Online Payment Processing via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small and mid-sized merchants face high costs and resource constraints in implementing online payment systems due to the need for developing websites and interface protocols, and consumers risk identity theft when carrying multiple credit cards.
Innovation Solution
A cardless online payment processing method using a payment request receiving server and an open platform server, allowing merchants to process payments on mobile devices without establishing interface protocols, and enabling secure transactions through a Social Networking Services (SNS) platform like WeChat, where merchants and users communicate directly via the payment request receiving server and open platform server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If merchants use traditional open platform payment methods, then payment processing capability is achieved, but development cost and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a payment gateway as an intermediary service that bridges the merchant's simple terminal and the complex open platform payment system. The gateway handles all interface protocol complexities, authentication, and communication on behalf of the merchant, allowing the merchant to only operate a simple terminal without needing to understand or implement complex payment protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment gateway provides self-service functionality by automatically handling payment processing, authentication, and communication with the open platform. The system performs these complex operations autonomously without requiring the merchant to manually configure or manage interface protocols, reducing both cost and complexity for the merchant.
2Reliability
If merchants develop their own websites and backend servers for payment processing, then payment control capability is improved, but resource requirements and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The payment gateway serves as a reliable intermediary that ensures secure and stable payment processing without requiring the merchant to maintain their own servers. The gateway handles all communication with the open platform, maintaining reliable connection and data transmission while shielding the merchant from server management complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the merchant to create their own payment processing system, the patent uses a copied or replicated payment gateway service that provides identical functionality. The gateway replicates the complex payment processing logic and communication protocols, allowing the merchant to access reliable payment capabilities without building the system themselves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumers carry multiple credit cards for different payment channels, then payment flexibility is achieved, but security risk increases due to identity theft vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the payment card information stored securely in the open platform's database. Instead of consumers physically carrying multiple cards, the system creates and transmits digital copies of payment information through encrypted channels. This allows payment flexibility without exposing physical cards, as the digital copies can be transmitted securely and deleted after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical card carrying with a digital communication system. Instead of consumers physically transporting credit cards to different locations, the system uses electronic transmission of payment information through secure channels. This substitution eliminates the physical vulnerability of cards while maintaining payment flexibility across different channels.
Data Source
AI summary
An online payment processing method, apparatus and system provide a simpler and less expensive online fund payment processing process. The method includes: sending a payment processing request from a merchant client to a payment request receiving server, the payment processing request carrying payment information; sending a uniform resource locator (URL) request to an open platform; processing payment by the open platform server based on the payment information obtained from the payment request receiving server and user information obtained from a user through a user client.