before network connectivity is available, maintaining verification integrity without requiring immediate network connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device serves as a trusted intermediary that maintains authenticated transaction data locally. It preserves the authenticity of transactions through secure local storage and uses available network connections to transmit this authenticated data for final reconciliation, ensuring verification reliability is maintained across network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If transactions are queued for later reconciliation, then transaction availability is improved, but processing time increases due to backlog accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction capability with limited network accessVSAvoidtransaction reconciliation time delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by attempting transaction reconciliation at regular intervals or whenever network connectivity becomes available. The mobile device monitors for network availability and automatically transmits queued transaction data when connections are detected, preventing indefinite backlog accumulation and reducing overall reconciliation time delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Ease of operation

If authentication is performed offline, then ease of operation is improved, but security reliability deteriorates without network verification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication convenience without network accessVSAvoidauthentication security reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by verifying user credentials and storing authenticated session data locally on the mobile device before network connectivity is required. This preliminary authentication maintains security through local verification mechanisms while enabling convenient offline operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as a secure intermediary that performs local authentication and maintains authenticated transaction states. It uses available network connections to transmit authenticated data for final verification, balancing operational convenience with security reliability through layered authentication approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8925804B2Pre-set readable indicia for vendor use

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, methods and computer program products for processing a pre-set readable indicia associated with a user. The invention reads the pre-set readable indicia from a mobile device of the user, where the pre-set readable indicia comprises payment information, stores the read pre-set readable indicia or payment information extracted from the pre-set readable indicia, and, after connecting to a network, reconciles the transaction based on the payment information extracted from the pre-set readable indicia. In some embodiments, the invention receives authentication credentials from the user and authenticates the user to approve payment using the payment information from the pre-set readable indicia.