Wireless Payment Verification Using Mobile Device Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems for sales facilities with self-service systems struggle to ensure secure and automatic verification of payments when register receipts are lost, damaged, or soiled, as they require manual inspection of physical receipts.
Innovation Solution
A security system that generates an electronic proof of payment in the form of an identifier, which is wirelessly transmitted to a mobile device and received by second equipment at the exit, allowing for secure and automatic verification using mobile devices with receiving and transmitting capabilities, such as PDAs or portable computers, via data transmission methods like infrared, near-field communication, or Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual inspection of physical register receipts is used, then the system is simple to implement, but the inspection cannot be performed securely or automatically when receipts are lost, damaged, or soiled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical register receipt with an electronic copy stored on the customer's mobile device. The proof of payment is transmitted electronically from the register system to the mobile device, creating a digital replica that can be reliably presented and verified without the limitations of physical media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/physical system of paper receipts and manual visual inspection with an electronic system using wireless data transmission and automated verification. The receiving device automatically reads and verifies the electronic identifier from the mobile device, eliminating the need for manual handling and visual inspection of physical documents.
2Extent of automation
If electronic proof of payment is transmitted wirelessly to mobile devices, then automatic inspection becomes possible, but the device complexity and transmission infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the mobile device's existing wireless communication capabilities (which customers already possess for other purposes) to transmit and store the proof of payment. This multi-functional use of the mobile device avoids requiring a dedicated specialized device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The customer's own mobile device serves the dual function of receiving and storing the proof of payment, and then presenting it for verification. The system utilizes resources already available to the customer (their mobile device) rather than requiring additional specialized equipment, simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If physical register receipts are used, then no additional transmission equipment is needed, but the inspection process becomes manual and unreliable when receipts are damaged or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an electronic copy of the proof of payment that is stored on the customer's mobile device. This digital copy is protected from the physical degradation issues (soiling, damage, loss) that affect paper receipts, while maintaining ease of presentation through automatic wireless transmission to the verification system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and automatic payment verification even if physical receipts are lost or damaged, simplifying the exit process by using electronic identifiers with time stamps and frequency stamps to prevent abuse, ensuring valid payment documentation and authorized exit from sales facilities.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitting device that sends this identifier wirelessly to a mobile device
Implementation Method 2
second equipment that has at least one receiving device that receives the identifier wirelessly from the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A security system (SYS) is proposed for a sales facility having at least one first equipment (CP) for issuing a proof of payment for articles and/or services purchased and having at least one second equipment (CTR) for inspecting the proof of purchase, where the first equipment (CP) generates an electronic proof of payment in the form of an identifier (CD) and has a transmitting device (CP-S) that send the identifier wirelessly to a mobile device (M), and the second equipment (CTR) has at least one receiving device (CTR-R) that receives the identifier (CD) wirelessly from the mobile device (M). The first equipment can be a register system (CP), specifically a self-service register system and/or pay station. The second equipment (CTR) can be a control system that can be installed in the exit area of the sales facility, specifically a control gate system (CTR).