NFT-Embedded Card Image for Skimming Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing resource exchange devices face security concerns due to magnetic stripes' vulnerability to skimming and lack of encryption, and even microprocessor chip-embedded cards can be susceptible to card skimming.

Innovation Solution

The use of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) identifier encrypted and embedded within a digital image imprinted on the resource exchange device, which is scanned to extract and validate the NFT for authenticating the device and authorizing resource exchange events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If magnetic stripes are used to store data on resource exchange devices, then the devices can be manufactured with simple storage capability, but the data becomes vulnerable to skimming and lacks encryption protection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the magnetic stripe storage system with a digital image containing embedded NFT identifier. The digital image is imprinted on the resource exchange device surface, and the NFT identifier is encoded within the image data structure rather than stored on a magnetic stripe, eliminating the vulnerability to magnetic skimming while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard printing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple security layers: the digital image serves as the base layer, the embedded NFT identifier provides cryptographic verification, and the distribution across multiple pixels creates an obfuscated composite structure. This composite approach integrates visual display with secure data storage in a single imprinted element

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If microprocessor chips are embedded in cards to provide dynamic encryption, then authentication security is improved, but the cards remain susceptible to skimming at terminals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidterminal skimming vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the authentication credential (NFT identifier) from the resource exchange device and embeds it within a digital image that is imprinted on the device surface. This extracted identifier can be read optically without requiring physical contact or terminal insertion, removing the authentication data from the skimming pathway that targets microprocessor chips at terminals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The digital image acts as an intermediary carrier for the NFT identifier. Instead of directly reading from or interacting with the microprocessor chip, the system uses the optically-readable digital image as a mediator that provides authentication credentials without exposing the chip to terminal skimming attacks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If visual inspection is used to verify card authenticity, then the verification process is simple and quick, but it can be easily circumvented by forged cards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveverification simplicityVSAvoidauthenticity verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the NFT identifier within the digital image's pixel structure, where specific pixels encode portions of the identifier. The visual appearance may remain similar to conventional cards, but the embedded digital data provides cryptographic verification that is not visible to the naked eye, combining visual simplicity with cryptographic security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional visual inspection to a multi-dimensional verification system. The NFT identifier is distributed across multiple pixels in the digital image, requiring optical scanning and digital decoding to access. This adds a computational dimension to verification while maintaining the visual surface appearance for quick presentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250078068A1System for resource exchange event authorization using a carded resource exchange device imprinted with a non-fungible token

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Validation/authentication of a resource exchange device and/or authorization of a resource exchange event being conducted with the resource exchange device is made possible through use of a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) that is accessible via an NFT identifier encrypted and embedded within a digital image imprinted on the resource exchange device. The NFT identifier NFT identifier may be segmented and each segmented stored in different predetermined pixels of the digital image to add an additional security layer to the validation/authorization process.