UWB Transaction System for Secure Keyless Payment

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Solution Overview

Problem

NFC transactions require specific user operations, such as tapping or tagging, and are vulnerable to relay attacks, with users facing difficulties in aligning NFC antennas and being unaware of payment amounts during proximity payments.

Innovation Solution

Implementing ultra-wideband (UWB) communication in electronic devices with secure elements and processors to enable secure, distance-based transactions without the need for explicit user operation, using UWB signals for ranging and secure data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If NFC transaction is used, then short-range wireless communication is enabled, but user operation complexity increases and security decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operationVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces NFC's mechanical alignment requirement (tapping/tagging) with UWB's automatic positioning capability. The UWB communication circuitry automatically determines device proximity through ranging measurements, eliminating the need for users to manually align antennas or perform tapping actions, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining security through distance-based authentication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces UWB ranging technology as an intermediary layer between the user and the transaction system. The ranging measurement acts as a mediator that automatically verifies device proximity before enabling NFC transaction, providing security without requiring user intervention. This intermediary mechanism prevents relay attacks by ensuring the electronic device is physically present at the correct location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If NFC antenna alignment is required, then communication reliability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidantenna alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically perform the alignment function that would otherwise require user action. The UWB communication circuitry autonomously measures the distance and determines whether the electronic device is within the specified distance, eliminating the need for users to manually align NFC antennas. The system self-verifies the communication conditions and enables transaction automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If UWB ranging is implemented, then security against relay attacks improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges UWB communication circuitry with the existing NFC transaction system and secure element. Rather than creating separate independent systems, the UWB ranging functionality is integrated into the existing transaction flow, where UWB distance verification works in conjunction with NFC authentication. This consolidation achieves enhanced security while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If automatic distance-based transaction is used, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser operationVSAvoiddistance measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the distance threshold parameter to create a practical operational range. By setting the specified distance to a value that provides sufficient margin for normal user movement while remaining secure against relay attacks, the system achieves automatic transaction enablement without requiring extreme measurement precision. The parameter is optimized to balance ease of operation with measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

UWB transactions provide secure, intuitive keyless entry and payment solutions by ensuring secure data transmission and eliminating the need for user alignment of NFC antennas, while preventing relay attacks through distance-based authentication.

Implementation Method 1

The UWB communication circuitry may be configured to perform ranging with an external electronic device using a UWB signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight (ToF): Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP4236382B1Method for UWB transaction and electronic device therefor

Publication Date: 2024.10.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An electronic device includes communication circuitry configured to perform short-range wireless communication, ultra-wideband (UWB) communication circuitry configured to perform UWB communication, a secure element comprising a secure data storage configured to provide an execution environment isolated from an operating system (OS) of the electronic device, and a processor. The UWB communication circuitry performs ranging with an external electronic device, receives a first UWB signal including a medium access control (MAC) header and a MAC payload from the external electronic device, and determines, based at least on MAC payload information included in the MAC payload, whether to forward information included in the MAC payload information element to the secure element.