Radio frequency identification system provided for access control

• US 8,653,943 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2008
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V. (STMicroelectronics NV)
• Original Assignee: IDS Microchip AG (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Kunc, Vinko, Vodopivec, Andrei
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Adnan, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US12/452,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• 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

Abstract

An interrogator (Interrog) is additionally provided with a logic circuit (ActCommProt-ImplLCI) for implementing an active communication protocol and with a receiving second antenna (AI2) provided for an active communication. Said antenna is connected through an active receiver (AMActRecI) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals to said logic circuit (ActCommProtlmplLCI). A transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) in each transponder (Transp) is connected through an active receiver (AM-ActRecT) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals to a logic circuit (ActCommProt-ImplLCT) for implementing the active communication protocol, an output signal of which logic circuit is conducted through an active transmitter (AMActTransmT) for transmitting amplitude-modulated signals to a transmitting second antenna (AT2) for active communication. The transponder (Transp) is provided with a power supply circuit (SupplC). The passive communication protocol is a protocol according to standard ISO 15693 and the active communication protocol is similar thereto. Checking by means of the radio frequency identification system of the invention for access control can be carried out in a way comfortable for the user also at a distance from the interrogator somewhat exceeding one meter, whereas the transponder with a battery run-down has to be brought closer to the interrogator to a short distance usual till now.

Claims

1. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control and comprising

an interrogator (Interrog),

including a data interface (DatInterf) for exchanging data with

an interrogator logic circuit (PassCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the passive communication protocol,

said logic circuit transmits a signal to a first input of an interrogator amplitude modulator (AMI),

said amplitude modulator having a second input for receiving an output signal of a high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and for transmitting an output signal as a signal to be transmitted, conducted through an antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) to a transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1), said first interrogator antenna conducing a received signal through the antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) and through an interrogator amplitude demodulator (ADemI) to the interrogator logic circuit (PassCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the passive communication protocol,

and

at least one transponder (Transp),

including a transmitting and receiving first transponder antenna (AT1) connected through a transponder amplitude demodulator (ADemT) to a transponder logic circuit (Pass-CommProtImplLCT) for implementing the passive communication protocol,

said transponder logic circuit exchanges data with a memory device (Mem) and

provides an output signal as a signal to be transmitted and conducted through a transponder amplitude modulator (AMT) to the transmitting and receiving first transponder antenna (AT1),

said antenna (ATI) connected to a rectifier (Rect) provided to supply energy to transponder elements and

connected to a clock extractor (ClExtr) provided to extract a clock signal for the transponder elements out of a magnetic field (BItransm) transmitted by the interrogator,

and

the protocol for passive communication between the interrogator (Interrog) and the transponders (Transp),

providing, inter alia,

the interrogator (Interrog) turns on its high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) so that the transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1) starts generating the magnetic field (BItransm) having a constant frequency,

a time interval (Δ

t) thereafter, the interrogator (Interrog) transmits an inventory request (InvReq)

that the transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within an interrogator passive working distance shall present themselves,

within a specified timeslot thereafter, each transponder (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance transmits its own unique identification code,

characterized in

that the interrogator (Interrog) is provided with an interrogator logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the active communication protocol,

said logic circuit exchanges data with the data interface (DatInterf) and

transmits a signal to the interrogator amplitude modulator (AMI),

whose output signal as a signal to be transmitted is conducted through the antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) to the transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1),

that the interrogator (Interrog) is provided with a receiving second interrogator antenna (AI2) provided for active communication and with reduced cross-talk with the first interrogator antenna (AI1),

said second interrogator antenna is connected through an interrogator active receiver (AMActRecI) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals to the interrogator logic circuit (Act-CommProtImplLCI) for implementing the active communication protocol,

wherein the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) in each transponder (Transp) of the system is connected through a transponder active receiver (AMActRecT) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals to a transponder logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCT) for implementing the active communication protocol,

said logic circuit exchanges data with a memory device (Mem) and

whose output signal as a signal to be transmitted by the transmitter is conducted through a transponder active transmitter (AMActTransmT) for transmitting amplitude-modulated signals to a transmitting second transponder antenna (AT2) for the active communication,

wherein each transponder (Transp) is provided with a high-frequency signal generator,

and each transponder (Transp) is provided with a power supply circuit (SupplC),

and wherein the logic for the active communication protocol determines that

the interrogator (Interrog) turns on its active receiver (AMActRecI) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals only after the transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have transmitted their own unique identification code within a specified timeslot, and

thereafter, each transponder (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance transmits its own unique identification code within a specified timeslot.

2. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, characterized in

that the passive communication protocol is a protocol according to standard ISO 15693 and

the interrogator high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and the transponder high-frequency signal generator generate a high-frequency signal having a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

3. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 2, characterized in that the active communication protocol is structured like the passive communication protocol subjected to standard ISO 15693, uses the same set of commands and, by means of the timeslots, prevents collisions in the communication of the interrogator (Interrog) with the transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance and the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance.

4. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 3, characterized in

that the active communication protocol provides an additional identifier for a check point provided with access control.

5. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 4, characterized in that the transponder power supply circuit (SupplC) comprises a battery and a switch over circuit used to select the energizing of transponder elements.

6. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 5, characterized in that the transponder power supply circuit (SupplC) periodically turns off the battery energizing of transponder elements.

7. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 6, characterized in that after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have presented themselves the interrogator (Interrog) so frequently repeats transmitting the inventory request (InvReq) to present the transponders (Transp) themselves that the inventory request will occur in the timeslots, in which the battery energizing of the elements in the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance is turned on.

8. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 6, characterized in

that after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have presented themselves

the interrogator (Interrog) keeps transmitting the inventory request (InvReq) for the transponders (Transp) to present themselves for so long as

the inventory request occurs in the timeslots,

in which the battery energizing of the elements in the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance is turned on.

9. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, characterized in

that the high-frequency signal generator in each transponder (Transp) is embodied as a generator (HFClGen) generating a high-frequency signal and a clock signal,

and that the interrogator (Interrog) turns off its high-frequency signal generator (HFGen)

after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have transmitted their unique identification code.

10. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, characterized in

that the interrogator logic circuits (PassCommProtImplLCI, ActCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the passive and active communication protocol, respectively, are realized as a microcomputer provided with suitable programs and that the transponder logic circuits (PassCommProtImplLCT, ActCommProtImplLCT) for implementing the passive and active communication protocol, respectively, are realized as a microcomputer provided with suitable programs.

11. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, characterized in

that the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) and the transmitting second antenna (AT2) in each transponder (Transp) are realized as a single optimized transmitting and receiving antenna.

12. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, characterized in

that the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AI1) and the receiving second antenna (AI2) in the interrogator (Interrog) are realized as a single optimized transmitting and receiving antenna.

28. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 1, wherein the interrogator (Interrog) turns off its high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have transmitted their unique identification code.

13. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control and comprising an interrogator (Interrog),

including a data interface (DatInterf) for exchanging data with

an interrogator logic circuit (PassCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the passive communication protocol

said logic circuit transmits a signal to a first input of an interrogator amplitude modulator (AMI),

said amplitude monitor having a second input for receiving an output signal of a high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and for transmitting an

output signal as a signal to be transmitted conducted through an antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) to a transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1), said first interrogator antenna contacting a received signal through the antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) and through an interrogator amplitude demodulator (ADemI) to the interrogator logic circuit (PassCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the passive communication protocol,

and

at least one transponder (Transp),

including a transmitting and receiving first transponder antenna (AT1) connected through a transponder amplitude demodulator (ADemT) to a transponder logic circuit (Pass-CommProtImplLCT) for implementing the passive communication protocol,

said transponder logic circuit exchanges data with a memory device (Mem) and

provides an output signal as a signal to be transmitted and conducted through a transponder amplitude modulator (AMT) to the transmitting and receiving first transponder antenna (AT1), said antenna (AT1)

connected to a rectifier (Rect) provided to supply energy to transponder elements and

connected to a clock extractor (ClExtr) provided to extract a clock signal for the transponder elements out of a magnetic field (BItransm) transmitted by the interrogator,

and

the protocol for the passive communication between the interrogator (Interrog) and the transponders (Transp),

providing, inter alia,

the interrogator (Interrog) turns on its high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) so that the transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1) starts generating the magnetic field (BItransm) having a constant frequency,

a time interval (Δ

t) thereafter, the interrogator (Interrog) transmits an inventory request (InvReq)

that transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within an interrogator passive working distance shall present themselves,

within a specified timeslot thereafter, each transponder (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance transmits its own unique identification code,

characterized in

that the interrogator (Interrog) is provided with an interrogator logic circuit (Act-CommProtImplLCI) for implementing the active communication protocol,

said logic circuit exchanges data with the data interface (Datlnterf) and

transmits a signal to an interrogator frequency modulator (FMI),

whose output signal as a signal to be transmitted is conducted through the antenna matching transformer (AMatchTransf) to the transmitting and receiving first interrogator antenna (AI1),

that the interrogator (Interrog) is provided with a receiving second interrogator antenna (AI2) provided for the active communication and with reduced cross-talk with the first interrogator antenna (AI1),

said second interrogator antenna is connected through an interrogator active receiver (FMActRecI) for receiving frequency-modulated signals to the interrogator logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the active communication protocol,

wherein the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) in each transponder (Transp) of the system is connected through a transponder active receiver (FMActRecT) for receiving frequency-modulated signals to a transponder logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCT) for implementing the active communication protocol,

said logic circuit exchanges data with the memory device (Mem) and

whose output signal as a signal to be transmitted by the transmitter is conducted through a transponder active transmitter (FMActTransmT) for transmitting frequency-modulated signals to a transmitting second transponder antenna (AT2) for active communication,

wherein each transponder (Transp) is provided with a high-frequency signal generator,

wherein each transponder (Transp) is provided with a power supply circuit (SupplC),

and wherein the active communication protocol determines that

the interrogator (Interrog) turns on its active receiver (FMActRecI) for receiving frequency-modulated signals only after the transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have transmitted their own unique identification code within a specified timeslot, and

thereafter, each transponder (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance transmits its own unique identification code within a specified timeslot.

14. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the interrogator logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCI) for implementing the active communication protocol transmits a signal to the interrogator amplitude modulator (AMI)

and that transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) in each transponder (Transp) of the system is connected through a transponder active receiver (AMActRecT) for receiving amplitude-modulated signals to a transponder logic circuit (ActCommProtImplLCT) for implementing the active communication protocol.

15. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the active communication protocol and the passive communication protocol are equally structured, use the same set of commands and prevent collisions in the communication of the interrogator (Interrog) with the transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance and the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance by means of to present timeslots in the same way as passive communication protocol subjected to standard ISO 15693.

16. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 15, characterized in

that the interrogator high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and the transponder high-frequency signal generator generate a high-frequency signal having a frequency of 27 MHz.

17. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 15, characterized in

that the interrogator high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and the transponder high-frequency signal generator generate a high-frequency signal having a frequency of 40 MHz.

18. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 15, characterized in

that the interrogator high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) and the transponder high-frequency signal generator generate a high-frequency signal having a frequency lying below 100 MHz.

19. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 16, characterized in

that the active communication protocol determines an additional identifier for a check point provided with access control.

20. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 19, characterized in

that the transponder power supply circuit (SupplC) comprises a battery and a switch over circuit provided to select energizing of transponder elements.

21. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 20, characterized in

that the transponder power supply circuit (SupplC) periodically turns off the battery energizing of transponder elements.

22. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 21, characterized in

that after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have presented themselves

the interrogator (Interrog) keeps transmitting the inventory request (InvReq) for the transponders (Transp) to present themselves so frequently

that the inventory request occurs in the timeslots,

in which the battery energizing of the elements in the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance is turned on.

23. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 21, characterized in

that after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have presented themselves

the interrogator (Interrog) keeps transmitting the inventory request (InvReq) for the transponders (Transp) to present themselves so long

that the inventory request occurs in the timeslots,

in which the battery energizing of the elements in the transponders (Transp^out) located outside the interrogator passive working distance is turned on.

24. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the high-frequency signal generator in each transponder (Transp) is made as a generator (HFClGen) generating a high-frequency signal and a clock signal.

25. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the interrogator logic circuits (PassCommProtImplLCI, ActCommProtImplLCl) for implementing the passive and active communication protocol, respectively, are realized as a microcomputer provided with suitable programs

and that the transponder logic circuits (PassCommProtImplLCT, ActCommProtImplLCT) for implementing the passive and active communication protocol, respectively, are realized as a microcomputer provided with suitable programs.

26. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AT1) and the transmitting second antenna (AT2) in each transponder (Transp) are realized as a single optimized transmitting and receiving antenna.

27. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, characterized in

that the transmitting and receiving first antenna (AI1) and the receiving second antenna (AI2) in the interrogator (Interrog) are realized as a single optimized transmitting and receiving antenna.

29. Radio frequency identification system provided for access control as recited in claim 13, wherein the interrogator (Interrog) turns off its high-frequency signal generator (HFGen) after all transponders (Transpⁱⁿ) located within the interrogator passive working distance have transmitted their unique identification code.