Mobile Device Smart Card Emulation for Secure Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of producing, distributing, and maintaining smart card readers and smart cards, as well as the risk of unauthorized access and environmental impact from non-biodegradable waste, are significant challenges in existing smart card security systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize mobile devices to emulate smart card transactions by recognizing communications from mobile devices as those from smart card readers, enabling secure authentication and transactions through secure wireless protocols and smart card emulation applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional smart card readers and smart cards are used for security authentication, then authentication security is maintained, but production and distribution costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidproduction and distribution cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the smart card reader functionality within the mobile device. The emulation layer replicates the behavior and communication protocols of a physical smart card reader, allowing the mobile device to function as a smart card reader without requiring actual smart card hardware. This copying approach maintains authentication security while eliminating the need for expensive physical smart card readers and cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical smart card reader system with a software-based emulation system running on the mobile device. Instead of using physical smart card readers that require hardware installation and maintenance, the system uses software emulation that leverages the mobile device's existing processing capabilities, communication interfaces, and security features to perform smart card transactions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If smart card readers and smart cards are distributed widely, then authentication capability is improved, but security risks from stolen cards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidsecurity risk from stolen cards

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By emulating smart card reader functionality in software rather than distributing physical smart cards, the system eliminates the security risk associated with stolen physical cards. The authentication capability is maintained through the emulation layer that can be securely implemented in the mobile device's software environment, without the physical security vulnerabilities of distributed smart cards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of authentication from physical card-based authentication to software-based emulation authentication. This parameter change transforms the security model from one vulnerable to physical theft to one that relies on software security measures, including encryption, authentication protocols, and mobile device security features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If physical smart cards and readers are used, then authentication transactions can be conducted, but environmental harm from non-biodegradable waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication transaction capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental harm from waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the physical smart card and reader hardware system with a software-based emulation system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical smart cards made from non-biodegradable materials and the electronic components of smart card readers, thereby reducing environmental harm from electronic waste and non-biodegradable materials while maintaining full authentication transaction capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of manufacture

If mobile devices emulate smart card readers, then costs and security risks are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost reductionVSAvoidemulation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages the universal capabilities already present in mobile devices, such as wireless communication interfaces, processing power, and existing security features, to perform smart card reader emulation. By using the mobile device's existing multi-functional components for this additional purpose, the system avoids adding significant complexity while achieving cost reduction through the elimination of dedicated smart card reader hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8990572B2Methods and systems for conducting smart card transactions

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 DAON TECH

AI summary

A method for conducting smart card transactions is provided that includes causing a computer to recognize communications from a mobile device as communications from a smart card reader containing a smart card, and conducting a smart card transaction in accordance with smart card security techniques with the mobile device.