Invented by Paresh K. Patel, PayRange Inc

The market for methods and systems for mobile device-to-machine payments is rapidly growing. With the increasing use of mobile devices, the demand for mobile payments has also increased. Mobile device-to-machine payments refer to the process of making payments using a mobile device to interact with a machine, such as a vending machine or a parking meter. The market for mobile device-to-machine payments is expected to grow at a CAGR of 39.6% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report by Allied Market Research. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of mobile devices, the rise of contactless payments, and the need for faster and more convenient payment methods. There are several methods and systems for mobile device-to-machine payments, including NFC (near-field communication), QR codes, and mobile apps. NFC is a technology that allows two devices to communicate with each other when they are in close proximity. This technology is commonly used for contactless payments, where the user simply taps their mobile device on a payment terminal to make a payment. QR codes are another popular method for mobile device-to-machine payments. QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be scanned using a mobile device’s camera. The user scans the QR code displayed on the machine, and the payment is processed through a mobile app. Mobile apps are also becoming increasingly popular for mobile device-to-machine payments. These apps allow users to make payments directly from their mobile devices, without the need for any additional hardware. Some popular mobile payment apps include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. The market for methods and systems for mobile device-to-machine payments is highly competitive, with several players offering different solutions. Some of the key players in this market include Apple Inc., Google LLC, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., PayPal Holdings Inc., and Visa Inc. In conclusion, the market for methods and systems for mobile device-to-machine payments is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing adoption of mobile devices and the need for faster and more convenient payment methods. With several methods and systems available, including NFC, QR codes, and mobile apps, the market is highly competitive, with several key players vying for market share. As the market continues to grow, we can expect to see further innovation and development in this space.

The PayRange Inc invention works as follows

A device with a processor, memory and at least two communication capabilities receives an authorization request from a payment module via a communication capability. The device transmits the authorization request to a server via a separate second communication capability from the first (e.g. WiFi or cellular technology). The device receives authorization information from the server via the second communication ability in response to the authorization request. The device then detects the trigger condition for a transaction to be performed with the payment accepting unit that is associated with the module. The device transmits to the payment module at least part of the authorization information in response to the trigger condition.

Background for Methods and systems for mobile device-to machine payments

Disclosed herein are mobile-device-to-machine payment systems and, more specifically, mobile-device-to-machine payment systems over a non-persistent network connection and featuring hands-free and manual modes.

Vending Machines (or ‘automatic retailing’)” Machines, in their broadest sense have existed for thousands of year. In the 1880s, simple mechanical vending machines operated by coins were introduced. Modern vending machines offer a wide variety of products, including but not limited drinks (e.g. Water, juice, soda, coffee and other drinks are available in modern vending machines. Food products and items (e.g. Snacks, candy, frozen meals, and fruit are all available, as well as many other non-food products. Vending machines are everywhere in this fast-paced world.

Vending Machines are one type of payment accepting unit” Payment accepting units can also be referred to as “machines” in this context. Payment accepting units (or machines) are equipments that require payment to dispense products or services. Payment accepting units are not just vending machines. They can be any machine that requires payment to dispense a product or service. This includes parking meters, tollbooths, laundromats washers and dryers. arcade games, photo booths. tollbooths. transit ticket dispensers.

To use a payment acceptance unit, the user must (1) approach the unit, (2) select the desired product (or service from the unit’s face), (3) insert the payment (e.g. Coins, bills or payment cards are accepted. The user then inputs his selection using the user interface. A series of buttons, keypad, touch screen or another input mechanism, such as the column and row where a product is located, can be used. The payment acceptance unit uses technology to provide the user with the product or service they have selected based on their input.

As the number of mobile devices connected to the internet increases, so do the uses of these devices. “Mobile payment is the logical extension.

There is a lot of development going on around mobile payments in the retail sector. This is to provide more options for the consumer, as well as increased convenience.

In recent years, there have been many suggestions for improvements to modern vending machines. Many of these innovations are related to ways to communicate with the vending machines. U.S. Pat. describes some of these communication innovation. No. No. 6,584,309 (the “Whigham Reference”) to Whigham ), U.S. Pat. No. Offer (7,085,556 to Offer) (the “Offer reference” ), U.S. Pat. No. No. (the ?Khan reference? ), U.S. Pat. No. 7,721,958 to Belfer et al. (the ?Belfer reference? ), U.S. Pat. No. 8,396,589 to Katzenstein Garibaldi et al. (the ?Garibaldi reference? ), U.S. Pat. No. 8,489,140 to Weiner et al. (the ?Weiner reference? “International Publication No. WO/2008/083025 to Carlson (the?Carlson reference?) Carlson (the “Carlson Reference ?).

The Whigham reference refers to a method and system for purchasing a vending machine product using a mobile phone. A consumer can request a product from the vending device by dialing a specific telephone number. This connects their cellular phone to a server run by a billing company. The server receives the product request, creates an account and sends a vend-code to the consumer. The consumer sends the vending code to the vending machines after receiving it from the server. The vend code can be an RF, audible tone, or manual code. The vending machine will dispense the product requested by the consumer upon receipt of the vending code.

The Offer reference refers to a vending device that can communicate with a cell phone so that it will dispense a product once it receives the information that the product was selected. The Offer reference allows vending machines to be used cashlessly via a communication service such as a cell phone. “A response to a cellular phone signal

The vending machines that indicate that a connection between the vending machines and the cell phone has been established may be displayed as a visual indicator on the cell telephone. The vending machines output the price of the product, and this cost is deducted from a bank account to pay for it.

The Khan reference is a device at the point of sale that allows payment transactions to take place through a buyer’s trusted personal device (e.g. The user can confirm or cancel the purchase on his trusted device by selecting the micropayment app. In one embodiment, a MicroAdapter is equipped with a transceiver that receives a purchase signal including payment and order information from the trusted personal device. The MicroAdapter then communicates with the transaction authorizer via wireless telephony to obtain authorization for completing the purchase transaction. The MicroAdapter is able to perform micropayments authorized by the Billing On Behalf of Others Program administered through a mobile carrier/ISP, or third-party.

The Belfer Reference is directed at a system in which a vending device has an audio code collector and a validator code that are adapted to accept audio tones from mobile devices. Audio tones are used to transmit authentication codes and dispensing codes that control the product being dispensed from the vending machines. The consumer dials an unique set of symbols to start the transaction. This will route the call through a verification server. The symbols and numbers may correspond to an unique vending machine number and product ID numbers.

The Garibaldi Reference is directed at an electronic device that allows the sale of intangible goods through vending machines. It includes interfaces for communicating with external peripherals using the MDB protocol and the RS232 standards, as well as an interface that communicates with users. A communications system that enables the device to be part of a system and communicate with a centralized system. And a controller that articulates communication between the above-mentioned elements so that a central computer can perform various actions on a

The Weiner reference refers to a method and system for providing a product or service using a cell phone. In the Weiner reference, it is stated that mobile communication devices were designed for long-range communications. The use of near-field communications is avoided because they require special design or modification to the mobile station. The Weiner reference, which teaches the vending machine, teaches “a mobile communication device identification, consisting of a shielding that defines a coverage zone, the shielding being arranged to reduce external radio signals to be less than predetermined signal strengths; an antenna located within the defined area; a transmitter coupled to the antenna; the transceiver communicating to a mobile station placed within the defined area using a stronger signal than predetermined signal strengths; and a control unit for the service, responsive to communication, to output a

The Carlson reference refers to a system that uses a portable consumer device, such as a cell phone, for making payments. The Carlson system includes a method which includes receiving a payment message (including a request to purchase a product at a vending device) from a mobile consumer device operated and owned by the consumer, sending an authorisation response message to the vending machines, wherein the vending machines prompts the customer to select if they are authorized to make the purchase, receiving an acknowledgment message that the product has been purchased from the vending machines. This step is called’sending an authorisation response message back to vending machine’. The remote payment server would be required to maintain a persistent connection.

Disclosed herein are mobile-device-to-machine payment systems and, more specifically, mobile-device-to-machine payment systems over a non-persistent network connection and featuring hands-free and manual modes.

Described herein is a mobile-device-to-machine payment system for facilitating a cashless transaction for purchase of at least one product or service by a user from a payment accepting unit that preferably has input mechanisms. The mobile device has both short-range and long-range communications technology. The unit that accepts payments is able to dispensing at lease one product or service. The system includes a server and an adapter module. The adapter module, which is connected to the unit that accepts payments, has a short-range communications technology. It communicates with the short range communication technology on the mobile device. The server uses long-range communications to communicate with the mobile device’s long-range communications technology. The adapter module sends an authorization request to the mobile device via short-range communication. The mobile device will then send the authorization request to the server via long-range communications technology. The server will send an authorization grant to the mobile device via long-range communications technology. The adapter module receives the authorization grant from the mobile device using short-range communications technology. Payment accepting unit dispensing at least one service or product in response to user input received to the payment receiving unit input mechanism, if the adapter has received the authorisation grant.

The adapter may have security technologies and the server could have security technologies.” The adapter module’s security technology can be used to secure the authorization request, creating a secured authorization. The server security technology can secure the authorization grant to create a protected authorization grant. The secured authorization request, and the secured grant of authorization are preferred to be undecipherable by the mobile device.

The adapter and server may share an unique private key.” The adapter module may have encryption/decryption technology and the server may have encryption/decryption technology. The authorization request may be encrypted by the adapter module encryption/decryption technology using the unique private key to create an encrypted authorization request. The encrypted authorization request may be decrypted by the server encryption/decryption technology using the unique private key. The authorization grant may be encrypted by the server encryption/decryption technology using the unique private key to create an encrypted authorization grant. The encrypted authorization grant may be decrypted by the adapter module encryption/decryption technology using the unique private key. “The encrypted authorization grant and request are both encrypted, but not decipherable by the mobile device.

The adapter is surrounded by at least two zones: a payment area and an authorization area, with the payment area being within the authorization region. When the mobile device enters the authorization zone, the adapter module will send the authorization request. When the mobile device enters the payment zone, the adapter module receives the authorization grant. The authorization zone can be located in a third zone. The adapter module of the mobile device receives advertising broadcasts from the communication zone.

The system can have a hands free mode where the payment accepting unit dispensing the at least one service or product without the user having to interact with the mobile device. The payment accepting unit can display funds available according to information obtained from the authorization grant. When the user interacts the input mechanisms, the payment accepting unit can receive user selection input.

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