Piezoelectric Accelerometer Powering Payment Device Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Credit card fraud remains a significant issue due to the vulnerability of physical credit cards to duplication and the impracticality of advanced security measures in a wallet-sized format, necessitating a more sophisticated and compact security solution.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a piezoelectric accelerometer as a power source within the credit card to generate electrical energy from motion or pressure, enabling temporary unlocking for user authentication and powering security features without the need for a traditional battery, allowing for secure and mobile payment applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If advanced security measures are incorporated into physical credit cards, then security against duplication is improved, but device complexity and size increase making them impractical for wallet-sized cards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (power source, accelerometer, security features) into a single integrated card system. The piezoelectric accelerometer serves dual purposes: as a power source and as a motion-sensing security feature, eliminating the need for separate battery and security components.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric accelerometer performs multiple functions: generating electrical energy to power the card's electronics and serving as a motion sensor for security verification. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the card.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional batteries are used to power security features, then power availability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The card generates its own power through the piezoelectric accelerometer that converts mechanical energy from card motion into electrical energy. This self-powered mechanism eliminates the need for external batteries while providing sufficient power for security features and NFC operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional chemical battery system with a mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion system using piezoelectric materials. The accelerometer's mechanical structure converts kinetic energy from card handling into electrical power, eliminating heavy battery components.
3Ease of operation
If motion-activated power generation is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but power consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system accumulates electrical energy in a capacitor before it is needed for authentication or NFC transactions. The piezoelectric accelerometer continuously charges the capacitor during normal card handling, ensuring sufficient power is stored and ready when required, thus maintaining power consistency despite variable motion input.
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 security by ensuring the card operates only when energized and unlocked by the user, enabling more versatile payment options without relying on point-of-sale devices and facilitating on-card token generation and dynamic authorization without a battery.
Implementation Method 1
Kinetic energy and/or pressure translated to the payment device and, thus, to the piezoelectric material may generate electrical energy to power the processor, memory, and input/output circuit
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
AI summary
The described payment device includes an integrated power source including a piezoelectric accelerometer. Upon motion of the payment device, kinetic energy may be translated to a mass of the piezoelectric accelerometer to generate electrical energy to power other functions of the payment device. Motion translated to the piezoelectric accelerometer may also be used in combination with other inputs to implement security functions of the payment device.