Secure Element Memory Reconfiguration for Banking Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for providing secure elements in banking applications require significant memory capacity to store multiple applications, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for customized chip production and unused memory, as well as complexities in handling and personalization.
Innovation Solution
A method for a secure element that involves storing multiple applications in non-volatile memory and using recovery code to free up memory space by overwriting unused applications, allowing the freed space to be used for additional data storage, thereby reducing the required memory capacity and simplifying production and personalization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple banking applications are stored in ROM during chip manufacture, then the secure element can serve multiple clients, but the memory capacity is wasted when only one application is used per card
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the memory content changeable after manufacture. The secure element initially contains multiple banking applications in ROM, but allows one application to be dynamically selected and transferred to reconfigurable memory (RAM or EEPROM) during personalization. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same physical chip to be adapted to different clients without wasting memory capacity, as the ROM can be overwritten or its contents relocated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the memory into two distinct parts: immutable ROM for initial multi-application storage and reconfigurable memory (RAM/EEPROM) for the selected application. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multi-client capability during manufacture while enabling efficient single-application operation in the field, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and memory utilization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized chip production is performed for each client, then the application requirements are met, but the manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading multiple banking applications into the ROM during standard chip manufacture. This allows generic chips to be produced in large quantities without customization, reducing manufacturing complexity. The client-specific configuration is then performed later through a simpler process of selecting and transferring one application to reconfigurable memory, rather than requiring customized production for each client.
3Ease of manufacture
If generic chips with multiple applications are produced, then stock handling is simplified, but the cost of unused memory increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by making the memory dynamically reconfigurable. The secure element starts with multiple applications in ROM for easy stock handling, but during personalization, one application is selected and moved to reconfigurable memory. This dynamic transition allows the system to maintain the benefits of generic chip production while eliminating the waste of unused memory capacity in the final deployed state.
Data Source
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AI summary
A secure element (10) is in the form of a chip comprising a processor (11) and a nonvolatile, re-wiitable, memory (14) on which have been stored at least a first application (A1) in a first portion (41) of the memory and a second application (A2) in a second portion (42) of the memory. A method of preparing the secure element (10) comprises invoking (33) code stored in the secure element to recover (34) a memory portion remove occupied by a selected one of the first application (A1) and the second application (A2), leaving a remaining application in the memory. Invoking the code makes (35) the recovered memory portion available for storage of other data. A further invocation of the code is prevented.