NFC Controller Dynamic Stack Loading for Memory-Limited Payments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC architectures face limitations in memory space within the NFC controller circuit, restricting the ability to support a multitude of new payment applications from different credit card companies.
Innovation Solution
Implement a trigger function in the NFC controller circuit that observes specific trigger events, allowing it to request and temporarily download necessary software stacks from the host controller circuit for processing, utilizing a reserved memory area for these stacks, thereby optimizing memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple software stacks are permanently stored in the NFC controller circuit to support various payment applications, then the ability to process different applications is improved, but the memory space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the software stacks from permanent storage in the NFC controller circuit and relocates them to the host controller circuit's memory. The NFC controller circuit maintains only a small buffer for temporary storage during operation, while the host controller circuit stores the complete software stacks. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for permanent storage of multiple software stacks in the NFC controller circuit, thereby reducing memory space requirements while maintaining the ability to process various payment applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the host controller circuit as an intermediary that stores the software stacks and provides them to the NFC controller circuit only when needed. The host controller circuit acts as a mediator between the application layer and the NFC controller, supplying software stacks on demand rather than requiring permanent storage in the NFC controller circuit. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by decoupling the storage requirement from the NFC controller circuit.
2Speed
If the NFC controller circuit stores software stacks permanently to handle trigger events, then the responsiveness to trigger events is improved, but the memory space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the host controller circuit pre-load the necessary software stacks into the NFC controller circuit's buffer before trigger events occur. The system maintains a small buffer in the NFC controller circuit for immediate processing, while the host controller circuit ensures the buffer contains the required software stacks in advance. This resolves the contradiction by providing fast responsiveness through pre-loaded software while avoiding permanent storage of multiple stacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the software stack storage dynamic rather than static. Instead of permanently storing multiple software stacks in the NFC controller circuit, the system dynamically loads and unloads software stacks from the host controller circuit's memory into the NFC controller circuit's buffer based on trigger events. This dynamic approach maintains responsiveness while minimizing memory space consumption in the NFC controller circuit.
Data Source
AI summary
A device that processes a Near Field Communication type application is provided. The device includes a host controller circuit and a NFC controller circuit. The host controller circuit processes a host driver that communicates based on a first interface protocol (NCI) with a first transmission module. The NFC controller circuit includes a controller soft driver that interfaces with the first transmission module. The NFC controller circuit further includes a reserved memory area and is built to process a trigger function that observes at least one trigger event and activates the download of a stack of software linked to the triggered event from the host controller circuit via a second interface protocol into the reserved memory area. The NFC controller circuit processes the stack of software stored in the reserved memory area to react on the trigger event.