Duplicate Authorization Request Detection Using Bloom Filters

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for detecting duplicate payment authorization requests in electronic payment processing networks require merchants to implement detection logic on their backend servers, leading to potential missed duplicates in systems without such logic.

Innovation Solution

A method, system, and computer program product that utilize a bloom filter to determine if an authorization request is a potential duplicate, and based on the connectivity quality of the electronic payment processing network, decide whether to process the request.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If merchants implement detection logic on their backend servers to identify duplicate authorization requests, then duplicate detection capability is improved, but device complexity and implementation burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduplicate detection capabilityVSAvoidmerchant system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary duplicate detection system that operates within the payment processing network between the merchant and the payment processor. This intermediary system handles the complexity of duplicate detection independently, allowing merchants to implement simple client agents that communicate detection results without needing to build complex detection logic themselves. The intermediary system maintains the authoritative duplicate request database and performs the heavy lifting of analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables merchant systems to self-serve by implementing lightweight client agents that automatically perform local duplicate detection against previously processed requests. These agents independently query the payment processing network for historical request data, perform comparisons locally, and autonomously determine whether to proceed with authorization requests, reducing reliance on complex centralized merchant backend systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If merchants do not implement detection logic, then device complexity is reduced, but duplicate requests may be processed leading to loss of energy and resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemerchant system complexityVSAvoidprocessing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary duplicate detection by maintaining a database of previously processed authorization requests within the payment processing network. Before processing new authorization requests, the system performs preliminary checks against this database using hash value comparisons and other detection techniques to identify and block duplicate requests before they consume processing energy and resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical duplicate detection logic that would need to be implemented in merchant backend systems with a streamlined approach using standardized data formats, hash value comparisons, and protocol-based communication. This substitution reduces the mechanical complexity of merchant systems while maintaining effective duplicate detection capability through standardized interfaces and algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the system processes all authorization requests without duplicate detection, then productivity is maintained, but loss of substance increases due to processing duplicate transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing speedVSAvoidprocessing resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements efficient duplicate detection mechanisms that can quickly skip over non-duplicate requests and identify duplicates through optimized algorithms including hash value comparisons, bloom filters, and other probabilistic data structures. These mechanisms allow the system to rapidly process authorization requests while efficiently skipping the detailed processing of identified duplicates, maintaining high productivity while preventing resource waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS12277564B2Method, system, and computer program product for detecting duplicate authorization requests

Publication Date: 2025.04.15 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AI summary

A method for detecting duplicate authorization requests includes: receiving an authorization request over an electronic payment processing network associated with an electronic payment transaction; determining whether the authorization request is a potential duplicate authorization request or is not a duplicate authorization request based on a bloom filter; in response to determining that the authorization request is a potential duplicate authorization request, determining a connectivity quality associated with the electronic payment processing network; and determining whether to process the authorization request based on the connectivity quality. A system and computer program product for detecting duplicate authorization requests are also disclosed.