Microsoft gets a patent to make our body ... a network

Microsoft gets a patent for our body ... a network Microsoft has been granted a patent describing an apparatus transmitting data via small electrical impulses through the body. What exchange of computer data in a simple handshake, secure paymentsThe Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent to Microsoft surprising. Introduced in December 2011, this patent titled Biological Entity Communication Channel describes a system capable of using the human body to pass data. This process would send a card to a digital handshake to another person, secure payment by touching finger a terminal, or access to a secure building. To transmit data, the person must wear a small device that Microsoft describes a very partial and vague way. It is composed of three elements: a surface which acts as ground, an insulator layer, and another conductor connected to a communication module for data to be transmitted through the human body. or to log in to some buildings.

In this diagram taken from the patent granted by the Patent and Trademark Office U.S. Microsoft, an individual has a small indefinite equipment. It can be a bracelet for example. It incorporates a system for transmitting data from a communication module, for small electrical pulses of the order of pico-amps. They are received by a transceiver equivalent that the person will feel. © Microsoft

The network is us!

However, using the human body to transmit data is not an invention of Microsoft. Early theories on the subject date from 1997 and were conducted by MIT. Many studies on this called "human modem" or "the human body network" system have been made since. At CES 2012 in Las Vegas, Ericsson's boss had even conducted a demonstration in which he had sent a photo from his phone to display it on a TV with no other connection than his own body.

Japanese telecom giant NTT rival KDDI or its equivalent Korean ETRI work a lot on the subject. Thus, NTT would have come to pass data through the human at a rate of 10 Mbits / s body. According to the researchers, it is even possible to reach 17 Mbit / s. The laboratory has also conducted studies on the potential harmfulness of such a system. The current passing through the body would be only a few pico-amperes. In the current research, there would be no effect on the human body.

A secure connection by Microsoft

Rest securing data in transit. Imagine a sensor placed near the skin can intercept. In this case, Microsoft replied that it depends on the frequency of the signal used. Thus, taking the example of a frequency of 400 MHz, the signal is not detectable at a distance greater than 8 mm. It is this system that would ensure the security of data transmissions. In other cases, it is possible to increase the frequency to 1.5 GHz in order to ensure a non-contact transmission, and identify themselves to open the door to secure access without having to touch anything whatsoever. Practice when it was crowded arm.

If, with this patent, Microsoft has thought about data security and the practical applications of such a device, it really is vague on the equipment. And we can not rely on the available schemes to know specifically what Microsoft plans to do with this patent, except maybe ... be patient.