Transaction Handler Integrating Payment and Offer Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for processing payments and offer redemption are inefficient, leading to duplicative computation resource allocation, time delays, and separate systems for payment processing and offer processing, which hinder interoperability and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A system that integrates payment processing and offer redemption by using a transaction handler to split transactions, associate offers with user accounts, and apply benefits during authorization and settlement, enabling real-time, automated redemption across various channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate systems are used for payment processing and offer processing, then system stability is maintained, but processing efficiency deteriorates due to duplicative computation resources and time delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate payment processing systems and offer processing systems into a single integrated transaction processing system. The transaction handler receives authorization requests containing both payment information and offer redemption information, processes them together, and returns a single authorization response. This merging eliminates duplicative computation resources and reduces processing time by handling both functions through one unified system rather than separate systems operating in parallel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of energy

If separate systems are used for payment processing and offer processing, then system simplicity is maintained, but resource allocation deteriorates due to duplicative computation resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputation resource utilizationVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated transaction processing system consolidates computation resources for both payment processing and offer processing into a single system. The transaction handler uses shared computational infrastructure to process authorization requests that contain both payment data and offer redemption data, eliminating the need for separate computation resources in duplicate systems. This reduces energy consumption and improves resource allocation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If separate systems are used for payment processing and offer processing, then system reliability is maintained through independent operations, but processing time deteriorates due to sequential processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing timeVSAvoidsystem operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges payment processing and offer processing into simultaneous operations within a single transaction handler. The system receives an authorization request containing both payment information and offer redemption information, processes them together in parallel through the same computational pathway, and returns a unified authorization response. This eliminates the need for sequential processing between separate systems, significantly reducing total transaction processing time while maintaining reliability through consistent error handling and transaction integrity checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If integrated systems are used for payment processing and offer processing, then processing efficiency is improved, but compatibility with conventional systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transaction handler is designed with multi-functionality to handle both conventional payment processing and integrated offer processing through a single authorization request interface. The system can process requests containing only payment information (conventional mode) or requests containing both payment and offer redemption information (integrated mode). This universal design allows the integrated system to work with existing payment infrastructure while providing enhanced functionality, ensuring backward compatibility and broad adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10943231B2Systems and methods to generate a receipt for a transaction

Publication Date: 2021.03.09 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION

AI summary

A system includes a transaction terminal that is configured to examine an authorization response for an indicator, which, when set, causes the transaction terminal to communicate with a portal to obtain content relevant to the receipt for the transaction approved by the authorization response. The content may identify the benefit of an offer applied to the transaction, which is not reflected in the authorization response. The content may direct the user to select an option regarding the delivery of the receipt. Options presented for selection include suppression of the printing of the paper receipt in favor of an electronic receipt transmitted to a communication reference of the user, printing a mini paper receipt in addition to transmitting an electronic receipt, and/or printing the full paper receipt at the transaction terminal.