Smart Card Enrollment Device Battery-Free Power and LED Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices that power smart cards with biometric sensors often require batteries and additional light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for enrollment phases, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A device that powers smart cards without a battery, using a connector system with light-emitting diodes controlled by the card, where the diodes are turned on or off based on the power supply voltage and reference voltage, and a high-impedance state, with resistors to manage current and ensure proper operation, and a USB connector for power delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a battery is used to supply power to the smart card during enrollment, then the card can be powered during enrollment phase, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery component from the device architecture entirely. Instead of including a battery within the device, the solution extracts the power storage function and replaces it with an external power source connected through a connector, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining power supply capability during enrollment
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves multiple functions: it provides power supply voltage to the smart card, transmits data signals, and enables communication during enrollment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate battery and LED control circuits, reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If light-emitting diodes are provided on the card for enrollment guidance, then user guidance during enrollment is improved, but the card manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The LED components are extracted from the smart card and relocated to the device. The device now contains the LED assembly and control circuitry, while the card remains a simpler component that only needs to provide power and data signals. This extraction simplifies card manufacturing while maintaining user guidance functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The device acts as an intermediary that houses the LED components and control logic. The smart card communicates with the device, which then controls the LEDs to provide user guidance during enrollment. This intermediary approach separates the guidance function from the card itself, simplifying card manufacturing
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to the device for power supply and LED control, then the functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to handle multiple functions simultaneously: power supply voltage transmission, data communication, and LED control signals. By making the connector multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby maintaining enhanced functionality while controlling manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power supply circuitry, LED control circuitry, and communication interface into a single integrated device architecture. This merging of functions into unified components reduces the total component count and assembly complexity, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining full functionality
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 efficient power supply to smart cards with biometric sensors without batteries and provides controlled LED signaling during enrollment, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while maintaining compatibility with ISO/IEC standards.
Implementation Method 1
a first light-emitting diode having an anode coupled to the third contact and a cathode coupled to the second node
Implementation Method 2
a second light-emitting diode having a cathode coupled to the third contact and an anode coupled to the first node
Data Source
AI summary
A connector that is configured to receive a smart card includes: a first contact configured to receive a power supply voltage and corresponding to a first (power supply) contact area of the smart card, a second contact configured to receive a reference voltage and corresponding to contact a second (reference voltage) contact area of the smart card, and a third contact corresponding to a three-state (input/output) contact area of the smart card. A first light-emitting diode having an anode coupled to the third contact and a cathode coupled to the second contact. A second light-emitting diode has a cathode coupled to the third contact and an anode coupled to the first contact. Turning on/off of the first and second light-emitting diode is controlled by the smart card through the signal at the three-state (input/output) contact area.