WO2014210183A2

WO2014210183A2 - Rfid card learning apparatus and operating method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2014210183A2
Application number: PCT/US2014/044133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maria Liu
Original assignee: Wek Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-06-28
Filing date: 2014-06-25
Publication date: 2014-12-31
Also published as: CN104252635B; JP6271001B2; JP2016527781A; CA2917016A1; KR101753233B1; PH12015502856A1; CA2917016C; MY185825A; SG11201510592UA; KR20160022894A; TWI596546B; CN104252635A; WO2014210183A3; PH12015502856B1; HK1205584A1; TW201501038A

Abstract

The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus and an operating method thereof. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The RFID card learning apparatus is supplied with power by a battery or by electromagnetic induction, hi a learning mode, an ID number and data of the RFID card is read and saved in the microcontroller. In a normal mode, when the RFID card learning apparatus detects an electromagnetic signal transmitted from a RFID card reader, the RFID card learning apparatus communicates the stored ID number and data of the RFID card with the RFID card reader.

Description

File: 50970pctusf

RFID CARD LEARNING APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no.

102123122, filed June 28, 2013 and Taiwan application serial no. 103103586, filed January 29, 2014. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. BACKGROUND

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic apparatus, and particularly relates to a RFID card learning apparatus and an operating method thereof.

Related Art

[0002] In modern society, a radio frequency identification (RFID) technique is widely applied in various domains such as elevator cards, entrance cards, ID cards, micro payment, etc. due to its advantages of non-contact identification and high data security. A RFID system is mainly composed of a reader and a RFID tag. The reader and the RFID tag are all configured with coils to facilitate implementing the wireless RF transmission. The RFID tag (for example, a RFID card) includes a coil and a RFID chip, where the RFID chip is electrically connected to the coil. When the RFID tag approaches the reader, the coil of the RFID tag and the coil of the reader induct and communicate with each other. File: 50970pctusf

[0003] However, since the RFID card has been widely applied in daily life, a user has to carry the RFID card when going out, and although a RFID card combined with a portable device (for example, a pendant, a back cover of a mobile phone) or a wearable device (for example, a bracelet) has been developed in the market, if the RFID card is required to be replaced, the portable device or the wearable device has to be replaced together, and the original device cannot be continually used. Therefore, further review is required for the aforementioned problems, so as to seek a feasible solution.

SUMMARY

[0004] The invention is directed to a radio frequency identification (RFID) card learning apparatus and an operating method thereof, by which an ID number and data of at least one RFID card are read, and the read ID number and data are stored into the RFID card learning apparatus for replacing the read RFID card.

[0005] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to read an ID number and data of a low frequency RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna, where the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a RFID card reading chip.

[0006] The invention provides a radio frequency identification (RFID) card learning apparatus, which is adapted to simulate a low frequency RFID card and transmit an ID number and data. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal File: 50970pctusf to fonn an electromagnetic load or antenna, where the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a RFID card induction chip.

[0007] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to mutually exchange an ID number and data with a high frequency RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to fonn an electromagnetic load or antenna, where the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a high frequency RFID card read-write chip.

[0008] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to simulate a high frequency RFID card and mutually exchange an ID number and data with a high frequency RFID read-write device. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to fonn an electromagnetic load or antenna, where the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a high frequency RFID card chip.

[0009] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to read an ID number and data from a low frequency RFID card, and mutually exchange the ID number and data with a high frequency RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to fonn an electromagnetic load or antenna.

[0010] In an embodiment of the invention, the RFID card learning apparatus stores a plurality of different ID numbers and data. When the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a low frequency reading device or a high frequency RFID read-write device, File: 50970pctusf the RFID card learning apparatus automatically performs detemiination according to a received carrier frequency, and transmits the ID number and data when approaching the low frequency reading device, and mutually exchanges the ID number and data with the high frequency RFID read-write device when approaching the high frequency RFID read-write device.

[001 1] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to simulate a low frequency RFID card to transmit an ID number and data, and is adapted to simulated a high frequency RFID card, and mutually exchange the ID number and data with a high frequency RFID read-write device. The RFID card learning apparatus includes a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna.

[0012] In an embodiment of the invention, when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a RFID card reading device, the RFID card learning apparatus automatically performs determination according to a received carrier frequency, and switches different ID number and data for transmitting to the low frequency RFID reading device at regular time intervals in case of the low frequency RFID reading device, and mutually exchanges different ID number and data with the high frequency RFID read-write device at regular time intervals in case of the high frequency RFID read-write device.

[0013] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus including a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and senses an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load, where when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a low frequency reading device or a high frequency read-write device of an external device, the microcontroller is waken up due to a level File: 50970pctusf variation of a carrier signal received from the low frequency reading device or the high frequency read-write device. The RFID card learning apparatus is capable of reading an ID number and data of the low frequency RFID card and mutually exchanging an ID number and data with the high frequency RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus is packaged in a single chip, where the single chip includes a microprocessor and an induction element, and the induction element is one of a coil, an antenna or a circuit trace on a circuit board.

[0014] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus, which is adapted to simulate a low frequency RFID card and transmit an ID number and data, and is adapted to simulate a high frequency RFID card and mutually exchange an ID number and data with the high frequency RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus is packaged in a single chip, where the single chip includes a microprocessor and an induction element, and the induction element is one of a coil, an antenna or a circuit trace on a circuit board.

[0015] The invention provides a RFID card learning apparatus including a microcontroller and a coil. The coil is coupled to the microcontroller, and receives a first signal, where the first signal includes a RFID card number. The microcontroller receives the first signal through the coil, and stores the RFID card number. When the microcontroller receives a read request, the microcontroller transmits the RFID card number through the coil.

[0016] The invention provides an operating method of a RFID card learning apparatus, which includes following steps. A microcontroller and a coil are configured, where the microcontroller receives a first signal through the coil, the first signal includes File: 50970pctusf a RFID card number, and the microcontroller stores the RFID card number. When the microcontroller receives a read request, the microcontroller transmits the RFID card number through the coil.

[0017] According to the above descriptions, the RFID card learning apparatus and the operating method are capable of reading and storing the ID number and data of at least one RFID card, so that the ID numbers and data of a plurality of RFID cards can be integrated in one device. Since a microcontroller is used to implement the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention, portability of the apparatus is achieved.

[0018] In order to make the aforementioned and other features and advantages of the invention comprehensible, several exemplary embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency identification (RFID) card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a circuit schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. File: 50970pctusf

[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a circuit schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a circuit schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus implemented by a watch.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an application of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another application of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus 10 of FIG.

2 when a pin I/O Port 1 and a pin I/O Port 2 are not connected to a coil 12.

[0030] FIG. 1 1 is a waveform diagram of the RFID card learning apparatus 10 of

FIG. 2 when the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 are connected to the coil 12.

[0031] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a block bl 101 of FIG. 11.

[0032] FIG. 13 is a diagram listing values that a pin ADC Input converts input analog signals into digital signals when a RFID card is not read in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0033] FIG. 14 is a diagram listing values that the pin ADC Input converts the input analog signals into digital signals when the RFID card is read in the embodiment of FIG. 2. File: 50970pctusf

[0034] FIG. 15 is a signal waveform diagram when a low frequency RFID card is simulated.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram of a pin I/O Port 2 and a pin PWM Output Port when the coil 12 is not connected.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram of the pin I/O Port 2 and the pin PWM Output Port when the coil 12 is connected.

[0037] FIG. 18 is a waveform diagram obtained when a microcontroller controls an output PWM signal of a pin PWM Output Port to enable/disable sending of a REQA instruction according to a transmission format.

[0038] FIG. 19 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller sends a REQA instruction.

[0039] FIG. 20 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller sends a REQA instruction.

[0040] FIG. 21 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller sends a SELECT instruction.

[0041] FIG. 22 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller sends a REQA instruction and receives an ATQA response from a high frequency RFID card.

[0042] FIG. 23 is a waveform diagram with an enlarged time axis when a RFID card responds an ATQA response.

[0043] FIG. 24 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller transmits a SELECT instruction and receives a UID number transmitted back from a RFID card.

[0044] FIG. 25 is a waveform diagram when a RFID card transmits back an ATQA response. File: 50970pctusf

[0045] FIG. 26 is a waveform diagram when a RFID card transmits back an ID number.

[0046] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of analysing UID waveform data and converting the same into an ID number.

[0047] FIG. 28 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller 11 receives a REQA instruction sent by a RFID card reader.

[0048] FIG. 29 is a waveform diagram when a microcontroller 1 1 receives a REQA instruction from a RFID card reader and transmits an ATQA response.

[0049] FIG. 30 is an enlarged waveform diagram of an ATQA response of FIG. 29.

[0050] FIG. 31 is a waveform diagram when the microcontroller receives a SELECT instruction from the RFID card reader and transmits a UID number stored in the RFID card learning apparatus.

[0051] FIG. 32 is an enlarged waveform diagram when a microcontroller transmits the UID number in FIG. 31.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a radio frequency identification (RFID) card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the RFID card learning apparatus 10 includes a microcontroller 1 1 and a coil 12. The File: 50970pctusf microcontroller 11 can be a hardware device having computation capability. In the present embodiment, the microcontroller 11 can be integrated in an integrated circuit (for example, a chip). The microcontroller 1 1 may output a voltage to the coil 12 in a regular frequency. Moreover, the microcontroller 1 1 can be an 8-bits microcontroller or can be a 4-bits microcontroller, which is not limited by the invention. In the present embodiment, the coil 12 serves as a medium for transmitting radio signals between the RFID card learning apparatus and a RFID tag.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the RFID card can be a RFID tag or a RFID key fob or a near field communication (NFC) tag, though the invention is not limited thereto. The RFID card can be an entrance card, an elevator card, an ID card, etc. In the present embodiment, the coil 12 can be an induction coil adapted to the RFID technique or the NFC teclmique. In other embodiments, the coil 12 can be implemented by an inductor, though the invention is not limited thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the RFID card learning apparatus can be packaged in a single chip, i.e. the single chip includes the aforementioned microcontroller and an induction element (for example, the microcontroller 1 1 and the coil 12 of FIG. 1). In another exemplary embodiment, the induction element can be an antenna of a specific RFID card or a circuit trace on a circuit board, and the induction element can be an inductor or other active or passive device having an induction function.

[0055] In the present embodiment, the RFID learning apparatus may store a plurality of different ID numbers and data. The RFID learning apparatus 10 is capable of reading an ID number and data of a low frequency RFID card and mutually exchanging an ID number and data with a high frequency RFID card. The low frequency RFID File: 50970pctusf card is, for example, a RFID card with a communication carrier frequency below 150kHz, and the high frequency RFID card is a RFID card with a communication carrier frequency above 150kHz and below 40MHz.

[0056] The RFID card learning apparatus of the invention is capable of reading the ID number and data of the low frequency RFID card and mutually exchanging the ID number and data with the high frequency RFID card. In another embodiment, the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention is adapted to simulate a low frequency RFID card, and transmit the ID number and data, and is adapted to simulate a high frequency RFID card and mutually exchange an ID number and data with a high frequency RFID read- write device.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a circuit schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the RFID card learning apparatus of FIG. 2 is adapted to read and simulate a low frequency RFID card. The low frequency RFID card is, for example, a RFID card with a communication carrier frequency below 150kHz, and a common application thereof includes an entrance card, an elevator card, etc. The RFID card learning apparatus of FIG. 2 is an active apparatus, and a power pin VDD and a ground pin GND of the microcontroller 11 thereof are connected to an external power 13, for example, a battery or a direct current (DC) power, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, one end of the coil 12 is coupled to a pin I/O Port 1 , and a pin I/O Port 2 is coupled to a pin ADC Input. Another end of the coil 12 is coupled to the pin I O Port 2 and the pin ADC Input. The pin ADC Input is used for receiving an analog signal sensed by the antenna, and the microcontroller 1 1 converts the sensed analog signal into a digital signal for interpreting information such File: 50970pctusf as the ID number, etc. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention can also be a passive apparatus, and the passive apparatus does not require an external power.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operating method of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the microcontroller 1 1 receives a first signal through the coil 12, where the first signal includes a RFID card number, and the microcontroller 11 stores the RFID card number (step S410). When the microcontroller 11 receives a read request, the microcontroller 11 transmits the RFID card number through the coil 12 (step S420).

[0059] The RFID card learning apparatuses of FIG. 5 to FIG. 6 are adapted to read and simulate the high frequency RFID card and the low frequency RFID card. The high frequency RFID card is a RFID card with a communication carrier frequency above 150kHz and below 40MHz, which includes the RFID cards with specifications of ISO/IEC 14443 A, ISO/IEC 14443B, JIS X 6319-4, ISO/IEC 15693, ISO/IEC 18000-3, etc. Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a difference between FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is that the RFID card learning apparatus of FIG. 5 is an active apparatus, and the power pin VDD and the ground pin GND of the microcontroller 1 1 thereof are coupled to the external power 13, for example, a battery, a DC power, etc., while the RFID card learning apparatus is a passive apparatus, which is unnecessary to connect an external power. Compared to FIG. 2, the microcontroller 1 1 of FIG. 5 further includes a pin PWM Output Port for outputting an output pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal), a pin OP+ Input, a pin OP-Input, a pin OP Output and a pin I/O Port 3. The pin PWM Output Port is coupled to the pin I O Port 1. One end of the antenna 12 is coupled to the pin PWM Output File: 50970pctusf

Port and the pin I/O Port 1 , and another end of the antenna 12 is coupled to the pin I/O Port 2 and the pin ADC Input.

[0060] An input terminal of an input stage circuit 14 is coupled to the other end of the antenna 12, and an output teraiinal of the input stage circuit 14 is coupled to the pin OP+Input and the pin OP-Input. A diode Dl is used for rectification. The input stage circuit 14 includes capacitors CI , C2 and C3, resistors Rl , R2 and R3, and the diode Dl . An anode of the diode Dl and one end of the capacitor CI are coupled to the input terminal of the input stage circuit 14. Another end of the capacitor CI is coupled to the ground, and a cathode of the diode Dl is coupled to one end of each of the resistors Rl , R2 and R3. Another end of the resistor Rl is coupled to the ground, another end of the resistor R2 is coupled to one end of the capacitor C2 and the pin OP+ Input, and another end of the resistor R3 is coupled to one end of the capacitor C3 and the pin OP- Input. The other ends of the capacitors C2 and C3 are coupled to the ground. The resistors R2 and R3 are used for low-pass filtering. The capacitor CI is a coupling capacitor, which is used for adjusting a frequency. After an electromagnetic signal sensed by the antenna 12 is processed by the input stage circuit 14, the electromagnetic signal is transmitted to an operational amplifier OP 1 in the microcontroller 1 1 through the pin OP+ Input and the pin OP- Input, and the electromagnetic signal is amplified and is output through the pin OP Output. In the present embodiment, the number of windings of the antenna 12 of the active RFID card learning apparatus 10 of FIG. 5 is about 8 to 9 rounds. The number of windings of the antenna 12 of the passive RFID card learning apparatus 10 of FIG. 6 is at least about 60 or more in order to generate an adequate current for driving the microcontroller 1 1 when the RFID card approaches the File: 50970pctusf antenna 12. Moreover, the RFID card learning apparatuses 10 of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 may send a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal in alternation to read a low frequency RFID card read and a high frequency RFID card reader.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a RFID card learning apparatus implemented by a watch. Referring to FIG. 7, the RFID card learning apparatus 70 includes a watch body 75 and a watchband 76. A microcontroller is built in the watch body 75, a coil 72 is disposed on the watch body 75, and a time display region 751 and an indicating lamp 752 are disposed n the watch body 75. The time display region 751 can be a liquid crystal display. The indicating lamp 752 can be an LED lamp. The watch body 75 has buttons 753 and 754 on a side surface thereof, which are used for switching modes of the RFID card learning apparatus 70.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an application of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 8, the RFID card learning apparatus 70 may store ID numbers of a plurality of RFID cards, and an ID card 81, an entrance card 82 or an elevator card 83 can be taken for approaching the RFID card learning apparatus 70, and the button on the RFID card learning apparatus 70 is pressed to start a RFID card duplication mode (a learning mode), and the duplication is complete when the indicating lamp 752 is lighted. One set or a plurality sets of duplicated RFID card numbers and data can be stored in a rewritable flash memory (FlashRom), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPRom) or a static random access memory (SRAM) in the microcontroller 11 , or stored in an external device or memory electrically connected to the microcontroller 11. The ID number of the low frequency RFID card occupies a capacity about 5 bytes. Besides storing the ID File: 50970pctusf number, the high frequency RFID card further stores information, and the ID number and information of the high frequency RFID card occupy a capacity about lk bytes, and the buttons can be used to switch storing the ID number of the high frequency RFID card alone or storing the ID number plus the information of the high frequency RFID card.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of another application of a RFID card learning apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the RFID card learning apparatus 70 that stores information (such as the ID number, etc.) of the entrance card 82 can be used as the entrance card 82, and when the RFID card learning apparatus 70 approaches a RFID card read- write device 91, the RFID card learning apparatus 70 simulates a signal of the entrance card 82. The RFID card read-write device 91 refers to a card reader (for example, a card reader device used for elevator or entrance control), a mobile phone, a tablet PC, etc., that is capable of mutually exchange data with the RFID card. The RFID card learning apparatus 70 may sequentially switch different RFID card numbers in a time interval (for example, 50ms-200ms), or the button 754 can be pressed to switch different RFID card numbers.

[0064] In the invention, a microcontroller and a coil are used to implement a RFID card learning function. As long as a suitable microcontroller is selected, a single IC can be used to produce a product having the RFID card learning function. For example, in order to produce the watch having the RFID card learning function as that shown in FIG. 7, the microcontroller having a LCD display control function is selected to develop the product, and in order to produce a key ring or a ring having the RFID card learning function, the microcontroller with a small volume is selected to develop the product. File: 50970pctusf

[0065] An existing RFID card reader includes an antenna, an oscillator, an antenna driver, a demodulator, a filter, an amplifier and a data decoder. The antenna driver receives a signal sent by the oscillator and transmits the signal to the antenna. When the RFID card approaches the antenna to cause a voltage variation of the antenna, the signal is transmitted to the demodulator for analog-to-digital conversion, and is further processed by the filter and the amplifier, and then the signal is processed by the data decoder to obtain the RFID card number and data. The microcontroller of the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention outputs a voltage to an output port connected to the coil in a regular frequency, such that the RFID card closed to the coil is charged, which implements a function of the antenna driver of the RFID card reader. An analog-to-digital converter, a counter or an operational amplifier of the microcontroller detects a current variation or a voltage variation of the coil to determine a load variation of a sensing device, which implements functions of the demodulator, the filter and the amplifier of the RFID card reader. The microcontroller executes a program to analyse the load variation, so as to implement the function of the data decoder to obtain the RFID card number and data. The microcontroller controls the input output port as a varied load, and exchanges the ID number of the RFID card or the data to be read or written with the RFID card read-write device in a wireless induction manner, and when the RFID card read-write device requires to write data, the data is written into the FlashRom, the EEPRom or SRAM of the microcontroller. Moreover, one or a plurality of RFID cards that have been read can be selected in advance, and when the RFID card approaches the RFID card read-write device, the RFID card exchanges the ID number and read-write data with the RFID card read-write device. File: 50970pctusf

[0066] According to the above descriptions, since the RFID card learning apparatus and the operating method thereof can read and store the ID number and data of at least one RFID card, the ID numbers and data of a plurality of RFID cards can be integrated into one device. Since the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention is implemented by a microcontroller, portability of the RFID card learning apparatus is achieved.

[0067] In following descriptions, reading of the low frequency RFID card, simulation of the low frequency RFID card, reading of the ID number and data of the high frequency RFID card, and simulation of the high frequency RFID card are described in detail.

[0068] First, a method that the RFID card learning apparatus reads the low frequency RFID card (the learning mode) is introduced. Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a wavefomi diagram of the RFID card learning apparatus 10 of FIG. 2 when the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 are not connected to the coil 12. A waveform PI 001 represents a voltage variation of the pin I/O Port 1, and a wavefomi PI 002 represents a voltage variation of the pin I/O Port 2. The microcontroller 1 1 first outputs a square wave tlirough the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 in a frequency of a carrier, and a frequency of the square wave is about 125 kHz, and a period thereof is about 8 με.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 11, FIG. 1 1 is a waveform diagram of the RFID card learning apparatus 10 of FIG. 2 when the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 are connected to the coil 12. In the present embodiment, the capability that the microcontroller 1 1 pulls down the voltage to a low level is greater than the capability that the microcontroller 1 1 pulls up the voltage to a high level. Therefore, when one of File: 50970pctusf the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 outputs the low level and another one outputs the high level, the voltage of the pin I/O Port 1 or the pin I/O Port 2 that outputs the high level is pulled down to the low level within a short time. Referring to a block 1101 encircled by dot lines in FIG. 11 , when the voltage PI 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 is pulled down to the low level, the voltage PI 002 of the pin I/O Port 2 is influenced by the voltage PI 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 and is pulled down to the low level from the high level.

[0070] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the block bl lOl of FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 12, _. a declining speed of the voltage PI 002 of the pin I/O Port 2 relates to a magnitude of a load impedance. The load impedance relates to the coil 12 and an internal circuit of the read RFID card. In the invention, when the voltage P I 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 is pulled down to the low level, an analog-to-digital conversion function is activated. Moreover, the magnitude of the load impedance can be determined according to a slope of the voltage PI 002 of the pin I/O Port 2 declining from the high level to the low level, i.e. a value of a voltage drop a2 divided by a time al . The greater the value of the voltage drop a2 divided by the time al is, i.e. the greater the slope is, the greater the load impedance is. FIG. 13 is a diagram listing values that the pin ADC Input converts the input analog signals into digital signals when the RFID card is not read in the embodiment of FIG. 2. When the RFID card is not read, the obtained value of the digital signal is "52" or "51 ", which has a small variation range. FIG. 14 is a diagram listing values that the pin ADC Input converts the input analog signals into digital signals when the RFID card is read in the embodiment of FIG. 2. A block bl401 is a header, and a length thereof is 9 bits in the present embodiment, the File: 50970pctusf displayed values are 9 consecutive "1 ", and when the header is obtained, data decoding is performed according to a transmission format of the low frequency RFID card, so as to obtain an ID number shown by the block b 1402.

[0071 ] A method that the RFID card learning apparatus simulates the low frequency RFID card (a normal mode) is described below. Taking the RFID card learning apparatus of FIG. 2 as an example, the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 are set as input ports, and a function of waking up the microcontroller 1 1 through the I/O Port is activated. When the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a RFID card reader, the I/O Port receives a level variation of the carrier signal of the RFID card reader and wakes up the microcontroller 1 1. The microcontroller 11 deteraiines a frequency of the carrier signal, and in case of the low frequency, the microcontroller 1 1 sets the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 as input port or output port according to the transmission format and timing, so as to form a varied load with the connected coil 12 to transmit the ID number to the RFID card reader.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 15, according to the voltage waveform PI 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 and the voltage waveform PI 002 of the pin I/O Port 2, the digital signal value of the simulated low frequency RFID card is obtained. A block 1501 is the header. When the voltage PI 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 is pulled down from a high amplitude to a low amplitude, it represents a binary bit of "1 ", and when the voltage PI 001 of the pin I/O Port 1 is pulled up from the low amplitude to the high amplitude, it represents a binary bit of "0", Blocks bl502 to bl505 respectively represent the transmitted RFID card number of hexadecimal "0", "1 ", "0" "6". The RFID card reader can interpret the sensed load variation as the ID number and data. When the ID number and data are File: 50970pctusf consecutively transmitted by several times (about 3-4 times), the RFID card reader accepts the ID number and data transmitted by the microcontroller 11 to complete simulation of the low frequency RFID card.

[0073] A method that the RFID card learning apparatus reads the ID number and data of the high frequency RFID card (the learning mode) is described below. For example, when the RFID card learning apparatus of FIG. 5 reads a NFC type-A RFID card, the microcontroller 11 first outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal in a frequency of a high frequency carrier (13.56 MHz, with a period of a bout 73.7 ns), the pin I/O Port 1 is set to be floating, and the pin I/O Port 2 is set to high potential. FIG. 16 is a waveform diagram of the pin I/O Port 2 and the pin PWM Output Port when the coil 12 is not connected, and FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram of the pin I/O Port 2 and the pin PWM Output Port when the coil 12 is connected. A waveform PI 601 represents a voltage of the pin I/O Port 2, and a waveform PI 602 represents a voltage of the pin PWM Output Port. In FIG. 17, at a time point tl, when the voltage PI 602 of the pin PWM Output Port starts to change, the voltage PI 601 of the pin I/O Port 2 is accordingly changed. FIG. 18 illustrates a voltage waveform PI 601 of the pin I/O Port 2 and a voltage waveform PI 602 of the pin PWM Output Port obtained when the microcontroller 1 1 controls the output PWM signal of the pin PWM Output Port enable/disable to send of a REQA (request) instruction according to a transmission format, where the REQA instruction is a complied with an ISO 14443 A specification, and a function of the REQA instruction is to request the RFID card to send signal.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 19 to FIG. 26, a waveform PI 901 represents a voltage of the pin I/O Port 2 of FIG. 5, a waveform PI 902 represents a voltage of the pin OP+ File: 50970pctusf

Input (a positive terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5, a waveform PI 903 represents a voltage of the pin OP- Input (a negative terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5, and a waveform PI 904 represents a voltage of the pin OP Output (an output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5. FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 are waveform diagrams obtained when the microcontroller 1 1 sends the REQA instruction. FIG. 21 is a waveform diagram when the microcontroller 11 sends a SELECT instruction. A function of the SELECT instruction is to request the RFID card to send the ID number. As shown in FIG. 22, when the microcontroller 1 1 sends the REQA instruction (at a time interval from a time point tl to a time point t2), if a NFC Type-A RFID card approaches the coil 12, the RFID card responds an ATQA response (ATQA response) as that shown from a time point t3 to a time point t4, and the microcontroller 1 1 determines that the NFC Type-A high frequency RFID card exists. It should be noticed that the ATQA response is complied with the ISO 14443 specification. FIG. 23 is a waveform diagram with an enlarged time axis when the RFID card responds the ATQA response. During a time interval from the time point tl to the time point t2 of FIG. 24, the microcontroller 1 1 sends the SELECT instruction, and during a time interval from the time point t3 to the time point t4, the RFID card transmits back a UID number of the RFID card. In FIG. 24, a length of the UID number transmitted back by the RFID card is 4 bytes. FIG. 25 is a waveform diagram of when the RFID card transmits back the ATQA response. FIG. 26 is a waveform diagram when the RFID card transmits back the UID number. FIG. 27 is a record of the output of the pin I/O Port 3 coupled to the output pin OP Output of the amplifier of the circuit of FIG. 5 when the RFID card transmits back the UID number, in which a File: 50970pctusf block b2701 stores data related to interval lengths of high level and low level transformation of the pin I/O Port 3, and the microcontroller 11 decodes the data to obtain the ID number shown by a block 2702. Then, other data of the RFID card is read according to instmction of the NFC Type-A specification, and is stored in the microcontroller 1 1 for simulating the data storage memory of the RFID card. In this way, the reading operation is completed.

[0075] A method that the RFID card learning apparatus simulates the high frequency RFID card (the normal mode) is described below. Taking the RFID card learning apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 5 as an example, the pin PWM Output Port is disabled to stop outputting the output PWM signal. The pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 are set as input ports, and a function of using the pin I/O port 1 or the pin I/O Port 2 to wake up the microcontroller 1 1 is enabled (when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a RFID card reader, the coil 12 has a voltage variation due to electromagnetic induction, so as to wake up the microcontroller 12). When the RFID card learning apparatus approaches the RFID card reader, the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 receive a level variation of the carrier signal of the RFID card reader to wake up the microcontroller 1 1 , and the microcontroller 1 1 determines whether the RFID card reader is a high frequency RFID card reader or a low frequency RFID card reader according to the carrier frequency. If the RFID card reader is the high frequency RFID card reader, the microcontroller 1 1 waits for responding after the RFID card reader sends an instruction. Referring to FIG. 28 to FIG. 32, FIG. 28 is a waveform diagram when the microcontroller receives the REQA instruction sent by the RFID card reader. A waveform P2801 represents a voltage of the pin I/O Port 2 of FIG. 5, a waveform File: 50970pctusf

P2802 represents a voltage of the pin OP+ Input (the positive terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5, a waveform P2803 represents a voltage of the pin OP- Input (the negative terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5, and a waveform P2804 represents a voltage of the pin OP Output (the output terminal of the operational amplifier OP1) of FIG. 5. During a time interval of the time point tl to the time point t2 of FIG. 29, the microcontroller 1 1 receives an instruction from the RFID card reader, and after the microcontroller 11 interprets the instruction as the REQA instruction, the microcontroller 1 1 switches the pin I/O Port 1 and the pin I/O Port 2 as the input port or the output port according to the transmission format and timing, and forms a varied load with the connected coil 12 to transmit a wavefomi of the ATQA response as that shown from the time point t3 to the time point t4 of FIG. 29. FIG. 30 is an enlarged waveform diagram of the ATQA response from the time point t3 to the time point t4 of FIG. 29. The time interval from the time point tl to the time point t2 of FIG. 31 represents a waveform when the microcontroller 11 receives the SELECT instruction from the RFID card reader, and the time interval from the time point t3 to the time point t4 of FIG. 31 represents a wavefonxi when the microcontroller 11 transmits the UID number stored in the RFID card learning apparatus. FIG. 32 is an enlarged waveform diagram when the microcontroller 11 transmits the UID number during the time interval from the time point t3 to the time point t4 of FIG. 31. Then, according to the NFC Type-A specification, when the instruction is received from the RFID card reader, the data storage memory in the microcontroller 11 used for simulating the RFID card is accessed to implement simulating the high frequency RFID card.

[0076] In summary, the RFID card learning apparatus and the operating method File: 50970pctusf thereof are capable of reading and storing the ID number and data of at least one RFID card, so that the ID numbers and data of a plurality of RFID cards can be integrated in one device. Since a microcontroller is used to implement the RFID card learning apparatus of the invention, portability of the apparatus is achieved. Moreover, the microcontroller 11 can be waken up when the pin I/O Port 1 and/or the pin I/O Port 2 receive a voltage level variation of the carrier signal from the RFID card reader, so as to achieve a power saving effect.

[0077] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, hi view of the foregoing, it is intended that the invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

File: 50970pctusf WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A RFID card learning apparatus, reading a RFID card, and simulating the RFID card and transmit the RFID card's serial number and data, the RFID card learning apparatus comprising:

a microcontroller; and

a coil, coupled to the microcontroller, and sensing an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna, wherein the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a RFID card chip nor RFID reader chip.

2. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID card learning apparatus further reads a RFID key fob, a RFID tag or RFID accessible device card, simulates the RFID key fob, the RFID tag or the RFID accessible device card, and transmits the serial number and the data from the RFID key fob, the RFID tag or the RFID accessible device card.

3. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID card learning apparatus further reads a proximity card, a vicinity card or NFC card, simulates the proximity card, the vicinity card or the NFC card, and transmits the serial number and the data from the proximity card, the vicinity card or the NFC card, wherein the proximity card, the vicinity card or the NFC card is used under a communication carrier frequency above 150kHz and below 40MHz.

4. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RFID card learning apparatus is made as a wearable product or a watch.

5. A RFID card learning apparatus, simulating a RFID card and transmit RFID card serial number and data, the RFID card learning apparatus comprising: File: 50970pctusf a microcontroller; and

a coil, coupled to the microcontroller, and sensing an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna, wherein the RFID card learning apparatus does not contain a RFID card chip.

6. A RFID card learning apparatus, reading or simulating an ID number and data of a low frequency RFID card and mutually exchange the ID number and the data with a high frequency RFID card, the RFID card learning apparatus comprising:

an IC chip ; and

a coil, coupled to the IC chip, and sensing an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna.

7. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a low frequency RFID reading device or a high frequency RFID read-write device, the RFID card learning apparatus automatically performs determination according to a received carrier frequency, and transmits the low frequency RFID card's ID number and the data when approaching the low frequency RFID reading device, and mutually exchanges the high frequency RFID card's ID number and the data with the high frequency RFID read-write device when approaching the high frequency RFID read- write device.

8. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a RFID card reading device, the RFID card learning apparatus automatically performs determining according to a received carrier frequency, and switches different ID number and data for transmitting to the low frequency RFID reading device at regular time intervals in case of the low frequency File: 50970pctusf

RFID reading device, and mutually exchanges different ID number and data with the high frequency RFID read-write device at regular time intervals in case of the high frequency RFID read-write device.

9. A RFID card learning apparatus, comprising:

a microcontroller; and

a coil, coupled to the microcontroller, and sensing an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna, wherein

when the RFID card learning apparatus approaches a low frequency reading device or a high frequency read-write device of an external device, the microcontroller is waken up due to a level variation of a carrier signal received from the low frequency reading device or the high frequency read-write device

10. A RFID card learning apparatus, comprising:

a microcontroller; and

a coil, coupled to the microcontroller, and receiving a first signal, wherein the first signal comprises a RFID card number;

wherein the microcontroller receives the first signal through the coil, and stores the RFID card number,

when the microcontroller receives a read request, the microcontroller transmits the RFID card number through the coil.

1 1. An operating method of a RFID card learning apparatus, comprising: configuring a microcontroller and a coil, wherein the microcontroller receives a first signal through the coil, the first signal comprises a RFID card number, and the microcontroller stores the RFID card number; and File: 50970pctusf transmitting the RFID card number through the coil by the microcontroller when the microcontroller receives a read request.

12. A RFID card learning apparatus, reading or simulating a low frequency RFID card and transmit an ID number and data, and reading or simulating a high frequency RFID card and mutually exchange the ID number and the data with a high frequency RFID read-write device, the RFID card learning apparatus comprising:

a microcontroller; and

a coil, coupled to the microcontroller, and sensing an electromagnetic signal to form an electromagnetic load or antenna.

13. The RFID card learning apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcontroller is an 8-bits microcontroller or a 4-bits microcontroller.

14. A RFID card learning apparatus, adapted to simulate a low frequency RFID card and transmit an ID number and data, and adapted to simulate a high frequency RFID card and mutually exchange the ID number and the data with a high frequency RFID read-write device, the RFID card learning apparatus being packaged in a single chip, wherein the single chip comprises a microcontroller and an induction element, and the induction element is one of a coil, an antenna or a circuit trace on a circuit board.