Device for machine communication in data transmission

• US 5,202,550 A
• Filed: 07/07/1992
• Issued: 04/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SKIDATA AG (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: SKIDATA Deutschland GmbH (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Wallerstorfer, Kurt, Kocznar, Wolfram
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US07/911,269
• Time in Patent Office: 280 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380, 235/382, 235/384, 235/468, 902/4
• US Class Current: 235/382
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• 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 7/084 sensing magnetic material by relative movement detecting flux changes without altering its magnetised state
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1097 Optical sensing of electronic memory record carriers, such as interrogation of RFIDs with an additional optical interface
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/363 with the personal data of a user
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/10 Movable barriers with registering means
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/0866 by active credit-cards adapted therefor G07F7/1008 takes precedence

Abstract

For automated communication in a limited acquisition space, for example in order to identify or check an access authorization, use is made of active data supports which comprise a transmitter (15), a receiver (16), a read-write memory, an electric clock, a computer, a display and a power source (7). The checking station is also provided with a transmitter-receiver to check and possibly modify the data. Each transmitter-receiver has a limited communication space, of which the maximum extent is less than the minimum extent of the acquisition space. In this way it is not necessary to plug in the data support, of which a precise point must, however, be deliberately brought close to the checking station. In this way a definite coordination between the checking station and a further data support is prevented.

Claims

1. A data carrier for a non-contact remote data communication with a control station, the control station controlling a passage to one of a plurality of different areas or spaces by checking and/or changing data of authorization of passages on the data carrier when the data carrier is approached to the control station, the data carrier comprising:

a memory designed to store data of at least two independent authorizations, each authorization being specific to one of the different areas or spaces;

A microprocessor, the microprocessor partially comprising the memory, the microprocessor further comprising means for performing discretionary functions on the data of each authorization and further comprising means for controlling operations of the data carrier;

a power-supply unit for providing power to the data carrier;

a data sending-receiving unit for receiving data from the control unit and transmitting data to the control unit;

an electronic clockwork for maintaining an indication of the time of day;

a digital display for selectively displaying the data of each authorization stored in the microprocessor;

an operating button for selecting what will be displayed on the digital display; and

a fastening means for connection of the data carrier to the owner of the data carrier.

2. Data carrier according to claim 1 further comprising a means for receiving a picture of the owner.

3. Data carrier according to claim 2 wherein said means for receiving a picture of the owner comprises a transparent, detachable cover that is provided with an adhesive coating at its inner side.

4. Data carrier according to claim 3 wherein an individual, visualy readable number is impressed or printed on the picture to be inserted as well as on a part connected to the memory.

5. Data carrier according to claim 1 wherein the data carrier further comprises a housing on which a wristband is provided as said fastening means, thereby forming a wrist watch.

6. Data carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a housing and a spring-loaded string wound up in the housing and having an outside end, a key ring being provided at said end as said fastening means.

7. Data carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a stand-by circuit which can be activated by a signal emitted by the control station.

8. Data carrier according to claim 4, wherein said memory is further adapted to store said number.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the largest reach of the communication space of each sending-receiving unit in an acquisition space for people, particularly in an individual passageway for people, amounts to between 10 and 30 cm.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sending-receiving unit for radio transmission is designed with a preferred carrier frequency field up to 250 kHz.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the sending-receiving unit has magnetic antennae.

12. A device according to claim 10, wherein the carrier frequencies for data transmission from the control station to the data carrier, as well as from the data carrier to the control station are different.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the sending-receiving unit of the control station contains a sending oscillator for generating the carrier frequency for data transmission from the control station to the data carrier, and the sending-receiving unit of the data carrier contains a frequency divider for generating the carrier frequency for data transmission from the data carrier to the control station.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein each sending-receiving unit is designed for light-wave transmission.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein each sending-receiving unit is designed for the infrared field.

16. Data carrier according to claim 7, wherein said stand-by circuit is adapted to prevent said power supply from providing power to said microprocessor until receipt of said signal emitted by the control station.