Transaction Device Obfuscated Number Generation Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transaction systems pose security risks due to the use of permanent account numbers, which can be compromised by criminals, and customers face inconvenience in managing multiple accounts for transactions, lacking information for informed decisions.
Innovation Solution
A transaction processing system that includes a transaction device with an obfuscated number generator, an obfuscation engine, and an account selection engine, which generates temporary-use obfuscated account numbers and recommends accounts based on transaction characteristics, reducing security risks and enabling transactions from multiple accounts with a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent account numbers are used for transactions, then transaction processing is simple and direct, but security risks increase as criminals can compromise and misuse these permanent numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the account number functionality by introducing a distinction between permanent account numbers (stored securely in the account management system) and temporary transaction-specific numbers (provided to merchants). This segmentation allows the system to maintain simple transaction processing using temporary numbers while protecting the permanent numbers from exposure, thereby improving security without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (the account management system or processing server) that acts as a mediator between the customer's permanent account information and the transaction system. This intermediary generates and provides temporary account numbers for transactions, shielding the permanent numbers from direct exposure while enabling straightforward transaction processing through the temporary numbers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customers use multiple accounts for transactions, then financial flexibility and benefit optimization improve, but managing multiple accounts becomes inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically evaluates available accounts and selects the most appropriate one for each transaction based on pre-set customer preferences and account characteristics. The system also automatically provides the corresponding temporary account number to the merchant, eliminating the need for customers to manually manage or select among multiple accounts while still enabling financial flexibility and optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of account identification from requiring direct customer selection of permanent account numbers to using system-generated temporary account numbers. This parameter change allows the system to handle multiple accounts transparently, maintaining adaptability and versatility in account selection while significantly improving ease of operation for the customer.
3Reliability
If temporary-use obfuscated account numbers are generated for each transaction, then security against unauthorized transactions improves, but the complexity of the transaction device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the transaction device universal by integrating multiple functions: it can store and manage multiple permanent account numbers, generate temporary transaction-specific account numbers, and interface with the account management system. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle secure transactions without requiring separate systems for account management and transaction processing, thereby improving security while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If a single transaction device supports multiple accounts, then convenience and account management simplicity improve, but the security risk of exposing multiple account numbers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable temporary account numbers for each transaction instead of using permanent account numbers. These temporary numbers are generated specifically for the transaction at hand and are not reused, meaning that even if compromised, they cannot be used for future transactions. This approach enables a single device to support multiple accounts conveniently while eliminating the security risk of exposing permanent account numbers, as only temporary, single-use numbers are transmitted to merchants.
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a transaction processing system for evaluating transactions between a customer and a merchant comprises a transaction tracker, an account selection engine, and a performance module. The transaction tracker is operable to identify a transaction executed by a customer using a transaction device, the transaction device being operable to execute a transaction with a point of sale receiver associated with the merchant by providing an account number for a first account of the plurality of accounts. The account selection engine is operable to receive information identifying at least one characteristic of the transaction and select a recommended account based on the at least one characteristic. The performance module is operable to compare the first account with the recommended account to determine whether the customer would have received a financial benefit by executing the transaction using the recommended account instead of the first account.