Cryptographic Loyalty Identifier Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Loyalty programs that use identifiers from one industry, such as a mobile telephone number, within another industry, like payment card industry, create cross-industry security concerns, risking both telecommunications and financial information.
Innovation Solution
A method for cryptographically determining a loyalty account identifier using a processing circuit to generate a cryptographic key and input parameter, combining them with industry identifiers through cryptography methods like HMAC, to create a secure loyalty account identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile telephone number (MTN) is used as a loyalty account identifier to link purchase points with payment methods, then the loyalty program can identify and track customer transactions, but cross-industry security concerns arise that compromise both telecommunications and financial information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cryptographic system that mediates between the MTN (telecommunications identifier) and the loyalty program (financial identifier). A cryptographic key is generated and used to transform the MTN into a loyalty account identifier through cryptographic methods (HMAC, encryption). This intermediary process ensures that the MTN is never directly exposed to the loyalty program or payment systems, thereby maintaining security while enabling customer identification.
2Productivity
If the primary account number (PAN) is used as a loyalty account identifier, then the loyalty program can directly link transactions to payment accounts, but PCI compliance requirements prevent this direct usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a cryptographic copy or representation of the PAN through the loyalty account identifier. Instead of using the actual PAN directly, the system generates a derived identifier that serves the same functional purpose of linking transactions to payment accounts, but in a PCI-compliant manner. This cryptographic copy maintains transaction processing efficiency while eliminating compliance complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If industry identifiers from telecommunications are integrated into payment industry systems, then cross-industry loyalty programs can be created, but both industries face security risks from potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by introducing cryptographic protection layers before the integration of telecommunications identifiers into payment systems. The cryptographic key generation and transformation processes create protective barriers that cushion the system against potential security breaches. Even if unauthorized access occurs at any layer, the cryptographic transformations ensure that raw identifiers remain protected, preventing cascading security failures across industries.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to systems, apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for cryptographically determining a loyalty account identifier, including determining a cryptographic key, determining an input parameter, and generating the loyalty account identifier using a cryptography method based on the cryptographic key and the input parameter. The cryptographic key and the input parameter are inputs to the cryptography method. The loyalty account identifier is an output of the cryptography method.