Smartcard Wireless Access Authorization Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional smartcards lack a transceiver unit for wireless communication and a memory unit for secure access authorization, compromising security and convenience, especially in access-restricted locations.

Innovation Solution

A smartcard system with a substrate integrating a transceiver unit for signal transmission and reception, a memory unit for storing indicative identification data, a display unit for authorized information, and a battery unit for power, where the authorization client accesses complementary information for identity verification, ensuring high security and convenience through wireless communication and localized recognition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional smartcards are used without a transceiver unit, then the device structure is simpler, but wireless communication capability for access authorization is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transceiver unit, memory unit, display unit, and battery unit into a single integrated smartcard device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified card enables wireless communication capability while managing device complexity through integration rather than separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If user information is stored on the smartcard, then access authorization is faster, but security level is reduced because information can be stolen if the card is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidaccess authorization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts sensitive user information (name, photograph, company data) from the smartcard and stores it only in the authorization client's database. The smartcard retains only a unique identification number. This extraction of sensitive data from the card eliminates the security risk of card loss while maintaining authorization functionality through the distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The authorization client acts as an intermediary between the smartcard and the access control system. It receives the identification number from the card, looks up the corresponding user information in its database, and processes authorization. This intermediary approach allows fast authorization without storing sensitive data on the card.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the smartcard displays user information, then user identification is clearer, but security is compromised as information can be read by unauthorized persons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser identification clarityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of displaying user information on the card face, the patent inverts the approach by having the card display only a generic message like 'Authorized User' or 'Access Granted'. The actual identifying information is obtained through wireless communication with the authorization client, which is only accessible to authorized users in the authorized area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a transceiver unit and memory unit are added to the smartcard, then access authorization functionality is improved, but the device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess authorization functionalityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smartcard is designed as a multi-functional device integrating wireless communication (transceiver), data storage (memory), display capabilities, and power supply (battery). This universal design enables multiple functions including identification, authorization, and information display within a single device, managing complexity through consolidation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2524354B1System, Smartcard and method for access authorization
Publication Date: 2016.11.16 TELEKOM DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2524354B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2524354B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for access authorization, wherein the system comprises a smartcard and an authorization client, wherein the smartcard comprises a substrate adapted to mechanically hold all units integrated in the smartcard, wherein the smartcard further comprises a transceiver unit adapted to transmit signals to the authorization client and to receive signals from the authorization client, a memory unit adapted to store first identification data, a display unit adapted to display an information related to second identification data received from the authorization client in case that the smartcard or a user of the smartcard is authorized, a battery unit adapted to store electric power for all the units integrated in the smartcard, wherein the authorization client comprises a transceiver module adapted for communication with the smartcard by a connection in case that the smartcard is located in an authorization area, wherein the authorization client comprises a first module coupled to the transceiver module adapted for granting the access authorization for the smartcard and its user.