This paper introduces the performance characteristics of TM card, a high-performance electronic medium, and its applications in intelligent buildings, including TM card electronic door locks, TM card access control systems, TM card security patrol systems, and TM card multi-function application systems (attendance management and cashless consumption management for catering, shopping malls, recreation and other scenarios).
Application of TM Multi-function Cards in Intelligent Buildings
1. Introduction
With the large-scale advancement of the national Golden Card Project, the application of smart card information media has achieved breakthrough progress in various fields. In addition to the remarkable achievements in the banking system, a large number of application projects in other sectors have also been put into operation. However, practical applications over the years have revealed certain issues with smart cards. Through collecting a wealth of technical data and analyzing actual usage and equipment operation conditions, we have identified many adverse factors affecting the operation of various systems. Among them, the most critical factor determining the success of a system is the selection of electronic media, which directly impacts the overall system design, reliability, service life, cost, as well as the complexity, maintenance workload and maintenance cost of reading and writing equipment. Damage and malfunctions of electronic media and reading/writing equipment may lead to disputes and impair the interests of cardholders.
This paper analyzes the drawbacks of electronic media currently used in intelligent buildings such as contact IC cards and contactless IC cards, and recommends a new type of electronic medium - TM card - that can overcome these shortcomings. It is especially suitable for the intelligent building environment, and has incomparable advantages over the above two types of media in terms of security, reliability, water resistance, moisture resistance, dustproof performance, anti-elevator interference, and ruggedness.
The application of electronic media directly affects the cost, reliability, failure rate, intentional damage rate, and ease of operation and maintenance of reading and writing equipment. Therefore, the high reliability guaranteed by TM cards is an essential foundation for the successful promotion of various application systems, an advantage unmatched by other systems. In summary, TM cards have the following characteristics:
1. The reading and writing equipment of TM cards can be made into a fully sealed structure with all electronic components, without the need for card slots. This prevents water, moisture and dust from entering, and eliminates mechanical movement and contact friction, greatly reducing the possibility of malfunctions.
2. No vulnerable components, resulting in low maintenance costs.
3. Touch operation, immune to high-frequency interference.
4. Seamless reading and writing head, resistant to intentional damage.
5. Low cost of the reading and writing head, only one-third of that of contact IC card reading and writing heads and one-tenth of that of contactless IC card reading and writing heads. TM card reading and writing equipment has the lowest cost for achieving the same functions.
6. The service life of the reading and writing head is 100 times that of contact IC card reading and writing heads and 10 times that of contactless IC card reading and writing heads, with no need for replacement during the entire service life of the equipment. Thanks to its excellent performance and quality, TM cards are applicable to almost all Golden Card application projects and all scenarios where magnetic cards, IC cards and inductive cards are used, delivering extremely high stability and being ideal for various harsh environments.
2. Overview of TM Card Performance Characteristics
TM is the abbreviation of Touch Memory. TM cards are also known as iB cards, where iB stands for iButton, hence they are also called smart buttons. TM cards have been in use since the 1990s, with a button-sized form factor. Encased in a fully sealed stainless steel shell, they are similar in appearance to button batteries, available in thicknesses of 1mm, 3.1mm and 5.89mm, and diameters of 3.5mm, 5mm and 16.30mm. Like IC cards, they can store internal data and can be inlaid on key rings, rings, watches or plastic sheets for easy portability.
TM cards are high-tech products developed on the basis of smart IC cards. They can be used safely and reliably for more than 10 years, adopting a single-wire communication protocol and requiring no power output from reading and writing equipment. They connect to reading and writing equipment only through two poles on the shell, and are equipped with perfect verification, fault tolerance, high-speed data transmission, confidentiality and data storage functions. TM cards perfectly overcome the shortcomings of ordinary IC cards such as easy damage, card locking, complex reading and writing equipment, susceptibility to interference, and poor water, moisture and dustproof performance. They are an electronic medium most suitable for carrying and frequent use in long-term harsh environments and in line with China's national conditions, especially for the complex intelligent building environment.
The technical specifications of TM cards recommended for application systems are as follows:
1. Each TM card has a ROM area with a unique, non-rewritable serial number worldwide.
2. 3 data partitions, each with a storage capacity of 384 bits (48 bytes).
3. Each partition has a user-defined 64-bit ID (identity mark).
4. Each partition has a 64-bit password set by the issuing unit. Only with the correct password can the internal data be read and written; otherwise, only random numbers are output, making authenticity verification impossible.
5. Up to 1.5 billion read and write operations.
6. Stainless steel shell with a pressure resistance of 110N, impact resistance of 500g, and an operating temperature range of -40℃ ~ +70℃. 3. Key Technical Issues and Challenges in the Development of TM Card Application Systems
The key technical issues mainly include the following:
1. TM Card Reading and Writing Technology
TM cards realize single-wire communication through a multiplexer, which converts the data line, address line, control line and power line into a single wire. After the host equipped with a TM card reader is powered on, the TM card is touched to the reader's probe, and the TM card responds to the host through 50K impedance switching in the circuit. It represents digital logic 1 or 0 by the length of the low-level signal duration on the single wire. Due to the high impedance conversion, the contact resistance between the TM card and the probe does not affect the identification of digital signals.
2. Security Solutions for TM Card Electronic Door Locks and Control Systems
Security has become the most important issue in the development of TM card technology. Without effective prevention of accidental data damage and unauthorized data access, all advantages of TM cards would be meaningless.
At present, the manufacturing technology of TM chips is sufficiently advanced to completely eliminate the possibility of accidental data damage. Therefore, the core challenge of security lies in preventing unauthorized access to card data. Unauthorized access methods mainly include the following three types: (1) Forging TM cards; (2) Unauthorized use of others' TM cards, or private disassembly and modification of iButton reading and writing equipment; (3) Intercepting or modifying the data stream exchanged during the communication between TM cards and external devices.
To address the above three issues, this project has adopted the following two types of security measures:
1) Physical Security Measures - Security measures in design and manufacturing. a. The design and manufacturing technology and equipment of TM cards are extremely complex and advanced. We have established a close cooperative relationship with the patent holder and are authorized as the only legitimate developer in the Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, all components are processed in accordance with specific instructions and procedures. All parameters during the manufacturing and issuance of TM cards are strictly confidential, and the entire process is divided into specialized procedures with clear responsibilities. No individual has access to the full process to prevent internal crimes. b. TM cards have three independent encrypted areas, each with a user-defined 64-bit ID and an issuer-set 64-bit password. The card can only be reinitialized with the independent password of each area, and all original data in the card will be erased upon reinitialization. These three encrypted secure storage areas can be used independently to prevent illegal direct analysis or modification of memory content. c. Each TM card has a unique 64-bit code laser-engraved at the factory (consisting of an 8-bit family code + 48-bit serial number + 8-bit CRC check code), which ensures the absolute uniqueness and traceability of TM cards.
2) Logical Security Measures - Mainly for cardholder identity verification and encrypted setting of storage area access conditions. a. Personal Identification Number (PIN) verification: Cardholders can use TM reading and writing equipment to input the user-defined ID and password into the TM card. The card will compare the input with the pre-stored data, and only correct input grants the right to read and write. b. Biometric identification: Human biometric features are highly unique, and features such as fingerprints, hand geometry, voice cannot be forged, making biometric identification highly reliable and secure for identity verification. However, this method requires large storage capacity and expensive equipment, and is only applicable in special access areas such as vaults and cultural relics storerooms by combining TM door lock technology with fingerprint, image and voice recognition technologies. c. Storage area protection: Pre-set access conditions for storage areas, and access to the corresponding storage areas is only allowed when the conditions are met. d. Communication security and confidentiality: TM cards inevitably communicate with other devices during use. Various authentication algorithms can be adopted to prevent information interception, modification, tampering and reuse in the communication channel, ensuring information correctness and validity. The date and time of transmission can be appended to the data stream to enhance time authentication, and authentication of the sender and receiver can be strengthened to guarantee information authenticity. In the development of this project, advanced cryptography technologies and a comprehensive cryptosystem have been adopted, with key management implemented throughout the entire lifecycle from generation, verification, distribution to storage, use and destruction.
Recently, a new type of encrypted TM card with an integrated security mechanism has been launched, which incorporates a dedicated encryption microprocessor and provides a feasible security solution, currently applied in small-sum financial TM card systems. Security has increasingly become a key specification for TM cards, and TM cards based on encryption microprocessors have extremely broad development prospects.
3. Technology for Multi-Function Single Card
TM cards are not only used for access control and door lock management in hotels and restaurants, but also for cashless consumption in catering, entertainment and other venues, as well as for multiple functions such as authorized on-the-job operation, fixed-point security, employee attendance and staff meals. The key to realizing multi-function single card lies in standardization and normalization - defining a unified data format and formulating unified data interface specifications. In essence, the multi-function single card issue is a research on multi-functional TM cards. People have long hoped to integrate TM cards for various fields such as guest cards, driver cards, medical cards, phone cards, public transport cards, bank cards into a single card. The main obstacle to this realization is the lack of unified standards at home and abroad, leading to poor compatibility, information non-sharing, and severe restrictions on cross-industry and cross-regional use. The only way to break through this predicament is for international standardization organizations to formulate unified standards as soon as possible and for domestic authoritative institutions to strengthen standard management promptly. We have also made some fundamental work and recommendations in this regard during the development of this project.
4. Applications of TM Multi-function Cards in Intelligent Buildings
TM cards have a wide range of applications in intelligent buildings. This section only exemplifies the main application subsystems:
1. Access Control Subsystem
A security access control system is an essential facility for modern intelligent buildings. The system should cover elevator access management on all floors, fire exit access management and parking lot access management, ensuring the safety of personnel, property and equipment in the building, while realizing the multi-function single card feature.
The TM multi-function smart card door lock and management system is an important facility for building access monitoring. It can manage personnel entering and exiting the building by level, area and time period, and ensure access control for important places, key offices, computer rooms, fire exits, elevator entrances to corridors and parking lot entrances.
After configuring the system, users must present their TM smart cards with valid password permissions and time limits and touch the probe of the TM card door lock to enter the designated and restricted areas of the building. The door lock simultaneously records the user's personal information and entry time for inquiry, statistics, analysis and printing.
This system has the following notable features:
(1) Each user holds an encrypted TM smart card with a unique serial number worldwide, offering extremely high security. These cards can be revoked through the system at any time. Lost cards can be invalidated immediately, eliminating the need to rekey locks or replace all keys as with mechanical locks. Similarly, TM cards held by employees who leave the company can be easily revoked or recycled for reset and reuse.
(2) The privileges and time for any individual or group to use TM cards to activate elevators and enter specific areas can be pre-set via programs or in real time through a 485 serial port network. For example, some personnel can enter certain rooms on specific floors during designated time periods such as working hours, while others only have access to other rooms on other floors. This enables precise control over who can access which areas of the building, and the number of entries, time period and activity area of each individual can also be set. Access information can be collected and displayed in real time through the network, and all access control points can be monitored in real time. The system will alarm when an illegal card is used.
(3) Compared with ordinary magnetic card locks, contact IC card locks and contactless inductive card locks, TM multi-function smart card door locks have the following special advantages:
A. The TM card is similar in appearance to a button battery, encased in a stainless steel shell. It is resistant to bending, impact, wear, water, moisture, oil, dust and electromagnetic interference, and can withstand extreme temperatures (-40℃ ~ +80℃), making it most suitable for portable use, frequent operation and complex working environments;
B. The TM card door lock also features a fully sealed structure with no card slot, preventing the ingress of moisture and dust and the intentional blockage of debris, and avoiding mechanical wear. It has the highest reliability, lowest failure rate and longest service life among all electronic locks, and is the most convenient to operate, use, install and maintain;
C. The TM card can be inlaid on plastic handles, power-taking panels and PVC cards, or integrated with rings and electronic watches, offering extreme portability;
D. Simply touching the TM card to the door lock's probe unlocks the door and completes data reading, writing and transmission. The TM card door lock adopts a single-wire protocol, which has low requirements for reading and writing equipment and reduces equipment investment;
E. The TM card is a truly multi-functional smart card that realizes multi-function single card. It has multiple independent storage partitions with separate passwords and identification codes for different functions. In addition to access control, the system can be used for property management with only a small amount of additional equipment, with separate settlement of various fees without mutual interference. Cardholders can also use the card for cashless consumption in the building's restaurants, shopping malls and other venues. Internal TM employee cards can also serve as ID cards, meal cards and attendance cards, facilitating personnel management.
Therefore, the TM card combines the advantages of inductive cards (easy and reliable operation) and contact IC cards (low cost, no electromagnetic radiation), making it a high-performance electronic information media at present.
(4) All activity information of cardholders entering the building's access control area can be recorded in the TM card lock, and transferred to the computer via a TM collection card, providing managers with detailed records for post-event inquiry, statistics, analysis and report printing. The WT-Lockwell Access Control System launched by Huabu Teke Company has the following functions and features: * Adopts the internationally cost-effective TM card controller with no card slot, no wear (moisture-proof, dust-proof, anti-electromagnetic interference) * PC-WIN software for easy access control management; * Modular structure, supporting the construction of a control system for 1 ~ 1024 doors, expandable as required; * Manages access for hundreds to tens of thousands of people (cards), and can also serve as an attendance system; * Network connection up to 1200 meters, expandable according to user requirements * Interoperable with building automation systems (elevators, fire protection, anti-theft alarm), video surveillance, hotel MIS and other systems; * Records card numbers and access times, with printing function; * Allows one card to unlock multiple doors, with configurable door access time periods; * Real-time inquiry, statistics and analysis of access information; * Supports fully functional, widely applicable direct-plug electric control door locks, as well as TM card luxury networked hotel electronic door locks, popular office electronic door locks or door frame latches.
This system is suitable for access control and automatic fire door control in intelligent buildings, office buildings, important passages, fire exits, elevator entrances, equipment rooms, computer rooms and confidential department entrances.
2. Security Patrol System
Intelligent buildings have high security requirements, so a security patrol system should be configured to ensure that security guards patrol each patrol point in the building in sequence according to a pre-set route during nights and holidays, while protecting the safety of the patrol personnel. When starting a patrol, security guards must confirm the set patrol route and reach each patrol point in sequence within the specified time period. In case of an emergency on the way, they can contact the security control room via a wireless intercom. If there is no emergency, they return to the security center after the patrol, and the computer system software prints the patrol data collected by the handheld electronic patrol device, listing the patrol date, the location and time of each patrol point, as well as missed patrol records in detail. This allows managers to verify whether security guards have patrolled all required patrol points in accordance with regulations, ensuring building safety. Patrol data can be stored in the computer for real-time inquiry and used as attendance records.
The security patrol system launched by Huabu Teke Company consists of a handheld TM electronic patrol device, TM patrol buttons at patrol points, a TM card reader, a computer, a printer and patrol system software.
The system adopts a wireless patrol system (a wired networked system is also available if required). Each patrol point requires no external wiring, meaning no real-time network connection with the security monitoring center. In case of an emergency during the patrol, security guards can contact the security room via a wireless intercom or trigger an alarm with a nearby alarm button. After returning to the security room upon patrol completion, the patrol system software compiles and stores the patrol information collected by the handheld electronic patrol device (including patrol point location, patrol time and missed patrol records) in the computer, supporting real-time inquiry, statistics, analysis and printing, and can also be used as attendance records.
The patrol button at each patrol point can be installed on the wall at a height of 1.5 meters from the ground. The patrol device, patrol buttons, card reader and other equipment are all hermetically sealed, with water, moisture, dust, oil and electromagnetic interference resistance. They adopt a non-card-insertion and non-card-swiping design, avoiding errors caused by plug-in wear. The equipment itself is rugged and durable, easy to use and maintain, and free of electromagnetic radiation pollution.