Token Proximity Transactions via Auxiliary Device Authentication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing transaction systems require physical user devices for authentication and are cumbersome, especially when users do not have the device, and legacy access devices cannot handle tokens or credentials from non-user devices.

Innovation Solution

An auxiliary device communicates with an access device to receive authentication data, requests and verifies tokens from a secure server, and generates authorization requests, enabling transactions without the need for physical user devices and supporting legacy systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a physical user device is required for authentication and transactions, then transaction security can be maintained, but user convenience deteriorates when the device is not available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the user device called an auxiliary device that can perform transactions without the physical device. The auxiliary device receives authentication data, requests tokens from secure servers, and generates authorization requests, effectively copying the essential transaction functionality while eliminating the need for the physical user device to be present at the time of transaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If legacy access devices are used for transactions, then device compatibility is maintained, but transaction capability deteriorates due to inability to handle tokens from non-user devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidtransaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary device acts as an intermediary between the user and the legacy access device. It receives authentication data from the user, obtains tokens from secure servers, and presents these tokens to the legacy access device, which then generates authorization requests. This intermediary layer enables legacy devices to handle transactions that would otherwise be impossible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary device provides universal functionality by working with both legacy access devices and modern secure servers. It can receive authentication data from users, communicate with secure servers to obtain tokens, and interface with legacy access devices to complete transactions, making the system adaptable to multiple device types and transaction scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250337736A1Techniques for token proximity transactions

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided to enable a user to conduct a transaction using their credentials stored on a secure server computer (e.g., a computer associated with a partner such as another merchant) by merely presenting their authentication data at a physical location via an auxiliary device. An auxiliary device may be provided for interfacing with a partner's backend server (e.g., the secure server computer). In some embodiments, biometric authentication may provide a mechanism for a true seamless and potentially frictionless (in the case of modalities that do not require physical contact) interaction. Payment can occur without any need for a card, phone, wearable, or any other user device as long as the auxiliary device is able to recognize the user and retrieve a credential that can be linked to that user.