Payment Card Authentication Credential Customization for Multi-User Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing payment cards require randomly assigned authentication credentials that cannot be easily edited or customized, necessitating visits to branch locations or ATMs, and are typically associated with a single credential for all users.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow customers to customize authentication credentials and parameters for their payment cards through a financial institution's computing system, enabling customization via a card configuration interface on their device, and assigning credentials with specific use parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication credentials are randomly assigned when the card is issued, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because customers cannot easily edit or customize their credentials

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of credential customization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows customers to independently customize and modify their authentication credentials through automated teller machines or other interfaces without requiring assistance from bank employees or visits to branch locations. The customer can set their own PINs and other authentication parameters directly through the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures multiple authentication credentials and parameters before the card is activated or before the customer needs them. Customers can pre-set their preferred authentication methods and parameters in advance, so that when they need to use the card, the credentials are already customized to their preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If a single authentication credential is assigned to all users of the card, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because different users cannot have personalized authentication methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential management complexityVSAvoidauthentication customization for different users

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication credential system is segmented into multiple independent credentials that can be assigned to different users of the same card. Each user can have their own personalized authentication parameters, allowing the primary cardholder and authorized users to have different PINs and authentication settings while sharing the same physical card.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically assigns different authentication credentials to different users based on their individual preferences and security requirements. The credential assignment is flexible and can be modified as users' needs change, allowing the same card to adapt to different authentication scenarios for different users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If customers must visit branch locations or ATMs to edit authentication credentials, then reliability is improved through controlled environments, but loss of time increases due to travel and waiting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential editing reliabilityVSAvoidtime to modify credentials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical requirement of physical travel to branch locations or ATMs with electronic or automated communication channels. Customers can modify their authentication credentials remotely through digital interfaces, eliminating the need for physical presence at specific locations while maintaining security through encrypted communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12555094B1Systems and methods for customizing authentication credentials for a payment card

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 WELLS FARGO BANK NA

AI summary

A method of customizing authentication credentials for a payment card includes providing, by a payment card configuration circuit of a financial institution computing system, a card configuration interface to a computing device of a customer, the customer having a payment card account maintained by the financial institution computing system, receiving, by the payment card configuration circuit, a request from the computing device to modify an authentication requirement for use of the payment card account, the request including an authentication credential, and assigning, by the payment card configuration circuit, the authentication credential to a payment card associated with the payment card account, wherein the authentication credential is useable to authenticate a user of the payment card.