Near field communication (NFC) device and method for selectively securing records in a near field communication data exchange format (NDEF) message

1. A method for selectively securing records in a Near Field Communication Data Exchange Format (NDEF) message in a Near Field Communication (NFC) device, the method comprising:

generating a record by setting a first field to ‘0’ and setting a second field to a predefined value, wherein the record indicates a beginning of at least one record to be secured in the NDEF message and that at least one record preceding the record is unsecured; and

placing the record in the NDEF message, wherein at least one record following the record is secured,

wherein a signature field of the record includes the first field and the second field.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one unsecured record preceding the record span from a beginning of the NDEF message to the record.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one unsecured record preceding the record spans from another record preceding the record to the record.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one secured record following the record is secured by using a next record that includes a valid signature.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising deleting the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message without changing the valid signature in the next record.

6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising modifying the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message, without changing the valid signature in the next record.

7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising adding the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message, without changing the valid signature in the next record.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the record is a Signature Record Type Definition (RTD), and

wherein a signature length field, a signature/URI field, and a certificate chain field are not present in the Signature RTD.

9. A Near Field Communication (NFC) device for selectively securing records in a Near Field Communication Data Exchange Format (NDEF) message, the NFC device comprising:

a processor for:

generating a record by setting a first field to ‘0’ and setting a second field to a predefined value, wherein the record indicates a beginning of at least one record to be secured in the NDEF message and that at least one record preceding the record is unsecured, and

placing the record in the NDEF message, wherein at least one record following the record is secured; and

a transmitter for transmitting the NDEF message,

wherein a signature field of the record includes the first field and the second field.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one unsecured record preceding the record spans from a beginning of the NDEF message to the record.

11. The device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one unsecured record preceding the record spans from another record preceding the record to the record.

12. The device of claim 9 , wherein the at least one secured record following the record is secured by using a next record that includes a valid signature.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the processor deletes the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message without changing the valid signature in the next record.

14. The device of claim 12 , wherein the processor modifies the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message, without changing the valid signature in the next record.

15. The device of claim 12 , wherein the processor adds the at least one unsecured record preceding the record in the NDEF message, without changing the valid signature in the next record.

16. The device of claim 12 , wherein the record is a Signature Record Type Definition (RID), and

wherein a signature length field, a signature/URI field, and a certificate chain field are not present in the Signature RTD.