Payment Card Identification and Routing via Central PIRS for Limited POIs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point of interaction (POI) devices in payment card transactions lack sufficient computing resources to handle complex processing instructions and updates, limiting their ability to adapt to changing requirements and transaction types, such as card-not-present transactions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Product Identification and Routing Service (PIRS) that provides real-time brand and product identification and routing information, allowing for dynamic updates and efficient handling of payment card transactions through a central store accessible to POI devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If POI devices are upgraded with additional computing resources to handle complex processing instructions, then the ability to process diverse transaction types and provide real-time routing improves, but the cost of upgrading the POI device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex processing logic and routing determination functions from the POI device and relocates them to a remote server. The POI device retains only basic transaction initiation capabilities, while the server handles BIN analysis, product identification, and routing decision-making. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining high adaptability at the server level while keeping POI device complexity minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication layer between the POI device and the server. The POI device sends minimal transaction data to the server, which acts as an intermediary to perform complex processing and return routing instructions. This intermediary approach allows the POI device to access advanced processing capabilities without requiring additional computing resources locally.
2Speed
If the POI device stores and processes BIN information locally, then real-time routing decisions can be made, but the limited memory and computing resources of the POI device are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the BIN database and routing logic from the POI device memory and stores them remotely on the server. The POI device only stores minimal configuration data, while the server maintains the comprehensive BIN information database. This allows real-time routing decisions to be made by querying the server, which has sufficient memory resources, rather than requiring the POI device to store extensive BIN data locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the storage dimension from local POI device memory to remote server storage, accessed via network communication. This dimensional shift allows the system to access large quantities of BIN information without constraining the POI device's limited local memory resources, while still achieving real-time processing through efficient network queries.
3Loss of information
If batch processing is used to update BIN information, then system complexity is reduced, but the information is not available in real-time for routing decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server proactively push BIN information updates to the POI device before they are needed for routing decisions. The server monitors BIN database changes and automatically transmits updated information to connected POI devices, ensuring real-time availability without requiring the POI devices to continuously check for updates. This preliminary update mechanism maintains information timeliness while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the server continuously monitors BIN database updates and automatically notifies POI devices of changes. This feedback loop ensures that POI devices always have access to current BIN information for routing decisions, eliminating the delay inherent in batch processing while maintaining system simplicity through centralized server management of the update distribution.
4Productivity
If the POI device is replaced with a more capable device to handle additional functions, then processing capability improves, but the expense of replacing the entire POI device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling existing POI devices to access advanced processing capabilities through network connectivity to the server. Rather than requiring specialized high-capability devices, any standard POI device can perform complex routing decisions and process diverse transaction types by leveraging the server's processing power. This universal approach allows existing devices to be upgraded in capability without physical replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts advanced processing functions from the POI device hardware requirements and relocates them to the server environment. This extraction allows existing POI devices to maintain their simple, cost-effective hardware design while gaining access to sophisticated processing capabilities through software-based services provided by the server, eliminating the need for expensive device replacements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for managing payment card transaction instructions at a point of interaction (POI) device. The method includes storing one or more payment card transaction instructions received from an entity responsible for a plurality of payment cards usable with the POI device wherein the payment card transaction instructions are associated with at least one of a brand and a product of the entity. The method further includes receiving, from a merchant, a payment card identifier before or during a payment card transaction, the payment card identifier including a plurality of fields. The method also includes communicating to the central store at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of fields and transmitting the one or more payment card transaction instructions to the POI device, from the central store, that correspond to the one or more payment card transaction instructions associated with the payment card identifier.