Cloud-Based POI Provisioning for Multi-Location Payment Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Merchants face high complexity and cost in installing, configuring, and managing point of interaction (POI) devices for processing payments, especially when spread across multiple locations, with challenges including silent failures and IT infrastructure complications.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system and method for automatically installing and configuring POIs using a terminal management engine (TME) that connects to the devices over a network, downloads necessary software and configuration files, and initializes and configures them remotely, allowing centralized management and verification of certified devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If merchants manually install and configure POIs at multiple locations, then each device can be customized and controlled, but the complexity and cost of installation and management increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Terminal Management Engine (TME) as an intermediary system between merchants and POIs. The TME automates device provisioning, software distribution, and configuration management, eliminating manual installation efforts while maintaining centralized control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring software images and configuration files in the TME before deployment. When a POI is deployed, it automatically downloads and applies these pre-prepared configurations, significantly reducing on-site setup time and complexity.
2Productivity
If merchants deploy POIs across multiple locations, then payment processing capacity increases, but monitoring and detecting device failures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The TME implements continuous feedback mechanisms by monitoring POI status, transaction logs, and device health metrics. The system automatically detects failures, notifies merchants, and can trigger automated responses such as device reconfiguration or software updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The TME serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a deployment server, monitoring system, update manager, and diagnostic tool. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive management of distributed POIs without requiring separate systems for each management task.
3Adaptability or versatility
If POIs are configured to work with outside payment processors, then payment processing capability is enabled, but IT security requirements and firewall complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The TME acts as a secure intermediary that manages all communications between POIs and outside payment processors. It handles authentication, encryption, and protocol translation, allowing POIs to work with multiple processors without exposing merchant networks to security risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses configuration files and software images that can be securely copied and distributed to multiple POIs. These configurations contain pre-configured security settings, certificates, and processor connections that can be replicated without requiring direct network access or manual security setup at each location.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for cloud-based management of payment devices includes connecting a point of interaction device (POI) to a terminal management engine (TME) through a computer network, downloading operating software for the POI and configuration files for the POI from the TME to the POI, initializing the POI using the operating software, and configuring the POI using the configuration files. An alternative computer-implemented includes connecting to a POI through a computer network, receiving a transaction request from a TMC through the computer network, confirming access to the POI, transmitting a request for consumer information to the POI, receiving requested consumer information from the POI, transmitting the requested consumer information to the TMC, receiving a transaction approval message or a transaction decline message from the TMC, and transmitting the transaction approval message or the transaction decline message to the POI.