Electronic credential signal activation systems and methods

• US 9,865,105 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2014
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: X-Card Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: X-Card Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Cox, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US14/312,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20150048928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 713185, 235492, 235380, 235449, 235493, 340 565, 340 101- 105
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06 characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06196 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

Various electronic credentials comprising signal activation are disclosed. An electronic credential core comprises a controller configured to maintain an off-state until activated by a received signal during a personalization process. The electronic credential core further comprises an antenna configured to receive a first signal. The energy in the first signal is harvested by a signal interface. The signal interface generates a second signal using the harvested energy of the first signal. The second signal is provided to the controller. The controller transitions to an active state and continuously performs one or more functions until an onboard battery is depleted. By maintaining an off-state until personalization, the electronic credential can be stored without draining power from the battery, extending the shelf life of the electronic credential.

Claims

1. A circuit comprising:

an antenna configured to receive a first signal, the antenna comprising at least a first coil and a second coil defined by a plurality of metal traces, and wherein the plurality of metal traces is configured to inductively couple to the first signal, wherein the first coil is positioned at a first end of a magnetic strip and the second coil is positioned at a second end of a magnetic strip;

a signal interface coupled to the antenna, the signal interface configured to generate a second signal in response to the first signal, wherein a voltage of the second signal corresponds to a voltage of the first signal, and wherein the second signal is generated using only energy harvested from the first signal;

a controller coupled to the signal interface, the controller configured to maintain an off-state, wherein the controller transitions to an active state only when the second signal exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold, and wherein the controller is programmed using personalization information contained in the first signal when transitioned to the active state.

2. The circuit of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to the controller, wherein in the off-state the controller does not draw power from the battery, and wherein in the active state the controller draws power from the battery.

3. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the first signal comprises a radiofrequency signal.

4. The circuit of claim 2, wherein the signal interface is configured to provide the personalization information to the controller to program the controller.

5. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the second signal comprises a voltage corresponding to the harvested energy of the first signal.

6. The circuit of claim 1, comprising a button, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the button when in the active state.

7. The circuit of claim 6, wherein the circuit is contained within a pre-laminate core for use in manufacturing a smart card.

8. A method for activating an electronic credential, the method comprising:

receiving, by an antenna, a first signal, wherein the antenna comprises a first coil and a second coil each defined by a plurality of metal traces, and wherein the plurality of metal traces is configured to inductively couple to the first signal, and wherein the first coil is positioned at a first end of a magnetic strip and the second coil is positioned at a second end of a magnetic strip;

generating, by a signal interface, a second signal in response to the first signal, wherein a voltage of the second signal corresponds to a voltage of the first signal, and wherein the second signal is generated using only energy harvested from the first signal;

transmitting the second signal from the signal interface to a controller; and

transitioning, by the controller, from an off-state to an active state when the second signal exceeds a predetermined voltage threshold; and

programming the controller using the personalization information contained in the first signal when the controller transitions to the active state.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second signal comprises a voltage corresponding to the harvested energy.

10. The method of claim 8, the method further comprising:

receiving, by the signal interface, the personalization information.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein transitioning to the active mode comprises drawing power from a battery to perform one or more predetermined functions.

12. An electronic credential card, comprising:

at least one antenna configured to receive a first signal from a magnetic field, the antenna comprising a first coil and a second coil each defined by a plurality of metal traces, wherein the first coil and the second coil are each configured to receive the first signal and generate a voltage, and wherein each of the plurality of metal traces is configured to inductively couple to the magnetic field;

a first circuit element configured to receive the first signal, wherein the first circuit element is configured to generate a first circuit response at a first power level of the first signal, wherein the first circuit response corresponds to movement of the at least one antenna through the magnetic field; and

a controller configured to receive a second signal having a voltage corresponding to a power level of the first signal, wherein the controller is configured to transition to an active state to perform one or more predetermined functions when the second signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the predetermined threshold corresponds to movement of the at least one antenna through the magnetic field.

13. The electronic credential card of claim 12, wherein the first signal comprises a radiofrequency signal.

14. The electronic credential card of claim 12, wherein the second signal is generated solely from energy harvested from the magnetic field.

15. The electronic credential card of claim 12, wherein the circuit is contained within a pre-laminate core for use in manufacturing a smart card.