Multi-function Transaction Card Optical Authorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contactless transactions face challenges due to the absence or malfunction of near-field communication (NFC) capabilities in devices, leading to increased computing and network resource usage and heightened risks of fraudulent activity.

Innovation Solution

A multi-function transaction card that pairs with a terminal via wireless connection, generates an authorization request cryptogram (ARQC) using a cryptographic key stored in a secure element, and displays an optical pattern such as a QR code or pulsed light pattern, allowing for secure and resource-efficient authorization without relying on NFC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If NFC capability is used for contactless transactions, then transaction security is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction securityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the NFC communication function from the transaction card and replaces it with an optical display system. The card generates and displays optical patterns (such as QR codes or light sequences) that contain transaction authorization information, eliminating the need for NFC hardware while maintaining security through cryptographic key-based code generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the electromagnetic NFC coupling mechanism with an optical display and reading system. Instead of using magnetic field coupling between cards and terminals, the system uses optical patterns displayed on the card and read by optical sensors in the terminal, achieving contactless communication without NFC hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If NFC capability is used for contactless transactions, then transaction speed is improved, but computing and network resource usage increase when NFC is absent or malfunctioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction speedVSAvoidcomputing and network resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The transaction card performs self-contained cryptographic operations locally to generate authorization codes. The card's processor independently creates the optical pattern based on stored cryptographic keys and transaction information, eliminating the need for continuous network communication or complex cloud-based processing that would consume additional computing and network resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If NFC capability is used for contactless transactions, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive NFC hardware components with inexpensive optical display elements. The transaction card uses simple display technology (such as LED arrays or projection surfaces) that can be manufactured at lower cost than NFC chips, while still providing secure contactless transaction functionality through the generated optical patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This solution reduces the risk of fraudulent activity and conserves computing and network resources while enabling payment authorization without NFC, lowering manufacturing costs and allowing transactions even when NFC is not available.

Implementation Method 1

an output device on the card body... generate, based on the ARQC, a machine-readable code; and display, using the output device, the machine-readable code

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS11556917B2Authorizing a payment with a multi-function transaction card

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

A multi-function transaction card may include a card body having dimensions that are in accordance with a standard for transaction cards, an output device on the card body, and a secure element within the card body. The multi-function transaction card may pair, via a wireless connection, the multi-function transaction card with a terminal. The multi-function transaction card may receive, from the terminal, information associated with a transaction. The multi-function transaction card may generate, based on the information associated with the transaction, and using a cryptographic key, an authorization request cryptogram (ARQC), wherein the cryptographic key is stored in the secure element. The multi-function transaction card may generate, based on the ARQC, a machine-readable code. The multi-function transaction card may display, using the output device, the machine-readable code.