Smart Card Secondary LoRaWAN Network for Emergency Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Primary communication networks, such as cellular networks, often become inoperable during emergencies or are inaccessible to certain users, disrupting essential services like financial transactions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated secondary communication network system utilizing a smart card with a microprocessor, battery, user interface, and transmitter, which can bypass the primary network by connecting to a LoRaWAN-based secondary network through a gateway installed near a financial institution, allowing users to perform limited financial services even when the primary network is down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a primary communication network (cellular network) is used to provide financial services, then service coverage and functionality are improved, but reliability deteriorates during emergencies or in areas with limited infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a secondary communication network as an intermediary system that operates independently of the primary cellular network. This secondary network uses alternative communication protocols and infrastructure (such as radio frequency identification, near field communication, or other wireless technologies) to enable financial transactions when the primary network is unavailable, thus resolving the reliability issue without requiring complex dual-network infrastructure in every device
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares backup communication capabilities in advance by integrating multiple communication interfaces and protocols into the financial service device. These alternative communication paths are pre-configured and ready to activate automatically when the primary network fails, providing cushioning against service disruption without adding complexity to normal operations
2Reliability
If a secondary communication network is integrated into the smart card, then reliability during network outages is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication capabilities (primary network interface, secondary communication interface, processor, memory, and power management) into a single integrated smart card device. This consolidation achieves redundancy and reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as shared components serve multiple functions and the overall device remains compact and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The smart card is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a standard financial card for normal operations and as an emergency communication device when the primary network fails. The same hardware infrastructure supports multiple communication protocols and modes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated emergency devices and reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an integrated secondary communication network are provided. A method may include receiving an indication of a pre-determined trigger event, and presenting, via a user interface of a smart card, an option to perform a limited subset of a set of financial services. The set of financial services may be provided to a user of the smart card by a financial institution in connection with an account to which the smart card is keyed. The method may include the smart card bypassing the primary communication network, in response to receipt of a selection to perform a service from the limited subset of the set of financial services, and transmitting, via a transmitter of the smart card to a gateway of the secondary communication network, communication packets requesting the service. The method may also include the gateway forwarding the communication packets to a server of the secondary communication network, and, in response to receipt of the communication packets, the server causing the service to be performed.