Voice-Enabled Smart Card With Active NFC And NLP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart cards with passive NFC chips rely on external devices for power and cannot initiate transactions independently, limiting their functionality and user experience, especially for visually impaired individuals who cannot easily interact with traditional POS devices.
Innovation Solution
A smart card with an embedded active NFC chip, microprocessor, and voice controller that uses natural language processing to enable peer-to-peer transactions and money transfers without the need for a POS device, allowing voice command initiation and supporting autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a passive NFC chip is used in the smart card, then the card can perform contactless transactions when powered by an external device, but the card cannot initiate transactions independently without a POS or powering device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate components into a single integrated smart card system: an active NFC chip (previously external), a microprocessor, a battery, and a voice controller are merged into one card unit. This enables the card to independently initiate transactions while maintaining a form factor suitable for portable use.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart card is designed to perform multiple functions: it can initiate contactless NFC transactions, process voice commands for transaction authorization, store transaction data, and operate independently without requiring a POS device or external power source. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by enabling independent transaction initiation while keeping the card portable.
2Ease of operation
If traditional POS devices with keypads are used for transactions, then transactions can be completed with visual feedback, but visually impaired individuals cannot easily interact with the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical keypad interface with a voice-based acoustic interface. The voice controller captures audio commands, the microprocessor processes them through natural language interpretation, and provides audio feedback. This substitution eliminates the need for visual interaction while maintaining secure transaction capabilities, directly addressing the needs of visually impaired users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an active NFC chip with battery is embedded in the smart card, then the card can independently initiate transactions, but the card requires additional power management components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power management functionality into the existing microprocessor and battery system. The microprocessor controls power distribution to the active NFC chip, voice controller, and other components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated power management ICs. This integration achieves autonomous operation while minimizing additional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for a smart card which enables users to initiate a transaction or money transfer using voice commands. The apparatus and methods may include a smart card. The smart card may be responsive to voice commands and support electronic communication with a payment network. The smart card may include a housing, a network interface controller including a wireless communication interface, a voice controller, an active near-field communication chip, a microprocessor, a battery and/or an activation button. The smart card may also include executable instructions stored in a non-transitory memory, that when run by the microprocessor, detect and capture a first audio message via the voice controller and perform speaker-dependent speech recognition on the captured audio message to identify whether or not an authorized user of the smart card generated the audio message.