NL2014283B1

NL2014283B1 - Wireless radiofrequency communication chip and method for controlling such communication.

Info

Publication number: NL2014283B1
Application number: NL2014283A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Giuseppe Perra Antonio; Jacobus Keirsgieter Petrus
Original assignee: Zecuria Holding N V
Priority date: 2014-12-03
Filing date: 2015-02-12
Publication date: 2016-10-11

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a wireless radiofrequency communication chip, for example an NFC chip, comprising a light sensor or a sound sensor, a data storage and a controller integrated in the communication chip. The chip may also contain an I/0 interface for connection with an antenna. The controller is configured to control wireless radiofrequency transmission of data stored in the data storage in dependence of a light code received by the light sensor or a sound code received by the sound sensor.

Description

Wireless radiofrequency communication chip and method for controlling such communication

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a wireless radiofrequency communication chip, a device containing such a chip and a method for controlling wireless radiofrequency communication from such a chip. More specifically, the invention relates to a wireless radiofrequency communication chip, wherein the wireless communication is controlled by a controller controlled via a non-radiofrequency control input.

BACKGROUND

In the past decade, various techniques of short-range wireless radiofrequency communication have been implemented. These techniques include standardized wireless radiofrequency techniques, such as near-field communication (NFC), Bluetooth and WiFi, etc. The techniques have several differences, relating to range, bitrate, communication protocols etc. and, hence, each of these techniques is suitable for different applications . A variety of devices is known that have such a short-range wireless radiofrequency chip (also referred to as chipset) on-board to enjoy a service using this chip. Such devices include mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptop computers, smartcards, etc. A common concern with short-range wireless radiofrequency communication techniques is the security of the communication. Various software-centred approaches have been taken for encrypting communications. For some short-range communication techniques, such efforts have been more successful than for others, but for each of the techniques, security remains cumbersome. ISO/IEC 18000-3 is an international NFC standard for all devices communicating wirelessly at the 13.56MHz frequency. The devices must be within short range of each other before they can transmit information. The standards explain how a device and the NFC tag it is reading should communicate with one another.

The device is known as the interrogating device while the NFC tag is simply referred to as the tag. To function, the interrogator sends out a signal to the tag. If the devices are close enough to each other, the tag becomes powered by the interrogator's signal. This signal powers the tag, allowing the tag to be small in size and function without any battery or power source of its own.

The two devices create a high frequency magnetic field between coils in both the interrogating device and the NFC tag. Once this field is established, a connection is formed and information can be passed between the interrogator and the tag. The interrogator sends the first message to the tag to find out what type of communication the tag uses, such as Type A or Type B. When the tag responds, the interrogator sends its first commands in the appropriate specification.

The tag receives the instruction and checks if it is valid. If not, nothing occurs. If it is a valid request, the tag then responds with the requested information. For sensitive transactions such as credit card payments, a secure communication channel is first established and all information sent is encrypted.

The security requirements result in increased complexity for the NFC chips, increased response times before secure communication is effected and increased power consumption. In addition, security may still be compromised when e.g. malware is installed on the NFC reader, e.g. malware installed on the user's own smart phone. US 2014/0263624 discloses a card with a light sensor embedded in the card that controls whether the card may transmit card data when energized by a radiofrequency energy source, e.g. a card reader. The radiation energy may be picked up by a card antenna or by an antenna dedicated to power the light sensor.

The light sensor detects whether a predetermined light level exists. If the predetermined light level is reached, the card's logic assumes that the transaction is authorized and allows transmission of the card's data to the card reader. If the predetermined light level is not reached, the card's logic assumes that the card is still in a purse or wallet and that the radiofrequency field is not related to a card transaction.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present disclosure to enhance security of wireless radiofrequency communication.

To that end, a wireless radiofrequency communication chip, for example an NFC chip, is disclosed, comprising a light sensor or a sound sensor, a data storage and a controller integrated in the communication chip. The chip may also contain an I/O interface for connection with an antenna.

The controller is configured to control wireless radiofrequency transmission of data stored in the data storage in dependence of a light code received by the light sensor or a sound code received by the sound sensor.

Another aspect of the disclosure pertains to a device comprising the communication chip and an antenna for the wireless radiofrequency communication. The device may comprise an active device (comprising a power source) or a passive device (not comprising a power source).

Yet another aspect of the disclosure is a method for controlling wireless radiofrequency communication of data stored in a wireless radio frequency communication chip. The method comprises receiving a light code by a light sensor or receiving a sound code by a sound sensor integrated in the communication chip and controlling transmission of the stored data in dependence on the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor. One or more steps of the method may be performed by software running on the communication chip.

The light or sound code comprises information contained in the code as multiple state transitions of the light or sound wherein the code is meaningful for the controller. In one embodiment, the code comprises a sequence of light or sound pulses. Light and sound pulses may e.g. vary in duration, amplitude, wavelength or any other at least one light or sound property. One sequence of pulses may or may also differ from another sequence of pulses by having pulses at one or more different positions in the sequence. In another embodiment, the information is stored in the code as a variation of at least one light property or sound property, e.g. a variation of the colour and/or the brightness of the light, a variation of the polarization of the light, a variation of the frequency of the sound, etc. In this embodiment, it is not necessary (but not prohibited either) that the code is conveyed as a sequence of pulses .

The light code is typically received from another device. The sound code may be received from another device or from a human being (e.g. using voice recognition) or animal creature .

The light sensor or sound sensor provide for a simple yet effective non-radiofrequency communication mechanism separate from the wireless radiofrequency communication to control the wireless radiofrequency data communication. The use of a light and/or sound code enables advanced control options for the radio frequency communication from the wireless communication chip. The hardware integration of the sensor with the chip includes either embedding the sensor within the chip itself or a direct physical connection of the sensor and the chip. This ensures a direct control connection with the communication chip without being influenced by an operating system of the device or an application running on top of the operating system, thereby eliminating any malicious intervention from the operating system or the application. In one example, the sensor is arranged on top of the communication chip. Embedding the sensor in the communication chip is advantageous for saving space in the device, ease of manufacturing and protection against hardware fraud. US 2014/0024309 discloses an NFC-enabled device comprising a sensor to detect a change in the state of the device and a component to cause an NFC radio to change the radiofrequency signal emission status in response to the change in the state of the device. Examples of such sensors include an ambient light sensor, a sound sensor, a motion sensor and a location sensor. The sensors are used to reduce power consumption of the NFC-enabled device and are not integrated with the NFC chip. Furthermore, the sensors and NFC radio are controlled by components from the operating system of the device .

It should be noted that the communication chip may have both a light sensor and a sound sensor integrated with the chip.

It should further be appreciated that the light code input and/or sound code input may enable various types of control of the wireless radiofrequency communication, including activation and encryption as will be explained in further detail below.

It should be appreciated that the light sensor may comprise one or more photodiodes and the sound sensor may comprise a microphone integrated with the communication chip.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller is configured to enable the wireless radiofrequency transmission in dependence of the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor. In this embodiment, the light code input or sound code input is received as a code of another device that desires to access the data stored in the communication chip. Access is only given if the correct code is received. When the correct code is received, the chip is activated such that wireless radiofrequency transmission of the data is performed or enabled. In one embodiment, the controller is configured to obtain information indicative of the light code received by the light sensor or information indicative of the sound code received by the sound sensor and to compare the obtained information indicative of the light or sound code with information indicative of the light or sound code stored in the wireless communication chip. Wireless radiofrequency transmission is only enabled when the information indicative of the received light code corresponds with the information indicative of the stored light code or the information indicative of the received sound code corresponds with the information indicative of the stored sound code.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the controller is configured to enable encrypted wireless radiofrequency communication using information contained in the light code received by the light sensor. The information, e.g. a seed or key or key part, contained in the light code is part of the information transfer according to the applicable encryption protocol. In this manner encryption information is transferred using the non-radiofrequency communication path between a device and the light or sound sensor in order to encrypt data transmitted over the wireless radiofrequency communication path. In one embodiment (particularly when sufficient power is available, such as for active NFC chips), the communication chip also contains a light emitting device (e.g. one or more light emitting diodes LEDs) or a sound emitting device, such that bidirectional light or sound transfer of encryption information can be obtained. In one embodiment, the encryption information is transferred from the communication chip over the wireless radiofrequency communication path in response to receiving the information contained in the light code received by the light sensor. Use of the radiofrequency communication path in the uplink direction is particularly advantageous when the communication chip does not have a light emitting device or a sound emitting device (e.g. for passive NFC chips).

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the chip further comprises a light emitting device integrated in the communication chip. This is advantageous for enabling bidirectional information transfer over the non-radiofrequency path, such as for transmission of encryption information as described above. As an alternative to the light emitting device integrated with the communication chip, a light emitting device of the device (e.g. the smartphone) may be used, including the display or the flashlight.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the light sensor integrated with the chip is configured to receive the light code in a wavelength range of ICh8 m (ultraviolet) to ICh3 m (infrared). In one embodiment, the wavelength range is 100-1200 nm, e.g. 350 - 800 nm.

Wireless communication chips may be configured for radiofrequency communication according to multiple communication standards, such as NFC, Bluetooth and WiFi. In one embodiment of the disclosure, the controller is configured to enable the wireless radiofrequency transmission according to a first communication standard or a second communication standard in dependence of the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor.

It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a device containing a wireless radiofrequency communication chip according to a disclosed embodiment; FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic illustrations of another device containing a wireless radiofrequency communication chip according to a disclosed embodiment; FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless radiofrequency communication chip comprising a light sensor or a sound sensor according to a disclosed embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating steps of the method for controlling wireless radiofrequency communication with the disclosed wireless radiofrequency communication chip; FIGS. 5A-5F are diagrams illustrating various control scenarios for the wireless radiofrequency communication chip; FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a multicommunication standard wireless radiofrequency communication chip comprising a light sensor or a sound sensor according to a disclosed embodiment; and FIGS. 7A-7F provide some examples of light or sound codes containing information controlling radio frequency communication

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a device 1A containing a wireless radiofrequency communication chip 2, hereinafter also referred to as communication chip 2. The device 1A may be a passive device, such as a smart card. The smart card 1A contains an antenna structure 3 and the communication chip 2 is configured for near field communication (NFC). FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a schematic illustration of another device IB containing the communication chip 2 and the external antenna structure 3 for e.g. NFC communication, Bluetooth communication and/or WiFi communication. The device IB may be an active device, such as a portable electronic device (e.g. a smartphone or a tablet computer. The active device contains a power source, such as battery 4. The active device IB may also contain one or more other processors enabling further wireless radiofrequency communication, such as a baseband processor for 3G or 4G wireless communication or an application processor. The device IB also contains a display D as commonly known to the skilled person.

For each of the devices IA, IB, the communication chip 2 contains at least one integrated sensor 10, such as a light sensor and/or a sound sensor. The sensor senses nonradiofrequency signals, such as light and/or sound and informs controller 11 of the sensed non-radiofrequency signal. In response to the sensed non-radiofrequency signal, e.g. a light code or sound code received from sensor 10, the controller 11 controls the wireless radiofrequency communication, e.g. the transmission of data, from the device IA, IB.

The control may relate to one or more of controlling transmission of and/or external access to the data (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) , controlling encryption of the data (see FIGS. 5C and 5D) and determining the transmission mode of the data (see FIGS. 5E and 5F) .

The sensor 10, particularly a light sensor 10, is exposed to the environment in order to allow sensing of an externally provided light code. The sensor may comprise one or more photodiodes or any other light sensing device. The light sensed may in the range between far ultraviolet to far infrared. Preferably, the light code consists of visible light in the range of approximately 300-800 nm. Such light may for example be generated from a display D or from a flashlight. In one example, sensor 10 on smart card 1A (shown in FIG. 1) may detect light generated by display D of smartphone IB (shown in FIG. 2A) or from flashlight 6 (see FIG. 2B, showing a rear side of a device IB).

The sensor 10 is integrated with the communication chip 2. Preferably, the sensor 10 is embedded in the communication chip 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A. Alternatively, the sensor 10 is directly connected to the communication chip 2, i.e. the signal generated by the sensor 10 upon detection of the nonradiofrequency signal is directly forwarded to the communication chip 2 (such that it cannot be influenced by other components in the device IB, such as processor 5). This alternative is shown in FIG. 2B, wherein the sensor 10 is positioned outside of the communication chip 2 and exposed through a cover opening 7, while the communication chip 2 (shown in dashed lines) is located remote from the sensor 10. It should be appreciated that communication chip 2 may also be positioned such that a sensor 10 embedded in communication chip 2 is exposed through cover opening 7. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a wireless radiofrequency communication chip 2 comprising a light sensor or a sound sensor 10 and a controller 11 (e.g. a processor).

Optionally, the communication chip 2 also comprises a light emission device 12 (e.g. a light emitting diode) to engage in bidirectional non-radiofrequency communication with another device. In particular for passive devices 1A, the light emission device 12 should have an extremely low power consumption (e.g. an infrared LED since the light emission device 12 needs to be energized from the radiation received by the antenna structure 3.

Other components that are contained in the communication chip are a clock module CLK, random access memory RAM, read-only memory (ROM) and an input/output controller I/O. Data may be stored in RAM or ROM. The signal received from sensor 10 controls transmission of this data using the controller 11. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating some steps of the wireless radiofrequency communication control method.

In step SI, the light code is received by a light sensor 10 or the sound code is received by a sound sensor 10 integrated with the communication chip 2. In step S2, transmission of the stored data is controlled in dependence on the light code received by the light sensor 10 or the sound code received by the sound sensor 10. Control step S2 may be performed in either the processor 11 or the I/O controller. The control relates to the output of the I/O interface resulting in a signal to be wirelessly transmitted from antenna structure 1.

The light sensor 10 or sound sensor 10 provide for a simple yet effective non-radiofrequency information communication mechanism separate from the wireless radiofrequency communication to control the wireless radiofrequency data communication. The hardware integration of the sensor 10 with the chip 2 ensures a direct control connection with the communication chip 2 without being influenced by the operating system of the device IA, IB or an application running on top of the operating system, thereby eliminating any influence by the operating system or the application.

Control step S2 may comprise the following. When sensor 10 receives a light or sound code, the controller 11 may enable the wireless radiofrequency transmission in dependence of information indicative of the light code received by the light sensor 10 or information indicative of the sound code received by the sound sensor 10. In this embodiment, the light input or sound input is received as a variation of the light or sound, (e.g. a sequence of light pulses or sound pulses, varying e.g. in time, intensity, wavelength etc. or a variation of another light property or sound property) from another device that desires to access the data stored in the RAM or ROM. Access is only given if the correct code is received and results in activation of the communication chip 2 to enable wireless radiofrequency transmission of the data.

In one embodiment, the controller 11 is configured to obtain information indicative of a light code received by the light sensor or information indicative of a sound code received by the sound sensor from the other device and to compare the obtained information indicative of the received light or sound code with information indicative of a light or sound code stored in RAM/ROM of the communication chip 2. Wireless radiofrequency transmission from antenna structure 3 is only enabled when the information indicative of the received light code corresponds with the information indicative of the stored light code or information indicative of the the received sound code corresponds with the information indicative of the stored sound code . FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate examples of application scenarios wherein a non-radiofrequency signal code controls of the wireless radiofrequency communication (indicated by the dashed arrows) from the chip.

In FIG. 5A, a non-radiofrequency code is received by sensor 10 in step SI. This stimulus comprises a light code or a sound code. The stimulus may have been generated by device IB, e.g. using display D and/or flash light 6.

In step S2, controller 11 receives the output of the sensor 10 (i.e. information indicative of the code) and controls the wireless radiofrequency transmission of the stored data in step S3 via I/O (see FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the output of the sensor 10 activates one or more components of the communication chip enabling or automatically triggering wireless radiofrequency transmission (the dashed arrow S4) of the data from the antenna structure 3. The wireless radiofrequency transmission of the data may be received by a device in the short range of the transmission.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5B, a light code or sound code is received in step SI by the sensor 10. Controller 11 receives information indicative of the code in step S2 and provides access in dependence of the code. Different codes may be received corresponding to different parts of the data stored in RAM/ROM, such that the light or sound code determines which part of the data is transmitted. For example, the data stored on the communication chip may comprise public data and private data. Public data is transmitted independent of the code, whereas private data is only transmitted when the code applicable to that private data is received by sensor 10.

If the code is the correct code, controller 11 provides access to the data and instructs in step S3 the data to be transmitted via I/O to result in the wireless radiofrequency transmission (dashed arrow) of the data in step S4 to the device IB providing the code in step SI. FIGS. 5C and 5D relate to embodiments wherein the control action relates to encryption of the data to be transmitted.

In FIG. 5C, the communication chip 2 does not contain a light emitting device. Accordingly, encryption information cannot be exchanged bi-directionally using a non-radiofrequency path.

In step SI, a light code or sound code is received by sensor 10, wherein the light code or sound code contains information relating to the encryption information. In one example, the light code or sound code contains an encryption key that is transmitted as a challenge from device IB. Controller 11 receives the encryption information in step S2 and instructs antenna structure 3 to transmit a response to the challenge in step S5 as part of the encryption protocol over the wireless radiofrequency communication path in step S3. Multiple transmission steps SI, S5 for the encryption protocol may be needed, wherein communication in one direction is by means of the wireless non-radiofrequency signal (e.g. light or sound) and in the other direction is by means of the wireless radiofrequency signal (e.g. NFC, Bluetooth or Wifi). Once the secure communication path is established, the stored data may be transmitted from the RAM/ROM to the device IB using the wireless radiofrequency signal, step S4. Data may also be transmitted to the communication chip 2 in a secure fashion for storage therein .

In FIG. 5D, the communication chip 2 comprises a light emitting device 12 and the secure communication path can be established completely via the non-radiofrequency path (assuming device IB also contains a receiver therefore). In other words, unlike the embodiment of FIG. 5C, step S5 is also performed using the non-radiofrequency path, e.g. by including encryption information in the light or sound transmitted from the light emitting device 12. In step S3, controller 11 controls light emission device 12. Steps SI, S2 and S4 are similar to the corresponding steps of FIG. 5C. FIGS. 5E and 5F illustrate scenarios of yet another form of control by controller 11, wherein the communication chip 2 is configured to enable wireless radiofrequency transmission of the data using one of at least two radiofrequency transmission techniques (e.g. NFC and Bluetooth). Such a chip is shown in FIG. 6. Different antenna structures 3 may be provided for each of the radio frequency techniques.

In one embodiment, the transmission technique of the data is randomly chosen from the transmission techniques supported by the communication chip 2 once sensor 10 receives the non-radiofrequency stimulus, e.g. an appropriate light code or sound code. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5E and 5F, the light code or sound code received in step SI is received by controller 11 in step S2. In step S3, the controller 11 activates either NFC transmission of the data in step S4 (FIG. 5E) or Bluetooth (BT) transmission of the data in step S4 (FIG. 5F) dependent on the code contained in the light or sound signal.

The wireless communication chip 2 may also be used for device pairing via the non-radiofrequency communication path.

For example, the wireless communication chip may be implemented in a device, such as a headphone and a smart phone may be used to transmit a pairing key to the headphone. The sensor 10 receives the key and pairs the headphone and the smart phone to establish a wireless radiofrequency connection, such as a Bluetooth connection. FIGS. 7A-7F illustrate some examples of a light or sound code.

In FIG. 7A, the code is contained in a sequence of pulses of single amplitude, wherein the information is stored by the time lengths and/or time differences between the pulses.

In FIG. 7B, the code is contained in a sequence of pulses, wherein the information is stored in the amplitude of the pulses.

In FIG. 7C, the code is contained in a variation of the wavelength (e.g. a variation of the colour of the light) over time according to a particular pattern.

In FIG. 7D, the code is contained in the spatial variation of light at successive times tl and t2. It should be noted that a single spatial distribution of light may also contain a light code.

In FIG. 7E, the code is contained by varying colours in a spatial pattern of light spots at successive times tl and t2.

It should be noted that a single spatial distribution of coloured light may also contain a light code.

In FIG. 7F, the code is contained in a continuous signal of varying light intensity or sound intensity.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Moreover, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, which may be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

A communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication, for example a near field communication (NFC) chip, comprising: a light or sound sensor integrated in the communication chip; a data storage integrated in the communication chip; a control integrated in the communication chip; wherein the control is arranged to control wireless radio frequency transmission of data stored in the data storage, depending on a light code received by the light sensor or a sound code received by the sound sensor.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to claim 1, wherein the control is adapted to enable the wireless radio frequency transmission, depending on the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to claim 2, wherein the control is arranged to: - obtain information indicating the light code received by the light sensor, or obtain information indicating the sound code received by the sound sensor; to compare the information obtained indicating the light code or sound code with information indicating a light code or sound code stored in the wireless communication chip; and - to enable wireless radio frequency transmission only if the information obtained, which indicates the light code or sound code, corresponds to the stored information, which indicates a light code or sound code, respectively.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 or 3, wherein the communication chip stores at least first data and second data, wherein the control is arranged to enable transmission of the first data in response to a first light code received by the light sensor or a first sound code received by the sound sensor and to enable transmission of the second data in response to a second light code received by the light sensor, different from the first light code, or a second received by the sound sensor sound code, which is different from the first sound code.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control is arranged to enable encrypted, wireless radio frequency communication using information contained in the light code received by the light sensor or the light code received by the light sensor. sound sensor received sound code.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to claim 5, wherein the control is arranged to enable radio frequency transmission of encryption information in response to receiving the information contained in the light code received by the light sensor or sound sensor or the sound code.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the chip further comprises a light-emitting device (LED) or sound-emitting device integrated with the communication chip.

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the light sensor is adapted to receive light in a wavelength range of 10 ~ 8 m (ultraviolet) to 10-3 m (infrared).

The communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control is arranged to enable the wireless radio frequency transmission according to a first communication standard or a second communication standard, depending on the light code received by the light sensor or the light code received by the light sensor the sound sensor received sound code.

A device comprising the communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication according to one or more of the preceding claims and an antenna for wireless radio frequency communication with another device, wherein the communication chip is arranged such that the light sensor is exposed to receive light from a the external source device.

The device of claim 10, wherein the device comprises a power source adapted to provide power for the communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication.

The device according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the device comprises a display area and a control, which is adapted to generate at least one of the light code or the sound code.

A method for controlling wireless radio frequency communication of data stored in a communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication, the method comprising: receiving a light code by a light sensor integrated in the communication chip or receiving a sound code by an integrated in the communication chip sound sensor; controlling the transmission of the stored data depending on the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor.

The method of claim 13, further comprising enabling the wireless radio frequency transmission depending on the light code received by the light sensor or the sound code received by the sound sensor.

The method of claim 14, further comprising: - obtaining information indicating the light code received by the light sensor, or obtaining information indicating a sound code received by the sound sensor; comparing the obtained light code or sound code with a light code or sound code stored in the communication chip for wireless radio frequency communication; and enabling wireless radio frequency transmission only when the received light code or the received sound code corresponds to the stored light code or the stored sound code, respectively.

The method according to one or more of the claims according to one or more of the preceding claims 14 or 15, wherein the communication chip stores at least first data and second data, comprising the step of enabling the transmission of the first data in response to receiving a first light code by the sensor or first sound code by the sensor and allowing transmission of the second data in response to receiving a second light code different from the first light code, or a second sound code, which is different from the first sound code, by the sensor.

The method according to one or more of claims 13 to 16, further comprising enabling encrypted, wireless radio frequency communication using information contained in a light code received by the light sensor or a received by the sound sensor sound code.

The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising allowing radio frequency transmission of encryption information in response to receiving the information contained in the light code received by the light sensor, or the information , which is included in the sound code received by the sound sensor.

The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, further comprising enabling wireless radio frequency transmission according to a first communication standard or a second communication standard, depending on the light code received by the light sensor or the light code received by the light sensor sound sensor received sound code.