COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES COMPRISING NEAR FIELD RF COMMUNICATORS

• US 20090312011A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Innovision Research & Technology PLC (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Borrett, Marc A., Keen, Ian J., Huomo, Heikki, Lamacraft, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US12/448,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20090312011A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• 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: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3552 Downloading or loading of personalisation data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0031 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/0081 with antenna coils loop aerials H01Q7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication

Abstract

A communications device has a near field RF communicator (15) having a coupler (17) to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, and a modulator (43) to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the near field RF communicator. The device also has at least one secure element (31) separate from the near field RF communicator (15) to provide secure data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction. A controller controls operation of the near field RF communicator, reads transaction data from the at least one secure element and causes the modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the at least one secure element so as to communicate the read transaction data to a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range as proof of the transaction to enable an action related to the transaction to be carried out.

Claims

1. A communications device, the device comprising:

(a) a near field RF communicator having a coupler operable to couple with a coupler of at least one of a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, and a modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the near field RF communicator;

(b) at least one secure element to provide data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction; and

(c) a controller to control operation of the near field RF communicator, to read transaction data from the at least one secure element, and to cause the modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the at least one secure element so as to communicate the read transaction data to a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range as proof of the transaction to enable an action related to the transaction to be carried out.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one secure element is at least one of:

(a) separate from the near field RF communicator;

(b) insertable into the device;

(c) removable from the device;

(d) connectable to the device; and

(e) couplable to the device.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

(a) the controller comprises a controller of the near field RF communicator;

(b) the near field RF communicator is an RF transceiver or an RF transponder; and

the device further comprises a communicator to communicate other than by near field RF communication; and

(c) the at least one secure element has a plurality of memory areas and at least one of;

(i) the at least one secure element is operable to write data to a selected memory area or areas in dependence upon the route of supply or identity of supplier; and

(ii) at least one of such memory areas is readable by a user but not amendable by the user and at least one of such memory areas not being readable by a user.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the near field RF communicator is separate from the at least one secure element and the device further comprises a mobile telecommunications communicator operable to communicate via a mobile telecommunications network, wherein the controller comprises a mobile telecommunications controller operable to control the mobile telecommunications communicator and to cooperate with the near field RF communicator, the mobile telecommunications controller being operable to read transaction data from the at least one secure element and to cause the near field RF communicator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the at least one secure element.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one secure element is at least one of:

(a) configured to have an operating system and at least one applications platform;

(b) at least partly pre-programmed;

(c) at least partly programmable by the controller; and

(d) configured to be loaded with at least one specific application.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is arranged to at least one of:

(a) cause specific application data to be stored by the at least one secure element;

(b) obtain by communication with another device at least one of;

(i) operating software,

(ii) at least one applications platform for a particular type of specific application data, and

(iii) specific application data for storage by the at least one secure element; and

(c) communicate with another device by at least one of a mobile telecommunications network and near field communication to obtain at least one of;

(i) operating software,

(ii) at least one applications platform for a particular type of transaction data, and

(iii) transaction data for the at least one secure element.

18. A device according to claim 15, configured to download operating software or an applications platform as an applet.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a selector that is configured to at least one of:

(a) select a secure element from amongst a plurality of secure elements;

(b) select an applications platform from amongst a plurality of applications platforms; and

(c) be user-controllable.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

(a) said at least one secure element comprises a SIM card, a USIM card, a WIM card, a SWIM card, an SD card, a SMC card or other form of secure element;

(b) the transaction data comprises at least one of;

payment data;

product data;

purchase data;

ticket data;

permit data;

pass data;

booking data;

reservation data; and

(c) the device comprises a label, smart card, token or electronic card.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of:

(a) the device consists of only the near field RF communicator and the at least one secure element;

(b) the device additionally has a display, wherein the controller is operable to enable a user to view at least some of the data stored on the at least one secure element; and

(c) the controller is operable to enable deletion of data from the secure element by the user.

61. A method of supplying transaction data or product data to the at least one secure element of a device according to any of the preceding claims, which comprises supplying at least one of secure software and secure data to the device for storage on the secure element.

62. A method according to claim 19, wherein the supplying comprises at least one of:

(a) supplying at least one of a Java applet, a midlet, other software program, transaction data; and

(b) supplying by at least one of mobile telecommunication and near field RF communication.

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24. A communications device comprising:

(a) a near field RF communicator having a coupler operable to couple with a coupler of a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range to enable communication of data between the communicators by modulation of a magnetic field, and a modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the near field RF communicator;

(b) at least one secure element separate from the near field RF communicator to provide secure data storage; and

(c) a controller to control operation of the near field RF communicator, to read data from the at least one secure element and to cause the modulator to modulate an RF signal in accordance with data read from the at least one secure element so as to communicate the read data to a near field RF communicator or NFC communicator in near field range.

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28. A communications device, the device comprising:

(a) near field RF communication means having coupling means for coupling with coupling means of a near field RF communication means or NFC communication means in near field range to enable communication of data between the communication means by modulation of a magnetic field, and modulation means for modulating an RF signal in accordance with data to be communicated by the near field RF communicator;

(b) secure element means for providing secure data storage for transaction data representing or relating to a transaction; and

(c) control means for controlling operation of the near field RF communication means, for reading transaction data from the secure element means and for causing the modulation means to modulate an RF signal in accordance with transaction data read from the secure element means so as to communicate the read transaction data to a near field RF communication means or NFC communication means in near field range as proof of the transaction to enable an action related to the transaction to be carried out.

29. An electronic proof device comprising control means and memory means storing an operating system, at least one application platform configured to run on the operating system, the at least one application platform having at least one application layer for electronic proof data.

30. A device according to claim 29, comprising communications means to enable at least one of the operating system, a said application platform and a said application layer to be downloaded to the device.

32. A device according to claim 30, wherein the communications means comprises at least one of:

(a) wired or wireless communications means;

(b) near field RF communications means to enable download from at least one of a near field RF communications-enabled device and a NFC communications-enabled device in near field communications range;

(c) internet communications means to communicate via the internet, and

(d) mobile telephone communications means to communicate via a mobile telephone communications network.

34. A device according to claim 29, wherein the device is configured to at least one of:

(a) allow stored data to be changed by communication with a verified communicator; and

(b) allow a verified communicator to at least one of cancel, modify, log and time stamp stored electronic proof data.

36. A device according to claim 29, wherein at least one of:

(a) the operating system comprises a Java or Java-compatible operating system, a Java applet or Java MIDlet;

(b) a said application platform comprises a JAVA applet;

(c) a said application layer comprises an application platform ID, a message authentication code, and electronic proof specific data;

(d) the electronic proof specific data includes at least one of date, time, duration and location data;

(e) the application layer comprises electronic proof data providing at least one of ticket, pass, permit and financial data;

(f) the electronic proof data comprises ticket data representing at least one of a transport ticket, an events ticket, a cinema ticket, a theatre ticket and a sports ticket;

(g) a said application platform is a transport application platform which may comply with ISO/IEC 14443 and the at least one application layer comprises electronic proof data representing at least one transport ticket;

(h) the at least one application layer comprises electronic proof data representing at least one transport ticket selected from the group consisting of a single journey ticket, a return journey ticket, a multiple journey ticket and a season ticket;

(i) the electronic proof data comprises financial data representing at least one of a credit card, a debit card, a loyalty card, money, and a PIN number;

(j) at least part of the memory means comprises write once only memory;

(k) at least part of the memory means comprises re-writeable memory;

(l) at least one of the operating system, a said application platform and a said application layer is stored in write once only memory or non-reprogrammable memory and cannot be rewritten;

(m) at least one of the operating system, a said application platform and a said application layer is stored in re-writeable memory to enable said operating system, a said application platform or a said application layer to be replaced or rewritten;

(n) at least one of a said application platform, a said application layer and electronic proof data of a said application layer comprises encrypted data;

(o) a said application layer comprises a memory map;

(p) the device is configured to store plural electronic proofs;

(q) a said application layer comprises a respective memory map for each of a plurality of electronic proofs;

(r) the device is pre-loaded with at least one of the operating system, application platform or electronic proof data;

(s) the device is configured to allow input of electronic proof data by at least one of a user input device and near field RF communication with an RF transponder or tag;

(t) the device is a secure element, a SIM card, SD card or smart card.

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60. An electronic ticket device for use in a near field RF communications system, the electronic ticket device comprising a secure element having a controller, a memory for enabling secure data storage, and a coupler for coupling with at least one of a near field RF communicator and a NFC communicator to enable communication of ticket data between the secure element and the at least one of a near field RF communicator and a NFC communicator, the device being programmed with an operating system, an application platform defining transaction protocols relating to the electronic ticket device, and an application layer for storing ticket data for at least one ticket.

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