Payment Card Amplifier for Extended NFC Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current payment cards, especially contactless smart cards, have limited power and range, restricting their ability to transmit payment information over longer distances securely and reliably, which hinders convenient and secure transactions, such as at drive-thru restaurants and toll booths, and often require specialized transponders for tolls.
Innovation Solution
A payment card amplification device that includes a card reader, amplifier, and antenna to generate and transmit an amplified signal with sufficient power to be read by a payment terminal at least four feet away, integrated with a vehicle navigation system to authorize and control payments, allowing for secure and convenient transactions without physical contact or specialized devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If low power transmitters are used in contactless smart cards, then power consumption is reduced and security is improved, but transmission range is limited to four feet or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary amplification device between the payment card and the payment terminal. This device receives the low-power signal from the card, amplifies it, and transmits it to the terminal over longer distances. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by allowing the card to maintain its low-power security design while extending the effective communication range through external amplification.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system is segmented into three independent components: the payment card (low-power transmitter), the amplification device (signal amplifier), and the payment terminal (receiver). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the card for security and low power consumption, while the amplifier handles the range extension.
2Ease of operation
If NFC technology is used for contactless payments, then transaction convenience is improved, but transmission distance is limited to four feet or less
Solution Approach 1:
The amplification device serves as an intermediary that preserves the NFC contactless payment convenience while extending the transmission distance. Users can continue tapping their cards without physical contact for convenience, but now the system supports longer distances by inserting the amplification device between the card and terminal.
3Length of stationary object
If specialized transponders are used for toll payments, then transmission range is extended, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The amplification device is designed to be a universal solution that works with standard payment cards and various payment terminals, including toll booths. Instead of requiring specialized transponders for different applications, this single device can amplify signals from regular NFC cards to extend their range for toll payment scenarios.
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
Enables secure and convenient payment transactions over greater distances, ensuring compatibility with various payment terminals and allowing users to make payments without stopping their vehicle, enhancing usability and security by selectively transmitting payment information based on authorized locations.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna coupled to receive the amplified signal and transmit the payment card information, wherein the transmitted payment card information can be read by a payment terminal
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a payment card amplification device comprising a card reader, an amplifier, an antenna, and a power supply. The card reader is configured to read payment card information from a payment card and generate an output signal comprising the payment card information. The amplifier is coupled to receive the card reader output signal and configured to generate an amplified signal comprising the payment card information. The antenna is coupled to receive the amplified signal and transmit the payment card information, wherein the transmitted payment card information can be read by a payment terminal. The power supply is coupled to a power source and configured provide power to the card reader and the amplifier.