Aggregated Soft Card Linking for NFC Transaction Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for provisioning and utilizing soft cards on mobile devices face communication and compatibility issues, particularly when interfacing dual-purpose cards with NFC-enabled devices, due to differences in protocols and message formats between branded and merchant-specific cards.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating and provisioning an aggregated soft card on a mobile device, which combines primary and secondary component soft cards by establishing a link among their data received from issuing system servers, allowing a single virtual representation for conducting wireless transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate soft cards are provisioned on a mobile device for different card types, then consumers can access various payment and loyalty functions, but the number of cards to manage increases and transaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate soft cards (branded credit card and merchant-specific card) into a single aggregated soft card that contains both card types. This merging reduces the number of individual cards consumers must manage while maintaining access to all underlying card functionalities, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregated soft card is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating different card types within a single card structure. It can function as both a branded credit card and a merchant-specific card, allowing one card to replace multiple separate cards and thereby reducing management complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If separate soft cards are used for branded and merchant-specific cards, then each card type maintains its specific protocol, but communication compatibility issues arise during transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The aggregated soft card acts as an intermediary that contains multiple protocol implementations within a single card structure. When a transaction occurs, the system can select the appropriate protocol (branded or merchant-specific) based on the transaction context, ensuring both protocol integrity and seamless compatibility without requiring separate cards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes protocol parameters based on the transaction type by selecting which card type to activate within the aggregated soft card. This allows the same physical card to switch between different communication protocols as needed, maintaining reliability for each card type while ensuring ease of operation across different transaction scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate soft cards are tapped in sequence during a transaction, then each card function is executed, but transaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple card functions into a single aggregated soft card, the system eliminates the need for sequential tapping of multiple cards. The single card can be tapped once to initiate a transaction, and the system automatically routes the transaction through the appropriate card type, significantly reducing transaction time while maintaining all card functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The aggregated soft card is pre-configured with multiple card types and their associated protocols before the transaction occurs. This preliminary setup allows the system to instantly switch between card types during a single transaction interaction, eliminating the time loss associated with sequential card processing and enabling faster transactions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables consumers to use a single electronic payment card for multiple card types, reducing the need for physical cards and improving transaction efficiency by linking component soft cards in a priority order for seamless communication with NFC-enabled devices.
Implementation Method 1
the interfacing of a dual purpose card with a near field communication (NFC) enabled mobile device may be prohibitive
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing and provisioning an aggregated soft card are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for an aggregated soft card from a mobile device, wherein the aggregated soft card includes a primary component soft card and at least one secondary component soft card. The method also includes requesting component soft card data associated with each of the primary component soft card and the at least one secondary component soft card from a plurality of issuing system servers. The method further includes generating aggregated soft card data by establishing a link among the component soft card data received from the plurality of issuing system servers and sending the aggregated soft card data to the mobile device.