Electronic Entity Contact Remote Communication Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic entities, such as microcircuit cards, face challenges in preventing unintended data exchange during contactless communication, particularly with confidential information, as previous solutions like switches or capacitive switches are not fully effective and increase manufacturing costs, and lack flexibility in controlling access to contactless communication modes.

Innovation Solution

An electronic entity with means to manage data exchange through contact or remote communication by using activation information to authorize or inhibit data transmission/reception, allowing separation of data exchange operations on a temporal plane, and enabling configuration during personalization to control remote communication usage without modifying existing circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If contactless communication means are used, then practicality is improved (no precise positioning necessary), but security is worsened (risk of untimely data exchange)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepracticalityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring prior activation of the contactless communication mode through a switch or capacitive switch before any data exchange can occur. This preliminary activation step ensures that the user intentionally enables the contactless mode, preventing unintended data exchange while maintaining the convenience of contactless operation when properly activated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a switch is added to the electronic entity to control contactless communication, then security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the mechanical switch from the electronic entity and replacing it with a capacitive switch that is integrated into the existing circuit structure. This extraction of the physical switch element reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the security function of controlling contactless communication activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a switch is added to control contactless communication, then security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the mechanical switch from the electronic entity and replacing it with a capacitive switch that is integrated into the existing circuit structure. This extraction of the physical switch element reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining the security function of controlling contactless communication activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If capacitive switch is used instead of mechanical switch, then reliability is improved, but security control flexibility is worsened (lack of password protection)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidsecurity control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the security control mechanism adaptable and configurable. The system can dynamically adjust its security requirements based on the communication mode and data sensitivity. This allows the capacitive switch solution to be enhanced with optional password protection or other security measures depending on the specific application requirements, thereby achieving both reliability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1907993B2Electronic entity with contact and remote communication means
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 IDEMIA FRANCE SAS
  • EP1907993B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1907993B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns an electronic entity comprising contact communication means (4) and remote communication means (6). Means (2, K) are also provided to authorize an exchange of certain data at least via the remote communication means based on the prior reception of an instruction via the contact communication means. The invention also concerns a terminal for communication with such an electronic entity as well as methods for controlling and for customizing said electronic entity.