Removable Marking Element for Secure Credential Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carrying multiple items such as identification cards and payment devices can be inconvenient and prone to loss or theft, especially in situations where certain items are not allowed or cannot be carried.

Innovation Solution

A removable marking element with an integrated circuit that adheres to the skin, allowing a mobile device to transmit access credentials over a wireless channel for transactions, enabling the use of a mobile device to manage and link accounts for secure and convenient access and payment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple physical items (identification cards, payment devices, access badges) are carried, then access credentials and payment capabilities are available, but convenience deteriorates and risk of loss or theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against loss or theftVSAvoidconvenience of carrying items
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple access credentials and payment capabilities into a single removable marking element that adheres to the user's body. This marking element contains an integrated circuit with multiple accounts (first account for access credentials, second account for payment), eliminating the need to carry separate physical cards and devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The removable marking element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides access credentials through the first account, payment capabilities through the second account, and can be applied to any person's body. The server computer supports multiple account types and can load values between accounts, making the system universally applicable for various authentication and transaction scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If physical cards and devices are carried for transactions, then access and payment functionality is available, but the items are subject to loss or theft

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to transaction functionalityVSAvoidrisk of loss or theft
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple transaction-related functions (access control, payment, identification) are merged into a single removable marking element that stays attached to the user's body, reducing the number of separate items that can be lost or stolen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a digital representation of credentials stored in the integrated circuit of the marking element, which communicates wirelessly with access devices. This digital credential system replaces physical cards, maintaining functionality while eliminating the physical vulnerabilities of traditional cards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If certain items are not allowed to be carried (e.g., bags at events), then security restrictions are enforced, but access to tickets, wallets, and licenses becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenforcement of access restrictionsVSAvoidaccess to required credentials
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The removable marking element universally provides multiple types of credentials (event tickets, payment capabilities, identification) in a single item that can be applied directly to the body, allowing users to comply with restrictions on carrying bags while still having access to all necessary credentials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The essential credential functionality is extracted from traditional physical items (tickets, wallets, licenses) and consolidated into the removable marking element, which adheres to the body and eliminates the need to carry separate physical items that would violate restrictions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a mobile device is used to manage accounts and transmit credentials, then convenience and security are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile device management of credentialsVSAvoidsystem complexity for account management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server computer acts as an intermediary that handles complex account management tasks, including identifying accounts based on product identifiers, loading values between accounts, and authorizing transactions. This externalizes the complexity from the mobile device and marking element, keeping the system simple at the user interface level while providing robust functionality through the server.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enhances user convenience and security by allowing transactions without carrying physical cards, reducing the risk of loss, and enabling easy management of accounts through a mobile device, even for children or in restricted environments.

Implementation Method 1

an integrated circuit that is configured to transmit a first access credential associated with a first account over a wireless communication channel to an access device during a transaction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3926994A1Removable marking element with access credentials
Publication Date: 2021.12.22 VISA INTERNATIONAL SERVICE ASSOCIATION
  • EP3926994A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926994A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926994A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and system for transacting with a removable marking element is disclosed. A removable marking element including credentials can be associated with an account. A user can activate and manage the account via a mobile device. The mobile device can access the account by providing a product identifier. A product identifier may be provided in removable marking element packaging. For example, the product identifier may be encoded in a machine readable code on the packaging.