Contactless Payment Card Digital Key for Secure Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic key cards used for accessing locked locations or items are insecure, easily misplaced, and costly due to high replacement rates, as they can be easily read or lost.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a contactless payment card with Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities, where identity information and credentials are encrypted and used to generate a digital key for unlocking locks, eliminating the need for additional plastic cards and enhancing security through encryption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic key cards with magnetic strips or RFID tags are used for access control, then access to locked locations can be provided, but security is compromised because the information on the cards is readily accessible to parties with magnetic card readers or RFID readers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional magnetic stripe or RFID card systems with a contactless payment card system that uses NFC technology. The payment card system encrypts access control information and uses dynamic token generation, making it much more difficult to copy or steal access credentials compared to traditional magnetic stripe cards that can be easily copied with simple readers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security parameters by implementing encryption of access control information on the payment card and using dynamic token generation for each access attempt. This transforms the static, easily copyable magnetic stripe or RFID data into encrypted, dynamically generated tokens that are computationally difficult to replicate.
2Ease of operation
If plastic key cards are distributed to users for access control, then access to locked locations can be provided, but the cards are easily misplaced and lost, requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the payment card multi-functional by embedding both payment capabilities and access control credentials on the same card. This eliminates the need for users to carry separate access control cards and payment cards, reducing the likelihood of loss and simplifying the user experience. The card serves dual purposes: financial transactions and physical access control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the access control card function with the payment card function into a single unified card. By combining these two previously separate functions into one card, the system reduces the total number of cards users must manage, thereby reducing the probability of misplacement and loss while maintaining both access control and payment capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If plastic key cards are issued for access control, then access to locked locations can be provided, but it is expensive for lodging owners to purchase and replace cards frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copying of access credentials onto the payment card's contactless interface. Instead of issuing physical plastic cards that can be lost and require replacement, the system creates digital copies of access control information that can be remotely distributed and revoked. This eliminates the need for physical card replacements and significantly reduces long-term costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables remote revocation and recovery of access credentials without requiring physical card replacement. When a card is lost or compromised, the system can remotely invalidate the access credentials and issue new ones digitally, eliminating the need to discard physical cards and reducing replacement costs for lodging owners.
4Reliability
If additional plastic key cards are provided for access control, then access to locked locations can be provided, but users have to keep track of multiple cards which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the payment card multi-functional by embedding both payment capabilities and access control credentials on the same card. This eliminates the need for users to carry separate access control cards and payment cards, reducing the likelihood of loss and simplifying the user experience. The card serves dual purposes: financial transactions and physical access control.
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
This solution provides secure and convenient access to locked locations or items, reducing the risk of loss and the need for frequent replacements, while minimizing costs for issuers and users.
Implementation Method 1
receiving identity information and credentials originating from a contactless card via a wireless communication protocol
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary embodiments may provide keys for unlocking access to a location, like a user room, a secure location, a door at an employee location, a trunk, a closet or other locked location or item, on a payment card. Examples of a payment card include but are not limited to a credit card, a debit card, a smart card, an employee identification card, etc. A secure token that acts as digital key may be uploaded to the payment card. The payment card may then be put in close proximity of a wireless reader at the lock. The wireless reader obtains the secure token and extracts the contents. If the contents are proper, the lock is unlocked. Otherwise, the lock remains locked.