Binding device with embedded smart key and method for controlling object using the same

• US 9,836,900 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2016
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (Samsung Group)
• Inventors: Jun, HeeJune, Park, Chan Woo, Kim, Chan Yil, Ra, Byoung Joo
• Primary Examiner(s): Flores, Leon
• Application Number:
  US15/158,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20160343186A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0007 Bracelets specially adapted for other functions or with means for attaching other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/18 Fasteners for straps, chains or the likebuckles A44B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00404 starting with prompting the lock
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00587 by battery
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00793 by Hertzian waves
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00968 shape of the data carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2209/61 Signal comprising different frequencies, e.g. frequency hopping
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00309 operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/26 using a biometric sensor integrated in the pass
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/29 the pass containing active electronic elements, e.g. smartcards
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/06 using electric transmission , e.g. involving audible and visible signalling through the use of sound and light sources

Abstract

Provided is a binding device and method of operation of the binding device, with the binding device including a strap including a body, a first area formed inside the body, with a smart key related control circuit disposed in the first area, and a second area formed on one side of the body, with a battery for supplying electric power for operating the smart key related control circuit seated on the second area such that at least a portion of the battery is exposed, and a cover formed to cover the second area.

Claims

1. A binding device comprising:

a strap comprising a body connected to a pair of bands, one of the bands including a first area with a smart key related control circuit and a second area, wherein a battery for supplying electric power for operating the smart key related control circuit is seated on the second area such that at least a portion of the battery is exposed; and

a cover configured to cover the second area.

2. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the strap has at least one of a groove and a bump in a predetermined area of a side wall of the second area on which the battery is seated while making contact with the smart key related control circuit, and the cover has at least one of a bump and a groove in an area aligned with the predetermined area of the side wall to be coupled to the second area of the strap.

3. The binding device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first area and the second area is formed in a binder of the strap.

4. The binding device of claim 3, wherein the binder comprises an upper cover having an area having a predetermined size, and a lower support layer folded from the upper cover to support the upper cover, and wherein the at least one of the first area and the second area is formed inside the upper cover.

5. The binding device of claim 4, wherein the upper cover has an upper layer and a lower layer that form an angle in a designated range such that predetermined areas thereof are separated from or coupled to each other, and the upper cover is formed such that at least a portion of the battery or at least a portion of the smart key related control circuit is exposed if the predetermined areas of the upper layer and the lower layer are separated from each other.

6. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the smart key related control circuit is disposed on at least one of a rigid printed circuit board and a flexible printed circuit board, and the smart key related control circuit comprises at least one antenna that transmits and receives a signal in a specific frequency band.

7. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the smart key related control circuit disposed in the first area comprises a first antenna that transmits and receives a signal in a first frequency band, and wherein a sensing signal for sensing a target object is transmitted through the first antenna, an authentication signal comprising authentication information of the target object is received through the first antenna in response to the sensing signal, and a control signal for controlling the target object is transmitted through the first antenna.

8. The binding device of claim 7, wherein the smart key related control circuit further comprises a second antenna that transmits and receives a signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band, and wherein the control signal is transmitted through the second antenna.

9. The binding device of claim 1, wherein the smart key related control circuit further comprises at least one of a communication circuit for communication with an external electronic device and a live body sensor for collecting biometric information.

10. A method for controlling a target object of a binding device including a strap including a body connected to a pair of bands, the method comprising:

transmitting a sensing signal for sensing the target object through a first antenna that transmits and receives a signal in a first frequency band, wherein the first antenna is provided in a smart key related control circuit disposed inside one of the bands and a battery for supplying electric power for operating the smart key related control circuit is seated on the one of the bands;

receiving an authentication signal comprising authentication information of the target object through the first antenna in response to the sensing signal;

authenticating the target object based on the authentication information contained in the authentication signal; and

transmitting a control signal for controlling the target object through the first antenna.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the control signal comprises:

transmitting the control signal through a second antenna that transmits and receives a signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band of the first antenna.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein authenticating the target object comprises:

comparing the authentication information with at least one of authentication information of the target object stored in a memory of the binding device and authentication information of the target object collected from an external electronic device.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

transmitting the authentication information of the target object to an external electronic device through a communication circuit provided in the smart key related control circuit for communication with the external electronic device.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

collecting biometric information of a user based on a biometric sensor provided in the smart key related control circuit;

authenticating the user using the biometric information; and

transmitting at least one of the biometric information and authentication information of the user authenticated using the biometric information to an external electronic device through a communication circuit provided in the smart key related control circuit for communication with the external electronic device.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a feedback signal about the control signal; and

transmitting the feedback signal to an external electronic device through a communication circuit provided in the smart key related control circuit for communication with the external electronic device.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving a signal containing information about a specific control function from an external electronic device through a communication circuit for communication with the external electronic device;

generating a control signal based on the information about the specific control function contained in the signal; and

transmitting the control signal to the target object.