Contact-free integrated circuit having automatic frame identification means

• US 7,506,820 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2004
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verimatrix Incorporated (Verimatrix SA)
• Original Assignee: INSIDE Contactless
• Inventors: Charrat, Bruno, Allard, Claire, Martin, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Ahshik
• Application Number:
  US10/830,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20040213169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 235/451, 235/380, 235/737, 235/748, 361/737, 361/748
• US Class Current: 235/492
• 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 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00

Abstract

A contactless integrated circuit includes means for sending/receiving data by inductive coupling, means for providing a communication according to at least two determined protocols, and means for automatically switching into a communication mode conforming to one or other of the protocols depending on the profile of a start of frame received at the beginning of a communication.

Claims

1. A contactless integrated circuit comprising:

means for sending/receiving data by inductive coupling,

means for providing a communication according to at least two determined protocols each comprising sending a start of frame at the beginning of a communication, and

means for automatically switching into a communication mode conforming to one or other of the at least two determined protocols, depending on a profile of the start of frame received at the beginning of a communication, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to the one or the other of the at least two determined protocols.

2. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol,

a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, and

means for selecting the first or the second decoding unit depending on the profile of the start of frame received at the beginning of a communication.

3. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for detecting a start of frame of a first type corresponding to a first protocol, arranged for delivering a first start of frame detection signal when a start of frame of the first type is detected, and

means for detecting a start of frame of a second type corresponding to a second protocol, arranged for delivering a second start of frame detection signal when a start of frame of the second type is detected.

4. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for detecting a start of frame of a first type corresponding to a first protocol, configured to detect a first variation edge of the signal received by inductive coupling, then to detect, in a first time window, a second variation edge of the signal received by inductive coupling, and

means for detecting a start of frame of a second type corresponding to a second protocol, configured to detect a first variation edge of a signal received by inductive coupling, then to detect, in a second time window, a second variation edge of a signal received by inductive coupling.

5. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 4, wherein:

the means for detecting a start of frame of the first type are configured to detect two variation edges of a same type, and

the means for detecting a start of frame of the second type are configured to detect a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

6. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 4, further comprising:

means for inhibiting the means for detecting a start of frame of the first type, when a determined time situated between the first and the second time windows has elapsed after appearance of a first variation edge of the signal received by inductive coupling.

7. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 3, further comprising:

means for inhibiting the means for detecting a start of frame of the second type when a start of frame of the first type is detected.

8. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 3, further comprising:

a start of frame identification circuit common to the first and second decoding units, wherein the means for detecting a start of frame of the first type and the means for detecting a start of frame of the second type are arranged.

9. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 3, comprising:

a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to the first protocol, the first decoding unit including said means for detecting a start of frame of the first type,

a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, the second decoding unit including said means for detecting a start of frame of the second type.

10. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein the selection means comprise means for deactivating the second decoding unit or for deactivating the first decoding unit.

11. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 2, wherein the selection means comprise means for multiplexing the outputs of the decoding units.

12. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 11, wherein the multiplexing means is arranged for selecting by default the output of the first decoding unit and for selecting the output of the second decoding unit when a start of frame corresponding to the protocol of the second decoding unit is received.

13. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 11, wherein the multiplexing means comprises a selection input driven by a start of frame detection signal.

14. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a clock extractor circuit arranged for delivering a first clock signal of determined frequency when the integrated circuit is in a communication mode conforming to a first protocol, and delivering a second clock signal of a different frequency from that of the first clock signal, when the integrated circuit is in a communication mode conforming to a second protocol.

15. The contactless integrated circuit according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for communicating according to at least the ISO/IEC 15693 protocol and the ISO/IEC 14443-B protocol, and

means for automatically switching into a communication mode conforming to one or other of the at least the ISO/IEC 15693 and ISO/JEC 14443-B protocols depending on the profile of a start of frame received at the beginning of a communication.

16. A device comprising:

a contactless communication interface configured to receive a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data, and

at least two decoding units, each decoding unit being arranged to decode data according to a protocol, one of the at least two decoding units being automatically selected by the device depending on a profile of the start of frame received, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to the protocol.

17. The device of claim 16, comprising a start of frame detection circuit to detect at least a start of frame of a first type and a start of frame of a second type.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit automatically selects one of the at least two decoding units depending on the profile of the start of frame received at a beginning of a communication.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is configured to detect a first variation edge of the data carrier signal, then to detect a second variation edge of the data carrier signal, in one of a first time window and a second time window.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is configured to detect two variation edges of a same type of the data carrier signal and a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

21. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit inhibits the detection of one of the start of frame of the first type and of the second type when a determined time situated between a first time window and a second time window has elapsed after appearance of a first variation edge of the data carrier signal.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit inhibits the detection of the start of frame of the second type when a start of frame of the first type is detected.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is a logic circuit.

24. The device of claim 17, further comprising a multiplexer controlled by the start of frame detection circuit and arranged to select one output of one of the at least two decoding units.

25. The device of claim 17, wherein the start of frame detection circuit deactivates the second decoding unit if the start of frame of the first type is detected and deactivates the first decoding unit if the start of frame of the second type is detected.

26. The device of claim 17 wherein the start of frame detection circuit is divided into at least two parts respectively arranged in said at least two decoding units, each part being arranged to identify one start of frame and to deactivate at least one decoding unit when the start of frame is detected.

27. The device of claim 16, further comprising a clock extractor circuit which supplies a first clock signal of determined frequency when the device is in a communication mode conforming to a first protocol, and a second clock signal of a different frequency from that of the first clock signal, when the device is in a communication mode conforming to a second protocol.

28. The device of claim 16, configured to receive data according to at least a ISO/IEC 15693 protocol and a ISO/IEC 14443-B protocol.

29. A device comprising:

a contactless communication interface configured to receive a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol, the first decoding unit including a first start of frame detection circuit arranged to detect a start of frame of a first type, and

a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, the second decoding unit including a second start of frame detection circuit arranged to detect a start of frame of a second type, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile. said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding respectively to each of the first and the second protocols.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the first start of frame detection circuit is arranged to deactivate the second decoding unit when it detects the start of frame of the first type.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the second start of frame detection circuit is arranged to deactivate the first decoding unit when it detects the start of frame of the second type.

32. The device of claim 29 wherein each start of frame detection circuit is a logic circuit.

33. A method for receiving data according to at least two protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data, and

automatically switching into at least one of a first data decoding mode and a second data decoding mode depending on a profile of the start of frame, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to each of the at least two protocols.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal and detecting, in a first time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal, and

a step of detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal then detecting, in a second time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal.

35. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting two variation edges of a same type, and

detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising selecting by default an output of a first decoding unit and selecting an output of a second decoding unit when a determined start of frame is received.

37. A method for receiving data according to at least two protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

providing a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol,

providing a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, and

using the first decoding unit or the second decoding unit depending on a profile of the start of frame, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to each of the first and second protocols.

38. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal and detecting, in a first time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal, and

a step of detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal then detecting, in a second time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal.

39. The method of claim 37, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting two variation edges of a same type, and

detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

40. The method of claim 37, further comprising selecting by default an output of the first decoding unit and selecting an output of the second decoding unit when a determined start of frame is received.

41. A method for receiving data according to at least two protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

providing a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol,

providing a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, and

activating the first or the second decoding unit depending on a profile of the start of frame, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to each of the first and the at least second protocol.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal and detecting, in a first time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal, and

a step of detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal then detecting, in a second time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting two variation edges of a same type, and

detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising selecting by default an output of the first decoding unit and selecting an output of the second decoding unit when a determined start of frame is received.

45. A method for receiving data according to at least two protocols, the method comprising:

receiving a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

providing a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol,

providing a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, and

deactivating the first or the second decoding unit depending on a profile of the start of frame, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the coded data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding each of the first and the at least second protocol.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal and detecting, in a first time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal, and

a step of detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a first variation edge of the data carrier signal then detecting, in a second time window, a second variation edge of the data carrier signal.

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

detecting a start of frame of a first type comprising detecting two variation edges of a same type, and

detecting a start of frame of a second type comprising detecting a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

48. The method of claim 45, further comprising selecting by default an output of the first decoding unit and selecting an output of the second decoding unit when a determined start of frame is received.

49. A system comprising:

a first device configured to send a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

a second device comprising;

a contactless communication interface configured to receive the data carrier signal, and

at least two decoding units, each decoding unit being arranged to decode data according to a protocol, one of said at least two decoding units being automatically selected by the second device depending on a profile of the start of frame received, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to the protocol.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the second device comprises a start of frame detection circuit to detect at least a start of frame of a first type and a start of frame of a second type.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit automatically selects one of said at least two decoding units depending on the profile of the start of frame received at a beginning of a communication.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is configured to detect a first variation edge of the data carrier signal, then to detect a second variation edge of the data carrier signal in one of a first time window and a second time window.

53. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is configured to detect two variation edges of a same type of the data carrier signal and a variation edge of a first type and a variation edge of a second type that is the opposite of the first type.

54. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit inhibits the detection of one of the start of frame of the first type and of the second type when a determined time situated between a first time window and a second time window has elapsed after appearance of a first variation edge of the data carrier signal.

55. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit inhibits the detection of the start of frame of the second type when a start of frame of the first type is detected.

56. The system of claim 50, wherein the start of frame detection circuit is a logic circuit.

57. The system of claim 50, wherein the second device comprises a multiplexer controlled by the start of frame detection circuit and arranged to select one output of one of the at least two decoding units.

58. The system of claim 50, wherein start of frame detection circuit deactivates the second decoding unit if the start of frame of the first type is detected and deactivates the first decoding unit if the start of frame of the second type is detected.

59. The system of claim 50 wherein the start of frame detection circuit is divided into at least two parts respectively arranged in said at least two decoding units, each part being arranged to identify one start of frame and to deactivate at least one decoding unit when the start of frame is detected.

60. The system of claim 49, wherein the second device further comprises a clock extractor circuit which supplies a first clock signal of determined frequency when the second device is in a communication mode conforming to a first protocol, and a second clock signal of a different frequency from that of the first clock signal, when the second device is in a communication mode conforming to a second protocol.

61. The system of claim 49, wherein the second device is configured to receive data according to at least the ISO/IEC 15693 protocol and the ISO/JEC 14443-B protocol.

63. The system of claim 53, wherein the first start of frame detection circuit is arranged to deactivate the second decoding unit when it detects the start of frame of the first type.

64. The system of claim 53, wherein the second start of frame detection circuit is arranged to deactivate the first decoding unit when it detects the start of frame of the second type.

65. The system of claim 53, wherein each start of frame detection circuit is a logic circuit.

62. A system comprising:

a first device configured to send a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

a second device comprising;

a contactless communication interface configured to receive a data carrier signal comprising a start of frame followed by coded data,

a first decoding unit for decoding data coded according to a first protocol, the first decoding unit including a first start of frame detection circuit arranged to detect a start of frame of a first type, and

a second decoding unit for decoding data coded according to at least a second protocol, the second decoding unit including a second start of frame detection circuit arranged to detect a start of frame of a second type, said start of frame being an incoming signal preceding and being independent of a value of the data and presenting a specific profile, said profile being characterized by a specific and invariable sequence of variation edges corresponding to each of the first and the at least second protocol.