Dual Reader Emulation for Universal Credential Consolidation

Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and confusion caused by the variety of credit and access cards, such as magnetic stripe, smart, and radio frequency cards, lead to a need for advanced systems and methods to simplify transactions and access control.

Innovation Solution

Systems and methods for emulating access credentials using an access credential reader and writer, capable of communicating with various interfaces, allowing information transfer between different types of credentials like smart cards, cell phones, and personal digital assistants, enabling a single 'universal' credential for multiple functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of access cards (magnetic stripe, smart card, radio frequency) are used for different purposes, then the functionality and versatility of access control is improved, but the device complexity and user confusion increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control functionalityVSAvoidcard variety complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access control reader is designed to universally read multiple card types (magnetic stripe, smart card, radio frequency) through a single interface, allowing one device to perform multiple functions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining versatility in card type support while eliminating the need for users to manage multiple separate reading devices, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a credential writer as an intermediary device that captures data from various card types and writes it to a single universal credential (such as a smartphone or RFID card). This mediator consolidates multiple credential functions into one device, resolving the contradiction by maintaining adaptability to different card formats while reducing the number of credentials users must carry and manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a single ubiquitous card type is selected and supported, then the ease of operation and user convenience is improved, but the adaptability to different card technologies is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcard technology compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The access control reader is designed to universally read multiple card types (magnetic stripe, smart card, radio frequency) through a single interface, allowing one device to perform multiple functions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining versatility in card type support while eliminating the need for users to manage multiple separate reading devices, thereby reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If credential emulation is implemented between different transaction devices, then the ease of operation is improved by consolidating credentials, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredential managementVSAvoidemulation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The credential writer captures data from an accessed credential and creates a copy that can be written to a target credential (such as a smartphone or RFID card). This copying mechanism allows users to consolidate multiple credentials into one device, improving ease of operation. The automation of the copy process minimizes user burden despite the underlying system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a credential writer as an intermediary device that captures data from various card types and writes it to a single universal credential (such as a smartphone or RFID card). This mediator consolidates multiple credential functions into one device, resolving the contradiction by maintaining adaptability to different card formats while reducing the number of credentials users must carry and manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8402521B2Systems and methods for dual reader emulation

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 XCEEDID CORP

AI summary

Systems and methods for emulating credentials are disclosed. In some cases, the systems include an access credential reader and an access credential writer. The access credential reader is communicably coupled to the access credential writer. The access credential reader is operable to receive information from an access credential, and to transfer at least a portion of the information to the access credential writer. The access credential writer is operable to transfer at least the portion of the information to an emulation access credential.