Unidirectional Initiation for Secure Mobile Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic transaction methods lack an efficient and secure way to initiate transactions using existing mobile devices without requiring additional hardware, particularly in scenarios where no prior communication has occurred between terminal and mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving unidirectional initiation communication from a terminal device to a mobile device, utilizing techniques like near field communication, visible light communication, or acoustic communication, allowing for electronic transactions to be executed with various mobile devices, including smartphones, without the need for additional hardware, and ensuring security through unique transaction identifiers and authentication schemes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional electronic transaction methods are used requiring prior communication between terminal and mobile devices, then security can be maintained through established protocols, but the system cannot support transactions with mobile devices that have no prior communication history

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with various mobile devicesVSAvoidtransaction security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by generating and transmitting initiation data containing transaction identifiers and authentication information before the actual transaction occurs. This preliminary data transmission enables the mobile device to be authenticated and authorized without requiring prior communication history, resolving the contradiction between supporting new devices and maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism where the terminal device acts as a mediator that verifies the mobile device's identity and transmits authorization data. This intermediary process allows secure transactions with devices that have no prior communication history, as the terminal device mediates the authentication and establishes trust without requiring pre-existing relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If additional hardware is introduced to enable secure transactions with mobile devices, then transaction security can be enhanced, but the system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardware-based authentication systems with electronic data transmission and software-based authentication mechanisms. Instead of requiring additional physical hardware components in mobile devices, the solution uses electronic initiation data containing transaction identifiers and authentication information, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device is designed with universal functionality to support transactions with any mobile device regardless of hardware configuration. The initiation data mechanism works across different mobile device types without requiring device-specific hardware, achieving universality while maintaining security through software-based authentication rather than hardware dependencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If unidirectional initiation communication is used from terminal to mobile device, then the system can support existing mobile devices without additional hardware, but the mobile device cannot send initial requests to the terminal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser-friendlinessVSAvoidcommunication flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional communication model by having the terminal device initiate communication and transmit authorization data to the mobile device, rather than requiring the mobile device to initiate requests. This inversion allows existing mobile devices to participate in transactions without requiring them to have specific capabilities for initiating communications, improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability through the terminal's active role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11941605B2Electronic transaction

Publication Date: 2024.03.26 WORLDLINE SA(BE)

AI summary

The invention relates to an electronic transaction method. The method comprises carrying out an initiation communication between a terminal device and a mobile device, and carrying out an electronic transaction on the basis of the initiation communication between the terminal device and the mobile device. The initiation communication between the terminal device and the mobile device is a unidirectional communication in which initiation data is transmitted from the terminal device to the mobile device. The invention furthermore relates to a terminal device for use in an electronic transaction method, and to a transaction application for a mobile device for use in an electronic transaction method.