Shared Digital Fund Access via Contactless Payment Instruments

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shared fund management systems face challenges such as lack of transparency, difficulty in accounting, and inefficiencies in distributing funds among group members, especially in a cashless environment.

Innovation Solution

A digital fund system utilizing a remote server and mobile devices to manage and distribute shared digital funds through contactless payment instruments, enabling real-time access, transaction recording, and customizable utilization restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If physical cash is used for shared funds, then simplicity is maintained, but transparency and accountability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtransparency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a digital copy of the shared fund system through mobile applications that replicate the physical cash pool functionality. Each participant receives a digital representation (mobile device with app) that mirrors the physical cash pool's purpose, enabling transparent tracking while maintaining the simplicity of a shared fund concept.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical cash handling with an electronic/digital system. Mobile devices and applications substitute for physical currency, enabling automated tracking, transparent balance viewing, and digital transaction recording without requiring physical cash exchange.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a single holder manages the pooled money, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability and transparency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement simplicityVSAvoidaccounting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized fund management into distributed access across multiple mobile devices. Instead of one holder managing all funds, each participant has their own mobile device with app access to the shared fund, dividing the management function while maintaining coordinated control through the central server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous feedback mechanisms where the central server automatically notifies participants of transactions, balance changes, and contribution status. This real-time feedback loop ensures all participants are informed of the fund's state, improving reliability without complicating operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of information

If digital fund systems are implemented, then transparency and accessibility are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovetransparencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device universal by enabling it to function as both a personal banking tool and a shared fund access point. The mobile application provides multiple functions including viewing shared fund balance, making contributions, authorizing withdrawals, and tracking transactions, consolidating these capabilities into a single device that participants already possess.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables participants to perform fund management tasks independently through their mobile devices. Users can contribute funds, view balances, and authorize withdrawals without requiring manual intervention from a fund holder, making the system self-managing and reducing operational complexity despite increased technological capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If cashless systems are adopted, then modernization and efficiency are improved, but accessibility and ease of use worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction efficiencyVSAvoiduser accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional cashless approach by making the mobile device the access point for digital funds rather than requiring funds to be transferred to centralized digital accounts. Participants maintain control of their contribution amounts in their own digital wallets, and the system retrieves funds directly from these devices, reversing the typical cashless flow while improving accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20260080380A1Systems, devices, and methods for the distribution of shared digital funds

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 VERIFONE INC

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods of distributing shared digital funds are provided herein. The systems, devices, and methods enable the distribution of shared digital funds to multiple digital fund participants and/or mobile device users via contactless payment instruments. Each user and/or participant may have simultaneous, real-time access to a digital fund managed in a digital fund database stored in a remote server or a collection of remote servers. Further, each user and/or participant of a group may initiate one or more transactions on behalf of the group using one or more contactless payment instruments connected with one or more digital funds.