Wallet Broker Mediates Mobile Payment Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of multiple mobile payment applications and their varying implementations creates confusion for customers and point of sale systems, requiring frequent learning and integration changes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a wallet broker to provide a common interface for mobile payments, allowing customers to scan a code or receive a wireless signal, establishing a communication link between the mobile device, backend system, and point of sale, and gathering customer payment profile information for seamless transactions, regardless of the mobile application used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile payment applications are integrated into the point of sale system, then payment options and versatility are improved, but system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wallet broker as an intermediary component that sits between the point of sale system and multiple mobile payment applications. The wallet broker receives payment requests from the POS system, determines which mobile application should handle each request based on the customer's mobile device, and routes the request accordingly. This intermediary layer shields the POS system from the complexity of multiple payment applications while maintaining versatility in supporting different payment options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile payment applications are integrated, then payment versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unique aspects of each application
Solution Approach 1:
The wallet broker implements a universal interface that works with multiple different mobile payment applications through a common mechanism. Instead of requiring the POS system to handle each application's unique interface and behavior, the wallet broker provides a standardized way to initiate payments that works across all supported applications. The system determines which application to use based on the customer's mobile device, but the initiation process remains consistent and simple for both customers and cashiers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the point of sale system accommodates various mobile application idiosyncrasies, then compatibility is improved, but ease of manufacture and integration worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The wallet broker serves as a mediator that handles the complexity of accommodating various mobile application idiosyncrasies. Rather than modifying the POS system to work with each application's unique requirements, the wallet broker sits in between and translates the standardized POS payment requests into application-specific commands. This approach maintains compatibility with multiple applications while keeping the POS system simple and easy to manufacture.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the point of sale system is changed each time a new mobile application is integrated, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into distinct layers: the POS system, the wallet broker, and the mobile payment applications. The wallet broker is the segment that handles adaptability to new applications, while the POS system remains stable and unchanged. When a new mobile payment application needs to be integrated, only the wallet broker needs to be updated, not the entire POS system. This segmentation reduces the time and effort required for updates and maintains system stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are common user experience for a mobile wallet system and methods. The system may include generally a mobile application operated on a mobile device, a mobile backend, a wallet broker, a point of sale (“POS”), and authorizer(s). The system allows a customer to receive encoded/encrypted data by scanning a code, or by receiving a wireless message, such as a Bluetooth low energy transmission or a near field communication, regardless of the mobile application or operating system. Mobile backend systems translate the messages so the customer does not have to do something different for different mobile applications. The system may alternatively allow a cashier to scan a participating mobile application's code such as a QR code/barcode. Mobile backend systems determine which wallet to communicate with and does so on the POS behalf. The POS is isolated from complexities of integrating with different mobile applications and corresponding backend systems.