Offline Token-Based Mobile Payment Transaction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile transaction systems often fail due to network failures or unavailability, preventing the processing of transactions when a mobile device is disconnected from the internet.
Innovation Solution
The system allows mobile devices to initiate and process transactions using a checkout token that is wirelessly communicated to a merchant, enabling transactions to be completed even when the mobile device is offline by using cached tokens and advanced communication protocols like Bluetooth, NFC, and QR codes, with the transaction management system processing the payment authorization request.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile devices use conventional transaction systems requiring internet connection, then network security and real-time authorization are improved, but transaction availability and reliability deteriorate when network is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating and storing offline transaction tokens in the mobile device before network disconnection occurs. These tokens contain pre-authenticated transaction data that can be used immediately when offline, eliminating the need for real-time network connection during transactions and thereby improving transaction availability without significantly increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary token-based authentication mechanism that mediates between the mobile device and the transaction system. Instead of requiring direct real-time network communication, the token acts as an intermediary credential that validates transactions offline, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security authorization and ensuring transaction availability during network outages
2Speed
If mobile devices store cached tokens for offline transactions, then transaction processing speed is improved, but security risks and token validation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates simplified copies of authentication credentials in the form of offline tokens that contain essential transaction data. These token copies enable fast offline validation by merchants without requiring complex real-time authentication protocols, thus improving transaction processing speed while keeping validation complexity manageable through standardized token formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter state of authentication from real-time network-dependent to offline-token-based. By transforming the authentication mechanism into self-contained tokens with embedded validation parameters, the system achieves fast offline processing while maintaining security through cryptographic signing and timestamp validation, balancing speed improvement with controlled validation complexity
3Reliability
If the system requires real-time network connection for transaction authorization, then centralized control and fraud prevention are improved, but transaction completion rate deteriorates during network outages
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary fraud prevention actions by generating cryptographically signed tokens with embedded authentication data before offline transactions. These pre-authenticated tokens maintain centralized security control through server-side token issuance and validation, while enabling transaction completion during outages because the fraud prevention checks are performed in advance during token generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tokens as intermediary credentials that carry authenticated transaction data from the centralized system to the offline mobile device. These tokens mediate between centralized fraud prevention requirements and offline transaction needs, allowing fraud prevention to operate centrally during token issuance while enabling autonomous offline transaction execution, thus maintaining both security and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for fault tolerant token based transactions are described. A user may perform a transaction with a mobile device. The mobile device may be in an offline mode or may be lacking a network connection to servers or cloud devices of a mobile payment system. The transaction may be processed through a transaction device, which may aid in the sending and receiving of transaction data while the mobile device is in the offline mode. The transaction device may communicate with the server or cloud device and the server or cloud device may process the transaction and communicate with the transaction device, which may forward data from the server or cloud device to the mobile device.