Smart Card Sensor Circuit for Active Device Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional smart cards lack the capability to perform functions beyond data storage and identification, and cannot actively control actions or functions in electronic instruments, such as mobile phones, despite incorporating sensors that detect motion or environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sensor measurement circuit, such as an accelerometer or pedometer, within the smart card that provides direct command signals to the integrated circuit, allowing for the recognition and execution of pre-programmed actions or functions in portable electronic devices, and enabling the storage of configuration parameters for seamless device compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional smart cards are used with sensors, then data storage and identification functions are provided, but the cards cannot actively control actions or functions in electronic instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidactive control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the traditional integrated circuit with additional electronic means including sensors (accelerometer, temperature sensor, light sensor) and processing units within the smart card. This merging enables the card to perform both data storage/identification functions and active sensing/control functions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and active control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The smart card is designed with multi-functionality, integrating communication functions, sensor-based detection functions, and active control functions into a single device. The card can now serve as both an identification medium and an active control element that can detect environmental conditions and trigger actions in electronic instruments.

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

2Ease of operation

If sensors are added to the smart card, then active control capability is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive control capabilityVSAvoidelectronic structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple electronic components (sensors, processing units, memory) within the existing smart card structure. The sensor measurement circuit is integrated into the card's electronic architecture, allowing active control functionality to be added without significantly increasing external complexity or requiring separate discrete components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 the smart card to actively control functions in electronic instruments, such as switching between power modes, and allows for the storage of user-specific configuration parameters, facilitating compatibility across different devices without the need for repeated configuration.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor measurement circuit (10) with sensor (C), such as an accelerometer or pedometer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentEP2128805B1Smart card with additional electronic means
Publication Date: 2011.10.26 EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN
  • EP2128805B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The card has a measuring circuit (10) i.e. triaxial accelerometer, comprising a movement sensor (C) i.e. impact sensor, for detecting an impact or measuring acceleration. A sensor interface is connected to the sensor for providing a physical parameter measurement signal (S-D) to a measurement signal pre-processing unit such that the unit provides an output signal. The output signal relates to the measurement of physical parameters e.g. pressure and temperature, and is directly exploitable in an active manner to control an action/function of an electronic instrument.