Payment Module Balance Redistribution for Multi-Value Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic payment systems cannot utilize the total amount of dispersedly recharged electronic values across multiple types of electronic values for payments, as payment terminals often accept only specific types of electronic values, limiting the combination of balances for transactions.
Innovation Solution
A payment module that includes balance change mechanisms, storage for a utility electronic value, and mechanisms to acquire and generate balance change information to redistribute balances across multiple electronic values, allowing the total amount of money to be used for payments regardless of the specific electronic value used, by calculating and adjusting balances to meet payment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of electronic values are recharged in advance for different payment terminals, then payment compatibility is improved, but the total balance cannot be used across different electronic value types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple electronic value types by introducing a utility electronic value that can receive funds from and transfer funds to various electronic values. This allows the total balance across different electronic value types to be consolidated and used interchangeably, resolving the limitation where dispersed balances could not be combined for payments.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility electronic value acts as an intermediary between different electronic value types. It mediates balance transfers by receiving funds from one electronic value type and transferring to another, enabling the system to utilize total dispersed balances while maintaining compatibility with multiple payment terminals.
2Quantity of substance
If balance redistribution is performed across multiple electronic values, then total balance usability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The balance change information generation unit automatically calculates and generates the necessary balance adjustments without manual intervention. When a payment is made or recharged, the system self-service redistributes balances across electronic values by generating appropriate balance change information, reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary balance redistribution by generating balance change information in advance of actual payment needs. When an electronic value balance becomes insufficient, the system proactively transfers balances from other electronic values, preventing payment failures before they occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a payment module capable of allowing a total amount of money dispersedly recharged for a plurality of kinds of prepaid values to be used for a payment regardless of which of the prepaid values is used for the payment. An IC chip (22) stores a plurality of kinds of electronic values, and subtracts an amount of money that is equal to or more than a difference between a balance of an electronic value of the plurality of kinds of electronic values that is used for a payment and a payment amount as a total from balances of electronic values of the plurality of kinds of electronic values that are not used for the payment. The IC chip (22) adds the subtracted amount of money to the balance of the electronic value to be used for the payment, and subtracts the payment amount from the balance after the addition.