GB2519507A

GB2519507A - A physical shielding device for a mobile communications device

Info

Publication number: GB2519507A
Application number: GB1315440.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andre Kay; Richard Harrison
Original assignee: ORB Information Technology Ltd
Current assignee: ORB Information Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-30
Filing date: 2013-08-30
Publication date: 2015-04-29
Also published as: GB201315440D0

Abstract

An physical shielding device 10 for a mobile device for example a mobile phone and may be formed as a case for said device. The shield selectively blocking transmissions at a specific frequency (for example 13.56MHz) to prohibit and / or permit the use of a specific capability on the mobile device via for example an RFID device or contactless payment card. The device may be woven or non-woven material for example nylon and may comprise platinum, aluminium, copper, silver, gold and nickel. The device may further be laminated. The device may be sliceable or hinged into position and may be biased towards a blocking position.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION:

A physical shielding device for a mobile communications device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:

The present invention relates to a physical shielding device for a mobile communications device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Theft of sensitive information on mobile devices has increased significantly in recent years. There is need to protect confidential information on mobile devices. Efforts have been made to block signals from mobile devices for various security reasons. Efforts have also been made to use Radio Frequency Identification (REID) or other contactiess chip technology in association with credit or debit cards, passports, documents, and other areas where identification, including portable and remote, are desired. Plainly, in contactless payment systems, security is extremely important. REID or other contactless chip systems may be vulnerable to skimming and eavesdropping. It is known to try to prevent skimming and eavesdropping by creating a metal enclosure around the device, which is a Faraday cage, that blocks electromagnetic signals.

Near Field Communication (NEC) allows two-way communication between end points, and can be used in eontaetlcss payment systems. NFC offers no protection against eavesdropping and is also vulnerable to data modification. Lawfully opened access to a secure NFC function or data is protected by time-out, closing after a period of inactivity. However, attacks may happen in spite of this.

A Faraday cage is effective in defending against attack if it is needed to prevent signals from entering or leaving a specific area, such as a single room or building, or if a device is placed inside a Faraday-shielded container. An example of such a container is a suitable cell-phone pouch, which physically blocks radio signals from being sent and received by the enclosed device, so that no one can track the phone, or send signals to or from the phone.

Further, an REID-shielded wallet is known, which prevents radio transmissions to and from any REID chips that may be embedded in enclosed credit cards, company key cards, passports, or any other ID cards that contain computer chips. A credit card sleeve is also available for blocking signals to individual credit cards with REID chips.

A mobile telephone containing a battery or other components may tend to short out the antenna of the contactiess payment card and thus may tend to interfere with the operation of the contactiess payment card. To aid in addressing this issue, a known document, Publication No. US20100182764 discloses protective casing includes a layer of ferrite or other ferromagnetic material. This layer acts as a "shield layer" and shields the contactless payment card from the interfering effects of components of the mobile telephone, thereby shielding communications to the contactless payment card from interference from components of the mobile telephone.

Another issue with this typc of integrated contactless payment card with mobile devices is thc tracking of confidential infbrmation and protcction of this information from rogue transmission.

Reference is also made to 6B2453859 by the inventor himself that provides a shield to prevent unauthorized reading of data stored on portable documents. This alleviates the drawbacks of the fixed shield and thereby reduces authorized reading errors. The removable document shield comprising a sheet of material constructed of a material adapted to provide radio frequency shielding with an attenuation of at least 50dB.

It is understood that conventional systems provide electromagnetic wave shielding to protect internal circuitary from the noise influence of background radiation or to protect confidential data flx,m harmful and unwanted exposure of electromagnetic wave radiation. Although it is known to use a pouch with shielding material to form a Faraday cage to protect a mobile device, this is inconvenient since it is often slow and inconvenient to remove a mobile device from the pouch.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems with shielding.

STATEMENT OF TIlE INVENTION:

The present invention provides a shielding device for a handheld device such as mobile device for selectively blocking transmissions at a specific frequency to prohibit and / or permit the use of a specific capability on the mobile device.

There are various embodiments and examples possible, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that given this disclosure, many embodiments and examples may be configured within the invention. The examples included herein are intended as exemplary, and in no way limit the invention, but are provided for illustration and understanding.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable physical Shielding Device that selectively permits communications at a specific frequency comprising woven or non-woven material, metal or plastic, all with requisite electronic data communication shielding properties, that can be attached to a mobile telephone or other electronic communications equipment in such a manner so as to enable the user of that Protected equipment, by a simple movement of the fingers of one hand, to slide or move the Shielding Device to open and close one or more apertures or openings on the protected equipment.

In another preferred embodiment the shield is specifically adapted to shield frequencies of 13.56MHz.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a "shielding device" which is build into, or attached to, the side or rear of a mobile device, for example but not limited to, either integrated into or added to the casing, clipped to the phone, stuck using a permanent or semi-permanent adhesive, with the purpose of selectively blocking transmissions within a given range to prohibit and / or permit the use of a specific capability on the mobile device.

The device may include an opening, semi-permanent or removable capability which can be open or covered and determines whether the transmission capabilities of the mobile are set to "active" or "inactive".

The shielding device operates independently to the phone, or can integrate with the phone's various settings and options.

In another preferred embodiment the material of the shielding device comprises a woven or non-woven material, which may be plastics and may be nylon with at least one metallic layer. The material may be laminated.

The material may include at least one of a conductive material, a non-magnetic material and a material with a low bull resistance. The resistivity value may be in the range of 1.5 micro-ohm-meters to 6 micron-ohm-meters.

The material may include at least one paramagnetic or diamagnetic component.

In another preferred embodiment, the shield comprises one or a combination of metals, which may be Nickel, Copper and Silver or other metallic components which may be provided on a woven or non-woven material.

In anothcr preferred embodiment, the shielding device may be made by injectable / mouldablc plastic solutions.

The shield may comprise means to provide releasable adhesion to at least an item to be shielded thcrcby. Thc means may comprise a re-adherable low-tack adhesive on at least a portion of the shield's surface. The adhesive may be adapted to leave no substantial residue on the item and may be adapted to retain substantially no matter from the item to which it adheres.

The shielding device may be built into, or attached to, the back, any edge or surface, side or rear of a mobile device with NFC capability. The apparatus can either be integrated or added to the casing such as without limitation clipped to the phone, stuck using a permanent or semi-permanent adhesive. It selectively blocks the transmissions at a specific frequency to prohibit and / or permit the use of a specific capability on the hand held device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a shielding device and a perspective view of a mobile device cover incorporating said shielding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the underside of a shielding device in the form of casing for a mobile device, and parts of a mobile device illustrating how said shielding device may be built into a mobile device, according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of a book-type mobile device cover incorporating a shielding device and a perspective view of such a cover on such a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the embodiments to he described, a shielding layer can be in a blocking position in which radio communication, that is, transmission or reception, using an antenna ofa mobile device is prevented.

The shielding layer ca.n be moved away from the blocking position to permit radio communication using the a.ntemna using fingers of one hand.

The mobile device may be a smart phone, a pda, or other hand--held communications device. Thc mobile device has NFC technology incorporated in it, including an antenna, enabling wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data.

The shielding device can be operated to selectively block or permit communication by opening or closing the shielding layer on the antenna or a section of antenna of the device.

The material of the shielding layer comprises a woven or non-woven material with at least one metallic layer. The material may be laminated. The material may comprise an anti-slip finish. The material may include at least one of a conductive material, a non-magnetic material and a material with a low bulk resistance. The material may include at least one paramagnetic or diamagnetic component.

The material may comprise at least one of Platinum, Aluminium, Copper, Silver, Gold and Nickel or other metallic components. The material may comprise at least one woven or non-woven or injectable plastics solutions and may be nylon.

The material may be configured to block all frequencies, a range of frequencies, or a specific frequency. In particular, NFC communication takes place at 3.56MHz and where the shielding device is for use in preventing NFC communication, the frequencies blocked include this frequency.

Referring to Figure 1, in an embodiment a shielding device in the form of a shield card 10 is slidably insertahie in a shield housing 12. The shield card 10 comprises the shielding layer. The shield housing 12 comprises a pair of facing grooves l4a, 14b spaced to slidably retain opposing longitudinal edges I 6a, 1fh of the shield card 10. The shieLd card 10 is slidabie in saul grooves parallel to the grooves. A further groove 14c serves to locate the shield card 10 in the blocking position when the shield card 10 is slid into the shield housing 12. This is achieved by a transverse edge 16c of the shield card 10 engaging in the further groove 14c of the shield housing 12 to prevent the shield card 10 being pushed into the housing 12 beyond the blocking position.

When in the blocking position, the shield card 10 blocks transmission and/or reception of data front/to an antenna (not shown) of the mobile device.

Preferably, the shield housing 12 comprises means preventing the shield card 10 from s]ipping out of the shield housing 12. 1 his may be by friction engagement of the shield card 10th the grooves 14a, 14h. Afternatively, a clip configured to releasably attach the shield card 10 in the shield housing 12 may be provided, The shield housing 12 shown on the left in Figure 1 may he attached to the back ofa mobile device, for example by adhesive or other means. The shield housing 12 may alternatively be attached to a separable cover thr the mobile device, again by adhesive or other means, for example.

Alternatively, the shield housing 12 may be build into the casing of the mobile device.

Alternanvely, the shield housing 12 may be built into the mobile device.

In use, the shield card 10 is located in the shield casing 12 in the blocking position, such that the edge 16c of the shield card 10 abuts against the groove 14c. When it is required to use NFC technology, the shield card 10 is slid, using the fingers of one hand, so that the edge 16e moves away from the groove 14c. When the edge i6e is sufficiently far away, the antenna is no longer blocked and may be used for communication with a nearby device that is also configured for NFC.

When NEC technology is no Longer to be used, the shield card 10 is slid back into the blocking position using the fingers of' one hand.

Referring to Figure 2, in another embodiment, a shielding device is in the form of a two part sliding case forming part of a mobile device, The shielding device comprises a first part 20a shdahiy mounted on the mobile device L))' mcans of runners 22, and a second part 20h fixedly disposed on the mobile device. The first part 20a including a layer of shielding material. When the first part 20a.

is in a blocking position, the shielding material is located to block transmission and/or reception of data from/to an antenna (not shown) of the mobile device.

In an alternative embodiment, the two pail sliding case can be incorporated in a separate mobile device cover, to which the mobile device may be attached.

In usc, the first part 20a is initially located in the blocking position. When it is required to use NEC technology, the first part 20a is slid, using the fingers of one hand, away from the second part 20b to expose the antenna. The antenna is then no longer blocked and may be used for communication with a nearby device that is also configured for NFC. When Nit technology is no longer to be used, the first part 20a is slid back into the blocking position using the fingcrs of one hand.

It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the first and second parts, and the position of the shielding material in the first part, can be configured in view of the shape of a particular design of mobile device, in particular in view of the location of the antenna in that mobile device.

Referring to Figure 3, in another embodiment, a shielding device comprises a separate casing for a mobile device including a planar flap 30a and body 32 for receiving and retaining a mobile device.

A longitudinal side of thc flap 30a is hingedly mounted on a longitudinal edge of the body 32. ftc flaps 30 includes a layer of shielding material. The flap 30a is in a blocking position when located flush against the body 32. The shielding material is then located to prevent use of the antenna. The flap can be pivoted open about the longitudinal edge of the body 32 to pemiit use of the antenna. A second flap 30b may be provided for aesthetic purposes, also having a longitudinal side mounted on the same longitudinal edge of the body 32. Accordingly, the device has a book-like desigt In other modified embodiments, the or each flap 30; 30b can be hingedly attached at a different edge of the flap to a corresponding edge of the body 32.

In a modified embodiment, the flap 30a may be integrated with the mobile device, and no separate casing need be pmvided.

In use, the flap 30a is initially located flush against the body 32 in which the mobile device is located. When it is required to use NFC technology, the flap 30a is opened, using the fingers of one hand, away from the back of the casing and mobile device so that communication using the antenna is no longer blocked. The antenna may then be used for communication with a nearby device that is also configured for NFC, When NFC technology is no longer to be used, the flap 30a is pivoted back again the body 32, in the blocking position using the fingers of one hand.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that various modifications to the above described embodiments are possible. For example, the shielding device can be modified to also protect things such as but not limited to payment cards or a more generic N PC capability on a hand held device.

Preferably, the part of the shielding device comprising the shielding material is biased into the blocking position, for example by means of an appropriated arranged spring.

Use of the shielding device is not limited to USC in selectively permitting and preventing use of NEC, but may be used in se]ectively permitting and preventing use of other capabilities of the mobile device.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature or step described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common genera! know!edge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or steps or combinations of features and/or steps solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that aspects of the present invention may consist of any such individual feature or step or combination of features and/or steps. !n view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A physical shielding device for a hand-held mobile communications device, the shielding device comprising shielding means movable between a blocking position in which data transmission and/or reception at at least a predetermined frequency is blocked and another position in which data transmission at at least said frequency is permitted, wherein the shielding dcvice is operable to move the shielding means between the blocking and other positions with fingers of onc hand of a user of the mobile communications dcvicc.
2. The physical shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frequency is 13.56MHz.
3. Thc physical shielding devicc as claimcd in claim I or claim 2, further comprising a clip for attaching the shielding device to the communications device, wherein when the shielding device is attached to the communications device using said clip, the shield means is arranged for said blocking of data transmission and/or reception when the shielding means is in said blocking position.
4. The physical shielding device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shielding means comprises a woven or non-woven material with at least one metallic component arranged for said blocking of data transmission and/or reccption whcn the shielding means is in said blocking position.
5. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shielding mcans compriscs at Icast one of thc following matcrials: platinum, aluminium, coppcr, silver, gold and nickel; whcrein said at least onc matcrial is arranged for said blocking of data transmission and/or reception when the shielding means is in said blocking position.
6. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shielding means comprises one or a combination of metals which are provided within a woven or non-woven material, the one or the combination of metals proyided within said woven or non-woven material being arranged for said blocking of data transmission and/or reception when thc shielding mcans is in said blocking position.
7. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shielding means is laminated.
8. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shielding device comprises plastic.
9. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein in the blocking position the shielding means is arranging on the antenna or a section of the antenna of the device.
10. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the shielding device can be built into a mobile phone case / shell or be a rcplaccmcnt case / shell.
11. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims attachable to the communications device by permanent or semi-permanent adhesive device.
12. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising an outer casing or cover for the communications device.
13. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding means is slidable between the blocking and other positions.
14. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding means is substantially planar.
15. The physical shielding device as claimed in claim 13 and claim 14, wherein the shielding device further comprises a pair of facing parallel grooves, said grooves being spaced to retain opposing edges of said shielding means to permit sliding moveable of said shielding means parallel to said grooves.
16. The physical shielding device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the shielding device comprises a casing for the communications device, wherein said casing is attachable to the communications device and comprises first and second parts, said first part comprising said shielding means, wherein said first part is slidablc relative to said second part when the casing is attached to the communications device, wherein in said other position said first part is spaced from said second part.
17. Thc physical shiclding dcvicc as claimed in any one of claims ito 14, wherein the shielding device comprises a casing for the commnnications device, wherein said casing is attachable to the communications device and comprises a planar portion and a hinge means, said planar portion comprising the shielding means, wherein said hinge means is located when the casing is attached to the communications device to permit pivoting movement of the planar portion about the hinge means, wherein the shielding means is in the blocking position when the planar portion is located flush against a surface of the communications device, and is in the other position when the planar portion is pivoted about said hinge so that the shielding means is spaced from said surface of the communications device.
18. The physical shielding device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding means is biased towards the blocking position.
19. A physical shielding device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.