BIN Tracking ID for Flexible Feature Set Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing BIN system is inefficient in utilizing available number space, as a significant portion of BINs are reserved for unused feature combinations, leading to a limited supply of available BINs, necessitating a more efficient means to associate feature sets with card/account numbers.
Innovation Solution
A 'Bill of Materials' approach is adopted, using a tracking ID to associate feature sets with entire BINs, sub-BINs, or arbitrary ranges of numbers, allowing for flexible and random assignment, enabling efficient use of BINs without pre-reserving numbers for specific feature sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sub-BINs are reserved for specific feature sets, then feature sets can be efficiently organized and retrieved, but a significant portion of BIN space remains unused and unavailable for other feature combinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the BIN number serve multiple functions: it acts as both the traditional routing identifier and as a feature set identifier. By encoding feature set information within the existing BIN structure itself, the system eliminates the need for separate sub-BIN reservations while maintaining efficient feature organization and retrieval capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If many sub-BINs are allocated for different feature combinations, then diverse feature sets can be supported, but the percentage of unused reserved numbers rises above 80-90%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the feature set identification function from the traditional sub-BIN structure and relocates it to a separate feature set identifier that references the BIN. This separation allows the BIN space to be fully utilized for active cards while feature set information is stored independently, eliminating the waste of reserved but unused number combinations.
3Quantity of substance
If the ISO group continues to issue new BINs, then more BINs are available for assignment, but the supply of available unassigned BINs is diminishing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of feature set identification from being embedded in the BIN number structure to being referenced by the BIN number. This parameter change allows existing BINs to be fully utilized without reservation, effectively increasing the supply of available BINs and improving overall system productivity by eliminating the need for continuous issuance of new BINs.
Data Source
AI summary
A improved method of managing feature sets associated with credit card account numbers includes (1) storing in a first database a plurality of credit card account numbers, wherein each credit card account number comprises a bank identification number (BIN), a sub-BIN, an account number and a verification or validation value, (2) storing in a second database a list of tracking numbers, wherein each tracking number represents a group of credit card account features, and wherein each feature is assigned a unique identification number, and (3) associating individual ones of the tracking numbers to individual ones of the credit card account numbers such that such individual credit card account numbers are each associated with a predetermined feature set.