FR2779847A1 - PORTABLE OBJECT FOR CONTACTLESS COMMUNICATION FOLLOWING TWO WAYS OF COMMUNICATION, INDUCTIVE AND HERTZIAN - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a portable object (10) to be used in a contactless secure automatic electronic transaction system comprising: means for setting up a first communication channel, by induction and short range, between the portable object and a terminal, with first transmitting means (26) and receiving means (26), co-operating with a tuned element (20) so as to pick up a modulated magnetic field coming from a terminal or to produce in response a modulated disturbance of said magnetic field; and means for setting up a second communication channel, long range, between the portable object and a receiver, said means comprising second transmission means (40) co-operating with an antenna (42) so as to radiate a modulated radio frequency wave. The second transmission means are capable of setting up a communication channel separate from the induction channel and of transmitting its own particular data to the remote receiver, and further means (26, 36 PWR) for selectively activating the second transmission means are provided.

Description

The invention relates to contactless communication between a terminal

ne and a portable object.

  Such contactless data exchange systems are well known

  and among the applications of this technique, there is (without limitation) access control and electronic toll collection, for example for

  public transport access and toll.

  In this last example, each user is provided with a portable object.

  tif of the type "contactless card" or "contactless badge", which is an object

  likely to exchange information with a fixed terminal when appropriate

  sing the badge of the latter so as to allow a coupling

non-galvanic.

  The invention relates to the case where the exchange of information subsequent to this coupling is effected by varying a magnetic field produced by an induction coil, a technique known as the "induction process". For this purpose, the terminal comprises a tuned circuit excited by an alternating signal which produces in the space surrounding a field.

  magnetic alternating. The portable object located in this space

  tect this field using a circuit tuned to the same frequency and

  signal channel towards the terminal, by modulation of the coupling

  for example, thus establishing the desired communication dialogue.

  EP-A-0 565 469 (Innovatron Industries) describes an exchange system

  using this technology.

  By nature, this induction process involves a short range,

  typically less than 1 m, preferably less than 20 cm, generally

  to properly define the geometry of the terminal's action area, avoid

  interference between neighboring terminals and avoid the establishment of

  untimely data exchanges with remote badges.

  The present invention proposes the addition to such a badge of

  long range means of communication (typically a long range

  less than 10 m, preferably more than 30 m) allowing the establishment of a communication channel separate from the induction channel, usable

for other purposes.

  Thus, in the aforementioned application of electronic toll collection for public transport, we can add to the traditional contactless ticketing function, implemented by means of induction communication, an emergency call or alarm function set implemented by the same badge, therefore with common circuits and supply means or

  partly common, and directly by the bearer of this badge.

  This application is not limiting, and the invention can also be implemented for example in the field of home automation, the

  short-range induction communication channel being used

  alarm access or unlocking key, and the communication channel

  long-range cation for remote control functions, for example

  example for opening a gate or a garage door.

  Similarly, the term "card" or "badge" is in no way limiting, and other forms of portable objects such as key, bracelet, etc. are of course conceivable. The “badge” can also consist, still as illustrated in the aforementioned EP-A-0 565 469, of a device comprising, in combination, a microcircuit card of the “card to card” type.

  chip "with contacts combined with a flat case, in which this card is embedded

  which includes the transmission / reception circuits serving as an inter-

  face for communication between this microcircuit card and a terminal

not distant.

  More specifically, the invention provides a portable object of the type

  signed for example by the aforementioned EP-A-0 565 469, that is to say comprising

  both means to establish a first channel of communication, to

  short range, between the portable object and a terminal, these means

  from first means of transmitting data and means of

  data reception, cooperating with an element tuned so as to pick up a modulated magnetic field coming from a terminal or

  produce in response a modulated disturbance of this magnetic field

  than. According to the invention, the object further comprises means for

  blir a second long-range communication channel between the portable object and a receiving device, these means comprising second data transmission means cooperating with an antenna so as to radiate a modulated radio wave, as well as means

  selective activation of the second transmission means.

  According to a number of subsidiary characteristics before-

  geuses: - the selective activation means can be actuated at will by the wearer of the portable object, in particular by a push button, with in particular means for detecting a predefined sequence of presses on the push button; the data transmitted by the second data transmission means comprise identification information specific to the portable object;

  - the portable object comprises two dissociable organs, one of which

  mier organ, in particular in the form of a card, comprising a micro-

  circuit with a memory containing data necessary for the

  implementation of said electronic transactions and, if necessary,

  ment, to the implementation of the communication protocol by the

  first and / or second communication channel, and a second or-

  gane, in particular in the form of a case, comprising said means for establishing the first and second communication channels, as well as means for coupling to the first member; - in the latter case, the portable object may also include

  selector means, controlled by the selective activation means

  ve, to apply a data signal from the microcircuit of the first member either to an internal circuit of the second member, when the selective activation means are in the inactive position, or to a data input of the second data transmission means, when the selective activation means are in the activated position; - the ratio between long range and short range is greater than

  : 1, with in particular a short range less than 1 m, preferably

  rence less than 20 cm, and a long range greater than 10 m,

  preferably greater than 30 m.

  The invention also relates to a system comprising a plurality of devices for receiving data emitted by portable objects such as

  above via said second communication channel, each of these

  positive receivers being associated with a geographic coverage area

  clean, characterized in that it further comprises means for locating

  to determine, in the event of reception of a modulated radio wave coming from a portable object, that or those of the devices

  having received this wave, so as to allow the identification of the zo-

where this portable object is located.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear

  on reading the detailed description below of an example of a

  sation, with reference to the single appended figure, which is a schematic representation of a portable object incorporating the teachings of the invention. In the figure, the reference 10 generally designates a portable object of the "contactless badge" type, which is for example (but not limited to) consisting of a microcircuit card 12 (contact card) inserted in a case 16 integrating the various contactless communication functions in combination with the microcircuit 14 via

an interfacing connector 18.

  Such a mixed structure contact card / case for contactless communication is described in the aforementioned EP-A-0 565 469, to which

  may refer for further details.

  This structure is advantageous in that it makes it possible to distinguish the purely digital functions and signal processing software, specific to the microcircuit 14 of the card (which it is possible to exchange or reprogram easily) and the hardware communication functions.

  for contactless transmission / reception, as well as the supply means

  tation. It is also possible to provide each user with a

  microcircuit card for carrying out tele-banking operations

  letique and integrating in advance also the software specific to the function

  safety call tion; the user of the card may, in a second

  th time, get a case integrating the means to

  actually implement this safety call.

  The microcircuit card 12 can optionally be a mix-

  contacts / contactless authorizing an exchange of data with the

  memory of the microcircuit either via the galvanic contacts or

  by induction by means of circuits incorporated in the card, general circuits

  actually remotely powered by the terminal (these two modes of communication

  alternatives, however, constituting only one "communication channel"

  tion "within the meaning of the invention, since they are intended to transmit es-

  substantially the same data). This mixed type card 12 will be

  serée in the case 16 for the implementation of the functions according to the invention-

  tion. The portable object 10 comprises for the exchange of data inductively a tuned circuit 20 consisting of a coil 22 formed of a

  printed loop and associated with a capacitor 24, the assembly being ac-

  strung on a given frequency, for example 13.56 MHz, allowing bidirectional data exchange with a terminal by the technique

  called "by induction". The portable object also includes a circuit

  analog and digital integrated 26, typically produced from a microcontroller and interfacing circuits, the whole preferably being

  realized in the form of a specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

  Circuit 26 receives data input / output I / O port

  information from the microcircuit 14 via the information connector

  face 18, a line 28 and a selector or multiplexer circuit 30 whose role will be explained below. Circuit 26 is also connected to

  microcircuit 14 via bus 32 (clock, reset, supply voltage

  tation, mass). The circuit 26 is controlled by a quartz 34 and it is connected to a push button 36 which can be actuated externally by the user. Finally,

  all of the circuits of the portable object are powered by one or more

  their batteries 38 such as lithium batteries.

  Characteristically of the invention, the portable object comprises in

  in addition to a data transmission circuit 40 associated with an antenna 42

  pre to emit a radio wave (hertzian). This transmitter is powered by the batteries 38 (or possibly a single battery). It can consist for example of a single transistor associated with a wave filter

  surface and a variable capacitance diode. The associated antenna is im-

  awarded on the circuit in order to obtain a compact product. It will be noted that, in order to reduce the cost of the "safety call" function, a one-way transmission has been chosen, that is to say that the circuit 40 is, in

  the example illustrated, not equipped with reception functions.

  The transmission frequency is (in no way limiting) 433.92 MHz, with a FSK modulation of 10 kHz (+ 20%) of the data applied as input to the I / O port. The transmitted power is of the order of 7 mW (5 dBM), for a consumption of less than 10 mA under a supply voltage of 4.5 to 6 V supplied by two lithium 38 batteries (or possibly a single battery). Circuit 40 also includes

  an activation input WR port on the order of circuit 26.

  The operating sequence is as follows. The first case is that of the entry of the portable object into the field of action of an induction terminal. The circuit 26 then energizes the

  microcircuit 14, which will then decide on its operation by examining

  nant the status register of the circuit 26. The multiplexer 30 directs the signal

  I / O to circuit 26 to allow data exchange by induc-

  tion, in itself known and which will not be described in more detail.

  The second case is that of pressing the push button 36. The cir-

  cooked 26 again turns on the microcircuit 14, which detects this

  support by reading the status register of circuit 26. If this support is

  firm (for example by keeping the push button pressed or by a second short press after the first), the microcircuit 14

  pilot the badge so that it switches to "emergency call transmission" mode.

  This mode will have the effect of making the PWR signal active, which will

  hand, move the multiplexer 30 to the position allowing

  data from line 28 to the I / O input port of the circuit

  cooked transmitter 40 and, on the other hand, control the powering up of the transmitter. The data specific to the emergency call sequence are

  then coded and signed by the microcircuit 14 then transmitted by the

  transmitter to a remote radio receiver device.

  Alternatively, the PWR signal may be generated by the data.

  I / O born from the input port of the transmitter 40.

  In order to secure the call, the message format contains re

  dondance and uses an error correcting code to correct two errors over eight bits. The data transmitted includes for example the serial number of the card accompanied by a DES signature of this number: this information makes it possible to identify the card to

  memory, and therefore the person, from whom the call originated.

  In addition, always for safety, the emergency call message is

repeatedly issued.

  In addition, the software may incorporate a protocol that limits the name-

  number of consecutive calls to avoid misuse, with reset

  by the entry of the portable object in the field of action of a terminal with in-

  duction. The receiver is of a conventional type comprising stages of reception, demodulation and decoding of the signal. In a variant,

  the receiver is of the so-called "scanning" type, which scans the frequency band

  these predictable emissions and which automatically locks onto the

  effective frequency. The receivers are arranged in various suitable places

  required (e.g. underground platforms and corridors) so as to cover the

widest possible area.

  The system advantageously includes discriminating means.

  sensors allowing to know which of the receivers having received the signal

  emergency call, in order to locate the person who made this call

  pel. If several receivers have simultaneously received the call, it comes from a point located in the region where the zones overlap

of action of these transmitters.

Claims (9)

  1. A portable object (10) for use in a transmission system   Contactless secure automatic electronic actions, compression   means to establish a first communication channel,   short range, between the portable object and a terminal, these means   from first means (26) for transmitting data and means (26) for receiving data, cooperating with a tuned element (20) so as to pick up a modulated magnetic field coming from a terminal or to produce in response a modulated disturbance of this magnetic field, characterized in that it further comprises means for establishing   a second long-range communication path between the object   tative and a receiving device, these means comprising second means (40) for transmitting data cooperating with an antenna (42) so as to radiate a modulated radio wave, as well as   means (26, 36, PWR) for selective activation of the second transmission means   if we. 2. The portable object of claim 1, wherein the means   selective activation can be activated at will by the wearer of the ob-   portable jet, and in particular comprise a push button (36).   3. The portable object of claim 2, wherein the means   selective activation include means for detecting a sequence   this predefined pressing of the push button.   4. The portable object of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the   data transmitted by the second means for transmitting data comprising   take identification information specific to the portable object.   5. The portable object of one of claims 1 to 4, comprising   two separable organs, including a first organ (12), in particular in   card-shaped, comprising a microcircuit (14) with a built-in memory   holding data necessary for the implementation of said transactions   electronic communications and possibly the implementation of the protocol   of communication by the first and / or the second communication channel   tion, and a second member (16), in particular in the form of a case, comprising said means (20, 26, 40, 42) for establishing the first and second communication channels, as well as means (18) for coupling to the pre- mier organ.   6. The portable object of claim 5, further comprising   selector means (30), controlled by the selective activation means   ve, to apply a data signal from the microcircuit of the first   mier organ is to an internal circuit (26) of the second organ, when the   selective activation means are in the inactive position, either at a   data input from the second data transmission means (40), when   that the selective activation means are in the activated position.   7. The portable object of one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the   ratio between long range and short range is greater than 10: 1.   8. The portable object of claim 7, wherein the short port-   tee is less than 1 m, preferably less than 20 cm, and the long   range is greater than 10 m, preferably greater than 30 m.   9. A system comprising a plurality of receiving devices   data emitted by portable objects according to one of the claims   1 to 8 via said second communication channel, each of these   positive receivers being associated with a geographic coverage area   clean, characterized in that it further comprises means for locating   to determine, in the event of reception of a modulated radio wave coming from a portable object, that or those of the devices   having received this wave, so as to allow the identification of the zo- where this portable object is located.