IC Card Reader Dual Interface Switching for Contact Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IC card readers are limited in their ability to read data from IC cards using both contact and contactless communication modes, and they lack flexibility to switch between these modes in case of communication failures due to contact errors or abnormal insertions.
Innovation Solution
An IC card reader comprising a first interface unit for contact communication, a second interface unit for contactless communication, and a control unit that controls both to read data from the IC chip using the first interface unit that receives a response message, allowing for seamless switching between modes in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an IC card reader uses only contact type communication mode, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability decreases when contact errors or abnormal insertions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both contact type interface unit and contactless type interface unit into a single IC card reader device. This merging allows the system to switch between communication modes seamlessly, improving reliability by providing backup communication paths while maintaining a unified device structure that manages both interface types through a single control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The IC card reader is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating both contact type and contactless type communication capabilities. The control unit manages multiple interface units that can operate in different communication modes, allowing the single device to handle various card types and communication scenarios, thereby improving reliability without requiring separate dedicated readers for each mode.
2Reliability
If an IC card reader attempts communication in both contact and contactless modes simultaneously, then the reliability improves, but the communication time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by attempting contact type communication first, which is generally faster and more reliable for properly inserted cards. Only if this preliminary attempt fails does the system proceed to contactless communication mode. This preliminary action approach reduces average communication time while maintaining high reliability through the fallback mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication mode selection is dynamic rather than static or simultaneous. The control unit adaptively switches between contact and contactless modes based on real-time communication success or failure. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize communication time by using the fastest successful mode while ensuring reliability through automatic mode switching.
3Productivity
If the IC card reader uses contact type communication mode, then the data reading speed is fast, but the adaptability decreases when contact errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that manages both contact type and contactless type interface units. It monitors communication status and automatically switches between modes, serving as a mediator that preserves fast data reading speeds through contact mode when available while providing adaptability through contactless mode when contact errors occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters by switching between contact and contactless modes based on detected errors or card insertion status. When contact mode proves ineffective, the control unit changes the communication parameter to contactless mode, maintaining productivity by preserving fast data access while improving adaptability to handle various error conditions and card types.
Data Source
AI summary
An IC card reader may comprise a first interface unit that communicates with an IC chip of an IC card by using a first communication mode, a second interface unit that communicates with the IC chip by using a second communication mode, and a control unit that controls the first and second interface units, and reads data from the IC chip through an interface unit, which first receives a response message from the IC chip, between the first and second interface units.