Method and apparatus for processing uncertain transaction amounts in a payment system

US10121217B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Brian Clubb · O'Fallon, US
• Daniel M. Cohen · New York, US
• Sara E. Fiebiger · Ellisville, US
• Matthew Lanford · New York, US
• Jennifer W. Vanderwall · Wilton, US
• Alec Wilkins · Salt Lake City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2008
• Grant date: Nov 6, 2018
• Expiry date: Jun 20, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q40/08
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A first acquirers receives, via a payment network configured to facilitate transactions between multiple issuers and multiple acquirers, an authorization response flagged with a flag. The flag indicates that clearing of a first transaction, associated with the authorization response, is to be suspended. The first transaction initially has an uncertain amount, and is associated with a first payment account, of a first user, associated with a first issuer. Subsequent determination of a final certain amount for the first transaction is awaited. Upon determination of the final certain amount, the first one of the acquirers proceeds with clearing the first transaction, based on the final certain amount. The steps are repeated for at least a second acquirer and at least a second transaction. The second transaction is associated with a second payment account, of a second user, associated with a second one of the issuers. The steps are carried out by an operator of the payment network, and the flag is understandable to the first and second issuers and the first and second acquirers.