Cash Card System Offline Transaction Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current payment systems for pre-authorized and cleared payment cards face challenges in efficiently managing off-line and on-line load transactions, particularly in scenarios lacking real-time online communication infrastructure, such as temporary merchant locations or situations with short permitted times.
Innovation Solution
A payment card system that includes a cash card system host computer facilitating off-line and on-line load transactions through a network of point of interaction devices, acquirers, and issuers, enabling batch processing and real-time communication for pre-authorized balance updates and transaction clearing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If off-line batch processing is used for load transactions, then the system can operate in environments without real-time communication infrastructure, but the transaction processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-authorizing transactions and storing authorization data locally in the host computer before actual consumption. This allows the cash dispensing device to operate offline using pre-cached authorization information, eliminating the need for real-time communication during actual transactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments transaction processing into distinct phases: offline authorization data caching, offline transaction execution, and online batch clearing. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to operate independently based on communication availability, with the host computer handling batch processing of multiple transactions efficiently.
2Reliability
If on-line real-time authorization is implemented, then transaction authorization is immediate and secure, but the system requires continuous communication infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization actions by caching authorized transaction data in the host computer before offline periods begin. This pre-authorization mechanism ensures that when offline transactions occur, the system can verify against pre-established authorization data, maintaining reliability without real-time communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The host computer acts as an intermediary by storing and managing cached authorization data locally. This intermediary function allows the cash dispensing device to operate independently during offline periods while still maintaining authorization integrity through the locally-cached data, bridging the gap between offline operation and online authorization requirements.
3Productivity
If batch processing is used for multiple transactions, then processing efficiency improves, but the complexity of transaction management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments batch processing into distinct functional components: transaction data collection at the cash dispensing device, batch transmission to the host computer, and sequential processing of individual transactions. This segmentation simplifies management by allowing each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining batch processing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cash dispensing device performs self-service by locally caching authorization data and independently executing offline transactions with immediate local verification. This self-service capability reduces the burden on the host computer during offline periods and simplifies batch processing to mainly data collection and clearing operations, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes a point of sale (POS) terminal receiving transaction data indicative of a purchase transaction, and detecting, by a card interface associated with the POS terminal, the presence of an integrated circuit (IC) payment card. The process also includes the POS terminal receiving indications of a plurality of data objects stored in the IC payment card, selecting a payment application based at least in part on the transaction data and the indications of the plurality of data objects, retrieving an account number associated with the selected payment application, and then executing the selected payment application to handle the purchase transaction.