Wearable NFC Device with USB Provisioning for Secure Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NFC technologies are expensive, bulky, and inaccessible to children, limiting their ability to use secure contactless services like payment and transportation due to the need for advanced mobile terminals and specific readers, and existing low-cost solutions lack security and multi-application capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A portable object with a near-field communication module, a security element, and a USB serial communication module that loads secure services via a USB link, eliminating the need for a mobile network connection and internal power supply, allowing for a lightweight, inexpensive, and multi-application device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If advanced mobile terminals with NFC are used to provide secure contactless services, then security and multi-application capabilities are improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into three independent components: a simple portable object containing only NFC and security elements, a USB communication module for data transmission, and a PC application for service management. This segmentation allows the security-critical portable object to remain simple while complex functions are distributed to external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A PC or external device acts as an intermediary between the portable object and the service provider. The intermediary handles complex operations such as application installation, data management, and communication with service providers, allowing the portable object itself to remain simple and inexpensive.
2Reliability
If advanced mobile terminals with NFC are used to provide secure contactless services, then security and multi-application capabilities are improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery and power management components are extracted from the portable object, eliminating the need for internal power supply. This allows the portable object to be extremely lightweight and simple, while power is provided externally during USB communication sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable object is designed as a universal platform that can provide multiple secure services (payment, transportation, identification) through the security element, rather than requiring separate dedicated devices for each function. This multi-functionality is achieved without increasing the physical size of the portable object.
3Device complexity
If simple transponder-based architectures are used, then device cost and simplicity are improved, but security and multi-application capabilities deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC communication functionality and the security element are merged into a single integrated portable object. This combination ensures that security-critical operations are performed within the secure element while maintaining the simplicity and low cost of the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The security element can be remotely provisioned with applications and data through USB communication, allowing the same simple portable object hardware to securely host multiple different secure services by loading appropriate security applications and credentials.
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 secure NFC communications using a simple, inexpensive device that can provide multiple services like payment and transportation, without the need for advanced mobile terminals or internal power, making secure contactless services accessible to a broader audience.
Implementation Method 1
NFC communications, based mainly on the ISO (International Standard Organization) 14443 standard, use wireless technologies to allow an exchange of information between two peripherals that are a short distance apart
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wearable object (OP) capable of providing at least one secure service (S) in near field (NFC). The object comprises: ∘ a near field (NFC) module including an antenna (AN) and a microcontroller (CLF) for managing near field communication with a near field reading unit (2) external to the wearable object; ∘ a security element (SE) comprising: ▪ storage means (MEM) for storing applications (APS) and data (DPS) relating to at least one secure service (S), ▪ a communication module (I1) with the near field (NFC) module for exchanging data relating to the secure service (S). The object is characterized in that it also includes a serial communication module (USB) connected to the security element (SE, SIM, I4) and in that the applications (APS) and data (DPS) of the secure service (S) are transmitted to the security element by said serial communication module (USB).