EP1739630A1 - Method, electronic card holding device and access control system to grant access to an area by means of a card - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves transferring of information with electromagnetic field (42), which requires a minimum level to actively switch the electronic cover (20) in transit zone (50). A signal detector is recipient for the electromagnetic field. A bidirectional communication (25) is initiated between send-receive unit and send-receive module of electronic cover by the active switching to transmit a tag. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) Electronic cover; and (B) Access unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a method, an electronic envelope and an access unit for granting access to a zone with a card according to the preamble of claim 1 or 11 and 21, respectively.

In this document, the term "electronic card" is generally subsumed electronic identification cards, which are also known under the terms such as smart card, smart card, electronic ticket, proximity cards, Vincinity Cards, employee badges and more. Proximity Cards and vincinity Cards are standardized according to ISO, as defined in ISO 14443 [1] and ISO 15693 [2].

The terms and definitions in the list of abbreviations and acronyms used are an integral part of this document in the sense of a glossary. Therefore, not all acronyms and terms are specifically introduced. Instead of a German non-technical language, the usual English expressions such as e.g. «Timer» is used or partly listed in the appendix in two languages. Likewise, some of the function realized with a component are provided with the same reference number as the component.

Proximity Cards PICC can transmit data to a reading unit PCD in the range of about 1 to 10 cm. Therefore, to grant access to a zone, a person is forced to bring the card close to the reading unit PCD. This is particularly disadvantageous when approaching a garage, since to do so the window of the vehicle has to be opened. In particular there is the risk that the card will fall to the ground during this manipulation.

To solve this problem, so-called "combi-boosters" are known, for example from the company Nedap [3]. One "Booster" is an electronic portable device (= electronic case) into which a proximity card is inserted. A license plate, usually a person-referred hereafter called "personalized" license plate, is transferred by the proximity card via the radio interface into the shell. This envelope sends this received identity on a different frequency, eg on the 2.45 GHz ISM band, to a fixed receiving unit. The received tag is evaluated in a background system, and if it matches, an enable signal is generated to grant access. The case may also contain another identifier, so that the access is possible only with the relevant case and the card. For the purposes of this specification, the term envelope is understood to mean a portable, electronic device which can receive an electronic card and is provided with means for communication with the card and an external transceiver unit.

• Die Autonomie ist beschränkt bzw. muss durch eine Installation in einem Fahrzeug mit drahtgebundener Energiezuführung betrieben werden.
• Die Reichweite ist höchstens statisch einstellbar. Dies führt automatisch zu einer Erfassung, sobald eine solche Hülle in die Nähe eines Durchgangsbereiches kommt. Dabei ist unter Nähe ein Abstand in der Grössenordnung von 10m bis 50m zu verstehen.
• Bedingt durch die grosse, nicht dynamisch einstellbare Reichweite ergibt sich in der Nähe eines Durchgangszone eine Kommunikation mit einer Vielzahl von solchen Hüllen. Dazu sind per se Antikollisionsalgorithmen zu implementieren und der Durchsatz von Daten nimmt ab.

Such a system is also desirable for access control in which a person wears such an envelope with an inserted electronic card. The aforesaid solution for parking facility access is unsatisfactory for the following reasons:

• The autonomy is limited or must be operated by an installation in a vehicle with a wired energy supply.
• The range is statically adjustable at most. This automatically leads to detection as soon as such a shell comes close to a passage area. Nearby is a distance in the order of 10m to 50m to understand.
• Due to the large, not dynamically adjustable range results in the vicinity of a transit zone communication with a variety of such cases. For this purpose, anti-collision algorithms are to be implemented per se and the throughput of data decreases.

• hohe Autonomie der Hülle;
• sichere Funktion auch bei einer Vielzahl von Hüllen mit eingesteckten Karten vor einer Durchgangszone;
• einsetzbar für verschiedene Typen von elektronischen Karten;
• einfache Implementierung einer gesicherten Übertragung, z.B. auch mit Public Key Infrastructure PKI;
• Einfache Wiederverwendung von bestehenden Zugangseinheiten;
• einfache Handhabung durch den Benutzer und somit eine Komfortsteigerung, z.B. durch einen sogenannten «Handsfree» - zugang.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method, an electronic envelope and an access unit for granting access to a zone with an electronic card, which on the one hand overcome the above disadvantages and moreover allow:

• high autonomy of the shell;
• secure operation even with a variety of cases with inserted cards in front of a transit zone;
• usable for various types of electronic cards;
• simple implementation of secure transmission, eg with Public Key Infrastructure PKI;
• Easy reuse of existing access units;
• easy handling by the user and thus an increase in comfort, eg through a so-called "hands-free" access.

This object is achieved for the method by the in claim 1, for the shell by the in claim 11 and for the access unit by the features specified in claim 21.

By the method according to the invention, according to which, as the envelope approaches an additional transmitting unit arranged at the passage region, the envelope is activated by an electromagnetic field generated by this further transmitting unit and thereby a bidirectional communication between the first transmitting / receiving unit and the transmitting / receiving module of FIG Shell is initiated;

An activation of the electronic shell only when needed and thus the energy consumption is minimized or a high autonomy guaranteed. The selective activation by the electromagnetic field only activates the cards at a certain distance in front of the transit zone, so that the communication with much smaller collisions takes place and thus becomes safer. Bidirectional communication allows the exchange of keys so that cryptology can be implemented in the classical way. The bidirectional communication is also due to the previous activation of the envelope also associated with over time a low energy consumption, since a polling from the shell or a readiness for reception so-called broadcast by the access unit broadcast messages omitted. The bidirectional communication may be according to the content of EP 1 210 693 B1 [4] be designed intermittently in a time grid.

In dependent claims advantageous embodiments of the present invention are given.

To further increase the autonomy can be provided that the envelope can make a bidirectional communication with the access unit only when the card is inserted. As a result, it can also be ensured that a detection takes place only if the user really wants it in the sense of an active volitional act and not by accidentally passing by at a transit zone. This volition manifests itself e.g. by pressing a defined control on the case.

• Gespeicherte Berechtigungen,
• konfiguriertes Benutzerprofil,
• frühere Transaktionen und Erfassungen,
• Restsaldo einer auf der Karte implementierten Cashfunktion.

The shell may include a display for displaying information transmitted via the bidirectional communication. Depending on the application and usage, the display may show, for example:

• Saved permissions,
• configured user profile,
• previous transactions and acquisitions,
• Balance of cash implemented on the card.

With at least one arranged on the shell control element, such as push button or buttons on the case configurations can be made and the display can be controlled.

The control elements can be additionally protected against incorrect manipulation by accidental pressure. This protection can be realized by software or mechanically. Likewise, with the controls, an active will action may be made for access to a zone by the user.

The bidirectional communication between the envelope and the access unit makes it possible for a remote card reader in the access unit to emulate the remote card in the access unit. As a result, on the one hand, existing payment units can continue to be used and, on the other hand, the interface between the access unit and the management system need not be disclosed.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims.

Figur 1

Räumliche Anordnung der verschieden funktionalen Einheiten an einer Durchgangszone;

Figur 2

Blockschaltbild einer Hülle und einer zugeordneten Zugangseinheit in einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Figur 3

Blockschaltbild einer Hülle und einer zugeordneten Zugangseinheit in einer zweiten Ausführungsform;

Figur 4

Blockschaltbild einer Hülle und einer zugeordneten Zugangseinheit in einer dritten Ausführungsform mit einer Public Key Infrastruktur;

Figur 5

Detaillierteres Blockschaltbild einer elektronischen Hülle mit einem Kartenempfangsmodul;

Figur 6

Konstruktive Ausgestaltung der elektronischen Hülle in verschiedenen perspektivischen Ansichten.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, for example. Showing:

FIG. 1

Spatial arrangement of the various functional units at a transit zone;

FIG. 2

Block diagram of a shell and an associated access unit in a first embodiment;

FIG. 3

Block diagram of a shell and an associated access unit in a second embodiment;

FIG. 4

Block diagram of a shell and an associated access unit in a third embodiment with a public key infrastructure;

FIG. 5

More detailed block diagram of an electronic envelope with a card receiving module;

FIG. 6

Structural design of the electronic shell in different perspective views.

An overview of the basic function of the method according to the invention will be made below with reference to FIG. 1 given. Detailed information on the individual units and their function is provided by the further FIGS. 2 to 6.

FIG. 1 shows the spatial arrangement of the various functional units at a passage zone 50, which is formed by two passage columns 51 each. Such a column contains a further transmitting unit 40, which emits an electromagnetic field 42 in the so-called near range, preferably a "low" frequency in the ISM band of, for example, 6.78 MHz is provided. In order to grant access, the electronic envelope 20 carried by a person is switched to active when approaching the transit zone 50. This initiates bidirectional communication 25 at a "higher" frequency in the ISM band of preferably 868 MHz. In the shell 20 a card 1 is inserted. With the aforementioned bidirectional communication 25, a tag is transmitted from the shell 20 to an access unit 30. The most personalized identifier has previously been transmitted wirelessly from the card 1 in the case 20. From the access unit 30, this flag is supplied via an interface unit 61 to a management system 60, in which this flag is evaluated. In accordance with a stored identifier, a release signal is generated, which is supplied to a column 51 arranged on the real or virtual barrier. This barrier, not shown in FIG. 1, is opened by this release signal and thus allows entry into a protected zone. As a virtual barrier, a light signal can also be provided. To control the actual passing a light barrier 41 may be provided. The light barrier or an approximation circuit shown in FIG. 1 or another light barrier can activate the transmission unit 40. In this way it is additionally ensured that only such envelopes receive the bidirectional communication 25 with the access unit 30, which have been activated in advance.

For explaining the operation of the active switching with a low frequency of the shell 20 and the subsequent bidirectional communication is on the font EP 1 210 693 B1 [4], in particular to an energy-saving intermittent bidirectional communication 25 at the higher frequency. The active switching of the shell, optionally with different levels by the emitted from the transmitting unit 40 electromagnetic field is the font WO 03/017207 [5]. This document forms an integral part of this text (incorporated by reference).

The structural design of the shell 20 is shown in various perspective views in Figure 6. The sleeve 20 is preferably provided with a conventional clip 26 so that this sleeve can be used in the same manner as a card carried in a protective cover, ie can be visibly worn on a garment. Depending on the embodiment, the card 1 can be completely or only partially inserted through the opening 27 in the shell 1. Furthermore, it is possible that the inserted card 1 is partially or completely visible on one side. It is not necessary that the visible side still has a transparent element of the shell 20. At this point, it is again pointed out that the transmission according to the common standards of the card 1 in the shell 20 via a radio link, for proximity cards eg on a frequency of 13.56 MHz according to ISO / IEC 14443-2 [2]. The envelope 20 has, in addition to the communication function according to the present invention, also a protection function for the card 1 as well as a storage function for the card 1. For example, a cyclist with a case 20 containing a card 1 can gain access to a zone. without requiring user interaction on the shell 20. The cyclist leads this case 20 simply in his backpack.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of an electronic envelope 20 and an associated access unit 30 arranged at a transit zone 50. The envelope 20 comprises a card receiving module 22 and an antenna 21 for transferring the data of the card, in particular a tag, to the envelope in the usual wireless manner. As a card receiving module 22, for example, the block EM4094 of EM Microelectronic Marin SA [6] can be used. For the communication to the access unit, for example on the frequency 868 MHz, a transmitting / receiving module 23 in the sense of the Scriptures EP 1 210 693 B1 [4] contained in the shell 20. between the transmitting / receiving module 23 and the card receiving module 22, a card interface 24 is arranged, which can be implemented either in software or hardware. This embodiment represents a radio link extension, wherein the essential difference from the booster mentioned in the introduction is that the shell 20 is actively switched by a further, arranged in the transit zone 50 transmitting unit 40 in the near field. In the access unit 30 is carried out in a communication module 34 via two antennas 33, a replica of the card interface of the shell 20. The communication module 34 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 37 in the sense of the Scriptures EP 1 210 693 B1 [4]. An ISO 1443 load modulation 35 is connected to this transmitting / receiving unit 37 via a label emulation 36. The "actual" card reader 32 contains an encryption module 31, which is often referred to in the jargon as "Legic security". This embodiment according to FIG. 2 has the great advantage that the common access devices - which is essentially a card reader 32 with an interface unit 38 between Legic readers and a background access system such as SIPORT® - can continue to be used by the aforementioned communication module 34. Technically speaking, an access card 1 is emulated by this embodiment, which is in fact and truth, for example, 30m to 50m away. The transmission of at least one identifier of the card via the bidirectional communication 25 in Frequency range of 868 MHz. The frequency specification is only an example here, the frequency selection must be based on the regulatory requirements in the individual countries. This also applies to the frequency 6.78 MHz for the activation of the shell 20.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 differs from that according to FIG. 2 by the connection in the access unit 31. The identifier transmitted via the bidirectional communication 25 is supplied by the label emulation 36 directly to the card reader via a bus system. This embodiment with the same functionality as that of FIG. 2 requires a smaller number of components and must be used if no technical restrictions are imposed for reasons of competition policy.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the essential functions of the card reader are integrated in the shell 20, in other words: The radio transmission between card 1 and card reader 32 terminates in the shell, in contrast to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3, where this termination settled in the access unit 30 takes place. By the bidirectional communication 25, it is possible to encrypt them by a PKI infrastructure 62. This is particularly necessary if the proposed procedure for granting access is to provide particularly high security. This infrastructure 62 is shown only rudimentary in FIG. 4, since it itself belongs to the state of the art. In FIGS. 2 to 4, the antenna 21 for the transmission of the data, in particular the identification of the card 1 to the envelope 20, is only shown in principle. A preferred embodiment of the antenna 21 will be explained below with reference to FIG.

Figure 5 shows a more detailed block diagram of an electronic envelope with a card receiving module for those parts which activates the envelope as it approaches cause electromagnetic near field. For receiving the aforementioned near field in the frequency range of, for example, 6.78 MHz, a ring antenna 213 is provided. Near field means that the H field is dominant. The "near field" or its spatial extent r is usually defined with $$\mathrm{r}<\lambda \cdot 0.6;$$

• A Signaldetektor 214 und Taktgenerator 215 sind dauernd aktiv geschaltet.
• B ein Verstärker und das Telegrammfilter 217 werden den Signaldetektor 214 mittels dem über die Signalleitung 218 übertragenen «Aktivierung Filter» aktiv geschaltet.
• C Ist ein über das elektromagnetische Nahfeld übertragene Telegramm (=Record auf einer höheren Schicht) für die betreffende Hülle als gültig erkannt worden, wird der Controller 271 aktiv geschaltet.
• D Abhängig vom Ergebnis von Auswertungen durch den Controller der Zeitgeber 219 aktiviert, möglich ist auch, dass sich der Zeitgeber 219 von sich aus aktiviert, z.B. über eine sogenannte Interrupt-Auslösung.
• E Das Kartenempfangsmodul 22 wird vom Controller 271 aktiviert.
• F, G Die Kommunikation auf der Strecke 25 wird vom Controller (und einem ROM-residenten Programm) gesteuert, Empfangsmodul 231 auf 868 MHz und Sendemodul 232 auf 868 MHz können daher bedarfsweise vom Controller 271 eingeschaltet werden.

λ stands for the wavelength. Within this close range r, the magnetic field strength H decreases rapidly with the third power of the distance from the transmitter. Thus, a spatially narrow, defined sphere of action can be realized. The ring antenna 213 (corresponding to the antenna 21 in FIGS. 2 to 4) is connected, on the one hand, to the signal detector 214 and, on the other hand, to the card receiving module 22. Due to a very small distance between card 1 and ring antenna 213 results for the radio link 2, a coupling factor K = 1. Hereinbefore for the card receiving module 22, the commercial device EM4094 [6] has been specified. To minimize the energy consumption of the shell 20, various functional units are activated only when needed and in stages. To explain the stepwise activation, these units are summarized in dashed lines and marked with letters A, B, C, .. In detail mean:

• A signal detector 214 and clock generator 215 are always active.
• B, an amplifier and the telegram filter 217 are the signal detector 214 by means of the transmitted via the signal line 218 "activation filter" active.
• C If a telegram (= record on a higher layer) transmitted via the electromagnetic near field has been recognized as valid for the relevant envelope, the controller 271 is activated.
• D Depending on the result of evaluations by the controller, the timer 219 is activated, it is also possible for the timer 219 to be activated on its own, eg via a so-called interrupt triggering.
• E The card receiving module 22 is activated by the controller 271.
• F, G Communication on link 25 is controlled by the controller (and a ROM resident program), receiver module 231 at 868 MHz, and transmitter module 232 at 868 MHz may therefore be powered on by controller 271 as needed.

Through this stepwise activation of the individual components, the energy consumption can be significantly reduced and thus the autonomy increased accordingly. This also represents a significant difference from the prior art according to Nedap N.V [3] since the proposed boosters are installed in a vehicle and accordingly can be powered by a car battery. Receiver module 231 at 868 MHz and transmitter module 232 at 868 MHz are each connected via an amplifier to corresponding antennas 211 and 212.

The connection between controller 271 and telegram filter 217 is therefore bidirectional, among other things, in order to be able to make certain settings of the telegram filter. A particular advantage according to the present inventions lies in the fact that with the wake-up field 42 spread out by a further transmitting unit 40 information can also be transmitted by means of a modulation on a higher layer. In this case, levels are defined in a field of a transferred record that correspond to certain minimum receive levels and thus indirectly determined distances between envelope 20 and further transmit unit 40 to 6.78 MHz. For example, 3 bits are enough to set 8 different levels; calculated without fuse bits. Minimum reception level means that further units of the envelope are only activated when it is exceeded. The processor module 271 can preferably set the corresponding stage for a casing 20 from the processor module 271 fixedly for a casing. Alternatively, it is also possible that the adjustment is made dynamically. That means, the further transmission unit 40 determines the level and thus the distance within which a shell 20 is to be activated. For the implementation of the stepwise activation, the font becomes WO 03/017207 [5] as an integral part hereby incorporated (incorporated by reference).

To configure the shell 20, there are also wired interfaces 274, e.g. RS232 or USB available. Likewise, operating elements (not shown) and a display 272 can be arranged on the sleeve. For the sake of completeness, an energy source 273 is shown in FIG.

• Festlegung der erlaubten Betriebsmodi, wie z.B. mit oder ohne eingeschobener Karte 1;
• Individualisierung, z.B. durch Vergabe eines areal- oder unternehmensspezifischen Kennzeichens an die Karte;
• Ablage von Schlüsseln für die Kryptologie, kann bei einer PKI-Infrastruktur entfallen;
• Personalisierung, u.a. mit PIN (Personal Identification Number) und PUK (Personal Unblockig Key);
• Festlegung des Kontextes der Bedienelemente;
• Hinweisfixtexte zur Anzeige auf dem Display;
• Software-Update für den Controller 271.

The above-mentioned configuration of the envelope via the wired interface 274 may include in non-exhaustive enumeration:

• Definition of the permitted operating modes, such as with or without inserted card 1;
• Individualization, eg by assigning an areal or company-specific number plate to the card;
• Storage of keys for cryptology, can be omitted in a PKI infrastructure;
• Personalization, including PIN (Personal Identification Number) and PUK (Personal Unblockig Key);
• Determination of the context of the controls;
• Note texts for display on the display;
• Software update for the controller 271.

In principle, it is possible to initiate the bidirectional communication 25 at the higher frequency - in this case 868 MHz - by an operator action by means of at least one control element arranged on the envelope 20 or by inserting the card 1. This initiation should occur instead of arousal by an electromagnetic near field. A disadvantage over the proposed solution is that, especially in the case of a large number of persons in a small space, this bidirectional communication 25 is usually initiated at an early point in time and thus problems with collisions and possibly even ranges can occur.

The presently described embodiments of the invention allow a variety of ways of use, for example, for the so-called crowd management, where it comes to large human streams controlled to pass through a passage zone 50. The person to be escorted through the passage zone 50 carries an envelope 20 with a card 1 identifying the person in question. Identify hooligans who are denied access for security reasons. With such an embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to identify by a camera those persons who carry no envelope 20 or no inserted in a shell 20 card 1 on it.

• (einstellbare) Nahbereichsaktivierung 42 (Short Range) bis etwa 3 - 5m;
• bidirektionale Kommunikation 25 über grössere Distanz in der Grössenordnung von bis rund 50m,
• durch den relativ hohen Durchsatz der bidirektionalen Kommunikation 25 können weit mehr Funktionen zwischen Hülle 20 und Zugangseinheit 30 realisiert werden, als mit der direkten Übertragung zwischen Karte 1 und einem herkömmlichen Kartenleser, beispielsweise ist dadurch eine Sicherung nach dem PKI-Verfahren implementierbar. Ebenso können mit der bidirektionalen Kommunikation 25 Antikollisionsalgorithmen implementiert werden, die von der Hülle 20 aus auftretende Kollisionen behandelt, wie beispielsweise, dass in der Hülle vor Aussendung einer Nachricht detektiert wird, ob das Medium frei ist, dazu wird auf das Dokument WO 01/84472 A1 [7] verwiesen, die hiermit integraler Bestandteil dieser Schrift ist (incorporated by reference).

In summary of the above example of crowd management, the advantages of the invention can be summarized once more:

• (adjustable) short-range activation 42 (short range) to about 3 - 5m;
• bidirectional communication 25 over long distances in the order of up to around 50m,
• Due to the relatively high throughput of the bidirectional communication 25 far more functions between shell 20 and access unit 30 can be realized, as with the direct transfer between card 1 and a conventional card reader, for example, thereby a backup according to the PKI method can be implemented. Likewise, bidirectional communication 25 may implement anti-collision algorithms that handle collisions that occur from the shell 20, such as detecting in the shell, prior to transmission of a message, whether the medium is free, to the document WO 01/84472 A1 [7], which is an integral part of this document (incorporated by reference).

The functions of a card reader associated with the classical technique can be freely distributed to the shell 20 and the access unit 60 by the presently disclosed embodiments of the invention and thus allow a very flexible adaptation to a wide variety of applications.

The standard cards according to ISO / IEC 14443 [1] and ISO / IEC 15693 [2] have no contact interface. However, embodiments of the present invention with the envelope are possible in which the power supply / activation of the card 1 instead of an electromagnetic field - emitted via the ring antenna 213 - is effected by a galvanic contact interface. The transfer of the card-resident mark still takes place according to the relevant standards [1] and [2].

With individual card system is given that only previously registered cards can be "read". In a further embodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 2, it can be provided that bidirectional communication 25 transmits an as yet unregistered identifier to the access unit 30 and, bypassing the card emulation, is supplied to the management system 60 and from there backwards to the card reader 32 in the Access unit 30. Such registration must be in accordance with the requirements of the specific application.

In this document, reference has been made in part to the card system Legic, but the invention is also compatible with other card systems such as e.g. Mifare feasible.

List of reference numbers used

1

Card, Chip Card, Proximity Card, Vinicinity Card

2

Radio link card - card reader

20

Case, electronic portable device; English, "long range communication pouch"; LRCP

21

antenna

211

Reception antenna 868 MHz

212

Transmission antenna 868 MHz

213

Reception antenna 6.78 MHz and 13.56 MHz, ring antenna

214

Signal detector, signal detect

215

Clock generator, duty cycle

216

operational amplifiers

217

Telegram filters

218

Signal line activation filter

219

Timer, timer

22

Card receiving module, e.g. EM4094

23

Transceiver module in the case; on e.g. 868 MHz

231

Reception module at 868 MHz

232

Transmitter module at 868 MHz

24

ISO 14443 interface

25

bidirectional communication between the transmitting / receiving module and the transmitting / receiving unit

26

Clips, fastener

27

Opening for insertion of a card; Holder for attaching a card to the case

271

controller; microprocessor

272

Display, display

273

Energy source, battery

274

Wired interfaces, e.g. RS232, USB,

30

Access unit; Engl. «Access point»

31

Encryption module; e.g. Legic Security

32

Card reader, Legic reader

33

antenna

34

Communication module engl. «Long range communication interface module»

35

ISO 14443 load modulation, load modulation unit

36

Label emulation.

37

Transceiver unit, first transceiver on e.g. 868 MHz

38

Interface unit, e.g. Interface unit Legic reader - access system, e.g. SIPORT

40

another transmitting unit, e.g. at 6.78MHz

41

Photocell, «engl. light barrier »

42

electromagnetic field, week field from another transmitting unit 40

50

Passage zone, also called pass-through area

51

Column, with or without further transmitter unit

60

Computer system, management system for evaluating the license plates and for generating a release signal

61

Interface unit

62

PKI cryptography; encryption unit

List of acronyms and abbreviations used

LRCIM

long range communication interface module

LRCP

long range communication pouch

PCD

Proximity Coupling Device; according to ISO 14443

PICC

Proximity Cards; according to ISO 14443

pin code

Personal Identification Number)

PKI

Public Key Infrastructure

PUK

Staff Unblockig Key

USB

Universal Serial Bus

Bibliography

1. [1] ISO / IEC 14443-1
   «Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit (s) cards - Proximity cards» -
   Part 1:
   • Physical characteristiscs
   • ISO / IEC 14443-2
   • «Identification cards - Contactless integrated
   • circuit (s) cards - Proximity cards »-
   • circuit (s) cards - Proximity cards »-
   Part 2:
   • Radio frequency power and signal interface
2. [2] ISO / IEC 15693-1
   Identification cards - contactless integrated circuit (s) cards -
   Part 1:
   • Physical characteristiscs
   • ISO / IEC 15693-2
   • «Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit (s) cards - Vicinity cards» -
   Part 2:
   • Air interface and initialization
   • ISO / IEC 15693-2
   • «Identification cards - Contactless integrated circuit (s) cards - Vicinity cards» -
   Part 3:
   • Anticollision and transmission protocol
3. [3] Nedap N. v.
   NL - 7140 AC Groenlo
4. [4] EP 1 210 693 B1
   «Procedure and system for registration of tickets»
   Siemens VDO Automotive AG,
   CH - 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall
5. [5] WO 03/017207
   «Method and circuit arrangement for Wecktelegramm-
   Detection and selection »
   Siemens Transit Telematic Systems AG,
   CH - 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall
6. [6] «Analogue Front End Integrated Circuit for 13.56 MHz RFID
   Base Station »; EM4094
   www.emmocroelectronic.com
7. [7] WO 01/84472 A1
   «Method for collision management for a wireless
   Acquisition system "
   Siemens Transit Telematic Systems AG,
   CH - 8212 Neuhausen am Rheinfall

Claims (21)

Method for granting access to a zone with an electronic card containing at least one license plate (1) the card (1) is inserted in a portable case (20) having a transceiver module (23) and a card receiving module (22) so that the license plate (2) is wirelessly transmitted to the transmitting module via the card receiving module (22). / Receiving module (23) is transmitted; - a access unit (30) is arranged at a passage area (50) to the zone, which contains a transmitting / receiving unit (37) for communicating with the transmitting / receiving module (23) of the envelope (20) and which of the card (1) transmitted license plate is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit (37), - When a match of the received by the transmitting / receiving unit (37) identifier with a stored identifier, a release signal is generated to grant the access; characterized in that
when the envelope (20) approaches a further transmitting unit (40) arranged at the passage region (50), the envelope (20) is actively switched by an electromagnetic field (42) generated by this further transmitting unit (40) and thereby a bidirectional communication (25 ) between the first transmitting / receiving unit (37) and the transmitting / receiving module (23) of the envelope (20) is initiated. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
a signal detector (214) located in the envelope (20) is constantly ready to receive the electromagnetic field (42). Method according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the frequency of the electromagnetic field (42) is chosen so that this is pronounced as near field. Method according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that
information is transmitted with the electromagnetic field (42) defining a certain minimum reception level required to activate the envelope (20). Method according to Claim 4,
characterized in that
the electronic components (217, 271, 219, ..) of the shell (20) are activated stepwise (A, B, C, D, ..) as a function of further information transmitted with the electromagnetic field (42). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
a ring antenna (213) is arranged in the envelope, which is provided both for the reception of the electromagnetic field (42) from the further transmitting unit (40) and for the transmission of the identifier from the card (1) to the card receiving module (22). Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that
with the bidirectional communication (25) additionally a characteristic of the envelope (20) to the transmitting / receiving unit (37) is transmitted and that for the generation of the enable signal and the characteristics of the envelope (20) is required with a further stored identifier. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that
in that the transceiver unit (37) in the access unit (30) is connected to a card load modulating unit (35) which emulates the card (1) contained in the envelope (20) such that in the access unit (30) the card (1) corresponding card reader (32) for connection to a computer system (60) for gening the enable signal is connectable. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that
in that the transmitting / receiving unit (37) in the access unit (30) is connected by wire to a card reader (32) corresponding to the card (1) for connection to a computer system (60) for genreising the enabling signal. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that
the wireless transmission (2) from the card (1) to the card receiving module (22) in the shell (20) terminates and that the bidirectional communication (25) encryption information is transmitted according to the PKI method. Electronic portable case (20), which contains: - A holder (27) for fixing a card (1), wherein fortigterer card (1) stored on this plate wirelessly to a in the shell (20) located card receiving module (22) is transferable, a transceiver module (23) connected to the card receiving module (22) for bidirectional communication (25) with an access unit (30) for granting access to a zone; characterized in that
the envelope (20) comprises a signal detector (214) which, upon receipt of an electromagnetic field (42), comprises the transceiver module (23) for a bidirectional communication (25) with the access unit (30) active. A casing (20) according to claim 11,
characterized in that
the envelope contains a telegram filter (217) that analyzes information transmitted with the electromagnetic field (42) to thereby incrementally activate further components (271, 219, ..) of the envelope (20) depending on the received information (A, B , C, D, E,). A casing (20) according to claim 11 or 12,
characterized in that
the wireless transmission (2) terminates from the card (1) to the card receiving module (22) in the enclosure (20) and the enclosure (20) comprises an encryption unit (62) operable according to the PKI method. A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
characterized in that
for the reception of the electromagnetic field (42) as well as for the wireless transmission (2) of the tag from the card (1) to the transmitting / receiving modules, a common ring antenna (213) is provided. A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
characterized in that
the personalized identifier with the transmitting / receiving module (23) to the access unit (30) is transferable. A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 15,
characterized in that
on the shell (20) is stored a further identifier which is transferable to the transceiver module (23) to the access unit (30). A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 16,
characterized in that
at least one wired interface (274) is provided to transmit configuration data to the enclosure (20). A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 17,
characterized in that
a display is arranged on which operating states, acquisition data, transactions or notes can be displayed. A casing (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 18,
characterized in that
at least one operating element on the sheath (20) is arranged, with which an operating state is adjustable or with which is triggered for access to the zone user interaction A casing (20) according to claim 18,
characterized in that
at least one control element on the sheath (20) is arranged, with which the display is controllable on the display. Access unit (30) for granting access to a zone with an electronic card (1) containing at least one personalized license plate (1), the access unit (30) comprising: a transceiver unit (37) for communicating with an electronic envelope (20) containing a card (1) to enable a personalized identifier to be transmitted from the envelope (20) to the transceiver unit (37), characterized in that
the transceiver unit (37) is connected to a card load modulation unit (35) and that the access unit (30) comprises a card reader (32) so that the transmitted tag is transferable to the access unit (30) through a card emulation.

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