Online Pay-Per-Use Payment Control Without Cash Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pay-per-use devices, such as those in Laundromats and parking systems, rely heavily on cash and coins, which require frequent servicing and are prone to fraud, and existing alternatives like smart cards have limitations in convenience and accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A network-based pay-per-use system that uses a microprocessor, reader, communications circuit, display screen, and user interface to enable online payment verification through a server, allowing users to register, deposit funds, and authorize device usage via an online account, eliminating the need for physical currency and reducing fraud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cash and coins are used as payment method, then the device can operate with simple payment mechanism, but it requires frequent servicing and is prone to fraud
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cash/coin payment system with an electronic online payment verification system. The microprocessor reads user identification, communicates with a remote server to verify account balance, and electronically authorizes operation without physical currency, thereby eliminating fraud associated with cash while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the user and the pay-per-use device. The server stores account information, verifies payment credentials, and returns authorization signals, enabling secure electronic payment processing without requiring complex local payment handling equipment at the device.
2Reliability
If bill readers are made highly sensitive to counteract fraudulent bills, then fraud is reduced, but worn bills may not be acceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent completely replaces the mechanical bill reading system with an electronic payment verification system. Instead of analyzing physical bill characteristics, the system uses digital communication to verify account balances and payment authorization, eliminating the trade-off between sensitivity and acceptance flexibility inherent in mechanical bill readers.
3Ease of operation
If online payment verification system is implemented, then fraud is minimized and convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a remote server as an intermediary to handle the complexity of payment processing, account management, and security verification. The device itself only needs basic components (microprocessor, reader, communications circuit) to interface with the server, distributing system complexity to the centralized server while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server provides multiple functions including account registration, fund storage, payment verification, and transaction logging through a single centralized system. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems, managing complexity through integration rather than proliferation of components.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention may involve systems, methods, and computer readable medium. In an embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for paying for usage of a pay per use device may be provided. The method may transmit device identification information from the device to a server. Device setup information and vend price may be received and the vend price may be displayed. User identification may be received and transmitted to the server. An account balance value may be received and displayed on the display. A start request may be received and transmitted to the server. The device may start and an updated account balance may be displayed.