Linked Payment Instrument Synchronization for Merchant Reward Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face inefficiencies in managing and synchronizing rewards or recognition units across multiple merchant platforms, leading to increased computational load, memory usage, and security risks due to fragmented data handling and multiple application interfaces, resulting in degraded user experience and suboptimal rewards conversion.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization architecture that consolidates rewards synchronization into a unified interface, reducing computational load and memory usage by integrating data across multiple merchant platforms, enhancing data security, and providing real-time data processing and secure data communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rewards synchronization is performed across multiple merchant platforms using separate application interfaces, then comprehensive rewards management is achieved, but computational load and memory usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple merchant platform interfaces into a single unified application interface that handles rewards synchronization across all linked merchants. This merging approach allows users to manage rewards from multiple merchants through one interface, thereby reducing computational load and memory usage that would otherwise be required to run multiple separate applications simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified application interface is designed to perform multiple functions: it synchronizes rewards data from different merchants, displays exchange rates, allows user selection and allocation of recognition units, and manages linked merchant accounts. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated applications for each merchant, reducing overall device resource consumption while maintaining comprehensive rewards management capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If data is handled across multiple separate application interfaces, then merchant-specific rewards are managed, but data security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating data handling into a single unified application interface, the patent reduces the number of data access points and synchronization interfaces that could potentially be exploited. The unified interface implements centralized security protocols for data transmission and storage, reducing the attack surface compared to multiple separate applications that would each require their own security implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified application interface acts as an intermediary layer between the user and multiple merchant platforms. It centralizes the authentication and data exchange processes, implementing secure communication protocols for all merchant interactions through a single controlled interface. This intermediary approach enhances security by standardizing and centralizing security measures rather than relying on multiple separate security implementations.
3Loss of information
If multiple application interfaces are used for rewards synchronization, then complete rewards data is accessed, but user experience degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple merchant-specific applications into a single unified interface that displays and manages all rewards data in one location. Users can view and manage recognition units from multiple merchants without switching between applications, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining complete access to all rewards information through consolidated displays and management controls.
4Productivity
If recognition units are allocated to specific merchants, then merchant-specific rewards are optimized, but flexibility in redemption is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic allocation system where recognition units can be flexibly assigned to different merchants based on user selection. The system allows users to view exchange rates for multiple merchants and dynamically allocate recognition units to the most favorable option. This dynamic approach maintains redemption flexibility while optimizing rewards conversion efficiency, as users can adapt their allocations based on current exchange rates and merchant offers.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer-readable media, devices, and methods for linking instruments. One method includes receiving exchange data including an exchange amount for an exchange initiated by a linked payment instrument corresponding to multiple linked merchants of a provider. The method can include generating a recognition unit for the exchange amount including an allocation state and determining a first and second exchange rate based on a first and second exchange rate parameter. The recognition unit can be agnostic for a first or second linked merchant. The method can include generating content items or actionable elements corresponding to the exchange rates and providing the items/elements to a GUI of the provider’s mobile application, and receiving a selection of the items/elements. In response to the selection, the method can include allocating the recognition unit to the first or second linked merchant and updating the allocation state indicating the allocation.