Contactless IC Card Reader Transition Time Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless IC card readers face challenges in efficiently determining whether a contactless IC card is within communication range, leading to inefficient power consumption and operational mode switching.

Innovation Solution

A method and detection circuit that calculate and compare transition times of magnetic pulses during calibration and detection phases to determine the presence of a contactless IC card, allowing for accurate operation mode switching without the need for analog-to-digital converters or logic circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by stationary object

If traditional methods are used to detect contactless IC card presence, then communication range determination can be achieved, but power consumption increases and occupied area expands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication range determination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from amplitude comparison to transition time measurement. By measuring the transition time of magnetic pulse signals and comparing them against predetermined thresholds, the system accurately determines card presence and communication range without requiring complex analog-to-digital converters or extensive logic circuits, thereby reducing power consumption and occupied area while maintaining detection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential detection function from the overall system. By using simple transition time measurement and comparison logic rather than complex signal processing circuits, the invention removes unnecessary components (such as analog-to-digital converters and extensive logic gates), reducing both the occupied area and power consumption while preserving the core detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If complex detection circuits with analog-to-digital converters are used, then detection accuracy improves, but occupied area increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidoccupied area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex components including analog-to-digital converters and extensive logic circuits from the detection system. By extracting only the essential transition time measurement and comparison functions, the design achieves detection accuracy without requiring large areas for complex circuitry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex electronic signal processing mechanisms with a simpler time-based measurement approach. Instead of using analog-to-digital conversion and complex logic circuits to analyze signal characteristics, the system measures transition times and compares them against predetermined thresholds, significantly reducing the occupied area while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If continuous monitoring is performed to determine card presence, then response time improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring of transition times rather than continuous monitoring. The system measures transition times at specific intervals and compares them against predetermined thresholds to determine card presence, achieving fast response while reducing power consumption by avoiding continuous operation of complex detection circuits

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

This approach reduces occupied area and power consumption while enabling efficient communication with contactless IC cards by accurately determining the card's presence and switching modes based on transition time comparisons.

Implementation Method 1

calculating a first transition time of at least one first magnetic pulse during a first transition interval... calculating a second transition time of a second magnetic pulse during a second transition interval... determining whether a contactless IC card is within a communication range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9218518B2Method of operating contactless IC card reader, detection circuit of contactless IC card reader, contactless IC card reader and card system including the same

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of operating a contactless integrated circuit (IC) card reader includes calculating a first transition time of at least one first magnetic pulse during a first transition interval and calculating a second transition time of a second magnetic pulse during a second transition interval. The first transition time is calculated in a calibration phase, and the second transition time is calculated in a detection phase. A contactless IC card is determined to be within a communication rage of the reader based on a comparison of the first and second transition times.