CN114140113A - Microcircuit card customization - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to microcircuit card customization. The microcircuit card is provided with a fingerprint sensor. The customization of the microcircuit card is achieved by data exchange using near field communication between the microcircuit card and the near field communication device. A mechanical positioning system associated with the near field communication device is configured to hold the microcircuit card so that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near field communication between the microcircuit card and the near field communication device is ensured. In an example where the near field communication device is a cellular telephone, the mechanical positioning system may be formed by a slot of a protective case for the cellular telephone.

Description

Microcircuit card customization

Priority requirement

The present application claims priority to french patent application No.2008984, filed on 9/4/2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference to the maximum extent allowed by law.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to microcircuit cards provided with biometric sensors (more simply referred to as biometric cards) and methods of customizing the same.

Background

In order for a user to be able to use a biometric card, it is often necessary to previously store biometric data specific to the user in the card. During a so-called card-making, registration or enrolment operation, biometric data of the user is stored in the card. The implementation of these custom operations currently appears to be limited to the user.

There is a need to improve current methods of biometric card customization.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment overcomes all or part of the disadvantages of known methods of customizing a biometric card.

One embodiment provides a method wherein the customization step of the microcircuit card provided with fingerprint sensors, carried out by the card, is controlled by a near field communication device.

According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: a) obtaining biometric data characteristics of a user through a fingerprint sensor; and b) storing the biometric data in a memory of the microcircuit card.

According to one embodiment, the near field communication device powers a microcircuit card.

According to one embodiment, the device is a cellular telephone.

According to an embodiment, the microcircuit card is a biometric contactless payment bank card.

According to an embodiment, the microcircuit is held together with the device by a positioning system.

One embodiment provides a positioning system capable of implementing the method.

According to one embodiment, the system includes a housing for protecting the device, the housing including a slot for inserting a microcircuit card.

According to one embodiment, the system includes a fixture for aligning the microcircuit card relative to the device.

One embodiment provides a computer program product comprising non-transitory storage support adapted to implement the method.

An embodiment provides a system comprising a microcircuit card and a mobile phone, which is adapted to implement said method.

Drawings

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be discussed in detail in the following non-limiting description of specific embodiments and modes of implementation in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a near field communication system of the type to which the described embodiments and modes of implementation are applicable;

FIG. 2 is a partially simplified top view of an example of a biometric card control system;

FIG. 3 is a partial simplified top view of an example of a biometric card customization system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a partial simplified bottom view of the customization system of FIG. 3;

fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device provided with a protective casing; and

fig. 6 is a flowchart showing steps of a bioassay card customizing method according to an embodiment mode.

Detailed Description

Similar features have been designated by similar reference numerals in the various figures. In particular, structural and/or functional elements common to different embodiments and modes of implementation may be designated with the same reference numerals and may have the same structural, dimensional and material properties.

For clarity, only those steps and elements which are helpful in understanding the embodiments and modes of implementation are shown and will be described in detail. In particular, the generation of signals and data exchanged in the near field and their interpretation have not been described in detail, the described embodiments and modes of implementation being compatible with the usual techniques for generating and interpreting these signals and data.

Unless otherwise stated, when two elements are referred to as being connected together, this means a direct connection without any intervening elements, except conductors, and when two elements are referred to as being coupled together, this means that the two elements may be connected or coupled through one or more other elements.

In the following description, when referring to terms defining absolute position, such as the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., or relative position, such as the terms "upper", "lower", etc., or terms defining orientation, such as the terms "horizontal", "vertical", etc. Reference is made to the orientation of the drawings unless otherwise specified.

Unless otherwise specified, "about", "approximately", "substantially" and "in the order of …" mean within 10%, preferably within 5%.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an example of a near field communication system 100 or NFC system of the type to which the embodiments and modes of implementation are applicable.

In the example shown, NFC system 100 includes a microcircuit card 101. For example, an electromagnetic field, EMF, is emitted by a device (not shown) and captured by card 101 located within range. This enables, among other things, card 101 to be powered by and exchange data with the device.

For example, card 101 is a bank card, such as a contactless payment card, a transport card, an identification card, or a personal access card, etc.

In the example shown, card 101 is equipped with a biometric sensor 105. The biometric sensor 105 is, for example, a fingerprint sensor or reader. For example, biometric sensor 105 is located on the front side of card 101, as shown in FIG. 1.

In the example shown, biometric card 101 also includes a chip 107. In fig. 1, chip 107 is represented by contacts located on the front side of card 101, e.g., chip 107 is flush with the front side of card 101. These contacts are used, for example, to transmit power signals and data during communication between card 101 and a reader (not shown) using the contacts.

In the example shown, chip 107 comprises a processing unit 109 (secure element — SE). For example, the processing unit 109 is used to process data called security or secret, i.e., data that is desired to be retained for access by certain users or circuits. The processing unit 109 may more particularly have the function of protecting secret data (e.g. data characteristics of the user or owner of the card 101) and of performing operations on or by means of these secret data. For example, the processing unit 109 is configured such that an attacker or hacker cannot discover the secret data it manipulates. For example, the processing unit 109 is a microcontroller, e.g., a secure microcontroller.

In the example shown, chip 107 also includes a memory 111 (MEM). For example, memory 111 may include areas for storing program code instructions and/or variables for processing unit 109 to perform operations. The memory 111 of the chip 107 may also comprise a so-called secure area. These secure areas may be used, for example, for secret data of the user of the memory card 101. More specifically, the secure area of the memory 111 may contain one or more so-called reference fingerprints of the owner of the card 101, the data of which are derived from, for example, the processing of the images acquired by the biometric sensor 105, to which they are compared during the authentication process.

In the example shown, the chip 107 also comprises a microcontroller 113 (biometric microcontroller — BIO MCU). The microcontroller 113 is used, for example, to process data acquired by the fingerprint sensor 105 of the biometric card 101. The microcontroller 113 can, for example, execute more instructions per second than the processing unit 109 to obtain a substantially equivalent energy consumption. For example, the microcontroller 113 is a biometric microcontroller, e.g., a microcontroller dedicated to executing image processing instructions originating from the fingerprint sensor 105.

The microcontroller 113 and the security microcontroller 109 may be formed inside and on top of the same substrate, for example a wafer made of semiconductor material. As a variant, the microcontrollers 109 and 113 are formed on different substrates.

Chip 107 of biometric card 101 may also include one or more other elements. In fig. 1, these elements are represented by functional blocks 115 (FCTs).

In the example shown, card 101 also includes an antenna 117 (ANT). For example, antenna 117 may be capable of capturing an electromagnetic field, EMF, when card 101 is within its range.

For example, the processing unit 109 may comprise a module or macro for managing the electrical energy captured by the antenna 117 over the electromagnetic field, EMF. For example, these modules are used to manage (i.e., consume) electrical power by the fingerprint sensor 105 and the microcontroller 113 according to the energy available from the field EMF.

During the implementation of the communication or service of card 101, the step of checking the identity of the user of card 101 may be implemented. In this case, for example, the user is required to place the finger 119 on the fingerprint sensor 105. For example, one or more images of the user's finger 119 are acquired by the fingerprint sensor 105. The image(s) acquired by the fingerprint sensor 105 are then processed, for example, by the microcontroller 113 to extract biometric features therefrom, such as singularities or minutiae. These details are then compared, for example, with so-called reference details previously stored, for example, in the memory 111 of the card 101, to control the identity of the user of the card 101.

The reference details of the user are stored in the card 101 during a so-called customizing, registering or registering operation of the card 101. To perform these operations, the user must typically go to a specialized counter, such as a bank teller in the case where card 101 is a bank card. As a variation, the bank may ship a device (e.g., the device discussed above in connection with fig. 2) to the user's home for customization of card 101.

Fig. 2 is a partial simplified top view of an example of a system for customizing a card, such as the biometric card 101 previously discussed in connection with fig. 1.

In the example shown, card 101 is inserted into electronic device 200. In this example, the device 200 corresponds to a commonly used biometric card control device. More specifically, the apparatus 200 is capable of storing reference details of a user of the card 101 in the card 101, for example.

In the example shown, device 200 includes a transverse slot or notch for receiving card 101. For example, device 200 is adapted to communicate with contacts of card 101. For example, when chip 107 of card 101 is inserted into device 200, device 200 may include and be positioned opposite contacts (not shown) thereof.

In the example shown, the device 200 comprises a microcontroller 201 (MCU). Microcontroller 201 is, for example, the main processing unit of device 200. For example, microcontroller 201 can control the capturing of images by fingerprint sensor 105 of card 101, the processing of these images to extract reference details therefrom, and the storing of the reference details into card 101.

In the example shown, the device 200 also includes an embedded energy source, such as a battery 203 (BAT). In the case where the device 200 is intended for use in different countries, this enables the manufacturer of the device 200 to remove the constraints of the power distribution network specific to these different countries, for example. As a variant, the device 200 may be equipped with a mains power supply.

In the example shown, the device 200 also includes a light emitting indicator, such as a light emitting diode 205 or LED. The diode 205 is located, for example, on the front side of the device 200. The diodes 205 may be the same color or different colors. For example, diode 205 can direct a user to perform a customized operation of card 101.

Device 200 may also include one or more other elements. In fig. 2, these elements are represented by functional blocks 207 (FCT).

A disadvantage of device 200 is that the user of card 101 generally considers its use less convenient. This is due, inter alia, to the fact that the information and indication display possibilities provided by the diode 205 are very limited. In addition, the delivery and shipping of device 200 is typically charged for by the user of card 101. These practical and economic drawbacks often hinder the adoption of biometric cards, such as card 101.

Another disadvantage of device 200 is that its use typically occurs only once, typically only a few minutes, during the life cycle of card 101. Furthermore, in the event that the user wishes to replace card 101 with another, newer card, device 200 may no longer operate using the other card. In addition to the aforementioned economic impact, the manufacture and use of the custom device 200 therefore also has an ecological impact, which should desirably be eliminated.

Fig. 3 is a partial simplified top view of a biometric card customization system (e.g., card 101) according to an embodiment.

In the illustrated example, the biometric card 101 is placed on the back side of the cellular phone 300, e.g., against the back side of the cellular phone 300. Card 101 is positioned such that cellular telephone 300 does not completely cover the front side of card 101. More specifically, the location of card 101 allows a user to access fingerprint sensor 105.

In general, cellular telephone 300 is capable of near field communication with card 101, as previously described in connection with FIG. 1. For example, cellular telephone 300 includes a near field communication antenna (not shown) similar to antenna 117 previously described in connection with fig. 1. Card 101 is then positioned such that antenna 117 of card 101 is substantially aligned with the antenna of cellular telephone 300. This allows, for example, an optimal coupling between card 101 and cellular telephone 300.

In the example shown, mobile phone 300 comprises a computer program product comprising non-transitory memory support adapted to implement the customized method of card 101.

For example, the cellular phone 300 serves as an interface for the near field customized biometric card 101. More specifically, instructions and information associated with the biometric card 101 customization workflow are displayed, for example, on the screen 301 of the cellular phone 300. For example, drawings, charts, animations and/or progress bars may be displayed, among other things, by screen 301 of phone 300 to guide the user in performing the customization operations of card 101 and to inform him/her of the success or failure of these operations.

An advantage of the embodiment described in connection with fig. 3 is that the use of the cellular phone 300 can greatly simplify the performance of the customisation operation of the biometric card 101, in particular by improving the user-friendliness of the interface compared to the device 200 of fig. 2. Furthermore, since many people already have cellular phones capable of communicating in the near field, such as cellular phone 300, customized operation of card 101 may be performed without the need for the user to go to the counter or retrieve device 200.

Another advantage of this embodiment is that the program code instructions of the computer program product of the cellular phone 300 can be updated in case the biometric card 101 is replaced by another, newer card, e.g. having a different architecture or component.

This allows the cost and ecological impact associated with the customized operation of card 101 to be reduced.

Fig. 4 is a partially simplified bottom view of the customization system of fig. 3.

In the example shown, the cellular phone 300 is placed in a housing 400. The housing 400 is, for example, a protective housing that is particularly capable of protecting the cellular phone 300 from degradation that may result from impacts, drops, or the like.

In the example shown, the housing 400 includes a shell 401. For example, housing 401 can mechanically secure card 101 with cellular telephone 300 during a customization operation of card 101. This makes it possible in particular to avoid complex operations, for example when the user has to hold cellular phone 300 and card 101 simultaneously, while positioning his finger on fingerprint sensor 105 and possibly manipulating the screen to perform the procedure. This further enables to avoid the risk of removing card 101 from mobile phone 300 during the customization operation, which may lead to communication failures.

For example, the housing 401 is formed across the thickness of the housing 400. For example, the housing 401 may be accessible from a slot 403 located on one side of the housing 400. As shown in fig. 4, slot 403 enables card 101 to be inserted into housing 401 of housing 400 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of cellular telephone 300. For example, as shown in fig. 4, the length or depth of housing 401 is less than the length of card 101. This ensures, among other things, that the user can still reach the fingerprint sensor 105 of the card 101 when the card 101 is in the bottom of the housing 401.

For example, housing 401 is formed to ensure optimal coupling between cellular telephone 300 and card 101 during the customization operation of card 101. More specifically, housing 401 is formed so that when card 101 is positioned at the bottom of housing 401, antenna 117 of card 101 is aligned with respect to the near field communication antenna (not shown) of mobile phone 300. Thus, the risk of communication errors during the customizing operation of card 101 is minimized.

In the illustrated example, the housing 400 also includes a flip 405. For example, flip 405 can close housing 401 when card 101 is not present, particularly slot 403 for inserting card 101. The closing flap 405 can in particular prevent water or foreign bodies (e.g. dust) from penetrating into the housing 401. Closing the flap 405 may further improve the general mechanical rigidity of the housing 400.

Although the embodiment in which card 101 is secured to phone 300 by housing 400 has been described in connection with fig. 4, one skilled in the art may apply this embodiment to other types of positioning systems. In particular, those skilled in the art will be able to adapt the teachings described in connection with fig. 4 to the situation where card 101 is positioned relative to phone 300 by using an alignment jig. The alignment fixture may be adapted for each model of phone 300 or designed to be adapted for several types of phones. For example, the calibration jig may be made of cardboard, plastic material, or the like. For example, cardboard clips can be mailed in standard envelopes at low cost and recycled after use.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device equipped with a protective housing, for example, a cellular phone 300 provided with a housing 400.

In the example shown, the housing 400 is used to hold the phone 300 in a tilted position relative to the cradle 500. More specifically, the flip 405 of the housing 400 can provide a stable cradle 500 when the phone 300 is placed on the side. This simplifies the use of the phone 300, for example in case of watching video content on the screen 301 of the cellular phone 300.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart 600 illustrating successive steps of a method of customizing a biometric card (e.g., biometric card 101) according to an implementation mode.

During step 601 (open application on NFC device), the user starts an application on the cellular phone 300. In case the card 101 to be customized is a bank card, for example, the application is a so-called internet banking application, i.e. an application from which a customer of a bank can check his account balance, make bank transfers, etc., in particular, wherein a biometric card customization function is integrated. As a variant, the application is an application reserved for customization of a bioassay card.

During another step 603 (selecting a registration tab), for example, where the application includes a function other than card control, the user selects the tab of the application that provides access to the biometric card function. This enables, for example, the customizing operation of card 101 to be started.

Before the customization operation of card 101 begins, for example, at step 601 or step 603, an authentication operation may be provided to check the identity of the user wishing to customize card 101. For example, depending on the desired level of security, authentication may be performed by one or more factors, e.g., selected from a security code (preferably sent separately), fingerprint control of a sensor (not shown) of the cellular phone 300, and facial recognition of an image sensor (not shown) of the cellular phone 300.

In another step 605 (bringing the card close to the NFC device), the user is asked to bring the card 101 to be customized to the cellular phone 300. The user may then, for example, bring card 101 close to cellular telephone 300, as described above in connection with fig. 3, or insert card 101 into housing 403 if cellular telephone 300 is equipped with housing 400. For example, the screen 301 of the cellular phone 300 may display a chart or animation that can help the user perform the operation.

In another step 607 (wait for card selection), the user is asked to wait for the cell phone 300 to select the card 101. In this step, for example, the cellular phone 300 emits an electromagnetic field to attempt to detect the card 101. Upon detection of the card 101, near field communication is established between the card 101 and the cellular phone 300, and a secure communication channel is opened, for example.

During another step 609 (placing a finger on the biometric sensor), the user is asked to place a finger on the fingerprint sensor 105 of the biometric card 101. The sensor 105 then captures at least one image of the fingerprint of the user's finger, which is then processed to extract reference details therefrom. These reference details are then stored in card 101, for example in memory 111 of chip 107. For example, these operations may be repeated for one or more other fingers of the same user and/or one or more other fingers of another user who also wishes to allow use of card 101.

During another step 611 (full registration), the customization operation of card 101 is completed. The secure channel opened at step 607 is then closed, for example. Hardware and/or software operations may be provided to ensure irreversibility of the customization method. This makes it possible, among other things, to avoid that a malicious person can replace the reference details stored in card 101 at the end of the execution of the customization method of card 101.

Various embodiments, modes of implementation and variations have been described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of these different embodiments, modes of implementation, and variations may be combined and that other variations will occur to those skilled in the art. In particular, the described embodiments and modes of implementation are not limited to the architecture of card 101, as discussed above in connection with fig. 1, but more generally apply to any microcircuit card capable of near field communication functionality and equipped with biometric sensors.

Furthermore, although embodiments and modes of implementation have been described above with the example of customizing biometric card 101 from cellular telephone 300, it would be within the ability of those skilled in the art to convert these embodiments and modes of implementation into the use of other NFC devices (such as touch pads), laptops, etc.

Finally, the actual implementation of the described embodiments, modes of implementation and variants is within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art based on the functional indications given above. In particular, the actual implementation of the implementation mode of the customization method discussed in connection with fig. 6 and more specifically the authentication operation is within the abilities of those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is within the capabilities of a person skilled in the art to be able to customize the implementation of the application of the biometric card from the NFC device.

Claims (24)

1. A method for customizing a microcircuit card provided with a fingerprint sensor, comprising:

holding the microcircuit card within a mechanical positioning system associated with a near field communication device such that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near field communication between the microcircuit card and the near field communication device is ensured;

performing near field communication between the microcircuit card and the near field communication device in conjunction with execution of processing by the near field communication device to perform customization of the microcircuit card.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

acquiring an image by the fingerprint sensor;

transmitting the image to the near field communication device by near field communication;

processing, by the near field communication device, the image to obtain biometric data;

transmitting the biometric data to the microcircuit card through near field communication; and

storing the biometric data in a memory of the microcircuit card.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the near field communication device powers the microcircuit card.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the near field communication device is a cellular telephone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a protective case for the cellular telephone.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mechanical positioning system of the protective case comprises a slot configured for inserting the microcircuit card into a position that is accessible to the fingerprint sensor.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the protective case comprises a flap configured to close the slot.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the flip is configured to further function as a stand for supporting a resting orientation of the cellular telephone when opened.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the near field communication device is a cellular telephone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a fixture configured to align the microcircuit card relative to the cellular telephone in a position that makes the fingerprint sensor accessible.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the alignment fixture is particularly adapted for the model of the cellular telephone.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the alignment fixture is configured to be mailed to a user of the cellular telephone.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the alignment fixture is made of a recyclable material.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the microcircuit card is a biometric contactless payment bank card.

13. A system, comprising:

the microcircuit card is provided with a fingerprint sensor;

a near field communication device;

a mechanical positioning system associated with the near field communication device, the mechanical positioning system being configured to hold the microcircuit card so that the fingerprint sensor is accessible and near field communication between the microcircuit card and the near field communication device is ensured;

wherein the microcircuit card and the near field communication device are configured to perform near field communication in conjunction with execution of a process by the near field communication device to perform customization of the microcircuit card.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processing comprises:

receiving an image acquired by the fingerprint sensor through near field communication;

processing the image by a near field communication device to obtain biometric data; and

transmitting the biometric data to the microcircuit card by near field communication for storage into a memory of the microcircuit card.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the near field communication device powers the microcircuit card.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the near field communication device is a cellular telephone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a protective case for the cellular telephone.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the mechanical positioning system of the protective case comprises a slot configured for inserting the microcircuit card into a position that is accessible to the fingerprint sensor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the protective case comprises a flap configured to close the slot.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the flip is configured to further function as a stand for supporting a resting orientation of the cellular telephone when opened.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the near field communication device is a cellular telephone, and wherein the mechanical positioning system is provided by a fixture configured to align the microcircuit card relative to the cellular telephone in a position that makes the fingerprint sensor accessible.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the alignment fixture is particularly adapted for the model of the cellular telephone.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the alignment fixture is configured to be mailed to a user of the cellular telephone.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the alignment fixture is made of a recyclable material.

24. The system of claim 13, wherein the microcircuit card is a biometric contactless payment bank card.

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