Block has been granted a patent for a method involving a payment service automatically switching between different payment card numbers to ensure seamless transactions for users. The method involves detecting issues with the first card number, temporarily disabling it, and enabling a second card number until the issue is resolved. GlobalData’s report on Block gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Block, Social commerce was a key innovation area identified from patents. Block's grant share as of January 2024 was 53%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Dynamic switching of payment cards for transactions

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Block Inc

A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11887102B1) outlines a method for a payment service to manage payment card numbers efficiently. The method involves assigning a payment card number to a user's account, detecting if the issuer processor is unable to process a transaction, and automatically disabling the card number temporarily. In such cases, the system accesses a second set of unassigned payment card numbers from a different issuer processor, assigns a new card number to the user's account, and processes the transaction using the new number. Once the original issuer processor is able to process transactions again, the system re-enables the original card number and disables the temporary one.

The patent also details additional features such as sending notifications to users about card status changes, receiving user approval for using a new card number, updating account balances, and setting time limits for card enablement. The method ensures seamless transaction processing by automatically switching to a different card number when needed and reverting to the original number once the issuer processor is operational again. The system's ability to manage multiple card numbers associated with a user's account efficiently enhances transaction security and reliability, providing a robust payment service experience.

To know more about GlobalData’s detailed insights on Block, buy the report here.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.