Metal Chip Card Dual Interface Active RF Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chip cards with metal bodies face challenges in maintaining good radiofrequency communication quality due to shielding effects, especially when the metal face is oriented towards the reader, failing to meet EMVCo standards and lacking differentiation from plastic cards.
Innovation Solution
A chip card design featuring a mainly metal body with a microelectronic module and active communication circuit powered by a battery, housed in cavities within the card, which emits a carrier signal to establish active radiofrequency communication independent of the reader's signal amplitude, using two metal sheets with through-cutouts and blind cavities for the module and battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a metal layer is placed on one face of the card to provide metallic appearance and weight, then the card achieves differentiation from plastic cards, but the radiofrequency communication quality deteriorates due to shielding effect when the metal face is oriented towards the reader
Solution Approach 1:
The card body is divided into two separate metal sheets (first and second metal sheets) with the electronic module positioned between them. This segmentation allows the metal layers to be distributed on opposite faces of the card, reducing the shielding effect on radiofrequency communication while maintaining metallic appearance on both sides.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from having metal on only one face (2D surface coverage) to having metal sheets on both faces of the card (3D spatial distribution). By placing metal sheets on opposite sides of the electronic module, the card achieves metallic appearance from multiple dimensions while allowing radiofrequency signals to pass through the gaps between the sheets.
2Reliability
If a metal insert is placed between two outer plastic sheets to maintain radiofrequency communication quality, then communication reliability improves, but the card loses direct metallic visibility and perception from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing metal inside plastic sheets (plastic-metal-plastic structure), the invention inverts the approach by making the card body itself consist of metal sheets (metal-metal structure with electronic module in between). This inversion allows the metal to be directly visible on the card surfaces while maintaining communication quality through proper spacing and module positioning.
3Shape
If the card body is made entirely of metal to maximize metallic appearance and weight, then differentiation from plastic cards is maximized, but radiofrequency communication becomes impossible due to complete shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The metal sheets are designed with specific local characteristics: they have cutouts and openings positioned to expose the antenna and electronic module areas. This local modification of metal coverage allows radiofrequency communication to occur through these openings while maintaining metallic appearance in other areas of the card.
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
Ensures consistent and high-quality radiofrequency communication regardless of card orientation, meets EMVCo standards, and provides a distinct, heavy, metallic appearance while simplifying production and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna intended for radiofrequency communication with the antenna of a remote reader, characterized in that the electronic module comprises an active communication circuit supplied with power by a battery located in the chip card and configured to generate a carrier signal capable of interacting with the carrier signal emitted by a remote contactless reader
Implementation Method 2
an active communication circuit supplied with power by a battery located in the chip card
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a chip card with a dual, contactless and contact-based communication interface, comprising a card body made up of two metal sheets and an electronic module provided with a terminal block and an antenna designed for radio-frequency communication with the antenna of a remote reader. The electronic module includes an active communication circuit powered by a battery in the chip card, and configured to generate a carrier signal capable of interacting with the carrier signal emitted by a remote contactless reader in order to establish active radio-frequency communication between the chip card and the remote reader.