Secure Payment Card Token Replenishment for Multi-Account Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile and e-commerce payment systems are limited to single funding accounts, require multiple virtual wallets for different financial institutions, and often lack flexibility in payment options, leading to inconvenience and security risks.
Innovation Solution
A payment card device with a secure element that stores multiple consumable payment tokens, allowing users to select and activate tokens for transactions, and replenishes them wirelessly, enabling seamless use across different payment networks without the need for constant authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple virtual wallets are used to access different financial institutions, then payment flexibility is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple payment account access points into a single virtual wallet by implementing a payment account selector that can switch between different financial institutions. Instead of requiring separate virtual wallets for each institution, the system merges them into one unified interface where users can select different accounts as needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining payment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual wallet is designed with multi-functionality to access multiple types of payment accounts from different financial institutions through a single interface. The payment account selector enables the wallet to serve multiple functions by switching between different account types and institutions, eliminating the need for multiple specialized wallets and simplifying the overall system.
2Ease of operation
If payment credentials are stored in virtual wallets, then convenience is improved, but security deteriorates due to potential exposure of sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates sensitive payment credentials from the virtual wallet interface. Instead of storing and displaying actual card numbers and sensitive information in the wallet, the system uses tokenization to replace sensitive data with non-sensitive tokens. The credentials are effectively taken out from direct user interaction, reducing exposure risk while maintaining convenient access through token-based transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tokenization as an intermediary layer between the user and sensitive payment credentials. Tokens act as mediators that represent actual payment information without exposing the underlying sensitive data. This intermediary mechanism allows convenient payment operations while protecting security, as tokens can be transmitted and stored without revealing actual card numbers or sensitive account information.
3Reliability
If consumable payment tokens are used for transactions, then security is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to token depletion requiring replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically replenishing consumable payment tokens before they are fully depleted. The system monitors token usage and proactively refills token supplies, ensuring that users maintain continuous transaction capability without interruption. This preliminary replenishment action prevents productivity loss while maintaining the security benefits of consumable tokens.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor payment token levels and automatically trigger replenishment when thresholds are reached. This feedback loop ensures that token depletion does not interrupt transaction continuity, as the system responds to token level information by initiating refilling operations, thereby maintaining both security and productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic payment device and methods of its operation are disclosed. The payment device has a secure element for storing payment tokens, each associated with a payment card; an input interface that enables a user to select from among the payment cards; a display interface; and a processor. In response to a user selection of one of the payment cards by way of the input interface, a descriptor of the selected payment card is displayed by way of the display interface; and an unconsumed one of the payment tokens associated with the selected payment card is activated to prepare the payment card device for effecting payment using the selected payment card, thereby consuming the payment token. The payment device also includes a wireless communication interface for receiving additional payment tokens, thereby replenishing the payment tokens.