Audio Jack Card Payment System Acoustic Signal Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current card payment systems face challenges in securely and efficiently reading account information from payment cards using traditional methods, particularly in contexts where direct physical contact is not feasible, such as in digital transactions.

Innovation Solution

A card payment system utilizing an audio jack with both earphone and microphone contacts to transmit and receive analog signals, which are then converted to digital signals, enabling account information to be read from payment cards and processed through a client device, while also generating electric power for the card payment apparatus using acoustic signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional card reading methods are used, then physical contact is required to read account information, but this reduces convenience and security in digital transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of paymentVSAvoidphysical contact requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based card reading system with an acoustic signal transmission system. The card payment apparatus uses a microphone to receive acoustic signals containing account information, and a speaker to transmit requests, eliminating the need for physical contact between the card reader and payment card while maintaining data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If acoustic signals are used for communication, then power can be generated for the card payment apparatus, but additional components like audio jack and signal processor are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generationVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio jack is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a communication interface for transmitting account information and a power generation interface through its integrated microphone and speaker. The microphone serves dual purposes of receiving data signals and generating electrical power through acoustic energy conversion, reducing the need for separate power supply components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the power generation functionality with the existing audio communication components. The microphone and speaker are integrated into the card payment apparatus, allowing the same acoustic interface to handle both data transmission and power supply, thereby minimizing additional hardware requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If account information is transmitted via acoustic signals, then security is improved without physical contact, but signal conversion between analog and digital formats is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of transactionVSAvoidsignal processing requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary signal processing system that converts between digital and analog formats. The card payment apparatus includes a signal processor that converts digital account information into analog acoustic signals for transmission, and converts received analog acoustic signals back into digital format for processing, enabling secure wireless communication while maintaining data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for secure and efficient digital transactions by enabling the reading of account information from payment cards without physical contact and provides a means to generate power for the card payment apparatus, enhancing convenience and security in electronic payments.

Implementation Method 1

generate electric power for the card payment apparatus using acoustic signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic energy conversion:

Implementation Method 2

convert the first digital signal to a first analog signal, transmit, to a client device, the first analog signal via the microphone contact, receive, via the at least one earphone contact, a second analog signal, and convert the received second analog signal to a second digital signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS9330385B2Card payment system

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 KT CORP

AI summary

In one example embodiment, a card payment system includes a card payment apparatus, having an audio jack, configured to: read account information stored on a payment card, transmit the account information via a microphone contact of an audio jack, and receive an acoustic signal via at least one earphone contact of the audio jack; and a client device, having an audio jack socket to receive the audio jack, configured to: receive, from the card payment apparatus, the account information via a receptor for the microphone contact of the audio jack, and transmit, to the card payment apparatus, the acoustic signal via the at least one earphone contact.