Secure Electronic Payment Token System for Unattended Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic payment systems for unattended devices like parking meters and vending machines are vulnerable to fraud and require physical cash or credit cards, lacking secure and convenient digital payment solutions.

Innovation Solution

A secure electronic payment system that uses a mobile device to issue a digital token for transactions, allowing users to pay without physical currency, using a wireless certificate reader and near-field communication protocols, eliminating the need for expensive communication connections and protecting against fraud.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If credit card payment systems are used for unattended devices, then electronic payment capability is provided, but the system becomes vulnerable to fraud and identity theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectronic payment capabilityVSAvoidsecurity against fraud

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the payment process into distinct components: a mobile device generates a one-time use token, which is then transmitted to the unattended device. This token acts as a separate, disposable credential that isolates the actual payment information from the transaction process, preventing fraud while maintaining electronic payment convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable tokens that are generated for each transaction and become invalid after use. These short-lived digital credentials replace traditional credit card information, providing secure electronic payment without the ongoing security risks associated with reusable payment methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If unattended devices require physical cash or change, then security against fraud is maintained, but convenience and ease of operation are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against fraudVSAvoidpayment convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical system of physical cash handling with an electronic token transmission system. The mobile device communicates with the unattended device via wireless protocols to transfer payment credentials, eliminating the need for physical currency while maintaining security through one-time use tokens

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If expensive communication connections are implemented in unattended devices, then secure electronic payment processing is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure payment processingVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile device serves as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the user's payment information and the unattended device. It generates and transmits tokens that enable secure communication without requiring the unattended device to have expensive communication infrastructure or direct access to payment networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11861572B2Secure electronic payment

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 CLEAR TOKEN

AI summary

Secure electronic payment is disclosed as it may be implemented for a point of sale machine such as but not limited to, vending machines/devices, parking devices/facilities, and laundry machines/facilities. An example secure electronic payment system includes a remote payment processing to confirm payment for a transaction at a point of sale device. The point of sale device is configured to receive a token from the mobile device for the transaction. A token processing module at the point of sale device confirms validity of the token. A transaction processing module executes the transaction at the point of sale device.