Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7597250?ie=ISO-8859-1
Timestamp: 2015-09-01 07:00:21
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Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60']

Patent US7597250 - RFID reader with multiple interfaces - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA pocket-size RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, and having a biometric sensor, thereby providing two levels of personalization. The apparatus may have a wireless interface; and a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I/O device....http://www.google.com/patents/US7597250?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7597250 - RFID reader with multiple interfacesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7597250 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/420,747Publication dateOct 6, 2009Filing dateMay 27, 2006Priority dateNov 17, 2003Fee statusLapsedAlso published asUS20060219776Publication number11420747, 420747, US 7597250 B2, US 7597250B2, US-B2-7597250, US7597250 B2, US7597250B2InventorsDavid FinnOriginal AssigneeDpd Patent Trust Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (89), Non-Patent Citations (21), Referenced by (65), Classifications (38), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetRFID reader with multiple interfaces
US 7597250 B2Abstract
A pocket-size RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface and a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, and having a biometric sensor, thereby providing two levels of personalization. The apparatus may have a wireless interface; and a slot for insertion of a wireless SD I/O device. The apparatus may have a slot for insertion of an external memory device. The apparatus may have a mechanical connection (contact) interface. The apparatus may also have an RF interface for reading an electronic immobilizer within the apparatus.
1. Method of using an RFID reader comprising:
providing an RFID reader apparatus having a contactless interface, a slot for insertion of a contactless smart card fob, a biometric interface and a biometric sensor; and
disposing a switch under the biometric sensor for powering up the RFID reader apparatus when the biometric sensor is being used;
the RFID reader apparatus can enter several password protected sites or networks with a “Single Sign-on” by comparing a live and a reference fingerprint for authentication and reading the credentials and privileges stored in the contactless smart card fob for authorization to an access restricted site or network; and
updating encrypted keys for access to password protected sites in synchronization with an Internet Atomic Clock.
providing a wireless interface; and
providing a slot for insertion of a wireless secure digital (SD) I/O device.
wherein the apparatus is pocket-size.
providing the apparatus with an interface for interfacing with an Internet-capable appliance; and
the interface with the Internet-capable appliance in a Private Area Network is selected from the group consisting of Zigbee, NFC, Bluetooth, Ultra Wide Band (UWB), wireless USB, Infrared; and
the interface with the Internet-capable appliance for a Local Area Network is selected from the group consisting of 802.11 a/b/g, 802.11n and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX).
emulating Multiple ISO Standard Protocols (Mifare, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, NFC, etc) by storing the communication protocols and the modulation type of each transponder type in memory, at mask level or in any other non-erasable memory form.
Providing the apparatus with extended memory selected from the group consisting of EEPROM, (NAND) flash memory and hard disk drive (HDD).
the RFID reader apparatus can generate Transaction Authentication Numbers (TAN) and One-Time-Passwords (OTP) when in an electromagnetic field, in a wireless hotspot and can synchronize itself with an Internet atomic clock, for the purpose of time synchronous password generation and for recording events & transactions with an exact time/date stamp.
the RFID reader apparatus can validate whether a user is allowed to access a network (logical access) or enter a facility (physical access) using a wireless interface; and
real time upgrading & revoking of privileges or authorizing certain activities and access permissions can be implemented when the user is in a WPAN (wireless personal area network) or a WLAN (wireless local area network).
a slot for receiving a secure digital (SD) card; and
the SD card has a hatch for receiving a SIM card, and performs a secure token function.
a slot for receiving a secure digital (SD) I/O card; and
the SD I/O card has a hatch for receiving a SIM card, and performs a secure token function.
the RFID reader apparatus can perform one or more of the following functions:
monitor and record environmental parameters and can receive or transmit data via a wireless interface in periodic sessions to optimize power consumption;
store medical images in DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications) standard file format; and
incorporate a real-time location system for patient location determination when an alert button is pressed.
the apparatus has a slot, hatch or recess for a WIM (Wireless Application Protocol Identity Module) card.
personalizing the RFID reader apparatus at two levels, firstly by inserting the contactless smart card fob with a cardholder's credentials into the reader apparatus to give it a first layer of personality and secondly at an initialization stage, by the cardholder taking a digital imprint of their finger or thumb and storing the digital imprint in the memory of the RFID reader apparatus.
initiating a transaction with an external entity by the user pressing on the biometric sensor, which then measures a current fingerprint pattern for the user pressing on the biometric sensor; and
acknowledging a transaction by comparing the current measured fingerprint pattern with the template of the authorized user's fingerprint which is stored in the memory of the RFID reader; and
sending a contactless or wireless authorization signal to the external entity.
storing a biometric profile of a user in the RFID reader apparatus, thereby making the apparatus unique to the user, as it authenticates the identity of the smart card holder by sensing the smart card user's fingerprint and comparing it with the user's biometric profile stored in its memory.
turning on the RFID reader apparatus when the biometric sensor is being used.
inserting a removable secure digital (SD) I/O device into the RFID reader apparatus, for wireless communication.
inserting a removable memory device into the RFID reader apparatus, for allowing the user to transport data from the RFID apparatus to another apparatus.
providing a mechanical connection (contact) interface.
providing an electronic immobilizer within the RFID reader apparatus for authenticating the user to perform a function in an external entity.
inserting the smart card fob with a cardholder's credentials into the reader apparatus;
taking a digital imprint of the cardholder's finger or thumb; and
storing the digital imprint in a memory of the smart card fob.
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/990,296 filed Nov. 16, 2004 (published as 20050109841 May 26, 2005), claiming priority of
Provisional Application No. 60/602,595 filed Aug. 18, 2004 Provisional Application No. 60/562,204 filed Apr. 14, 2004 Provisional Application No. 60/520,698 filed Nov. 17, 2003 This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/355,264 filed Feb. 15, 2006, claiming priority of
Provisional Application No. 60/652,895 filed Feb. 15, 2005. Provisional Application No. 60/660,398 filed Mar. 10, 2005. Provisional Application No. 60/664,974 filed Mar. 24, 2005. This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/381,389 filed 03 May 2006
This is a non-provisional filing of:
Provisional Application No. 60/734,409 filed Nov. 08, 2005 Provisional Application No. 60/725,818 filed Oct. 12, 2005 Provisional Application No. 60/708,707 filed Aug. 16, 2005 Provisional Application No. 60/708,628 filed Aug. 16, 2005 Provisional Application No. 60/691,337 filed Jun. 16, 2005 Provisional Application No. 60/685,503 filed May 27, 2005 All of the above are incorporated (in their entirety) by reference herein, and all of the above name David Finn as an inventor.
In the corporate environment, contactless technology is used in access control (physical), network logon (logical) and for authenticating a document, an email, a file or any form of written communication with a digital signature, certificate, password or cryptographic key (Public & Private Key Infrastructure).
In secure identification applications, contactless technology is often married with biometric identifiers storing the template of a fingerprint, facial image, blood veins pattern of a hand or iris scan in the memory of the RFID chip. For example, at security checkpoints in an airport, contactless smart cards can be used to enable faster passage of “registered travelers” or “frequent travelers” through special security lanes. The biometric kiosks equipped with an RFID reader compare the image presented by the traveler to data stored on the contactless smart card to verify that the traveler is the same person.
In a move towards greater border control, travel documents need to be tamper-proof machine—readable passports (MRP) that incorporate contactless IC chips, as well as biometric identifiers that comply with standards established by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
Chip-based contactless smart cards and keychain fobs loaded with payment applications are used by commuters in mass transit to pay fares. To conduct the transaction the commuter simply taps their contactless card on a reader which deducts the price of the ticket or fare from the stored value in the memory of the RFID chip. This Tap-and-Go technology is also used in convenience stores, cafes, pharmacies and movie theaters to make low-value purchases that don't require a cardholder signature. Contactless electronic payment applications also include vending, ticketing, parking, toll collection and redemption of vouchers, points or coupons earned from a merchant loyalty program.
In another example, a consumer can load cash to the electronic purse of the contactless smart card via Internet banking, and while still connected to the PC use the stored value to pay for online products or services. Equally, a consumer can load electronic cash to the contactless smart card and use the e-cash at participating merchants to pay for goods and services.
NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled devices, including mobile phones, have contactless chips that can function like payment cards and download ticketing and other information from chip embedded “smart posters”. Mobile telephones are also used for small value purchases, to pay for parking meters, taxi fares and vending machine items.
In the above applications the contactless smart card or fob is a passive device and a separate entity to the RFID reader. In standard use, the reader is a stationary device connected to a PC or integrated into a terminal or kiosk.
Portable mobile handheld readers with multiple interfaces are known. See, for example, standard POS terminals from Hypercom (www.hypercom.com) and Ingenico (www.ingenico.com).
For example, conventional POS (Point of Sale) terminals are used by merchants to charge an amount owed on purchases by swiping a credit card or inserting a contact/contactless smart card and by entering a PIN (personal identification number) into the reader, then seeking clearance of payment by communicating in wireless mode with the network which dials up the respective payment clearing center or trust center for acceptance of the purchase amount. These devices are handheld and portable, but are not well suited for carrying around in your pocket, because of their weight (approximately 700 grams) and size (bulky, because of their requirement for battery power). The wireless interface is for communicating with a central server over the Wi-Fi network in a store, for authorization of a credit card payment.
Handheld readers are also used for ID verification in mobile applications such as;
Employee ID in large restricted areas (e.g. airports, seaports, military bases and ships) and attended access control gates Cross border control to authenticate travel documents (e-Passport and Visa) from a citizen of any nation National ID to verify a holder of a government ID card These handheld readers support several types of cards; contact (ISO 7816), contactless (ISO 14443 type A/B, MIFARE, DESFire) and incorporate a biometric fingerprint sensor (3-D capacitive) to authenticate the employee's or citizen's fingerprint against the fingerprint template stored on the card and to display his/her credentials along with results. Using the wireless communication interface (via a standard access point), the reader obtains constant access to updated information on the database servers. The reader can also communicate with the servers through cellular technologies like GSM (GPRS) or CDMA.
The company Labcal in Canada is working in this area. See http://www.labcal.com/. For example, Labcal's Be.U Mobile SMC-800 MCW is a handheld unit for checking the identity of an employee in large restricted areas. The employee's credentials, including a biometric template of his or her fingerprint is stored in the memory of the ID chip card or contactless card. The access control guard simply inserts the card into the handheld unit and all information pertaining to the individual is shown on the display. The guard can also scan a live fingerprint and compare it with the template stored in the memory of the chip card. This handheld unit has also a wireless interface and can communicate with a central server to check the current status of his or her contract and areas of admission or restriction in the facility. It can also be used for cross border control.
Labcal's new rugged mobile reader is algorithm agnostic and can be used with existing AFIS systems. Moreover, the Be.U Mobile performs 1:1 matching with an ID document, contact or contactless card and 1:N matching by storing the fingerprint templates and the credentials in the reader or on a server. The reader communicates wirelessly with the server via Wi-Fi, GSM or CDMA. The Be.U Mobile is also available with an embedded bar code scanner which allows 1D and 2D bar code decoding.
In these remote ID verification applications, the mobile handheld readers are held by access control guards, law enforcement personnel & police, and not by the citizen nor by the employee. The handheld readers are only used to check the credentials of the individual. The contactless smart card carried by the person in question is not an integral part of the handheld reader. The individual is in no position to authorize a transaction using the biometric identifier in the handheld, nor can the individual download e-money, value or content from an Internet-connected PC to the contactless smart card. In short, the handheld readers with multiple interfaces for identification verification and point-of-sale are not pocket size devices, nor do they allow the consumer, citizen or employee to have control over identification, authentication, memory storage and “pay-as-you-go” applications.
Pay-By-Touch
“Pay-By-Touch” technology allows consumers the option of paying for groceries using a finger scan linked to their bank account. The “Pay-By-Touch” system scans customers' fingerprints at the point of sale terminal and links the image with an electronic wallet which holds financial and loyalty program data, eliminating the need to carry cards, cash or a check book.
Most vehicles today have an electronic immobilizer for protecting a vehicle against unauthorized use. In such devices, the inductive key/steering-column lock communication channel constitutes a very short-range radio transmission link operating at around 125 KHz (low frequency) which deactivates the immobilizing function when the electronic key is inserted into the steering-column lock. The ensuing check of a use authorization code stored in the key transponder confirms that the key is the one authorizing the use of the vehicle. The communication is between an RFID reader mounted in the steering-column lock and the vehicle key with transponder constituting the electronic immobilizer, moreover with the additional function of remote control. The transponder device is often packaged in a glass tube or plastic brick for integration in the vehicle key housing.
USB Short for “Universal Serial Bus”. USB is a serial bus standard (standardized communications protocol) that enables data exchange between electronic devices. USB supports data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps (megabits per second). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. USB also supports plug-and-play installation and “hot plugging”. USB is expected to completely replace serial and parallel ports. Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) similar to FireWire technology, supports data rates up to 480 Mbps. Ethernet A local-area network (LAN) architecture developed by Xerox Corporation in cooperation with DEC and Intel in 1976. Ethernet uses a bus or star topology and supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. The Ethernet specification served as the basis for the IEEE 802.3 standard, which specifies the physical and lower software layers. Ethernet uses the CSMA/CD access method to handle simultaneous demands. It is one of the most widely implemented LAN standards. A newer version of Ethernet, called 100Base-T (or Fast Ethernet), supports data transfer rates of 100 Mbps. And the newest version, Gigabit Ethernet supports data rates of 1 gigabit (1,000 megabits) per second. IEEE 1394 IEEE 1394 (also known as FireWire� and iLINK™) is a high-bandwidth isochronous (real-time) interface for computers, peripherals, and consumer electronics products such as camcorders, VCRs, printers, PCs, TVs, and digital cameras. With IEEE 1394-compatible products and systems, users can transfer video or still images from a camera or camcorder to a printer, PC, or television (TV), with no image degradation. SD Short for “Secure Digital”. SD is a technology standard for providing portable devices with non-volatile memory/storage and peripheral I/O expansion capability. On some devices this standard is implemented in the form of SD memory expansion cards, used to store digital information like applications, databases, photos, text, audio, video or MP3 music files, and an SD/SDIO expansion slot. The SD standard makes it possible to transfer information between devices that support SD expansion cards (e.g. transfer photos between a digital camera and a PDA by exchanging the SD expansion card), assuming both devices support the file format used for the transferred information (e.g. JPEG image file). SDIO Short for “Secure Digital Input/Output”. SDIO is a part of the SD memory specification. It enables I/O (input/output) expansion for add-ons such as serial, modem, camera or GPS (global positioning system) cards. Whereas SD is only used for storage expansion cards, an SDIO capable expansion slot can also support SD expansion cards, while an SD-capable slot may not support an SDIO expansion card. SIM Short for “Secure Identity Module” or “Subscriber Identification/Identity Module”. A SIM card inscribed with a customer's information and designed to be inserted into any mobile telephone. Usually SIM card phones work by GSM technology. The SIM card contains a user's GSM mobile account information. SIM cards are portable between GSM devices—the user's mobile subscriber information moves to whatever device houses the SIM.
ISO 7816 ISO7816 defines specification of smart card contact interface IC chip and IC card. The main ISO standard relating to smart cards is ISO 7816: “Identification cards: integrated circuit cards with contacts”.
Wireless Technology that allows a user to communicate and/or connect to the Internet or mobile phone networks without physical wires. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth�, CDMA and GSM are all examples of wireless technology. Wi-Fi Short for “Wireless Fidelity”. Wireless technology, also known as 802.11b, enables you to access the Internet, to send and receive email, and browse the Web anywhere within range of a Wi-Fi access point, or HotSpot. Bluetooth A wireless technology developed by Ericsson, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba that specifies how mobile phones, computers and PDAs interconnect with each other, with computers, and with office or home phones. The technology enables data connections between electronic devices in the 2.4 GHz range at 720 Kbps (kilo bits per second) within a 10 meter range. Bluetooth uses low-power radio frequencies to transfer information wirelessly between similarly equipped devices. UWB is short for “Ultra Wide Band”. UWB is a wireless communications technology that transmits data in short pulses which are spread out over a wide swath of spectrum. Because the technology does not use a single frequency, UWB enjoys several potential advantages over single-frequency transmissions. For one, it can transmit data in large bursts because data is moving on several channels at once. Another advantage is that it can share frequencies, which is used by other applications because it transmits only for extremely short periods, which do not last long enough to cause interference with other signals. WLAN Short for “wireless local-area network”. Also referred to as LAWN. A WLAN is a type of local-area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires for communication between nodes (e.g., between PCs). IEEE 802.11 The IEEE standard for wireless Local Area Networks (LANs). It uses three different physical layers, 802.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g. WiMAX short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. (IEEE 802.16) WiMAX is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances, such as several kilometers (up to 50 km with direct line-of-sight, up to 8 km without direct line-of-sight). WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including “last mile” broadband connections, hotspots and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for business.
Contactless Interfaces
ISO 14443 ISO 14443 RFID cards; contactless proximity cards operating at 13.56 MHz with a read/write range of up to 10 cm. ISO 14443 defines the contactless interface smart card technical specification. ISO 15693 ISO standard for contactless integrated circuits, such as used in RF-ID tags. ISO 15693 RFID cards; contactless vicinity cards operating at 13.56 MHz with a read/write range of up to 100 cm. (ISO 15693 is typically not used for financial transactions because of its relatively long range as compared with ISO 14443.) NFC Short for “Near Field Communication”. NFC is a contactless connectivity technology that enables short-range communication between electronic devices. If two devices are held close together (for example, a mobile phone and a personal digital assistant), NFC interfaces establish a peer-to-peer protocol, and information such as phone book details can be passed freely between them. NFC devices can be linked to contactless smart cards, and can operate like a contactless smart card, even when powered down. This means that a mobile phone can operate like a transportation card, and enable fare payment and access to the subway. NFC is an open platform technology standardized in ECMA (European Computer Manufacturers Association) 340 as well as ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) TS 102 190 V 1.1.1 and ISO/IEC 18092. These standards specify the modulation schemes, coding, transfer speeds, and frame format of the RF interface of NFC devices, as well as initialization schemes and conditions required for data collision-control during initialization—for both passive and active modes.
Wireless Versus Contactless Interfaces
The wireless interfaces of interest in the present invention are principally WLAN, Zigbee, Bluetooth and UWB. These wireless interfaces operate at a distance of several meters, generally for avoiding “cable spaghetti” for example, Bluetooth for headsets and other computer peripherals. WLAN is typically used for networking several computers in an office.
A distinction has been made between contactless interfaces operating at very short distances (such as only up to 10 cm, 50 cm or 100 cm) such as for secure financial transactions, and wireless interfaces operating at moderate distance, such as up to 100 m. Further distinctions between wireless interfaces may be made as follows.
802.11 (Wi-Fi) typically has a range of up to 100 meters, and is typically intended for connectivity to an Internet-capable appliance at a hot-spot. Wi-Fi bandwidth is specified at up to 54 Mbps (802.11 a—5.0 GHz or 802.11 b/g—2.4 GHz). Bluetooth typically has a range of up to 10 meters, and is typically intended for private/personal communications such as connecting a user's mobile phone with his computer, or with a Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth bandwidth is specified at 720 Kbps. UWB short for ultra wideband. UWB is a signaling technique using very short pulses to achieve very high transfer speeds. UWB it is not limited to wireless communication, UWB can also use mains-wiring, coaxial cable or twisted-pair cables to communicate. In a wireless mode, UWB may be similar in range to Bluetooth (typically up to 10 meters), but with a much greater bandwidth. Theoretically, WAN can achieve transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s, versus only up to 3 Mbps for Bluetooth. WAN short for wireless area network. Using a WAN connection such as 802.11, a WAN has a range of up to approximately 100 meters. PAN short for private area network. Using a wireless connection such as Bluetooth, a PAN has a range of only several meters, such as up to 10 meters. WiMAX short for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. (IEEE 802.16) WiMAX is a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances, such as several kilometers (up to 50 km with direct line-of-sight, up to 8km without direct line-of-sight). WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including “last mile” broadband connections, hotspots and cellular backhaul, and high-speed enterprise connectivity for business. Therefore, a distinction can be made within the definition of wireless (short distances, such as up to 10 meters) between wireless connections for a private area network (PAN) operating at close range of only several meters (and ensuring a reasonable level of privacy), and wireless connections for a wireless area network (WAN) operating at a medium/moderate range of up to 100 meters to provide public access to the Internet, at hot spots, or to set up a wireless LAN within an office environment.
“contactless”, for very short distances, up to 100 cm (less than one meter), such as for performing secure applications such as access control, or financial transactions. (When carrying a smart card, a user needs to feel confident that the contents of the card cannot be snooped or skimmed from a nearby stranger wielding a laptop.) Within contactless, a further distinction can be made between extremely short distances (such as ISO 14443 operating at up to 10 cm distance, and useful for secure financial transactions) and moderately short distances (such as ISO 15693 having a read/write range of up to 100 cm, and useful for RFID used to collect tolls electronically). “PAN wireless”, effective at short distances, up to several meters (such as 10 meters), for providing a personal network, generally for a single user (telephone, computer, Bluetooth headset, computer peripherals), and providing a small measure of privacy based on the limited range of the signal. Also, Infrared (optical transmission), Zigbee, Bluetooth and UWB are used in private area networks. “WAN wireless”, effective at moderate distances, such as up to 100 meters, such as for networking computers in an office environment. “WiMax wireless”, effective at long distances, such as up to 50 kilometers, for providing broadband access to the public (simultaneously to many users), which can hardly be considered to be private, without accompanying encryption of data/signal packets.
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is a form of DSL, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional modem can provide. ADSL has the distinguishing characteristic that the data can flow faster in one direction than the other, i.e., asymmetrically. Providers usually market ADSL as a service for people to connect to the Internet in a relatively passive mode: able to use the higher speed direction for the “download” from the Internet but not needing to run servers that would require bandwidth in the other direction.
There are both technical and marketing reasons why ADSL is in many places the most common type offered to home users. On the technical side, there is likely to be more crosstalk from other circuits at the DSLAM end (where the wires from many local loops are close together) than at the customer premises. Thus the upload signal is weakest at the noisiest part of the local loop, while the download signal is strongest at the noisiest part of the local loop. It therefore makes technical sense to have the DSLAM transmit at a higher bit rate than does the modem on the customer end. Since the typical home user in fact does prefer a higher download speed, the telcos chose to make a virtue out of necessity, hence ADSL.
For conventional ADSL, downstream rates start at 256 Kbits/s and typically reach 8 Mbits/s within 1.5 km (5000 ft) of the DSLAM equipped central office or remote terminal. Upstream rates start at 64 kbit/s and typically reach 256 kbit/s but can go as high as 1024 Kbit/s. The name ADSL Lite is sometimes used for the slower versions. Note that distances are only approximations. Signal attenuation and Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) are defining characteristics, and can vary completely independently of distance (e.g. non-copper cabling, cable diameter). Real world performance is also dependent on the line impedance, which can change dynamically either dependent on weather conditions (very common for old overhead lines) or on the number and quality of joints or junctions in a particular cable length.
A newer variant called ADSL2 provides higher downstream rates of up to 12 Mbit/s for spans of less than 2.5 kilometers (8000 feet). Higher symbol rates and more advanced noise shaping are responsible for these increased speeds. ADSL2+, also referred to as ITU G.992,5, boosts these rates to up to 24 Mbit/s for spans of less than 1.5 kilometers (5000 feet). ADSL2+ also offers seamless bonding options, allowing lines with higher attenuation or lower signal to noise (SNR) ratios to be bonded together to achieve theoretically the sum total of the number of lines (i.e. up to 50 Mbit/s for two lines, etc), as well as options in power management and seamless rate adaptation—changing the data rate used without requiring to resynchronize.
ADSL service providers may offer either static or dynamic IP addressing. Static addressing is preferable for people who may wish to connect to their office via a virtual private network, for some Internet gaming, and for those wishing to use ADSL to host a Web server.
In computer networking, a wireless access point (WAP or AP) is a device that “connects” wireless communication devices together to create a wireless network. The WAP usually connects to a wired network, and can relay data between wireless devices and wired devices. Several WAPs can link together to form a larger network that allows “roaming”. (In contrast, a network where the client devices manage themselves—without the need for any access points—becomes an ad-hoc network)
One IEEE 802.11 WAP can typically communicate with 30 client systems located within a radius of 100 m. However, communication range can vary a lot, depending on such variables as indoor or outdoor placement, height above ground, nearby obstructions, type of antenna, the current weather, operating radio frequency, and the power output of devices. Network designers can extend the range of WAPs through the use of repeaters and reflectors, which can bounce or amplify radio signals that ordinarily would go un-received. In experimental conditions, wireless networking has operated over distances of several kilometers.
A typical corporate use of a WAP involves attaching it to a wired network, and then providing wireless client adapters for users who need them. Within the range of the WAP, the wireless end-user has a full network connection with the benefit of mobility. In this instance, the WAP functions as a gateway for clients to access the wired network. Another use involves bridging two wired networks in conditions inappropriate for cable: for example, a manufacturer can wirelessly connect a remote warehouse's wired network with a separate (though with inline of sight) office's wired network.
One familiar example of authentication is in access control. A computer system supposed to be used only by those authorized must attempt to detect and exclude the unauthorized. Access to it is therefore usually controlled by insisting on an authentication procedure to establish with some established degree of confidence the identity of the user, hence granting those privileges as may be authorized to that identity.
The methods by which a human can authenticate themselves are generally classified into three cases:
Something about the user is (e.g., fingerprint or retinal pattern, DNA sequence (there are assorted definitions of what is sufficient), voice pattern (again several definitions), signature recognition or other biometric identifier) Something the user has (e.g., ID card, security token, software token or cell phone) Something the user knows (e.g., a password, a pass phrase or a personal identification number (PIN)) Sometimes a combination of methods is used, e.g., a bank card and a PIN, in which case the term “two factor authentication” is used.
In a computer data context, cryptographic methods have been developed (digital signature and challenge-response authentication) which are currently not spoofable if (and only if) the originator's key has not been compromised.
Public key cryptography is a form of cryptography which generally allows users to communicate securely without having prior access to a shared secret key, by using a pair of cryptographic keys, designated as public key and private key, which are related mathematically.
The term asymmetric key cryptography is a synonym for public key cryptography. In public key cryptography, the private key is generally kept secret, while the public key may be widely distributed. In a sense, one key “locks” a lock; while the other is required to unlock it. It should not be possible to deduce the private key of a pair given the public key.
Public key encryption—keeping a message secret from anyone that does not possess a specific private key. Public key digital signature—allowing anyone to verify that a message was created with a specific private key. Key agreement—generally, allowing two parties that may not initially share a secret key to agree on one. Typically, public key techniques are much more computationally intensive than purely symmetric algorithms, but the judicious use of these techniques enables a wide variety of applications.
A measurement of the speed at which data is sent over transmission lines. A bit is the smallest unit of information on a computer. See also: bytes per second (BPS).
The average number of bits that one second of audio data will consume. Standard MP3 bit rates are 64 kbps (kilobits per second), 96 kbps, 128 kbps, and 160 kbps. The higher the bit rate, the better the sound quality. MP3 files at 128 kbps are considered to be “CD-quality”.
Bluetooth wireless technology supports ad hoc networking, enables devices from many different manufacturers to pair with each other and establishes secure connections “on the fly”. It is good at real-time data in synchronous connected oriented mode, but requires relatively high power, so unsuitable for extremely small battery-powered applications.
Short for bytes per second. BPS (upper case) is a rate of data transfer, not to be confused with bits per second (bps, lower case). A byte is a number of bits that are usually treated as a unit. Bytes of eight bits usually represent either one letter or two numerals.
Short for constant bit rate. CBR is a type of encoding that maintains a fixed bit rate throughout a file, so that data is sent in a steady stream. But because more complex passages may be encoded with fewer than necessary bits, and relatively simple passages may be encoded with more bits than are necessary, CBR can potentially result in lower-quality sound. See also: variable bit rate (VBR).
Zigbee devices have a radio bit rate of 250 kbps as specified by IEEE 802.15.4
Near Field Communication (NFC) has a data exchange speed up to 424 kbps
Bluetooth 2.0 devices operate at data rates below 3 megabits per second
WiFi can deliver data rates of up to 54 megabits per second using a shared, unlicensed radio band at 2.4 GHz
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology supports up to 480 megabits per second with a roadmap to 1 gigabit per second over short distance
In the context of computer networking, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a client-server networking protocol. A DHCP server provides configuration parameters specific to the DHCP client host requesting, generally, information required by the client host to participate on an IP network. DHCP also provides a mechanism for allocation of IP addresses to client hosts.
The Domain Name System or DNS is a system that stores information associated with domain names in a distributed database on networks, such as the Internet. The domain name system associates many types of information with domain names, but most importantly, it provides the IP address associated with the domain name. It also lists mail exchange servers accepting e-mail for each domain.
DNS is useful for several reasons. Most well known, the DNS makes it possible to attach hard-to-remember IP addresses (such as 207.142.131.206) to easy-to-remember domain names (such as “wikipedia.org.”) Humans take advantage of this when they recite URLs and e-mail addresses. Less recognized, the domain name system makes it possible for people to assign authoritative names, without needing t