Modular Payment Terminal State Coordination Across Dual Operating Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In modular payment terminals with separate operating systems, the inconsistent operating states of the subsystems can hinder the implementation of required services, leading to prolonged or complicated processes, impacting user experience and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that allows subsystems to exchange data on their operating states and adapt accordingly, ensuring resources are available when needed and maintaining security and reducing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the first subsystem enters standby mode to reduce energy consumption, then energy consumption is reduced, but resources become unavailable and service implementation is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidresource availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the first subsystem communicates its operating state (active or standby) to the second subsystem. The second subsystem receives this state information and adjusts its own operating state accordingly - remaining active when the first subsystem is in standby mode to ensure continuous service availability, and entering standby mode when the first subsystem is active to conserve energy. This bidirectional feedback loop resolves the contradiction by allowing each subsystem to adapt its energy consumption based on real-time collaboration needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the payment subsystem maintains separate secure operating system, then security is improved, but collaboration with first subsystem becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism that enables the first subsystem and second subsystem to coordinate their operating states without requiring deep integration or complex interaction protocols. The intermediary is a standardized state communication interface that allows each subsystem to simply transmit and receive operating state information, eliminating the need for complex collaborative mechanisms while maintaining security through the separate operating systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If subsystems operate independently with different operating systems, then each subsystem can optimize its functionality, but operating state inconsistency hinders service implementation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubsystem functionalityVSAvoidservice implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic operating state synchronization where subsystems can independently optimize their functionality by running different operating systems, but dynamically adjust their operational states based on real-time communication. The system transitions from static independent operation to dynamic coordinated operation, where each subsystem maintains its operational independence while adapting its state (active/standby) in response to the other subsystem's state, ensuring service implementation succeeds without compromising subsystem optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4066106B1Method of communication between two sub-systems constituting a modular payment terminal
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 BANKS & ACQUIRERS INT HLDG SAS
  • EP4066106B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4066106B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

In the field of payment terminals, a new generation of modular terminal is emerging. Such terminals comprise a first subsystem such as a touch-sensitive tablet and a second subsystem such as a payment terminal. The first sub-system embeds a first operating system enabling management of the energy-consumption of the first sub- system. The second subsystem embeds a specific and secure operating system capable of executing payment transactions. Since the two subsystems execute two different operating systems, it occurs that an operating state of one of the subsystems does not allow the implementation of the required service, the service requiring the use of resources implemented by each of the two subsystems. The invention allows the subsystems to exchange data relating to their respective operating state and, where appropriate, to modify their current operating state depending on the data relating to an operating state of the other subsystem thus exchanged.