Portable identification carrier

• US 5,844,244 A
• Filed: 01/24/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: KABA Schliesssysteme AG
• Original Assignee: KABA Schliesssysteme AG
• Inventors: Graf, Ulrich, Locher, Johann
• Primary Examiner(s): PITTS, HAROLD I
• Application Number:
  US08/788,384
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/382
• US Class Current: 235/375
• 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: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07762 the adhering arrangement making the record carrier wearable, e.g. having the form of a ring, watch, glove or bracelet record carriers for insertion in the human body for medical purposes A61B90/00; record carriers adapted for attachment to animals A01K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/02 taking into account a variable factor such as distance or time, e.g. for passenger transport, parking systems or car rental systems G07B15/06 takes precedence; taximeters G07B13/00; parking meters per se G07F17/24; car rental systems per se G07B15/00

Abstract

The contactless identification carrier which can be carried by a person and having access functions for particular areas, particularly skiing areas, is constructed as a separate, flat carrier element and is fixed in interchangeable, portable manner on a personal bracelet PA. The carrier element (1) contains a passive, integrated, electronic data carrier MI with processor, as well as an integrated antenna (2) surrounded by a dielectric (4) and a detachable fixing device (3). The antenna has partly open radiating surfaces FAO, which are not covered by electrically conductive parts of the personal bracelet PA. This gives a universally usable identification and access medium with very good comfort and convincing practical characteristics.

Claims

1. Contactless identification carrier, carried by a person and having access functions for certain areas, particularly for skiing areas, characterized in that the identification carrier is constructed as a separate, flat carrier element (1), which is portably and interchangeably fixed to a personal bracelet PA and in which the carrier element (1) has a passive, integrated electronic data carrier MI with processor, electric circuit and memory, as well as an integrated antenna (2) and has a detachable fixing device (3), which allows a replacement of the personal bracelet PA and in which the antenna is surrounded by a dielectric (4) and has at least partly open radiating surfaces FAO, which are not covered by electrically conductive parts of the personal bracelet PA.

2. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (1) is flexible and slightly curved.

3. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized by a large-area, flat antenna loop (16), which on either side has a dielectric cover (4) with a thickness D1 of in each case at least 0.5 mm, e.g. 0.5 to 1 mm.

4. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the open antenna radiating surfaces FAO are at least 0.5 cm².

5. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the personal bracelet PA is a wristwatch (21) and the carrier element (1) can be so fixed below the wristwatch that there are open antenna radiating surfaces FAO, which are not covered by the surface of the glass (22).

6. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (1) can be fixed in different wearing positions on (Po), under (Pu) or laterally (Ps) alongside the personal bracelet PA.

7. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (3) is operable with one hand.

8. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the fixing device (3) is adjustable (DL) and consequently the cross-sectional circumference U of the personal bracelet is adaptable.

9. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (3) is made from plastic and has a positive fastening (14).

10. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element with the fixing device (3) forms a flat clip (13) with a fastening surrounding the personal bracelet.

11. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device has straps (8) with facing, interconnectable ends (8a, 8b).

12. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (3) has a snap-action fastening (14).

13. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (3) has a Velcro fastening (15).

14. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (1) and fixing device (3) are constructed as two separable and firmly joinable parts (1a, 3b).

15. Identification carrier according to claim 14, characterized in that the carrier element (1a) and fixing device (3b) are joinable in two directions (X1, X2) perpendicular to one another and in which the length L of the carrier element is 1.2 to 1.5 times its width B.

16. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the antenna (2) is constructed as a flat ferrite (17) with an electrical winding, the ferrite axis (18) being parallel to the forearm axis (12).

17. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (1) and/or the fixing device (3) are transparent (29).

18. Identification carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the data carrier MI contains a writable memory part (41) and that it has additional functions (42) such as credit/debit card functions.

19. Identification carrier according to claim 18, characterized in that the data carrier MI contains an additional personal coding function (43) such as a PIN code or biometric data code.