System and method for near-field human-body coupling for encrypted communication with identification cards
First Claim
1. An electronic communication apparatus comprising:
- a portable transmitter, to be carried or worn on a user'"'"'s person, the transmitter including;
(i) means for storing an item of information,(ii) means for producing an encrypted electrical signal representative of the item of information, and(iii) a physical interface for coupling the signal from the means for producing to the user'"'"'s body; and
a receiver including;
(i) a physical interface for establishing an electrical coupling between the receiver and the user'"'"'s body,(ii) means for receiving the encrypted signal from the user'"'"'s body through the physical interface,(iii) means for decrypting the signal to obtain the item of information, and(iv) means for performing an action responsive to the item of information.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding and transferring data from a transmitter to a receiver, using the human body as a transmission medium. The transmitter includes an electric field generator, a data encoder which operates by modulating the electric field, and electrodes to couple the electric field through the human body. The receiver includes electrodes, in physical contact with, or close proximity to, a part of the human body, for detecting an electric field carried through the body, and a demodulator for extracting the data from the modulated electric field. An authenticator, connected to the receiver, processes the encoded data and validates the authenticity of the transmission. The apparatus and method are used to identify and authorize a possessor of the transmitter. The possessor then has secure access to, and can obtain delivery of, goods and services such as the distribution of money, phone privileges, building access, and commodities. Encryption provides rapid transmission and authentication of the transmitter, and a plurality of similar transmitters, with minimum vulnerability to counterfeit. Signal processing and digital communication components accommodate variations in location and orientation of the transmitter and receiver, and provide transmitters with long life times and high reliability.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An electronic communication apparatus comprising:
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a portable transmitter, to be carried or worn on a user'"'"'s person, the transmitter including; (i) means for storing an item of information, (ii) means for producing an encrypted electrical signal representative of the item of information, and (iii) a physical interface for coupling the signal from the means for producing to the user'"'"'s body; and a receiver including; (i) a physical interface for establishing an electrical coupling between the receiver and the user'"'"'s body, (ii) means for receiving the encrypted signal from the user'"'"'s body through the physical interface, (iii) means for decrypting the signal to obtain the item of information, and (iv) means for performing an action responsive to the item of information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification