Biometric Smart Card Interface Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart cards with biometric functionality face challenges in integrating biometric capabilities without modifying the primary chip's physical interface, which is typically dedicated to payment or authentication functions, limiting the range of Secure Elements that can be used and requiring additional industry certification.
Innovation Solution
A device with a communication unit, biometric unit, and dedicated physical interfaces allows for routing all contact communications through the biometric unit, enabling biometric and primary communications using the same interface, eliminating the need for a dedicated physical interface between the chip and biometric unit, and supporting both contact and contactless modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated physical interface is added between the embedded chip and biometric unit, then biometric communication capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded chip's existing physical interface is made multi-functional by enabling it to handle both primary communications (payment/authentication) and biometric communications. The chip receives biometric data from the biometric unit through the same interface used for terminal communications, eliminating the need for separate dedicated biometric interface circuits and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the biometric communication path with the existing primary communication interface. Instead of creating separate physical interfaces for biometric and primary communications, the solution combines both communication types through the same interface, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the embedded chip is modified to interface with the biometric unit, then biometric functionality is enabled, but manufacturing precision and certification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded chip is designed to perform multiple functions through its existing interface - it can communicate with both the terminal and the biometric unit using the same physical connection. This multi-functionality approach allows biometric functionality to be added without requiring precise modifications to the chip's physical interface, as the chip already possesses the necessary communication capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The embedded chip's existing communication interface is utilized to serve the biometric unit, meaning the chip's own interface infrastructure is put to dual use. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external modifications or additional dedicated interfaces, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and avoiding additional certification hurdles.
3Reliability
If a dedicated physical interface is implemented for biometric communications, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single physical interface is designed to reliably handle multiple communication types by implementing protocol-level differentiation. The interface maintains reliable communication for both primary and biometric data streams using the same physical connection, achieving reliability without the need for redundant physical interfaces or complex switching infrastructure.
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 integration of biometric functionality in smart cards without modifying the primary chip, allowing for a wider range of Secure Elements and reducing certification requirements, facilitating faster market entry of biometric-capable smart cards while maintaining compliance with industry standards for contactless communications.
Implementation Method 1
The contactless card may include an antenna to receive an electromagnetic signal, such as an RF signal, emitted from a terminal
Implementation Method 2
The contactless card is powered by harvesting power from the RF signal
Data Source
AI summary
A device for communication with a terminal. The device comprises: a communication unit for communicating with the terminal; a biometric unit comprising a biometric sensor for sensing biometric data; contacts for connecting the device to the terminal; a first physical interface between the biometric unit and the contacts configured to enable contact communication between the biometric unit and the terminal; and a second physical interface between the communication unit and the biometric unit configured to enable contact communication between the communication unit and the biometric unit. The device is configured such that all contact communications between the terminal and the communication unit are routed through the biometric unit via the first and second physical interfaces.