Portable Hardware Wallet with E-Ink Display and NFC Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for managing and transferring digital information, such as cryptocurrencies and documents, are limited by dependence on internet connections, energy sources, and lack of secure, univocal access, making them unsuitable for various use cases and vulnerable to unauthorized access and double spending.

Innovation Solution

A portable device with a microchip-based encryption unit, e-ink technology, and NFC circuit that allows secure storage, display, and transfer of digital information without internet reliance, featuring a private key modification mechanism using Zero Knowledge Proofs and locking states to control access and ownership, enabling secure, energy-efficient operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If digital wallets are used for storing and accessing digital currency, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but security and protection against unauthorized access deteriorate due to internet connection requirements and vulnerability to hacking

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the private key from digital wallet software and stores it physically on a hardware device (USB stick or NFC card). This separation removes the vulnerability of internet-connected software wallets while maintaining accessibility through physical possession of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a physical hardware device as an intermediary between the user and the digital currency. This intermediary layer (the portable device with stored private key) provides enhanced security while maintaining ease of access through simple physical possession and optional biometric authentication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If physical wallets are used for secure storage of digital currency, then security is improved, but accessibility and ease of transfer deteriorate due to lack of independent display and connection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the physical wallet device multi-functional by integrating both secure storage capabilities and display functionality. The device can store private keys securely while also displaying wallet contents, transaction details, and supporting multiple authentication methods (PIN, biometrics), thereby improving accessibility without compromising security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If burner wallets are used for disposable transactions, then ease of transfer is improved, but security and prevention of double spending deteriorate due to paper format limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransferabilityVSAvoiddouble spending prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses NFC technology to enable wireless copying of the private key from the portable device to another device. This digital copying method replaces paper-based burner wallets, maintaining ease of transfer while preventing double spending through cryptographic verification and blockchain validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If portable devices are made more secure with encryption and access control, then security is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccess control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the authentication process into multiple independent layers (PIN code, biometric data, device passcode) that can be used individually or in combination. This segmentation allows flexible security configurations where users can choose appropriate authentication methods based on their needs, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining strong security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4092597B1Portable device for the exchange, transfer and transport of sensitive digital information
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 KNOBS SRL
  • EP4092597B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4092597B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4092597B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The portable device (1) for the exchange, transfer and transport of sensitive digital information, comprises a storage unit (2) of digital information (I), an encryption unit (3) operatively connected to the storage unit (2) and containing a private key (K) for encrypting this digital information (I), modification means (4) configured to modify the private key (K), wherein said portable device (1) is configured to perform verification operations and demos of all the operations carried out by means of a reference blockchain.