Anti-tear protection for smart card transactions

• US 6,727,802 B2
• Filed: 11/05/2002
• Issued: 04/27/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Don P. Plum, Guy M. Kelly, Joseph V.J. Ravenis II, Kevin J. Page
• Original Assignee: Don P. Plum, Guy M. Kelly, Joseph V.J. Ravenis II, Kevin J. Page
• Inventors: Ravenis, II, Joseph V J, Kelly, Guy M., Page, Kevin J., Plum, Don P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/289,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20030071718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.51, 340/5.61, 235/492, 707/204
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0701 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising an arrangement for power management
• 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
• 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 7/10059 transponder driven

Abstract

A fast data transfer collection system using message authentication and contactless RF proximity card technology in non-contact storage and retrieval applications. The system is generally comprised of Host computers (application computer systems), Target radio frequency (RF) terminals, and a plurality of portable Tags (“smart” or “proximity” cards). A Host provides specific application functionality to a Tag holder, with a high degree of protection from fraudulent use. A Target provides control of the RF antenna and resolves collisions between multiple Tags in the RF field. A Tag provides reliable, high speed, and well authenticated secure exchanges of data/information with the Host resulting from the use of a custom ASIC design incorporating unique analog and digital circuits, nonvolatile memory, and state logic. Each Tag engages in a transaction with the Target in which a sequence of message exchanges allow data to be read(written) from(to) the Tag. These exchanges establish the RF communication link, resolve communication collisions with other Tags, authenticate both parties in the transaction, rapidly and robustly relay information through the link, and ensure the integrity and incorruptibility of the transaction. The system architecture provides capabilities to ensure the integrity of the data transferred thus eliminating the major problem of corrupting data on the card and in the system. The architecture and protocol are designed to allow simple and efficient integration of the transaction product system into data/information processing installations.

Claims

1. A method for anti-tear protection for smart card transactions between a smart card and a reader having an RF field, the method comprising the steps of:

a. storing a data message in at least one temporary buffer;

b. setting a validity bit for the at least one temporary buffer;

c. copying the data message to a designated page if the validity bit is set in the at least one temporary buffer; and

d. clearing the validity bit once the data message is copied to the designated page;

wherein if the smart card transaction is removed from the RF field of the reader before the validity bit is cleared, then performing steps c. and d. a next time the smart card enters the RF field.