Vicinity Smartcards

Résumé du document

Vicinity smartcards are defined by the ISO 15693 standard, which also define the Radio Frequency Identification. This standard points out that these smartcards have to function at a frequency of 13,56 MHz. The Smart Card Handbook (Rankl and Effing, 1997) tells us that most of the smartcards are passive, which means they do not have integrated energy source. It is only while entering in the field of a reader that they are able to function. Their functionality range is between 15 cm and 1,50 m and the magnetic field needed to allow them to work goes from 0,15 A/m to 5 A/m. These smartcards store data, and new data can be written during transmissions. Data transmissions occur when passing by beacons or through portals. The range of these cards being relatively important, several cards can easily be inserted in a reader's field at the same time. That is why the ISO/IEC 15693 standard also describes the data transmission protocols and the anti-collision protocol.

Extraits

[...] This could bring about an increase in the stealing of mobile phones, whereas the use of vicinity smartcards would allow customer to keep their mobile phones safe in their bags or pockets, thanks to its range. Furthermore, this range could be optimised in order to allow rapid ticketing, efficient fraud fighting and also to provide comfortable services to disabled, children and to the elderly. 8/10 Within 10 years, one can picture vicinity smartcards incorporated into our mobile phones, allowing us to use public transports, to get access to car parks, and to pay in theatres, all this being done with maximum comfort and security. [...]

[...] This is a viable scheme, as on the one hand the smartcard technology, of simple use, is already well known by the users, and on the other hand, setting up a security system based upon the use of smartcards is far cheaper than other schemes, such as CCTV. The contacless smartcard-RFID fusion has already been achieved, on a small scale, by Texas Instrument Company to ensure the security of the Academy Awards, on 5/10 March the 26th 2003. Each guest had been recorded previously. When these guests came to the ceremony, they only had to go through a portal with their smartcards, while the informations about their identity were displayed on a computer screen watched by security staff. This allowed an access control both quick and efficient. [...]

[...] According to the forecast, on the second semester of 2006, more than 30 flight companies will use RFID labelling. One can therefore imagine vicinity smart boarding cards. These would allow passengers to recover their luggage more quickly: thanks to vicinity boarding cards, a service proposed by companies could consist in warning the passengers of their luggage arrival. One can then imagine systems aiming at diminishing robberies and the amount of left luggage: a passenger could not leave the luggage hall without carrying the exact number of registered luggage. [...]

[...] Nevertheless, the vicinity smartcard's range of use would make it possible for users to use their smartcards as pedestrians or on board of a vehicle, by embedding beacons in the roads. Thanks to vicinity smartcards, we would have here an urban spotting system both practical and cheap. The website roadbeacon.com claims that in a near future, this technology will allow to manage “main static and dynamic traffic signals, blind guiding and pedestrian applications”. NFC Another system, the Near Field Communication is currently being developed, under the direction of the Near Field Communication Forum, a non-profit industry association. [...]

[...] The near future of vicinity smartcards The vicinity smartcards being currently rarely used, it is difficult to imagine what their importance will be in a near future. However, when the statement is made that is took less than 10 years to proximity smartcards to emerge in public transports, it is reasonable to think that vicinity smartcards could do the same. Speed In the first place, these new smartcards would be of use to reduce the length of time needed by passengers to enter or leave the public transports facilities, especially in metros. [...]