Provisioning Receptacle With Elastomer Grippers for Stable NFC Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing provisioning systems for interactive devices, such as fobs or wristbands, are inconvenient for immediate user provisioning and re-provisioning, particularly due to displacement issues that lead to data transfer errors and incompatibilities with different device sizes and form factors.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning receptacle using compressible elastomer grippers to restrict displacement between data transmitter and receiver, ensuring a separation distance of 4 cm or less, with optional additional transmitters and an access opening cover to enhance data reliability and accommodate various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If interactive devices are provisioned by the supplier before use, then devices are pre-configured with payment credentials, but users cannot provision devices immediately before use or modify stored data conveniently
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to provision interactive devices independently without requiring supplier intervention. The receptacle with integrated transmitter and the user's mobile device work together to automatically provision the interactive device immediately before use, allowing users to perform provisioning actions themselves rather than relying on pre-supplier configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is pre-configured with a transmitter that is already positioned and ready to transmit provisioning data. When an interactive device is placed in the receptacle, the system immediately initiates provisioning without requiring manual setup or configuration steps, enabling instant preparation before use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between data transmitter and receiver is increased to accommodate larger devices, then device compatibility improves, but data transfer reliability deteriorates due to signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses different transmission power levels and communication parameters adapted to the specific distance and requirements of each interactive device. The transmitter dynamically adjusts its operation to ensure reliable data transfer whether the device is small and close to the receptacle or larger and positioned further away, maintaining optimal performance for each local configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning system dynamically adapts the transmission parameters based on the detected position and characteristics of the interactive device. The transmitter adjusts power levels, modulation schemes, and communication protocols in real-time to maintain reliable connectivity across varying distances and device types, ensuring both compatibility and reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the receptacle structure is made rigid to maintain fixed positioning, then alignment precision improves, but ability to accommodate different device sizes and form factors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle incorporates flexible elements that can deform to match the shape and size of different interactive devices. This flexibility allows the receptacle to accommodate various device form factors while maintaining sufficient alignment precision through the flexible structure's inherent geometric constraints and the positioning capabilities of the integrated transmitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle structure dynamically adapts its geometry based on the inserted device's characteristics. The flexible components allow the receptacle to change its physical configuration to match the device being provisioned, enabling both precise alignment for data transfer and accommodation of different sizes and forms.
4Ease of operation
If displacement between transmitter and receiver is allowed to accommodate device movement, then ease of device placement improves, but data transfer accuracy deteriorates due to signal distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position and signal quality during the provisioning process. If displacement or misalignment occurs, the feedback mechanism detects the degradation in signal integrity and automatically adjusts transmission parameters or repositions the transmitter to maintain accurate data transfer, ensuring both easy placement and high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle design incorporates positioning features that prevent excessive displacement before data transfer begins. The structure and transmitter positioning are configured to maintain optimal alignment automatically, cushioning against potential misalignment issues that would cause signal distortion during the critical provisioning data transfer.
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
The solution significantly reduces data transfer errors and allows convenient, reliable provisioning of interactive devices of varying sizes and form factors, enhancing user independence and security.
Implementation Method 1
One or more of the first and second gripper surfaces comprise a compressible elastomer, configured and arranged to significantly restrict displacement of the provisioning data receiver portion of the interactive device relative to the provisioning data transmitter by conforming to an outer surface of the interactive device
Implementation Method 2
a provisioning data transmitter, configured and arranged to transmit provisioning data to the provisioning data receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
New forms of payment are emerging which make use of interactive devices - for example, fobs or wristbands. These devices comprise a processor chip, data storage and near-filed communication (NFC) capability. Before use (or before a subsequent use), these interactive devices must be provisioned (or re-provisioned) by the supplier of the interactive devices. However, this is not convenient for a user or merchant, who may wish to provision devices immediately before use, or modify the data being stored on the interactive devices. A provisioning receptacle 400 is provided with a gripper 300, 301, comprising a compressible elastomer foam, configured and arranged to significantly restrict displacement of the provisioning data receiver 225 portion of the interactive device 200 relative to the provisioning data transmitter 625 by conforming to an outer surface of the interactive device 200 when the interactive device 200 is receiving provisioning data. Any displacement with respect to the provisioning data transmitter 225 is significantly restricted. This reduces the risk that the transfer of provisioning data is interrupted or distorted. In addition, interactive devices 200 of different sizes and different form factors may be provisioned using this receptacle 400.