CH711332A2 - Container for protection against data theft for RFID or NFC chip. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a container (10) having a plurality of inner pockets (12) for receiving articles each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip. In this case, the container (10) is provided on at least two surfaces (16, 18) which enclose at least one of the plurality of inner pockets (12), each having an electrically conductive layer (14), so that the at least one of the plurality of inner pockets (12). is shielded from electromagnetic radio waves by the at least two surfaces (16, 18). The electrically conductive layer (14) is graphite-free and on the layer (14) one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device for protection against data theft, identity and payment fraud in contactless data transmission via electromagnetic radio waves. Passports, credit, debit, access control cards, etc., are increasingly finding NFC / RFID radio chips. More particularly, the invention relates to a container having a plurality of inner pockets for receiving objects each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip.

STATE OF THE ART

The invention relates to smart cards (health cards / health insurance cards, credit cards / debit cards, tickets, etc.), identity cards (passports, identity cards, employee cards, access cards, etc.) and banknotes of the next generation, which are equipped with NFC / RFID radio technology ,

In general, this GFID transponders are used to send the data stored here by radio transmission to a receiver and to receive the data transmitted by a transmitter with the RFID chip and store. At low frequencies, this is done inductively via a near field, at higher frequencies via an electromagnetic far field. The distance over which an RFID transponder can be read out varies between a few centimeters and more than one kilometer due to the design (passive / active), frequency band used, transmission strength and environmental influences.

The individual types of RFID transponders sometimes differ quite strongly from each other. However, the structure of an RFID transponder consists in principle of an antenna, an analog circuit for receiving and transmitting (transponder) and a digital circuit and a permanent memory module.

So-called passive RFID transponders obtain their energy to transmit the information stored on them, in contrast to the active transponders, which are operated with battery, from the received radio waves of the transmitting and receiving device. These radio waves are called "Continuous Wave". With the antenna of the RFID / NFC chip, which simultaneously performs the function of an induction coil, a capacitor is charged by induction, which supplies the RFID / NFC chip, also referred to in English as "day", with energy. Due to the low capacitance of the capacitor, the continuous wave must be maintained throughout the reader while the tag is in transmit or receive mode.

In addition, it should be noted that a reader can read a smart card only on the front or back. That no data can be read out via the edges.

DE 20 2010 016 341 U1 introduces a device for suppressing unwanted wireless communication. In a protective container, wireless communication-capable portable devices are stored. The protective container is designed such that it restricts or makes impossible a communication between the device and the outside world.

From DE 20 2006 002 284 U1 a shielding device for protection against the reading of passports, ID cards, smart cards and other carrier media, which are equipped with RFID radio technology, known. In this case, the reading of RFID-equipped ID documents etc. is prevented by means of a shielding shell.

From DE 20 2013 003 410 U1 a cell phone case with RFID / NFC protection is known.

All mentioned documents have in common that the protection is achieved by complete enclosure.

Furthermore, there exist prior art embodiments, as known from US 2009/0 067 150 A1 or US 2013/0 099 005 A1, which use individual surfaces to prevent data theft. However, these embodiments always rely on metals to shield or absorb electromagnetic waves. As a result, both NFC signals and RFID signals are shielded.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The inventor has recognized that the complete enclosure of the RFID / NFC transponder carrying article is disadvantageous. In particular, the complete enclosure means that a user must operate a relatively high effort to make the item operational. In the case of a credit card, for example, the envelope with the card contained therein must first be removed from a wallet and then the card must be removed from the envelope. This additional expense means that the known cases are not used consistently and the transponders are often transported unprotected. In addition, with several chip cards etc., the volume of the wallet massively increases. In addition, there are applications for which a user wants to have RFID signals read without having to remove his card from the wallet; For example, access control to rooms or buildings.

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for protection against data theft, identity and payment fraud in contactless data transmission via electromagnetic radio waves, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above. In particular, the object is to provide a more flexible device that is easier to use by a user and therefore more reliable and connected in everyday life when using RFID radio chips with less additional effort. In particular, the object still is to provide a device which, regardless of a specific embodiment of the NFC / RFID radio chip carrier, z. As the credit card is.

This object is achieved by the device according to claim 1, the device according to claim 11 and the use according to claim 12 or 13. Advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The unauthorized access to data of an NFC / RFID radio chip is by an electrically conductive thin pad, which may be, for example, a metal element or a metal or carbon graphite graphite, preferably flat, even interrupted flat in the form of stripes or patterns, exhibiting object , prevented. A flat, electrically conductive object is understood to be an object whose extent in a surface, which may also be bent or bent, is greater by at least one order of magnitude than its extent in a direction perpendicular to the surface. Likewise, an electrically conductive ink layer prevents read-out. The pad may have plastic, thicker paper, cardboard, etc. to increase its stability. Important is an electrically conductive layer in between or on at least one of the sides. The conductive layer may also be made in stripes. In order to enable a selective readout of RFID data, one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged on the electrically conductive layer (14). These antennas may preferably be programmed to define the data readable by a readout device. Thus, partial or complete copies of RFID chips can be made, while sensitive data is protected by the layer.

As an alternative to the solution described above, it is also possible that the antenna is provided without an electrically conductive layer. The antenna absorbs energy from the reading radio waves and thus prevents even without additional shielding layer, that data from the NFC / RFID radio chips inside the container are read without authorization. It is advantageous in this context, when the antenna is coupled with a suitable electrical resistance, which causes a particularly strong attenuation of the electromagnetic waves for (unauthorized) readout of the NFC / RFID radio chips.

For example, To protect a men's wallet, a protective strip can be cut to the size of the innermost compartment and inserted there. When the wallet closes, the front and back are automatically protected from unauthorized access.

Analogously, e.g. to proceed with a passport. On the insides of the "cover" of the passport, the pad, which can be made easily liable to be inserted and fixed. If the pass is closed, the interior is protected against unauthorized spying.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the figures and the totality of the claims.

BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0020] Figure 1 shows a wallet without protection against electromagnetic radio waves. FIG. 2 shows the wallet from FIG. 1 with a preferred embodiment of the radio wave protection, which has been inserted 2/3 into the wallet for illustrative purposes.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a conventional wallet 10 with six inside pockets 12 for items, such as credit cards, Maestro cards, cash cards, access cards for buildings or parking garages, driver's license, identity card or similar cards that can be equipped with an RFID or NFC chip. These inner pockets 12 are in the opened state of the wallet 10, which is shown in Figure 1, directly accessible by a user. Behind the inside pockets 12, d. H. when closed, the inner pockets enclosing from the outside, two surfaces 16,18 are defined.

Figure 2 shows the wallet 10 of Figure 1 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thereafter, an electrically conductive layer in the form of two protective elements 14, which are examples of electrically conductive, flat objects, is arranged on the two surfaces 16, 18 such that the inner pockets 12 and the cards located therein are protected against electromagnetic radio waves by the surfaces 16, 18 are shielded from the outside when the wallet is closed. Instead of the protective elements 14 shown in Figure 2, other at least partially electrically conductive objects can be used, which can be preferably formed elastically.

The protective elements 14 preferably have a film on which, depending on the application, one or more layers of different materials of different conductivity, permeability and permittivity can be vapor-deposited. The layer thickness and the sequence of materials changes the electromagnetic properties of the final product. This makes it possible to specifically attenuate certain frequency bands. Thus, it is possible, for example, to effectively shield electromagnetic radiation in the megahertz range, while those in the kilohertz range can penetrate through the protective elements 14. Thus, readout of NFC elements, which are usually read out at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, can be avoided, while RFID tags whose operating frequency is in the kilohertz range continue to function.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a 35 nm to 50 nm, preferably 40 nm thick aluminum layer is vapor-deposited on a film, applied to a polyester layer of substantially any thickness, then vapor deposited again a 35 nm to 50 nm, preferably 40 nm thick aluminum layer , Then applied again a polyester layer of a substantially arbitrary thickness and then deposited again on a 35 nm to 50 nm, preferably 40 nm thick aluminum layer. Thus, the protective element 14 preferably has three aluminum layers of a thickness of in each case 35 nm to 50 nm, preferably 40 nm, which are separated from one another by a respective polyester layer. On the outer layer of aluminum or the outer layers of aluminum, another layer may be applied, for example of polyester, to protect the aluminum. Furthermore, according to the invention, an RFID antenna or an entire RFID chip is arranged on or in the layer, which is / are electrically separated from the aluminum layers. This can be achieved, for example, by applying the RFID antenna / RFID chip to a polyester layer or other non-metallic layer. In addition and in addition, it is also possible for the RFID antenna / RFID chip to have an electrically insulating base via which it can be connected to the layer.

Overall, this results in preferably a cumulative layer thickness of the aluminum or other conductive material of between 70 nm and 200 nm, more preferably between 100 nm and 150 nm.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, an aluminum layer of a thickness of between 35 nm and 100 nm, preferably of 50 nm, is applied on both sides to a polyester layer.

The protective element 14 should preferably have a total thickness of between 80 microns and 150 microns, so that it is easy to handle.

In Figure 2, the protective elements 14 are shown in a two-thirds inserted into the wallet 10 state to make the Schutzelementel4 better visible. It is provided for the finished embodiment that the protective elements 14 are fully inserted into the wallet 10, so that the protection of all located in the inner pockets 12 cards is guaranteed.

Notwithstanding the embodiment shown in Figure 2, for example, it is also possible that a protective element 14 is executed in one piece. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that protective elements are attached to the wallet from the outside, for example glued, sewn, damped or otherwise fastened, or electrically conductive paints or materials are applied by vapor deposition or printing.

In a preferred embodiment, the protective element 14 comprises a plastic base layer, thereon an aluminum or copper foil and thereon an RFID antenna or an RFID chip, wherein the order of these elements can also be changed.

As an alternative to the illustrated wallet, the container can take any other forms.

Claims (19)

1. Container (10) having a plurality of inner pockets (12) for receiving articles each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip, wherein the container (10) on at least two surfaces (16, 18), the at least one of the plurality of inner pockets ( 12), each being provided with an electrically conductive layer (14), so that the at least one of the plurality of inner pockets (12) is shielded from electromagnetic radio waves by the at least two surfaces (16, 18), characterized in that the electrically conductive layer (14) is graphite-free and one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged on the layer (14). 2. Container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two surfaces (16, 18) include a plurality, preferably all the inner pockets (12) of the container (10). 3. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality, preferably all of the respective electrically conductive layers (14) of the at least two surfaces (16,18) are integrally formed with each other. A container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is a wallet, wallet, prepaid card purse or passport pocket for holding a plurality of articles equipped with an RFID or NFC chip. 5. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer is carbon except graphite and / or aluminum and / or copper. 6. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer (14) is a multi-layer layer comprising at least aluminum. 7. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer (14) has a total thickness of between 80 nm and 150 nm. 8. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer (14) has a cumulative thickness of aluminum of between 70 nm and 200 nm, preferably of between 100 nm and 150 nm. 9. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer (14) is a multilayer which comprises a plurality of layers, preferably three layers, with aluminum and in each case a polyester layer, wherein preferably further a polyester layer is disposed on an outer side of one of the layers of aluminum. A container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive layer (14) comprises two elements within a maximum of 10% of a credit card size sized on opposite sides of a credit card housing in the container (10) are. 11. Container (10) having a plurality of inner pockets (12) for receiving articles each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip, wherein the container (10) on at least two surfaces (16,18), the at least one of the plurality of inner pockets ( 12), each having a layer (14), so that the at least one of the several inner pockets (12) is shielded from electromagnetic radio waves by the at least two surfaces (16, 18), characterized in that the layer (14) is graphite-free and one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged on the layer (14). 12. Use of an electrically conductive, planar article (14) for the simultaneous shielding of a plurality of objects which are received in a container (10) with a plurality of inner pockets (12) and each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip, against electromagnetic radio waves from outside the container (10), characterized in that the article (14) is graphite-free and one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged on it. 13. Use of a flat article (14) for the simultaneous shielding of a plurality of objects which are received in a container (10) with a plurality of inner pockets (12) and each equipped with an RFID or NFC chip, against electromagnetic radio waves from outside the Container (10), characterized in that the article (14) is graphite-free and one or more antennas of one or more RFID chips are arranged on it. 14. Use of a flat article (14) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the electrically conductive, flat article (14) is self-adhesive. 15. Use of an electrically conductive, flat article (14) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the electrically conductive, planar article (14) applied to a substrate, in particular vapor-deposited or glued, wherein the substrate is a plastic, paper, cardboard or the like. 16. Use of an electrically conductive, flat article (14) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the electrically conductive, planar article (14) is introduced between two flat substrates. 17. Use of an electrically conductive, flat article (14) according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the electrically conductive, flat article (14) by a user to a shape and size of the container (10) is cut and / or foldable. 18. Use of an electrically conductive, flat article according to one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the electrically conductive layer is carbon except graphite and / or aluminum and / or copper. 19. Use of an electrically conductive, flat article (14) according to one of claims 12 to 18 for a container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 11.