Smart Card Flow Controller for Multi-Terminal RF Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control systems using integrated circuit cards or badges can only communicate with a single host terminal at a time, limiting secure logical and physical access to multiple terminals with a single secure object.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a portable device with embedded electronic and software means to manage and control radiofrequency communication streams, allowing multiple secure accesses to different terminals using a single integrated circuit card by processing and redirecting data streams and responses through a flow controller, which can utilize either a single multi-channel Bluetooth chip or multiple Bluetooth chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single integrated circuit card is used to access multiple host terminals, then the versatility and convenience of access control is improved, but the complexity of managing multiple communication streams increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication management into distinct functional components: a flow controller that separates and manages data streams from different host terminals, and a smart card interface that handles card operations independently. This segmentation allows multiple communication streams to be processed concurrently without interfering with each other, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining multi-terminal access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow controller acts as an intermediary between multiple host terminals and the smart card interface. It receives, buffers, and manages communication streams from different hosts, controlling the flow of data to and from the smart card. This intermediary component abstracts the complexity of multi-stream management from both the host terminals and the smart card, enabling versatile access while maintaining manageable system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Bluetooth chips are used to support multiple terminals, then the communication capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow controller is designed as a universal component that can manage communication streams from any number of host terminals regardless of the specific Bluetooth configuration. It provides multi-functional capability to handle authentication, data transmission, and stream management for multiple terminals through a single control architecture, reducing the need for multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically allocates and manages communication resources based on the number of active terminals and their specific requirements. The flow controller can dynamically buffer, prioritize, and route data streams as needed, and the system can adapt between using a single Bluetooth chip with multiple host support or multiple Bluetooth chips based on the operational context, optimizing complexity versus capability.
3Productivity
If data streams from multiple hosts are processed simultaneously, then the productivity and user experience are improved, but the risk of communication conflicts and errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow controller performs preliminary actions by buffering and pre-processing data streams from multiple host terminals before they reach the smart card interface. It prepares and queues authentication requests and data transmissions in advance, organizing them in a controlled manner. This preliminary management prevents conflicts during actual card processing while maintaining the ability to handle multiple hosts concurrently, thus preserving both productivity and communication integrity.
4Reliability
If a flow controller is implemented to manage communication streams, then the control and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow controller functionality is merged with the existing Bluetooth stack and smart card interface in an integrated manner. Rather than adding completely separate control hardware, the flow management capabilities are combined with the communication processing architecture, sharing resources and control paths. This merging approach improves reliability through centralized control while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for processing a plurality of radiofrequency communication streams by way of an integrated circuit card (2), said streams originating from at least two terminals (T1, T2), said card being connected to a device (PB1, PB2) equipped with radiofrequency communication means (BT1, BT2, BT3) which are suitable for the connection of a plurality of host terminals (BT1, BT2). The method is characterized in that said method comprises the following step of monitoring the reception and/or transmission (100, 200, 400) at and/or to the card of a first and second stream of data originating respectively from a first (T1) and second (T2) host terminal, said monitoring step comprising a step of checking the availability (200) of the card before the second stream of data is transmitted to the card. The invention also relates to the corresponding monitoring system and device.