A server-mediated peer-to-peer payment architecture that connects nearby user devices by geolocation proximity, handles the app-not-installed scenario via P2P alert, supports multi-party (3-device) sessions, and completes the transfer by streaming account data to the server — with NFC or Bluetooth as the P2P transport.
Existing P2P payment systems require prior relationship setup: both parties must have the same app installed, have exchanged phone numbers, or have connected accounts in advance. There's no mechanism to discover a nearby device, establish a payment session, and handle the case where the receiving device doesn't have the app — purely based on physical proximity.
The first device establishes a P2P connection with the second device based purely on geolocation proximity — no prior relationship required. The server receives the session initiation request and both parties' account data via streaming. If the second device doesn't have the app, the first device sends an alert through the P2P connection directing installation.
The server then conducts the distribution interaction session — transferring data between the two accounts. Claims 2–5 extend this to three-party sessions: a first device can simultaneously establish P2P sessions with a second and third device, with fallback mechanisms for out-of-range third parties using stored contact information.
The architecture separates discovery (P2P, proximity-based) from execution (server-mediated). The P2P channel handles device discovery, app installation alerts, and session initiation signaling. The server receives account data via streaming and performs the actual account-to-account transfer.
Claim 13 and 20 specify the P2P transport: NFC or Bluetooth. Both are short-range, device-to-device protocols — limiting the session to devices that are physically near each other, which serves as a natural verification that both parties intend to transact.
One of the most technically interesting elements of the patent is the app-not-installed flow (Claim 1). When the first device determines that the distribution interaction application is not installed on the second device, it sends an alert through the already-established P2P connection — the alert contains an instruction to install the application.
This bootstraps a new user into the session without requiring any out-of-band communication (no SMS, no QR code, no email). The P2P channel that was established for the session is used to deliver the installation prompt — maintaining the proximity-bound interaction model end-to-end.
The patent covers four distinct session scenarios across its claims. Select a scenario below to trace the server and device interactions.
Claims 2–5 extend the architecture to three-party sessions. The first device establishes P2P connections with both a second and third device simultaneously. Account data for all three users streams from the first device to the server, which conducts the full three-way distribution session.
Claim 5 handles the out-of-range scenario: if the third device is beyond the geolocation distance threshold, the P2P connection is established using contact information already stored on the first device — enabling the three-party session even when direct proximity isn't possible for all parties.
First device establishes P2P (NFC/Bluetooth) with both second and third devices at the same time. All three must have the app installed.
Account data for all three users streams from the first device to the server — which determines all three accounts and conducts the full three-way transfer.
If third device exceeds the distance threshold, the P2P connection uses contact information stored on the first device — bridging the proximity gap via stored identifiers.
If the primary app is unavailable on the second device, a third device can participate via a secondary app — enabling mixed-mode multi-party sessions.
The combination of geo-proximity discovery, P2P app installation bootstrapping, server-mediated account transfer, and multi-party session support creates a payment architecture designed for real-world proximity scenarios — restaurants, events, marketplaces, and group outings.
Cited by Apple Inc. in a 2023 patent on automatically establishing secure connections for streaming audio and video data between devices — directly validating the proximity-based P2P session establishment and account-data-streaming model.
Claims 13 and 20 explicitly specify NFC and Bluetooth as the P2P transport options. Both are short-range technologies — NFC operates within centimeters, Bluetooth within meters. This physical proximity constraint functions as an implicit trust signal: only devices that are physically co-located can initiate a session.
This architectural choice distinguishes the patent's model from internet-based P2P payments, where two parties at opposite ends of the world can transact. The patent's system is specifically designed for the physical-world proximity case — the same design space as contactless payment terminals, but applied to device-to-device sessions.
Near-field communication — effective range ~4cm. Tap-to-connect model. Strongest proximity guarantee; used in contactless payment terminals worldwide.
Effective range ~10m. Enables connection without physical touch. Supports the three-party scenario where all three devices need simultaneous P2P connections.
Physical co-location is a natural fraud barrier — a device that isn't physically present can't initiate a geo-proximity-based P2P session.
The patent specifies a configurable distance threshold for the proximity check — enabling different range requirements for different session types or security levels.