Dual-to-Single Message Conversion for POS Systems

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing point of sale (POS) devices configured for dual-message transactions face challenges in seamlessly integrating single-message transaction capabilities, leading to higher fees and resource consumption, as merchants prefer single-message transactions due to lower risks and costs but lack the necessary infrastructure to switch without reconfiguring or replacing devices.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that converts dual-message transactions to single-message transactions by receiving authorization request messages, validating and storing transaction data, generating provisional authorization responses, translating capture messages into composite single-message system-compatible messages, and sending them to payment networks, allowing existing POS devices to process transactions under a single-message scheme without reconfiguration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If merchants use dual-message transactions with existing POS devices, then the devices can process credit card and signature-based debit card transactions, but the transaction fees are higher and resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction costVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the existing dual-message POS device and the payment network. This intermediary translates dual-message transaction data into single-message format, allowing the merchant to use legacy POS hardware while achieving the cost benefits of single-message processing through the translation layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the message format parameters by converting dual-message transaction data (separate authorization and clearing messages) into single-message format (combined authorization and clearing message). This parameter transformation enables the transaction to be processed as a single-message transaction, reducing fees and resource consumption while maintaining compatibility with existing POS devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If merchants switch to single-message transactions, then fees and resource consumption decrease, but existing POS devices require reconfiguration or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction costVSAvoidPOS device configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the existing dual-message POS device and the payment network. This intermediary translates dual-message transaction data into single-message format, allowing the merchant to use legacy POS hardware while achieving the cost benefits of single-message processing through the translation layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the single-message processing capability through software/translation logic rather than requiring physical replacement of the POS device. The intermediary system replicates the functionality needed for single-message processing, allowing merchants to benefit from lower costs without the complexity of hardware replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If merchants replace POS devices to support single-message transactions, then transaction costs decrease, but operational disruptions and replacement costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction costVSAvoidoperational disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the message translation capability in advance through the intermediary system, allowing merchants to switch to single-message processing without immediate hardware changes. This preliminary setup enables a gradual transition, reducing operational disruptions by allowing merchants to maintain existing POS devices while the intermediary handles the conversion to single-message format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the existing dual-message POS device and the payment network. This intermediary translates dual-message transaction data into single-message format, allowing the merchant to use legacy POS hardware while achieving the cost benefits of single-message processing through the translation layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250104036A1Methods and systems for dual-to-single message conversion in electronic transactions

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 WORLDPAY LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for electronic transaction messaging conversion. One method comprises receiving an authorization request message from a point of sale (POS) device, the authorization request message comprising transaction data associated with a transaction. Upon validating the authorization request message, a provisional authorization response message may be generated and sent to the POS device. Subsequently, a capture message may be received from the POS device, requesting clearing and settlement of the transaction. The capture message may be validated and translated to a composite message that is single-message system (SMS)-compatible. The composite message may then be sent downstream for further processing.