Onboard Capacitor Powers Financial Token Away From Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Financial transaction cards lack an onboard power source, are dependent on external power sources, and have security vulnerabilities due to limited power and proximity requirements, making them inactive outside merchant terminals and susceptible to account compromise.

Innovation Solution

A financial transaction token with an onboard energy storage device, such as a thin-film capacitor, that provides power independently of external sources, includes reprogrammable electronic circuitry for secure transactions, and can switch between internal and external power sources, allowing operation away from merchant terminals and enhanced security features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If contactless smart cards use RF electromagnetic field power from terminal, then the card can operate without physical contact, but the card must be in close proximity (10 cm) to the terminal and cannot operate outside the immediate area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless operationVSAvoidoperational range

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The power system is segmented into two independent parts: an external RF power receiver for contactless operation and an internal battery for independent operation. This allows the card to function both within terminal range using RF power and outside terminal range using internal battery power, resolving the contradiction between contactless operation and operational range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the card uses limited RF power from terminal, then the card structure remains simple, but the card cannot support sophisticated electronic computations or power-consuming circuitry such as displays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard structureVSAvoidavailable power for computations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two power sources (RF power receiver and internal battery) into a unified power management system. The battery provides sufficient power for sophisticated electronic computations and displays, while the RF receiver enables contactless operation. This combination resolves the contradiction between simple structure and available power for computations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the card operates without onboard power source, then the card remains simple and secure, but the card is inactive at all times when not in proximity to POS terminal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower systemVSAvoidoperational duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The battery is pre-installed in the card during manufacturing, providing a ready power source that eliminates the need for external power during operation. This preliminary action allows the card to remain operational independently of terminal proximity, resolving the contradiction between simple power system and operational duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Power

If the card uses replaceable or rechargeable batteries, then the card has sufficient power for sophisticated electronics, but the card introduces hazardous chemicals and complex power management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower for sophisticated electronicsVSAvoidhazardous chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable or rechargeable battery that can be safely discarded or recharged, eliminating the need for permanent hazardous chemical storage. This approach provides sufficient power for sophisticated electronics while minimizing harmful factors by allowing safe disposal or recycling of the battery after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables secure and flexible financial transactions away from merchant terminals, reduces security risks by providing a reliable power source and cryptographic protection, and allows for reprogramming of account information for payment flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

the onboard energy storage device includes a capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power the token's onboard electronics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

some enhanced financial transaction cards obtain power from a terminal-generated RF electromagnetic field by way of an inductor that is part of the card's circuitry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11900192B2Powering financial transaction token with onboard power source

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 VISA USA INC

AI summary

There is provided a card or token for use in financial transactions. The financial transaction token or card has an onboard energy storage device that enables onboard electronics to operate when the card is not in the proximity of a merchant Point-Of-Service (POS) terminal. In one implementation, the onboard energy storage device includes a capacitor such as a thin-film capacitor that stores sufficient energy to power onboard electronics without the need for an onboard battery. The card may be incorporated within various conventional apparatus such as a see-through and/or protective substrate, an item of clothing, an item of jewelry, a cell phone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a credit card, an identification card, a money holder, a wallet, a personal organizer, a keychain payment tag, and like personality.