Automated BIN Range Testing via Terminal Self-Initiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Financial institutions face challenges in determining whether point of sale terminals have been properly reprogrammed to support new bank identification numbers (BINs) and verifying the acceptance of these BINs across their network, leading to inefficiencies and uncertainties in resource allocation and problem identification.

Innovation Solution

An automated system that enables terminals to self-initiate payment authorization transactions using test primary account numbers within defined BIN ranges, allowing for remote testing and diagnosis of BIN range acceptance without manual intervention, thereby enhancing network reliability and identifying problem areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual testing of BIN ranges at merchant terminals is performed, then verification of terminal programming can be achieved, but time consumption and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal automatically initiates authentication requests using test PANs without requiring manual intervention. The system self-tests by sending authorization requests to the payment network and automatically evaluates the responses to determine BIN range acceptance status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal is pre-configured with multiple test PANs covering different BIN ranges before testing begins. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately start testing various BIN ranges without needing to manually set up test cards for each verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual testing of BIN ranges at merchant terminals is performed, then verification of terminal programming can be achieved, but resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal autonomously performs the entire testing process including initiating authentication requests, receiving responses, and determining acceptance status. This eliminates the need for dedicated testing personnel to visit merchants, significantly improving resource allocation efficiency while maintaining verification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of physically visiting terminals with test cards is replaced by an automated electronic system that remotely initiates and evaluates authentication transactions,大幅提升 resource allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If third parties are responsible for programming terminals with BIN ranges, then terminal programming can be performed, but difficulty in determining whether all terminals have been programmed increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming capabilityVSAvoidprogramming verification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automated feedback by monitoring authentication transaction responses. When a terminal successfully processes test PANs from a specific BIN range, this confirms the terminal has been properly programmed with that BIN range, making verification straightforward and scalable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The difficult manual verification process is replaced by automated electronic monitoring of authentication transactions. The system electronically tracks which terminals successfully process which BIN ranges, making detection and measurement of programming status simple and efficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If software updates are pushed to terminals to enable new BIN ranges, then terminal capability can be updated, but difficulty in understanding whether the update was successful increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBIN range supportVSAvoidupdate success verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

After software updates are pushed to terminals, the system automatically monitors authentication transactions using test PANs from the newly added BIN ranges. Successful processing of these test transactions provides immediate feedback confirming the update was successful and the terminal now supports the new BIN ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Test PANs for newly added BIN ranges are prepared in advance and automatically deployed to terminals along with the software update. This preliminary preparation enables immediate verification of update success without requiring separate manual testing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11055695B2Automated system and method for testing bank identification numbers in a networked system

Publication Date: 2021.07.06 CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORP

AI summary

A method of testing a payment processing network by a credit card company device comprising: (a) programming a terminal to self-initiate one or more authentication requests using test primary account numbers included in a range of test bank identification numbers; (b) determining whether the test primary account numbers included in the test bank identification numbers are received; and (c) in response to the determining that the test primary account numbers are received, determining that the terminal is performing well.