Method and Apparatus for Providing Security in a Radio Frequency Identification System

Abstract

A part can receive a communication that originates externally of the part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with the protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to the protocol. The part extracts the payload information from the security provision.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising a part configured to receive a communication that originates externally of said part, that conforms to a predetermined communications protocol, and that contains payload information consistent with said protocol but subject to a security provision supplemental to said protocol, said part extracting said payload information from said security provision. 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said communication is a wireless communication. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said communications protocol is ISO 18000-7. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said part is a tag. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said security provision includes said payload information being encrypted and authenticated. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said security provision includes said payload information being encrypted. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 6 , including a data segment received by said part and including a type identifier, a length value, and a data field containing cryptographic information relating to said encrypted payload information. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said security provision includes said payload information being authenticated. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , including a data segment received by said part and including a type identifier, a length value, and a data field containing authentication information, said part carrying out an authentication operation as a function of said authentication information and said communication. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said communication has a portion separate from said payload information containing a first command that is a command from said communications protocol; and   wherein said payload information includes at least a portion of a further communication containing a second command that is a command from said communications protocol.   
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said first and second commands are different. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said first and second commands are the same. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein said part successively receives a plurality of communications, the payload information in each said communication being a respective fragment of said further communication. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein said part includes a memory containing a table; and   wherein said part responds to said first command in said portion of said communication by storing said payload information in said table.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said communication is a wireless communication, and said communications protocol is ISO 18000-7. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein said first command is one of a subset of commands of said communications protocol, said subset containing less than all of the commands of said communications protocol;   wherein said part maintains a virtual object, said first command specifying said virtual object as a destination for said payload information; and   wherein said part responds to said second command by transmitting a further communication for propagation away from said part externally thereof, said further communication including tag response information that is subject to a further security provision.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein said payload information includes a random bit having a randomly selected binary state;   wherein said response information includes a response bit; and   wherein said further security provision includes performing an exclusive or between said response bit and said random bit.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said communication has a portion separate from said payload information containing one of first and second commands that are respective different commands from said communications protocol;   wherein said payload information includes at least a portion of a further communication containing a third command that is a command from said communications protocol;   wherein said part includes a memory containing first and second tables;   wherein said part responds to said communication by storing said payload information in said first table if said portion of said communication contains said first command; and   wherein said part responds to said communication by storing said payload information in said second table if said portion of said communication contains said second command.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said third command is different from each of said first and second commands. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said third command is the same as one of said first and second commands. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said communication is a wireless communication, and said communications protocol is ISO 18000-7. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein said part includes a memory containing a table with further payload information stored therein;   wherein said communication has a portion separate from said payload information that includes a selected command that is a command from said communications protocol; and   wherein said part responds to said selected command by transmitting a further communication for propagation away from said part externally thereof, said further communication conforming to said communications protocol and containing said further payload information subject to a further security provision supplemental to said communications protocol.   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said further security provision includes said further payload information being encrypted. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said further security provision includes said further payload information being authenticated. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein said communication is a wireless communication, and said communications protocol is ISO 18000-7. 
     
     
         26 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said protocol specifies a maximum length for said payload information.