KR100996710B1 - Security tag for RFID and method for driving the tag - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio aware security tag is disclosed. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless identification security tag, including: a power generation unit configured to generate a power source by extracting a power component from a continuous electromagnetic wave transmitted from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader and received through an antenna; RF communication unit for processing the signal transmission and reception with the RFID reader; A storage unit to store instructions and data necessary for a tag operation; Tag battery; A power selector which selects one of a tag battery and a power generator as an operating power of the tag; A signal processor configured to control a power selector to select one of a tag battery and a power generator when the tag needs to operate as a security tag; And an encryption unit for the tag to perform encryption for operation as a security tag. This enables secure operation of the tag and efficient power supply.

Description

Wireless recognition security tag and its driving method {Security tag for RFID and method for driving the tag}

The present invention relates to RFID (Radio Frequency Idnetification) technology, and more particularly to a wireless identification tag.

This research is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT growth engine project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and ICT. [Task management number: 2005-S-106-04, Development of sensor tag and sensor node technology for RFID / USN] ]

RFID is a technology that reads information embedded in goods and objects at a short distance by using radio frequency, and has been spotlighted as a core technology that can create economic ripple effects in various industries such as logistics, distribution, procurement, military, food, and safety. In addition to being used as the basic technology of ubiquitous, it is recognized as a technology that revolutionizes the way of life and existing industrial structure in the future.

On the other hand, in order to prevent leakage of transmission information between the reader and the tag by the unauthorized reader in the RFID air interface environment, there is a technology for information security between the RFID reader and the tag. For the security of the tag, a security function is added to the tag. However, tag chip with added security function consumes more power than general tag chip. Thus, passive tags that run on power received from the reader are constrained by security features. In other words, a passive security tag with an encryption device and thus a storage device consumes more power than a conventional passive tag. Therefore, the conventional passive tag power supply method is used to obtain sufficient power for the secure operation of the passive security tag. There is difficulty.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is derived from such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technical solution capable of sufficiently supplying power required for stable security operation of a passive RFID tag with a security function.

Wireless identification security tag according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, a power source for generating a power source by extracting a power component from a continuous electromagnetic wave transmitted from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader received through an antenna Generation unit; RF communication unit for processing the signal transmission and reception with the RFID reader; A storage unit to store instructions and data necessary for a tag operation; Tag battery; A power selector which selects one of a tag battery and a power generator as an operating power of the tag; A signal processor configured to control a power selector to select one of a tag battery and a power generator when the tag needs to operate as a security tag; And an encryption unit for the tag to perform encryption for operation as a security tag.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit further stores a parameter as to whether the tag operates as a security tag that performs an encryption function by the encryption unit, and the signal processing unit should operate the tag as a security tag through parameter verification. Determine the case and control the power selector according to the check result.

The signal processor according to an aspect of the present invention is initially activated by the power generated by the power generator to determine when the tag should operate as a security tag through parameter verification.

The signal processor according to an aspect of the present invention controls the power selector such that the tag battery is used as an operating power source of the tag when the tag needs to operate as a security tag.

When the tag needs to operate as a security tag, the signal processing unit according to an aspect of the present invention provides a power source such that a power source having a larger power supply voltage generated by the power generation unit and the power source voltage of the tag battery is used as the operation power source of the tag. Control the selection.

On the other hand, the driving method of the radio recognition security tag according to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, receiving a selection command from the RFID reader; Checking a parameter indicating whether an encryption function of a tag is performed according to a selection command received; And selecting a power source generated by using a continuous wave signal transmitted from an internal tag battery or an RFID reader and received through an antenna when the parameter indicates that the encryption is performed. .

Wireless security tag with security function provides stable power and smooth security function. In particular, efficient tag driving is performed by properly using a self-generated power supply and a battery, thereby creating an effect of improving battery life of the wireless recognition security tag.

The foregoing and further aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a general passive wireless identification tag.

As illustrated, the passive wireless identification tag includes a power generator 110, an RF communicator 120, a storage 130, and a signal processor 140. The power generator 110 generates power by using a continuous wave signal transmitted from the RFID reader and received by the antenna, and supplies the generated power to the tag to enable the operation of the tag. The RF communication unit 120 is configured as an RF demodulator and performs a function of transmitting and receiving an RF signal with an RFID reader. The storage unit 130 stores instructions and data necessary for tag operation. The signal processor 140 operates based on a command stored in the storage 130, and processes the data stored in the storage 130 in response to a reading operation of the RF reader to transmit the data to the RF reader. Output to 120.

2 is a block diagram of a radio recognition security tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated, the wireless recognition security tag 200 may include a power generator 210, an RF communicator 220, a storage 230, a tag battery 240, a power selector 250, and a signal processor 260. , And an encryption unit 270. The power generator 210 generates power by extracting power components from continuous electromagnetic waves transmitted from an RFID reader and received through an antenna. The antenna here is a printed pattern or coil, which is formed approximately along the outer periphery of the tag. The RF communicator 220 includes a demodulator for demodulating the received signal and a modulator for modulating the transmitted signal. Since the RF communication unit 220 is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The storage unit 230 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as, for example, a flash ROM. The storage unit 230 stores data to be transmitted according to a command required for a tag operation and a reading operation of the RFID reader.

The tag battery 240 is a battery provided in the tag 200 itself. The tag battery 240 may be rechargeable or consumable. In the case of a consumable type, the tag battery 240 may be implemented to be replaceable. The power selector 250 selects one of the power generator 210 and the tag battery 240 under the control of the signal processor 260 to be used as the operating power of the tag. In one embodiment, the power selector 250 may be implemented as a switching element. The power selector 250 selects any one of the power generator 210 and the tag battery 240 under the control of the signal processor 260 to be described later.

The signal processor 260 is a component that controls the overall operation of the tag. The signal processor 260 may be implemented as a dedicated hardware of digital logic designed as a state machine, for example, an ASIC circuit designed based on flip-flops and gates. Or it could be implemented as a microprocessor. The signal processor 260 according to an aspect of the present invention determines whether the tag 200 should operate as a security tag, and according to the determination result, any one of the power generator 210 and the tag battery 240 is the tag 200. Control to be used as an operating power source. The encryption unit 270 performs an encryption function for operating as a security tag. In one embodiment, the encryption unit 270 performs encryption on the data to be transmitted to the RFID reader processed by the signal processing unit 260.

Meanwhile, according to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit 230 stores a parameter indicating whether the tag 200 is secure. This parameter can be changed by the RFID reader. The signal processor 260 selects any one of the power generator 210 and the tag battery 240 as operating power of the tag 200 based on the parameters stored in the storage 230. In one embodiment, the signal processor 260 initially operates with power generated by the power generator 210 to determine whether the tag 200 is secure. In one embodiment, when the parameter indicates a security operation of the tag, the signal processor 260 controls the power selector 250 to select the tag battery 240 as the operating power. For this purpose, the process of activating the power selector 250 first is preferred. On the contrary, when the parameter does not indicate the security operation of the tag, the signal processing unit 260 supplies power generated by the power generation unit 210 that supplies the current operation power to the entire tag. However, since the security operation of the tag 200 is not necessary, the signal processor 260 may control the power generated by the power generator 210 to not be supplied to the power selector 250 and the encryption unit 270. .

That is, according to an embodiment of the present invention, if the tag does not need to operate securely, similarly to a passive passive RFID tag, power is supplied to the tag using a radio signal transmitted from an RFID reader. It uses its own tag battery to supply power for the tag.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the parameter indicates the security operation of the tag, the signal processor 260 compares the power supply voltage generated by the power generator 210 with the power supply voltage of the tag battery 240. The selection of the power supply selector 250 is controlled to use the power of the power supply voltage as the operation power of the tag. For example, if the power voltage generated by the power generator 210 has a value greater than the power voltage of the tag battery 240, the signal processor 260 causes the power selector 250 to generate the tag 200. Control to select the power generator 210 as the operating power. The power provided by the power generator 210 is supplied to the operating power of the tag 200 including the encryption unit 270.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a power selection method of a radio recognition security tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The signal processor 260 receives a select command transmitted from the RF reader and received through the antenna and the RF communication unit 220 (step S310). The wireless recognition security tag 200 that receives the selection command determines whether to use the encryption function of the tag 200 by checking the Sec_Param information stored in the storage 230 (step S320) (step S330). In one embodiment, the initial operation of the signal processor 260 is based on the power generated by the power generator 210.

If it is determined that the encryption function is not used, the signal processor 260 controls the generated power of the power generator 210 that is currently supplying power to be used as the operating power of the tag 200 (step S340). In other words, power is supplied in the same way as a general passive wireless identification tag. In addition, since the encryption function is not used when operating in the same manner as the general passive wireless identification tag, the signal processing unit 260 preferably controls the power supply to the encryption unit 270 and the power selector 250. .

On the other hand, if it is determined that the encryption function is used, the signal processor 260 activates the power selector 250 and then the power selector activated so that the power of the tag battery 240 is used as the operating power of the tag 200. 250 is controlled (step S350) (step S360). As a result, the power selector 250 selects the tag battery 240, and the power of the tag battery 240 is used as the operating power of the tag 200. Therefore, the entire tag including the encryption unit 270 is activated, and the tag 200 operates as a security tag performing an encryption function (step S370).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power selection method of a wireless security tag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The signal processor 260 receives a select command transmitted from the RF reader and received through the antenna and the RF communication unit 220 (step S410). Upon receiving the selection command, the wireless recognition security tag 200 checks the Sec_Param information stored in the storage 230 to determine whether to use the encryption function of the tag 200 (step S420) (step S430). In one embodiment, the initial operation of the signal processor 260 is based on the power generated by the power generator 210.

If it is determined that the encryption function is not used, the signal processor 260 controls the generated power of the power generator 210 that is currently supplying power to be used as the operating power of the tag 200 (step S440). In other words, power is supplied in the same way as a general passive wireless identification tag. In addition, since the encryption function is not used when operating in the same way as the general passive wireless identification tag, the signal processing unit 260 preferably controls the power supply to the encryption unit 270 and the power selector 250.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the encryption function is used, the signal processor 260 activates the power selector 250 (step S450). Then, the power supply voltage generated by the power generator 210 is compared with the power supply voltage of the tag battery 240 (step S460). If the power voltage generated by the power generator 210 is greater than the power voltage of the tag battery 240, the signal processor 260 activates the power of the power generator 210 to be used as the operating power of the tag 200. The selected power supply selection unit 250 is controlled (step S470). On the contrary, when the power supply voltage of the tag battery 240 is greater than the power supply voltage generated by the power generator 210, the signal processor 260 activates the power of the tag battery 240 to be used as the operating power of the tag 200. The selected power supply selection unit 250 is controlled (step S480). As a result, the power selector 250 selects the power generator 210 or the tag battery 240 under the control of the signal processor 260. Therefore, the entire tag including the encryption unit 270 is activated, and the tag 200 operates as a security tag that performs an encryption function (step S490).

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a typical passive wireless identification tag.

2 is a block diagram of a radio recognition security tag in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a power selection method of a wireless security tag according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a power selection method of a radio recognition security tag according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

210: power generator 220: RF communication unit

230: storage unit 240: tag battery

250: power selection unit 260: signal processing unit

270: encryption unit

Claims (10)

A power generator configured to generate a power by extracting a power component from a continuous electromagnetic wave transmitted from an RFID reader and received through an antenna; RF communication unit for processing the signal transmission and reception with the RFID reader; And a storage unit for storing instructions and data necessary for a tag operation. Tag battery; A power selector which selects one of the tag battery and the power generator as an operating power of the tag; A signal processor configured to control the power selector to select one of the tag battery and the power generator when the tag is to operate as a security tag; And An encryption unit configured to perform encryption for the tag to operate as a security tag; Wireless recognition security tag further comprising. The method of claim 1, The storage unit further stores a parameter as to whether the tag operates as a security tag that performs an encryption function by the encryption unit, And the signal processor determines whether the tag should operate as a security tag through the parameter check and controls the power selector according to the check result. The method of claim 2, And the parameter is changeable according to a change command from the RFID reader. The method of claim 2, And the signal processor is initially activated by the power generated by the power generator to determine when the tag should operate as a security tag by checking the parameter. The method of claim 2, And the signal processor controls the power selector such that the tag battery is used as an operating power of the tag when the tag should operate as a security tag. The method of claim 2, The signal processing unit selects the power so that a power having a large power voltage among the power voltage generated by the power generation unit and the power supply voltage of the tag battery is used as the operating power of the tag when the tag should operate as a security tag. Wireless identification security tag, characterized in that for controlling the wealth. The method of claim 3, When the tag does not need to operate as a security tag, the signal processor controls the power generated by the power generation unit to be supplied to the operating power of the tag, but not supplied to the power selector and the encryption device. Wireless identification security tag characterized by the control box. Receiving a selection command from an RFID reader; Checking a parameter indicating whether an encryption function of a tag is performed in response to receiving the selection command; And If the parameter indicates to perform encryption, selecting one of the power generated by using a continuous wave signal transmitted from an internal tag battery or the RFID reader and received through an antenna; Method of driving a wireless recognition security tag comprising a. The method of claim 8, In the selecting step, the tag battery is selected as the operating power of the tag when the encryption function is performed, and the power generated using the continuous wave signal received through the antenna is selected as the operating power of the tag when the encryption function is not performed. Method of driving a wireless recognition security tag, characterized in that. The method of claim 8, wherein the selecting step is: Comparing a power supply voltage generated by the continuous wave signal received through the antenna with a power supply voltage of the tag battery; And Supplying power with a large compared power voltage to an operating power of the tag when performing an encryption function; Method of driving a wireless recognition security tag comprising a.

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