NFC Secure Element Common Application for Service Provider Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing NFC system is cumbersome for end-users, requiring multiple applications from different service providers and complex configuration, which hinders seamless NFC service adoption and increases testing, certification, and lifecycle management costs.

Innovation Solution

A common application and database are integrated into a user terminal's secure element, allowing multiple service providers to share resources and enabling secure communication with NFC readers, simplifying data management and authentication through a unified interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service provider applications are installed in the user terminal for NFC services, then service coverage and versatility are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidapplication management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple service provider applications into a single common application framework. The secure element contains a unified application structure where multiple service providers can register their services, eliminating the need for users to install and manage separate applications for each service provider while maintaining access to diverse NFC services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common application in the secure element is designed to be universal, supporting multiple service providers through a standardized interface. This single application structure can handle various NFC services from different providers, making the system multi-functional without requiring multiple separate applications.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple service provider applications are installed for NFC services, then service versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to configuration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidconfiguration simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service through automatic service discovery and selection. When an NFC service is needed, the common application automatically discovers available services from different providers and selects the appropriate one without requiring user configuration. The service selection and configuration happens transparently in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The common application acts as an intermediary between the user terminal and multiple service providers. It manages the complexity of service configuration and selection, presenting a simplified interface to users while handling the intricate details of communicating with different service providers through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications from different service providers are used, then service coverage is improved, but testing, certification, and lifecycle management costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidlifecycle management cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into distinct functional layers: a common application framework in the secure element and provider-specific service modules. This segmentation allows independent testing and certification of the common framework once, while service providers can develop and update their specific services separately, reducing overall lifecycle management costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By creating a universal common application that supports multiple service providers through standardized interfaces, the system requires testing and certification only once for the framework. Service providers can integrate their services into this certified framework without requiring separate certification processes, significantly reducing lifecycle management costs.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2624612B1A method for near field communication operation, a device and a system thereto
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 TELIASONERA AB
  • EP2624612B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2624612B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP2624612B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a user terminal and a system for performing a NFC operation by a NFC equipped user terminal. According to a method a common application residing in a secure element of the user terminal can be authenticated by receiving, in the common application, an authentication request message comprising identification information on at least service provider of the NFC reader. Based on the identification information authentication related data on a service provider of NFC service is retrieved from a database. Furthermore, a data request message is received from the NFC reader. The data is retrieved, on the basis of identification information on at least service provider of the NFC reader and identification information for data, from the database residing in the secure element of the user terminal. The data requested is delivered to the NFC reader.