Portable Device Anti-Interrogation via Finger-Bridged Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contactless portable consumer devices, such as smart cards and RFID, are vulnerable to unauthorized wireless interrogation, posing a significant risk for data theft due to their wireless nature, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a contact region coupled to a transmitting antenna that requires a user's finger to be placed on it to activate the antenna for communication with an interrogation device, ensuring that data transmission only occurs when the user intends it, using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and a triggering electronic component to complete the antenna circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If contactless portable consumer devices are designed to enable wireless communication, then convenience and ease of operation are improved, but vulnerability to unauthorized wireless interrogation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the user to manually activate the transmitting antenna before any wireless communication can occur. The antenna remains inactive until the user deliberately places their finger on the contact region, ensuring that data transmission only happens when the user intends it to happen, thereby preventing unauthorized interrogation while maintaining convenience when authorized
2Ease of operation
If the transmitting antenna is always active for wireless communication, then ease of operation is improved, but security and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the transmitting antenna's state changeable between active and inactive based on user input. The antenna transitions from an inactive state (providing security) to an active state (providing communication capability) only when the user deliberately activates it through finger contact with the contact region, thus dynamically balancing security and ease of operation
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 effectively prevents unauthorized data retrieval by ensuring that the portable consumer device can only be interrogated when the user actively engages the contact region, thereby enhancing security and user control over data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology and a triggering electronic component to complete the antenna circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A portable consumer device is disclosed. One or more contact regions in the portable consumer device may be provided on the contactless portable consumer device. The user may be required to place a finger on the one or more contact regions while holding the portable consumer device proximate to the interrogation device to enable it to be interrogated. The user's fingers may be used to electrically bridge an open portion of a circuit so as to enable operation of the portable consumer device.