Federated Directory for Secure B2B Payment Data Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Business-to-business (B2B) transactions face inefficiencies in managing and securely exchanging sensitive payment information, leading to errors and trust issues due to reliance on centralized databases and proprietary payment networks.

Innovation Solution

A distributed ledger system, such as blockchain, is used to create a permissioned and federated directory for businesses to securely store, share, and control payment information, with Credential Service Providers (CSPs) handling sensitive data off-chain and validating access permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized database is used to store all payee data, then access to payment information is simplified, but security and trust are compromised due to single-point failure and centralized control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to payment informationVSAvoidsecurity and trust
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized database into multiple distributed nodes across different organizations. Each node holds a copy of the payment information, eliminating single-point failure. The segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of access while improving security through decentralization, as no single entity controls all data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between payers and payees. This intermediary provides a trusted, immutable ledger that verifies payment information without requiring direct trust between parties. The blockchain mediator enables secure access while maintaining decentralization, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If proprietary permissioned payment networks are used, then security is improved through controlled access, but adaptability and ease of integration are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity through controlled accessVSAvoidease of integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal payment information exchange system that works across multiple organizations and industries. The standardized data formats and protocols allow different entities to integrate seamlessly while maintaining their own security policies. This universality enables the system to provide both security through controlled access and adaptability through broad compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic permission management where access controls can be adjusted based on specific transaction requirements. Rather than static permissioning, the system allows flexible grant and revocation of access rights, enabling both strong security controls and easy adaptation to different business scenarios and partners.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual tracking of payment information changes is implemented, then data accuracy can be maintained through careful verification, but productivity and timeliness are significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidtimeliness of updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms where changes to payment information are immediately detected, validated, and propagated across the network. The system continuously monitors for updates and automatically notifies relevant parties, eliminating manual tracking while maintaining data accuracy through automated verification processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables payees to self-update their payment information directly in the system. When a payee changes their bank account or other payment details, the update is automatically recorded and distributed to all connected payers without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains data accuracy through built-in validation while dramatically improving productivity and timeliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If centralized business services are used to track payment information, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability is worsened due to dependency on single service availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized trackingVSAvoidservice availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized business service into multiple distributed service nodes. Each node can independently operate and maintain payment information, eliminating the single-point failure risk. The segmentation preserves ease of operation through standardized interfaces while improving reliability through redundancy and distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240220986A1Payments federated directory
Publication Date: 2024.07.04 CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORP
  • US20240220986A1 patent drawing
  • US20240220986A1 patent drawing
  • US20240220986A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments provide a methods and systems for securely providing access to sensitive information for a plurality of entities. The method includes receiving, by a payer credential service provider (CSP), from a payer, a request for payee electronically protected information (EPI). The payer CSP transmits to a payee CSP a request for payee EPI data. The payee CSP validates, using a distributed ledger system, whether the payer has permission to request the payee EPI. The payer CSP receives the payee EPI data from the payee CSP. The payer CSP sends the payee EPI data to the payer.