Portable IC Card Power Management via Discontinuous Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Non-contact type IC cards face power supply issues due to insufficient current from antennas, leading to operation errors and processing interruptions when the charge is not fully charged, especially when using smoothing capacitors or battery chargers like EDLCs or secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

The IC card system incorporates a charge unit that induces current electromagnetically through an antenna, allowing for discontinuous processing execution based on stored processing execution information, providing intervals to manage power supply and prevent errors by restoring charge during non-processing periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If non-contact power supply is used via antenna, then portability and compactness are improved, but sufficient current supply for stable operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidoperation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary charging of the capacitor during intervals when processing is not executed. By accumulating charge in advance during low-power periods, the system ensures sufficient power is available when heavy-load processing needs to be executed, thus maintaining operation stability while using compact non-contact power supply.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system alternates between processing execution periods and charging intervals in a periodic manner. During charging intervals, the capacitor is recharged from the antenna; during processing periods, the stored charge is consumed to execute operations. This periodic alternation allows the compact capacitor to sustain heavy-load processing despite limited instantaneous power input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Productivity

If heavy-load processing is executed continuously, then productivity is improved, but power supply sufficiency deteriorates causing operation errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing throughputVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the continuous processing workload into discrete units that can be executed in intervals. Between these processing segments, charging intervals are inserted to replenish the capacitor. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high overall productivity while preventing power depletion that would cause operation errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the timing and duration of processing execution based on the charge state of the capacitor. When charge levels are sufficient, heavier or more processing is executed; when charge levels decrease, the system transitions to charging mode. This dynamic adaptation optimizes productivity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If processing execution intervals are extended, then charge restoration is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge sufficiencyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters (processing duration, interval length, power consumption levels) to optimize the balance between charge restoration and productivity. By adjusting these parameters based on capacitor capacity and charge rate, the system achieves sufficient charge restoration without excessive delays in processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach ensures stable operation by limiting processing to current levels available from non-contact power supply, preventing errors and allowing heavy-load processing to be completed without interruption by managing charge intervals effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a charge unit (18), and a first processor (151). The charge unit is configured to be charged by a current induced electromagnetically in the (coil-shaped) antenna.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3627395B1Portable electronic device
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3627395B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3627395B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3627395B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a portable electronic device includes an antenna (13), a charge unit (18), a memory (154), and a first processor (151). The charge unit is configured to be charged by a current induced electromagnetically in the antenna. The memory is configured to store processing execution information for discontinuously executing a plurality of processing. The first processor is configured to operate by a current from the charge unit, and discontinuously execute a plurality of processing by providing an interval based on the processing execution information.