Low cost secure ID card and system

Abstract

The invention provides a method for controlling the operating state of a lock characterized by a locked state and an unlocked state. The method comprises: entering secret information on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on a radio frequency identity card, then electronically comparing the secret information against an authorized code to determine whether the secret information is authorized, then transmitting by radio frequency an unlocking signal to a radio frequency reader located at the lock for opening the lock in the event that the secret information is authorized. In a related use of such RF identity cards, the invention also provides a system and method of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area. The method comprises the steps of: using a loop antenna operable to transmit and receive RF signals from at least one radio frequency (RF) identity card carried by an individual; transmitting RF signals at a frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz from a reader through the loop antenna to the aforesaid RF card to request a secret code; entering this secret code on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) device located on the RF card, transmitting this secret code to the reader through a transceiver disposed on the RF card; and using a data processor/CPU located at the reader to determine whether the secret code corresponds to the aforesaid authorization.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for controlling the operating state of a lock comprising: 
 a) a lock characterized by a locked state and an unlocked state;    b) a radio frequency reader, said reader being in operative communication with a lock to control the state thereof    c) a radio frequency identity card comprising: 
 i) an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on said card for entry of secret information by an individual;  
 ii) an electronic encoding means for facilitating conversion of said secret information into encoded secret information, said encoded secret information being determinative of authorization of said individual;  
 iii) a wireless transmitter operable to transmit information to said reader.  
   c) a data processor operable to determine whether said secret information corresponds to said authorization.    
     
     
         2 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , said radio frequency identity card further comprising an energy storage device operable to energize said wireless transmitter, said radio frequency reader and said wireless transmitter being operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz.  
     
     
         3 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , said data processor being disposed within said card and operable to convert said encoded secret information into an unlocking signal and provide said unlocking signal to said wireless transmitter.  
     
     
         4 . A system as set forth in  claim 1 , said reader and said data processor/cpu being disposed at said lock, said data processor being operable to convert said encoded secret information into an unlocking signal and provide said unlocking signal to said reader to unlock said lock.  
     
     
         5 . A system of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area, said system comprising: 
 a) a loop antenna operable to transmit and receive RF signals from at least one radio frequency identity card;    b) a reader comprising a radio frequency transceiver operatively connected to said loop antenna;    c) at least one radio frequency identity card which can be located within communication range of said loop antenna, said radio frequency identity card comprising: 
 i) an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on said card for entry of secret information by an individual;  
 ii) an electronic encoding means for facilitating conversion of said secret information into encoded secret information, said encoded secret information being determinative of authorization of said individual;  
 iii) a wireless transmitter operable to transmit information to said reader;  
   d) a data processor operable to determine whether said secret information corresponds to said authorization.    
     
     
         6 . A system as set forth in  claim 5 , said data processor being disposed within said card and operable to convert said encoded secret information into an authorization code.  
     
     
         7 . A system as set forth in  claim 5 , said data processor being disposed at said reader and operable to convert said encoded secret information into an authorization code.  
     
     
         8 . A system as set forth in  claim 5 , said radio frequency identity card further comprising an energy storage device operable to energize said wireless transmitter, said radio frequency reader and said wireless transmitter being operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz.  
     
     
         9 . An electronic identity card comprising: 
 a) an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on said card for entry of secret information by an individual;    b) a display for displaying public information for observation, said public information having a relationship to said secret information;    c) an electronic encoding means for facilitating conversion of said secret information into encoded secret information, said encoded secret information being determinative of the existence of a required correspondence between said secret information and said public information to confirm the identity of said individual.    
     
     
         10 . An identity card as set forth in  claim 9 , said display comprising a permanent ID label attached to said card, said label containing public identity information relating to said individual.  
     
     
         11 . An identity card as set forth in  claim 9 , said display comprising a LCD display on the ID card to display said encoded secret information.  
     
     
         12 . An identity card as set forth in  claim 9 , said identity card further comprising: 
 a low frequency wireless communication device operable at a frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz to transmit said encoded secret information to a reader spaced away from said identity card; and said identity card further comprising an energy storage device operable to energize said wireless transmitter    
     
     
         13 . An identity card as set forth in  claim 12 , said communication device comprising a receiver for receiving a command signal from said reader and for displaying said public information on said display in response to said command signal.  
     
     
         14 . An identity card as set forth in  claim 12 , said card comprising an indicator device (e.g. LED), said communication device comprising a receiver for receiving a command signal from said reader and for activating said indicator device in response to said command signal.  
     
     
         15 . An electronic identity card comprising: 
 a) an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on said card for entry of secret information by an individual;    b) an electronic encoding means for facilitating conversion of said secret information into encoded secret information, said encoded secret information being determinative of authorization of said individual;    c) a wireless communication device operable to transmit said encoded secret information to a reader, said reader being in operative communication with a lock to control a locked state thereof.    
     
     
         16 . An electronic identity card as set forth in  claim 15 , said identity card further comprising an energy storage device operable to energize said wireless communication device, said wireless communication device being operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz.  
     
     
         17 . An electronic identity card as set forth in  claim 15 , said electronic encoding means comprising a data processor/CPU and a data storage device. operable to store a lookup table/database of instances of secret information and corresponding instances of encoded secret information.  
     
     
         18 . An electronic identity card as set forth in  claim 15 , said electronic encoding means comprising a data processor/CPU operable to algorithmically convert said secret information into said encoded secret information.  
     
     
         19 . An electronic identity card as set forth in  claim 18 , said wireless communication device being operable to transmit both said secret information and said encoded secret information to a reader, said reader being in operative communication with a lock to control a locked state thereof.  
     
     
         20 . An electronic identity card as set forth in  claim 12 , said card comprising an indicator device (e.g. LED), said communication device comprising a receiver for receiving a command signal from said reader and for activating said indicator device in response to said command signal.  
     
     
         21 . A method for controlling the operating state of a lock characterized by a locked state and an unlocked state; said method comprising: 
 a) entering secret information on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on a radio frequency identity card,    b) electronically comparing said secret information against an authorized code to determine whether said secret information is authorized,    c) transmitting by radio frequency an unlocking signal to a radio frequency reader located at said lock for opening said lock in the event that the secret information is authorized.    
     
     
         22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , said radio frequency being a low radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz.  
     
     
         23 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , said comparing step (b) being carried out by a data processor disposed within said card and operable to convert said secret information into an unlocking signal and provide said unlocking signal to a wireless communication device.  
     
     
         24 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , said comparing step (b) being carried out by a data processor disposed at said reader, said data processor being operable to convert said encoded secret information into an unlocking signal and provide said unlocking signal to said reader to unlock said lock.  
     
     
         25 . A method of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area, said method comprising: 
 a) using a loop antenna operable to transmit and receive RF signals from at least one radio frequency (RF) identity card;    b) transmitting RF signals from a reader through said loop antenna to said RF card to request a secret code;    c) entering said secret code on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) device located on said RF card,    d) transmitting said secret code to said reader through a transceiver disposed on said RF card; and    e) using a data processor located at said reader, determining whether said secret code corresponds to said authorization.    
     
     
         26 . A method of tracking movements of individuals within a secure area, said method comprising: 
 a) using a loop antenna operable to transmit and receive RF signals from at least one radio frequency (RF) identity card;    b) transmitting RF signals from a reader through said loop antenna to said RF card to request a secret code,    c) entering said secret code on an electronic input device (e.g. keypad) located on said RF card,    d) using a data processor located on said RF card, determining whether said secret information corresponds to said authorization; and    e) transmitting an authorization code to said reader through a transceiver disposed on said RF card.    
     
     
         27 . A method as set forth in  claim 26 , said radio frequency not exceeding 1 megahertz.