Smart Card Motion Sensor Rigid Casing Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smart cards, such as SIM cards, lack integration of motion sensors without damaging the sensor measurement circuit, which hinders their functionality and compatibility with portable electronic instruments.

Innovation Solution

A smart card with a sensor measurement circuit, including a motion sensor, is encapsulated in a rigid casing to ensure mechanical insulation and facilitate mounting, allowing for data signals and commands to be provided to the integrated circuit and subsequently the portable instrument, enabling recognition of user-defined actions and functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a motion sensor is integrated directly into the smart card without a rigid casing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sensor measurement circuit is damaged due to mechanical constraints from the plastic material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidsensor functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The smart card is segmented into distinct functional modules: the integrated circuit for data processing and the sensor measurement circuit for motion detection. Each module is encapsulated separately, with the sensor circuit housed in a rigid casing independent of the plastic card body. This segmentation prevents mechanical constraints from the plastic material from damaging the sensitive sensor components while maintaining overall device integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rigid casing is used to protect the sensor measurement circuit, then the sensor functionality is preserved, but the device complexity increases due to additional encapsulation structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor functionalityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid casing protecting the sensor measurement circuit is merged with the overall smart card encapsulation structure. The casing is integrated into the plastic card body through standardized mounting interfaces, combining the protective function with the structural housing. This merging approach provides sensor protection while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by unifying multiple functions into a single integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the sensor measurement circuit is encapsulated in the plastic material of the card, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the sensor is damaged due to mechanical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration processVSAvoidsensor measurement circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor measurement circuit is extracted from direct encapsulation in the plastic card material. Instead, the sensor circuit is housed in a separate rigid casing that is then integrated into the smart card structure. This extraction prevents the plastic material from imposing mechanical constraints on the sensitive sensor components, thereby preserving sensor functionality while maintaining a streamlined manufacturing process through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If motion sensors are integrated into the smart card, then the functionality for detecting movements and commands is enhanced, but the sensor is damaged by the plastic encapsulation material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor capabilityVSAvoidsensor integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor measurement circuit is provided with beforehand cushioning through the rigid casing that absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses before they can reach the sensitive sensor components. The rigid casing acts as a protective barrier that cushions the sensor from the mechanical constraints of the plastic card material, thereby preserving sensor integrity while enabling enhanced motion detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2221755B1Chip card comprising a sensor and method for manufacturing such a chip card
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN
  • EP2221755B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2221755B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The smart card (1) comprises at least one integrated circuit (11) with a memory unit, in which personal data and/or at least one smart card identification code and/or configuration parameters can be stored. The integrated circuit is enclosed in an insulating material (3) forming the card. The smart card (1) also comprises communication means (2) for communicating with an electronic instrument. These communication means are electrically connected to corresponding contact areas of the integrated circuit. The smart card further comprises a sensor measurement circuit for measuring a physical parameter in order to provide at least one output signal (SD) related to the measurement of the physical parameter. The sensor measurement circuit is arranged in a rigid housing to define an electronic module (10), which is enclosed in the insulating material (3) forming the smart card.The measurement circuit includes a motion sensor (C) to detect an impact or measure acceleration, and a sensor interface connected to the sensor to provide a measurement signal for the physical parameter. The measurement circuit is electrically connected through the module housing to external connection terminals on the housing.