System and method for distributing personal identification numbers over a computer network
The present invention comprises a system and method for managing an inventory of PINs in a PIN distribution network. The distribution network includes a hub coupled to a one or more servers and each of the servers is coupled to at least one client terminal. The system includes a hub for dynamically allocating PINs of the inventory among the servers so as to substantially maintain a quantity of PINs at each server at a desired level for each server. Additionally, the hub acquires additional PINs in response to at least one PIN in the inventory being distributed to at least one user from at least one of the client terminals. In variations, the hub maintains centralized databases and synchronizes the centralized databases with corresponding databases at each server.
1. A method for electronic, real-time distribution of PINs in a PIN distribution network, the distribution network including a host connection manager, a client device, and a hub coupled to a plurality of servers, the method comprising:
synchronizing, the plurality of servers' individual databases, wherein the plurality of servers' individual databases are synchronized via the hub without the plurality of servers communicating with each other, and wherein the amount of communication required for database synchronization is reduced by the hub;
receiving, electronically by one of the plurality of servers, an inventory of PINs from the hub, wherein the plurality of servers required memory capacity for PIN inventory is reduced by the hub;
receiving, electronically by the one of the plurality of servers, a client device request for a PIN from the client device, wherein the client device request has been made compatible with a communication protocol of the one of the plurality of servers by the host connection manager converting a client device legacy communication protocol to the communication protocol of the one of the plurality of servers and wherein the client device is configured to provide the PIN to a customer;
determining, electronically by the one of the plurality of servers, that the PIN is not included within the inventory of PINs;
transmitting, by the one of the plurality of servers, a server request for the PIN to the hub;
requesting, by the hub from another one of the plurality of servers, the PIN; and
receiving, electronically by the one of the plurality of servers, the PIN from the hub, wherein the hub received the PIN from the another one of the plurality of servers.
2. The method of claim 1 further including transmitting, by the one of the plurality of servers, prior to the receiving of the inventory of PINs, a request for PINs to the hub.
3. The method of claim 1 further including transmitting, by the one of the plurality of servers, the PIN to the client device.
4. A real-time PIN distribution network system comprising:
a host connection manager;
a plurality of servers;
a client device configured to request a PIN for a customer from one of the plurality of servers and provide the PIN to the customer;
a hub configured to reduce the plurality of servers' required memory capacity for PIN inventory and also configured to reduce the amount of communication required for database synchronization by synchronizing individual databases of the plurality of servers without the plurality of servers communicating with each other;
a first one of the plurality of servers' processors;
a first non-transitory computer readable memory for storing codes which when executed cause the first one of the plurality of servers' processors to (1) electronically receive an inventory of PINs from the hub, (2) receive a client device request for a PIN from the client device, wherein the client device request has been made compatible with a communication protocol of the first one of the plurality of servers' processors by the host connection manager converting a client device legacy communication protocol to the communication protocol of the first one of the plurality of servers' processors,
(3) determine that the PIN is not included within the inventory of PINs, (4) transmit a server request for the PIN to the hub, and (5) electronically receive the PIN from the hub;
a second one of the plurality of servers' processors;
a second non-transitory computer readable memory for storing codes which when executed cause the second one of the plurality of servers' processors to electronically receive a hub request for a PIN from the hub and transmit the PIN to the hub.
5. The real-time PIN distribution network system of claim 4 wherein the codes further include codes which when executed cause the a first one of the plurality of servers' processors to, prior to receiving the inventory of PINs, transmit a request for PINs to the hub.
6. The real-time PIN distribution network system of claim 4 wherein the codes further include codes which when executed cause the first one of the plurality of servers' processors to transmit the PIN to the client device.