Contactless Reader Sensor Integration for Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contactless media readers face inefficiencies in detecting the distance and orientation of contactless fare media, leading to high power consumption and unreliable data transactions due to reliance on signal strength, which varies with orientation and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
Integration of sensors such as InfraRed reflection or transmission sensors, charge coupled device cameras, time-of-flight sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or capacitive sensors with contactless media readers to emit pulses and determine distances, enabling accurate detection of media position and orientation for reliable data transactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous polling is used to detect contactless fare media, then real-time detection is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from continuous polling to periodic action by using sensors to detect when contactless fare media enters the reading area, triggering the reader to wake up and perform data transactions only when needed. This reduces power consumption while maintaining real-time detection capability through event-driven periodic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor performs preliminary detection of contactless fare media presence before the reader activates. This preliminary action allows the system to prepare for data transactions in advance, reducing the need for continuous polling and enabling the reader to remain in a low-power state until actually needed.
2Loss of information
If signal strength is used to estimate distance, then distance estimation is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to orientation and obstacle variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensors as an intermediary between the reader and the contactless fare media for distance detection. These sensors provide direct distance measurement capability that is independent of signal strength variations caused by orientation and obstacles, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the ability to estimate distance.
3Device complexity
If no distance detection is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of data transactions decreases due to unknown media position
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two functional parts: a simple sensor for distance detection and a reader for data transactions. This segmentation allows the sensor to handle the complex task of precise distance and position detection, while the reader focuses on reliable data transactions, thereby improving overall reliability without significantly increasing perceived system complexity.
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 reduces power consumption, minimizes false wake-ups, ensures correct media position before transactions, provides user feedback, and enhances transaction reliability by determining the precise distance and orientation of contactless media, allowing for efficient data exchange and improved user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a first indicator of a first distance from the first sensor, wherein the first distance is generated from the first emit time and the first detect time, and wherein the first distance corresponds to the distance from the contactless media to the first sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention integrate a contactless media reader with sensors to detect that an object is within the contactless media reader operating field and optionally detect the position, orientation and speed of the object as it approaches the contactless media reader. The object can be, for example, a contactless fare media such as a contactless smartcard,a personal processing device such as a smart phone, personal computer, tablet computer or the like, or the user's hand, one or more fingers, or both. Embodiments may use one or more distance/position sensors to determine the position of the contactless fare media relative to the contactless media reader. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention enhance contactless media reader performance by adding user interaction capabilities and providing feedback to the contactless fare media user.