Secure Element Unique Transaction Identifier for Wireless Payments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless financial transaction technologies lack efficient mechanisms for secure and user-friendly identification of transactions, particularly in near-field communication scenarios, where privacy and fraud prevention are concerns.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device with a secure element that generates a unique transaction identifier based on financial-account information, using a payment applet to execute transactions and provide end messages, ensuring secure communication and user privacy through radio-frequency communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If financial information is wirelessly communicated during near-field transactions, then transaction convenience is improved, but security and fraud prevention capabilities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction convenienceVSAvoidsecurity and fraud prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transaction identification system into multiple components: a unique transaction identifier generated by the secure element, separate from the financial account information itself. This segmentation allows the financial information to be protected while still enabling transaction verification through the separate identifier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unique transaction identifier acts as an intermediary between the financial transaction and its verification. Instead of exposing financial account information, the system uses this intermediate identifier to represent and verify the transaction, thereby protecting sensitive data while maintaining transaction traceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If financial account information is transmitted during transactions, then transaction verification capability is improved, but user privacy and fraud risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction verification capabilityVSAvoiduser privacy and fraud risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential verification function from the financial account information itself and places it into a separate unique transaction identifier. This extraction removes sensitive financial data from the verification process while retaining the ability to verify transactions through the identifier alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting the actual financial account information, the system creates and transmits a copy in the form of a unique transaction identifier. This copy contains sufficient information for verification purposes while being safe to transmit wirelessly, as it does not reveal sensitive account details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used for financial transactions, then user convenience is improved, but transaction security mechanisms become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidtransaction security mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secure element automatically generates the unique transaction identifier and manages the transaction verification process without requiring user intervention or complex security configurations. This self-service approach simplifies the user interface while maintaining robust security mechanisms internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enhances transaction security and user experience by providing a unique transaction identifier for transaction verification, reducing fraud risks and improving user convenience in wireless financial transactions.

Implementation Method 1

an interface circuit that wirelessly communicates with another electronic device (e.g., using near-field communication)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the communication with the other electronic device is via radio-frequency communication (such as near-field communication)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio-frequency communication: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS10685346B2Secure transaction notifications and receipts

Publication Date: 2020.06.16 APPLE INC

AI summary

To facilitate conducting a secure transaction via wireless communication between a portable electronic device (such as a smartphone) and another electronic device (such as a point-of-sale terminal), the portable electronic device may, after a final command is received from the other electronic device, determine a unique transaction identifier for the secure transaction. In particular, the final command may be specific to an applet, stored in a secure element in the portable electronic device, which conducts the secure transaction. The secure element may generate the unique transaction identifier based on financial-account information associated with the applet, which is communicated to the other electronic device. Next, the secure element may provide, to a processor in the portable electronic device, an end message for the secure transaction with the unique transaction identifier.