Selective Physical Card Unlocking with Automatic Expiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical cards, such as credit or debit cards, are susceptible to fraudulent activity and require manual locking and unlocking, which consumes computing and network resources and is prone to user error, leading to imprecise timing and potential security breaches.

Innovation Solution

A system that automatically locks the physical card after a predetermined activation time duration based on location data and mobility patterns, reducing the need for user intervention and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual locking and unlocking is used, then user control over card availability is improved, but computing and network resources are consumed and user error leads to imprecise timing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over card availabilityVSAvoidcomputing and network resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically manages card locking and unlocking based on location data and mobility patterns, eliminating the need for manual user intervention. The card self-locks when mobility indicators suggest the card is lost or stolen, and self-unlocks when the card is returned to the user, conserving computing and network resources while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors location data and mobility patterns to determine card status. When mobility indicators change (suggesting loss or return), the system automatically adjusts card availability, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that eliminates manual intervention and reduces resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If manual locking and unlocking is used, then user control over card availability is improved, but user error leads to imprecise timing and potential security breaches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control over card availabilityVSAvoidtiming precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical locking/unlocking operations with automated electronic monitoring based on location data and mobility patterns. This substitution eliminates human error and provides precise, objective timing for card availability changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of energy

If automatic locking based on location data is used, then resource consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing and network resourcesVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing location data and mobility pattern monitoring capabilities that are already present in modern devices for various purposes. By repurposing these existing functions for card security, the system avoids adding significant complexity while achieving automatic resource conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250285103A1Selective unlocking of a physical card to restrict unauthorized access

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

In some implementations, a device may receive, from a user device, a request to activate a physical card. The request may indicate information relating to the physical card and request-specific data. The device may activate the physical card in response to the request. The device may monitor, while the physical card is activated, for an expiration of an activation time duration. The activation time duration may be according to the request-specific data. The device may detect that a deactivation condition for deactivating the physical card is satisfied. The deactivation condition may be the expiration of the activation time duration or an occurrence of an exchange involving the physical card. The device may deactivate the physical card in response to satisfaction of the deactivation condition and without involvement of the user device.