Portable NFC Intermediary for Contactless Transaction Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Many mobile terminals lack a contactless module, preventing users from accessing services offered by contactless terminals, such as NFC services, especially when the terminal is not equipped with communication means adapted to the equipment or is not in close proximity.

Innovation Solution

A method of data transmission between a mobile terminal and a contactless terminal using a portable device that can receive data via a near-field communication channel, allowing the portable device to relay messages between the two even if the mobile terminal is not in direct communication range, and includes steps for obtaining and transmitting a confidential code for transaction validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mobile terminal uses near-field contactless communication directly with equipment, then communication security and transaction reliability are improved, but the terminal must be in close proximity (around ten centimeters) to the equipment which reduces ease of operation and increases risk of theft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable device as an intermediary between the mobile terminal and the contactless equipment. The portable device receives data from the mobile terminal via Bluetooth and transmits it to the equipment through NFC, enabling the transaction without requiring the mobile terminal to be in close proximity to the equipment. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining transaction reliability through NFC while improving ease of operation as the user can keep the terminal in their pocket or bag.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile terminal is equipped with a contactless module for direct communication with equipment, then service accessibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the portable device universal by equipping it with both Bluetooth and NFC communication capabilities. This allows the portable device to function as both a data receiver from the mobile terminal and a contactless transmitter to the equipment, enabling service accessibility for users whose terminals lack NFC functionality without requiring modification to those terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If confidential code is transmitted through the mobile terminal for validation, then transaction security is improved, but the risk of theft and unauthorized access increases when the terminal is not in user possession

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidrisk of theft
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device serves as a secure intermediary that holds and transmits the confidential code independently of the mobile terminal. The code is transmitted from the portable device to the equipment through NFC during the transaction, ensuring that the terminal itself does not need to contain or transmit sensitive authentication data, thereby reducing the risk associated with terminal theft.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3087543B1Transmission and processing of data relating to a contactless transaction
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 ORANGE SA
  • EP3087543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3087543B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3087543B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for transmitting and a method for processing data relating to a contactless transaction between a mobile terminal and an apparatus. The apparatus is capable of transmitting and receiving data via a contactless near-field communication channel. The transmission method includes: receiving first transaction data via the communication channel; transmitting the first transaction data via a communication link established with the mobile terminal; receiving, via the communication link, second transaction data generated by the mobile terminal; and transmitting the second data via the communication channel. The processing method includes receiving the first data and transmitting the second data via the communication link. A portable device and mobile terminal implementing the transmission method and the processing method are also provided.