RFID READER WITH MULTIPLE INTERFACES

• US 20060219776A1
• Filed: 05/27/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DPD Patent Trust Limited
• Original Assignee: DPD Patent Trust Limited
• Inventors: Finn, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,250 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/048 the record carrier being shaped as a key
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07732 the record carrier having a housing or construction similar to well-known portable memory devices, such as SD cards, USB or memory sticks housings for electrical equipment in general, see H05K5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0034 the connector being capable of simultaneously receiving a plurality of cards in the same insertion slot
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0043 the plurality of cards being cards of different formats, e.g. SD card and memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/006 the housing being a portable casing
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0073 having multiple insertion slots, the respective slots suited for the same or different card form factors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10306 ultra wide band
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3574 Multiple applications on card
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00952 Electronic keys comprising a mechanical key within their housing, e.g. extractable or retractable emergency key
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass

Abstract

A pocket-size RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, and having a biometric sensor, thereby providing two levels of personalization. The apparatus may have a wireless interface; and a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I/O device. The apparatus may have a slot for insertion of an external memory device. The apparatus may have a mechanical connection (contact) interface. The apparatus may also have an RF interface for reading an electronic immobilizer within the apparatus.

Claims

1. A RFID reader apparatus comprising:

a contactless interface; and

a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob.

2. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus is personalized at two levels, firstly by the insertion of a contactless smart card fob with a cardholders'"'"' credentials into the slot and secondly at the initialization stage, by the cardholder taking a digital imprint of their finger or thumb and storing the biometric profile in the memory of the apparatus.

3. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a biometric interface; and

a biometric sensor.

4. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

an actuator associated with the biometric sensor for turning on the RFID reader apparatus when the biometric sensor is being used.

5. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a wireless interface; and

a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I/O device.

6. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a slot for insertion of an external memory device.

7. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a mechanical connection (contact) interface.

8. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an RF interface for reading an electronic immobilizer; and

an electronic immobilizer disposed within the RFID reader apparatus.

9. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is pocket-size.

10. The compact personal RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the contactless interface is selected from the group consisting of ISO 14443, ISO 15693, NFC, and any similar interface.

11. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus has an interface for interfacing with an Internet-capable appliance; and

the interface with the Internet-capable appliance in a Private Area Network is selected from the group consisting of Zigbee, NFC, Bluetooth, UWB, wireless USB, Infrared; and

the interface with the Internet-capable appliance for a Local Area Network is selected from the group consisting of 802.11 a/b/g, 802.11n and WIMAX.

12. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus can emulate Multiple ISO Standard Protocols (Mifare, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, NFC, etc) by storing the communication protocols and the modulation type of each transponder type in memory, at mask level or in any other non-erasable memory form.

13. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

extended memory selected from the group consisting of EEPROM, (NAND) flash memory and/or hard disk drive (HDD).

14. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus can generate Transaction Authentication Numbers (TAN) and One-Time-Passwords (OTP) when in an electromagnetic field, in a wireless hotspot and/or can synchronize itself with an Internet atomic clock, for the purpose of time synchronous password generation and for recording events &

transactions with an exact time/date stamp.

15. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus can enter several password protected sites or networks with a “

Single Sign-on”

by comparing a live and a reference fingerprint for authentication and reading the credentials and privileges stored in the contactless smart card fob for authorization to an access restricted site or network; and

dynamic keys (passwords) are updated in synchronization with an Internet Atomic Clock.

16. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus can validate whether a person is allowed to access a network (logical access) or enter a facility (physical access) using it'"'"'s wireless interface; and

real time upgrading &

revoking of privileges or authorizing certain activities and access permissions can be implemented when the user is in a WPAN (wireless personal area network) or a WLAN (wireless local area network) such as a hot spot or office building.

17. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a slot for receiving an SD card; and

the SD card has a hatch for receiving a SIM card, and performs a secure token function.

18. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a slot for receiving an SD I/O card; and

the SD I/O card has a hatch for receiving a SIM card, and performs a secure token function.

19. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus can perform one or more of the following functions;

monitor and record environmental parameters and can receive or transmit data via its wireless interface in periodic sessions to optimize power consumption;

store images, such as CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasound in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications) standard file format; and

incorporate a real-time location system (GPS) for patient location determination when an alert button is pressed.

20. The RFID reader apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the apparatus has a slot, hatch or recess for a WIM card.

21. Method of personalizing an RFID reader comprising:

providing an RFID reader apparatus; and

inserting a removable secure contactless smart card fob into the reader apparatus to give it a first layer of personality.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

personalizing the RFID reader apparatus at two levels, firstly by the insertion of a contactless smart card fob with a cardholders'"'"' credentials into the slot and secondly at the initialization stage, by the cardholder taking a digital imprint of their finger or thumb and storing the biometric profile in the memory of the apparatus.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

providing a biometric sensor and interface in the RFID reader apparatus; and

storing a biometric profile of a user in the RFID reader apparatus, thereby making the apparatus unique to the user, as it authenticates the identity of the smart card holder by sensing the smart card user'"'"'s fingerprint and comparing it with the user'"'"'s biometric profile stored in its memory.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

initiating a transaction with an external entity by the user pressing on the biometric sensor, which then measures a current fingerprint pattern for the user pressing on the biometric sensor; and

acknowledging a transaction by comparing the current measured fingerprint pattern with the template of the authorized user'"'"'s fingerprint which is stored in the memory of the RFID reader; and

sending a contactless or wireless authorization signal to the external entity.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

turning on the RFID reader apparatus when the biometric sensor is being used.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

inserting a removable SD I/O device into the RFID reader apparatus, for wireless communication.

27. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

inserting a removable memory device into the RFID reader apparatus, for allowing the user to transport data from the RFID apparatus to another apparatus.

28. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

providing a mechanical connection (contact) interface.

29. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

providing an electronic immobilizer within the RFID reader apparatus for authenticating the user to perform a function in an external entity.