Method, System and Apparatus for NFC Security

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016283759-A1
Application number	US-201313827113-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 14, 2013
Priority date	Oct 18, 2012
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method, system and apparatus for providing security to RFID and NFC systems. In some exemplary embodiments, a smart poster may be utilized to provide appropriate or desired communications with an RFID or NFC-enabled device. Such exemplary embodiments may utilize an authorized NFC tag to communicate with an NFC-enabled device, and upon activation of the authorized NFC tag, may trigger activation or appearance of one or more related items, such as visual cues. Additionally, aspects of NFC security systems which can include regions of security, states of activity and actions performed when security violations are detected.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for detecting of an unauthorized NFC tag; comprising the steps of:
providing a RFID interrogation system with an NFC controller, the interrogation system provided in a frame having an antenna; executing a security scan; checking for unauthorized NFC tags; determining a quantity of and identification codes of the unauthorized NFC tags in proximity to the frame; detecting at least one unauthorized NFC tag; and performing at least one action.

2 . The method for detecting of an unauthorized NFC tag, wherein the at least one action includes disabling the at least one unauthorized NFC tag.

3 . The method for detecting of an unauthorized NFC tag, wherein the at least one action includes at least one of the group consisting of reprogramming the memory contents of the unauthorized NFC tags and jamming the communication channel of said unauthorized tags.

4 . The method for detecting of an unauthorized NFC tag, wherein the at least one action includes at least one of the group consisting of alerting authorized personnel and disabling the display.

5 . The method for detecting of an unauthorized NFC tag, further comprising interrogating the authorized NFC tag and checking if the memory contents and identification codes remain uncorrupted and determining which authorized NFC tags are corrupted.

6 . The method of claim 5 , further including performing at least one action on any authorized corrupted NFC tag.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least one action on any authorized corrupted NFC tag includes at least one of the group consisting of_disabling the at least one unauthorized NFC tag, reprogramming the memory contents of the unauthorized NFC tags and jamming the communication channel of said unauthorized tags.

8 . A security system for detecting unauthorized NFC tags, comprising:
a NFC radio detection system having a NFC controller with scanning or interrogating abilities; a structure for housing the NFC radio detection system and at least one authorized NFC tag; a display provided on the housing and containing the at least one authorized NFC tag; at least one unauthorized NFC tag emitting a RF signal applied on or near the display or structure; the controller interrogating an area including the display and the structure to detect whether the at least one unauthorized NFC tag is present; and an alarm to signal the presence of the at least one unauthorized tag based on results from interrogating the area.

9 . The security system of claim 8 , wherein the area extends past the physical boundary of the display.

10 . The security system of claim 8 , wherein the area corresponds to the size of the display.

11 . The security system of claim 8 , wherein the system further includes an antenna that follows the outside perimeter of the display.

12 . The security system of claim 11 , wherein the antenna is an inductive coil antenna.

13 . The security system of claim 8 , further comprising magnetic probes positioned on the display.

14 . An apparatus for detecting NFC tags, comprising:
a frame having a display, the display including visual information; a security controller with at least one circuit board; at least one security zone including at least a portion of the frame and display; a NFC antenna provided in the frame and defining an interrogation area, the interrogation area being within the at least one security zone; at least one authorized NFC tag affixed to the display; and at least one unauthorized NFC tag.

15 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the visual information includes an advertisement.

16 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further includes a visual indicator associated with the authorized NFC tag.

17 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the apparatus further includes a low power receiver for detecting the presence of NFC reading devices.

18 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the at least one authorized NFC tag includes a feature that cause the unauthorized NFC tag to be strongly detuned.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the feature is at least one of a group of elements including a relatively high dielectric constant, a relatively high magnetic permeability substrate and areas of conductive material beyond that needed to form the antenna.

20 . The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the frame includes at least one of a group of elements including a relatively high dielectric constant, a relatively high magnetic permeability substrate and areas of conductive material beyond that needed to form the antenna.

Assignees

• Avery Dennison Corp

Inventors

• Forster Ian J

Classifications

• G06K7/0008 Primary

  General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer · CPC title

• G06K7/10257 Primary

  arrangements for protecting the interrogation against piracy attacks (computer security in general G06F21/00; jamming of communication, countermeasures H04K3/00; secret communication H04K1/00) · CPC title

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• H04W12/128

  Anti-malware arrangements, e.g. protection against SMS fraud or mobile malware · CPC title

• H04W12/122

  Counter-measures against attacks; Protection against rogue devices · CPC title