Stored Value Card Reload System Using Backend Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stored value card (SVC) reloading systems, such as Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs), face high production and deployment costs, are bulky due to metal enclosures for security, require Secure Access Modules (SAMs) for offline authentication, and impose minimum reload amounts, making them costly and limiting in scalability and accessibility, especially in developing countries.
Innovation Solution
Integrating SVC reloading with a telecommunications network using a Stored-Value Updater (SVU) device that leverages existing infrastructure for 100% reliable connectivity, eliminates the need for bulky enclosures and SAMs by moving SAM functionality to the backend, and allows reloads without minimum amounts by using a network of telco agents and devices like mobile phones for updating SVCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If TVM is used for SVC reloading, then offline authentication capability is provided, but device cost and deployment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the SAM (Secure Access Module) functionality from the TVM device and relocates it to a centralized backend server. This allows the TVM to operate without expensive security modules, reducing device cost while maintaining offline authentication capability through the backend's cryptographic services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a backend server as an intermediary that provides centralized security services to multiple TVMs. The backend handles cryptographic operations and authentication, allowing individual TVMs to be simpler and cheaper devices that rely on the intermediary for security functions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy metal enclosure is used for TVM, then security against theft is improved, but device size and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for heavy metal enclosures by extracting the valuable SAM modules from the TVM and relocating them to the backend server. Without embedded security modules, the TVM becomes a simple terminal device that doesn't require armored protection, significantly reducing its size and bulkiness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SAM slots are provided in TVM, then support for multiple card issuers is enabled, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the backend server universal by enabling it to serve multiple card issuers through a single interface. Instead of each TVM needing multiple SAM slots for different issuers, the centralized backend provides authentication services for all issuers, allowing any TVM to support any issuer without additional hardware.
4Ease of manufacture
If minimum reload amount is imposed, then TVM operational costs are offset, but accessibility and usability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the economic parameters of the system by eliminating the minimum reload amount constraint. The TVM is designed to accept any reload amount, and the system recovers operational costs through alternative means such as transaction fees or centralized billing, rather than imposing minimum thresholds that limit user accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for updating a stored value card comprising a transaction device for receiving a request to update the stored value card; a transaction manager arranged in data communication with the transaction device; the transaction manager operable to process the request to update the stored value card; a clearing house arranged to receive processed request from the transaction manager and create a pending transaction status; and a stored value updater network operable to receive the stored value card and thereafter retrieve an identifier of the stored value card; the stored value updater network further operable to retrieve the pending transaction status from the clearing house; wherein upon successful verification of the pending transaction status and the stored value card, the stored value updater network updates the stored value card.