Multicard Transaction Computer Package Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face inconvenience in purchasing and activating multiple transaction cards from different issuers, as existing systems require separate purchases or packages from the same issuer, and lack efficient point-of-sale activation mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A package assembly system that allows simultaneous activation or deactivation of multiple transaction cards from affiliated or non-affiliated issuers using a unique package identifier, which communicates with a multicard transaction computer to initiate activation or deactivation protocols, independent of the number of cards in the package.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If consumers purchase multiple transaction cards from different issuers separately, then each card can be individually managed, but the purchasing and activation process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of purchasing and activating multiple cardsVSAvoidtime required for separate purchases and activations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual transaction cards from different issuers into a single package assembly that can be purchased and activated as one unit. The package identifier links all cards within it, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple cards through a single transaction at the point of sale, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If traditional point-of-sale systems activate cards individually, then each card receives proper activation processing, but the activation process becomes lengthy when multiple cards are involved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproper activation processing of each cardVSAvoidactivation time for multiple cards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the relationship between the package identifier and all individual card identifiers within the package before the activation transaction occurs. The multicard transaction computer retrieves prestored information linking the package identifier to multiple card identifiers, enabling simultaneous activation of all cards in the package through a single transaction, thus maintaining reliability while reducing activation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a package contains multiple cards from different issuers, then consumers gain purchasing convenience, but the system complexity for tracking and managing card identifiers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to package cards from different issuersVSAvoidsystem complexity for managing package and card identifiers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a package identifier as an intermediary element that represents multiple individual card identifiers from different issuers. The multicard transaction computer uses this package identifier to retrieve and manage all associated card identifiers through prestored relationships in the database, simplifying the tracking and management process while maintaining the ability to handle cards from multiple issuers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the activation system processes each card individually through separate authorization systems, then each card issuer's protocols are properly followed, but the overall transaction latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with individual card issuer protocolsVSAvoidtransaction latency for package activation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous useful action by initiating parallel communication with multiple card issuers' authorization systems simultaneously after a single package activation request. The multicard transaction computer retrieves all card identifiers associated with the package and communicates with each issuer's authorization system at the same time rather than sequentially, maintaining protocol compliance while significantly reducing overall transaction latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11620637B2System for packaging, processing, activating, and deactivating multiple individual transaction cards as a singular unit

Publication Date: 2023.04.04 BLACKHAWK NETWORK INC

AI summary

A transaction card processing and activation system comprising the identification of a unique identifier corresponding to an aggregate of transaction cards of affiliated or non-affiliated card issuers and the activation of each transaction card corresponding to the unique identifier of the aggregate irrespective of the number, types, or card issuers of the transaction cards. Additionally, the present invention allows a point of sale entity to initiate the activation of each of the multiple, disparate transaction cards in the aggregate by merely processing the unique identifier associated with the aggregate.