Transit Card Account Authorization and Reload Logic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transit payment systems are inconvenient as they require different forms of payment for various transit types, and often involve delays in registration and receipt of transit cards or transponders, making it difficult for users to seamlessly redeem stored value across multiple transit systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows for the redemption and reloading of transit cards using a central processor, which manages accounts associated with transit cards, determining authorization for transactions, deducting values, and updating account statuses, enabling the use of stored value across multiple transit types through a near-field transponder and a machine-readable reload card, providing flexibility and anonymity in payment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different forms of payment are required for different transit types, then each transit type can have its own dedicated payment system, but user convenience deteriorates due to the need to manage multiple payment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal stored value card system that can be used across multiple transit types including subways, buses, trains, and toll roads. The card contains a microprocessor and memory that enable it to function as a general-purpose payment device, eliminating the need for users to carry separate tokens, passes, or tickets for different transit modes. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable transit-specific payment processing while significantly improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple transit payment functions into a single stored value card. The card consolidates what would otherwise require separate physical tokens, passes, and tickets for different transit types into one unified device. This combining approach allows the system to maintain the reliability of dedicated transit payment systems while improving ease of operation by reducing the number of payment instruments users must manage.
2Reliability
If timely registration is required for transit cards, then system security and tracking are improved, but user experience deteriorates due to delays between registration and receiving the card
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables pre-payment and pre-loading of value onto stored value cards before they are activated or distributed. Users can purchase cards and have value loaded in advance at retail locations or online, eliminating the waiting period between registration and receiving an active card. The system maintains security through pre-authorization and tracking mechanisms while allowing users to obtain immediate access to their transit payment cards, thus resolving the time delay issue while preserving system security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service capabilities where users can register, purchase, and load value onto their own transit cards without requiring manual processing or physical distribution delays. The automated system allows users to complete registration and receive activated cards immediately, maintaining security through automated verification while eliminating the time loss associated with manual registration and card delivery processes.
3Extent of automation
If a centralized system is used for transit payments, then transaction management and authorization are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized transit payment system into distributed components, with intelligence embedded in individual stored value cards. Each card contains a microprocessor and memory that handle local transaction processing, authorization, and data storage independently. This segmentation reduces the burden on the central system while maintaining automated transaction management, as each card operates semi-autonomously to validate and process transactions locally before communicating with the central system only when necessary for top-ups or account management.
Solution Approach 2:
The stored value card acts as an intermediary device between users and the centralized transit payment system. The card's embedded microprocessor and memory serve as a buffer, handling local transaction processing and authorization while mediating communication between the user and the central system. This intermediary approach reduces direct complexity in the centralized system by offloading processing tasks to the card level, while maintaining automated transaction management through the card's intelligent processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to systems and methods of conducting transactions associated with a transit card. A method of conducting transactions may be conducted between a processor and a transit processor. Steps may include receiving a redemption request and determining if it is a pre-authorization request or a redemption; if the redemption request is a pre-authorization request, determining if the account is authorized for a particular transit type. If the account is authorized, communicating approval to the transit processor. If the account is not authorized communicating denial. If the redemption request is a redemption: determining if account value is sufficient to pay the redemption amount; if not, denying and if so approving the transaction and deducting the amount, and determining if the account value is below a pre-determined threshold for a particular transit types, and if so, updating the status of the account at a data store.