Payment Accepting Unit Event Alerts via Mobile Intermediary
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment accepting units, such as vending machines, require persistent network connections for cashless payments, which are unavailable in remote locations, limiting their functionality and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A mobile-device-to-machine payment processing system that uses a non-persistent network connection, enabling cashless transactions through a mobile device as an intermediary, with features like hands-free and manual swipe modes, and supports multiple vending transactions without requiring a continuous network connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a persistent network connection is used for cashless payments at payment accepting units, then payment reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to requiring continuous network infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the payment accepting unit and the payment network. It stores payment credentials locally and acts as a secure element, eliminating the need for the payment accepting unit to have direct persistent network connectivity. The mobile device communicates with the payment accepting unit via short-range communication (NFC, Bluetooth) and handles all network communication independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment system is segmented into independent components: the payment accepting unit (simple reader), the mobile device (secure element and communication hub), and the payment network (remote server). This segmentation allows the payment accepting unit to be simple and installation-free while the complex network communication is handled by the mobile device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a persistent network connection is installed at remote locations for payment processing, then payment functionality is improved, but installation complexity and recurring fees increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device acts as a portable intermediary that brings network connectivity and payment processing capabilities to remote locations without requiring local infrastructure installation. The payment accepting unit becomes a simple offline reader that works anywhere the user has a mobile device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service payment processing where the user's mobile device provides all necessary payment credentials and network communication capabilities. No local installation, maintenance, or recurring fees are required - the user simply presents their mobile device at any compatible payment accepting unit.
3Speed
If the mobile device continuously monitors for payment accepting units, then transaction speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the mobile device uses periodic scanning at appropriate intervals and triggers payment processing only when a payment accepting unit is detected or when the user initiates a payment action. The system transitions between low-power and active states based on usage context.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs preliminary actions such as pre-authentication and payment credential preparation in advance, so that when a payment accepting unit is detected or a purchase is made, the transaction can be completed immediately without energy-intensive real-time processing during the actual purchase moment.
Data Source
AI summary
After sending a request to a payment module, via a first communication capability (e.g., BLE), to initiate a transaction with a payment accepting unit associated with the payment module, a mobile device with one or more processors, memory, one or output devices, and two or more communication capabilities obtains a notification from the payment module via the first communication capability. The notification indicates an event at the payment accepting unit associated with the payment module. In response to obtaining the notification, mobile device provides a representation of the notification to a user of the mobile device via the one or more output devices of the mobile device. For example, a message is displayed on a display of the mobile device, a vibration alert is produced by a vibration mechanism of the mobile device, an aural alert is produced by a speaker of the mobile device, and/or the like.