Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
  • E05B49/00—Electric permutation locks; Circuits therefor ; Mechanical aspects of electronic locks; Mechanical keys therefor
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
  • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
  • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
  • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
  • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
  • G06K19/073—Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory
  • G06K19/07309—Means for preventing undesired reading or writing from or onto record carriers
  • G06K19/07345—Means for preventing undesired reading or writing from or onto record carriers by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
  • G07C9/00658—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by passive electrical keys
  • G07C9/00714—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by passive electrical keys with passive electrical components, e.g. resistor, capacitor, inductor
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
  • G07C2009/00579—Power supply for the keyless data carrier
  • G07C2009/00603—Power supply for the keyless data carrier by power transmission from lock
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
  • G07C9/00174—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
  • G07C2009/00753—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys
  • G07C2009/00769—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys with data transmission performed by wireless means
  • G07C2009/00793—Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated by active electrical keys with data transmission performed by wireless means by Hertzian waves

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) security device and, more specifically, to an RFID tag device configured as an electronic key which utilizes contact elements to disable the RFID I/O by shorting or breaking the RFID tag device from the antenna or resonant inductor when the key is not inserted into a locking device.
• RFID Radio Frequency Identification
• Serial EEPROM based keys require 4 to 5 separate contacts in order to operate. One contact is used for each of power, ground, clock, and data. Two contacts may be used for data transfer (i.e., one as an input contact and one as an output contact). Each of the multiple contacts in the serial EEPROM based key must make proper contact in order to transfer clock and data through them.
• users returning from a swimming pool may insert a wet key into the lock. This causes poor contact or shorts between the contacts which prevents proper transfer of data, thereby preventing the lock from opening.
• the wrong polarity of key insertion into the lock will cause damage to the lock electronics or EEPROM device, thereby rendering the key useless.
• moisture, polarity of insertion, and wear and/or damage to the multiple contacts are problematic in this type of electronic key.
• a second type of electronic key utilize access control RFID tags.
• a card or tag is presented to a reading device to gain access to a building.
• this type of electronic key is used for identification applications rather than for security.
• Using this type of electronic key for security creates a problem since these types of keys are not very secure. Covert readers, even battery powered readers, can power-up the tag and steal its code without the owner's knowledge, even if the tag is in the owner's pocket or purse.
• One way to solve the problems associated with access control RFID tags is to have an encrypted electronic key.
• Several types of electronic keys include encryption algorithms on the die itself. Some encryption algorithms will allow the code on the electronic key to be encrypted and changed every time the key is read. While these types of electronic keys prevent unauthorized "code grabbing", they are considerably more expensive than RFID tag devices. Thus, the security comes at the expense of cost.
• the improved RFID security device must not require a plurality of contacts for data transfer.
• the improved RFID security device must further be universal in polarity.
• the improved RFID security device must be resistant to environmental elements.
• the improved RFID security device must also be able to be used for security and must further be resistant to "code grabbing".
• the improved RFID security device would utilize RFID tag devices configured as electronic keys.
• the improved RFID security device would utilize contacts which would short or open a circuit between the RFID tag memory device and an antenna or resonant inductor whenever the RFID security device is not inserted into a lock, thereby preventing unauthorized people from reading the key via a concealed reader.
• a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) security device is disclosed.
• the RFID security device is an electronic key.
• the electronic key uses an RFID tag device for storing data on the key.
• An energizing circuit is coupled to the RFID tag device for providing energy to the RFID tag device and to read the data on the electronic key.
• the energizing circuit may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna.
• a key contact is coupled, to the energizing circuit. The key contact is used for enabling and disabling the energizing circuit. Once the electronic key is enabled, transmission of the data from the electronic key may occur.
• a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) security device is an electronic key.
• the electronic key uses an RFID tag device for storing data on the key.
• An energizing circuit is coupled to the RFID tag device for providing energy to the RFID tag device and to read the data on the electronic key.
• the energizing circuit may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna.
• the RFID security device uses an electronic locking mechanism and an electronic key.
• the electronic key has an RFID tag device for storing data.
• An energizing circuit is electrically coupled to the RFID tag device when the electronic key is coupled to the electronic locking mechanism.
• the energizing circuit may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna.
• the energizing circuit is used for providing energy to the RFID tag device in order to read the data on the electronic key when the electronic key is coupled to the electronic locking mechanism.
• a key contact is coupled to the energizing circuit for enabling the energizing circuit when the electronic key is coupled to the electronic locking mechanism.
• the electronic locking mechanism uses a reading device for reading the data transferred from the electronic key when the electronic key is coupled to the electronic locking mechanism.
• a first inductive element is coupled to the reading device for transmitting a signal to the energizing circuit of the electronic key when the electronic key is coupled to the electronic locking mechanism.
• a second inductive element is coupled to the first inductive element. Shorting members are coupled to the second inductive element for coupling the second inductive element to the electronic key to form the energizing circuit of the electronic key.
• Figure 1 is a simplified electrical schematic of a first embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a simplified electrical schematic of a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a simplified electrical schematic of a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a simplified electrical schematic of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5 is a simplified electrical schematic of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 A is a top view of one implementation of the present invention.
• Figure 6B is an end view of one embodiment of the implementation depicted in Figure 6A.
• Figure 6C is an end view of a second embodiment of the implementation depicted in Figure 6A.
• Figure 7 A is a top view of another implementation of the present invention.
• Figure 7B is an end view of one embodiment of the implementation depicted in Figure 7A.
• Figure 7C is an end view of a second embodiment of the implementation depicted in Figure 7A.
• Figure 8 A is a top view of another implementation of the present invention.
• Figure 8B is a side view of the implementation depicted in Figure 8 A.
• Figure 8C is an end view of the implementation depicted in Figure 8 A.
• Figure 9 is a simplified electrical schematic of another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• a first embodiment of an improved electronic key 10 (hereinafter key 10) is shown.
• the key 10 uses a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag device 12.
• RFID tag device 12 is programmed to store data on the key 10.
• the data stored on the RFID tag device 12 will be read by a reading device (not shown) in the locking mechanism. If the proper electronic key 10 has been inserted into the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism will be released.
• an energizing circuit 14 is coupled to RFID tag device 12.
• the energizing circuit 14 is used to provide energy to the RFID tag device 12 and to convey the data signal back to the reader.
• the energizing device may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna.
• the energizing circuit 14 is a tuned resonant circuit 14.
• the reading device of the locking mechanism will send out a carrier signal.
• the tuned resonant circuit 14 is tuned to the frequency of the carrier signal.
• the tuned resonant circuit 14 will take the energy from the carrier signal to power the RFID tag device 12. This will allow the reading device of the locking mechanism to read the data stored on the RFID tag device 12.
• the tuned resonant circuit 14 is comprised of an inductive element 16 and a capacitive element 18.
• the inductive element 16 may be any type of inductor such as an antenna or a coil.
• a contact device 20 is coupled to the tuned resonant circuit 14.
• the contact device 20 is used for enabling and disabling the tuned resonant circuit 14.
• the contact device 20 is a normally open contact.
• a shorting bar in the electronic locking mechanism will close the contact device 20 thereby completing the tuned resonant circuit 14.
• a second embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. The only difference is that the contact device 20 is used to create an open circuit between the entire tuned resonant circuit 14 and the RFID tag device 12.
• the key 10 in Figure 2 functions in the same manner as the key 10 shown in Figure 1.
• the contact device 20 is a normally open contact. When the key 10 is inserted into the electronic locking mechanism, a shorting bar in the electronic locking mechanism will close the contact device 20 thereby completing the tuned resonant circuit 14. Once the tuned resonant circuit 14 is complete, the powering of the RFID tag device 12 and transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism is enabled.
• a third embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figures 1 and 2. The main difference is that the capacitive element 18 is located on the RFID tag device 12.
• the key 10 in Figure 3 functions in the same manner as the key 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2.
• the contact device 20 is a normally open contact. When the key 10 is inserted into the electronic locking mechanism, a shorting bar in the electronic locking mechanism will close the contact device, 20 thereby completing the tuned resonant circuit 14. Once the tuned resonant circuit 14 is complete, the powering of the RFID tag device 12 and transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism is enabled.
• a fourth embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 3. The main difference is that in the energizing circuit 14, the inductive element 16 is an antenna. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antenna is a microwave antenna.
• the key 10 in Figure 4 functions in the same manner as the key 10 shown in Figures 1-3.
• a fifth embodiment of the key 10 is shown.
• This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 4.
• the main difference is that the contact device 20 is a normally closed contact device.
• the normally closed contact device 20 will create a short between the terminals of the energizing circuit 14 thereby disabling the key 10.
• a nonconductive spacer will spread the shorted contact device 20 apart thereby enabling the energizing circuit 14.
• FIG. 6A a sixth embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figures 3 and 4 wherein the capacitive element is found on the RFID tag device 12, and similar to Figures 1 and 2 wherein the capacitive element 18 is installed on a module external to the RFID tag device 12.
• the contact device 20 uses a pair of normally open contact elements. The pair of contact elements may be on one or more sides of the key 10.
• the contact device 20 may protrude from the key 10 or, as may be seen in Figure 6C, the contact device 20 may be embedded in the key 10 such that the contact elements are flush with the key 10.
• a shorting bar in the electronic locking mechanism will close the contact device 20 thereby completing the energizing circuit 14.
• the energizing circuit 14 may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna. Once the tuned resonant circuit 14 is complete or in the alternative, the RFID tag device 12 is coupled to the antenna, the transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism is enabled.
• a seventh embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figures 6A-6C.
• the contact device 20 also uses a pair of normally open contact elements. However, in this embodiment, one contact element is placed on one side of the key 10 and the second contact element is placed on a second side of the key 10.
• the contact device 20 may protrude from the key 10, Figure 7B, or, as may be seen in Figure 7C, the contact device 20 may be embedded in the key 10 such that the contact elements are flush with the key 10.
• the energizing circuit 14 may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna. Once the tuned resonant circuit 14 is complete, or in the alternative, the RFID tag device 12 is coupled to the antenna, the transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism is enabled.
• an eighth embodiment of the key 10 is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment depicted in Figures 7A-7C.
• the main difference in the embodiment depicted in Figure 8 A is that the contact device 20 uses a pair of normally closed contact elements 22.
• the normally closed contact elements 22 are generally a pair of normally closed spring contact elements.
• the key 10 is hollow. When the key 10 is inserted into the electronic locking mechanism, a nonconductive spacer will be inserted into the hollow key 10. The nonconductive spacer will spread apart the pair of normally closed contact elements 22 thereby enabling the energizing circuit 14.
• the energizing circuit 14 may be a tuned resonant circuit or an antenna. Once the energizing circuit 14 is complete, or unshorted, the transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism is enabled.
• an RFID security system 30 (hereinafter system 30) is shown.
• the system 30 uses an electronic key 10 and an electronic locking mechanism 40.
• the electronic key 10 has an RFID tag device 12 which is programmed to store data on the key 10.
• the RFID tag device 12 further may have the capacitive element 18 located thereon.
• the capacitive element 18 may be located on the die, module, or may not even be required if using an antenna.
• the contact device 20 is coupled to the RFID tag device 12.
• the contact device 20 is a normally open contact.
• the contact device 20 uses a pair of contact elements.
• the contact device 20 may protrude from the key 10, Figure 7B, or, as may be seen in Figure 7C, the contact device 20 may be embedded in the key 10 such that the contact elements are flush with the key 10.
• the electronic locking mechanism 40 uses a reading device 42 for reading the data stored on the RFID tag device 12 of the key 10.
• the reading device 42 is coupled to an inductive element 44.
• the reading device 42 will send out a carrier signal via the inductive element 44.
• the energizing circuit 14 of the electronic key 10 which is located inside the electronic locking mechanism, receives the carrier signal.
• the energizing circuit 14 will take the energy from the carrier signal and power the RFID tag device 12. This will allow the reading device 42 of the electronic locking mechanism 40 to-read the data stored in the RFID tag device 12.
• the electronic locking mechanism 40 further has a second inductive element 16.
• the second inductive element 16 in combination with the capacitive element 18 form the energizing circuit 14.
• a connecting element 46 is coupled to the second inductive element 16.
• the connecting element 46 in the electronic locking mechanism 40 will connect to the contact device 20 thereby completing the energizing circuit 14.
• the energizing circuit 14 it will take the energy from the carrier signal emitted from the inductive element 44 to power the RFID tag device 12.
• the transmission of the data from the key 10 to the electronic locking mechanism 40 is enabled thereby allowing the reading device 42 of the electronic locking mechanism 40 to read the data stored in the RFID tag device 12.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

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Cited By (1)

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• 1999
  • 1999-12-07 KR KR1020007008669A patent/KR20010040777A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-12-07 WO PCT/US1999/028933 patent/WO2000034605A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-12-07 CN CN99804175A patent/CN1293732A/zh active Pending
  • 1999-12-07 EP EP99967218A patent/EP1053375A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-12-07 JP JP2000587031A patent/JP2002531736A/ja not_active Withdrawn
• 2000
  • 2000-01-14 TW TW088121721A patent/TW512196B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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