NFC Coupling System Using Portable Carrier Emitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC-based contactless payment systems require a dedicated reader device with a large antenna to emit a wireless carrier signal, which is not feasible for merchants using portable electronic devices as POS systems, limiting their ability to function as NFC initiators for transactions.
Innovation Solution
A carrier emitting device generates a wireless carrier signal that allows a portable electronic device to function as both an NFC initiator and target, enabling communication between merchant and customer devices without the merchant device emitting its own signal, using hardware and software to modulate the carrier signal and switch between operational modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated reader device with a large antenna is used to emit a wireless carrier signal, then NFC communication capability is achieved, but device portability and simplicity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable signal generator device as an intermediary that emits the wireless carrier signal. The merchant's portable electronic device does not need to generate the signal itself but can function as an NFC initiator by coupling with the signal from the portable signal generator, enabling NFC transactions without requiring the merchant device to have a large antenna or emit signals independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable signal generator device serves multiple functions: it generates the wireless carrier signal at 13.56 MHz, enables the merchant's portable device to function as an NFC initiator, and maintains compatibility with standard NFC target devices. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing NFC capability without requiring the merchant device itself to be complex.
2Ease of operation
If a portable electronic device is used as a POS system, then portability and ease of operation are improved, but the ability to emit a wireless carrier signal for NFC transactions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The portable signal generator acts as a mediator that enables the portable electronic device to function as an NFC initiator without requiring the device itself to emit the carrier signal. The device couples with the signal from the portable generator and performs initiator functions, maintaining portability while achieving NFC transaction capability.
3Power
If a large antenna is implemented in the reader device, then wireless carrier signal emission is enabled, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the signal generation function from the merchant's portable electronic device and places it in a separate portable signal generator. This extraction allows the merchant device to remain small and simple while the signal generation capability exists in a dedicated component that can be proximity-coupled when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable signal generator serves as an intermediary that provides the wireless carrier signal without requiring the merchant's portable device to have a large antenna. The signal generator handles the power-intensive signal emission, while the merchant device remains compact and portable.
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
Enables NFC transactions between portable electronic devices and EMV chip cards or other NFC-capable devices, facilitating secure electronic payments and data exchange without the need for a dedicated reader device, extending the functionality of portable POS systems.
Implementation Method 1
When the contactless payment device is placed in close proximity to the reader, the two devices are inductively coupled via the wireless carrier signal
Implementation Method 2
The contactless payment device is able to modulate the wireless carrier signal, for example, by modifying a load that is placed across the antenna of the contactless payment device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for communicating data between two contactless contactless devices includes a carrier emitting device having a first antenna configured to transmit a wireless carrier signal. The system also has a first contactless device configured to operate in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the first contactless device functions as an initiator to initiate communication with a second contactless device, using the wireless carrier signal provided by the carrier emitting device. In the second mode, the first contactless device functions as a target device transmitting data in response to a signal from another contactless device. The first contactless device receives a selection of the first mode or the second mode.