NFC Antenna Coupling for Remote Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC radio systems in electronic devices lack a secure and convenient method for remote deactivation and activation, particularly when the device is retired, exchanged, or lost, posing security risks due to direct access concerns from financial institutions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows remote deactivation and activation of NFC radio systems through cellular wireless communication, using a coupling component to control the NFC radio antenna's functionality, enabling or disabling it based on messages received from a cellular radio transceiver, thereby preventing unauthorized transactions and maintaining security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If NFC radio system is always active for convenient transactions, then ease of operation is improved, but security risk increases when device is lost or retired
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC radio system transitions from a static always-on state to a dynamic state that can be remotely activated or deactivated. The coupling component selectively couples the NFC radio antenna to the transceiver based on received messages, enabling the system to adapt its operational state remotely to balance convenience and security.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling component is introduced as an intermediary between the NFC radio antenna and the transceiver. This intermediary controlled by cellular messages acts as a security gatekeeper, allowing the system to maintain operational readiness while preventing unauthorized access through remote deactivation capability.
2Reliability
If NFC antenna is permanently connected to transceiver for reliable communication, then reliability is improved, but ability to remotely deactivate is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling component provides a dynamic connection that can be selectively engaged or disengaged based on external control signals. This dynamic architecture maintains reliable communication when needed while enabling remote deactivation when security concerns arise, resolving the contradiction between permanent connectivity and remote control capability.
3Reliability
If NFC system requires financial institution involvement for deactivation, then security control is improved, but device complexity and user inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deactivation capability is extracted from the financial institution's domain and embedded directly into the mobile device's NFC system. The device can now autonomously deactivate its NFC radio system through cellular messages, eliminating the need for financial institution involvement while maintaining security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC system implements self-service deactivation capability, where the device autonomously responds to user needs for deactivation without requiring external financial institution intervention. The cellular radio transceiver and coupling component work together to provide this self-service security function.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile phone comprising a near field communication (NFC) radio transceiver; a near field communication radio antenna; and a coupling component that couples the near field communication radio antenna to the near field communication radio transceiver when selected to a first state and that decouples the near field communication radio antenna from the near field communication radio transceiver when selected to a second state.