Card Reader Switch Unit Wireless RF Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional card readers face difficulties in design changes, such as repositioning or adding switch units, which require modifications to the housing and internal wiring, affecting usability, waterproofness, and reading performance.
Innovation Solution
A card reader design that incorporates a housing with a first antenna for communicating with an IC card and a switch unit featuring an RF tag with a second antenna, allowing wireless communication and functioning as a switch without the need for internal wiring changes, enabling easier design modifications and improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switch units are repositioned or added in conventional card readers, then usability requirements are met, but housing structure and internal wiring must be modified, affecting waterproofness and reading performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical wiring connection system with a wireless communication system. The switch unit communicates with the control circuit board via radio frequency (RF) communication between antennas, eliminating the need for physical wiring modifications to the housing. This substitution allows flexible repositioning and addition of switch units without affecting housing structure, waterproofness, or reading performance.
2Ease of operation
If internal wiring is modified for switch unit repositioning, then switch functionality is maintained, but waterproofness and reading performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical wiring connections and replaces them with wireless RF communication. The switch unit and control circuit board communicate through electromagnetic fields between antennas, requiring no physical holes or wiring modifications in the housing. This maintains the housing's original waterproof integrity while enabling easy switch unit repositioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If housing structure is modified for switch unit installation, then switch unit attachment is achieved, but reading performance and communication success ratio are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wiring and housing modifications with wireless RF communication. The switch unit attaches to the housing without requiring structural modifications, and communicates with the control circuit board through radio waves. This eliminates interference with the IC card reading antenna's electromagnetic field, preserving reading performance and communication success ratio while providing attachment flexibility.
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
Facilitates design changes by eliminating the need for internal wiring modifications and enhancing waterproofness and reading performance by allowing the switch unit to be easily repositioned or added, ensuring reliable communication with both the IC card and the switch unit.
Implementation Method 1
a first antenna (26), disposed inside of the housing (200), to communicate with the IC card
Implementation Method 2
the switch unit is to function as a switch that performs a predetermined function by causing the RF tag to communicate with the control circuit via the second antenna and the first antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A card reader to read information in an integrated circuit (IC) card includes a housing, a first antenna, a control circuit, and a switch unit. The first antenna is disposed inside of the housing to communicate with the IC card. The control circuit communicates with the IC card within a communication range of the first antenna and performs at least a process that acquires data from a memory in the IC card. The switch unit is disposed in the housing. The switch unit includes a radio frequency (RF) tag having a second antenna. The switch unit functions as a switch that performs a predetermined function by causing the RF tag to communicate with the control circuit via the second antenna and the first antenna when a predetermined condition is satisfied.