Dual-Label Smart Card with Magnetic Shielding for Independent Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of electronic labels with near-field communication circuits is costly and wasteful due to the need for standard smart card formats, and there is ambiguity in personalizing multiple labels simultaneously using magnetic fields.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a card body containing two labels, each equipped with magnetic shielding means that allow independent personalization by applying a magnetic field to one face of the card body, ensuring that only one label is activated at a time, and the use of ferrite layers for magnetic shielding to prevent interference from metal surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If two electronic labels are formed in a single card body to reduce waste, then material utilization improves, but personalization accuracy deteriorates due to magnetic field interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial wasteVSAvoidpersonalization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The card body is divided into two distinct zones, each containing one electronic label. Magnetic shielding means are inserted between the zones to segment the magnetic field influence, ensuring that personalization of one label does not interfere with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Magnetic shielding means are introduced as intermediary elements between the two electronic labels. These shielding means block magnetic field lines, preventing cross-interference during personalization while allowing both labels to coexist in the same card body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If magnetic shielding means are added to enable independent personalization, then personalization accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonalization accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic shielding means are implemented as thin ferrite layers or foils that can be easily integrated into the card body structure. These thin film shields provide effective magnetic field blocking without adding significant thickness or structural complexity to the card.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The card body is constructed as a composite structure combining plastic material with ferrite magnetic shielding layers. This composite approach provides both mechanical support and magnetic field management in a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If standard smart card format is used to leverage existing production tools, then manufacturing ease improves, but material utilization deteriorates due to excess plastic waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction compatibilityVSAvoidplastic waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Two electronic labels are merged into a single card body, effectively doubling the useful output from each standard-sized card blank. This merging approach maintains compatibility with standard smart card production formats while minimizing waste by utilizing both sides of the card body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The card body serves multiple functions: it acts as a standard-sized substrate compatible with existing production equipment, provides structural support for two separate labels, and incorporates magnetic shielding to enable independent personalization. This multi-functionality maximizes the value extracted from each card body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Reduces production costs and material waste while ensuring accurate personalization of each label, allowing for secure contactless communication even on metal surfaces by isolating the magnetic field's influence.

Implementation Method 1

the first and second labels also include respective first and second magnetic shielding means placed respectively between a first face of the body and the first communications means and between a second face of the body and the second communications means in such a manner that applying the magnetic field to one of the faces of the body activates only one of the first and second communications means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the use of ferrite layers for magnetic shielding to prevent interference from metal surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8702006B2Microcircuit card body forming a medium for two electronic labels which activate indepently based on card body face

Publication Date: 2014.04.22 IDEMIA FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A microcircuit card body-based device with first and second electronic labels, the labels having respective first and second near-field electronic communications elements suitable for being activated by applying a magnetic field. The first and second labels also have respective first and second magnetic shielding elements placed, respectively, between a first face of the card body-based device and the first communications element and between a second face of the card body-based device and the second communications element in such a manner that applying the magnetic field to one of the faces of the body activates only one of the first and second communications elements.