NFC Controller Routing for Multiple Security Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NFC mobile phones with multiple security elements (SEs) face space limitations in their routing tables when trying to route requests to all capable SEs simultaneously, leading to inefficient handling and user experience issues.

Innovation Solution

A routing method and NFC controller design that allows an NFC device with multiple SEs to receive requests, search a routing table for a matching SE, and if not found, send the request to all other SEs, with the option to store preferred SE routes for future direct routing, thereby optimizing table space usage and user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If AIDs of all SEs are written into the routing table for direct routing, then routing speed is improved, but routing table space is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting speedVSAvoidrouting table space

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The routing table is segmented into two parts: a first routing table storing AID-SE correspondence relationships for direct routing, and a second routing table storing SE status information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain fast direct routing for known SEs while using the second table to manage and track the status of all SEs, thereby resolving the space limitation without sacrificing routing speed for commonly accessed SEs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a status table that pre-stores information about which SEs are currently active and their statuses. Before routing occurs, the NFC controller checks this pre-prepared status information to determine which SEs are available, eliminating the need to store all possible AID-SE mappings in advance and reducing the routing table space requirement while maintaining efficient routing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If routing table space is reduced to store fewer AIDs, then space usage is optimized, but routing accuracy for unknown SEs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting table spaceVSAvoidrouting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A status table acts as an intermediary between the reduced first routing table and the SEs. When an AID needs to be routed, the system first checks the status table to determine which SEs are active, then uses the first routing table for direct matching, and finally broadcasts to SEs whose status indicates they might handle the request. This intermediary mechanism ensures routing accuracy is maintained even with a reduced routing table.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of storing complete AID-SE mappings for all possible SEs (excessive action), the system stores only essential routing information in the first routing table (partial action) and complements it by broadcasting to multiple SEs based on status information when exact matches are not found. This partial action approach maintains reliability while optimizing space usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If direct routing to all SEs is implemented, then routing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting efficiencyVSAvoidrouting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing system is segmented into multiple components with distinct functions: a first routing table for direct lookups, a second routing table for status information, and a status check mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simpler and more specialized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high routing efficiency through the combination of direct routing for known SEs and status-based routing for others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If all SEs are monitored for status changes, then routing reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously monitoring all SEs (excessive action), the system performs partial monitoring by checking SE status information stored in the second routing table only when routing decisions need to be made. The status information is updated and maintained, but active monitoring is performed selectively rather than continuously, reducing energy consumption while maintaining routing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11115081B2Routing method for multiple security elements, NFC controller and NFC device

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 ZTE CORP

AI summary

Disclosed are a routing method for multiple security elements (SEs), an NFC controller and an NFC device. The NFC device includes at least three SEs capable of working simultaneously; after receiving a request from an external device for accessing an NFC application, the NFC controller searches a routing table for an SE to be routed according to an AID carried in the request; and in a case where the SE is not found, the request is sent to all other SEs in the NFC device except the part of SEs.