Contactless Card Orientation Detection via Electromagnetic Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Visually impaired and hearing-impaired individuals face challenges in orienting contactless cards correctly for transactions, as existing card readers do not provide adequate visual or auditory cues for orientation and proximity.
Innovation Solution
A contactless card equipped with sensors, card orientation indicator circuitry, and a processor that generates orientation signals based on proximity to a card reader's electromagnetic field, providing haptic, audio, or visual indications to assist users in aligning the card correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If card readers provide only visual and auditory indications, then the system remains simple, but visually impaired and hearing-impaired users cannot perceive orientation and proximity information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a haptic feedback mechanism as an intermediary between the card reader and the user. The card reader emits electromagnetic signals that interact with a sensor in the contactless card, and the card responds with haptic feedback through a vibrator. This intermediary haptic channel enables communication with visually impaired and hearing-impaired users without adding complex visual or auditory displays to the card reader itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces visual and auditory feedback mechanisms with a haptic feedback mechanism. Instead of using visual indicators (lights, displays) or auditory indicators (beeps, tones) that cannot be perceived by visually impaired and hearing-impaired users, the system uses tactile vibrations that can be felt through the card. This substitution enables accessibility while maintaining relative system simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If no orientation indication is provided, then the card reader remains simple, but users cannot determine correct card orientation leading to failed transactions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the card reader emits electromagnetic signals, the contactless card's sensor detects these signals and determines orientation based on signal strength variations, and the card's processor provides feedback through haptic vibrations. This feedback loop enables users to perceive correct card orientation without requiring complex visual or auditory indicators on the card reader.
Solution Approach 2:
The contactless card performs self-orientation determination using its own sensor and processor. The card independently analyzes the electromagnetic field signals from the card reader and calculates its orientation, then provides feedback through haptic mechanisms. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the card reader to provide complex orientation guidance while improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If no proximity indication is provided, then the card reader remains simple, but users cannot determine when the card is close enough for transaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback through haptic vibrations to indicate card proximity. The card reader's electromagnetic signal strength varies with distance, and the card's sensor detects these variations. The processor translates proximity information into haptic feedback patterns that inform users when the card is at the correct distance for transaction, eliminating the need for visual or auditory proximity indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes visual and auditory proximity indicators with haptic feedback. Instead of using lights or sounds to indicate when the card is close enough, the system uses tactile vibration patterns that can be perceived through the card, enabling users to understand proximity without adding complexity to the card reader's visual or auditory systems.
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
The solution enables visually and hearing-impaired users to perform contactless transactions more effectively by providing tactile and sensory feedback, ensuring correct card orientation and proximity to the card reader.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be operable to generate signals in response to being in close proximity to a source of an oscillating (or time-varying) electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a contactless card, and a system in which the contactless card may be used. The contactless card may include a chip component, a communication interface, processing circuitry, and electromagnetic field sensing circuitry. The electromagnetic field sensing circuitry of the contactless card may be operable to provide orientation signals to the processing circuitry when the contactless card is in proximity to an oscillating electromagnetic field output by a card reader device. The processing circuitry of the contactless card may be operable to receive the orientation signals. An orientation of the contactless card with respect to the mobile device may be determined. An orientation indication signal may be generated based on the determined orientation, and a haptic indication, an audio indication, a visual indication or a combination directing movement of the contactless card in a particular direction may be output.