Patent Description:
Generally, RFID devices such as, for example, RFID cards, RFID tags, etc. include an RFID antenna and an integrated circuit connected to the RFID antenna. Upon presence of an electromagnetic field emitted by a reader device, the RFID antenna supplies energy from the electromagnetic field to the integrated circuit, which integrated circuit may communicate with the reader device using radio frequency (RF) communication protocols. In this manner, for example, data can be read from a memory associated with the integrated circuit, and can also be written into said memory, if desired.

<CIT> discloses an access control proximity card with an actuation sensor. An access electronics system of the proximity card is configured to activate the same in response to an input from the actuation sensor to enable communication of access information from the proximity card.

<CIT> discloses a secure RFID device, where a user can determine whether RFID communications between the RFID device and an external reader are possible/allowed.

<CIT> discloses a contactless card including an antenna switch.

<CIT> discloses a proximity payment card with user-actuated switch and methods of making the card.

<CIT> discloses a smartcard with a coupling frame antenna.

<CIT> discloses an identification token and a method of making an identification token.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of prior systems.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an RFID device includes the features of claim <NUM>.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an RFID system comprises an RFID reader and one or more RFID devices in accordance with the above aspect. The RFID system may further comprise a centralized data processing device in communication with the RFID reader. The RFID reader may be configured to transmit a code transmitted from the RFID device upon successive and/or simultaneous actuation of one or more actuation portions to the centralized data processing device.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The exemplary embodiments described herein are intended to teach the principles of the present disclosure, enabling those of ordinary skill in the art to implement and use the present disclosure in many different environments and for many different applications. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are not intended to be, and should not be considered as, a limiting description of the scope of protection. Rather, the scope of protection shall be defined by the appended claims.

The present disclosure is based at least in part on the realization that, with previous techniques for providing an actuation sensor such as a mechanical switch on an RFID card, such RFID cards have to be formed by cold lamination (bonding) in order to connect the actuation sensor to the RFID antenna. However, this increases the cost associated with manufacturing the RFID card, and also may not meet the requirements with respect to the qualities of ISO cards. It has been realized that, with a configuration as disclosed herein, it is possible to integrate anti-skimming protection into RFID devices using other manufacturing methods, in particular, high-temperature lamination of RFID cards.

In some implementations, it is advantageous to first laminate the RFID device including the RFID antenna, and to then process the RFID device in order to allow connection of the protection module. Generally, the provision of the protection module includes processing of the surface of the laminated RFID device, for example, by milling, to allow the integration of the protection module. In addition, such processing may also be necessary to connect an integrated circuit of the RFID device to the RFID antenna. According to the present disclosure, it has been realized that the manufacturing process can be simplified and made more efficient by including the integrated circuit in the protection module. In this manner, only one process for connecting the protection module to the RFID device, in particular, the RFID antenna of the same, is required.

The present disclosure is also based at least in part on the realization that an inductive coupling of the protection module to the RFID antenna may be advantageous. In this case, the manufacturing process can be further simplified, because it may not be necessary to process the surface of the RFID device, for example, by milling, to couple the protection module including the integrated circuit to the RFID antenna. In this case, it has been realized that it is advantageous to include a coupling antenna in the protection module that is connected to the integrated circuit of the same upon actuation by a user. The integrated circuit can then perform RFID communications via the RFID antenna that is inductively coupled to the coupling antenna inside the protection module. In this respect, it has also been realized that the inductive coupling to the RFID antenna of the RFID device allows for the provision of a plurality of protection modules, each including its own integrated circuit and coupling antenna. In this manner, a single RFID device can be used for a plurality of different applications, such as different banking applications, credit card applications, access control applications, and the like. A user can selectively actuate one of the protection modules in order to perform the desired function. The configuration also allows for the use of UHF technology, as an alternative or in addition to HF technology, for the RFID communications.

In addition, it has been realized that, in case a plurality of protection modules are provided for a single RFID device, each protection module may have an integrated circuit that is associated with, for example, a unique ID. Such a unique ID can be a password, a code, a message, or simply an alphanumeric character such as a number or a letter. In this manner, a user can transmit one or more codes, numbers, commands and the like by successively and/or simultaneously actuating one or more of the protection modules. Such commands or codes can be transmitted, for example, to RFID readers that are used for access control. For example, after recognition of an access card by a reader as a valid access card, a user may be required to additionally enter a code or password by actuating a plurality of the protection modules in a given sequence. Of course, it will be apparent that such an RFID device can be used in a number of different RFID systems that include such RFID readers, for any appropriate application. It is particularly advantageous when an RFID reader is configured to transmit the command or code received from the RFID device to a central processing device or server, thereby allowing communications between the RFID device and such a central processing device, for example, to transmit passwords, alerts, commands or the like.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> shows a plan view of an RFID device <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure. In the example shown in <FIG>, RFID device <NUM> is configured as an RFID card, which may be used as an access card, a debit card, a credit card, or the like. It will be appreciated, however, that RFID device <NUM> may also be configured with a different shape, for example, as an RFID tag, a token etc. Further, RFID device <NUM> may be used for any appropriate purpose, for example, to gain access to a building or the like, as a means for payment, as a means for identification of a user/holder of the RFID device, etc. The range of possible applications for such RFID devices are well-known and will therefore not be described in detail herein.

As shown in <FIG>, RFID device <NUM> comprises a device body <NUM> formed in the shape of a substantially rectangular card or sheet. Device body <NUM> has a first surface <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, first surface <NUM> is the top surface of RFID device <NUM>.

A switch module <NUM> is mounted to device body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, switch module <NUM> includes an actuation portion <NUM> provided on first surface <NUM>, and an integrated circuit <NUM> that will be described in more detail below. Actuation portion <NUM> is configured to be actuated by a user, in a manner that will be described in more detail in the following.

<FIG> shows a plan view of a pre-laminate <NUM> of RFID card <NUM>. In other words, <FIG> shows a configuration of RFID card <NUM> with the top layers and switch module <NUM> removed. As shown in <FIG>, RFID device <NUM> further comprises an RFID antenna <NUM> embedded in device body <NUM> and having a coupling portion. In the example shown in <FIG>, the coupling portion is configured as a first terminal end <NUM> and a second terminal end <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM>, which in this case is an open-circuit RFID antenna. RFID antenna <NUM> is configured to perform RFID communications with an external RFID reader in a known manner, such that further details will not be described herein. However, it will be appreciated that, although only a single turn of RFID antenna <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>, generally, RFID antenna <NUM> will include a plurality of turns.

In one exemplary embodiment, which is not in accordance with the claims, switch module <NUM> is mounted in a recess <NUM> formed in first surface <NUM>. Recess <NUM> is shown by a dashed line in <FIG>. A first electrical contact <NUM> and a second electrical contact <NUM> are provided at least in part on a bottom <NUM> of recess <NUM>. First electrical contact <NUM> and second electrical contact <NUM> are respectively connected to terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, switch module <NUM> is mounted to device body <NUM> at a position corresponding to the coupling portion formed by terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM>. In particular, switch module <NUM> is provided at a position that corresponds to first electrical contact <NUM> and second electrical contact <NUM>, by being positioned inside recess <NUM> in an appropriate manner. Here, it will be appreciated that, during manufacturing of RFID device <NUM>, recess <NUM> will generally be formed after lamination of RFID device <NUM>. In other words, after the lamination has been completed, recess <NUM> will be formed in device body <NUM>, for example, by milling or the like of first surface <NUM> to expose first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>. Switch module <NUM> can then be mounted inside recess <NUM> in any appropriate manner, for example, by using appropriate adhesives or the like.

<FIG> shows a partial cross-section of switch module <NUM> along the line A-A in <FIG>, illustrating an exemplary internal configuration of switch module <NUM> in more detail. <FIG> is a schematic plan view of the internal configuration of switch module <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, which is not in accordance with the claims, bottom <NUM> of recess <NUM> has a stepped configuration with an annular peripheral portion <NUM> surrounding a central recessed portion <NUM>. It will be appreciated, however, that the stepped configuration of recess <NUM> is only an example, and recess <NUM> can have any desired configuration in the cross-section of <FIG>. For example, recess <NUM> could have a constant diameter along the direction perpendicular to first surface <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, switch module <NUM> includes a switch housing <NUM>, a first switch contact <NUM> exposed from switch housing <NUM>, and a second switch contact <NUM> exposed from switch housing <NUM>. First and second switch contacts <NUM>, <NUM> are configured as appropriate electrical contacts. Switch housing <NUM> has a shape that matches the stepped configuration of bottom <NUM> of recess <NUM>. In particular, switch housing <NUM> includes an annular peripheral connecting portion <NUM> on which first switch contact <NUM> and second switch contact <NUM> are provided, and a central protrusion <NUM> accommodating a switching portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, switch module <NUM> further includes integrated circuit <NUM>, which is configured to perform RFID communications. Such integrated circuits, which generally include a processor and a memory and serve as a controller for performing RFID communications via RFID antenna <NUM>, are well-known, such that a detailed description of integrated circuit <NUM> as well as of the manner in which communications are performed by integrated circuit <NUM> via RFID antenna <NUM> will be omitted.

Switching portion <NUM> is configured to couple integrated circuit <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM> via terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM> by a user. This will be described in more detail below with respect to the example shown in <FIG>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, switching portion <NUM> is configured to electrically couple integrated circuit <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM> by electrically connecting integrated circuit <NUM> to first switch contact <NUM> and second switch contact <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>. As first switch contact <NUM> and second switch contact <NUM> are electrically connected to RFID antenna <NUM>, for example, by first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, this results in the electrical connection of integrated circuit <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM>. As used herein, the expression "upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>" generally means that the connection is established or present when and for as long as (while) actuation portion <NUM> is actuated (for example, pressed) by the user. In the example shown in <FIG>, actuation portion <NUM> is configured as a flexible top portion of switch housing <NUM> that is substantially in the same plane as first surface <NUM>. Of course, it will be appreciated that any other appropriate configuration, such as a tactile switch, a capacitive or other touch sensor or the like may be used for actuation portion <NUM>.

Switching portion <NUM> includes a first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> electrically connected to integrated circuit <NUM> (in the present example, via contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, RFID antenna <NUM>, and contacts <NUM>, <NUM>), and an electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> configured to be brought into contact with first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>. In particular, as shown in <FIG>, actuation portion <NUM>, which generally may be formed as a cover for electrically conducting flexible member <NUM>, is in contact with electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> and/or configured to deflect towards electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>. In other words, when a user presses actuation portion <NUM> in the direction that is indicated by the arrow in <FIG>, electrically conducting flexible member <NUM>, which may be formed, for example, as a thin metal sheet or dome, is deflected downwards and comes into contact with first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>.

Switching portion <NUM> includes a second electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> electrically connected to integrated circuit <NUM> and electrically conducting flexible member <NUM>. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that actuation of actuation portion <NUM> results in that an electrical circuit including integrated circuit <NUM> and RFID antenna <NUM> is closed when electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> comes into contact with first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>. Therefore, in a state in which electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> is in contact with first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>, integrated circuit <NUM> can perform RFID communications with an external RFID reader via RFID antenna <NUM>. On the other hand, when actuation portion <NUM> is not actuated, i.e., electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> is not in contact with first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>, the electrical circuit including RFID antenna <NUM> and integrated circuit <NUM> is interrupted, such that no RFID communications are possible.

It will be appreciated that any appropriate configuration of switching portion <NUM> that allows for selectively closing the electrical circuit including RFID antenna <NUM> and integrated circuit <NUM> can be used. In the example shown in <FIG>, as previously mentioned, electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> is formed as a metal sheet or dome, which can be fixedly connected to second electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>, which may be formed to have a partially annular shape, for example, surrounding first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>. In case electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> is formed as a dome-like metal sheet, electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> can be supported by an insulating portion <NUM> provided, for example, between first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> and electrically conducting flexible member <NUM>. In this manner, electrically conducting flexible member <NUM> is electrically insulated from first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> when actuation portion <NUM> is not actuated, and only brought into contact with the same upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>.

While terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM> are shown as linear end portions of the same in <FIG>, which are connected to first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, it will be appreciated that the coupling portion formed by terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> can have any appropriate configuration, for example, be configured as a meandering structure formed by terminal end portions <NUM>, <NUM>, without providing first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM>. Said meandering terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> can then be directly connected to first and second switch contacts <NUM>, <NUM> of switch module <NUM>.

In the above, an example (not in accordance with the claims) for a switching portion that electrically couples integrated circuit <NUM> of switch module <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM> upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM> has been described. However, in other embodiments in accordance with the claims, switching portion <NUM> is configured to inductively couple integrated circuit <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM> via a corresponding coupling portion upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>. This will be described in the following with respect to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a plan view of a pre-laminate <NUM> of RFID device <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment in accordance with the claims. <FIG> shows a schematic plan view of an internal configuration of switch module <NUM> of this embodiment.

As shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the coupling portion is formed by one or more coupling sections <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM>. The one or more coupling sections <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM> surround at least in part a coupling antenna <NUM> included in each switch module <NUM> (see <FIG>). Coupling sections <NUM> may be formed as a section of RFID antenna <NUM>, for example, including several turns surrounding coupling antenna <NUM> in a known manner. It will be appreciated that the part of RFID antenna <NUM> other than coupling sections <NUM>, which serves as a booster antenna, may have any appropriate configuration that allows for performing RFID communications with an external reader, and is not limited to the exemplary configuration shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, integrated circuit <NUM> of switch module <NUM> may be electrically connected between one end of coupling antenna <NUM> and second electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM>. The configuration of switching portion <NUM> may be essentially the same as that described above with respect to <FIG>, such that the description will be not repeated. What is important is that first electrically conducting switch terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the other end of coupling antenna <NUM>, such that upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM> the electrical circuit including integrated circuit <NUM> and coupling antenna <NUM> is closed. In this state, integrated circuit <NUM> is inductively coupled to RFID antenna <NUM> via the coupling portion formed by the corresponding coupling section <NUM> surrounding coupling antenna <NUM>.

Here, it will be appreciated that switch housing <NUM> may be omitted. This also applies to the embodiment described above with respect to <FIG>. Instead, for example, switch module <NUM> may include a substrate <NUM>, on which at least integrated circuit <NUM> and switching portion <NUM> are provided. For example, substrate <NUM> may be formed as an insulating sheet laminated with a plurality of layers forming device body <NUM>. In this manner, the one or more switch modules <NUM> can be included in device body <NUM> during manufacturing of RFID device <NUM>. In this case, no subsequent processing of first surface <NUM> to embed switch module <NUM> is necessary. In other embodiments, however, it may also be possible to mount switch module <NUM>, which may include switch housing <NUM>, on top of first surface <NUM> after manufacturing of RFID device <NUM>, in which only RFID terminal <NUM> and its coupling sections <NUM> are embedded. In such a case, one or more switch modules <NUM> only need to be positioned appropriately such that the coupling antennas of the same are surrounded at least in part by coupling sections <NUM>.

What is common to the embodiments described above is that integrated circuit <NUM> is provided as part of switch module <NUM>, and is not formed separately from the same inside or on top of RFID device <NUM>. Instead, at least integrated circuit <NUM> and switching portion <NUM> are provided on a common support integrated with device body <NUM>, for example, switch housing <NUM> or substrate <NUM>. It will also be appreciated that, also in the embodiment in which switching portion <NUM> is configured to electrically couple integrated circuit <NUM> to RFID antenna <NUM> via the coupling portion upon actuation of actuation portion <NUM>, a plurality of switch modules <NUM> can be provided. For example, a plurality of pairs of first and second electrical contacts <NUM>, <NUM> could be connected to terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of RFID antenna <NUM> in <FIG>, or terminal ends <NUM>, <NUM> could be configured as extended, for example, meandering end portions of RFID antenna <NUM> to which a plurality of switch modules <NUM> as shown in <FIG> can be connected. Also in this case, only the switch module that is actuated will be electrically connected to RFID antenna <NUM> and be capable of performing RFID communications with an RFID reader.

In all of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of switch modules <NUM> may be mounted to device body <NUM> and may be configured to be selectively and/or simultaneously coupled to RFID antenna <NUM> upon actuation of their respective actuation portions. Here, each switch module <NUM> may be associated with one of a plurality of different applications, for example, one or more banking applications, one or more credit card applications, and/or one or more access control applications. For example, a first switch module may be associated with a specific banking application that facilitates contactless payment via an associated bank account upon actuation of the corresponding actuation portion <NUM> in a known manner. This is different from commonly used bank cards, where an RFID reader can always read the necessary information to process the payment when the RFID device <NUM> is in proximity to the reader. In accordance with the present disclosure, however, this is only possible when the user actuates actuation portion <NUM> to allow RFID communications between RFID device <NUM> and the RFID reader. In addition, the user can even select, for example, whether he wants to pay via his bank account or via a credit card by selectively actuating a corresponding actuation portion provided on RFID device <NUM>. Other applications can include gaining access to a facility by presenting RFID device <NUM> to an RFID reader provided at an entrance to such a facility. In particular in such a case, RFID device <NUM> may be configured such that each of a plurality of switch modules <NUM> includes a unique identifier, and integrated circuit <NUM> of each switch module <NUM> is configured to transmit the associated unique identifier, for example, an alphanumeric identifier, upon interrogation by an RFID reader and actuation of the corresponding actuation portion <NUM>. An exemplary RFID system <NUM> including such an RFID reader <NUM> is shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, RFID system <NUM> comprises RFID reader <NUM> and one or more RFID devices <NUM> including a plurality of switch modules <NUM> (and their corresponding actuation portions <NUM>). Generally, a number of switch modules <NUM> provided on a given RFID device <NUM> may be between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, <NUM> or <NUM>. In particular, in some embodiments, the plurality of switch modules <NUM> may be arranged to form a conventional keypad including the numbers between <NUM> and <NUM>, and, for example, two or more special characters such as * or #. In such a case, a user can intuitively enter a code consisting of, for example, a plurality of numbers, and can indicate that the code is completed by pressing, for example, #.

It will be appreciated, however, that the application of RFID device <NUM> including a plurality of switch modules <NUM> is not limited to access control applications. For example, RFID system <NUM> may further comprise a centralized data processing device <NUM> such as a central server in communication with RFID reader <NUM>. RFID reader <NUM> may be configured to transmit a code transmitted from RFID device <NUM> upon successive and/or simultaneous actuation of one or more, for example, two or more actuation portions <NUM> to centralized data processing device <NUM>. In such a manner, a user can send a particular code or password or message to centralized data processing device <NUM> via an appropriate RFID reader <NUM>. Here, it will be appreciated that any known communication protocol can be used to control the communications by reader <NUM>, for example, to indicate a destination such as a URL or the like corresponding to centralized data processing device <NUM>. Of course, the information that is transmitted by each switch module <NUM> is not limited to an alphanumeric character, but it can include more complex messages or commands that are commonly used in RFID communications.

As described above, with the RFID device according to the present disclosure, a secure RFID device can be provided, where a user can determine when RFID communications between the RFID device and an external reader are possible/allowed. In particular, due to the fact that the switch module that is actuated by the user includes also the integrated circuit that performs the RFID communications, manufacturing of the RFID device is facilitated, because it is not necessary to perform an additional processing step in order to connect the integrated circuit to the RFID device, for example, an RFID card. Instead, the common support for at least the integrated circuit and the switching portion can be assembled with the device body of the RFID device in a single processing step. More importantly, different functionalities can be combined in a single RFID device, where the user can selectively activate a desired functionality associated with a particular application. In this manner, a user can use a single RFID device, for example, a single RFID card, to perform payments using different payment options, to gain access to a facility, and the like. In addition, in case a plurality of switch modules, each with its own integrated circuit, are provided, a user can actuate the plurality of protection modules in a given sequence in order to transmit a code such as a password, a PIN code, an access code or the like to an RFID reader, which significantly increases the flexibility and range of application of the RFID device.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed systems and methods. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the general disclosure.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All method steps described herein can be performed in any suitable order, unless otherwise indicated or clearly contradicted by the context.

Claim 1:
An RFID device (<NUM>) comprising:
- a device body (<NUM>) having a first surface (<NUM>);
- an RFID antenna (<NUM>) embedded in the device body (<NUM>) and having a coupling portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>); and
- a switch module (<NUM>) mounted to the device body (<NUM>) at a position corresponding to the coupling portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>), the switch module including:
an actuation portion (<NUM>) provided on the first surface (<NUM>);
an integrated circuit (<NUM>) configured to perform RFID communications; and
a switching portion (<NUM>) configured to couple the integrated circuit (<NUM>) to the RFID antenna (<NUM>) via the coupling portion (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>) upon actuation of the actuation portion (<NUM>) by a user, characterized in that :
- the switch module further comprises a coupling antenna (<NUM>);
- the coupling portion is formed by one or more coupling sections (<NUM>) of the RFID antenna (<NUM>) surrounding at least in part the coupling antenna (<NUM>), and
- the switching portion (<NUM>) is configured to inductively couple the integrated circuit (<NUM>) to the RFID antenna (<NUM>) by electrically connecting the integrated circuit (<NUM>) to the coupling antenna (<NUM>) upon actuation of the actuation portion (<NUM>).