Wireless Payment Terminal Using BLE for Reliable Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional payment terminals are not suitable for mobile businesses like taxis and food trucks, as they require a fixed location and wired connections, limiting their ability to process transactions efficiently in various locations.
Innovation Solution
A payment system using a merchant device and a payment reader that communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), allowing for both reliable and unreliable data transmission, enabling efficient wireless transactions and software updates between payment devices and servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional payment terminal with wired connections is used, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but mobility and adaptability to different locations are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication. The payment terminal uses BLE to communicate with mobile devices, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining data transmission capability. This substitution enables mobility without sacrificing communication functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless communication is used for mobile payment processing, then mobility is improved, but data transmission reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements error handling and data verification mechanisms before data transmission issues can affect payment processing. The system prepares for potential wireless communication failures by implementing retransmission protocols and data integrity checks, cushioning against the inherent unreliability of wireless connections.
3Productivity
If a separate payment reader is used with mobile devices, then payment processing capability is achieved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the payment terminal functionality with mobile devices through wireless communication. The payment terminal and mobile device work as an integrated system, combining their respective capabilities (hardware keyboard, display, camera, processor) to perform payment processing without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment terminal is designed to work with multiple types of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops) through universal BLE communication protocols. The system can perform multiple functions including payment processing, software updates, and configuration, reducing the need for specialized single-purpose devices.
4Reliability
If wired connections are used for software updates, then data transmission reliability is maintained, but time and complexity of updates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired connection mechanisms with wireless BLE communication for software updates. The payment terminal can receive firmware and software updates wirelessly from mobile devices or remote servers, eliminating the need for physical connection during the update process and reducing update time.
Data Source
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AI summary
A payment reader and a merchant device may communicate over a wireless connection. Reliable and unreliable packets may be transmitted over a single messaging path. Each of a plurality of unreliable packet may include a data payload and a packet identifier. The unreliable packets and a reliable packet may be transmitted over the single messaging path during a first connection event. A response to the reliable packet may be received during the second event and may include a received packet listing. If the received packet listing indicates that any of the unreliable packets were not received, any unreliable packet that was not received may be retransmitted.