External Contactless Antenna Layout for Secure POS Tap Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing point-of-sale (POS) terminals with contactless payment capabilities face usability issues due to the fixed placement of the NFC antenna, which can be difficult for users to locate, and existing solutions that separate the antenna from the terminal introduce security risks by requiring additional encryption and components.
Innovation Solution
A secure arrangement that includes an external contactless card reader with a short-distance communication antenna connected to the POS terminal via a feed line, allowing the antenna to be positioned freely while keeping the signal conversion and digitization within a secure area, thus avoiding additional encryption and maintaining security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the NFC antenna is integrated into the POS terminal, then security is maintained, but the tap zone is difficult to reach and locate for users
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: an external antenna unit with the short-distance communication antenna and a POS terminal with the secure controller. The antenna unit can be positioned independently to improve user accessibility while the terminal maintains security functions.
Solution Approach 2:
A feed line acts as an intermediary connection between the external antenna unit and the POS terminal. This allows the antenna to be physically separated from the terminal while maintaining signal transmission, resolving the conflict between accessibility and security.
2Ease of operation
If the antenna is separated from the terminal to improve accessibility, then user convenience is improved, but security risks increase due to additional encryption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is extracted from the POS terminal and placed in a separate external unit. This allows the antenna to be positioned for optimal user accessibility while the secure controller and A/D converter remain within the secure area of the terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed line serves as a secure intermediary that transmits the analogue signal from the external antenna to the secure area of the terminal without requiring additional encryption, as the signal remains in analogue form until it reaches the secure A/D converter.
3Reliability
If additional security components and encryption are added to support external antenna, then security is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external antenna unit is designed as a simple, low-cost component without secure elements or encryption hardware. The security functions are concentrated in the existing terminal, allowing the antenna unit to be manufactured cheaply and replaced if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Security-critical components (secure controller, A/D converter) are extracted and confined to the secure area of the terminal, while the antenna unit contains only passive or simple active components. This separation eliminates the need for additional security components in the antenna unit, reducing overall cost.
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
Enhances user convenience by allowing flexible placement of the tap zone while ensuring secure data transmission without additional costs or security risks, adhering to PCI standards by keeping the digital signal within a tamper-proof secure area.
Implementation Method 1
the external contactless card reader comprising a short-distance communication antenna configured for converting an electromagnetic signal comprising card data, received from a contactless payment card, into an analogue signal
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for performing secure contactless payments are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an external contactless card reader, including a first short-distance communication antenna, connected to a card reader terminal using a feed line. The first short-distance communication antenna is configured to convert an electromagnetic signal including data received from a contactless payment card into an analog signal. The card reader terminal includes a short-distance receiver circuit and a secure controller, both located within a secure area, and a second short-distance communication antenna, wherein the first and second short-distance communication antennas are connected via separate paths to the short-distance receiver circuit. An example method includes receiving an electromagnetic signal including card data via a short-distance communication antenna in an external contactless card reader, converting the electromagnetic signal into an analog signal and transferring the analog signal to a card reader terminal.