JEWELRY RING HAVING A RFID TRANSPONDER AND A READING ARRANGEMENT

A jewelry ring, such as a jewelry finger ring which is worn in particular on the finger, has a metal base body, which forms a fitting receptacle, and a radio-frequency identification (i.e., “RFID”) transponder in which readable data are stored and which has an antenna structure via which signals can be transmitted to a reading device. It is provided here that the RFID transponder is arranged on the inner side of the metal base body.

FIELD

The invention relates to a jewelry ring, such as, for example, a jewelry finger ring or wedding ring, according to the preamble of claim1. In this case, the jewelry ring has a metal base body, which is formed, for example, from precious metal, such as in particular a gold, silver and/or platinum alloy, and forms a fitting receptacle for fastening the jewelry ring on a finger of the wearer. In addition, a radio-frequency identification (hereinafter “RFID”) transponder is provided on the jewelry ring in which readable data are stored, which are used, for example, to identify the user or which comprise access rights, for example for opening doors or for accessing computer systems. For this purpose, the RFID transponder is connected to an antenna structure or itself has an integrated antenna structure via which signals can be exchanged by a reading device.

BACKGROUND

EP2597723A1 discloses a jewelry ring on which an RFID transponder is accommodated in a recess of a metal base body which is let into an outer side. In this case, the RFID transponder is at least partially covered outwardly by an amorphous decorative element arranged on the metal base body.

WO 2018/020055 A1 describes a ring for near-field communication (NFC) via its outer side. For this purpose, the ring has an outer shell, on the inner side of which an annular seal can be inserted. An annular receptacle in which an NFC chip connected to an antenna structure is inserted is formed between the outer shell and the seal.

Such an arrangement of an RFID transponder enables a simple data transmission between a chip of the RFID transponder by an activation/reading device arranged outside the jewelry ring in order to store corresponding data on the chip and/or to be able to read already stored data. As a result, with the RFID transponder for example, a code for opening an electronic lock can be stored on a jewelry ring and read from the outside by a reading device. In this way, a jewelry ring worn on the finger can be held against a lock, such as a building or car door, in order to open it.

In addition to such uses of a piece of jewelry with an easily readable RFID transponder, there is a need on the market for jewelry rings, which ensure particularly secure storage of data or codes, such as codes that allow access to a bank account or to cryptocurrencies. Known jewelry rings are not suitable for such applications, since they are primarily designed for comfortable and simple opening of accesses, and the stored data must be relatively easy to read for this purpose. In this case, there is in particular the risk that by simply positioning a reading device against a piece of jewelry worn by a user, the stored data could also be read by unauthorized persons, who would thereby gain access to the relevant accounts or cryptocurrencies.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned in the case of a generic jewelry ring and to reliably avoid unauthorized access to the stored data.

SUMMARY

The aforementioned object is achieved by a jewelry ring having the features of the appending claims. The RFID transponder is arranged on the inside of the metal base body, and the metal base body shields the RFID transponder closed to the outside, as a result of which a data transmission from the RFID transponder to a reading device arranged outside the ring and, vice versa, a transmission from a transmitting device arranged outside the ring to the RFID transponder can be completely blocked. As a result, it is possible to design the jewelry ring such that the RFID transponder can only be read from its inner side. As a result, the data stored on the RFID transponder are reliably secured against being read while the jewelry ring is being worn on the finger. In this case, not only a reading but also a manipulation of the data stored in the RFID transponder can be reliably prevented when the jewelry ring is being worn.

It is advantageous if the RFID transponder is accommodated in a transponder receptacle which is let into an inner side of the metal base body. As a result, a robust fastening and a secure shielding of the RFID transponder to the outside is possible. In this case, the transponder receptacle can already be provided during the manufacture of the jewelry ring or metal base body or alternatively can also be worked into an already existing jewelry ring, as required.

Advantageously, the transponder receptacle is formed by a hole. In this way, a particularly robust fastening and a particularly good shielding to the outside can be ensured. In addition, in this way the interior arrangement of the RFID transponder in a jewelry ring can be implemented in a relatively simple manner also subsequently.

In addition, it is advantageous if the transponder receptacle is configured in the shape of a groove, which allows the RFID transponder to be fastened in any circumferential position on the inside of the ring. In addition, the groove-shaped20design of the transponder receptacle also allows at least one further RFID transponder to be accommodated, if necessary.

Advantageously, at least one further RFID transponder is accommodated on the inside of the metal base body. In this way, the region in which a reliable data transmission at the inside of the jewelry ring is possible can be increased in order to be able to read the stored data securely. In particular, the groove-shaped design of the transponder receptacle enables the fastening of at least one further RFID transponder on the inside or the circumferential arrangement of a transponder array. In this case, the readable data on the RFID transponders provided are advantageously stored redundantly, so that in the event of a lacking readability of a single RFID transponder the data concerned can be made available by the at least one further RFID transponder or the other RFID transponders of the transponder array.

In addition, it is advantageous if the at least one RFID transponder is designed as a passive transponder, so that it is available without its own power supply and thus almost indefinitely in terms of time. The passive RFID transponder can thereby be activated at any time by an electromagnetic field of an external reading device in order to transfer or make available the readable data.

It is also advantageous if the at least one RFID transponder has a near-field antenna integrated into a chip housing. Such antennas can be made available in a relatively small size, whereby they can be integrated into the jewelry ring in a particularly simple manner. In addition, the use of a near-field antenna which allows communication of the RFID transponder with a reading device only at a distance of at most 2 cm can effectively prevent the readable data being read by unauthorized third parties or being provided unintentionally.

In addition, it is advantageous if the RFID transponder is kept at a distance from the metal base body in a contactless manner, whereby interference-free data transmission can be ensured.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the RFID transponder is covered towards the fitting receptacle by a non-metallic material, which at least partially closes off the transponder receptacle. As a result, it is possible to accommodate the RFID transponder or its antenna structure at least largely invisibly and protected in the transponder receptacle without significant interference occurring during the reading of the stored data. The non-metallic materials can be used here as an additional structural element on the inside of the jewelry ring, so that the design and the overall impression of the quality of the jewelry ring can be preserved despite the at least one RFID transponder accommodated therein.

It is advantageous if the non-metallic material is formed at least partially by a carbon-fiber structure, a lacquer or a ceramic. As a result, the reduction of the transmitting and receiving power of the RFID transponders by the covering material can be limited to a minimum. In addition, the use of these materials makes it possible to provide particularly effective protection of the RFID transponders relative to mechanically or chemically acting stresses, which are caused, for example, by shocks, canting or penetrating fluids.

Alternatively or additionally, the non-metallic material can advantageously be formed at least partially by a gemstone which is formed from a crystalline or amorphous material. In particular, the gemstones can be formed by a monocrystalline material, in particular by zirconia. By using crystalline or amorphous stones or zirconia stones, the at least one RFID transponder can be covered and integrated particularly inconspicuously even in the case of high-quality jewelry objects, such as precious metal rings studded with precious stones.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a reading arrangement with a jewelry ring in one of the above-described embodiments and a reading device for a data exchange with the RFID transponder of the jewelry ring, wherein the reading device has a reading area which can be inserted into the fitting receptacle and has receiving means for reading data from the RFID transponder. While the data stored on the RFID transponder are securely protected from unauthorized access due to the shielding to the outside and the limited range of the near-field antenna to the inside while the jewelry ring is being worn on the finger, the jewelry ring can be removed from the finger for reading the data and plugged onto the reading area of the reading device. In this reading area, the receiving means are arranged such that the at least one RFID transponder can be positioned sufficiently close to the receiving means in the plugged-on state of the jewelry ring in order to enable an undisturbed data transmission. In the case of a passive RFID transponder, an activation signal with an activation and reception frequency is transmitted to the jewelry object by activation means of the reading device, whereby an alternating electromagnetic field is generated. The frequency energy of this alternating electromagnetic field here serves as a power supply for the passive RFID chip during the communication process, during which the data stored thereon are transferred to the receiving means of the reading device.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the jewelry ring can be plugged onto the reading area in order to enable a secure positioning of the at least one RFID transponder relative to the activation means and the receiving means of the reading device.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if, in this case, a tapering section which is arranged before the reading area is provided in the plug-on direction in order to make it easier to plug onto the reading device.

Here, it is particularly preferred if an alignment arrangement is provided on the jewelry ring and the reading device, by means of which alignment arrangement the jewelry ring can be positioned at the reading area in a predetermined rotational position in which the RFID transponder is arranged adjacent to the receiving means of the reading area. The alignment arrangement can have, for example, alignment means which are formed by an inner contour and/or an outer contour of the jewelry ring or of its metal base body. These alignment means interact with corresponding, in particular complementary alignment counterpart means, which are formed on the reading device. These alignment means and alignment counterpart means are arranged in such a way that the jewelry ring is deflected away via a plug-on movement in such a way that it assumes a predetermined rotational position on the reading area when a final or stop position on the reading device is reached, in which rotational position the RFID transponder is arranged adjacent to the receiving means.

It is pointed out that all the above-described features of the subject-matter according to the invention are interchangeable or can be combined with one another, provided an exchange or a combination thereof is not ruled out for technical reasons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally, the following description and the corresponding figures disclose a jewelry ring (2), such as a jewelry finger ring which is worn in particular on the finger (F), where the jewelry ring has a metal base body (4), which forms a fitting receptacle (6), and an RFID transponder (12) in which readable data is stored and which has an antenna structure (22) via which signals can be transmitted to a reading device (32). It is provided here that the RFID transponder (12) is arranged on the inner side of the metal base body (4), and wherein the metal base body outwardly shields the RFID transponder.

Additionally, the following description and corresponding figures generally disclose a reading arrangement with the aforementioned jewelry ring (2) and a reading device for data exchange with the RFID transponder of the jewelry ring, wherein the reading device (32) comprises a reading area (34) with receiving means (36) for reading data from the RFID transponder (12), which reading area (34) can be inserted into the fitting receptacle (6).

Further, the following description and corresponding figures generally disclose a reading arrangement with a jewelry ring, specifically the aforementioned jewelry ring (2), wherein an alignment arrangement is provided on the jewelry ring (3) and on the reading device (32), by means of which alignment arrangement the jewelry ring (2) can be positioned at the reading area (34) in a predetermined rotational position in which the RFID transponder (12) is arranged adjacent to the receiving means (36) of the reading area (34).

FIGS.1and2show a jewelry ring2in the form of a jewelry finger ring with a metal base body4, which forms a fitting receptacle6, by means of which the jewelry ring2can be put on a finger F. The metal base body4is formed in particular by precious metal, such as in particular by a gold, silver and/or platinum alloy.

On an inner side8delimiting the fitting receptacle6, the metal base body4has a transponder receptacle10which serves for fastening an RFID transponder12. The transponder receptacle10can, as shown, be formed by a hole14in the form of a blind hole let into the inner side8. As a result, the RFID transponder12accommodated therein is shielded outwardly by a closed outer side16of the metal base body4.

The RFID transponder12is here designed as a passive transponder with a chip housing18in which a memory chip20and an antenna structure22are accommodated. The memory chip20here serves to store data such as, in particular, identification or access data or codes, such as access codes for bank accounts or cryptocurrencies. The antenna structure22preferably forms a near-field antenna, the range of which extends exclusively into the fitting receptacle6and in this case is at most 2 cm.

As can be seen in particular fromFIG.2, the RFID transponder12is held in the transponder receptacle10at a distance from the metal base body4, for example by means of an adhesive24. In addition, the RFID transponder12is covered by a non-metallic material M towards the fitting receptacle6, which non-metallic material closes off the transponder receptacle10. In this case, the non-metallic material M can be formed at least in part by a carbon fiber structure, a lacquer or a ceramic. Alternatively or additionally, the non-metallic material M closing off the transponder receptacle can also be formed by a gemstone26.

FIGS.3and4show an alternative embodiment of the jewelry ring2, in which the transponder receptacle10is formed by a groove28which is let into the inner side8, in particular a circumferential groove28. This enables at least one further RFID transponder12or a transponder array, that is for example circumferentially arranged, to be accommodated. As an alternative to accommodating the at least two RFID transponders12in the common groove28, two or more holes14can also be let into the inner side8.

In this case, both the at least one hole14and the groove28can already be provided during the manufacture of the jewelry ring2or can also be introduced only subsequently into an existing jewelry ring2, for example by drilling or milling.

FIGS.5and6show a reading arrangement30with the jewelry ring2and a reading device32, which is provided for communicating with the RFID transponder12.

In this case, the reading device32is shaped in one part such that the jewelry ring2can be plugged thereon along a plug-on direction R and into abutment with an end stop E which is formed adjacent to a reading area34. In this reading area34, receiving means36are accommodated, by means of which the RFID transponder12can be read.

In order to enable easier plugging-on of the jewelry ring2in the plug-on direction R, a tapering section38, which is arranged upstream of the reading area, is additionally provided on the reading device32.

In addition, alignment means40, such as, for example, contour-forming regions on the outer side16, can be provided on the jewelry ring2, which in an intended rotational position of the jewelry ring2in relation to the reading device32can be brought into interaction with, for example, complementary alignment counterpart means42. During the interaction of the alignment means40and alignment counterpart means42, the jewelry ring2can be brought into a predetermined rotational position or held there when the end stop E is reached, in which position the at least one RFID transponder12is arranged adjacent to the receiving means36, as shown inFIG.6.

In this predetermined end stop position, an alternating electromagnetic field, which activates the RFID transponder12, can now be generated via activation means46of the reading device32, so that the data stored therein can be transferred to the adjacent receiving means36of the reading device32. Via the reading device32, the data can then be further used to grant the user the access concerned, such as to a bank account or to a cryptocurrency.

It is pointed out that all the above-described elements and features of the various embodiments of the subject-matter according to the invention are interchangeable or can be combined with one another, provided an exchange or a combination thereof is not ruled out for technical reasons.