System and method for near-field human-body coupling for encrypted communication with identification cards
US5796827A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 18, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 14, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/805
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding and transferring data from a transmitter to a receiver, using the human body as a transmission medium. The transmitter includes an electric field generator, a data encoder which operates by modulating the electric field, and electrodes to couple the electric field through the human body. The receiver includes electrodes, in physical contact with, or close proximity to, a part of the human body, for detecting an electric field carried through the body, and a demodulator for extracting the data from the modulated electric field. An authenticator, connected to the receiver, processes the encoded data and validates the authenticity of the transmission. The apparatus and method are used to identify and authorize a possessor of the transmitter. The possessor then has secure access to, and can obtain delivery of, goods and services such as the distribution of money, phone privileges, building access, and commodities. Encryption provides rapid transmission and authentication of the transmitter, and a plurality of similar transmitters, with minimum vulnerability to counterfeit. Signal processing and digital communication components accommod…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.