Flat Coil Conductive Pattern for Magnetic Stripe POS Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices equipped with credit card functions often struggle to be recognized by traditional magnetic stripe POS terminals, as they are designed for NFC or barcode-based transactions, limiting compatibility with various reading methods.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a conductive pattern forming a flat coil that generates a magnetic field, allowing it to be recognized by magnetic reading type POS terminals, and includes a communication circuit to transmit transaction information using NFC or MST, enabling compatibility with multiple transaction methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an electronic device generates strong magnetic fields for magnetic stripe compatibility, then it achieves recognition by magnetic POS terminals, but it may interfere with NFC communication and increase energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic stripe terminal recognitionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive pattern is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the device to generate magnetic fields only when needed for magnetic stripe transactions. The communication circuit can selectively activate the magnetic field generation function based on the transaction type, avoiding continuous operation and reducing energy consumption while maintaining compatibility with magnetic POS terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Force

If the conductive pattern uses a traditional multi-turn coil structure, then it generates sufficient magnetic field strength, but it increases device thickness and manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidcoil structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a traditional three-dimensional multi-turn coil structure, the patent creates a two-dimensional conductive pattern that copies the essential function of generating magnetic fields. This planar spiral pattern produces magnetic flux through its loop structure, effectively emulating the magnetic field generation of traditional coils while being suitable for integration into thin electronic device form factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a three-dimensional coil structure to a two-dimensional conductive pattern. By arranging conductive traces in a planar spiral configuration on a substrate, the design achieves magnetic field generation in a flattened geometry, reducing device thickness and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining functional equivalence to traditional coils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device can seamlessly transmit transaction information to POS terminals using magnetic flux, NFC, or MST, enhancing compatibility and usability across different transaction methods.

Implementation Method 1

a conductive pattern that is arranged within the housing and is formed to generate a magnetic field (e.g. when excited with a suitable electric current)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a plate that forms at least a part of a first surface of the housing and includes a material that at least partially transmits the magnetic field generated by the conductive pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field transmission: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a communication circuit that is configured to transmit at least one transaction information to an external device by using the conductive pattern (for example by exciting the conductive pattern with a suitably arranged current)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3048666B1Electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3048666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3048666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may include a housing, a conductive pattern that is arranged within the housing and is formed to generate a magnetic field, a plate that forms at least a part of a first surface of the housing and includes a material that at least partially transmits the magnetic field generated by the conductive pattern, and a communication circuit that is configured to transmit at least one transaction information to an external device by using the conductive pattern. The conductive pattern may include a first end that is electrically connected to the communication circuit, a second end that is electrically connected to the communication circuit, and a coil that is connected between the first end and the second end and includes a plurality of turns that are substantially parallel to a surface of the plate.