Secure Near Field Transaction System with Cloud Receipt Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail entities face losses due to theft and difficulties in accurately tracking customer purchases, as receipts can be lost or damaged, making it challenging to associate transactions with customers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that enables secure near-field wireless transactions using mobile terminals, allowing customers to establish communication sessions with registers via near-field wireless links, store transaction information, and remotely access receipts for returns, while using a server for remote storage and authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paper receipts are used for transactions, then customers can receive purchase information, but receipts can be lost or damaged making it difficult to track purchases and associate them with customers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical paper receipts with electronic copies stored in a database. The mobile device captures transaction data electronically and stores it in the cloud, creating a durable digital copy that cannot be lost or damaged like paper. This electronic copying mechanism ensures reliable transaction tracking while eliminating the physical vulnerabilities of paper receipts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical paper-based receipt system with an electronic/digital system. Instead of relying on physical paper that can be lost or damaged, the system uses electronic data storage and retrieval through mobile devices and cloud databases, replacing the mechanical paper handling process with electronic information management.
2Productivity
If customers dispose of receipts after purchase, then they can reduce clutter, but the store loses ability to track purchases and associate them with specific customers
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates electronic copies of transaction records that are stored in a centralized database accessible by both the customer's mobile device and the store's system. This electronic copying ensures that transaction information is preserved and can be retrieved later for tracking and customer association, eliminating the need for customers to physically retain receipts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary between the transaction system and the customer's mobile device. This database serves as a mediator that stores transaction information and enables retrieval by either party, facilitating accurate tracking and customer association without requiring the customer to physically hold onto the receipt.
3Reliability
If receipts are left in garment pockets and washed, then they remain with the customer, but the receipts become damaged and unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical paper receipt system with an electronic digital system stored on the customer's mobile device and in a cloud database. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability to water damage entirely, as electronic data is not affected by moisture or washing, while maintaining full usability for transaction tracking and returns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates electronic copies of transaction data that are stored digitally rather than on physical paper. These electronic copies are immune to water damage and can be accessed indefinitely, ensuring reliable receipt usability regardless of environmental conditions that would damage physical paper receipts.
4Loss of energy
If traditional receipt systems are used, then implementation is simple, but theft losses occur and purchase tracking is inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized database and mobile device interface as intermediaries between the point-of-sale system and the customer. This intermediary layer enables secure transaction tracking, theft prevention through accurate recording, and customer association while managing complexity through a standardized database architecture that can be integrated with existing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple paper-based tracking with an electronic information management system that uses mobile devices and cloud databases. While this increases technical complexity, it dramatically reduces theft losses through accurate tracking and creates value that outweighs the implementation complexity through improved security and customer service capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A managed service for a near field transaction that may include a server to register a wireless device with the managed service, provide authentication information to the wireless device for use in establishing an identity of the wireless device. The server may provide authorization information to a register on behalf of the wireless device to establish the identity to the register, where the identity, when valid, allows the wireless device to participate in the near field transaction via a secure near field communication session with the register, receive transaction information from the register or the wireless device, and store the transaction information with a transaction identifier, where the transaction identifier is used to recall the transaction information on behalf of the register or the wireless device.