Security structure with electronic smart card access thereto with transmission of power and data between the smart card and the smart card reader performed capacitively or inductively

• US 5,841,122 A
• Filed: 05/10/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Company KG (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Company KG (dormakaba Holding AG)
• Inventors: Kirchhoff, Gerhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Hajec, Donald T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRECH, KARL D
• Application Number:
  US08/644,537
• Time in Patent Office: 928 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/382, 235/487, 235/492, 235/493
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/22 Capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A device and a method for manufacturing the device for the wireless retrieval of information, in which the energy and data are transmitted between the response station and the inquiry station capacitively or inductively. The capacitances and inductances are closely bonded to one another, and the capacitance is manufactured from a high-resistance conductive substance

Claims

1. A security arrangement for preventing unauthorized access, said security arrangement comprising:

at least one device to be at least read;

device reader means to read said at least one device;

said at least one device comprising;

a first electronic circuit for processing and storing data; and

device antenna means;

said device antenna means being disposed on said at least one device;

said device reader means comprising;

power supply means for supplying power to said at least one device, said power supply means comprising means for generating and transmitting magnetic energy in a predetermined magnetic frequency range;

a second electronic circuit for processing and storing data; and

device reader antenna means;

said device reader antenna means being disposed on said device reader means;

at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprising means for transmitting data between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means;

at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprising means for transmitting power between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means;

at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprising both;

a magnetic inductive element; and

a capacitive element;

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element being disposed one on top of the other;

said capacitive element having a substantially higher impedance in a predetermined magnetic frequency range than said magnetic inductive element to thereby substantially reduce loading of said magnetic energy by said capacitive element;

said means for transmitting data between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprising one of said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element;

said means for transmitting power between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprising the other of said one of said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element;

said capacitive element comprising a high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance; and

said high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance comprising at least one of;

a resist, a carbon conducting varnish, a carbon semiconducting varnish, a plastic and a plastic film.

2. A security device according to claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic inductive element is a first magnetic inductive element;

said capacitive element is a first capacitive element;

said device reader antenna means comprises both said first magnetic inductive element and said first capacitive element;

said device antenna means comprises both a second magnetic inductive element and a second capacitive element;

said means for transmitting data between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprises said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element;

said means for transmitting power between said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means comprises said first magnetic inductive element and said second magnetic inductive element; and

at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means additionally comprises a backing member, said backing member having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side, wherein said magnetic inductive element corresponding to said at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means is disposed on said first side of said backing member, and wherein said capacitive element corresponding to said at least one of said device reader antenna means and said device antenna means is disposed on said second side of said backing member.

3. A security device according to claim 2, wherein said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element each comprises a first continuous and uninterrupted capacitive surface and a second continuous and uninterrupted capacitive surface, said second capacitive surface of each of said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element encircling said corresponding first capacitive surface of said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element.

4. A security device according to claim 3, wherein said first magnetic inductive element and said second magnetic inductive element each comprises at least one of:

a printed circuit member and a self-supporting coil structure.

5. A security device according to claim 3, wherein:

said backing member is a first backing member;

said device reader antenna means comprises said first backing member;

said device reader means comprises a second backing member;

said first magnetic inductive element is applied to said first backing member by a vapor deposition process; and

said second magnetic inductive element is applied to said second backing member by a vapor deposition process.

6. A security device according to claim 2, wherein said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element each comprises a first semiannular capacitive surface and a second semiannular capacitive surface, said second semiannular capacitive surface of each of said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element at least partially encircling said corresponding first semiannular capacitive surface of said first capacitive element and said second capacitive element.

7. A security device according to claim 1, wherein:

said magnetic inductive element is a first magnetic inductive element;

said capacitive element is a first capacitive element;

said device reader antenna means comprises both said first magnetic inductive element and said first capacitive element;

said device antenna means comprises both a second magnetic inductive element and a second capacitive element; and

said first capacitive element is in direct contact with said first magnetic inductive element and said second capacitive element is in direct contact with said second magnetic inductive element.

8. A security device according to claim 7, wherein said first capacitive element is applied directly to said first magnetic inductive element by a deposition process and said second capacitive element is applied directly to said second magnetic inductive element by a deposition process.

9. A smart card reader for a security device for preventing unauthorized access, the security device including said smart card reader and at least one smart card, the at least one smart card including a first electronic circuit for processing and storing data and a smart card antenna, said smart card reader comprising:

power supply means for supplying power to the at least one smart card, said power supply means comprising means for generating and transmitting magnetic energy in a predetermined frequency range;

a second electronic circuit for processing and storing data;

a smart card reader antenna, said smart card reader antenna comprising;

a magnetic inductive element; and

a capacitive element;

one of said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element comprising means for transmitting data between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna;

the other of said one of said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element comprising means for transmitting power between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna;

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element being disposed adjacent to one another; and

said capacitive element having a substantially higher impedence than said magnetic inductive element to thereby substantially reduce loading of said magnetic energy by said capacitive element.

10. A smart card reader according to claim 9 wherein:

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element are disposed one on top of the other;

said capacitive element comprises a high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance;

said smart card reader antenna additionally comprises a backing member, said backing member having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side, wherein said magnetic inductive element is disposed on said first side of said backing member, and wherein said capacitive element is disposed on said second side of said backing member;

said capacitive element comprises a first capacitive surface and a second capacitive surface, said second capacitive surface being at least partially annular in configuration, and said second capacitive surface at least partially encircling said first capacitive surface; and

said magnetic inductive element comprises at least one of;

a printed circuit member and a self-supporting coil structure.

11. A smart card reader according to claim 10, wherein:

said high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance comprises at least one of;

a resist, a carbon conducting varnish, a carbon semiconducting varnish, a plastic and a plastic film;

said capacitive element comprises said means for transmitting data between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna;

said magnetic inductive element comprises said means for transmitting power between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna; and

said magnetic inductive element is applied to said backing member by a vapor deposition process.

12. A smart card reader according to claim 9, wherein:

said capacitive element comprises a high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance, said high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance comprising at least one of;

a resist, a carbon conducting varnish, a carbon semiconducting varnish, a plastic and a plastic film;

said capacitive element comprises a first capacitive surface and a second capacitive surface, said second capacitive surface being at least partially annular in configuration, and said second capacitive surface at least partially encircling said first capacitive surface;

said capacitive element comprises said means for transmitting data between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna;

said magnetic inductive element comprises said means for transmitting power between said smart card reader antenna and the smart card antenna;

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element are disposed one on top of the other;

said capacitive element is in direct contact with said magnetic inductive element; and

said magnetic inductive element comprises at least one of;

a printed circuit member and a self-supporting coil structure.

13. A smart card for use with a security device for preventing unauthorized access, the security device including a smart card reader and said smart card, the smart card reader including a power supply for supplying power to said smart card, the power supply including apparatus for generating and transmitting magnetic energy in a predetermined frequency range, an electronic circuit for processing and storing data and a smart card reader antenna, said smart card comprising:

another electronic circuit for processing and storing data;

a smart card antenna;

said smart card antenna comprising;

a magnetic inductive element; and

a capacitive element;

said capacitive element comprising means for transmitting data between said smart card antenna and the smart card reader antenna;

said magnetic inductive element comprising means for transmitting power between said smart card antenna and the smart card reader antenna;

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element being disposed adjacent to one another; and

said capacitive element having a substantially higher impedence than said magnetic inductive element to thereby reduce loading of said magnetic energy by said capacitive element.

14. A smart card according to claim 13, wherein:

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element are disposed one on top of the other; and

said capacitive element comprises a high-resistance, electrically-conductive, non-metallic substance.

15. A smart card according to claim 14, wherein:

said high-resistance, electrically-conductive, non-metallic substance comprises at least one of;

a resist, a carbon conducting varnish, a carbon semiconducting varnish, a plastic and a plastic film;

said smart card antenna additionally comprises a backing member, said backing member having a first side and a second side opposite to said first side, wherein said magnetic inductive element is disposed on said first side of said backing member, and wherein said capacitive element is disposed on said second side of said backing member;

said capacitive element comprises a first capacitive surface and a second capacitive surface, said second capacitive surface being at least partially annular in configuration, and said second capacitive surface at least partially encircling said first capacitive surface;

said magnetic inductive element comprises at least one of;

a printed circuit member and a self-supporting coil structure; and

said magnetic inductive element is applied to said backing member by a vapor deposition process.

16. A smart card according to claim 13, wherein:

said magnetic inductive element and said capacitive element are disposed one on top of the other;

said capacitive element comprises a high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance, said high-resistance, electrically-conductive substance comprising at least one of;

a resist, a carbon conducting varnish, a carbon semiconducting varnish, a plastic and a plastic film;

said capacitive element comprises a first capacitive surface and a second capacitive surface, said second capacitive surface being at least partially annular in configuration, and said second capacitive surface at least partially encircling said first capacitive surface;

said capacitive element is in substantially direct contact with said magnetic inductive element; and

said magnetic inductive element comprises at least one of;

a printed circuit member and a self-supporting coil structure.

17. A method for the manufacture of a security device for preventing unauthorized access, said security device comprising:

smart card reader means;

at least one smart card;

said at least one smart card comprising;

a first electronic circuit for processing and storing data; and

smart card antenna means;

said smart card antenna means being disposed on said at least one smart card;

said smart card reader means comprising;

power supply means for supplying power to said at least one smart card, said power supply means comprising means for generating and transmitting magnetic energy in a predetermined frequency range;

a second electronic circuit for processing and storing data; and

smart card reader antenna means;

said smart card reader antenna means being disposed on said smart card reader means;

said smart card reader antenna means comprising first transducer means and second transducer means;

said smart card antenna means comprising third transducer means and fourth transducer means;

said first transducer means of said smart card reader antenna means being for coupling with said third transducer means of said smart card antenna means by one of a magnetic field and an electromagnetic field;

said coupling of said first transducer means of said smart card reader antenna means with said third transducer means of said smart card antenna means comprising means for transmitting data between said smart card reader means and said smart card;

said second transducer means of said smart card reader antenna means being for coupling with said fourth transducer means of said smart card antenna means by one of a magnetic field and an electromagnetic field;

said coupling of said second transducer means of said smart card reader antenna means with said fourth transducer means of said smart card antenna means comprising means for transmitting power from said smart card reader means to said smart card;

at least one of said first and third transducer means having an impedence that is substantially higher than the impedence of at least one of said second and fourth transducer means in the operating range of said second and fourth transducer means;

each of said first and third transducers comprising a capacitive element comprising a high-resistance, electrically-conductive, non-metallic substance;

each of said second and fourth transducers comprising a magnetic inductive element;

said method for the manufacture of said security device comprising the steps of;

constructing said smart card according to the steps of;

disposing said capacitive element of said first transducer means on said smart card to be adjacent to said capacitive element of said third transducer means on said smart card reader means during use of said security device to permit data to be transferred capacitively between said smart card and said smart card reader means;

disposing said magnetic inductive element of said second transducer means on said smart card to be adjacent to said magnetic inductive element of said fourth transducer means on said smart card reader means during use of said security device to permit power to be transferred inductively between said smart card and said smart card reader means;

fabricating said smart card antenna means by attaching said first transducer means and said second transducer means together;

said step of attaching said first transducer means and said second transducer means together comprising the step of disposing said first transducer means and said second transducer means one on top of the other; and

operatively connecting said smart card antenna means to said first electronic circuit; and

constructing said smart card reader means according to the steps of;

fabricating said smart card reader antenna means by attaching said third transducer means and said fourth transducer means together;

said step of attaching said third transducer means and said fourth transducer means together comprising the step of disposing said third transducer means and said fourth transducer means one on top of the other; and

operatively connecting said smart card reader antenna means to said power supply means and said second electronic circuit.

18. The method for the manufacture of a security device according to claim 17, wherein:

said step of disposing said first transducer means and said second transducer means one on top of the other and said step of disposing said third transducer means and said fourth transducer means one on top of the other comprises one of the steps of;

disposing said capacitive element on one side of a backing member and disposing said magnetic inductive element on the other side of the backing member; and

disposing said capacitive element directly onto said magnetic inductive element; and

said third transducer means has an impedence that is substantially higher than the impedence of said fourth transducer means in the operating range of said fourth transducer means.

19. The method for the manufacture of a security device according to claim 18

wherein said step of disposing said first transducer means and said second transducer means one on top of the other and said step of disposing said third transducer means and said fourth transducer means one on top of the other comprises at least one of the steps of:

applying said capacitive element by a spraying process;

applying said capacitive element by a painting process; and

applying said capacitive element by a screen printing process.