Electrophoretic Token Display With Capacitor-Powered Data Refresh

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing physical security tokens require significant effort and time to update authentication details, posing security risks during the transition period, and continuous power consumption leads to bulky designs unsuitable for some applications.

Innovation Solution

A capacitor-powered electrophoretic display system that updates authentication data after each communication session, using a capacitor to store energy for display updates without continuous power, enabling a smaller form factor and enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If continuous power is supplied to update authentication data on physical tokens, then authentication data can be frequently updated, but the token size increases due to battery requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication data freshnessVSAvoidtoken size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system updates authentication data periodically based on communication sessions rather than continuously. The electrophoretic display only requires power during update moments, not continuously, allowing the token to remain compact without a large battery while still providing frequent authentication data updates when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power consumption parameter by using an electrophoretic display that consumes power only during state transitions (updates) rather than continuously. This allows the token to maintain small size while enabling frequent authentication data updates by leveraging the display's inherent ability to hold static images without power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If physical tokens are issued with updated authentication data, then security is improved, but time and cost increase due to manufacturing and delivery processes

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidtoken update time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The token autonomously updates its own authentication data through communication sessions with terminals without requiring manual intervention, shipping, or replacement by authorities. The token self-refreshes authentication data based on session completion, eliminating the time and logistical overhead of traditional physical token replacement while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs authentication data updates automatically after communication sessions complete, preparing updated data in advance for future use. This preliminary updating action ensures security is maintained without requiring reactive token replacement processes that consume time and resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If electrophoretic display is used to display token data, then power consumption is reduced, but the display can only be updated when power is available

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay update flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electrophoretic display is updated periodically at communication session boundaries rather than continuously or on-demand. This periodic update strategy reduces power consumption while maintaining operational flexibility, as the display only consumes power during brief update moments and then maintains the display state without power using its inherent memory property.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system provides secure, frequent updates of authentication details, mitigating misuse and theft, while maintaining a compact size and reducing power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitor that may be configured to receive power from a terminal, store power, and provide power to components of the token

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electrophoretic display that may be configured to present token data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS12483413B2Token for generating and displaying updated authenticated token data on an electrophoretic display

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

In certain embodiments, token data may be generated, updated, and presented on a token display of a token. In some embodiments, a communication session may be initiated between a token and a terminal. Authentication data stored on the token may be replaced with updated authentication data. Updated token data may be generated based on updated authentication data. The token data on an electrophoretic display may be replaced with the updated token data.