Contactless Payment Security via Scrambling Radio Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contactless communication objects, such as cards, are vulnerable to accidental or fraudulent use due to lack of security measures, and existing solutions require modifications to the electronic circuit or the use of biometric readers, which are costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A protection device that generates scrambling radio waves in response to signals from a contactless reader, using a smart circuit with radio receiving and emission means, and switching mechanisms controlled by authentication means to validate or invalidate the scrambling signal, ensuring secure communication without altering the object's circuit layout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless communication objects are enabled automatically upon passing in the reader's range area, then communication convenience is improved, but security against fraudulent or accidental use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device performs preliminary authentication actions before enabling communication. The device stores authentication data and performs verification in advance, controlling the switching means to enable communication only after successful authentication, thus preventing fraudulent use while maintaining convenience for authorized users
Solution Approach 2:
The protection device acts as an intermediary between the contactless communication object and the terminal. It intercepts communication signals, performs authentication, and controls whether the communication object should respond to the terminal, thereby securing the communication without affecting the user experience
2Reliability
If biometric readers are added to secure payment cards, then security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex biometric readers, the invention uses a simplified authentication approach that copies the essential security function. The protection device stores authentication data and performs verification using basic radio frequency communication, achieving security without the need for complex biometric hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential security function from complex biometric systems. By taking out only the core authentication requirement and implementing it through simple stored data verification, the solution maintains security while dramatically reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If scrambling signals are emitted continuously to protect against fraud, then security is improved, but energy consumption worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device emits scrambling signals periodically rather than continuously. The switching means controls the emission based on authentication results and communication timing, activating scrambling only when needed for protection, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining security effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The scrambling signal emission is made dynamic rather than static. The device adjusts scrambling emission based on real-time conditions such as authentication status, presence of unauthorized terminals, and communication requirements, optimizing the balance between security and energy consumption
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
Provides secure protection against accidental or fraudulent use of contactless communication objects by creating a virtual wall between the object and the reader, preventing unauthorized access without the need for circuit modifications or biometric readers, while allowing authorized use by identified users.
Implementation Method 1
radio receiving means for radio signals emitted by a contactless reader or terminal... the first received signals generating the power for operating the protection device
Implementation Method 2
a circuit of the protection device generating a scrambling signal to be emitted by emission means of the protection device as scrambling radio waves
Data Source
AI summary
The protection device (1) avoids accidental or fraudulent intrusion of at least one contactless communication object (3) with a smart circuit (31, 32) storing sensitive information or information giving access to services, the electronic circuit of the protected object remaining unchanged, notably by means (13) for receiving radio signals (S22) in a range of frequencies of the order of one megahertz to a few tens of megahertz, the received radio signals generating the operating power for enabling a circuit (11) generating a scrambling signal to be emitted by emission means (14) of the protection device as scrambling radio waves (S21) and switching means (12) validating or invalidating the operation of the generator of the scrambling signal of the protection device.