Method and a System for Proximity Evaluation

• US 20080258863A1
• Filed: 09/20/2005
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kamperman, Franciscus Lucas Antonius Johannes, Koster, Robert Paul, Vrielink, Koen Hendrik Johan, Lenoir, Peter
• Application Number:
  US11/576,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20080258863A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and a system for evaluating proximity. A reference object is moved such that it enters at least two different proximity areas of two different proximity indicators, whereby proximity indications are generated. The time difference between the indications is measured. If the time difference is within predefined range it is ascertained that the reference object is within a well defined area. Thus, the fact that the speed of movement of a physical object is significantly limited is used for obtaining reliable proximity evaluations.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An authorized domain system configured for proximity evaluation of a first device to be admitted into the authorized domain, wherein the system comprises an authorized domain manager, a reference object, a first proximity indicator comprised in the first device, and a second proximity indicator comprised in a second device, wherein the first and second proximity indicators comprise a first and a second communication unit, respectively, and wherein:

said first proximity indicator is arranged to provide, by means of said first communication unit, a proximity indication, indicating that the reference object is within a proximity area of the first proximity indicator; and

said second proximity indicator is arranged to provide, by means of said second communication unit, a proximity indication, indicating that the reference object is within a proximity area of the first proximity indicator; and

wherein said authorized domain manager is arranged to;

derive a first time from said first indication, and a second time from said second indication;

determine a lapsed time as the time difference between said first and second times; and

compare the lapsed time with a time range and admitting the first device into the authorized domain, in dependence of whether the time difference is within the time range.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said proximity areas are defined by a coverage of a respective one of said first and second communication units.

26. The system according to claim 24, wherein said manager is a separate device, which is connected with said proximity indicators.

27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the reference object comprises a communication unit.

28. The system according to claim 24, wherein said communication units uses one of NFC and Bluetooth®

technology.

29. The system according to claim 24, wherein said first and second communication units use biometrics.

30. The system according to claim 24, wherein said reference object is arranged to be moved a distance in the meantime between said first and second indications.

31. The system according to claim 24, wherein the size of the time range is related to the size of the proximity areas.