Web Service for Platform-Neutral Stored Value Card Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for retrieving stored value card information are cumbersome, requiring repetitive authentication, dedicated communication lines, and platform compatibility, limiting access and format flexibility for merchants and consumers.
Innovation Solution
A web service using SOAP protocol over the internet to request and deliver XML-formatted stored value card information, allowing platform-neutral access and eliminating the need for repeated authentication, with encryption and digital signatures for security, enabling integration into various applications and devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing authentication methods are used via Single Sign On through a web channel, then authorized status can be verified, but the process requires repetitive authentication at multiple networks which is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary authentication by storing authenticated user credentials and authorization tokens in a database before actual information requests. When a user first authenticates, their credentials are verified and stored, allowing subsequent requests to be fulfilled without repeated authentication. This preliminary action eliminates the need for merchants to authenticate multiple times across different networks while maintaining security through stored verification data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the authentication and authorization process by implementing a local authentication mechanism at the merchant's network. Instead of requiring direct authentication at the information provider's network for each request, the system creates a local copy of verified credentials that can be used repeatedly. This copying approach reduces authentication time while maintaining the reliability of the original authentication process.
2Reliability
If dedicated communication lines are used for continuous connection between information provider and merchant networks, then information can be requested and delivered reliably and securely, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the requirement for dedicated communication lines by implementing authentication and authorization mechanisms that work over standard public networks. Instead of requiring expensive dedicated lines for continuous connection, the system extracts only the essential security functions (authentication, authorization, encryption) and implements them using standard internet protocols. This allows reliable and secure information delivery without the cost of dedicated communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication system that mediates between the merchant's network and the information provider's network. This intermediary layer handles authentication, authorization, and secure data transmission using standard internet protocols, eliminating the need for direct dedicated communication lines between the two networks. The intermediary ensures reliable and secure information delivery while using cost-effective public network infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If both information providing system and receiving merchant system operate on the same operating system or platform, then communication and information exchange can be carried out conveniently, but this limits adaptability when systems have different platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication and authorization system that functions across multiple operating systems and platforms. By using platform-independent protocols (such as XML for data formatting and standard web services for communication), the system achieves multi-functionality that allows merchants on different platforms (Windows, Unix, Macintosh, etc.) to access card information from the information provider system. This universal approach maintains ease of operation while significantly improving platform adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameters from platform-specific protocols to platform-independent standards. By adopting universal data formats (XML), standard network protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP), and platform-agnostic authentication mechanisms, the system transforms the communication interface to work across different operating systems. This parameter change enables convenient communication while achieving broad platform compatibility without requiring matching operating systems.
4Productivity
If card information is received in a format compatible with the information provider's operating system, then the information can be delivered efficiently, but the merchant can only manipulate the information with limited applications and devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information delivery process into two distinct stages: first, efficient delivery of card information in a standardized format (XML) from the information provider; second, flexible processing and manipulation of the received information by the merchant's various applications and devices. This segmentation allows the delivery mechanism to optimize for efficiency while the receiving end can adapt the information to different platforms and applications, thereby achieving both productivity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces XML as an intermediary data format that bridges the information provider's system and the merchant's diverse applications. The information is first delivered in XML format, which serves as a universal intermediary that can be processed by various applications and devices on the merchant's network. This intermediary format maintains delivery efficiency while enabling broad application compatibility, as XML can be parsed and manipulated by numerous different software applications across multiple platforms.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a platform neutral method and system for retrieving card information in an extensible markup language (XML) format over the internet via a web service comprising the steps of formulating a simple access object protocol (SOAP) request for the selected information at a consumer application, transmitting the SOAP request to the web service over the internet, receiving the SOAP requests at a provider web service, routing the information request for card information to a provider back-end network, processing the information request and retrieving the selected card information and forwarding to the web service application, formatting the retrieved selected card information in an XML format and formulating a SOAP reply, transmitting the SOAP reply to the consumer over the internet, receiving the SOAP reply at a consumer web server application, reading the XML formatted stored value card information, and routing the XML formatted information to a consumer back-end application or end-point access devices.