Multiple Secure Element Switching for NFC Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile devices typically support only one secure element for near field communication (NFC) transactions, limiting flexibility and security in managing multiple secure elements for wireless payments and access control.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows selection and switching between multiple secure elements on a mobile device using a trusted security zone with a switching application, enabling secure element selection based on location, user choice, or application rules, and coupling the selected secure element with the NFC transceiver for secure transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only one secure element is supported in mobile devices, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but adaptability and security are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a switching application as an intermediary layer between the NFC transceiver and multiple secure elements. This switching application manages the coupling between the NFC transceiver and selected secure elements, providing a unified interface for applications while handling the complexity of multiple secure element management internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the secure element management function into a separate switching application that runs independently from both the operating system and individual applications. This segmentation allows multiple secure elements to be managed concurrently without interfering with each other or requiring changes to the core operating system architecture.
2Reliability
If multiple secure elements are supported concurrently, then adaptability and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switching application acts as a trusted intermediary that manages secure element selection and coupling. It receives selection criteria from applications or the operating system, selects the appropriate secure element, and establishes the coupling, thereby isolating the complexity of multi-secure-element management from both the operating system and applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the switching application in the trusted security zone before NFC transactions occur. The switching application is pre-configured to manage multiple secure elements and can quickly select and couple the appropriate secure element when needed, avoiding last-minute complexity during actual transactions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a switching application is introduced to manage multiple secure elements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and software overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The switching application is designed as a universal component that can manage any number of secure elements and support various selection criteria (application-based, OS-based, user-defined). This multi-functional design consolidates what could be multiple specialized management components into a single versatile switching application, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching application serves as a universal intermediary that handles all secure element selection and coupling operations regardless of the source of selection criteria or the type of secure element being selected. This universal intermediary approach simplifies the architecture by providing a single point of control for all secure element management activities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of managing data communication network inventory is provided. The method comprises analyzing a plurality of separate data stores, the data stores comprising information about trouble tickets, change requests, and scheduled maintenance, where the analysis is conducted with reference to network inventory items. An integrated data store structured according to network inventory items is built, comprising trouble ticket information, change request information, and scheduled maintenance associated with the network inventory items, where the network inventory items comprise one or more port interfaces. A selection of a network inventory item is received. Filtered information is retrieved from the integrated data store summarizing the trouble ticket information, the change request information, and the scheduled maintenance related to the selected network inventory item. The filtered information is transmitted.