Offline Payment Transfer Across Non-Persistent Network Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vending machines and other payment accepting units require persistent network connections for cashless payments, which are unavailable in remote locations, leading to temporary payment disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile-device-to-machine payment processing system using short-range communication technologies enables cashless transactions without persistent network connections, allowing for hands-free and manual swipe modes, and supports multiple transactions through a mobile application and adapter module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If persistent network connections are used for cashless payments, then payment reliability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the payment processing into two independent parts: (1) transaction authorization handled by the payment module's memory without network connection, and (2) network communication handled separately by the mobile device when available. This segmentation allows the payment module to function reliably offline while reducing the need for persistent network infrastructure at the payment terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment module acts as an intermediary between the user's mobile device and the transaction system. It stores authorization codes locally and processes transactions independently of network availability, mediating between offline transaction needs and online account verification when connectivity is present.
2Reliability
If persistent network connections are required, then transaction security is improved, but ease of operation in remote locations worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization by storing authorization codes in the payment module's memory before network connectivity is needed. This preliminary action enables transactions to proceed in remote locations without network connections, while security is maintained through pre-validated authorization codes that can be verified offline.
3Ease of operation
If short-range communication is used instead of persistent network connections, then ease of operation in remote locations is improved, but information transmission capability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential transaction information (authorization code, transaction amount, timestamp) and stores it locally in the payment module's memory. This extraction allows the core payment function to operate with minimal information exchange via short-range communication, compensating for the limited transmission capability of wireless technologies by having information readily available locally.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine comprising a transceiver, one or more processors, and memory performs communications operations via one or more user devices. The communications operations include establishing via the transceiver a connection with a first user device, and transmitting first information to the first user device. Upon not receiving an acknowledgement that the first information was received by a server, the machine maintains the first information in the memory and establishes, via the transceiver, a connection with a second user device, appends the first information to second information, and transmits the first and second information to the second user device. Upon receiving acknowledgement that the first and second information were received by a server, the offline retail machine deletes the first and second information.