Rotating Capsule for Contactless Payment Visual Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact contactless USB key devices, such as the ACR122T, do not comply with contactless payment standards and lack effective visual cues for user orientation, making it difficult for users to correctly position the device for payment, as the light signals are often unclear and not visibly distinct due to their small size.
Innovation Solution
A contactless payment USB key with a rotatable capsule featuring light-emitting diodes and a perimeter that can be oriented in two positions, ensuring the light is only visible when the device is correctly aligned with the payment terminal, thus providing clear visual feedback to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the USB key is made compact to improve portability, then the device size is reduced, but the light signal becomes less visible and harder to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The light signal is segmented into multiple discrete LED indicators arranged in a specific pattern on the capsule surface. This segmentation allows the light to be distributed across multiple points, increasing overall visibility while maintaining a compact form factor. The segmented approach also enables directional lighting patterns that guide user orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-emitting elements are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration on the capsule surface, utilizing vertical and radial dimensions rather than just a flat plane. This dimensional arrangement maximizes light visibility from multiple angles while keeping the capsule compact, allowing users to detect the light signal regardless of their viewing position.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the contactless payment logo is affixed to the surface of the USB key, then the device can indicate payment functionality, but the logo orientation becomes unpredictable and may face away from the user
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule is designed to be rotatable within the USB key housing, transforming from a static logo arrangement to a dynamic orientation system. The capsule can rotate to different angular positions, allowing the logo and light-emitting elements to be oriented correctly relative to the payment terminal and user. This dynamic adjustment resolves the orientation problem while maintaining payment functionality indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates optical sensors that detect the position of the light-emitting capsule and provide feedback to a control circuit. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the capsule orientation or activates appropriate LEDs to indicate correct positioning. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures the logo and light signals are always optimally oriented for user interaction.
3Illumination intensity
If additional lighting is added to the key body to improve light signal visibility, then the illumination intensity increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lighting functions are merged into a single integrated capsule structure. The same capsule that contains the contactless payment logo also houses the light-emitting diodes and optical sensors. This merging eliminates the need for separate lighting components and control systems, increasing illumination intensity while avoiding additional complexity. The unified design allows the capsule to serve multiple functions simultaneously.
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 ensures the user can easily orient the device for correct alignment with the payment terminal, enhancing usability and compliance with contactless payment standards by providing clear visual cues for payment readiness.
Implementation Method 1
deux diodes électroluminescentes 12, 13... light from one or two light-emitting diodes to be guided 12, 13
Implementation Method 2
capsule 11 allowing the light from one or two light-emitting diodes to be guided 12, 13... The transparent capsule 11 is centered on the circular cavity 22, and aligned with the light-emitting diodes 12, 13 in order to be able to guide the light they diffuse
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
The invention relates to a capsule (11) intended to be aligned with at least one light source. According to the invention, such a capsule comprises a perimeter (15) interrupted in at least four portions (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), said capsule (11) being able to be oriented in at least two positions: -- a first position in which two of said at least four portions (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) simultaneously allow light from said at least one light source to pass through; -- a second position in which said perimeter (15) blocks light from said at least one light source.