Recessed Card With Sub-Card for Automated Personalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated equipment struggles to handle proximity payment devices that are smaller than standard-sized cards, as they are not readily compatible with the reduced dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A card with a recessed design that accommodates a smaller sub-card with an RFID IC and antenna, allowing for the sub-card to be releasably attached and used as a proximity payment device, enabling compatibility with personalization machines and attachment to various devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If proximity payment devices are made smaller than standard card size, then portability and versatility are improved, but compatibility with existing automated equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the proximity payment system into two separate components: a standard-sized card body that interfaces with automated equipment, and a smaller sub-card containing the RFID IC that provides the payment functionality. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the card body maintains compatibility with existing equipment while the sub-card achieves reduced size for improved portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sub-card is designed to be inserted into and nested within the recess of the card body. This nesting arrangement allows the smaller RFID-containing sub-card to be housed within the standard-sized card structure, enabling the system to maintain external compatibility while incorporating the reduced-size payment element internally.
2Ease of manufacture
If automated equipment is designed to handle standard-sized cards, then manufacturing and deployment are simplified, but handling of smaller proximity payment devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the card body from the RFID sub-card, the system allows automated equipment to continue handling standard-sized cards as before, while the smaller sub-card can be manually inserted or attached. This segmentation resolves the conflict between automated handling requirements and manual portability needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The card body acts as an intermediary between the automated equipment and the smaller sub-card. The card body interfaces with automated equipment using standard protocols and dimensions, while simultaneously providing a housing for the smaller sub-card, thus mediating between the two different size requirements.
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
Enables the production and use of smaller proximity payment devices that can be personalized and function as standard PayPass devices, overcoming the size compatibility issues with existing equipment and allowing for versatile device attachment.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless interface often includes a radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) and an antenna to receive a power signal from and/or communicate with the POS terminal
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, a method comprises: providing a card sized to fit within a card personalization machine, the card including a surface defining at least a portion of a recess; inserting at least a portion of a sub-card into the recess; providing adhesive between the surface and the sub-card to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and personalizing the sub-card, using the card personalization machine, while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess. According to some embodiments, apparatus comprises: a card defining a recess; a sub-card, at least a portion of the sub-card being inserted into the recess; adhesive to releasably retain the at least a portion of the sub-card within the recess; and a card personalization machine to personalize the sub-card while the at least a portion of the sub-card is within the recess.