Contactless Card Dual-Mode Authentication for Power Loss
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Contactless card transactions can be hindered when the mobile device loses power, as users cannot enter authentication information, leading to incomplete transactions due to the inability to receive power from the device.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a contactless card that operates in two modes: one where it receives authentication input from the POS terminal when powered down, capturing energy from the terminal to validate transactions, and another where it receives input from the mobile device's keypad when powered, ensuring seamless payment processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the contactless card operates without on-board power and captures energy from the POS terminal, then the device can maintain operation during power loss, but the device cannot receive authentication input from its own keypad when powered down
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless card is designed to perform multiple functions through two operational modes: when powered, it receives authentication input from the mobile device's keypad; when powered down, it receives authentication input directly from the POS terminal. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by ensuring the card can complete transactions reliably regardless of power status, while adapting the authentication input source to match the current operational state
2Loss of energy
If the mobile device shuts down completely to conserve power, then energy consumption is reduced, but the user cannot enter authentication information to complete transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes based on power availability. When powered, the mobile device operates in normal mode with full authentication input capability. When powered down, it transitions to an alternate mode where the POS terminal provides authentication input. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by maintaining transaction processing capability across different power states while minimizing energy consumption during shutdown
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 uninterrupted contactless transactions by allowing authentication to proceed even when the mobile device has low or no power, enhancing user experience by preventing transaction failures.
Implementation Method 1
Other contactless cards have no on-board power source but capture energy from a power source co-located with the point-of-sale terminal, for example from an electromagnetic field, and use the captured energy to power the on-board electronics and communication interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile device is provided. The mobile device comprises a card operable to validate an authentication input based on a stored authentication value and to provide financial information to an external point-of-sale system when the authentication input validates successfully. The mobile device further comprises a mobile application operable to promote the card operating in one of two operation modes. In the first operation mode, the card receives the authentication input via a component of the external point-of-sale system. In the second operation mode, the card receives the authentication input via a component of the mobile device.