Payment Terminal Dual-Protocol Signal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment technologies face limitations in cashless transactions due to reliance on internet connectivity and the need for multiple payment terminals supporting different communication technologies, making them inconvenient and unaffordable for widespread use, especially in areas with limited internet access.
Innovation Solution
A payment terminal that simultaneously outputs signals using both NFC and Bluetooth protocols, allowing communication with devices capable of either protocol, and terminates the other protocol once a connection is established, enabling transactions without internet access and simplifying terminal deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a merchant deploys multiple payment terminals for different communication technologies (NFC, Bluetooth, etc.), then the terminal can support more payment types, but the device complexity and deployment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal is designed with multi-functionality to support both NFC and Bluetooth communication protocols within a single device. The terminal includes both NFC and Bluetooth modules that can operate independently or simultaneously, allowing it to handle various payment types without requiring separate dedicated terminals for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple communication protocols (NFC and Bluetooth) into a single payment terminal device. The terminal integrates both NFC and Bluetooth modules, along with their respective antennas and processing circuits, into one unified system that can selectively activate the appropriate protocol based on the payment device being used.
2Device complexity
If a payment terminal uses only NFC protocol, then the terminal structure is simpler, but it cannot communicate with Bluetooth-enabled devices without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal incorporates both NFC and Bluetooth communication capabilities to ensure it can work with various payment devices including those without internet access. The dual-protocol support allows the terminal to maintain simpler structure compared to deploying multiple separate terminals while still achieving broad compatibility.
3Ease of operation
If mobile phones use Bluetooth for cashless payments without internet, then accessibility improves, but the communication protocol compatibility becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The payment terminal acts as an intermediary device that bridges NFC and Bluetooth communication protocols. It includes protocol conversion functionality that can translate between NFC and Bluetooth signals, allowing seamless communication between different types of payment devices and the terminal without requiring complex protocol handling on the mobile phone side.
Data Source
AI summary
A personal communication device for processing financial information via a payment terminal, the payment terminal being configured to output a wireless signal is configured to receive the wireless signal of a payment terminal; determine whether the received wireless signal has a strength above a first signal threshold. If the received signal strength is above the first signal strength threshold, it emits a wireless request signal to cause the payment terminal to establish a communication channel with the personal communication device, wherein the request signal causes the payment terminal to establish only one communication channel, wherein the communication channel is only between the said personal communication device and the payment terminal. When a financial transaction at said personal communication device is concluded, it emits a wireless release signal to close down the communication channel so that the payment terminal can establish another communication channel with another personal communication device.