Wireless Smart Card Electronic Certificate Redemption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread adoption of NFC proximity payments is hindered by the scarcity of NFC-enabled handsets, creating a critical mass dilemma, as businesses are reluctant to install NFC readers due to low customer demand, and consumers are hesitant to purchase expensive NFC-enabled handsets.
Innovation Solution
Implementing inexpensive contactless wireless smart cards that can store and redeem electronic certificates using an electromagnetic field, allowing for the introduction of NFC proximity transactions without relying on NFC-enabled handsets, where tag data is received from an RFID tag and sent to a back-end server for electronic certificate redemption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFC enabled handsets are used for electronic transactions, then transaction capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive NFC enabled handsets with inexpensive contactless smart cards that can store and transmit electronic certificate data. These cards are much cheaper to manufacture and distribute, enabling widespread adoption of NFC proximity payment transactions without requiring expensive mobile devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contactless smart cards as an intermediary device between the user and the NFC reader system. These cards contain RFID tags that can store electronic certificate data and communicate with readers, serving as a bridge that enables transactions without requiring expensive NFC enabled handsets.
2Productivity
If businesses install NFC proximity payment readers, then transaction processing capability is improved, but initial deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contactless smart cards can store multiple types of electronic certificates including coupons, promotions, tickets, and loyalty program data. This multi-functionality allows a single card to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing the need for businesses to deploy multiple different systems and lowering overall deployment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inexpensive contactless smart cards instead of expensive NFC enabled handsets, which significantly reduces the barrier to entry for both consumers and businesses. The low cost of cards allows widespread distribution and adoption, enabling businesses to process more transactions with minimal initial investment.
3Ease of manufacture
If contactless cards are used to store electronic certificates, then device cost is reduced, but data storage capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the primary data storage function from the contactless card to a remote server. The card itself only stores minimal identification data (such as a unique identifier or encrypted reference), while the actual electronic certificate data is stored in the cloud. This dimensional shift allows the card to remain inexpensive while providing access to virtually unlimited storage capacity through network connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a server-based storage infrastructure as an intermediary between the contactless card and the electronic certificate data. The card acts as a key or access token that communicates with the server to retrieve and validate certificates, enabling the system to overcome the physical storage limitations of the card while maintaining low device costs.
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 approach enables affordable and widespread adoption of electronic certificate storage and redemption, encouraging vendors to install wireless smart device readers, thereby promoting the proliferation of NFC proximity payments.
Implementation Method 1
storing tag data on a wireless smart card that is inductively powered when brought into the proximity of an electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for storing and redeeming an electronic certificate on a wireless smart card are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method includes storing tag data on a wireless smart card that is inductively powered when brought into the proximity of an electromagnetic field and is unpowered when outside of the proximity of the field. Tag data is received from a wireless smart card at a wireless smart device reader during an electronic transaction, wherein the card is powered by an electromagnetic field generated by the device reader. The method also includes sending, from the wireless smart device reader, transaction data, which includes at least the tag data and a vendor identifier, to a back-end server. At the wireless smart device reader, an electronic certificate is received from the server, the electronic certificate being obtained by the server using the tag data and the vendor identifier.