In-Vehicle Payment Interface Using Geofenced Location Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for paying for vehicle-related services, such as refueling or parking, require occupants to interact with non-vehicle systems, which is inconvenient and less likely to be used.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a processor and memory in a vehicle to determine when the vehicle enters a geo-fenced location and changes operating state, then provides a location confirmation interface followed by a payment confirmation interface for the occupant to authorize payments through a payment facilitator server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the occupant interacts with non-vehicle systems for payment, then the payment can be processed, but the convenience and likelihood of use decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the payment system with the vehicle's existing interface systems (display screens, audio outputs, input devices). The payment confirmation interface is integrated into the vehicle's headrest display, instrument panel, or other native displays, eliminating the need for separate external payment devices and improving convenience while managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle's existing interface infrastructure is made multi-functional by using it for both traditional vehicle control and payment confirmation. The same display screens and input devices used for vehicle operation are also utilized for payment interface presentation and user interaction, reducing the need for dedicated payment hardware.
2Ease of operation
If the payment interface is provided through the vehicle system, then the convenience increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a payment system server as an intermediary that handles the complex payment processing logic, authentication, and communication with payment networks. This mediator manages the complexity externally while the vehicle system only needs to present the interface and capture user confirmation, simplifying the in-vehicle implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex payment processing functionality is extracted from the vehicle system and placed in an external payment system server. The vehicle system retains only the essential function of presenting the payment confirmation interface and detecting user input, while the heavy lifting of payment authentication and processing is handled externally.
3Reliability
If multiple confirmation steps are required (location and payment), then the accuracy and authorization reliability improve, but the time required for payment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting when the vehicle enters a geo-fenced location and pre-presenting the payment confirmation interface before the actual payment is needed. This allows the user to review and confirm payment details in advance, ensuring reliability while streamlining the final payment execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the payment confirmation interface provides real-time status updates to the user about the payment process. The system monitors user inputs, confirms location, validates payment authorization, and provides continuous feedback until completion, ensuring reliability while managing user expectations about processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and methods for in-vehicle payments. In one example, a system for providing in-vehicle payments includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory includes instructions that cause the processor, in response to determining when a vehicle enters a specialized region within a geo-fenced location and a vehicle operating change state signal, to transmit an instruction to provide a location confirmation interface for utilization by an occupant of the vehicle. Additionally, the instructions also cause the processor, in response to a location confirmation signal indicating that the occupant has confirmed the location of the vehicle using the location confirmation interface, to transmit another instruction to provide a payment confirmation interface for utilization by the occupant. The instructions may also be able to configure the processor to process payments.