Proxy Bit Streams for Contactless Payment Read Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic stripe cards suffer from data leakage issues between tracks due to non-standardization and close proximity of tracks, leading to reading errors when using contactless payment methods, particularly with inductive loops interacting directly with magnetic read heads.
Innovation Solution
An improved contactless payment process that streams customized sequences of magnetic-field pulses directly to the read heads, incorporating 'proxy' data sequences that appear as noise to the primary channel decoder, thereby reducing cross-channel leakage and enhancing read accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If contactless payment uses inductive loops to interact directly with magnetic read heads, then convenience and speed are improved, but cross-channel leakage between tracks occurs causing reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives the magnetic signal from the read head and separates the track data before forwarding to decoders. This intermediary prevents direct cross-contamination between tracks by isolating each track's signal path, thereby maintaining high reading accuracy while preserving contactless transaction speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the magnetic stripe data into distinct track channels with separate processing paths. By dividing the read head output into individual track signals and processing them independently, the system prevents cross-channel leakage from affecting reading accuracy, while the overall process maintains fast contactless transaction speed.
2Area of stationary object
If tracks are spaced closely together on the magnetic stripe, then card size is reduced, but data leakage between adjacent tracks increases
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary signal processing component is introduced between the read head and track decoders to isolate adjacent track signals. This intermediary separates the closely-spaced track data before decoding, preventing cross-track interference while allowing the magnetic stripe to maintain its compact size with closely-spaced tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by optimizing the magnetic domains in specific track regions to reduce lateral field spread. By adjusting the magnetic properties locally in each track area, the system minimizes interference between closely-spaced tracks while maintaining the compact magnetic stripe layout.
3Power
If magnetic domains produce strong fields for reliable reading, then signal strength is improved, but field leakage into adjacent tracks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing stage that receives the strong magnetic signal from the read head and separates it into individual track components. This intermediary prevents the strong fields from different tracks from interfering with each other, allowing each track to use strong magnetic domains for reliable reading without causing harmful leakage to adjacent tracks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful strong magnetic fields that cause leakage into a benefit by using them to ensure strong, reliable signal detection. The system accepts the strong field strength needed for reliable reading and compensates for the resulting leakage through intermediary signal separation, ultimately achieving both strong signal detection and prevented interference.
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 approach significantly reduces reading errors and improves transaction reliability by customizing bit streams based on empirical testing of different POS terminals, ensuring accurate data collection and verification without overwhelming the decoder.
Implementation Method 1
The simulating device generates the pulse sequence by applying a time-modulated alternating current to an inductive loop. The alternating current that is applied to the loop induces the magnetic field received by the magnetic read heads
Implementation Method 2
The movement of the card causes the fields produced by magnetic domains contained in the stripe to induce voltages in the MSR's read heads
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
A contactless payment device and method streams a sequence of magnetic-field pulses directly to two magnetic-stripe read heads of a point-of-sale terminal. The stream of pulses includes essential information needed to approve a transaction. The essential information is structured for a primary "channel" associated with one of the read heads. A series of "proxy" bits are included in the stream in order to satisfy the data collection requirements for a secondary channel associated with the other read head. The proxy bits are included in a custom bit stream that may be used to improve acceptance of payment transmission data at a POS terminal.