System & apparatus for improving proximity smartcard security |
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申请号 | US11141485 | 申请日 | 2005-05-31 | 公开(公告)号 | US20060266831A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2006-11-30 |
申请人 | Douglas Kozlay; | 发明人 | Douglas Kozlay; | ||||
摘要 | A pushbutton-enabled, wireless proximity smartcard or passport system is disclosed for improving smartcard security. The apparatus of the invention comprises a pushbutton-enabled smartcard or other pushbutton-enabled identity credential device that requires a user to press down upon an enabling switch embedded in the smartcard, prior to data transmission. This prevents the identity device from being deliberately or accidentally read at times and places that are unintended. The system of the invention includes users, proximity smartcards or other wirelessly-operable identity credentials, and smartcard readers connected to a host system. The method, apparatus, and system of the present invention are particularly suited to reducing exposure to risks associated with unwanted, unintended electronic intrusions on otherwise desirable electronic products. | ||||||
权利要求 | I claim: |
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说明书全文 | 1. Field of the Invention The field of the invention is wireless smartcard security; more particularly, the present invention provides improved contactless security-oriented wireless smartcards, passports and other wireless electronic credentials. 2. Related Art To date, the Inventor was unable to find directly comparable or analogous products or patents related to the present invention. Smartcard use is becoming widespread, as worldwide adoption of smartcard technology accelerates. Given the exponential increase in smartcard usage, it is well known that security concerns and security incidents are also on the rise. Similarly, wireless (“contactless”) smartcards, passports, and other wireless credential devices are considered by some to be a risky technology, especially given the increasing incidence of fraud, identity theft, employee theft, unwanted electronic intrusion, etc. Security challenges of “contactless” technology are summed up by cryptanalysis expert Bruce Schneier (founder/CTO of Counterpane Internet Security, Inc.), to wit:
Accordingly, it is one primary object of the present invention, to provide a pushbutton-enabled contactless smartcard apparatus, which only allows wireless data transmission when a pushbutton switch is held closed. It is a related primary object, to provide methods for improving wireless electronic smartcard and chip card security. It is another related primary object, to provide systems for improving wireless smartcard and chip card security. This invention requires that the cardholder press a button on a proximity card in order to enable the card to transmit a response. Since RF or IR identification devices can be read at times and places where the bearer does not intend them to be read, and since the presence of encrypted data in the response from the device can have the undesired effect of confirming the importance of the bearer, there is a need to prevent any transmission, from the card until the bearer enables it. This invention discloses two embodiments of the solution, antenna loop enabling and processor enabling, although the claims will disclose other possible embodiments. The discussion, below, describes an identification card, although this invention could be implemented for other identifying devices, such as electronic passports and other electronic credential devices. Figures 2—Finger pressing a button to enable wireless transceiver 4—Processor performing contactless smartcard function 6—Mechanical or electronic switch to sense finger presence 8—Loop antenna or IR transceiver to receive and transmit and receive signals 10—Plastic card body 12—Spring-like support under the button/switch 14—Mounting surface for the processor chip with antenna loop connections 16—Radio frequency or Infrared link between the contactless card and a reader 18—Reader for contactless cards 20—Smartcard processor and contacts Antenna Loop Enabling Processor Enabling In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, various techniques can be used to implement the disclosed invention. Also, the specific logic presented to accomplish tasks within the present invention may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. Many such changes or modifications will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense, the invention being limited only by the provided claims. |