Chip Card Field-Strength Calibration for Reader Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining electromagnetic field strength in chip cards are cumbersome, expensive, and unsuitable for production machinery due to the need for cable connections and large, dedicated measurement systems, and are not practical for everyday applications with readers.

Innovation Solution

A method using a chip card with an integrated coil and circuit that calibrates electromagnetic field strengths by correlating power output with field values, allowing wireless communication and precise determination of field strength without special devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a dedicated measurement system with cable connection is used to determine electromagnetic field strength, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to mechanical movement restrictions and system cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic field strength measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chip card itself is used as the measuring instrument by determining its own power consumption under different electromagnetic field strengths and creating a correlation between power output and field strength values, eliminating the need for external dedicated measurement systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical cable connection system is replaced by wireless communication between the chip card and reader, allowing free mechanical movement while maintaining electrical connection for power and data transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If a REF-PICC measuring device is used to measure electromagnetic field strength, then cost is reduced, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to large size and cable connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement system costVSAvoidoperational convenience in production machinery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chip card autonomously determines electromagnetic field strength by measuring its own power consumption and using pre-stored correlation data, making the card itself the measuring instrument without requiring external REF-PICC devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement functionality is extracted from the dedicated measuring device and integrated into the chip card itself, allowing the card to perform measurements independently without requiring separate measuring equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If traditional measuring systems with cable connections are used, then electromagnetic field strength can be determined, but productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to mechanical movement restrictions in production machinery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic field strength determinationVSAvoidproduction machine efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical cable connection is replaced by wireless communication between reader and chip card, enabling free mechanical movement of the card through production machinery without restricting productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The chip card independently determines electromagnetic field strength without requiring external measurement systems, enabling seamless integration into production processes without affecting machine efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 precise determination of electromagnetic field strength in chip cards, facilitating improved communication and alignment with readers, especially in production machinery, without the need for cable connections or additional measurement systems.

Implementation Method 1

A chip card with a coil and an integrated circuit is provided... Emitting an electromagnetic field with an electromagnetic field strength by the reader

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4315156B1Method for determining a value of an electromagnetic field strength, method for coupling a reader, chip card, and reader for a chip card
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 GIESECKE & DEVRIENT EPAYMENTS GMBH
  • EP4315156B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4315156B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4315156B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining a value of an electromagnetic field strength (H) by means of a chip card (10), having the steps of - providing a chip card (10) having a coil (16) and an integrated circuit (14); - calibrating the chip card (10) by means of different values of an electromagnetic field strength (H), wherein a power of the integrated circuit (14) is determined in each case for a specific value of the electromagnetic field strength (H); - correlating the different values of the electromagnetic field strengths with a corresponding power of the integrated circuit (14) in each case; - applying an electromagnetic field strength (H) of an unknown value to the chip card (10); - determining a power of the integrated circuit (14); and - determining the value of the electromagnetic field strength (H) corresponding to this power by means of the correlation.