Radio frequency identification security system and method

• US 7,382,225 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2005
• Issued: 06/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Compal Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Shen, Yi-Hung, Kung, Shao-Tsu
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US11/244,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20060208853A1
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.61, 340/5.6, 340/5.85, 340/5.81, 340/5.8, 340/5.2, 340/5.1, 340/10.1, 340/10.4, 340/10.42, 726/2, 726/9, 380/270
• US Class Current: 340/5.61
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/35 communicating wirelessly
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1418 Removal detected by failure in electrical connection between the appliance and a control centre, home control panel or a power supply

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) security system includes an RFID tag and a portable electronic device. The RFID tag has a user ID code. The portable electronic device has a reader, an identification memory and an identification controller. The reader is used to communicate with the RFID tag and to receive the user ID code. The identification memory is used to store a user password. The identification controller is electrically connected to the reader and the identification memory and is used to compare the user ID code and the user password. When the user ID code is the same as the user password, the identification controller is arranged to transmit an enable signal to grant the access of the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) security system, comprising:

an RFID tag having a user ID code, wherein the RFID tag comprises;

a tag antenna arranged to receive a reader ID code;

a tag memory arranged to store a reader password; and

a tag controller electrically connected to the tag antenna and the tag memory, and arranged to determine whether the reader ID code is the same as the reader password, wherein when the reader ID code is the same as the reader password, the tag controller is arranged to transmit the user ID code through the tag antenna; and

a portable electronic device, comprising;

a reader arranged to communicate with the RFID tag for receiving the user ID code and transmitting the reader ID code;

an identification memory arranged to store a user password; and

an identification controller electrically connected to the reader and the identification memory, and arranged to determine whether the user ID code is the same as the user password, wherein when the user ID code is the same as the user password, the identification controller is arranged to output an enable signal, such that an access to the portable electronic device is granted.

2. The RFID security system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a server arranged to provide the user password for storing into the identification memory.

3. The RED security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification controller is an embedded controller or a Southbridge chip.

4. The RFID security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enable signal is a power-on password for granting the access of the portable electronic device.

5. The RFID security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reader is arranged to receive the user ID code, and when the user ID code is different from the user password, the identification controller is arranged to output a disable signal, such that the access to the portable electronic device is denied.

6. A radio frequency identification (RFID) security method, controlling an access of a portable electronic device by a RFID tag, the method comprising the steps of:

a. the RFID tag receiving a reader ID code, and determining whether the reader ID code is the same as a reader password;

b. transmitting a user ID code when the reader ID code is the same as the reader password; and

c. receiving the user ID code by a reader configured on the portable electronic device, and determining whether the user ID code is the same as a user password by an identification controller configured on the portable electronic device;

c1. granting the access of the portable electronic device when the user ID code is the same as the user password; and

c2. denying the access of the portable electronic device when the user ID code is different from the user password.

7. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the user ID code is the same as the user password in the step c1, the method further comprises the steps of:

c11. the identification controller checking if a turn-on flag exists in the portable electronic device; and

c12. turning on the portable electronic device when the turn-on flag is absent.

8. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the user ID code is different from the user password in the step c2, the method further comprises the steps of:

c21. the identification controller checking if a turn-on flag exists in the portable electronic device; and

c22. turning off the portable electronic device when the turn-on flag exists.

9. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the user ID code is different from the user password in the step c2, the method further comprises the steps of:

c21. the identification controller recording a number of receiving times of the different user ID code; and

c22. the identification controller transmitting a warning signal to a server when the number of the receiving times exceeds a predetermined value.

10. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the reader does not receive the user ID code, the identification controller is arranged to deny the access of the portable electronic device.

11. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein before the step a, the method further comprises:

a1. setting the user password and storing the user password into an identification memory of the portable electronic device.

12. The RFID security method as claimed in claim 6, wherein before the step a, the method further comprises:

a2. the portable electronic device getting the user password from a server for comparison to the user ID code.