Adapter for Unified Transaction Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access transaction systems face compatibility issues due to differences in communication protocols between portable devices and access terminals, leading to transaction failures when devices use incompatible protocols.

Innovation Solution

An access device acts as an interpreter, converting communications between portable devices using one protocol and remote computers using another protocol, enabling transactions by translating messages from Integrated Circuit Cards commands (ISO 7816) to Representational State Transfer (REST) or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) formats over the cloud.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an access terminal is configured to use a specific communication protocol, then transaction compatibility with devices using that protocol is improved, but compatibility with devices using different protocols deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction compatibilityVSAvoidprotocol compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access device serves as an intermediary between the portable device and the remote transaction processor. It receives communications from the portable device using one protocol, converts them to a different protocol, and forwards them to the remote processor, thereby enabling compatibility between devices using different communication protocols without requiring the remote processor to support multiple protocols directly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The access device is designed with multi-functionality to communicate with both portable devices and remote transaction processors using different communication protocols. It can detect which protocol a portable device uses, adapt its communication accordingly, and perform protocol conversion, making a single device capable of handling multiple protocol types that would otherwise require separate dedicated terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple access terminals supporting different protocols are deployed, then protocol compatibility is improved, but system complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of deploying multiple specialized access terminals, the invention uses a single universal access device that can communicate with portable devices using different protocols and perform protocol conversion. This consolidates what would otherwise require multiple devices into one, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining broad protocol compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The access device acts as a protocol translation layer between diverse portable devices and the unified remote transaction processor. This intermediary approach allows the system to handle multiple protocols without requiring the remote processor or multiple access terminals to support each protocol directly, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If protocol-specific access terminals are used, then transaction reliability for specific protocols is improved, but the need for multiple terminals increases operational costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of terminals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The access device is designed as a universal terminal that can handle multiple communication protocols, replacing the need for multiple protocol-specific terminals. It maintains transaction reliability for each protocol by detecting the portable device's protocol and adapting its communication accordingly, while reducing the total number of terminals required in the system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of multiple protocol-specific access terminals into a single universal access device. By combining support for different communication protocols in one device and using it to communicate with a unified remote transaction processor, the system reduces the quantity of terminals needed while maintaining the transaction reliability that would otherwise require separate dedicated terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11726841B2Adapter for providing unified transaction interface

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention are directed to enabling access transaction systems to accept different communication protocols. In some embodiment, an access device receives, from a portable device, an indication that a transaction is to be performed by exchanging transaction information between the portable device and a remote computer, wherein the remote computer is configured to communicate using a first communication protocol. Next, the access device determines that the portable device is configured to communicate using a second communication protocol. The access device then converts communications between the portable device and the remote computer from the second communication protocol to the first communication protocol to assist the portable device and the remote computer in exchanging the transaction information.