Pre-authorization Transaction System for Resource Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic transaction systems do not allow users to test resources before committing to a transaction, and the process of returning unsatisfactory resources is cumbersome, requiring significant system bandwidth and tying up the user's value until the reversal is complete.
Innovation Solution
Introducing pre-authorization communications where a resource provider electronically communicates with an authorizing entity to hold a user's account, allowing resources to be delivered before transaction authorization, enabling the user to inspect and accept or return them, thus delaying full authorization and value capture until after inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current electronic transaction systems are used to authorize transactions before delivery, then transaction security is improved, but user ability to test resources before commitment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transaction process is segmented into distinct phases: pre-authorization phase (where resources are delivered but not yet charged), inspection phase (where user evaluates resources), and final authorization phase (where actual charging occurs). This segmentation allows users to receive and test resources before committing payment, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary resource delivery and user inspection before final transaction authorization. By delivering resources in advance of the actual charge (preliminary action), users can evaluate the resources and only authorize the transaction if satisfied, maintaining security while enabling testing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If transaction reversal is used to allow users to return unsatisfactory resources, then user flexibility is improved, but system bandwidth consumption and processing time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary resource delivery and user evaluation before final transaction authorization. If users are unsatisfied, no reversal is needed because the transaction was never fully authorized - the system simply never charges the user. This eliminates the need for bandwidth-intensive reversal operations while maintaining user flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the charging/authorization step from the delivery process, separating resource delivery from value transfer. Users can receive resources without immediate charging, and only authorize payment if satisfied. This extraction eliminates the need for reversal operations entirely, as unsatisfactory transactions never complete the authorization step.
3Reliability
If full transaction authorization is performed before resource delivery, then resource provider security is improved, but user value availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The authorization process is segmented into pre-authorization (resource delivery phase) and final authorization (payment phase). During pre-authorization, resources are delivered without charging the user's account, making user value immediately available. Final authorization only occurs after user satisfaction, resolving the contradiction between provider security and value availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary resource delivery and user inspection before final value capture. By delaying the actual charging action until after user evaluation, the system makes user value available immediately rather than tying it up in advance, while still ensuring provider security through the final authorization step.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for pre-authorizing a delivery transaction is disclosed. A transaction value can be pre-authorized such that resources can be delivered. After the resources are delivered, a user can determine whether to continue with processing the transaction.