IoT Credit Card Tracking System with Secure Hub Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT systems face challenges in efficiently managing and securing data transmission between IoT devices and hubs, especially when devices are out of range, and in securely authenticating and tracking users across different locations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an IoT platform with a hub-and-device architecture that uses low-power wireless communication, secure key exchange protocols, and embedded secure communication modules in devices like credit cards to enable secure data transmission and user tracking, allowing devices to connect through intermediaries and securely authenticate transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If IoT devices use low-power wireless communication to extend battery life, then energy consumption is reduced, but communication range and data transmission reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a credit card-sized intermediary device containing IoT module as a mediator between users and the IoT system. This device maintains continuous connection to the hub via low-power communication while being able to establish temporary high-power connections with smartphones for data transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between low-power operation and reliable communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different communication modes: low-power wireless communication for continuous hub connection and location tracking, and high-power Wi-Fi/Bluetooth for reliable data transmission when a smartphone is nearby. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by using the appropriate power level for each communication task.
2Ease of operation
If IoT devices are made small and portable like credit cards, then user portability and convenience are improved, but device complexity and security implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The credit card-sized device serves multiple functions: it acts as a location tracker, authentication credential, communication relay, and user profile storage. By consolidating these functions into a single universal device, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining portability and security.
Solution Approach 2:
The credit card device serves as a security intermediary that handles authentication and encryption operations, allowing the main IoT hub to focus on data processing while the card handles security protocols. This separation of security functions simplifies implementation in the constrained card environment.
3Measurement precision
If the system continuously tracks user location using IoT modules, then user tracking accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous tracking, the system uses periodic location updates triggered by specific events (e.g., when the credit card is swiped or when a smartphone connection is established). This periodic action maintains tracking accuracy for relevant moments while dramatically reducing energy consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The credit card device autonomously manages its own location tracking by maintaining a persistent low-power connection to the hub and automatically updating its position when moved or when communication opportunities arise, eliminating the need for continuous active scanning and reducing overall system energy consumption.
4Reliability
If secure key exchange protocols are implemented in credit card-sized devices, then data security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex security processing from the credit card device and relocates it to the more powerful IoT hub and smartphone. The card itself contains only minimal encryption credentials and authentication logic, while heavy cryptographic operations are performed remotely, thus maintaining security without increasing card complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The credit card serves as a secure intermediary that stores encrypted credentials and performs lightweight authentication, while the actual key exchange and decryption operations are mediated through the hub and smartphone. This division of security responsibilities maintains strong security while keeping the card device simple and manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus and method are described embedding an IoT device within a credit card of a user. For example, one embodiment of an Internet of Things (IoT) credit card system comprises: a plurality of IoT hubs located within stores; an IoT device embedded within a credit card, the IoT device comprising a battery and a secure communication module to communicate with the IoT hubs; an IoT service to receive location data related to the IoT hubs to which the IoT device has connected, the location data usable to determine the stores and/or locations within stores visited by the user; and a database within the IoT service to store an indication of the stores visited by the user and/or the locations within stores visited by the user.