Secure Payment Intermediary for Retail Purchasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for purchasing items from merchants are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring users to physically visit the merchant, select items, pay, and wait for delivery, while also exposing sensitive payment information.
Innovation Solution
A user device with a software application that allows users to select and purchase items directly, facilitating payment without exposing personal information to the merchant, by using a payment issuer to process transactions indirectly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users visit merchants physically to purchase items, then the purchasing process can be completed, but the process is time-consuming and requires physical presence
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to place orders and complete payments before physically visiting the merchant. The user device communicates with the merchant system in advance to reserve items and process payments, so when the user arrives, the items are ready for immediate pickup, eliminating waiting time at the counter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically browsing shelves, selecting items manually, and using cash or card machines with an electronic system. The user device uses software applications to communicate with the merchant's computer system, automatically selecting items, calculating prices, and processing payments electronically before the physical visit.
2Ease of manufacture
If users disclose payment information directly to merchants, then payment can be processed, but security is compromised and fraudulent charges become possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a secure payment gateway and communication protocol as an intermediary between the user device and merchant system. Payment information is transmitted through encrypted channels and processed through secure servers that act as mediators, never exposing raw credit card data to the merchant's point-of-sale system, thus preventing fraudulent charges while maintaining ease of payment processing.
3Productivity
If users manually select and order items at the merchant location, then items can be purchased, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The user device serves multiple functions: it acts as the user's interface for browsing products, viewing prices, placing orders, processing payments, and tracking order status. The software application consolidates what would traditionally require separate manual actions at the merchant location into a single multi-functional device that users interact with remotely and at the point of pickup.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and methods for reconfigurable and/or updatable lightweight embedded devices or systems are disclosed. Via use of such a device, system, or method, various capabilities for a user are provided, simplified, secured, and/or made more convenient. The system may interact with various other devices or systems, including those that are cloud-based or communicate through the cloud, and may utilize various local sensors, in order to provide one or more of improved access, monitoring, or diagnostics, and so forth.