Card Reader Terminal Position Detection and Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card reading terminals face issues with selecting the appropriate communication mode for mixed cards, leading to errors and increased power consumption due to permanent activation of contactless communication modules, which affects transaction time and terminal sizing.
Innovation Solution
A card reading terminal with a detection module and control module that activates or deactivates communication modules based on the position of the card relative to the terminal, using sensors to precisely detect the card's position and select the appropriate interface for communication, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contactless communication means are permanently activated to detect card presence, then card detection capability is improved, but power consumption increases and transaction time increases due to activation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless communication means are activated periodically at regular intervals instead of being permanently activated. The control module emits pulses to detect card presence only when needed, reducing continuous power consumption while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of card presence before initiating full communication protocols. By detecting card presence first through periodic pulses, the system can then activate appropriate communication modes only when a card is actually present, avoiding unnecessary power consumption.
2Reliability
If contactless communication means are permanently activated, then card presence detection is reliable, but terminal sizing constraints increase due to power supply requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By activating contactless communication means periodically rather than continuously, the power supply requirements are reduced, allowing for smaller and more compact terminal designs without compromising detection reliability.
3Ease of operation
If mixed card passes near contactless transmitter, then contactless communication is initiated, but transaction time increases due to activation and information sending delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of card presence using periodic pulses before initiating full contactless communication. This preliminary detection allows the system to prepare communication protocols in advance, reducing actual transaction time when a card is presented.
Solution Approach 2:
Once card presence is detected through preliminary pulses, the system rushes through the communication initiation phase by directly activating the appropriate communication mode without unnecessary delays, thereby reducing overall transaction time.
4Reliability
If multiple readers are separated by more than five to ten centimeters to operate simultaneously, then reader operation reliability is improved, but device compactness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines contactless communication means with contact reading interfaces in a single integrated terminal structure. The control module intelligently switches between contactless and contact modes based on card detection, allowing multiple communication functions to coexist in a compact form factor without requiring separate readers spaced far apart.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between contactless and contact communication modes based on real-time card detection. This dynamic adaptability allows the terminal to use the most appropriate communication method for each situation, eliminating the need for physically separated readers and enabling compact design.
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 efficient and timely transaction processing without errors, reducing power consumption and enabling compact terminal designs by accurately selecting the communication mode based on card position, thus enhancing transaction efficiency and autonomy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sensor of a position of a card, delivering data representative of a position of a card relative to the terminal
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 2(d)~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a Terminal comprising means for communicating with a personal device for performing transactions, called a transactional device, said communication means comprising a first communication module comprising a contact reading interface, and a second communication module comprising a contact-free reading interface. According to the invention, such a terminal comprises a detection module comprising: at least one transactional device position sensor, delivering an item of data representative of a position of a transactional device relative to said terminal; and at least one control module for controlling at least one communication module of said first and second communication modules, said at least one control module activating said communication module on the basis of said item of data representative of said position of said transactional device.