WO2015044802A1

WO2015044802A1 - System and method for managing property registration information through a contactless smart card unit

Info

Publication number: WO2015044802A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/063726
Authority: WO
Inventors: KUSHAL Kumar CHELLAPPAN
Original assignee: Kanhatech Solutions Limited
Priority date: 2013-09-18
Filing date: 2014-08-06
Publication date: 2015-04-02

Abstract

System and method for managing property registration information by using a tamperproof contactless smart card unit with built-in memory unit. The property registration information stored in the contactless smart card unit is encrypted and secured and can be read and updated by NFC scanners. The updates are simultaneously synchronized with the central server. Any authorized personnel with permission access can read the contactless smart card unit to know the details of the property.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING PROPERTY REGISTRATION INFORMATION THROUGH A CONTACTLESS SMART CARD UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to electronic data transactions and data storage. In particular, the present disclosure relates to managing property registration information using a contactless smart card unit. BACKGROUND

Current real estate transactions are prone to several risks for the investors and the government officials facilitating such high value transactions. The real estate transactions are paper based documentation which are susceptible to manipulation and fraud.

Study of the present regime of the property registration in India indicates that there is no method for streamlined method for performing real estate transactions. Analysis of the current practices throws up following challenges. The records of the property registration are maintained manually which makes difficult tracing of those properties which have incomplete documentation and unauthorized construction. There is no way to detect black money transactions which are carried out to avoid government tax and low stamp paper cost. The registration certificates are issued on paper without any security feature embedded in them. Further, fake stamp paper also can be used for property registration documents.

The property registration certificates are still paper based. There are many drawbacks associated with the paper based property registration issuing system. The existing system being inefficient and inclined more towards visual checks encourage false documentation and corruptions. Further, the existing system of issuing and verifying paper based certificates is time consuming. The paper based certificate can be tampered with and therefore, it becomes difficult for concerned government agencies to distinguish between counterfeit and legitimate certificates. Further, life of paper certificate is very less and can be easily damaged and a new paper is to be issued after expiry of defined period of time. Therefore, there is a need for a method and a system to manage property registration information to overcome the above mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and many additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

The system and method of the present disclosure provides an efficient, secured, tamper proof and low cost infrastructure for managing and verifying property registration information.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a contactless smart card unit for managing property registration information. The contactless smart card unit comprises a memory unit configured to store digitally signed property registration information, wherein the property registration information is stored after encryption. Further, the contactless smart card unit comprises a reader/writer for reading/writing the property registration information from and to the memory unit. Also, the contactless smart card unit comprises a microprocessor configured to encrypt the property registration information for storing in the memory unit, and control role based access to the memory unit. The contactless smart card unit has a unique digital identification number associated to a property.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a system for managing property registration information. The system comprises a contactless smart card unit comprising a memory unit, a microprocessor to control accessing of the memory unit, and a reader/writer for reading/writing property registration information from and to the memory unit. The system further comprises one or more NFC scanners for reading and updating the property registration information stored in the contactless smart card unit. Also, the system comprises a NFC personalized server and a central server. The NFC personalized server is locatable at one or more property registration offices and is configured to communicate the property information with the NFC scanners. The central server is communicatively coupled to each of the NFC personalized server located at the one or more property registration offices. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for managing property registration information via a contactless smart card unit. The method comprising acts of issuing the contactless smart card unit comprising property registration information and reading and updating the property registration information by a NFC scanner, based on the role based access permission. The contactless smart card unit has a unique digital identification number associated to a property.

The aforementioned and other features and advantages of the disclosure will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present disclosure are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The embodiments of the disclosure itself, together with further features and attended advantages, will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanied drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Fig. 1A illustrates an exemplary contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. IB illustrates an exemplary embodiment of property registration information stored in contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 illustrates a system for managing property registration information in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates a flow-chart showing a method of issuance of a contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow-chart showing a method of inspecting validity of property through a contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow-chart showing an exemplary method of issuing contactless smart card unit for a property in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Fig. 1A illustrates a contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The contactless smart card unit 100 can be a credit card sized plastic card with an embedded NFC micro tag to be carried by owner of a property. In an exemplary embodiment, the contactless smart card unit is made of polycarbonate, which is very durable and tamperproof. In case an electronic track like an antenna is cut anywhere on the card, the NFC card stops functioning and cannot be read.

Each of the contactless smart card unit 100 associated with a property has a unique digital identification number stored in the smart card unit 100. The contactless smart card unit 100 comprises a memory unit 102, a NFC reader/writer 104, and a microprocessor 106. The memory unit 102 is configured to store the property registration information. Further, the contactless smart card unit is provided with a NFC locked storage device 108 for storing additional property registration information. The NFC locked storage device 108 can be an additional USB drive with NFC lock strip to store more information. In an embodiment, at least one part of the NFC locked storage device 108 and the memory unit 102 of the contactless smart card unit is enabled with Write Once Read Many (WORM) technology. The parts of the storage enabled with WORM technology could be written only once. The same part cannot be overwritten again. These parts of storage could be used to store secure and permanent information. This acts as a further deterrent against tamper and fraud. The microprocessor 106 is configured to control role based access to at least one of the memory unit 102 and the NFC locked storage device 108..The access to at least one of the memory unit 102 and the NFC locked storage device 108 includes reading from or writing into the at least one of the memory unit 102 and the NFC locked storage device 108. The role based access can be customized by the microprocessor based on the requirement. This allows for the technology of the present disclosure to be deployed for multiple applications with different requirements, based on law, policies, and preference of the local authorities. Fig. IB illustrates an exemplary embodiment of transport vehicle information stored in contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The property registration information stored in the at least one of memory unit 102 and the NFC locked storage device 108 comprises at least one of personal details of owner of the property, details of property and transaction details. The personal details of the owner of the property includes, but are not limited to, name of the owner, address of the owner, digital signature of the owner, biometrics details of the owner, and unique identification number of the property. The details of the property includes, but are not limited to the location of the property, size of the property, type of property , i.e. commercial or residence and market value of the property. The property registration information further comprises action taken by government on the property and permit details of the property. Also, the property registration information comprises information about fines levied on the property, property tax paid for the property and next tax due date. The property information also comprises insurance details, hypothecation details of the property. Also, if the property has been transferred, the ownership transfer details are stored in the contactless smart card unit 100. The transaction details stored in the contactless smart card unit 100 may include amount paid for issuance of the contactless smart card unit. The microprocessor 106 encrypts the property registration information for storing in the memory unit 102 and NFC locked storage device 108. In an embodiment, the microprocessor supports cryptographic algorithms to encrypt the property registration information to be stored in the memory unit 102. Also, the microprocessor 106 controls role based access to the memory unit 102. The different access to the contactless memory card unit 100, which is controlled by the microprocessor 106 can be reading from or writing onto the contactless smart card unit 100. In an embodiment, the microprocessor 106 implements biometric authentication mechanism to control the access request by different entities. Further, the reader/writer 104 is configured to allow the property registration information to be read from and written into the contactless smart card unit 100.

Fig. 2 illustrates a system for managing property registration information in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system comprises a contactless smart card unit 100 with a NFC locked storage device 108, one or more NFC scanners 110, one or more NFC personalized servers 112, and a central server 114 connected to the one or more NFC scanners 110 and the one or more NFC personalized servers 112 through a network 112. The one or more NFC scanners 110 comprise a memory unit 118 with NFC applications and are configured to read from/write into the contactless smart card unit 100. The one or more NFC scanners include, but are not limited to, mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and any other handheld terminal. The authorized officials are provided with the NFC scanners 110 in order to retrieve information regarding a property from the contactless smart card unit 100. The one or more NFC personalized servers 112 comprise a memory unit 120 and are located at each registration office to communicate with the one or more NFC scanners 110 and the central server 114 through a network 116. In an embodiment, the one or more NFC scanners 110 and the one or more NFC personalized servers 112 are communicatively coupled to the central server 114 through at least one of GPRS, 3G and WAN. All the transactions on the contactless smart card unit 100 can be performed offline or online. In the offline mode, the one or more NFC scanners 110 are not connected to the database stored in a memory unit 122 of the central server 114. The NFC scanner is tapped onto the NFC contactless smart card unit 100 of the vehicle and the information regarding the vehicle is retrieved from the memory unit 118 of the NFC scanner 110. The transactions take place locally, between the contactless smart card unit 100 and the NFC scanner 110. The data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 118 of the NFC scanner 110. Later, when NFC scanner 110 is connected to the network, the transaction information is transferred to the NFC personalized servers 112 and database of central server 114. In an embodiment, the transaction data is automatically transferred to the database of central server 114 when the NFC scanner 110 connects to the network. In another embodiment, the user of the NFC scanner 110 transfers and synchronises the information of the NFC scanner 110 with the NFC personalized server 112 and database of central server 114. In the online mode, the NFC scanner 110 is connected to the database of the central server 114. All the transactions between the contactless smart card unit 100 and the NFC scanner 110 are simultaneously synchronized with database of central server 114. Further, the NFC scanner 110 can access information from the database of central server 114 in the online mode. Fig. 3 illustrates a flow-chart showing a method of issuance of a contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, a NFC personalization system for issuing the contactless smart card unit is deployed at every registration office. The NFC personalization system comprises a scanner, a NFC card writer, a printer and a USB drive with a NFC lock writer. The issuance of contactless smart card comprises scrutinizing registration details of the property and evaluating market value of the property at step 302. Next, the property registration information is scanned using the scanner and encrypted by the microprocessor 106 using one or more cryptographic algorithms at step 304. In an embodiment, the NFC locked storage device 108 can be a USB drive which is secured using the NFC lock writer. Further, the encrypted property registration information is stored in at least one of the memory unit 102 and the NFC locked storage device 108 using a NFC card writer at step 306. Then, role based access permission to the stored property registration information is defined by the microprocessor 106 at step 308. Finally, the card is printed using the printer hand handed over to owner of the property. In an exemplary embodiment, few authorities are provided with permission to read from as well as write into the contactless smart card unit 100. On the other hand, other officers are just allowed to read the property registration information from the contactless smart card unit 100.

The issuance of contactless smart card unit 100 for a property is a foolproof solution as the information from the contactless smart card unit 100 cannot be accessed or modified without proper access permissions set by the microprocessor 106. Fig. 4 illustrates a flow-chart showing a method of inspecting validity of a property through a contactless smart card unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The inspection of validity of the property and documents relating to the property can be performed at the registration offices or other places by authorized officials using the NFC scanners 110. The method comprises obtaining access permission to the contactless smart card unit 100 by the one or more NFC scanners 110 at step 402. Then, the property registration information stored in the contactless smart card unit 100 is read by the NFC scanner at step 404. In an exemplary embodiment, the official carrying the NFC scanner 110 taps on the NFC card and retrieve all the information about the property. Upon retrieving the property registration information, the retrieved information is displayed on the display screen of the NFC scanner 110 at step 406. The official then checks the validity of the displayed property registration information at step 408. In an embodiment, the official checks the registration documents of property, property tax due on the property, government actions on the property etc. Also, unpaid fines can be verified by the government official in an offline mode using application installed on the one or more NFC scanners 110. However, in case the owner of the property has violated some rules, then a fine is imposed on the property owner. Finally, based on the validity check, the property registration information is updated on the contactless smart card unit 100 at step 410. The NFC scanner 110 simultaneously notifies the one or more NFC personalized servers 112 of the nearest registration office. At the end of the day, all the updations are made in the central server 114. In an exemplary embodiment, if any fine is imposed on the owner of property, the fine information is written on the contactless smart card unit 100.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow-chart showing an exemplary method of issuing contactless smart card unit for a property in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. According to this method, the property owner visits the nearest registration office. At the counter of the registration office, one or more examinations are performed at step 502. First, the documents of the property produced by the owner of the property are examined. Then, property registration details and market value of the property are ascertained by the official. Then, at step 504, the information/data is entered into the NFC personalized servers 112 located at the registration offices. Also, the photograph and biometric details of the owner of the property is captured. Further, at step 506, the fee required for the contactless smart card unit 100 is paid to get the property registration certificate. Then, at the backend, the documents are scanned using the scanner at step 508. Then, the documents are transcripted into NFC cryptographic format at step 510. Also, a digital signature is attached to the documents. The central server 114 is updated with the property information at step 512. Then, smart card unit 100 is personalized using the NFC personalization unit at step 514. The personalization of the contactless smart unit 100 comprises includes printing few selected details like name of owner of property, unique identification number of the property etc. on the outer surface of the contactless smart card unit 100 using the printer. The contactless smart card unit 100 comprises digitally signed and encrypted property registration information. Also, the contactless smart card unit 100 is provided with a unique digital identification. Finally, the contactless smart card unit 100 is handed over to the owner of the property or the authorized representative at step 516.

In an exemplary embodiment, the NFC scanners 110 loaded with NFC applications are given to local functionaries for property tax calculation and verifying liens. In addition, the NFC scanners 110 are given to banks and financial institutions who can verify the authenticity of the property registration document before any hypothecation for giving loans etc.

The present disclosure provides better service to citizens as well as government by providing a secure and durable electronic property registration document.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure can prevent frauds in hypothecation by integration of this technology in banks and financial institutions. The present disclosure ensures correct calculation of property tax.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of providing loans by bank authorities using a NFC smart card is illustrated below. When a person arrives at a bank for hypothecation of a property, the contactless smart card 100 is provided to the bank official. The bank official reads the contactless smart card unit 100 using the NFC scanner 110. Before reading, the NFC scanner 110 is authenticated. In an embodiment, the NFC scanner 110 is authenticated using biometric information of the user of the NFC scanner 110. In another embodiment, digital electronics certificates can be used to authenticate the NFC scanner to access the information from the contactless smart card 100 or the NFC personalized server 112 and central server 114. The bank official then reads the information displayed on the NFC scanner 110. The information may include, owner details of property, market value of property, previous hypothecation details, if any etc. Then based on the evaluation, the bank official grants or denies a loan on the property. When the bank official connects to the network, the NFC scanner transmits all information to the central server 114. The information regarding the property then becomes available for other authorized officials.

In an embodiment, the system of the present disclosure reduces paperwork and saves natural resources. Entire information of the property can be stored in a small sized card. Also, the contactless smart card unit 100 is very easy to carry. Further, the contactless smart card unit 100 is capable of storing new information and new applications at essentially no additional cost.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

A contactless smart card unit for managing property registration information, the contactless smart card unit comprises:

a memory unit configured to store digitally signed property registration information, wherein the property registration information is stored after encryption; a reader/writer for reading/writing the property registration information from and to the memory unit; and

a microprocessor configured to:

encrypt the property registration information for storing in the memory unit; and

control role based access to the memory unit,

wherein the contactless smart card unit has a unique digital identification number associated to a property.

The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 1 is provided along with a Near Field Communication (NFC) locked storage unit for storing additional property registration information.

The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Near Field Communication (NFC) locked storage unit has a unique digital identification number associated to the property.

The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Near Field Communication (NFC) locked storage unit is one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive and embedded in the contactless smart card unit.

The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein at least one part of the NFC locked storage unit and the memory unit of the contactless smart card unit is enabled with Write Once Read Many (WORM) technology.

The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 1 is a plastic NFC card carried by owner of the property.

7. The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the property registration information comprises at least one of property related details, tax paid for the property, government actions on the property, permit details of the property and fines to be paid by owner of the property.

8. The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 1 comprising owner personalization data and property personalization data printed on the contactless smart card unit.

9. The contactless smart card unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the property registration information is stored in NFC cryptographic format.

10. A system for managing property registration information, said system comprises: a contactless smart card unit comprising

a memory unit;

a microprocessor to control accessing of the memory unit; and a reader/writer for reading/writing property registration information from and to the memory unit;

one or more NFC scanners for reading and updating the property registration information stored in the contactless smart card unit;

a NFC personalized server, locatable at one or more property registration offices, configured to communicate the property information with the NFC scanners;

a central server communicatively coupled to each of the NFC personalized server located at the one or more property registration offices.

11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more NFC scanners are selected from at least one of a mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and any other handheld terminal.

12. The system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a Near Field Communication (NFC) locked storage unit for storing additional property registration information.

13. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the one or more NFC scanners is authenticated before accessing documents from at least one of the contactless smart card unit and the Near Field Communication (NFC) locked storage unit for authenticating the property registration information .

14. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the contactless smart card unit comprises an embedded NFC locked storage for storing additional property registration information.

15. The system as claimed in claim 12, wherein at least one part of the NFC locked storage unit and the memory unit of the contactless smart card unit is enabled with Write Once Read Many (WORM) technology.

16. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the one or more NFC scanners are communicatively coupled to the central server by at least one of GPRS, 3G and WAN.

17. The system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a NFC personalization unit deployed at each of the one or more property registration office for issuing the contactless smart card unit stored with the property registration information and owner details of the property, wherein the NFC personalization unit comprises a scanner, a NFC card writer, a printer and a USB drive with a NFC lock writer.

18. A method for managing property registration information via a contactless smart card unit, said method comprising acts of:

issuing the contactless smart card unit comprising property registration information;

reading and updating the property registration information by a NFC scanner, based on the role based access permission,

19. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the issuing of the contactless smart card unit comprises:

scrutinizing registration details for the property and evaluating value of the property;

encrypting the property registration information relating to the property by a microprocessor;

storing the encrypted property registration information relating to the property in at least one of a memory unit of the contactless smart card unit and a NFC locked storage device, defining role based permission to access the stored property registration information by the microprocessor.

20. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein reading and updating the property registration information by a NFC scanner comprises authenticating the NFC scanner by a digital electronics certificate.

21. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the property registration information comprises at least one of information pertaining to the property, tax paid for the property, government actions on the property, permit details of the property and fines to be paid by owner of the property.

22. A method for inspecting validity of a registered property through a contactless smart card unit, said method comprising steps of:

reading information of the property registration stored in the contactless smart card unit by a NFC scanner, based on role based access permission to the contactless smart card unit;

displaying the read property registration information onto the NFC scanner; checking the validity of the displayed property registration information; and updating the information of the property registration on the contactless smart card unit and optionally on a central server, based on the outcome of the checking and validity of the property registration information.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the reading of property registration information comprises reading of property registration information from at least one of a memory unit of the contactless smart card unit and a NFC locked storage device.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the property registration information comprises at least one of information pertaining to the property, tax paid for the property, government actions on the property, permit details of the property and fines to be paid by owner of the property.