System for the transmission of data from a data carrier to a station by means of one or at least one other auxiliary carrier signal

• US 6,559,754 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Amtmann, Franz
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US09/357,270
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.51, 340/572.1, 340/825.56, 340/10.1, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51, 455/501, 455/101
• US Class Current: 340/10.51
• 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

Abstract

Data transmission from a data carrier (D) to a station (1) normally takes place by load modulation of a non-modulated carrier signal (CS) by means of an auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1), test means provided in the station then test the correct data transmission and, upon detection of disturbed data transmission, a change over is made to an other transmission mode in which data transmission takes place from the data carrier (D) to the station (1) by means of load modulation of the non-modulated carrier signal (CS) by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

Claims

1. A method for the contactless transmission of data (DA) from a data carrier (D) to a write/read station (1), wherein

the write/read station (1) generates a carrier signal (CS) and the generated carrier signal (CS) is applied to contactless operative transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1), wherein a carrier signal (CS) is obtained in the data carrier (D) by means of contactless operative transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D) which are coupled to the transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1) in a contactless manner, wherein load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

wherein the carrier signal (CSE) load modulated by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) is demodulated by means of demodulation means (25) in the write/read station in order to obtain the transmitted data block (DB),

wherein a test is performed in the write/read station (1) in order to determine whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), and

wherein control information is generated upon detection of disturbances, characterized in that

at least one transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is generated as control information,

that the transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is transmitted to the data carrier (D),

that the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is evaluated in the data carrier (D),

that, in conformity with the evaluation of the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values,

that, during the testing as to whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), a test is performed so as to determine whether the disturbances are due to an error occurring during the load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1), and

that, in the case of a positive result of this test, a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) associated with this test result is generated, transmitted to the data carrier (D) and evaluated in the data carrier (D).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

in conformity with the evaluation of the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB2), the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of only the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

in conformity with the evaluation of the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB3), the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

4. A method for the contactless transmission of data (DA) from a data carrier (D) to a write/read station (1), wherein

the write/read station (1) generates a carrier signal (CS) and the generated carrier signal (CS) is applied to contactless operative transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1), wherein a carrier signal (CS) is obtained in the data carrier (D) by means of contactless operative transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D) which are coupled to the transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1) in a contactless manner, wherein load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

wherein the carrier signal (CSE) load modulated by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) is demodulated by means of demodulation means (25) in the write/read station in order to obtain the transmitted data block (DB),

wherein a test is performed in the write/read station (1) in order to determine whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), and

wherein control information is generated upon detection of disturbances, characterized in that

at least one transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is generated as control information,

that the transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is transmitted to the data carrier (D),

that the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) is evaluated in the data carrier (D),

that, in conformity with the evaluation of the transmitted transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values,

that, during the testing as to whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), a test is performed so as to determine whether an interference signal imitating a useful signal is present beyond the demodulation means (25) during a transmission pause in which no load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in the data carrier (D), and

that, in the case of a positive result of this test, a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) associated with this test result is generated, transmitted to the data carrier (D) and evaluated in the data carrier (D).

5. A write/read station (1) for the contactless reception of data from a data carrier (D), which station includes

carrier signal generating means (7) for generating a carrier signal (CS), and contactless operative transmitter means (20) which is supplied with the carrier signal (CS) and is coupled to contactless operative transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D) in a contactless manner so that a carrier signal (CS) is obtained in the data carrier (D) by means of the transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D), in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

includes demodulation means (25) for demodulating the carrier signal (CSB) load modulated by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal, which demodulation means outputs a data block (DB1) transmitted from the data carrier (D) to the write/read means (1), and includes test means (3) which are arranged to test whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), and to generate control information upon detection of disturbances,

characterized in that

the test means (3) are arranged to generate at least one transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) as control information whereby in the data carrier (D) an other transmission mode is activated in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values,

that the test means (3) are arranged to carry out a test as to whether the disturbances are due to an error occurring;

during the load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1), and

that the test means (3) are arranged to generate, in the case of a positive result of this test, a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) associated with this test result.

6. A write/read station (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the test means (3) are arranged to generate at least one transmission mode data block (MDB2) whereby in the data carrier (D) an other transmission mode is activated in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of only the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1).

7. A write/read station (1) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the test means (3) are arranged to generate at least one transmission mode data block (MDB3) whereby in the data carrier (D) an other transmission mode is activated in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1).

8. A write/read station (1) for the contactless reception of data from a data carrier (D), which station includes

carrier signal generating means (7) for generating a carrier signal (CS), and contactless operative transmitter means (20) which is supplied with the carrier signal (CS) and is coupled to contactless operative transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D) in a contactless manner so that a carrier signal (CS) is obtained in the data carrier (D) by means of the transmitter means (40) of the data carrier (D), in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

includes demodulation means (25) for demodulating the carrier signal (CSB) load modulated by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal, which demodulation means outputs a data block (DB1) transmitted from the data carrier (D) to the write/read means (1), and includes test means (3) which are arranged to test whether disturbances occur in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), and to generate control information upon detection of disturbances,

characterized in that

the test means (3) are arranged to generate at least one transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) as control information whereby in the data carrier (D) an other transmission mode is activated in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values

that the test means (3) are arranged to carry out a test as to whether an interference signal imitating a useful signal is present beyond the demodulation means (25) during a transmission pause in which no load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in the data carrier (D), and

that the test means (3) are arranged to generate, in the case of a positive result of this test, a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) associated with this test result.

9. A data carrier (D) for the contactless output of data (DA) to a write/read station (1), which data carrier includes:

contactless operative transmitter means (40) to couple to contactless operative transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1), where a carrier signal (CS) generated in the write/read station (1) is obtained in the data carrier (D) in the coupled state and also includes load modulation means (47) whereby the carrier signal (CS) is load modulated by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), characterized in that

the data carrier (D) includes evaluation means (67) for evaluating a transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the data carrier (D) by the write/read station (i) and controls the data carrier (D) to an other transmission mode in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) is performed in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

that the data carrier (D) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the data carrier (D) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values

that the evaluation means (67) are arranged to evaluate a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the data carrier (D) by a write/read station (1) if disturbances are detected in the write/read station (1) in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), on the basis of an error occurring during the load modulation of the, carrier signal (CS) by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1), and

that the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in conformity with the evaluation of this transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3).

10. A data carrier (D) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that

the data carrier (D) includes evaluation means (67) whereby a transmission mode data block (MDE2) transmitted to the data carrier (D) by the write/read station (1) is evaluated, which transmission mode data block controls the data carrier (D) to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed only by means of the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), and

that the data carrier (D) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the data carrier (D) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB2), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed only by means of the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

11. A data carrier (D) as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that

the data carrier (D) includes evaluation means (67) whereby a transmission mode data block (MDB3) transmitted to the data carrier (D) by the write/read station (1) is evaluated and controls the data carrier (D) to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), and

that the data carrier (D) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the data carrier is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB3), to another transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary, carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

12. A data carrier (D) for the contactless output of data (DA) to a write/read station (1), which data carrier includes:

contactless operative transmitter means (40) to couple to contactless operative transmitter means (20) of the write/read station (1), where a carrier signal (CS) generated in the write/read station (1) is obtained in the data carrier (D) in the coupled state and also includes load modulation means (47) whereby the carrier signal (CS) is load modulated by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), characterized in that

the data carrier (D) includes evaluation means (67) for evaluating a transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the data carrier (D) by the write/read station (1) and controls the data carrier (D) to an other transmission mode in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) is performed in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1),

that the data carrier (D) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the data carrier (D) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the data carrier (D) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values

that the evaluation means (67) are arranged to evaluate a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the data carrier (D) by a write/read station (1) if an interference signal imitating a useful signal is detected in the-write/read station (1) in a transmission pause in which no load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in the data carrier (2), and

that the data carrier (D) is controlled to an other transmission mode in conformity with the evaluation of this transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3).

13. An integrated circuit (42) for a data carrier (D) for the contactless output of data (DA) to a write/read station (1), which integrated circuit includes:

connection means (43) for the connection of contactless operative transmitter means (41) which is coupled to contactless operative transmitter means (21) of the write/read station (1), where a carrier signal (CS) generated in the write/read station (1) is obtained in the circuit (42), in the coupled state, and

also includes load modulation means (47) whereby the carrier signal (CS) is load modulated by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), characterized in that

the circuit (42) includes evaluation means (67) for evaluating a transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the circuit (42) by the write/read station (1) and controls the circuit (42) to an other transmission mode in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1),

that the circuit (42) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the circuit (42) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1) load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values,

that the evaluation means (67) are arranged to evaluate a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the circuit (42) by a write/read station (1) if disturbances are detected in the write/read station (1), in the signal path beyond the demodulation means (25), on the basis of an error occurring during the load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1), and

that the circuit (42) is controlled to an other transmission mode in conformity with the evaluation of this transmission mode data block (MDB2. MDB3).

14. An integrated circuit (42) as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that

the circuit (42) includes evaluation means (67) whereby a transmission mode data block (MDB2), transmitted to the circuit (42) by the write/read station (1) is evaluated, which transmission mode data block controls the circuit (42) to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed only by means of the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), and

that the circuit (42) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the circuit (42) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB2), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed only by means of the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2).

15. An integrated circuit (42) as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that

the circuit (42) includes evaluation means (67) whereby a transmission mode data block (MDB3) transmitted to the circuit 42 by the write/read station (1) is evaluated and controls the circuit (42) to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), and

that the circuit (42) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the circuit (42) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB3), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), load Modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) and the other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1).

16. An integrated circuit (42) for a data carrier (D) for the contactless output of data (DA) to a write/read station (1), which integrated circuit includes:

connection means (43) for the connection of contactless operative transmitter means (41) which is coupled to contactless operative transmitter means (21) of the write/read station (1), where a carrier signal (CS) generated in the write/read station (1) is obtained in the circuit (42), in the coupled state, and

also includes load modulation means (47) whereby the carrier signal (CS) is load modulated by means of one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in a transmission mode for the transmission of a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1), characterized in that

the circuit (42) includes evaluation means (67) for evaluating a transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the circuit (42) by the write/read station (1) and controls the circuit (42) to an other transmission mode in which load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1),

that the circuit (42) includes control means (68) which are influenced by the evaluation means (67) and whereby the circuit (42) is controlled, in conformity with an evaluated transmission mode data block (MDB1, MDB2, MDB3), to an other transmission mode in which, in order to transmit a data block (DB) from the circuit (42) to the write/read station (1) load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2), the at least one frequency (f2) of the at least one other auxiliary carrier signal (SCS2) and the frequency (f1) of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) having different values,

that the evaluation means (67) are arranged to evaluate a transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3) which is transmitted to the circuit (42) by a write/read station (1) if an interference signal imitating a useful signal is detected in the write/read station (1) in a transmission pause in which no load modulation of the carrier signal (CS) is performed by means of the one auxiliary carrier signal (SCS1) in the circuit (42), and

that the circuit (42) is controlled to an other transmission mode in conformity with the evaluation of this transmission mode data block (MDB2, MDB3).