Abstract:
A composite device includes an RFID device and a controller. The controller allows the RFID to respond to a query from an external source only when the composite device is at a predetermined location. In this manner, a code associated with the RFID is not released by the RFID anywhere in the world except at the location of the query requester.

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure pertains to a hand-held device, such as a cell phone, with an electronic access control component that provides selectively a code in response to a query, for example, to allow the user of the device to gain access to a secure area. Preferably, the access control component is active only when the user is in the geographic vicinity of the security area. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Historically, access to certain secure areas, including offices, buildings, etc., was controlled using mechanical devices, such as keys, and the like. Advances in field of electronic security provided means of accessing secure areas using electronic devices, such as electric badges, fobs, etc. These electronic devices store an access code. When an electronic signal with a query is received by each device, each device responds with the access code. A security system (which normally generates the initial signal with the query) analyzes the access code received from a particular electronic device, and if the access code is acceptable, the user associated with the respective device is allowed access to the secure area, for example by opening a gate. 
     Such electronic devices have several distinct advantages for the users and the respective security units desiring to control the access. For example, electronic access devices can be smaller and lighter then mechanical keys and, therefore, can be carried easily. 
     From the security unit&#39;s point of view, electronic devices are advantageous because they are harder to duplicate then mechanical keys. Moreover, electronic devices can be used with sophisticated systems to control and/or keep track of who can access a secure area and when. For example, a security system can be set up to allow access to a first group of users at during one particular time period (e.g., weekday mornings), a second group of users at another particular time period (e.g., weekends), etc. Access to a particular secure area by a particular user may also be suspended or terminated by the security unit without the need to obtain the electronic device from the user. 
     A disadvantage of electronic devices of the kind just described is that they still must be carried separately, just like the old mechanical keys. 
     SUMMARY 
     In the present application, an access control device is described that is optionally incorporated as a component into a composite device including, in addition, a cell phone, a music player, a tablet, a pager, etc. In this manner, a user does not have to carry the access control device and the other device separately. 
     For example, a composite device may include a housing including a controller, a geographic locator selectively generating a geographic location signal indicative of the current geographic location of the body and an access control component selectively generating an access control signal for an external device. The access control component is selectively enabled by the controller, preferably only at or near a preset geographic location. On one example, the access control component has an active and a passive mode dependent on said current geographic location. The controller is configured to set said access control component to said active mode when said housing is near a predetermined geographic location. 
     In one example, the access control component is an RFID device. 
     In one example, the composite device of claim includes a memory disposed in the housing, the memory storing a code segment including a predetermined geographic location. Optionally, the memory is also used to store a code transmitted by the access control device. 
     In another example, a composite device includes an RFID device having an active and a passive mode, in said active mode, said RFID being responsive to an external query by generating an RF signal including a predetermined code, said RFID device being unresponsive to said external query in said passive mode. A controller adapted to selectively set said RFID device to one of said modes, the controller being configured to set said RFID device to said active mode only in near a predetermined geographic location. 
     In another example, the composite device also includes a geographic locator adapted to provide a geographic signal indicative a current geographic position. The controller sets said RFID device in accordance with said current geographic position. 
     In one example, the controller is adapted to set said RFID to said active state only when said composite device is near the location of the source of the query. 
     In one example, a memory is also provided in the composite device, the memory storing a geographic segment. The geographic location determines the predetermined geographic location. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         FIG. 1  shows a somewhat diagrammatic representation of a composite electronic device with security access device; 
         FIG. 2  shows a flow chart for setting up the device; 
         FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of a method providing access to a security area using the composite electronic device; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a somewhat diagrammatic representation of a system used to implement the method of  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a composite device  10  that may be used as a means of obtaining access to a secure area, as well as for other purposes. For example, the device  10  may be a cellular telephone, a portable audio or multimedia player, a tablet, etc. Device  10  includes a housing  12 , a screen  14  for providing instructions and content to a user, a microprocessor  16 , a keyboard  18 , a memory  20  and, optionally a geographic locator  22 . Memory  20  is used for storing programs used to operate the device  10  as well as data, as is conventional for such devices. The geographic locator  22  provides geographic information indicative of the current physical location of the device  10 , using, for example, GPS signals from respective satellites, or other known means. For example, signals from cell towers are also used to determine current physical location. Frequently information from both GPS satellites and other sources are used. 
     Importantly device  10  further includes an access control component  24 . The component  24  is activated, either automatically, or manually by a user, and, in response, it generates signals that are analyzed by an appropriate external security system. If these signals are accepted, the user of the composite device  10  is allowed access to a secure area. For example, the signals may include an access code that may be unique to the user, or alternatively, one or more groups of users may be provided with the same access code. 
     The access control component  24  could be an RF device such as an RFID circuit. Such devices can operate in a relative simple mode, or in a complex mode requiring the completion of a handshake protocol before access to the user of device  10 . 
     The signals (typically RF signals) to and from the component  24  are received and transmitted by antenna  26 . The antenna  26  may be shared with other components of device  10 . Moreover, while a single antenna  26  is shown for both received and transmitted signals, separate antennas for these signals may be provided as well. 
       FIG. 2  shows a method of providing the security code for the device  10  by an appropriate authorization system. The authorization system is provided to insure that only authorized personnel are allowed entry into various secure areas. The authorization system performs certain checks and is normally operated only by security personnel to insure the integrity of the process, using predetermined protocols as desired. 
     In step  102  the authorization system gets a request for a security code for a particular individual. As discussed above, in some instances, either all, or a group of individuals may be assigned the same security code. In other instances, each individual user receives a unique access code. Moreover, the access code may be temporary or may change over time. In step  104 , the authorizing system also receives geographic location information defining the physical location of the respective secure area. This information may be derived from local geographic locators (not shown), may be a predetermined parameter, etc. 
     In step  104  an access code is generated for device  10 , including a separate geographic location segment. 
     In step  106  the access code is either stored directly into the device  10  (for example, the authorization system may have a docking station receiving device  10  for this purpose), or the access code is transmitted to the device  10  and it is stored in memory  120 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show how a user P associated with device  10  is provided access to a secure area. The user P can be holding the device  10  in his hand or store it in a pocket, a briefcase, a pocketbook, etc. 
     Access to the respective secure area is controlled by a security system  40  including a master station  42 , a microprocessor  44  and a memory  46 . It should be understood that the microprocessor  44  and memory  46  may be integrated into the master station  42 , but are shown here as separate elements for the sake of clarity. 
     The master station  42  is provided for controlling one or more gates (not shown) or other access means and includes an optional camera  50 , a keyboard  52  and a transceiver  54 . Memory  46  contains codes specific to each user P, or a class of users together with rules (if any) setting forth when these users are allowed access to the associated secure area. 
     In one scenario, the access component  24  is a standard component based on an RFID chip or other similar technology such as a near field communication technology with the geographical locator  22  playing no part in providing access to a user. In this scenario, the component  24  may be powered by its own power supply, may share a power source with the rest of the elements of device  10 , or may be powered by the received RF signals. 
     In this scenario, a user P approaches and activates the device  40 . The device  40  sends out query signals through the transceiver  54 . The access component  24  responds with the access code assigned to the user P. The microprocessor  44  analyzes the response, comparing the access code received from device  10  with codes stored in memory  46 , if necessary. If the user P is authorized to access the secure area, the system  40  sends out a signal that activates an appropriate audio or visual device (not shown), generates an activating signal to enable a gate (not shown) to open, etc. In some instances, in addition, to confirm that the user P is authorized, he may be required to enter a code on keyboard  52  and/or the camera  50  is used to acquire an image of P which is then analyzed in a conventional manner. 
     In a preferred scenario, as previously mentioned, the memory  20  is used to store the access code(s) for user P each access code being associated with, or including a geographic location segment associated with, or designating the geographic location of the security system  40 . In this case, the microprocessor is adapted to disable the access component  24  so that it is normally in an inactive mode. While the access component is in an inactive mode, it does not react to any queries or any other signals. An advantage of this operation is that if an unauthorized person steals or temporary borrows the device  10 , and tries to read or transfer the access code assigned to P, he can&#39;t do it since the access component  24  will not respond. Similarly, this person could not surreptitiously send a query signal to device  10  and obtain the access code. 
     However when the user P is close enough to the security system  40 , as determined by locator  22  (e.g., within 10-20 feet), the access component  24  is activated. Referring to  FIG. 4 , in step  130  the microprocessor  16  in device  10  compares its current location, as indicated by the locator  22  with the location of the security system  40  as indicated by the geographic location segment of the access code. If the microprocessor  16  determines that it is geographically close to the security system  40  then in step  132  contact is established therewith. In step  134  a request is made by the security system  40  for the access code of user P. In step  136  the access code is sent to the security system  40 . 
     In step  138  a check is performed by the security system  40  to determine if the access code is acceptable. If it is, then a gate is activated and the user can proceed to the secure area in step  140 . If not, then in step  142 , a visual, audible and/or other alarm is triggered. 
     Composite device  10  has been described as providing selective access to a secure area. Of course, it may also be used for many other purposes in a similar manner, such as providing access to special equipment (e.g., an ATM). 
     Devices incorporating RFID devices frequently do not include a battery or other power sources and therefore, frequently, the RFID uses the energy of any incoming query to power itself. However, in one example, the devices describe include a power supply, such as a battery, shared by the other device and the RFID. 
     Numerous modifications can be made to the described systems without departing from the scope as defined herein.