# US 2023/0057097 A1 · Near-field with far-field to verify that device is connected or secured

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- Number: US 2023/0057097 A1
- Document ID: US20230057097A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/760,045
- Filed: 2020-12-29
- Published: 2023-02-23
- Earliest claimed: 2020-02-04
- Assignees: Assa Abloy AB
- Applicants: Assa Abloy AB
- Inventors: Jean-Miguel Robadey; Christian Mirus
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057097A1

## CPC

- G06K 7/10297: {arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 (cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00)}
- G06K 19/07794: {the record carrier comprising a booster or auxiliary antenna in addition to the antenna connected directly to the integrated circuit}
- G06K 19/0723: {the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs}
- G06K 19/077: Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
- G06K 19/07737: {the record carrier consisting of two or more mechanically separable parts}
- H01R 13/641: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
- H01R 43/26: for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device (structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629)
- G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method to check if a connector system with a Connector Position Assurance (“CPA”) member is in a closed position. The method includes providing an RFID-tag reader that is positioned at a distance D to the integrated circuit enabling far-field RFID communication and not permitting near-field RFID communication. Further, the method includes checking the readability of the integrated circuit with the RFID-tag reader and issuing an alert signal if the integrated circuit is not readable by the RFID-tag reader indicating that the CPA member is not in the closed position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method to check if a connector system is provided with a CPA member in a closed position, the method comprising:
providing a first connector and a second connector configured to be mated with the first connector, wherein the first connector or the second connector is provided with a far-field antenna;
providing a CPA member including an integrated circuit and a near-field antenna electrically connected to the integrated circuit, the CPA member being configured to have an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the CPA member confirms a proper connection of the first connector and the second connector and prevents the first connector and the second connector from accidental un-mating;
mating of the first connector and the second connector;
moving the CPA member to the closed position, wherein in the closed position of the CPA member the near-field antenna is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna such that communication with the integrated circuit of the CPA member is possible in a far-field of RFID communication;
providing an RFID-tag reader wherein the RFID-tag reader is positioned to the integrated circuit at such a distance that enables far-field RFID communication and does not permit near-field RFID communication between the RFID-tag reader and the integrated circuit; and
checking the readability of the integrated circuit with the RFID-tag reader.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising issuing an alert signal if the integrated circuit is not readable with the RFID-tag reader indicating that the CPA member is not in the closed position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein moving the CPA member to the closed position is only possible if the first connector and the second connector are properly mated.

### Claim 4

A connector system for the assurance of properly mated and secured connectors comprising:
a first connector and a second connector configured to be mated with the first connector, wherein the first connector or the second connector is provided with a far-field antenna; and
a CPA member including an integrated circuit and a near-field antenna electrically connected to the integrated circuit the CPA member being configured to have an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the CPA member confirms a proper connection of the first connector and the second connector and prevents the first connector and the second connector from accidental un-mating;
wherein in the closed position of the CPA member the near-field antenna is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna such that communication with the integrated circuit of the CPA member is possible in a far-field of RFID communication.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The connector system of claim 4 wherein the first connector, the second connector and the CPA member are configured to allow a moving of the CPA member to the closed position only if the first connector and the second connector are properly mated.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The connector system of claim 4 wherein, for receiving the CPA member, the first connector is provided with a receiving means and the second connector is provided with a receiving means.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The connector system of claim 6 wherein the CPA member is movably connected to the receiving means of the first connector or the receiving means of the second connector and the CPA member can be moved from a preassembled position to the closed position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The connector system of claim 4 wherein the near-field antenna and the far-field antenna have different read ranges.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The connector system of claim 4 wherein the connector system is configured such that a deliberate removal of the CPA member and un-mating of the first connector and the second connector can be performed without destroying the CPA member, the first connector or the second connector.

### Claim 10

An RFID tag comprising:
a first component provided with an integrated circuit and a near-field antenna being electrically connected to the integrated circuit;
a second component provided with a far-field antenna; and
a pivoting mechanism configured to allow pivoting of the first component and the second component from an open position, in which the first and second components are separated, to a closed position, in which the integrated circuit with near-field antenna is inductively coupled with the far-field antenna such that the integrated circuit is readable not only in a near-field of RFID communication but also in a far-field of RFID communication.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The RFID tag of claim 10 further comprising a locking mechanism including a first locking part located on one of the first and second components and a second locking part located on the other of the first and second components.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The RFID tag of claim 11 wherein the locking mechanism is configured to have an open position and a closed position wherein in the closed position of the locking mechanism the first locking part is pressed into the second locking part and prevents the first and second components from separating.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The RFID tag of claim 12 wherein the first and second locking parts are integral parts of the first and second components, respectively.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The RFID tag of claim 10 wherein the pivoting mechanism comprises a pin which connects the first component and the second component and which is a rotational axis for the pivoting of the first and the second components.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The RFID tag of claim 10 wherein the near-field antenna and the far-field antenna have different read ranges.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The RFID tag of claim 12 wherein the locking mechanism can be put in the open position after it has been in the closed position without destroying the RFID tag.

### Claim 17 (depends on 8)

The connector system of claim 8 wherein the near-field antenna is a UHF antenna with a read range of several millimeters and the far-field antenna is a UHF antenna with a read range of several meters.

### Claim 18 (depends on 13)

The RFID tag of claim 13 wherein the first and second locking parts surround the first and second components, respectively.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The RFID tag of claim 15 wherein the near-field antenna is a UHF antenna with a read range of several millimeters and the far-field antenna is a UHF antenna with a read range of several meters.