In-Store Payment Activation via Customer and POS Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-sale (POS) systems are outdated and complex, making it difficult to integrate new payment methods, such as mobile payments, which often require significant changes to the POS system and can compromise user experience, and may be cost-prohibitive for retailers.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a customer identifier and a unique point-of-sale identifier to activate and deactivate a POS card associated with a user's payment account, allowing for seamless in-store payments without the need for physical payment cards, using a separate computing device for the cashier to verify customer identity and process transactions through a remote server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new payment methods (e.g., mobile payments) are integrated with existing POS systems, then payment versatility is improved, but system complexity and integration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the customer and the POS system. The mobile device contains a payment application that communicates with the POS terminal, acting as a mediator that enables new payment methods without requiring complex modifications to the existing POS system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system is segmented into separate components: the payment application on the mobile device, the communication interface at the POS terminal, and the backend processing system. This segmentation allows each component to be developed and updated independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If POS systems are upgraded to support new payment methods, then payment functionality is improved, but implementation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a virtual representation of payment information stored on the mobile device instead of physical cards or cash. The payment application creates a digital copy of payment credentials that can be transmitted electronically, eliminating the need for physical card readers or cash handling infrastructure and enabling rapid deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Payment information and authentication credentials are pre-loaded onto the mobile device before the actual transaction occurs. The payment application is installed and configured in advance, so that when a transaction is needed, the system is already prepared and can process payments immediately without setup delays.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cashiers manually input transaction data between POS systems and new payment systems, then system compatibility is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the POS terminal and payment processing functions into a unified communication interface. The POS terminal directly communicates with the mobile payment application through standardized protocols, combining what were previously separate manual processes into an automated end-to-end transaction flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback loops where the POS terminal receives real-time confirmation from the mobile payment application about transaction status, payment authorization, and completion. This automated feedback eliminates manual data entry and verification steps, maintaining system compatibility while dramatically improving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for in-store payments. A customer identifier and a point-of-sale identifier may be received. A user payment account may be determined based on the customer identifier. The user payment account may be associated with a customer identified by the customer identifier. Transaction data may be received for a transaction for the customer created using the point-of-sale card at a point-of-sale computing device. The transaction data may include a purchase total. The transaction may be authorized. The point-of-sale card may not always be active. The point-of-sale card associated with the point-of-sale identifier may be activated after the user payment account based on the customer identifier is determined. The point-of-sale card may be deactivated after the transaction is authorized.