METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND TRANSPONDER

• US 20100026464A1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Graeber, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,203,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/805 Lightweight hardware, e.g. radio-frequency identification [RFID] or sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3297 involving time stamps, e.g. generation of time stamps

Abstract

In a method of processing data, an RFID signal (6) sent by a reader (3,5) via a field generated by the reader (3,5) is received at a passive RFID transponder (2). The transponder (2) comprises a dedicated receiver (28) for receiving a time signal (8), which is wirelessly sent By an external sender (4) and comprises information about the present time. The transponder (2) including the dedicated receiver (28) is powered utilizing the field such that the dedicated receiver (28) detects the time signal (8) and decodes the present time. Utilizing the transponder (2), the first data (7) contained in the RFID signal (6) is decoded and processed. Second data (9) which are time stamped by said transponder (2) utilizing said present time are generated, and a response signal (10) comprising the second data (9) is transmitted from the transponder.

Claims

1. An electronic device for a passive RFID transponder, comprising:

a dedicated receivers for wirelessly receiving a time signals sent by an external sender;

said time signal comprising information about the present time;

an RFID interface to receive an RFID signal sent by a reader via a field generated by said reader; and

a processing device to process first data contained in said RFID signal and to generate a response signal, which comprises second data and is to be sent utilizing said RFID interfaced;

said processing device being configured to timestamp said second data utilizing the present time of said time signal when generating said response signal and said electronic device being powered by said field.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a

a decoding device to decode said time signal in order to extract the present time from said time signal;

a memory in which a key is stored used to encrypt said second data;

or

a cryptographic device for electronically signing said second data.

3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein said processing device timestamps said first data utilizing said present time, and said second data include said first data being time stamped.

4. A passive RFID transponder comprising said electronic device according to claim 1 and an antenna connected to said RFID interface.

5. A method of processing data, comprising the steps of:

receiving at a passive RFID transponder an RFID signal sent by a reader, via a field generated by said reader;

said transponder comprising a dedicated receiver for receiving a time signal, which is wirelessly sent by an external sender and comprises an information about the present time;

powering said transponder including said dedicated receiver utilizing said field such that said dedicated receiver detects said time signal and decodes said present time;

decoding said RFID signal and processing first data contained in said RFID signal utilizing said transponder;

generating second data which are timestamped by said transponder utilizing said present time; and

transmitting a response signally comprising said second data to said reader.

6. The method of claim 5, comprising the step of timestamping said first data when receiving said RFID signal utilizing said present time and generating said second data, which comprise said first data being time stamped.

7. The method of claim 5, comprising the step of cryptographically signing said second data utilizing an electronic signature.

8. The method of claim 5, comprising the step of transmitting said response signal to said reader which is incorporated into a mobile device.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of:

receiving said response signal at said reader; and

verifying said electronic signature.