Settlement System Transaction Data Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current settlement systems, such as those using credit cards, are limited in utilizing transaction information for purposes beyond settlement approval due to security constraints, restricting the use of additional data managed by the server for analysis or marketing.

Innovation Solution

A settlement system that acquires and manages transaction details through a printing apparatus and terminal devices, correlating feature information from both sources to associate and utilize transaction data for purposes like marketing, by integrating a processor to function as an acquisitor and management unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the server device limits the information acquired from the settlement terminal to only what is necessary for settlement approval, then security is improved, but the ability to utilize transaction information for purposes beyond settlement (such as analysis and marketing) deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddata utilization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments transaction information into two categories: settlement information (for approval) and transaction detail information (for analysis/marketing). The server device acquires and manages both types separately, allowing security requirements for settlement to be met while enabling versatile utilization of transaction details for non-settlement purposes through the printing apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus serves as an intermediary that receives transaction detail information from the server device and outputs it physically. This intermediary mechanism allows the server to provide additional information beyond what is needed for settlement approval, enabling analysis and marketing purposes without compromising security, as the information flow is controlled through the printing apparatus rather than direct server access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the server device acquires only the minimum necessary information for settlement approval, then information security is maintained, but the quantity of available data for analytical purposes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation securityVSAvoidtransaction data volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments information into settlement-critical data (kept secure and minimal) and transaction detail data (acquired and made available through printing). This segmentation allows the server to maintain security by limiting direct access to sensitive information while still acquiring comprehensive transaction details for analysis and marketing through the printing apparatus interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus acts as an intermediary channel that enables the server to provide comprehensive transaction information to external systems without exposing the server's core security mechanisms. Through this intermediary, the server can supply detailed transaction data for analysis and marketing while maintaining security controls over the information acquisition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If comprehensive transaction information is made available for analysis and marketing purposes, then data versatility improves, but the complexity of information management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata utilization capabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information management function into two parts: the server device manages settlement-critical information securely, while the printing apparatus handles transaction detail information for analysis and marketing. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by distributing management responsibilities according to functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printing apparatus serves as an intermediary management layer that handles the complexity of providing comprehensive transaction information for multiple purposes. It receives detailed information from the server and manages the output process, thereby shielding the server from the complexity of direct information dissemination while enabling versatile data utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20230419290A1Settlement system, server device, management method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A server device includes an acquisitor that acquires first information based on print information for printing, by a printing apparatus, a first image representing transaction details related to a settlement and acquires second information related to a request for approval of the settlement from a terminal device that requests approval of the settlement, and when first feature information included in the first information and second feature information included in the second information correspond to each other, a management unit that manages first settlement information included in the first information and second settlement information included in the second information in association with each other.