Reverse Terminal Payment via Ultrasonic Audio Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing payment systems require dedicated terminals with network connectivity, which are costly and difficult to configure, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective method for entities without skilled technical support to process payments securely.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a user device to process payments through audial tones, establishing a connection with a point-of-sale device using ultrasonic sound to encode and decode payment information, enabling secure transactions without network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated payment terminals with network connectivity are used, then secure payment processing is achieved, but infrastructure cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses audio signals as an intermediary communication medium between the point-of-sale device and user device. The point-of-sale device transmits payment information through audio tones, which the user device receives and processes. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for dedicated network infrastructure while maintaining secure payment processing, as the audio channel serves as a universal communication bridge without requiring specialized hardware connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/network infrastructure of dedicated payment terminals with acoustic wave transmission. Instead of requiring physical network connections, Ethernet cables, or wireless network stacks, the system uses audio frequency modulations carried through the air or device speakers/microphones. This substitution dramatically reduces infrastructure costs while maintaining the core payment processing functionality.
2Reliability
If dedicated payment terminals are deployed, then payment security is maintained, but ease of operation and configuration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service payment processing where the user device itself performs the payment initiation and confirmation without requiring configuration by technical personnel. The point-of-sale device automatically generates audio signals with embedded payment data, and the user device autonomously processes these signals through its existing audio interface and payment application. This self-service capability eliminates the need for skilled technical staff to configure and maintain payment terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the universal audio interface present in virtually all modern devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) to perform payment processing. Instead of requiring specialized payment terminal hardware with proprietary connections and configurations, the system uses the universally available microphone and speaker components that come pre-configured in consumer devices. This universality dramatically simplifies deployment across different locations without requiring technical configuration expertise.
3Reliability
If network-connected terminals are used, then payment verification is reliable, but loss of time in setup and connectivity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary encoding of payment verification information into audio signals that are transmitted and processed in advance of final payment confirmation. The point-of-sale device pre-encodes transaction details, merchant information, and verification data into the audio tone structure before transmission. This preliminary action allows the user device to verify payment authenticity locally without requiring real-time network connectivity during the actual payment moment, reducing both setup time and connectivity dependencies.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates secure and efficient payment processing directly from user devices, reducing infrastructure costs and complexity, and allowing entities without network access to implement digital payments seamlessly.
Implementation Method 1
receiving an audial tone from the device. The audial tone encodes information corresponding to the entity associated with the device
Implementation Method 2
broadcasting a confirmation audial tone. The confirmation audial tone encodes the confirmation
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method may include emitting a presence audial tone at a point-of-sale device. The presence audial tone denotes a presence of the point-of-sale device. When the presence audial tone is received at a user device, the user device establishes a secure communications session with the point-of-sale device. The method may include receiving a confirmation audial tone through the secure communications session at the point-of-sale device. The confirmation audial tone encodes payment confirmation corresponding to a transaction. The method may include determining expected characteristics of the confirmation audial tone using an algorithmic library. The method may include comparing the confirmation audial tone against the expected characteristics to authenticate the transaction. The method may further include processing the authenticated transaction by demodulating the confirmation audial tone to obtain the payment confirmation. Related systems and computer-readable medium are described.