Gateway Abstraction Layer

Abstract

Systems, gateway computers, and methods for using a gateway abstraction layer and application platform interfaces for conducting service transactions are disclosed. A gateway abstraction layer computers can receive service requests in multiple message formats or communication protocols, transform those service requests into other message formats to process the service using one or more networks or third-party service providers. The results of the service request can then be translated back to the message format in which the original service request was received. The gateway abstraction layer can be maintained using update messages received from service providers.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 establishing, by a merchant or acquirer computer, communication with a gateway server;   transmitting, from the merchant or acquirer computer to the gateway server, a message intended for a service provider or a payment network, wherein the message is transmitted according to a first format over a first application platform interface (API) regardless of communication standard requirements of the service provider or the payment network, wherein the gateway server thereafter:
 determines the service provider using first set of information from the message; 
 translates at least a portion of the first set of information into a second data format to communicate with the service provider, the second data format being different from the first data format, the second data format satisfying the communication standard requirements of the service provider; 
 transmits a service call message to the service provider over a second API, the service call message including the translated first set of information in the second data format; 
 determines a payment network using second set of information from the message; 
 translates at least a portion of the second set of information into a third data format to communicate with the payment network, the second data format being different than the third data format, the third data format satisfying communication standard requirements of the payment network; 
 transmits a transaction authorization request message to the payment network, the transaction authorization request message including the translated second set of information in the third data format; and 
 manages changes to the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the payment network such that the second format complies with the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the third format complies with the communication standard requirements of the payment network. 
   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gateway server receives a result from the service provider and transmits the result to the merchant computer, the acquirer computer, or the payment network. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first set of information and the second set of information are mutually exclusive. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first set of information and the second set of information overlap. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gateway server receives an update from the service provider. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the update includes a change to one or more communication standards associated with the service provider. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gateway server receives a transaction authorization response message from the payment network and translates the transaction authorization response message into a data format compatible with the first API, and wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving, by the merchant or acquirer computer from the gateway server, the translated transaction authorization response message over the first API.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein, before transmitting the transaction authorization request message to the payment network, the gateway server receives a message indicating a positive result of the service call message from the service provider over the second API. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gateway server is configured to communicate with service endpoints for payment, mobile wallet, money transfer, and virtual currency transactions. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gateway server utilizes a canonical message format. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the canonical message format is XML. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the canonical message format is divided into datadict packages specific to the service provider or the payment network. 
     
     
         23 . A computing device comprising:
 a processor; and   a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, wherein the computer readable medium includes code executable by the processor for:   establishing, by a merchant or acquirer computer, communication with a gateway server;   transmitting, from the merchant or acquirer computer to the gateway server, a message intended for a service provider or a payment network, wherein the message is transmitted according to a first format over a first application platform interface (API) regardless of communication standard requirements of the service provider or the payment network, wherein the gateway server thereafter:
 determines the service provider using first set of information from the message; 
 translates at least a portion of the first set of information into a second data format to communicate with the service provider, the second data format being different from the first data format, the second data format satisfying the communication standard requirements of the service provider; 
 transmits a service call message to the service provider over a second API, the service call message including the translated first set of information in the second data format; 
 determines a payment network using second set of information from the message; 
 translates at least a portion of the second set of information into a third data format to communicate with the payment network, the second data format being different than the third data format, the third data format satisfying communication standard requirements of the payment network; 
 transmits a transaction authorization request message to the payment network, the transaction authorization request message including the translated second set of information in the third data format; and
 manages changes to the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the payment network such that the second format complies with the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the third format complies with the communication standard requirements of the payment network. 
 
   
     
     
         24 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the gateway server receives a result from the service provider and transmits the result to the merchant computer, the acquirer computer, or the payment network. 
     
     
         25 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the first set of information and the second set of information are mutually exclusive. 
     
     
         26 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the first set of information and the second set of information overlap. 
     
     
         27 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the gateway server receives an update from the service provider. 
     
     
         28 . The computing device of  claim 27 , wherein the update includes a change to one or more communication standards associated with the service provider. 
     
     
         29 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein the gateway server receives a transaction authorization response message from the payment network and translates the transaction authorization response message into a data format compatible with the first API, and wherein the method further comprises:
 receiving, by the computing device from the gateway server, the translated transaction authorization response message over the first API.   
     
     
         30 . The computing device of  claim 23 , wherein, before transmitting the transaction authorization request message to the acquirer computer or payment network, the gateway server receives a message indicating a positive result of the service call message from the service provider over the second API. 
     
     
         31 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving, by a service provider computer of a service provider from a gateway server, a service call message, wherein the gateway server is configured to:
 determine the service provider using first set of information from the message; 
 translate at least a portion of the first set of information into a second data format to communicate with the service provider, the second data format being different from the first data format, the second data format satisfying the communication standard requirements of the service provider; 
 transmit a service call message to the service provider over a second API, the service call message including the translated first set of information in the second data format; 
 determine a payment network using second set of information from the message; 
 translate at least a portion of the second set of information into a third data format to communicate with the payment network, the second data format being different than the third data format, the third data format satisfying communication standard requirements of the payment network; 
 transmit a transaction authorization request message to the payment network, the transaction authorization request message including the translated second set of information in the third data format; and 
 manage changes to the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the payment network such that the second format complies with the communication standard requirements of the service provider and the third format complies with the communication standard requirements of the payment network. 
   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 processing, by the service provider computer, the message;   generating, by the service provider computer, a result based on the processing of the message; and   transmitting, by the service provider computer to the gateway server, the result, wherein the gateway server is further configured to transmit the result to the merchant computer or the payment network.