Mobile-to-Machine Payment Relay for Offline Vending Authorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vending machines and payment accepting units require persistent network connections for cashless transactions, limiting their functionality in areas without network coverage and necessitating significant user interaction.
Innovation Solution
A mobile-device-to-machine payment system utilizing an adapter module with short-range communication technology and a server with long-range communication technology, enabling cashless transactions over a non-persistent network connection and offering hands-free and manual modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If persistent network connection is required for cashless transactions, then transaction reliability is improved, but device adaptability deteriorates (cannot operate without network coverage)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the transaction session and authorizing the payment amount before the actual product selection and dispensing. The server authorizes a session with a maximum amount in advance, allowing the vending machine to complete transactions even when network connection is lost during the transaction process. This preliminary authorization resolves the contradiction by ensuring transaction reliability through pre-validated credentials while enabling adaptability to operate without persistent network connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism where the server acts as a mediator that provides initial authorization credentials (session tokens, maximum amounts) to the vending machine before network disconnection occurs. These intermediary credentials enable the machine to autonomously complete transactions without requiring continuous network validation, thus maintaining both transaction reliability (through server-authorized credentials) and adaptability (to offline operation).
2Reliability
If significant user interaction is required for payment, then transaction security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by allowing the vending machine to autonomously complete transactions using pre-authorized session credentials without requiring continuous user interaction or manual payment input. The user initiates the session and provides the mobile device, then the system automatically handles authentication, product selection validation, and payment processing. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security through server-authorized credentials while dramatically improving ease of operation through automated transaction completion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions through the mobile device before the actual transaction occurs. The server validates the user's credentials and authorizes a session with a maximum amount in advance, storing this authorization locally in the vending machine. This preliminary action ensures transaction security is established before the user needs to interact, while enabling seamless, hands-free operation during the actual purchase process.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If recurring fees are charged for each purchase, then service sustainability is improved, but productivity deteriorates (multiple purchases become less efficient)
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by authorizing a session with a maximum amount in advance, before multiple purchases are made. The server validates the user's credentials once and issues a session authorization that allows multiple transactions up to the authorized amount without requiring repeated authentication or payment processing. This resolves the contradiction by ensuring service sustainability through pre-paid authorization while dramatically improving purchase efficiency by eliminating recurring fee processing for each individual transaction within the session.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuity of useful action by maintaining an active transaction session that remains valid for multiple purchases. Once the user initiates a session with authorized credentials, the vending machine can continuously process multiple product selections and dispensing operations without requiring the user to re-authenticate or pay recurring fees for each item. The session persists until the maximum amount is reached or the user exits, ensuring both service sustainability and high purchase efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A device with one or more processors, memory, and two or more communication capabilities obtains, from a payment module, an authorization request via a first communication capability (e.g., Bluetooth). The device sends, to a server, the authorization request via a second communication capability distinct from the first communication capability (e.g., cellular or WiFi technology). In response to sending the authorization request, the device obtains, from the server, authorization information via the second communication capability. After obtaining the authorization information, the device detects a trigger condition to perform a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to detecting the trigger condition, the device sends, to the payment module, at least a portion of the authorization information via the first communication capability.