Abstract: The self-powered detection device comprises a non-volatile memory cell and a sensor activated by a physical or chemical action or phenomenon, this sensor forming an energy harvester transforming energy from the physical or chemical action orphenomenon into an electrical stimulus pulse, the memory cell arranged for storing, by using electrical power of the electrical stimulus pulse, at least a bit of information relative to detection by the sensor of at least a first physical or chemical action or phenomenon. The non-volatile memory cell comprises a FET transistor having a control gate, a first diffusion defining a first input and a second diffusion defining a second input. This FET transistor is set to its written logical state from its initial logical state when, in a detection mode, it receives on a set terminal a voltage stimulus signal resulting from the first physical or chemical action or phenomenon.

Abstract: The self-powered detection device comprises a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) unit formed by at least a NVM cell and a sensor activated by a physical or chemical action or phenomenon, the NVM unit arranged for storing in the NVM cell, by using electrical power of the electrical stimulus pulse, a bit of information relative to detection by the sensor, during a detection mode of the self-powered detection device, of at least one physical or chemical action or phenomenon applied to it with at least a given strength or intensity and resulting in a voltage stimulus signal provided between a set control terminal and a base terminal of the NVM unit with at least a given set voltage.

Abstract: An electronic tag is configured to be responsive to a TTO or TTF protocol energizing signal from a reader, but to suspend transmission when receiving an RTF protocol communication signal from a reader. The tag typically includes a protocol detector 120 which is operable to detect receipt of an RTF protocol communication signal and to suspend transmission when the electronic tag receives an RTF protocol communication signal from a reader.

Abstract: The self-powered detection device comprises at least a non-volatile memory cell (24) and a sensor (16) which is activated by a physical or chemical action or phenomenon, this sensor forming an energy harvester that transforms energy from said physical or chemical action or phenomenon into an electrical stimulus pulse, the memory cell being arranged for storing, by using the electrical power of said electrical stimulus pulse, at least a bit of information relative to the detection by the sensor of at least a first physical or chemical action or phenomenon applied to it with at least a given strength or intensity. The non-volatile memory cell is formed by a FET transistor (T1) having a control gate, a first diffusion (DRN) defining a first input and a second diffusion (SRC) defining a second input.

Abstract: The self-powered detection device comprises a Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) unit (52) formed by at least a NVM cell and a sensor which is activated by a physical or chemical action or phenomenon, the NVM unit being arranged for storing in said NVM cell, by using the electrical power of said electrical stimulus pulse, a bit of information relative to the detection by said sensor, during a detection mode of the self-powered detection device, of at least one physical or chemical action or phenomenon applied to it with at least a given strength or intensity and resulting in a voltage stimulus signal provided between a set control terminal (SET) and a base terminal (SET *) of the NVM unit with at least a given set voltage.

Abstract: The external event detection device comprises an electronic unit (22) and an external event sensor (16), the electronic unit having at least a non-volatile memory cell (24, T1) in which data relative to at least one external event detected by the external event sensor can be stored. According to the invention, the external event sensor defines an energy harvester that transforms energy from said at least one external event into electrical energy contained in an electrical stimulus pulse provided to the electronic unit. The electronic unit is arranged for storing said data by using only the electrical energy contained in the electrical stimulus pulse. In particular, the non-volatile memory cell is directly set to its written logical state from its initial logical state by the electrical stimulus pulse provided by said energy harvester.

Abstract: An electronic tag is configured to be responsive to a TTO or TTF protocol energizing signal from a reader, but to suspend transmission when receiving an RTF protocol communication signal from a reader. The tag typically includes a protocol detector which is operable to detect receipt of an RTF protocol communication signal and to suspend transmission when the electronic tag receives an RTF protocol communication signal from a reader.

Abstract: The electronic identification device or transponder (2) comprises a trigger circuit (12) linked to receiving means (14) of an interrogation signal sent at a first frequency by a reader (4 or 6), this trigger circuit serving to supply power to the transponder. It comprises an electronic response circuit (18) linked to an antenna (20) operating at a second frequency higher than said first frequency. This device or transponder additionally comprises a second electronic response circuit (26) linked to the antenna (14) to emit a second response signal at approximately the first frequency. The device or transponder (2) is therefore configured to operate with a single-frequency reader (4) or with a double-frequency reader (6). The electronic logic circuit (10) is configured in order to control the transmission of first response signals at the first frequency and second response signals at the second, higher frequency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for identifying a plurality of passive transponders 6 using a reader comprising several antennae whose detection fields do not merge spatially and/or temporally, said transponders comprising an analogue 34 or digital 52 memory for storing binary information for a certain time interval in the absence of any reader feeding fields. For each antenna, the method sequentially implements an anti-collision protocol during which each identified transponder is set in a “silent” mode. The method provides for this information to be stored in said memory of each transponder for a time interval including at least the switching period between a first antenna and a second antenna of the reader. This prevents detection of the same transponders by several antennae, which makes the identification method quicker and more efficient.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for detecting the passage of persons or objects through an entry-exit (4) to a delimited space (2), including (i) a detection device including transmission means (8) for transmitting different first and second electromagnetic signals (a, b) in respectively first and second communication regions (A, B) spatially separated from each other and partially overlapping, (ii) portable electronic units (40) intended to be fitted to said persons or objects and including reception means for said first and second electromagnetic signals, and (iii) means for detecting the direction of passage, through said entry-exit, of a person or an object fitted with a portable electronic unit.

Abstract: The active transponder is intended for several applications or to operate in various modes requiring different levels of security. Security is controlled by varying the maximum communication distance to a reader. The active transponder includes a battery (2) powering the various electronic circuits amplifying component (8), a module (4) forming a demodulator for the incoming signals, and a component for validating the data comprised in the signals, and a data processing unit (10). The unit includes circuit (12) for controlling the maximum communication distance between the transponder and a reader transmitting signals at a determined power. Circuit (12) sends a security signal (S1, S2) respectively to the data validating component and/or to the signal amplifying component. This signal is used either to control the value of the reference value of the validating component, or to vary the gain of the amplifying component to vary the maximum communication distance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for keyless unlocking of an access door to a closed space, in particular a motor vehicle, which is carried out by an electronic system, comprising a control module for an electronic lock, associated with the door and a portable transponder for authorised users. The method comprises sending an interrogation signal at low frequency from the control module to the transponders and also the exchange of data at high frequency. The control module has reception device for the above which are at least continuously in a listening mode. The method is characterised in that the low frequency transmitters are inactive in a preliminary functional mode, the high frequency transmission device in the transponder periodically emits an activation signal for said the transmission device in order that the above are only activated during limited periods, which ensures the reception of an interrogation signal for a transponder entering the low frequency communication region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for keyless unlocking of an access door to a closed space, in particular a motor vehicle, which is carried out by means of an electronic system, comprising a control module for an electronic lock, associated with the said door and a portable transponder for authorised users. The method comprises sending an interrogation signal at low frequency from the control module to the transponders and also the exchange of data at high frequency. The control module has reception means for the above which are at least continuously in a listening mode. Said method is characterised in that the low frequency transmitters are inactive in a preliminary functional mode, the high frequency transmission means in the transponder periodically emits an activation signal for said transmission means in order that the above are only activated during limited periods, which ensures the reception of an interrogation signal for a transponder entering the low frequency communication region.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for detecting the passage of persons or objects through an entry-exit (4) to a delimited space (2), including (i) a detection device including transmission means (8) for transmitting different first and second electromagnetic signals (a, b) in respectively first and second communication regions (A, B) spatially separated from each other and partially overlapping, (ii) portable electronic units (40) intended to be fitted to said persons or objects and including reception means for said first and second electromagnetic signals, and (iii) means for detecting the direction of passage, through said entry-exit, of a person or an object fitted with a portable electronic unit.

Abstract: Transponder (2) associated with a communication system for various different applications having different security levels. This transponder includes means (18, 26, 40, R) allowing the maximum communication distance between the transponder and a reader (4) to be varied as a function of the application selected or activated. A code, which determines the opening or closing of the switch (40) is associated with each application. In a first group of embodiments, the equivalent impedance of the electronic unit associated with the antenna (6) is varied, whereas in another embodiment, the electric characteristics of the antenna itself are varied.

Abstract: The method for controlling access by a personalised portable object (2) to a determined space is achieved by wireless transmission of an encoded identification signal. In order to do this, electronic means are provided in the space, whereas the portable object includes a processing unit (26) connected to signal transmission (22, 28) and/or reception means (21, 17). An encoded identification signal is transmitted by the transmission means of the portable object (2) or by transmission means provided in the determined space. This encoded identification signal is received by reception means provided in the space or in the portable object, when the object is located in a restricted zone around the electronic means provided in the space. The received encoded signal is verified in the electronic means provided in the space or in the processing unit (26) to authorise access to the space.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an active transponder (30) including an antenna (32) for exchanging a radioelectric signal (34), processing means (36), an accumulator (38) able to supply a first power supply signal (V1), and storage means (40) able to store the power originating from the received radioelectric signal, and to supply a second power supply signal (V2). This transponder further includes: two means (42, 46) for comparing the two power supply signals to a minimum threshold (Vmin) and, in response, providing two control signals (V3, V4); and charging means (50) controlled by the two control signals, so that the accumulator can be charged, via the charging means, from the stored power. One advantage of such a transponder is that the accumulator can be automatically recharged, as soon as the latter is no longer sufficiently charged to assure the functions of the transponder.

Abstract: The active transponder is intended for several applications or to operate in various modes requiring different levels of security. Security is controlled in particular by varying the maximum communication distance to a reader. The active transponder includes a battery (2) used for powering the various electronic circuits. It further includes amplifying means (8), a module (4) forming a demodulator for the incoming signals and means for validating the data comprised in said signals, and a data processing unit (10). The unit (10) includes a circuit (12) for controlling the maximum communication distance between the transponder and a reader transmitting signals at a determined power. This circuit (12) sends a security signal (S1, S2) respectively to the data validating means and/or to the signal amplifying means. This signal is used either to control the value of the reference value of the validating means, or to vary the gain of the amplifying means to vary the maximum communication distance.

Abstract: A base station (13) for a contactless interrogation system includes an oscillating device (23) supplying a control signal having a frequency which is adjustable via adjusting circuits (21, 22), a circuits (24) for controlling an antenna connected to the base station (13) for transmitting information, decoding circuits (25, 26, 27) for decoding the information picked up by the antenna. The oscillating device (23) is a voltage controlled oscillator which is phase locked by the adjusting circuits (21, 22), so that the control signal frequency is determined by the base station (13) and is adapted to the antenna. The sensitivity of a contactless interrogation system comprising the base station (13) of the present invention is improved, its structure is simpler and its different components can be integrated in a same chip.

Abstract: A transponder (30), intended to exchange data during a half duplex communication, includes a coil (3), a capacitor (8) connected to the coil to form a resonant circuit, and processing means (33) arranged to process the data. The transponder further includes switching means (32) arranged so that, under the control of the processing means, the switching means connect the processing means in series with the capacitor and the coil which are connected to form, during the entire duration of the reception phase, a parallel LC circuit and, during the entire duration of the transmission phase, a series LC circuit to optimize the electric power exchanged between an antenna and the processing means.