Battery-less Transaction Card Applet Configuration via Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The dimensional constraints of transaction cards limit the inclusion of components such as displays and batteries, restricting their functionality and the types of transactions they can facilitate.
Innovation Solution
A battery-less transaction card that uses electric current induced from an interaction with an electromagnetic field to power on and configure a set of applets, allowing for selective powering and reconfiguration without the need for a battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a battery is included in the transaction card to enable continuous operation, then the card can maintain power for multiple transactions, but the card's dimensions increase and the card becomes thicker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component from the transaction card entirely, extracting the power source function from the card's internal components. This allows the card to maintain a thin, compact form factor while still enabling operational duration through external electromagnetic field induction during transactions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applets are pre-configured on the transaction card to enable various transaction types, then the card's versatility increases, but the card's memory resources are consumed and configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration of applets on the transaction card. Instead of having fixed pre-configured applets, the card can selectively load, enable, or disable specific applets based on the transaction context. This dynamic approach allows the card to maintain versatility across multiple transaction types while managing memory resources efficiently and reducing configuration complexity.
3Speed
If the transaction card is continuously powered to maintain readiness for transactions, then the card's responsiveness improves, but power resources are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by inducing power only during transaction events through electromagnetic field interaction. The card transitions between powered and unpowered states, activating power consumption only when needed for transactions. This periodic powering approach maintains transaction responsiveness when required while dramatically reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous operation.
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 enables the transaction card to be reconfigured for different types of transactions, conserves power resources, and improves power management by selectively powering the card for specific functions, while maintaining minimal loss of potential functionality.
Implementation Method 1
power on the transaction card using electric current induced from interaction of a near-field communication (NFC) component of the transaction card with an electromagnetic field of a device
Data Source
AI summary
A transaction card may power on the transaction card using electric current induced from an interaction of the transaction card with an electromagnetic field. The transaction card may establish a communication with a device. The communication may indicate that the transaction card has powered. The transaction card may receive, from the device, a set of instructions to configure a set of applets on the transaction card after notifying the device that the transaction card has powered on. The set of applets to be configured may be related to completing one or more different transactions. The set of applets to be configured may be different than another set of applets already configured on the transaction card. The transaction card may configure the set of applets on the transaction card according to the set of instructions after receiving the set of instructions.