Smart Card Memory Expansion via Portable Host Coupling
Solution Overview
Problem
SIM cards face limitations in memory size and communication capabilities, making it difficult to leverage new generation memory chips and expand functionalities while maintaining compatibility with existing standards.
Innovation Solution
A system that couples a smart card with a portable host machine, utilizing a MicroSD connector and NFC controller to extend memory and communication channels by routing data between pads using the SWP protocol, allowing the smart card to access additional memory and communication channels without requiring specific hardware or software upgrades in the mobile phone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If SIM card memory size is increased using new generation memory chips, then memory capacity is improved, but device complexity and compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the memory system into two parts: the original SIM card memory and an external portable electronic device memory. The SIM card maintains its original memory chip while gaining access to additional memory capacity through a coupling mechanism with an external device, thus avoiding the need to upgrade the SIM card's internal memory chip while still achieving increased total memory capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable host machine acts as an intermediary between the SIM card and the portable electronic device. It provides the coupling mechanism that enables communication and data transfer between the SIM card and the external device, allowing the SIM card to access additional memory without direct modification to the SIM card or the external device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SIM card communication capabilities are extended, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device provides multiple communication channels (contactless channel, vocal channel, visual channel) that can be used for different types of communication. This multi-functional approach allows the SIM card to access various communication capabilities through a single coupling mechanism with the portable host machine, avoiding the need for separate hardware additions for each communication type.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable host machine serves as an intermediary that provides NFC communication capabilities to the SIM card. Through the coupling mechanism, the SIM card can utilize the host machine's NFC circuit for contactless communication without requiring its own NFC hardware, thus extending communication capabilities while avoiding increased device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If NFC communication channel is added to SIM card, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable host machine acts as an intermediary that provides NFC communication capabilities to the SIM card. The host machine's NFC circuit communicates with the SIM card through the coupling mechanism, allowing the SIM card to perform contactless communication without requiring its own NFC hardware. This approach extends NFC capability while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding physical NFC hardware to the SIM card, the solution uses a logical coupling through the portable host machine. The NFC communication is achieved through software and protocol implementation in the host machine rather than through additional mechanical or physical components in the SIM card itself.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is a portable host machine comprising a smart card and a connector. The connector has a set of pads able to communicate through a first protocol. The smart card has at least a first pad able to communicate using a second protocol. The connector has at least an additional pad able to communicate using the second protocol. The first and additional pads are privately linked into said portable host machine. In one embodiment there is a wired direct link provided between the SIM card of a mobile phone and a connected external memory card in order to increase the available memory for the SIM card.