PCAP Display Magnetic Stripe Reading Without a Separate MSR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current POS systems face challenges with the spatial requirements and costs associated with integrating Magnetic Stripe Readers (MSRs) alongside Projected Capacitive (PCAP) displays, as MSRs require additional space and connections, which can be mitigated by configuring PCAP displays to perform both capacitive and magnetic data reading functions.
Innovation Solution
The PCAP display is equipped with capacitive sensor arrays that generate both electrostatic and magnetic fields, allowing it to detect the presence and position of conductive objects and read magnetically encoded data from magnetic stripe cards without the need for separate MSR devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate Magnetic Stripe Reader devices are integrated alongside PCAP displays, then magnetic data reading functionality is achieved, but spatial requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Magnetic Stripe Reader functionality with the PCAP display by configuring the PCAP display's sensor arrays to detect both capacitive touches and magnetic stripe data. This merging eliminates the need for separate MSR devices, reducing spatial requirements while maintaining both touch and magnetic reading capabilities in a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The PCAP display is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a touch-sensitive display and a magnetic stripe reader. By making the display universal, the system eliminates dedicated MSR hardware, thereby reducing the overall spatial footprint and component count while achieving both capacitive touch detection and magnetic data reading through the same device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate Magnetic Stripe Reader devices are integrated alongside PCAP displays, then magnetic data reading functionality is achieved, but device complexity and connection requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the MSR functionality into the PCAP display's existing sensor infrastructure. The same sensor arrays that detect capacitive touches are configured to also detect magnetic fields from swipe cards, eliminating the need for separate MSR connections and control circuits. This reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated system with shared hardware resources.
3Area of stationary object
If PCAP displays are configured to perform both capacitive and magnetic functions, then spatial and cost burdens are reduced, but the complexity of the PCAP display increases
Solution Approach 1:
The PCAP display is designed as a universal component that performs both capacitive touch detection and magnetic stripe reading. By configuring the existing sensor arrays to detect multiple types of inputs (touch and magnetic), the system reduces spatial requirements without adding separate hardware, as the same physical infrastructure serves dual purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the sensor operation to enable dual functionality. The sensor arrays are configured to detect different physical parameters: capacitive coupling for touch detection and magnetic field variations for card reading. By changing the detection parameters rather than adding hardware, the system achieves multi-functionality while minimizing spatial and complexity increases.
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 integration reduces spatial and cost burdens by eliminating the need for separate MSR devices, enhancing the efficiency and compactness of POS systems while maintaining functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The arrays of capacitive sensors detect small changes in the capacitance of the electrostatic field whenever one or more capacitive objects (e.g., one or more human digits) contacts, or is at least proximate to, a surface of the PCAP display.
Implementation Method 2
The arrays of capacitive sensors also detect small changes in the generated magnetic field whenever a magnetic stripe card is swiped across, or is held in close proximity to, the surface of the PCAP display.
Data Source
AI summary
A Projected Capacitive (PCAP) display including multiple arrays of conductive electrodes performs a dual function. In a first function, the PCAP display uses the conductive electrode arrays to generate an electrostatic field and determines the presence and position of a conductive object based on small changes it detects in the capacitance of that electrostatic field. In a second function, the PCAP display uses the same conductive electrode arrays to generate a magnetic field. As a user swipes the card across the surface of the PCAP display, it causes small changes in the generated magnetic field. The PCAP display retrieves the data magnetically encoded onto the magnetic stripe card based on the changes it detects in the magnetic field.