Optical Payment Code for Unpowered Device Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices, such as smartphones, become unusable for transactions when their battery power is depleted, disrupting payment capabilities that rely on these devices for cash and credit card functions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a user device displays an optical machine-readable representation of data, such as a barcode, that can be scanned by merchants to facilitate payments even when the device is unpowered or low on battery, with embedded security measures like PINs, biometrics, and usage limitations to prevent fraud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an electronic device is used to replace cash and credit cards for payments, then payment functionality is improved and consolidated in one device, but the device becomes useless for transactions when battery power is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an optical copy (barcode or QR code) of payment account information that can be displayed on the device screen. This optical representation serves as a substitute for the actual electronic payment credentials, allowing transactions to proceed even when the device cannot fully power its normal payment processing functions. The optical code can be scanned and read by payment terminals without requiring the device to maintain full operational power.
2Reliability
If the device displays an optical machine-readable representation of payment data, then transaction capability is maintained with minimal power, but security risks increase from potential fraud
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-approves or pre-authors transactions associated with the optical code before the device needs to be fully powered on. Payment limits, time windows, and other transaction parameters are established in advance, allowing the optical code to represent pre-cleared payment authorization. This eliminates the need for real-time authentication during the transaction, maintaining security while enabling low-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (payment processing server or authorization system) that mediates between the optical code and the actual payment execution. The intermediary verifies the validity of the optical code, checks against pre-established security parameters, and authorizes transactions. This intermediary layer provides security verification without requiring the user's device to be fully powered, thus maintaining both security and low-power transaction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing secure transactions for a device with limited functionality are disclosed. For example, a computer-implemented method may include presenting an encoded image identifying a form of payment on a display of a computing device in response to detecting a condition limiting a functionality of the device, maintaining the presentation of the encoded image on the display in response to the detected condition, and removing the presentation of the encoded image from the display in response to determining that the detected condition is no longer detected.