Directional sensing mechanism and communications authentication

• US 8,427,320 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2011
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Original Assignee: Assa Abloy AB
• Inventors: Davis, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MCNALLY, KERRI L
• Application Number:
  US13/179,198
• Publication Number:
  US 20110267174A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1698 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone details of antennas disposed inside a computer H01Q1/2266
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1637 Sensing arrangement for detection of housing movement or orientation, e.g. for controlling scrolling or cursor movement on the display of an handheld computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07345 by activating or deactivating at least a part of the circuit on the record carrier, e.g. ON/OFF switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/66 with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling verifying user identity or authority in secret or secure digital communications H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward an RFID device that includes a motion sensing mechanism. The motion sensing mechanism is adapted to sense motion of the RFID device and then selectively allow or restrict the RFID device'"'"'s ability to transmit messages, which may include sensitive data, when the RFID device is placed in an RF field. Thus, the motion sensing mechanism is utilized to control access to data on the RFID device to only instances when the holder of the RFID device moves the RFID device in a predefined sequence of motion(s).

Claims

1. A method of controlling the operation of an electronic device, the method comprising:

maintaining data on the electronic device;

determining that the electronic device has been presented to at least one of a reader and computer;

prompting a user of the electronic device to establish a communication link with the at least one of a reader and computer; and

prohibiting the electronic device from establishing the communication link with the at least one of a reader and computer unless a directional sensing mechanism on the electronic device detects one or more predetermined motions of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting, by the directional sensing mechanism, the one or more predetermined motions of the electronic device; and

only after detecting the one or more predetermined motions of the electronic device, establishing the communication link between the electronic device and the at least one of a reader and computer so that the data can be provided via the communication link to the at least one of a reader and computer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless interface, the method further comprising:

transmitting a message from the electronic device via the wireless interface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the message contains the data and wherein the data comprises sensitive information.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the message either causes a lock to change from a locked state to an unlocked state or change from an unlocked state to a locked state.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the message comprises at least one of a password, PIN code, key, identification number, and account number.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the message comprises instructions to be performed by at least one of the electronic device and a device in communication with the electronic device.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the data is maintained on an Integrated Circuit of the electronic device.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein a motion in a first direction corresponds to an instruction to transmit a first data set and wherein a motion in a second direction corresponds to an instruction to transmit a second data set.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the prompt is provided via a user interface on the electronic device.

11. An electronic device, comprising:

a directional sensing mechanism, the directional sensing mechanism configured to detect motion of the electronic device;

an antenna tuned to exchange messages with a reader at a predetermined frequency, wherein the antenna is configured to resonate in response to being inserted in an electromagnetic field produced by the reader; and

a SIM card including an Integrated Circuit configured to store at least one of data and messages, wherein the at least one of data and messages are maintained on the Integrated Circuit by keeping the antenna disconnected from the Integrated Circuit unless a predetermined motion or sequence of motions of the electronic device is detected by the directional sensing mechanism.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a switch separating the Integrated Circuit and the antenna, the switch being in communication with the directional sensing mechanism and whose operation controls whether the Integrated Circuit is allowed to release the at least one of data and messages.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the switch comprises a logical switch.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the switch comprises one or more of an electrical switch, a mechanical switch, and an electromechanical switch.