Li-fi payment network with quantum key distribution channels

An apparatus for a quantum-key secured li-fi payment network, the apparatus comprising:

• a li-fi equipped point-of-sale terminal (“POS”) including:
• a POS operating system;
• a quantum-key secured li-fi payment network application;
• one or more POS li-fi transmitters;
• one or more POS li-fi receivers;
• a quantum receiver;
• a li-fi network including:
• one or more li-fi routers;
• and
• one or more li-fi switches;
• one or more li-fi equipped customer devices, each including:
• a customer device operating system;
• the quantum-key secured li-fi payment network application;
• one or more customer device li-fi transmitters;
• one or more customer device li-fi receivers;
• and
• a quantum transmitter;
• and
• one or more central hubs, each central hub including:
• a central hub operating system;
• the quantum-key secured li-fi payment network application;
• one or more central hub li-fi transmitters;
• one or more central hub li-fi receivers;
• a central hub communication link;
• a quantum transmitter;
• and
• a quantum receiver;
• wherein:
• when a customer, through one of the one or more customer devices, transmits a bill request over the li-fi network to one of the one or more central hubs:
• a quantum key distribution channel is created between the customer device., the one or more central hubs, and the POS;
• a quantum key unique to the one of the one or more customer devices is transmitted over the quantum key distribution channel;
• the one of the one or more central hubs transmits the bill request to the POS;
• the POS terminal generates a bill, encrypted with the quantum key, specific to the customer, and transmits the bill to the one of the one or more central hubs;
• the one of the one or more central hubs determines a route over the li-fi network;
• the one of the one or more central hubs transmits the bill to the customer device over the route;
• the customer's device receives the bill;
• and
• the li-fi payment application presents, on the customer's device, one or more selectable options to pay the bill;
• and
• when the customer selects one of the one or more selectable options:
• the customer's device transmits the selection to one of the one or more central hubs over the li-fi network;
• the one of the one or more central hubs transmits the selection to the POS terminal over the li-fi network;
• the one of the one or more central hubs pays the bill as instructed by the selection;
• the POS terminal marks the bill as paid;
• the POS terminal generates a receipt;
• the POS terminal transmits the receipt to the one of the one or more central hubs over the li-fi network;
• and
• the one of the one or more central hubs transmits the receipt to the customer's device over the li-fi network.

A method for a quantum-key secured li-fi payment network, the method comprising the steps of:

• generating, at a customer device comprising li-fi equipment and a quantum transmitter, a bill request;
• generating, at the customer device, a quantum key;
• dedicating a quantum key distribution channel between the customer device and a point-of-sale terminal (“POS”) comprising li-fi equipment and a quantum receiver;
• transmitting the bill request over the li-fi network to the POS;
• generating, at the POS, an encrypted bill;
• transmitting, from the POS to a central hub, the encrypted bill;
• determining, at the central hub, an optimal route over the li-fi network to and from the POS and the customer device;
• creating a second secure channel between the POS and customer device over the li-fi network and the optimal route;
• transmitting the bill to the customer device through the second secure channel;
• receiving the bill at the customer device;
• displaying, on the customer device, one or more selectable options to pay the bill;
• selecting one of the one or more selectable options;
• transmitting the selection to the POS over the second secure channel;
• processing a payment of the bill as instructed by the selection;
• receiving, at the POS, acknowledgment of the payment;
• marking, at the POS, the bill as paid;
• generating, at the POS, a receipt;
• and
• transmitting the receipt to the customer device over the second secure channel.