Portable NFC Wallet Apparatus with Multi-Card Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic wallet systems on mobile phones face issues such as data inaccessibility when switching devices and battery power limitations during frequent usage, leading to inconvenience in electronic payment transactions.
Innovation Solution
A portable apparatus with multiple smart cards and an NFC unit, controlled by a circuit that switches between different interfaces to support various electronic wallet functions, allowing seamless integration of independent systems and power supply via electromagnetic waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a mobile phone uses a single NFC chip and battery for electronic wallet function, then the device structure is simple, but the battery depletes quickly during frequent usage and cannot maintain continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electronic wallet function into multiple independent smart cards (first smart card, second smart card, etc.), each with its own interface. The NFC unit can selectively communicate with different smart cards through switching control, allowing the system to segment functionality across multiple cards rather than relying on a single card for all operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching control mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the NFC unit and multiple smart card interfaces. This controller selectively connects the NFC unit to different smart card interfaces based on operational requirements, enabling flexible routing of communication and power management across multiple cards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile phone stores data in a security chip, then the electronic wallet function is integrated, but the data cannot be accessed when replacing the mobile phone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic wallet data from the mobile phone's internal security chip and stores it on removable smart cards. This allows the data to be physically separated from the phone and transferred to different devices, solving the problem of data inaccessibility when replacing phones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface system where multiple smart cards with different electronic wallet functions can be read by a single NFC unit. The switching control enables the system to universally access different smart card interfaces, making the data storage system compatible across multiple phones and devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile phone uses a single SIM card for electronic wallet function, then the device complexity is low, but independent electronic wallet systems cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electronic wallet functionality across multiple independent smart cards, each supporting different electronic wallet systems. The NFC unit can communicate with any of these cards through the switching control, enabling integration of multiple independent systems without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal NFC unit that can interface with multiple different smart card types through a single communication path. The switching control mechanism provides multi-functionality by routing the NFC unit to different smart card interfaces, allowing one NFC unit to support multiple electronic wallet systems.
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
Enhances flexibility and convenience by enabling the use of multiple electronic wallet systems on a single device, ensuring continuous functionality even with low battery power and facilitating both practical and virtual value-added/deduced transactions.
Implementation Method 1
The mobile phone 10 communicates with an external near-field communication (NFC) reader 16 via the NFC technique
Implementation Method 2
When a battery of the mobile phone 20 becomes empty, the NFC chip 23 can generate power supply by electromagnetic waves transmitted from an NFC reader to maintain operation
Data Source
AI summary
A portable apparatus is capable of switching between a plurality of smart cards and associated circuits to provide a user various independent electronic wallet functions via a single portable apparatus, thereby increasing utilization flexibility and convenience. The portable apparatus includes at least a first smart card and a second smart cart, a near-field communication (NFC) unit, and a control circuit. The first smart card and the second smart card respectively include a first interface and a second interface. The NFC unit is coupled to the first smart card and the second smart card via the first interface and the second interface, respectively. The NFC unit is capable of performing NFC with external apparatuses. The control circuit controls the NFC unit to communicate with either the first smart card or the second smart card using control signals.