Payment Terminal Access Control Unit for Open and Closed Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems face challenges in efficiently processing cards from both open and closed payment systems on a single terminal, leading to complex security certifications and increased risk due to indirect communication methods, which slow down transaction processing and require re-certification for changes in business logic.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an access control unit that directly or indirectly enables communication between the card reader and processing units for closed and open payment systems, allowing separate processes and direct communication channels to reduce certification complexity and enhance transaction speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all cards from open and closed payment systems are processed in one application, then the terminal can handle both payment systems, but the entire application becomes part of the security certification for the open payment system, requiring re-certification for any changes to the closed payment system processing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to process both open and closed payment system cardsVSAvoidSecurity certification complexity and re-certification requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal is divided into separate applications: a main application for open payment systems that undergoes security certification, and a separate application for closed payment systems that accesses the card reader through a communication channel from the main application. This segmentation allows the certified application to remain unchanged while adding or modifying closed payment system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The main application acts as an intermediary that provides access to the card reader for the closed payment system application. The main application establishes a communication channel that allows the closed payment system application to access card data without directly accessing the card reader, thereby maintaining the security certification boundary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a separate application is used for closed payment systems accessing the card reader through a communication channel from the main application, then security certification complexity is reduced, but communication speed with the card decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSecurity certification complexityVSAvoidCommunication speed with the card
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The main application establishes the communication channel to the card reader in advance, before the closed payment system application needs to access the card. This preliminary setup allows subsequent card operations to proceed efficiently through the pre-established channel without repeated authentication overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3316203A1Method for carrying out cash-free payment transactions with cards of closed and of open payment systems
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 FEIG ELECTRONIC GMBH
  • EP3316203A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3316203A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3316203A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for carrying out cashless payment transactions with cards from closed and open payment systems, in which: - an access control unit for cards detects, by means of at least one card reader, whether a card of an open or a closed payment system is arranged in a detection area of ​​the card reader, - the access control unit directly or indirectly enables and/or disables a direct communication channel between the at least one card reader and a processing unit for closed or open payment systems, - and that the processing unit for closed payment systems and the processing unit for open payment systems operate in separate applications.