NFC Contactless Card AR Display Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing card security measures are inadequate as they rely on printed card information that can be easily stolen or compromised, especially with the proliferation of image capturing devices at payment terminals.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a contactless card system that uses NFC-based authentication to display sensitive card information, such as account number, card verification value, and expiration date, in augmented reality (AR) only after successful user authentication, and allowing users to interact with this information to enhance security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If card information is printed on the card, then user convenience is improved, but card security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcard security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts sensitive card information from the physical card surface by removing printed card numbers, CVV, and expiration dates. Instead, these details are stored in a database and retrieved digitally through NFC authentication, eliminating the security vulnerability of printed information while maintaining user access convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a digital intermediary system consisting of a database and mobile application that mediates between the physical card and the sensitive information. When a user taps their card, the system retrieves and displays card details through the app, acting as a secure intermediary that prevents direct exposure of sensitive data on the card itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If no card information is printed on the card, then card security is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard securityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service system where the mobile application automatically retrieves and displays card information through NFC authentication. Users simply tap their card to access details, perform transactions, or share card information, eliminating the need for manual entry or physical card handling while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the state of card information from static printed text to dynamic digital data. Card details are stored encrypted in a database and retrieved on-demand through authenticated NFC interactions, allowing the information to appear or disappear based on user needs and security requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If card information is displayed in AR, then user familiarity is maintained, but information theft risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser familiarityVSAvoidinformation theft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes card information display dynamic rather than static. AR overlay and digital display of card details are controlled by authentication state and user interaction - information appears only when needed and can be hidden or obscured at any time, creating a dynamic security model that adapts to user actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where card information display is contingent on authenticated user actions. The mobile app provides feedback through AR overlay or digital display only after successful NFC authentication, and users can control visibility through interactions like scanning QR codes or confirming transactions, creating a feedback-loop security system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 provides a highly secure and convenient method for accessing card information without printed sensitive details, preventing theft and maintaining user familiarity with conventional card usage while adding layers of authentication and verification.

Implementation Method 1

a NFC reader coil configured to detect a tap of the contactless card by the user, wherein the tap of the contactless card by the user initiates near-field communication (NFC) between the contactless card and the mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-field communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20240338538A1Augmented reality information display and interaction via NFC based authentication

Publication Date: 2024.10.10 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments are generally directed to improving card security by providing a user a contactless card with no sensitive card information, such as card number, card verification value, and expiration date, printed thereon, and displaying the sensitive card information relative to the card in augmented reality (AR) based on successful NFC-based user authentication. According to examples, the NFC-based user authentication may be performed by one-tapping or single tapping the contactless card to user mobile device. One or more portions of the sensitive card information may be obfuscated to further enhance card security. Moreover, the user can interact with AR elements including the sensitive card information to perform various actions.