DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION METHOD WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MOBILE DEVICE AND AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT

Abstract

DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION METHOD WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MOBILE DEVICE AND AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT The subject of the invention is a digital identification method with communication between a mobile device and an identity document of a user. The method comprises a step of requesting identification of the user; a step of indicating to the user at least one working position between the mobile device and the identity document for an optimal exchange of identification data between an RFID chip of said identity document and an NFC antenna of said mobile device and a step of exchanging identification data between the mobile device and the identity document. Figure for abstract: Fig.2

Description

Title of the invention: DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION METHOD WITH COMMUNICATION BETWEEN A MOBILE DEVICE AND AN IDENTITY DOCUMENT Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of digital identification via communication between an electronic chip identity document and a mobile device with an NFC antenna. Prior art

[0002] In a context of democratization of digital identity, the use of identity documents comprising an electronic chip for identification by the general public presents a strong potential for development. Indeed, the electronic chips integrated in the identity document contain personal data of the user which can be read by dedicated electronic modules to carry out the identification of the person. Mobile devices, such as cell phones for example, generally contain electronic modules integrated in a system on chip (SoC) which are capable of reading the identification data emitted by the electronic chip of the identity document.

[0003] To carry out this identification operation, it is possible to use, on the one hand, a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip integrated into the identity document and, on the other hand, a near field communication (NFC) type reading module.

[0004] RFID chips are commonly used for identification by implementing a method to store and retrieve data remotely using markers called "radio-labels" ("RFID tags" in English). RFID chips in identity documents contain a communication identifier and other useful data such as name, first name, date of birth, address, etc.

[0005] In the remainder of the description, the term "identity document" refers to any medium containing personal, biometric data that can identify and authenticate a person, a CNI identity card, a passport or any other medium containing personal data. A person represents an individual or a user who must be authenticated to access a service.

[0006] NFC technology has three different operating modes: - Emulator mode: the mobile phone behaves like a contactless smart card intended to be read by an NFC terminal and uses the SIM card to store information. This is a passive mode where the NFC antenna integrated into a mobile device does not emit a magnetic field. The spatial range problem of the NFC antenna of the mobile device does not arise. - Reader mode: the NFC module of the mobile device acts as a reader for an RFID chip. Reading is carried out by emitting a magnetic field describing a limited reading range in space. - Peer-to-peer mode: the NFC module of the mobile device exchanges read and write information with another NFC module integrated in another terminal placed face to face.

[0007] NFC-type reading circuits or antennas feature a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology, allowing the exchange of information between devices up to a distance of about 10 cm when using a high-frequency band. NFC modules are widely used in mobile telephone devices available to the general public. In addition, NFC modules are capable of reading RFID electronic chips when the NFC modules operate in "reader mode". Hence the interest in using NFC modules embedded in mobile phones to perform increasingly required digital identification and identity verification tasks. Indeed, the reading of electronic chips in identity documents by mobile telephone devices allows universal access to this type of digital identification.For example, it is used to authenticate a person requesting a service from a banking establishment, wishing to carry out a financial transaction, accessing a personal online administrative service or for any other action requiring user authentication.

[0008] The disadvantage of NFC antennas of integrated circuits implemented in mobile devices is that the spatial reading range is narrow for the "read mode".

[0009] Furthermore, there are no standards that define a standardized implementation position of NFC antennas in the electronic card architectures of mobile phones.

[0010] There is therefore a need to optimize the positioning for the exchange of identification data between a mobile device comprising an NFC module having an NFC antenna and an identity document equipped with an RFID chip. Statement of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to at least partially address this need.

[0012] More particularly, the present invention aims to facilitate the guidance of a mobile device position relative to an identity document to improve the exchange of identification data.

[0013] For this purpose, a first object of the invention relates to a digital identification method with communication between a mobile device capable of implementing a mobile application and an identity document of a user, said mobile device having at least one NFC antenna and a user interface, said identity document having an RFID chip comprising identification data. Said method comprises:

[0014] i. a step of requesting identification of the user by the mobile application;

[0015] ii. a step of indicating to the user via the user interface at least one working position between the mobile device and the identity document for an optimal exchange of identification data between the RFID chip and the NFC antenna;

[0016] iii. a step of exchanging identification data between the mobile device and the identity document.

[0017] In this communication method, the user is guided via the mobile device to correctly place the identity document, respectively the mobile phone, in a working position allowing the identification operation. By "working position" is meant a positioning of the RFID electronic chip relative to the NFC antenna of the mobile phone allowing an optimal exchange of data between said chip and the antenna in order to carry out the identification. By this guidance of the operator, a time saving is obtained making the digital identification operation more fluid and more practical for the user.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the indication step is carried out by graphic and / or sound and / or haptic feedback.

[0019] User guidance is facilitated in an interactive manner for a smoother and simpler user experience during digital identification.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises a learning step for determining the working position, prior to the step of indicating said working position. Said learning step comprises: i'. a sub-step of moving the identification document relative to the mobile device in at least a first direction; ii'. a sub-step of detecting a preliminary working position in which the RFID chip is capable of exchanging data with the NFC antenna; iii'. a sub-step of indicating the preliminary working position by graphic and / or sound and / or haptic feedback; iv'. a step of recording the preliminary working position; v'. repeat substeps i' to iv' N times, with N a non-zero natural integer, to obtain a sample of N preliminary working positions; vi'. a sub-step of calculating the working position from the sample of N preliminary working positions.

[0021] The invention thus further proposes a learning step allowing the user to train the mobile device using his identity document to determine at least one working position in the mobile device used.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the calculation sub-step corresponds to a calculation of an average of the preliminary working positions of the sample of N preliminary working positions.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the working position is stored in the mobile device.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the working position is stored in an external server capable of being interrogated by the mobile device.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the working position is associated in said server with a mobile device reference.

[0026] The results of the different learning operations carried out by several different users of several different models are transferred, stored and processed in a secure external server. This will make it possible to constitute a collaborative database of the working positions of NFC antennas for different references of mobile devices. The combination of the learning and centralization operations makes it possible to solve the problem of heterogeneity of the working positions of the NFC antennas according to the model and to improve the user experience during a digital identification operation where the NFC antenna of the portable device reads an identity document with an RFID chip.

[0027] Another object of the invention relates to a mobile device comprising: - an NFC antenna; - a user interface; - means of data storage; - means of data processing. Said means, the NFC antenna and the user interface are configured to implement the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the NFC antenna is capable of communicating with an HF RFID chip adapted to transmit at a wavelength of 13.56 MHz.

[0029] Another object of the invention relates to a mobile identification application comprising instructions which, when said application is executed by the mobile device according to the invention, lead said mobile device to implement the digital identification method according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows in relation to the following appended drawings:

[0031] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] illustrates an electronic chip identity document and a front and rear view of an example of a mobile device comprising an NFC antenna,

[0032] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] illustrates the steps of the guided digital identification method according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.3a] [Fig.3a] illustrates the sub-steps of learning the mobile device according to the invention,

[0034] [Fig.3b] [Fig.3b] illustrates the movement of the identity document relative to the mobile device according to the invention during learning of the mobile device,

[0035] [Fig.3c] [Fig.3c] illustrates an example of the indication of the working position by graphic means during the digital identification method according to the invention,

[0036] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] illustrates the sub-steps of the query of the external server by the mobile device according to the invention,

[0037] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] illustrates the collaborative ecosystem obtained by implementing the different embodiments of the method according to the invention.

[0038] [Fig. 1] illustrates an electronic chip identity document and a front and rear view of an example mobile device comprising an NFC antenna.

[0039] The identity document in this example is an identity card 1 comprising an RFID type electronic chip 3. The RFID electronic chip 3 comprises a “radio-tag” type marker and contains personal data of the user such as the name, first name, date of birth, or address. The RFID electronic chip 3 is intended to be read by an NFC antenna to identify the bearer of the document.

[0040] The mobile device 2 in the example of [Fig. 1] is a smartphone type telephone. This is an illustration by way of non-limiting example because the invention also applies to other types of mobile devices such as tablets and smartwatches for example. Here is shown the front view of the mobile device 2 comprising at least one human-machine interface making it possible to communicate information graphically via the screen, or audibly via a speaker or haptically via a vibrator. The mobile device 2 comprises an integrated circuit comprising at least one NFC antenna 4 capable of reading an RFID type electronic chip when said electronic chip is aligned with the at least one NFC antenna 4 so as to be covered by the reading field of the NFC antenna 4 operating “in reader mode”.Thus, the position 41 of an NFC antenna in the surface of the integrated circuit defines a working position when the electronic chip to be read is placed opposite and in alignment with the implementation position of the NFC antenna 4. By "placed opposite" is meant a position where the axis orthogonal to the surface of the RFID chip coincides with the gold axis. thogonal on the surface of the NFC antenna 4. In addition, the mobile device 2 comprises data processing means and data storage means intended to implement mobile / computer applications and to process the data received during an operation of reading an RFID chip by at least one NFC antenna 4.

[0041] Thus, for each NFC antenna 4 of the mobile device 2, a working position 41 is associated which has a first component x^ along the x axis and a second component y4[along the y axis such that the plane (x,y) is a plane parallel to the surface defined by the integrated circuit IC comprising the NFC antenna 4.

[0042] [Fig. 2] illustrates the different steps of the guided digital identification method according to the invention. The progress of the method depends on the availability or not of at least one working position locally in the mobile device and / or externally in a computer server.

[0043] When using the mobile device to access an online service, the user must identify himself to obtain the service and / or to have access to private personal data. The digital identification method can be executed while browsing the website of the service (or the application of the service) or through the launch of a computer application dedicated to digital identification. In addition, the method according to the invention can be executed in the context of the registration of the user in the database of a computer system. Non-limiting examples include registration for the creation of a bank account or registration in an electoral roll, etc.

[0044] The first step 100 of the guided digital identification method consists of the identification request by the mobile application. Thus, a message is displayed to the user on the screen of the mobile device asking him to identify himself by presenting his RFID chip identity document so that it can be read by the mobile device.

[0045] At this stage of execution, the progress of the following steps of the guided digital identification method depends on the availability of local information of at least one working position associated with the implementation position of an NFC antenna of the mobile device. The mobile device then checks whether there is at least one working position of an NFC antenna stored in a local memory of the mobile device. Two different scenarios are provided depending on whether or not the information is available locally.

[0046] The following describes the case where the information is available locally in an internal memory of the mobile device.

[0047] The application performs the following step 200 of indicating via the interface of the mobile device a working position between the mobile device and the identity document. The indicating step is carried out by graphic and / or sound and / or haptic feedback. By way of example and without loss of generality, the indication can be carried out via a message written on the screen, a pointer on the screen indicating the optimal working position, the localized activation of a set of pixels on the screen, a localized vibration or any other means of indicating said working position using the different interaction channels and interfaces between the mobile device and the user. The user thus places the identity document relative to the mobile device so as to place the RFID chip in the working position indicated in the previous step. The next step 300 consists of reading the identification data by the NFC antenna from the RFID chip placed opposite in the working position at a reduced distance. By "a reduced distance" is meant a distance of less than 10 cm and preferably a distance resulting from the RFID chip being brought into contact with the outer shell of the rear face of the telephone.

[0048] Advantageously, the data reading step can be completed by a control mechanism with cryptographic keys to control the security of the data exchanged from the RFID chip and comply with the cybersecurity standards of the digital identification operation.

[0049] Once the reading operation is completed, the digital identification process is concluded.

[0050] The following describes the case where the information is not available locally in an internal memory of the mobile device.

[0051] In this case, the mobile device queries a dedicated external computer server SI, to search for the working position information of an NFC antenna implemented in the model of the mobile device concerned. Indeed, the mobile device 2 is connected to a computer server SI having means for storing and calculating data. The storage means comprise at least one database of NFC antenna implementation positions. The database is classified according to references of the mobile device. Thus, for each model of mobile device available on the market, the database of the external server associates a reference and at least one working position within the meaning of the invention with each model of mobile device compatible with the performance of a digital identification operation. We will describe in a later section an example of the constitution of such a database.

[0052] Two possibilities then arise in response to the query depending on the availability or not of information on at least one work position in the given base.

[0053] The following describes the case where the information is available externally or in the database stored in the computer server IS.

[0054] The application executes the following step 400 of obtaining the working position of the NFC antenna of the external server according to the reference of the mobile device. The connection between the external computer server SI and the mobile device can be performed via a suitable network, such as a 5G communications network. Once transmitted, the working position information associated with the model of the mobile device used is indicated to the user during step 200 previously detailed. Then, reading step 300 is executed by the mobile device in a manner similar to that previously detailed.

[0055] The following describes the case where the information is not available either internally in the mobile device 2 or externally in the computer server SL.

[0056] In this case, an assisted learning step 500 is triggered by the mobile device. The application launches a learning interface or window guiding the user to perform a sequence of sub-steps forming the learning step. The learning step results in the determination of at least one working position associated with an NFC antenna 4 implemented inside the mobile device 2. The learning step of the mobile device is an interactive step where the user uses his identity document to determine the working position of an NFC antenna in his mobile device by following instructions displayed on the screen of the device. The result of the learning step 500 is then stored internally in the mobile device and used for the successive execution of the indication 200 and reading 300 steps previously described.

[0057] [Fig.3a] illustrates the sub-steps of the learning step 500 of the mobile device 2 compatible with the guided identification method according to the invention.

[0058] The learning step 500 is an interactive step requiring the participation of the user equipped with his RFID chip identity document 3 while being guided by the mobile device 2 through instructions and feedback via various interaction channels.

[0059] The first sub-step 501 of the learning consists of moving the identity document 1 relative to the mobile device in a first direction. For illustration purposes, the direction along the y axis of [Fig. 1] is chosen. It is possible to display an instruction message on the screen of the mobile device indicating the starting point, the arrival point, an animated or frozen curve to follow and any other useful instructions to guide the user to correctly carry out sub-step 501. As indicated in [Fig.3b], it is preferable to place the identity document on the side of the RFID chip 3 in contact with the outer shell of the rear face of the mobile device 2 so as to minimize the orthogonal distance along z between the RFID chip 3 and the NFC antenna 4. Then, slide the identity document 1 from top to bottom to cover the entire surface of the mobile device 2 and therefore of the integrated circuit IC.

[0060] The second sub-step 503 consists of detecting a preliminary working position in which the RFID chip 3 is able to exchange data with the NFC antenna 4 when moving the identity document 1 relative to the mobile device. during the previous sub-step. This detection is carried out when the RFID chip is placed in front of the NFC antenna and therefore covered by its reading field. Remember that this is a preliminary working position and not the optimal working position.

[0061] After this detection, the application executes the third sub-step 503 of indicating to the user the detection of a preliminary work position. The indication of the detection of a preliminary work position can be by graphical feedback by indicating a written message on the screen. Advantageously, the indication of the detection of a preliminary work position can be achieved by the appearance of a pointer indicating said position on the screen. Advantageously, the indication of the detection of a preliminary work position can be achieved by an audible feedback when the chip passes the preliminary work position during the movement step 501. Advantageously, the indication of the detection of a preliminary work position can be achieved by a haptic feedback (global or localized vibration) when the chip passes the preliminary work position during the movement step 501.

[0062] Then, the application executes the fourth sub-step 504 consisting of recording the component according to the chosen direction of a first preliminary working position in an internal memory of the mobile device 2.

[0063] To consolidate the results of the learning step, the user must repeat sub-steps 501 to 504 for N iterations with N a positive integer greater than 2. Preferably, the number of iterations N is chosen to be greater than or equal to 3.

[0064] Advantageously, the user is then invited by the application to execute sub-steps 501 to 504 for at least one iteration in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in the plane (x,y) to obtain at least one preliminary working position along the x axis.

[0065] This thus results from N iterations of sub-steps 501 to 504 a sample of N preliminary working positions associated with the implementation position of an NFC antenna in the integrated circuit IC. The fifth step 505 of the learning consists of the mathematical processing of the sample of preliminary working positions to calculate a resulting working position. This involves, for example, the exclusion of preliminary positions which have a deviation greater than a certain threshold with respect to the core of the sample, and the extraction of the resulting working position by a statistical processing of the arithmetic mean, weighted mean, quadratic mean type for example.

[0066] To conclude, when the information on the working position of the NFC antenna of a mobile device 2 is not available either locally or in the external server SI, the learning step 500 according to the invention will make it possible to obtain this working position for use it during the guided digital identification process according to the invention.

[0067] Advantageously, the working position resulting from the learning of the mobile device 2 is stored in a local memory of said device for later use during a guided digital identification operation.

[0068] Advantageously, the working position resulting from the learning of the mobile device 2 is sent to the external computer server SI to complete the database of working positions of the NFC antennas according to the reference of the mobile device 2.

[0069] [Fig.3c] illustrates an example of the indication of the working position by graphic means during the digital identification method according to the invention. In this example the rear face of the mobile device is displayed on the screen (graphic return) indicating by a marker (the cross here) the working position for a digital identification method according to the invention.

[0070] [Fig.4] illustrates the sub-steps of step 400 of obtaining the working position of the NFC antenna of the external server according to the reference of the mobile device.

[0071] The first sub-step 401 is the transmission from the mobile device 2 to the external server of a request for information on the working position of the NFC antenna containing the reference of the mobile device 2.

[0072] The second sub-step 402 is the determination in a database stored in the server, of a working position associated with the definition reference of the mobile device. The definition reference can be the model and brand of the mobile device 2 or the model and brand of the integrated circuit IC used in the mobile device 2.

[0073] The third sub-step is a final step 403 corresponding to the transmission of the working position associated with the reference of the mobile device, from the external server to the mobile device.

[0074] [Fig.5] illustrates the collaborative ecosystem obtained by implementing the different embodiments of the method according to the invention. Indeed, the external computer server SI has data storage means for recording the database. The external computer server SI also has data processing means for consolidating the values ​​of the working positions from the working positions resulting from the learning received from the different mobile devices implementing the method according to the invention. The external computer server SI also has communication means for exchanging with the mobile devices implementing the method according to the invention in two directions: on the one hand by sending the working positions following a request from a mobile device and receiving the working positions resulting from the learning from a mobile device to consolidate the database.

[0075] It is possible to ask the user during the installation of the application or during a first use of the method to execute the learning step 500 in a systematic manner. This makes it possible to send the resulting position to the external server SI to enrich and consolidate the database with the maximum number of working positions resulting from the learning.

[0076] It is possible to ask the user to execute the learning step 500 regularly over time (every year for example). This makes it possible to send the resulting position to the external server SI for the maintenance of the database with the maximum number of working positions resulting from the learning.

[0077] As a result, the execution of the guided identification method by a plurality of users using a plurality of mobile device models will make it possible to create an ecosystem composed of said users and the external computer server SI which interacts with the different mobile devices implementing the method according to the invention. The exchange of information on the working positions of the NFC antennas then makes it possible to create, maintain and update a centralized database and to facilitate, streamline and personalize the user experience during digital identification.

Claims

Claims

1. Digital identification method with communication between a mobile device (2) capable of implementing a mobile application and an identity document (1) of a user, said mobile device (2) having at least one NFC antenna (4) and a user interface, said identity document (1) having an RFID chip (3) comprising identification data; characterized in that said method comprises: i. a step (100) of requesting identification of the user by the mobile application; ii. a step (200) of indicating to the user via the user interface at least one working position (41) between the mobile device (2) and the identity document (1) for an exchange of identification data between the RFID chip (3) and the NFC antenna (4); iii. a step (300) of exchanging identification data between the mobile device and the identity document; and wherein said method comprises a learning step (500) for determining the working position (41), prior to the step of indicating said working position (41), said learning step (500) comprising: i'. a sub-step (501) of moving the identity document (1) relative to the mobile device (2) in at least a first direction; ii'. a sub-step (502) of detecting a preliminary working position in which the RFID chip (3) is capable of exchanging data with the NFC antenna (4); iii'. a sub-step (503) of indicating the preliminary working position by graphic and / or sound and / or haptic feedback; iv'. a step (504) of recording the preliminary working position; v'. repeating sub-steps i' to iv' N times, with N a non-zero natural integer, to obtain a sample of N preliminary working positions; vi'. a sub-step (505) of calculating the working position (41) from the sample of N preliminary working positions, and in which the calculation sub-step (505) corresponds to a calculation of an average of the preliminary working positions of the sample of N preliminary working positions.

2. A digital identification method according to claim 1, wherein the indicating step (200) is performed by graphical and / or audible feedback. and / or haptic.

3. A digital identification method according to claim 2, wherein the working position is stored in the mobile device.

4. Digital identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the working position (47) is stored in an external server capable of being interrogated by the mobile device (2).

5. Digital identification method according to claim 4, wherein the working position (47) is associated in said server with a mobile device reference.

6. Mobile device comprising: • an NFC antenna (4) placed at a working position (41) for an exchange of identification data between an RFID chip (3) and the NFC antenna (4); • a user interface for indicating to the user said working position (41); • data storage means; • data processing means intended to implement mobile / computer applications and to process the data received during an operation of reading an RFID chip by an NFC antenna (4); The mobile device being configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Mobile device according to claim 6, wherein the NFC antenna (4) is capable of communicating with an HF RFID chip adapted to transmit at a wavelength of 13.56 MHz.

8. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed by the mobile device (2) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, cause said mobile device (2) to implement the identification method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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