Dynamic Pinpad IP Assignment in POS Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In semi-integrated payment systems, manually assigning IP addresses to a large number of PIN pads is cumbersome and expensive, while using DHCP servers is costly and increases security risks, especially during transitions from fully-integrated systems.

Innovation Solution

A POS terminal dynamically calculates and assigns an IP address to connected PIN pads by generating an IP Configuration message, eliminating the need for manual assignment and additional DHCP servers, allowing secure direct communication with the POS network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual IP address assignment is used for PIN pads in semi-integrated systems, then each PIN pad can communicate directly with the POS network, but the process becomes cumbersome and expensive for large numbers of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect network communication capabilityVSAvoidIP address assignment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The PIN pad automatically assigns its own IP address by extracting the terminal ID from received messages and constructing the IP address using a predefined formula (terminal ID + offset value), eliminating the need for manual assignment or external DHCP servers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures the IP address assignment logic and offset values in the PIN pad before deployment, enabling automatic IP address generation as soon as the device connects to the terminal without requiring prior manual configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If DHCP servers are deployed to automate IP address assignment, then manual assignment effort is reduced, but system costs increase and security risks are heightened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated IP address assignmentVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IP address assignment function is extracted from the central DHCP server and embedded directly into each PIN pad device, eliminating the need for external DHCP infrastructure and reducing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The IP address management responsibility is segmented from centralized DHCP servers to individual PIN pad units, with each device independently generating its own IP address based on its unique terminal ID

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If PIN pads are directly connected to the POS network for semi-integrated operation, then data communication efficiency improves, but security exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication efficiencyVSAvoidsecurity risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each PIN pad is assigned a unique IP address derived from its terminal ID, enabling direct network communication while maintaining individual device identification and security boundaries within the network

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11303608B2Dynamic pinpad IP address assignment in point of sale environments

Publication Date: 2022.04.12 TOSHIBA GLOBAL COMMERCE SOLUTIONS HLDG

AI summary

A Point of Sale (POS) terminal in a semi-integrated payment system generates an IP address for a peripheral device, such as a Personal Identity Number (PIN) pad, for example, that is communicatively connected to the POS terminal. The POS terminal also generates an IP Configuration message that includes the generated IP address and sends the message to the peripheral device. This configures the peripheral device to securely communicate user data with one or more POS nodes in a POS network while bypassing the POS terminal.