Smart Card Inlay With Dual Coils and OLED Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart cards lack enhanced functionality and security features, and their manufacturing processes are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of at least two antenna coils, an LED module, particularly an OLED module, and a rectifier assembly within the inlay element, along with a contactless chip module and capacitor module, utilizing a method of collating and laminating layers under heat and pressure to create chip card sheets and cards with openings for modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an LED module is incorporated into the smart card for illumination functionality, then the visual feedback and security features are enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and layer integration

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the antenna layer and LED module into a single inlay element structure, where the LED module is integrated within the antenna layer. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining both illumination and RFID functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The antenna layer serves dual purposes: it provides RFID communication functionality and houses the LED module for illumination. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, enhancing security through visual feedback without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Length of moving object

If wireless power transfer is implemented to activate the LED module without internal power sources, then the smart card maintains a slim profile, but the reliability of illumination activation depends on external reader compatibility

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The smart card utilizes the external reader's electromagnetic field to self-power the LED module during authentication. The card's antenna layer harvests energy from the reader's signal, eliminating the need for internal batteries or power sources while maintaining slim profile dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple antenna coils are arranged on the antenna layer for enhanced functionality, then the versatility of the smart card is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to precise positioning needs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna layer is divided into multiple discrete antenna coils, each serving specific functionality such as RFID communication and LED power transfer. This segmentation allows for optimized placement and reduces interference between different functional zones, making manufacturing more manageable despite the increased precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables seamless illumination without internal power sources, provides customizable visual effects, ensures compatibility with existing terminals, enhances security through visual feedback, and improves manufacturing efficiency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a light-emitting element that is activated wirelessly through an oscillating magnetic field, generated by a smart card reader device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an OLED module, and a rectifier assembly within the inlay element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOrganic light-emitting diode effect: Organic Light-emitting Diode

Implementation Method 3

causing the light-emitting element to illuminate and emit light through the transparent portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4621639A1Smart card inlay element
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 ADVANIDE HLDG PTE LTD
  • EP4621639A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621639A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4621639A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An Inlay element (60) for a smart card (100), comprising an antenna layer (54), a first antenna coil (10) being arranged on a top surface (66) the antenna layer (54), a second antenna coil (12) being arranged on the top surface (66) of the antenna layer (54), a first compensation layer (53) being arranged on the top surface (66) of the antenna layer (54), an OLED module (20) being arranged at least partially within the antenna layer (54) and within the first compensation layer (53), a first overlay layer (51) being arranged below a bottom surface (65) of the antenna layer (54), and a transmissive second overlay layer (50) being arranged above a top surface (66) of the first compensation layer (53), wherein the first antenna coil (10) is galvanically decoupled from the second antenna coil (12), and wherein the first antenna coil (10) and the OLED module (20) are connected in series with a rectifier assembly (27).