Portable Identity Card Reader System For Physical and Logical Access

• US 20080014867A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HID Global GmbH (Assa Abloy AB), DPD Patent Trust Limited
• Original Assignee: ADVANCED MICROELECTRONIC AND AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
• Inventors: Finn, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,748,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A portable RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and slots or recesses for for insertion of contactless smart card fobs, including ID card, and having a wireless interface for communicating with a token plugged into a computer, provides physical and logical access.

Claims

1. A portable RFID reader/card system comprising:

a generally rectangular body;

circuitry disposed within the body portion; and

a contactless ID card disposed in close proximity to the body portion.

2. The portable RFID reader/card system of claim 1, wherein:

the circuitry is arranged to communicate with the contactless ID card in a contactless mode and with an external reader in a wireless mode.

3. The portable RFID reader/card system of claim 2, wherein:

the contactless ID card is disposed in a recess in a surface of the body portion.

4. The portable RFID reader/card system of claim 2, wherein:

the contactless ID card is clipped to a lanyard which is attached to the body portion.

5. A method of using a contactless ID card for physical entry comprising:

disposing the ID card in close proximity to a portable reader system; and

presenting the combination of card and reader apparatus to a mullion reader.

6. A method of using a contactless ID card for logical access comprising:

disposing the ID card in close proximity to a portable reader system; and

presenting the combination of card and reader apparatus to a wireless token associated with a personal computer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

when the user is in the vicinity of their computer, a communication event is opened up between the wireless token and combination of reader and ID card, thereby allowing the user to access a network after checking the credentials on the proximity (ID) card via the reader/card system.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

when the user moves away from their computer, the communication signal between the reader/card system and the wireless token deteriorates, and the computer automatically logs-off from the network or goes into password protected security mode. Once the reader/card system carried by the user is out of range of the Zigbee/Bluetooth

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the token uses a standard selected from the group consisting of Zigbee, Bluetooth, and Wibree.