Split Payment Processing Through a Single Merchant Transaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payment systems for split payments, such as those used in group settings, are inefficient due to multiple transactions, require users to share financial information, and lack robust security measures, leading to inconvenience and increased processing loads.

Innovation Solution

A payment system that processes split payments as a single transaction through a merchant's terminal, utilizing tamper-resistant hardware and biometric authentication to enhance security and efficiency, while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If split payment is performed through card terminal with multiple users making separate payments, then split payment functionality is achieved, but payment processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplit payment functionalityVSAvoidpayment processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The payment amount is segmented into multiple portions assigned to different users, but the payment process itself remains unified. The server divides the total payment amount according to predetermined ratios and processes each user's portion separately through a single transaction, avoiding the need for multiple sequential card terminal operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple users' payment actions are merged into a single unified payment process. Instead of each user separately operating the card terminal, all users authenticate through their respective electronic devices and the server consolidates their payments into one transaction, dramatically reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If cash collection method is used for split payment, then no additional infrastructure is needed, but user convenience deteriorates due to requiring cash carrying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The physical cash collection mechanism is replaced with an electronic payment system. Users authenticate through electronic devices using biometric or cryptographic methods, and payments are processed digitally through the server, eliminating the need for physical cash handling while maintaining implementation feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If payer provides bank account information to other users for separate charging, then split payment is achieved, but security risk increases due to information exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesplit payment capabilityVSAvoidinformation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary that manages all payment information and transaction processing. Users never exchange sensitive bank account information directly; instead, each user's payment details are securely handled by the server through encrypted communication channels, eliminating information exposure risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of sharing actual bank account information, the system uses cryptographic copies or tokens representing payment credentials. Each user's payment information is represented by secure digital identifiers that can be processed without exposing sensitive data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If multiple separate payment transactions are processed, then each user's payment is individually tracked, but transaction fees and processing load increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayment tracking accuracyVSAvoidprocessing load and fees

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple users' payment portions are merged into a single consolidated transaction processed by the server. The server internally allocates and tracks each user's portion while presenting one unified payment request to the card terminal, reducing processing load and minimizing transaction fees while maintaining precise tracking of individual user payments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260017636A1Payment system for supporting split payment and method for performing split payment thereof

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 TRAVEL WALLET CO LTD

AI summary

A method for performing a split payment in the payment system includes generating split payment information for splitting a single payment amount with one or more other electronic devices to make a payment, transmitting the split payment information to a payment service server for providing a payment service, receiving a payment request, checking whether the received payment request is a split payment request, when the received payment request is the split payment request, checking whether the split payment is possible, and if the split payment is possible, performing the split payment based on the split payment information, and when the split payment is completed, respectively transmitting a notification about completion of the split payment to the electronic device and one or more other electronic devices.