Server-Mediated IC Card Information Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing information providing systems that use IC cards for digital signage struggle with limited data storage capacity, requiring a PC with reader/writer functionality for data access, restricting users without such PCs from viewing stored information and limiting the amount of data that can be acquired.
Innovation Solution
An information providing system where an IC card stores a card ID, and a management server associates this ID with provided information, allowing users with network-connected PCs lacking reader/writer functionality to access and view detailed information stored on the server, bypassing the storage limitations of the IC card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If information is stored in an IC card memory, then the information can be accessed by touching a PC with reader/writer function, but users without a PC having reader/writer function cannot view the information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the IC card and the PC. The server stores information that is written to the IC card and provides it to PCs without reader/writer functions through network communication. This mediator enables universal access regardless of the PC's hardware capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the information storage function into two parts: the IC card stores only essential data (card ID and basic information), while the server stores the complete information set. This segmentation allows the IC card to remain simple while enabling comprehensive information access through the server.
2Loss of information
If high-quality image data is stored in the IC card memory, then the information quality improves, but the storage capacity of the IC card is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts high-quality information (such as detailed image data) from the IC card storage and relocates it to the server. The IC card retains only essential identification data, while the server stores the complete high-quality information that can be transmitted to PCs when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimension storage model (IC card only) to a two-dimension storage model (IC card + server). This allows information to be accessed through multiple paths: direct reading from IC card for basic needs, or network retrieval from server for comprehensive access.
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 users to acquire and view various information items, including high-quality data, using a PC without a reader/writer function, by storing and managing card IDs and associated information on a server, thereby overcoming storage capacity limitations and accessibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip includes an IC circuit and an antenna and can perform contactless communication
Data Source
AI summary
An information providing system includes the following elements. An IC card stores card ID. An information providing terminal reads out the card ID of the IC card, provides information to the IC card, and transmits the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the ID of the provided information to a management server. The management server receives the card ID and the information provided to the IC card or the provided information ID from the information providing terminal, has a database to manage the card ID and the provided information such that the card ID is associated with the provided information, acquires the information provided to the IC card from the database in response to an information request from a client terminal, and supplies the provided information to the client terminal. The client terminal displays the provided information supplied from the management server.