Stored-Value Account Transfer UI for Faster Contactless Transactions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing transactions and accounts on electronic devices are cumbersome, inefficient, and time-consuming, often requiring multiple key presses, device unlocking, and authentication, which wastes user time and battery power.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods and interfaces that utilize short-range communication radios and input devices to streamline account management, including verification of ownership, value transfer, and transaction processing, reducing the need for manual inputs and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing techniques for managing transactions and accounts are used, then account management can be performed, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming requiring multiple key presses and authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of account managementVSAvoidtime for transaction processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the presence of a card through short-range communication before the user initiates a transaction. The card account number is received and verified in advance, so when the user wants to make a purchase, the transaction can be completed immediately without manual account selection or authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically managing the transaction process. The electronic device autonomously receives card information, verifies ownership by comparing with stored information, and completes the value transfer without requiring the user to manually input account details or provide authentication, thus eliminating multiple key presses and authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If existing account management techniques are used, then transactions can be processed, but device energy is wasted due to multiple authentication and input operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the presence of a card through short-range communication before the user initiates a transaction. The card account number is received and verified in advance, so when the user wants to make a purchase, the transaction can be completed immediately without manual account selection or authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically managing the transaction process. The electronic device autonomously receives card information, verifies ownership by comparing with stored information, and completes the value transfer without requiring the user to manually input account details or provide authentication, thus eliminating multiple key presses and authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If verification of card ownership is implemented, then transaction security is improved, but the process becomes more complex requiring additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard ownership verificationVSAvoidverification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses copying by storing a copy of the card account number in the electronic device's memory. During verification, the system retrieves this stored copy and compares it with the card account number received from the physical card. This copying approach enables automatic verification without requiring complex authentication protocols or additional user inputs, thus maintaining security while simplifying the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4246412B1User interfaces for stored-value accounts

Publication Date: 2026.02.04 APPLE INC

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AI summary

In some examples, an account is provisioned onto an electronic device. In some examples, the device receives a value to fund the account provisioned on the electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device transacts with a contactless transaction terminal using the provisioned account and displays an indication of the transaction. In some examples, the electronic device transmits information corresponding to the provisioned account without checking for authentication. In some examples, the device receives user input initiating a process for moving the account from a first device to a second device. In some examples, the device receives account payment credentials from a second device when a set of payment criteria are met.