Programmable Card Switching for Automated Smart Card Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing controllable cards, such as smart cards, is time-consuming and expensive due to the need for manual insertion and removal of each card for quality assurance, and robotic solutions are costly and space-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A device with card ports and a controller that programmatically selects and switches controllable cards for testing, using multiplexers to simulate insertion and removal without physical handling, allowing multiple cards to be tested simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual insertion and removal of each card is performed for quality assurance testing, then testing coverage is achieved, but testing time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual card insertion and removal with an automated card switching device that uses electronic control signals to connect different cards to the card reader. The switching device contains multiple card ports and uses switching elements (such as relays or solid-state switches) to automatically connect the desired card to the card reader interface, eliminating the need for physical manual handling during testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The card switching device acts as an intermediary between the test system and the card reader. It provides a bridge that allows the test system to programmatically select and switch between multiple controllable cards without requiring direct manual intervention. The switching device receives control signals from the test system and automatically performs the card selection and connection functions.
2Extent of automation
If robotic arms are used to automatically insert and remove cards from the reader, then automation is achieved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the card testing function into two independent parts: (1) a card switching device that handles automatic card selection and connection using electronic switching elements, and (2) a card reader that reads the selected card. This segmentation allows the use of simple, inexpensive electronic switching components instead of complex robotic manipulation systems, significantly reducing both cost and space requirements while maintaining full automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical robotic arm system with an electronic card switching device that uses electronic switches or relays to connect different cards to the card reader. This substitution eliminates the need for physical robotic manipulation, reducing the system to simple electronic control circuits that are inexpensive and compact.
3Productivity
If multiple cards are tested simultaneously using manual handling, then testing efficiency is limited, but operational simplicity is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The card switching device is designed with multiple card ports (e.g., four card ports) that can simultaneously hold multiple controllable cards. The device provides a universal interface that allows any of the inserted cards to be selected and connected to the card reader through electronic control. This multi-functionality enables parallel preparation of multiple cards while maintaining simple electronic control for switching between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The card switching device automatically manages the selection and connection of cards based on control signals from the test system. Once multiple cards are inserted into the card ports, the switching device autonomously handles the switching between cards without requiring manual intervention for each card change. The system self-manages the card selection process through electronic control signals.
Data Source
AI summary
Controllable cards can be selected and testing programmatically. For example, a system can include card ports for receiving controllable cards. Switching devices can control communication with the controllable cards. An output port can communicatively couple a selected card to a card reader. A controller device can respond to a command from a test system by causing the switching devices to select a card port to which to communicatively couple to the output port.