Portable and disposable device for accessing an area with restricted access, related access key generation system, and related access control method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (4) for accessing an area with limited access or an area where access is controlled, comprising a support (8), a sensor (10), and an access control stage (18), wherein the support (8) has a disposable portion (24) and a retained portion (26), the sensor (10) is retained by the disposable portion (24) and is configured to measure at least one parameter of a subject's health and to provide detection signals representative of the measurement of the respective health parameter, the access control stage (18) is retained by the retained portion (26) and is configured to store access information in response to the detection signals provided by the sensor (10), and the retained portion (26) is mechanically separable from the discarded portion (24) to form an access key that allows or does not allow access to the area with limited access or an area where access is controlled in response to the access information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Description Technical Field The present invention relates to a portable and disposable device for accessing an area with restricted access. The present invention also relates to an access key generation system having such an access device and a method for controlling access to an area with restricted access.

[0002] The present invention aims to authorize or not authorize access to an area with restricted access where the risk of contamination is restricted, for the measurement of health parameters in humans or animals, in particular the analysis of biological samples, in particular the analysis of biological samples obtained from persons or animals particularly susceptible to the retention of pathogens.

Background Art

[0003] Prior Art It is known that it is required to determine whether the health state of a subject, i.e., a living being such as a person or an animal, is compatible with its entry into an area with restricted access. Such an assessment is significant, for example, often on a global scale, in the control of infectious diseases that are likely to cause humanitarian and economic tragedies related to actual health and whose damaging effects are likely to remain over a long period. This example fits well with the COVID-19 infection.

[0004] Current solutions generally involve testing biological samples obtained from a subject for whom it is desirable to determine whether access to a restricted area is permitted. Alternatively, or in addition to this, such tests are performed directly on the subject.

[0005] The term "restricted area" should be understood to mean an area where access is strictly restricted for a particular category of persons or animals or an area where it is desirable to control the flow of entry.

[0006] In the context of the present invention, the term "health parameter" is to be understood as meaning a biological, physiological, or chemical parameter that enables the qualification and / or quantification of a condition related to the health of a person or animal.

[0007] In the context of the present invention, the term "biological sample" is to be understood as meaning a liquid, gas, or solid sample obtained from a subject and for which it is desirable to determine whether it has at least one predetermined analyte. Biological samples can be derived from any biological source, such as physiological fluids including blood, saliva, ocular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, urine, feces, semen, milk, ascitic fluid, mucous membranes, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, tissue, cultured cells, or the like.

[0008] The biological material collected can be used as a biological sample either directly in the form in which it was obtained upon acquisition or at the end of any pretreatment carried out to modify its properties. For example, a solid or semi-solid biological material can be made liquid by first dissolving or suspending it in a suitable liquid medium.

[0009] The term "analyte" is to be understood in the context of the present invention as meaning a compound of biological origin that may be a nucleic acid or protein derived from a particularly contaminating microorganism, probably infectious, for which the determination of its presence in a biological sample and / or concentrate is sought. Specifically, the present invention may be very useful for detecting DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or RNA (ribonucleic acid) strands or specific proteins of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites involved in infectious contamination, among which, by way of example, mention may be made of coronaviruses such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), influenza, Ebola virus, dengue, chikungunya, or Zika. In addition to this, other types of analytes may be hormones, enzymes, glucose, exogenous compounds (ethanol, pharmaceuticals or anesthetic compounds and / or their metabolites), coagulation parameters (in particular factors VII, V, X, II, and fibrinogen present in plasma), endogenous proteins (for example, proteins released by the myocardium), metabolites, nucleic acids, etc., for which the determination of their presence in a biological sample and / or concentrate is sought.

[0010] Furthermore, such biological, physiological, or physical parameters are, for example, body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen level, pH, etc.

[0011] Conventionally, it has been known to obtain a biological sample and analyze it in a laboratory. Subsequently, a biologist prepares an analysis report, and the subject from whom the sample was obtained is, depending on the content of this report, authorized or not authorized to enter restricted areas.

[0012] However, such procedures are not entirely satisfactory.

[0013] In fact, the automation of such procedures may involve certain difficulties, and this is particularly time-consuming when linked to the logistics associated with the handling of the samples obtained. This has the consequence, for example, that it cannot be applied at the entrance to enclosed means of transport (aircraft, trains, ships, etc.) in order to determine whether each person who has reserved an aircraft or train ticket can board, depending on their state of health or their level of contamination. However, such means of transport are particularly vulnerable to the effects on the state of health induced by users or employees, specifically because they can expose the safety of users to danger or generate contamination.

[0014] In the same way, such procedures cannot be applied on a large scale, for example, to potential participants attending sports, cultural or religious gatherings and to test futt, or, for example, to screen visitors or staff of social, social-medical or health establishments such as residential establishments for the elderly in need of assistance.

[0015] The reasons currently limiting use are specifically the minimum time required to obtain test results (generally more than about 10 minutes), the medium reliability of the test (the presence of a non-negligible false-negative rate), and the difficult traceability of samples which can lead to delays, errors or fraud. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0016] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an access device that enables the generation of an access key that allows a subject to be screened in a simple, rapid and automated manner according to their state of health. Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] Disclosure of the Invention For this purpose, the present invention relates to an access device of the above type having a support part, a sensor, and an access control stage, wherein the support part has a disposable part and a retainable part, the sensor is carried by the disposable part of the support part and is configured to measure at least one health parameter of a subject and supply a detection signal representing the measurement of each health parameter, the access control stage is carried by the retainable part of the support part and is configured to store access information in response to the detection signal supplied by the sensor, preferably in an encrypted form, and the retainable part of the support part can be mechanically separated from the disposable part to form an access key for permitting or prohibiting access to an area where access is restricted according to the access information. Accordingly, the retainable part is configured to form a functionally independent unit from the disposable part. Following its separation from the disposable part, the retainable part forms a key that can be used independently of the disposable part. The separation means a complete separation or disconnection that enables the key part to be reconnected to a new disposable sensor part, and as a result, it should be understood that subsequent reuse of the key is possible.

[0018] In fact, such an access device combines - a sensor, which is intended to measure each health parameter of a subject in an autonomous and on-board manner, for example, to measure the presence of at least one predefined analyte in a biological sample obtained from the subject, and - an access control stage, which is intended to store information in response to such detection and is coupled or not coupled to biometric data.

[0019] By separating the retainable part (where the access control stage is provided) from the disposable part (which houses the used biosensor), an access key that can be used as an access permit is obtained.

[0020] As a result, no biologist intervention is required, and the subject can quickly and automatically obtain the access key. In addition, the disposable parts that are potentially contaminated (or, in some cases, made to be contaminated) can be easily discarded, for example, in a safety container provided at the test site, and / or can be immersed in a disinfectant solution to neutralize any possible risks imposed by itself.

[0021] For example, according to the access information stored on the access key read by a reader placed at the entrance to a restricted area, it is also possible to authorize or not authorize the subject to access the area.

[0022] As a result, the access device according to the present invention has the following advantages. - Ergonomics and hygiene: The test is potentially non-invasive (for example, when based on the use of the subject's saliva as a biological sample), which allows the human subject to perform it himself. Potentially contaminated sensors are removed and discarded. In addition, for example, the screening of test subjects can be performed without any human intervention using an automated gantry. - Manufacturing cost: Due to its structure, such a device is simple to manufacture and thus has a low manufacturing cost. - Test speed: The sensor can be optimized to supply a detection signal after only a few minutes. In addition, within the territory permitted by law, the test can be performed without the intervention of a biologist so that the access key can be obtained quickly.

[0023] According to other advantageous aspects of the present invention, the access device has one or more of the following features in an isolated state or in any technically possible combination. - The sensor is intended to be in contact with a biological sample obtained from a subject, and the sensor is further configured to supply a detection signal representing the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample, and the detection signal also represents the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample. - The access information has data related to the detection signal and / or the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample obtained from the subject and / or a time stamp, and data related to the period of validity of the access authorization and / or data related to the location of the validity of the access authorization, and preferably has a unique identifier of the subject. - The access control stage is further configured to store a unique identifier of the subject from which the biological sample was obtained. - The access control stage is configured to receive the detection signal, and the access control stage is further configured to establish preferably an encrypted wireless link with an external data processing unit and transmit the detection signal received from the sensor to the data processing unit via the wireless link. The access control stage is also configured to receive an analysis signal based on the detection signal and having access information from the data processing unit via the wireless link. - Also, the access control stage is configured to receive energy via the wireless link, and the access control stage is configured to obtain at least a portion of the received energy to generate an interrogation signal for the sensor. The sensor is configured to supply a detection signal following reception of the interrogation signal generated by the access control stage. - The access control stage is electrically connected to the sensor using a connection bus, and the holdable portion of the support is configured to be separated from the disposable portion by being broken along a predetermined fracture line. The connection bus is configured to be severed preferably at the fracture line upon separation of the holdable portion from the disposable portion.

[0024] As an example, in this particular embodiment, the holdable part can be composed of several removable parts, each of which houses an access control stage so as to receive information from the same sample, and are arranged in sequence and linked together by a connection bus. It is important to note that when the test is executed, the fracture in the connection bus does not affect the information already transmitted to one or more access control stages, or - The access control stage is electrically connected to the sensor using the connection bus, and the holdable part of the support is configured to be separated from the disposable part by being peeled off in a predefined bonding zone. The electrical continuity of the connection bus within the bonding zone is provided by a conductive adhesive or by vias configured to break during peeling. It is important to note that when the test is executed, the peeling in the connection bus does not affect the information already transmitted to the access control stage, or - The access control stage is electrically connected to the sensor using the connection bus, and the holdable part of the support is configured to be separated from the disposable part by disconnection. The two parts are interconnected by a multi-contact connector such as, for example, a USB key system or a memory card. The male part of the connector can be housed on the holdable part or on the disposable part. In this case, the connection bus is preferably configured to be interrupted in a disconnection zone during the separation of the holdable part 26 from the disposable part 24, and as a result, the holdable PASS part is reusable together with a new disposable sensor part when reset. It is important to note that when the test is executed, the disconnection does not affect the information already transmitted to the access control stage, - The access control stage preferably forms at least a part of a wireless tag having the ability to implement short-range communication, - The holdable parts of the sensor and the support are separated from each other, and the distance between the holdable parts of the sensor and the support exceeds the predefined contamination limit.

[0025] In addition to this, the present invention relates to an access key generation system having an access device defined as above, a data processing unit configured to receive a detection signal, generate an analysis signal having access information from the received detection signal, and provide the analysis signal to an access control stage.

[0026] In addition to this, the present invention relates to an access control method for authorizing or not authorizing access of a subject to a restricted area, the method using an access device defined as above, and · Measuring at least one health parameter of the subject using a sensor; · Generating access information according to the detection signal; · Storing the access information in an access control stage; · Separating the holdable part of the support from the disposable part to form an access key. It has.

[0027] According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the access control method has one or more of the following features obtained in an isolated state or in any technically possible combination. - The method further has recording a unique identifier of the subject from whom a biological sample has been obtained in the access control stage. - The method · Transmitting the detection signal supplied by the sensor to the data processing unit via a wireless link, preferably in an encrypted state; · Using the data processing unit to analyze the detection signal supplied by the sensor to determine the value of each health parameter and generating access information according to the analysis of the detection signal. · After the access information is generated by the data processing unit, transmitting an analysis signal having the access information generated from the data processing unit via a wireless link to an access control stage; further comprising; - The method further comprises, in addition to this, · Presenting an access key formed on a reader equipped at the entrance to an area where access is restricted; · Using the reader to read the access information stored within the access control stage of the access key; · According to the read access information, authorizing or not authorizing the subject's access to the area where access is restricted; comprising; - When authorizing or not authorizing access to an area where access is restricted, the access to the area where access is restricted is authorized when the access information notifies the absence of at least one predetermined analyte in a biological sample from which the access information was obtained from the subject, or when the value of the health parameter is included within a predetermined range or threshold, and otherwise, access is prohibited.

[0028] Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will be more fully understood from the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example only and is carried out with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] Detailed Description FIG. 1 shows an access key generation system 2 according to the present invention.

[0031] This type of generation system 2 is intended to be used, for example, as a rapid immuno-self test for virus load by electronic biodetection of saliva samples.

[0032] The generation system 2 can provide an access key that enables determination of whether a subject is authorized to access an area with restricted access. As will become apparent from the following description, such an access key is a physical object and not a virtual one.

[0033] The generation system 2 includes an access device 4 and a data processing unit 6 configured to cooperate with the access device 4 to set parameters of the access key.

[0034] Structure Access Device As will become apparent from the following description, the access device 6 is a portable and disposable device.

[0035] More precisely, in the context of the present invention, "disposable" means that in a given access device 4, a single object or, failing that, a single biological sample is being tested, and in this case the sensor 10 of the access device is preferably discarded (or, in some cases, destroyed) after such a test. On the other hand, and as will be described later, the access key itself can be presented a number of times during a check intended to determine whether the object is authorized or not to access one or more restricted areas within a restricted or unrestricted time window.

[0036] The access device 4 has a support 8, a sensor 10, and an integrated circuit 12 electrically connected to the sensor 10 using a connection bus 14.

[0037] The sensor 10 is configured to measure at least one health parameter of the object, where each health parameter represents the health state of the object.

[0038] For example, the sensor 10 is configured to measure the body temperature or blood pressure of the object (with or without contact with the object), or, in some cases, the pH of a biological sample obtained from the object.

[0039] According to another example, the sensor 10 is sensitive to at least one predefined analyte. In this case, the sensor 10 is intended to be brought into contact with a biological sample of the object under test obtained from the object in order to measure the presence or absence of each predefined analyte, or, in some cases, its concentration in the biological sample.

[0040] For example, a given analyte is a compound such as a nucleic acid or a protein that represents a microbiological contaminant such as a viral or bacterial contaminant and / or an antibody specific to a given antigen and / or an analyte that represents a changed state of a health and / or intoxication and / or concentration or physicochemical parameter value.

[0041] Furthermore, the sensor 10 is configured to supply a detection signal representing a measured value of each given health parameter. For example, the sensor 10 is configured such that, for each given analyte, the detection signal represents the presence and / or concentration of the analyte in a biological sample.

[0042] As an example, the biological sample is a body fluid such as breath, saliva, sputum, sebum, sweat, blood, or exudate from a wound. For example, the biological sample is obtained from a sample (such as saliva, sputum, etc.) obtained from the nasopharyngeal duct or oral cavity of the subject.

[0043] For example, in the case where the sensor 10 has sensitivity to at least one predetermined analyte, the sensor 10 has a highly sensitive surface having a graphene sheet deposited on a rigid substrate (e.g., silicone) or on a flexible substrate (polymer). Graphene is a particularly advantageous material for the present invention due to its mass production, which allows for the development of disposable accurate sensors at reduced costs and its use in the field of interfacial chemistry. In this case, the graphene sheet is covered by a thin layer having functional groups (e.g., DNA strands, oligonucleotides, aptamers, peptides, enzymes, or antibodies) specific to a given analyte. When the biological sample has the analyte, a biological recognition reaction occurs between the functional group and the analyte, resulting in the immobilization of the analyte, which consequently causes a change in the electrostatic charge induced on the surface of the graphene sheet. Specifically, any such change in the electrostatic charge increases as the concentration of the analyte in the biological sample increases. This change in the electrostatic charge results in a change in the conductivity of the graphene sheet, and the amplitude thereof reflects the concentration of the analyte. Such a change in conductivity can be determined from the detection signal supplied by the sensor 10.

[0044] The integrated circuit 12 is configured to receive the detection signal supplied by the sensor 10 and transmitted by the connection bus 14. In this case, the connection bus 14 is generated using, for example, the conductive track 15.

[0045] Also, the integrated circuit 12 is configured to exchange signals with the data processing unit 6 by wireless communication for the generation of an access key.

[0046] Also, advantageously, the wireless communication module 12 is configured to receive energy wirelessly from the data processing unit 6. Such energy transmission is realized, for example, by induction.

[0047] Such an implementation of wireless energy transmission is advantageous in that it is no longer necessary to use electrical energy storage means at the level of the access device 4.

[0048] As an example, the integrated circuit 12 is configured to obtain energy from a wireless link 20 described later.

[0049] The integrated circuit 12 has a digitization stage 16 and an access control unit 18 that are electrically connected to each other.

[0050] The digitization stage 16 is connected to the sensor 10 so as to receive the analog detection signal supplied by the sensor 10 and convert it into a digital detection signal applied to the input of the access control stage 18.

[0051] As a variant, the digitization stage 16 is not integrated within the integrated circuit 12 and is implemented using independent electrical components. According to another variant, the digitization function is performed by the access control stage 18 itself.

[0052] The access control stage 18 is configured to generate an interrogation signal for the sensor 10. In this case, the sensor 10 is configured to supply a detection signal following reception of the interrogation signal supplied by the access control stage 18. Specifically, the access control stage 18 is configured to generate an interrogation signal from at least a portion of the energy received by the integrated circuit 12 from the data processing unit 6.

[0053] In addition to this, the access control stage 18 is preferably configured to establish an encrypted wireless link 20 with the data processing unit 6. In addition to this, the access control stage 18 is configured to transmit the detection signal received from the sensor 10 to the data processing unit 6 via the wireless link 20.

[0054] Such a wireless link 20 is established by using, in particular, an antenna (not shown) of the access control stage 18.

[0055] The encryption of the wireless link 20 is advantageous in the sense that such a link transmits a detection signal that can extract highly confidential data, such as confidential data, related to the subject from which the biological sample was taken.

[0056] Also, preferably, the access control stage 18 is configured to transmit information related to the sensor 10 to the data processing unit 6 via the wireless link 20. Such information related to the sensor 10 is registered, for example, in the access control stage 18 during the manufacture of the access device 4 and can be used by the data processing unit 6 during the analysis of the detection signal, as will be described later.

[0057] Also, the access control stage 18 is configured to receive, via the wireless link 20, from the data processing unit, an analysis signal established from the detection signal and having access information.

[0058] Advantageously, in addition, the access control stage 18 is configured to store a unique identifier of the subject for which one or more health parameters are being measured. For example, the unique identifier is transmitted to the access control stage 18 by the data processing unit 6 via the wireless link 20.

[0059] Advantageously, the access control stage 18 forms at least a part of a wireless tag, also referred to as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag. In this case, the wireless tag can preferably implement Near Field Communication (NFC). As a variant, the wireless tag can implement a wireless communication belonging to the ultra-high frequency domain, such as a wireless communication having a carrier frequency defined by, for example, EPCglobal or ISO 18000-6C standard, particularly 860 MHz (megahertz) to 960 MHz.

[0060] The use of RFID technology is particularly advantageous, especially from the perspective of manufacturing costs. In fact, such characteristics confer a high degree of simplicity in the manufacturing of the access device 4 (particularly the wireless communication module 12). As a result, since wireless tags are generally very inexpensive, the access device 4 according to the present invention can be manufactured by mass production and at a very low cost.

[0061] In addition to this, the use of RFID technology enables the encryption of the stored data and the wirelessly exchanged signals. As a result, there is a possibility that one or more results of the biological sample test become immutable and confidential.

[0062] The support part 8 preferably has an elongated shape. For example, the support part 8 has forms such as a strip, a stick, a swab, a tab, etc.

[0063] The support part 8 has a disposable part 24 and a holdable part 26 that are mechanically connected to each other.

[0064] More precisely, and as shown in FIG. 1, the disposable part 24 is equipped with the sensor 10. In addition to this, the holdable part 26 is equipped with the access control stage 18. Furthermore, when the digitization stage 16 is not included within the integrated circuit 12, it is carried by the disposable part 24 or by the holdable part 26 of the support part 8.

[0065] The retainable portion 26 of the support portion 8 can be mechanically separated from the disposable portion 24 to form an access key, and this access key permits or prohibits access to an area where access is restricted according to access information.

[0066] Naturally, the access key itself is not disposable and, instead, can be presented during a plurality of checks, in which case each of these checks is intended to authorize or not authorize access to the same area or different areas where access is restricted by the object associated with the key.

[0067] More precisely, the retainable portion 26 of the support portion 8 is configured to be mechanically separated from the disposable portion 24 by breaking, cutting, tearing, or peeling. In addition to this, the connection bus 14 is configured to be cut during such separation in such a way as to particularly permit easy separation of the disposable portion 24 and the retainable portion 26.

[0068] According to the example shown by FIG. 2, the retainable portion 26 of the support portion 8 is configured to be separated from the disposable portion 24 by breaking, more precisely by breaking along a predefined fracture line 28. In this case, the connection bus 14 is configured to be cut particularly at the level of one or more fracture lines 28.

[0069] In this case, the support part 8 is, for example, a component manufactured from a molded polymer plastic, and its structure has a notch that defines a fracture line 28 to allow it to break when a mechanical twist is applied to the support part 8. The track 15 is manufactured from, for example, an easily breakable conductive material such as a conductive polymer that incorporates silver particles within a plastic channel embedded within the support part 8. As a result, the access key can be used like an access badge or a pre-cut credit card.

[0070] According to another example shown by FIG. 3, the holdable part 26 of the support part 8 is configured to be separated from the disposable part 24 by being peeled off at a predetermined joining zone 30. In this case, when the disposable part 24 and the holdable part 26 of the support part 8 are not mechanically separated, the electrical continuity of the connection bus 14 at the level of the joining zone 30 is provided by a conductive adhesive (for example, a conductive adhesive filled with silver fine particles) and / or vias 32. Such vias 32 are configured to break when the holdable part 26 is peeled off. In the same way, the conductive adhesive is configured not to provide the electrical continuity of the connection bus 14 after the holdable part 26 is peeled off.

[0071] In this case, the holdable part 26 is, for example, a paper or polymer support having an antenna of an access control stage in the form of a bendable printed structure manufactured from a conductive ink or a thin etched metallic layer, generally referred to as an RFID inlay. Advantageously, in order to facilitate the peeling of the holdable part 26, the disposable part 24 is provided at the joining zone 30 with a suitable non-adhesive layer.

[0072] Advantageously, the access key has an adhesive surface. As a result, the access key can be used in the form of a sticker and can be attached, for example, to the upper part of an identity certificate, a boarding pass, etc.

[0073] According to an example shown in FIG. 4, the holdable portion 26 of the support portion 8 is configured to be separated from the disposable portion 24 that can be discarded by disconnection. More specifically, the two portions are interconnected by a multi-contact connector 50 such as a USB key system or a memory card, for example. The male part of the connector can be accommodated on the holdable portion 26 or on the disposable portion 24. In this case, the connection bus is configured to be interrupted preferably at the level of the disconnection zone when the holdable portion 26 is separated from the disposable portion 24. The holdable portion 26 thus disconnected from the disposable portion 24 can then be used to cooperate with the processing unit 6.

[0074] According to all exemplary embodiments, the holdable portion 26 is configured to perform a main function independently of the disposable portion. Thus, the above-described functional elements (e.g., integrated circuits, energy storage, information storage) are distributed between the disposable portion and the holdable portion in such a way that the holdable portion is allowed to perform its main function independently.

[0075] Preferably, the access device 4 is such that the sensor 10 and the holdable portion 26 of the support portion 8 are separated from each other before the disposable portion 24 is separated from the holdable portion 26 of the support portion 8. In this case, the distance between the sensor 10 and the holdable portion 26 of the support portion 8 is beyond a predetermined contamination limit. This is advantageous in that it potentially avoids contamination of the holdable portion 26 when the access device 4 is used to test biological samples.

[0076] Data processing unit As described above, the data processing unit 6 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to receive a detection signal from the access control stage 18 via the wireless link 20 and to analyze the detection signal. Specifically, the data processing unit 6 can analyze the detection signal, preferably in the correspondence with the sensor 10 from which the detection signal is derived, for example, to determine health parameters such as to determine the presence and / or concentration of each corresponding predetermined analyte in a biological sample.

[0077] For example, the data processing unit 6 is a smartphone that runs a dedicated application for processing the detection signal provided by a predetermined sensor 10.

[0078] Also, the data processing unit 6 is configured to generate corresponding access information from such an analysis of the received detection signal.

[0079] Preferably, the access information has data related to the presence or absence of each predetermined analyte in the biological sample, or, in some cases, to its concentration in the biological sample, or otherwise to the value of a predetermined physical, physiological, or biological parameter.

[0080] More preferably, the access information has data related to the timestamp of the access authorization and the period of validity and / or data related to the location of the validity of the access authorization. This is advantageous in that the validity of the test results of the subject executed using the generation system 2 and / or the biological sample obtained from the subject is, as a result, restricted to a given spatio - temporal window. Such a spatio - temporal window is associated with a given event, for example, the phase of boarding a given commercial flight, without limitation. Of course, such a spatio - temporal window can be associated with any event that requires monitoring of the subject to provide the possibility of access to an area where access is restricted.

[0081] Furthermore, the data processing unit 6 is configured to transmit an analysis signal to the access control stage 18 via the wireless link 20, in which case the analysis signal has the generated access information. As a result, the analysis signal depends on the detection signal supplied by the sensor 10.

[0082] Also advantageously, the access information has a unique identifier of the subject whose health parameters have been measured (e.g., using a biological sample obtained from the subject). Such a feature is advantageous in terms of reinforcing the traceability of the access key and reducing the risk of fraud.

[0083] For example, in this latter case, the data processing unit 6 is configured to provide the subject with the possibility of identifying itself using the secure portal. Of course, any other means of clearly identifying the subject is also conceivable.

[0084] Function The functions of the generation system 2 will be described below.

[0085] In order to determine whether a subject is authorized to access a restricted area, respective predefined health parameters of the subject are measured using the sensor 10 of the access device 4 of this generation system 2. For example, a biological sample is obtained from the subject, and then the sensor 10 is in contact with the obtained biological sample.

[0086] Next, sensor 10 supplies corresponding detection signals that are digitized by digitization stage 16 and applied to the input of access control stage 18. Then, the detection signals supplied by sensor 10 are analyzed to determine respective health parameters, for example, to determine the presence or absence of at least one analyte in a biological sample, and to generate access information according to the result of the analysis of the detection signals.

[0087] Specifically, preferably an encrypted wireless link 20 is established between access control stage 18 and data processing unit 6. In this case, the detection signals received by access control stage 18 and arriving from sensor 10 are transmitted via wireless link 20 to data processing unit 6 such that the analysis of the detection signals and the generation of access information are performed by data processing unit 6.

[0088] Next, the access information is stored within access control stage 18. Preferably, the access information is stored within access control stage 18 in an encrypted form. As a result, the access information stored within access control stage 18 can only be read by a reader specifically configured to decrypt it. This increases the security of the access key and reduces the possibility that the information it contains can be rewritten by a malicious third party.

[0089] Specifically, to allow such storage of access information, data processing unit 6 transmits an analysis signal having access information to access control stage 18 via wireless link 20.

[0090] Finally, to form the access key, the holdable portion 26 of support 4 is separated from the disposable portion 24.

[0091] Preferably, the analysis signal further has a unique identifier of the subject from which the biological sample was obtained. Also, in this case, the data processing unit 6 transmits the unique identifier for its storage within the access control stage.

[0092] Once the access key is removed from the disposable part 24 of the support 8, the access key is presented to a reader equipped at the entrance to the restricted access area.

[0093] The reader then reads the access information stored within the access control stage 18 of the access key, and then, depending on the read access information, the subject is authorized or not authorized to access the restricted access area.

[0094] For example, access to the restricted access area is authorized if the access information indicates the absence of at least one analyte in the biological sample, or if the value of the health parameter is within a predefined range or threshold, and otherwise access is prohibited.

[0095] Furthermore, the disposable part 24 of the support 8 separated from the retainable part 26 of the support 8 is preferably transferred to a biological waste treatment stream and / or immersed in a disinfectant solution to neutralize its possible hazards.

[0096] As a variant, the data processing unit is integrated within a reader intended to authorize or not authorize the subject's access to the restricted access area, in which case, therefore, the reader is performing the analysis of the detection signal.

[0097] In this case, the detection signal stored within the access control stage 18 forms at least a part of the access information. In such a variant, the wireless link is established directly between the reader and the access control stage 18 for transmission of the detection signal.

[0098] In addition to this, in this case, the access device 4 is preferably equipped with an energy storage member intended to supply the energy required for its operation to the access control stage.

[0099] Such an energy storage member is charged, for example, at the time of manufacture of the access device 4. According to another example, the energy storage member is charged using the wireless link, in which case the wireless link is established to transmit the unique identifier of the subject to the access control stage 18, for example, before the health parameter of the subject is measured by the sensor 10.

[0100] According to another variant, the access key generation system 2 does not have a data processing unit, in which case the access control stage 18 is configured to analyze the detection signal to establish the access information.

[0101] Also, in this case, the energy storage member is preferably provided within the access device 4 to supply the energy required for its operation to the access control stage 18.

Claims

1. In a portable device (4) for accessing an area with restricted access, which is disposable and has a support part (8), a sensor (10), and an access control stage (18), the portable access device is disposable in that the sensor (10) is intended to be in contact with a biological sample obtained from a subject, the support part (8) has a disposable part (24) and a retainable part (26), the sensor (10) is carried by the disposable part (24) of the support part (8) and is configured to measure at least one health parameter of a subject and supply a detection signal representing the measurement of each health parameter, the access control stage (18) is carried by the retainable part (26) of the support part (8) and is configured to store access information, preferably in an encrypted form, in response to the detection signal supplied by the sensor (10), the retainable part (26) of the support part (8) is mechanically separable from the disposable part (24) to form an access key for permitting or prohibiting access to the area with restricted access according to the access information, characterized by the device.

2. The sensor (10) is configured to supply a detection signal representing the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample, and the detection signal also represents the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample, the access device (4) according to claim 1.

3. The sensor (10) has a graphene sheet, and the graphene sheet is covered by a thin layer having a functional group specific to a given analyte, the access device (4) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The access information is related to data and / or a time stamp regarding the presence or absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the detection signal and / or the biological sample obtained from the subject, and data related to the period of validity of the access authorization and / or data related to the location of the validity of the access authorization, and, preferably, the access device (4) according to claim 1, 2, or 3 having a unique identifier of the subject.

5. The access control stage (18) is further configured to store a unique identifier of the subject, the access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The access control stage (18) is configured to receive the detection signal, The access control stage (18) is further configured to preferably establish an encrypted wireless link (20) with an external data processing unit (6) and transmit the detection signal received from the sensor (10) to the data processing unit (6) via the wireless link (20), The access control stage (18) is also configured to receive, via the wireless link (20), an analysis signal established based on the detection signal and having the access information from the data processing unit (6), the access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The access control stage (18) is also configured to receive energy via the wireless link (20), the access control stage being configured to obtain at least a part of the received energy to generate an interrogation signal for the sensor (10), the sensor (10) being configured to supply the detection signal following reception of the interrogation signal generated by the access control stage (18), the access device (4) according to claim 6.

8. The access control stage (18) is electrically connected to the sensor (10) using a connection bus (14), and the holdable portion (26) of the support portion (8) is configured to be separated from the disposable portion (24) by breaking along a predefined fracture line (28). The connection bus (14) is configured to be severed preferably at the fracture line (28) when the holdable portion (26) is separated from the disposable portion (24). The access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The access control stage (18) is electrically connected to the sensor (10) using a connection bus (14), and the holdable portion (26) of the support portion (8) is configured to be separated from the disposable portion (24) by being peeled off at a predefined bonding zone (30). The electrical continuity of the connection bus (14) within the bonding zone (30) is provided by a conductive adhesive or by vias configured to break during the peeling. The access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. The access control stage (18) is electrically connected to the sensor (10) using a connection bus (14), and the holdable portion (26) of the support portion (8) is connected to the disposable portion (24) by a multi - contact connector (50) such as a USB key system or a memory card, for example. The holdable portion (26) is configured to be separated from the disposable portion (24) by disconnection. The connection bus (14) is configured to be interrupted preferably in the disconnection area when the holdable portion (26) is separated from the disposable portion (24). The male part of the connector (50) can be accommodated on the holdable portion (26) or on the disposable portion (24). The access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. The access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the access control stage (18) preferably forms at least a part of a wireless tag capable of implementing short-range communication.

12. The sensor (10) and the holdable part (26) of the support part (8) are separated from each other, and the distance between the sensor (10) and the holdable part (26) of the support part (8) exceeds a predetermined contamination limit. The access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. An access key generation system (2) having the access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a data processing unit (6) configured to receive the detection signal, generate an analysis signal having the access information from the received detection signal, and provide the analysis signal to the access control stage (18).

14. An access control method for authorizing or not authorizing access of a target to a restricted area, the method using the access device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and - Measuring at least one health parameter of the target using the sensor (10); - Generating the access information according to the detection signal; - Storing the access information in the access control stage (18); - Separating the holdable part (26) of the support part (8) from the disposable part (24) to form the access key, preferably further having the step of recording a unique identifier of the target in the access control stage (18). A method having the above steps.

15. - preferably, transmitting the detection signal supplied by the sensor (10) to the data processing unit (6) via the wireless link (20) in an encrypted state; - using the data processing unit (6) to analyze the detection signal supplied by the sensor (10) in order to determine the value of each health parameter, and generating the access information according to the analysis of the detection signal; - after the access information is generated by the data processing unit (6), transmitting an analysis signal having the generated access information from the data processing unit (6) to the access control stage (18) via the wireless link; The access control method according to claim 14, further comprising the above.

16. - presenting the formed access key to a reader equipped at the entrance to the restricted area; - reading, using the reader, the access information stored in the access control stage (18) of the access key; - authorizing or not authorizing the access of the subject to the restricted area according to the read access information, preferably, in this method, when authorizing or not authorizing the access of the subject to the restricted area, the access to the restricted area is authorized when the access information notifies the absence of at least one predetermined analyte in the biological sample obtained from the subject, or when the value of the health parameter is within a predetermined range, and otherwise, access is prohibited; The access control method according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising the above.

Images