Patent Application
20050015548
The invention relates to a method for transmitting data of a mobile data memory to a read/write device, particularly over an air interface, such that the data can be stored in a programmable electronic memory with a fixed memory size. The invention further relates to a mobile data memory and a read/write device for carrying out the method, as well as to an identification system with a read/write device and at least one mobile data memory.
Contactless identification systems use contactless transmission methods, e.g., electromagnetic, infrared or ultrasonic means. Such systems are used, e.g., by transportation systems to identify persons or moving goods, for example. For this purpose, the required data are transmitted by a read/write device over a contactless data transmission link, e.g., an air interface, to a mobile data memory and back again. The contactless identification method also enables the collection of data, e.g., as the mobile data memory moves past. To enable the mobile data memories to be used for an indefinite period of time, the integration of energy storage mechanisms, e.g., batteries, is dispensed with. The necessary electrical energy is picked up externally without contact, i.e., from an electric or magnetic exciter field originating from the read/write device.
To enable communication of a read/write device with such mobile data memories, suitable transmission and coding methods are required, which ensure the power supply of the electronics on the mobile data memory as well as compliance with radio regulations. In addition, only certain frequency bands are typically available for the transmission of data, e.g., the ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical) frequency bands for industrial, scientific and medical applications.
Such methods are described, for example, in ISO/IEC Standard 15693, Part 2, “Air Interface and Initialization,” or in ISO/IEC Standard 14443, which deals with time slot methods for operating in an ISM frequency band. Other known methods are, for example, the ISO Standards 11784 and 11785.
If a mobile data memory enters the aforementioned exciter field of a read/write device, it transmits its entire data content cyclically until it leaves the exciter field again. Typically, the data content is taken from an electronic memory, e.g., a non-volatile programmable EEPROM or a FRAM. Due to the binary memory architecture, the aforementioned electronic memories have a binary address space with, for example, 32, 64, 128, etc., addresses. Depending on the organization of the memory, e.g., 1 bit, 4 bits or 8 bits of data can be stored per address. For mobile data memories with serial data transmission, a memory organization of 1 bit per address is usually advantageous. For one data transmission cycle, the binary data contents of all addresses are thus read out and transmitted.
If a user requires a raw data volume or a user data volume of 40 bits, the prior art calls for a mobile data storage device with at least a 64-bit data memory. The 24 memory addresses that are not required are then cyclically read and transmitted as a pre-allocated zero or one sequence. Consequently, a correspondingly configured read/write device also accepts only the, for instance, first 40 bits of the transmitted data.
This, however, presents a problem, in that, for applications requiring a higher crossing speed between the mobile data memory and the read/write device, the aforementioned mobile data memories can no longer be used. This may be the case, for example, in the fields of automation technology and logistics, where production and process steps are continuously optimized and accelerated.
A further problem is encountered when the user data volume must be subsequently increased, e.g., to enable a larger number of mobile data memories in circulation still to be coded individually. For, example, if the required user data volume is 70 bits instead of the aforementioned 40 bits, then a mobile data memory with the next higher, i.e. twice the storage area of 128 bits is required. As a result, almost twice the amount of time is required for cyclic data transmission. This means, in turn, that the crossing speed has to be reduced significantly to ensure reliable data transmission. These mobile data memories may then no longer be usable because the read/write device can no longer read the data content in time within one cycle.
Thus, one object of the invention is to provide a novel method as well as a novel mobile data memory, read/write device and identification system, to enable faster data transmission to a read/write device while a mobile data memory moves past the read/write device.
According to one formulation of the invention, this and other objects are attained by a method for transmitting data of a mobile data memory to a read/write device, particularly over an air interface, such that the data can be stored in a programmable electronic memory with a fixed memory size and only a predefined amount of user data is transmitted from the electronic memory.
These objects are further attained by a mobile data memory, by a read/write device, and by an identification system in accordance with various further formulations of the invention.. Advantageous embodiments of the method and devices are set forth in dependent claims and described in further detail below.
The invention provides the advantage that only the required amount of data, or the user data sufficient for coding, is transmitted to a read/write device. As a result, the crossing speed and/or the transmittable data volume during crossing can be increased.
A further advantage is that the user can individually adjust the number of user data to be transmitted when programming the user data volume.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the following figures in which:
According to the invention, only a predefined amount of data DATA is transmitted from the electronic memory MEM, such that a user can individually program the user data DATA. For this purpose, the amount of user data DATA to be transmitted can be stored as a coded value ANZ in the mobile data memory DT, particularly in a predefined memory area SBA of the electronic memory MEM.
In the example of
This has the particular advantage that only the required amount of user data DATA and their exact number ANZ are defined in the electronic memory MEM. Thus, for data transmission, only these data need to be read and transmitted.
A further advantage is that it is possible to use only one electronic memory MEM for storing both the user data DATA and the coded value ANZ of the number of user data DATA to be transmitted.
According to the invention, the user data DATA “marked” in the electronic memory MEM are cyclically transmitted in a user data time block NDB, such that the respective user data time blocks NDB consist of a sequence of on and off values (1, 0). The on and off values (1, 0) can also be considered time slots (Z1, Z0), which for data transmission can be modulated (Z1) or unmodulated (Z0) corresponding to the respective on and off values (1, 0).
Furthermore, according to the invention, the data bits BIT of the user data DATA to be transmitted can be recoded. This is the case if, for example, a transmission method without a sub-carrier is used according to the ISO/IEC standard 14443. To ensure that the mobile data memory DT receives an adequate amount of power from the read/write device SLG during data transmission, at least one unmodulated time slot Z0 must follow a modulated time slot Z1. In this case, the number ANZ′ of the time slots Z0, Z1 to be transmitted, representing the data bits BIT, may increase.
Furthermore, the corresponding user data DATA, or the user data blocks NDB representing them, can be cyclically separated from a significant start/stop identifier SEQ. For delimitation against the data bits BIT to be transmitted, or the corresponding time slots Z1, Z0, this identifier can have, e.g., a different modulation or a significant bit sequence.
This has the advantage that a suitable read/write device SLG with a second coding device KE2 according to the invention can separate a valid user data block NDB or a valid number of user data DATA between two start/stop identifiers SEQ.
To transmit data to a read/write device SLG, the mobile data memory DT according to the invention has at least one user-programmable electronic memory MEM with a fixed memory size FIX for storing data, such that at least a predefined amount of user data DATA can be stored in the memory MEM. In addition, the mobile data memory DT has a first coding device KE1, at least for transmitting data from the electronic memory MEM. The mobile data memory DT further has storage means for storing the coded value ANZ of the predefined number of user data DATA. In particular, the electronic memory MEM is used for storing the coded value ANZ of the amount of user data DATA. According to the invention, only the amount of user data DATA in the electronic memory MEM addressed by the coded value ANZ is transmitted, preferably cyclically, by the first coding device KE1 to the read/write device SLG.
The program flow, illustrated by way of example, starts with program step S1, e.g., after a power-up reset when the mobile data memory DT enters the exciter field.
In the following step S2 an internal counter CNT is loaded, e.g., with the value ANZ ‘40’ of the user data volume DATA from the electronic memory MEM. In program step S3 the mobile data memory DT sends a start/stop identifier SEQ to the read/write device SLG. Thereafter, in program step S4, the memory area SBD addressed with the user data DATA is read out as a bit sequence. In the example of the figure, this is done in reverse order starting with the address 45 up to address 6. For this purpose, each BIT that is read out is sent in program step S5 and the counter CNT is subsequently lowered. The steps S4-S7 are cyclically repeated until the counter CNT has the value 0 in program step S7, after which the program goes to step S2 for a new transmission cycle.
The program sequence S1-S7 can advantageously be implemented simply by circuit and/or program means, e.g., in the coding device KE1 of a mobile data memory DT.
Finally, to carry out the method according to the invention, an identification system IS can be operated in an ISM frequency band. The identification system IS can include at least one read/write device SLG and at least one mobile data memory DT, which transmit data over a contactless data transmission link LS, particularly over an air interface LS, by way of inductive coupling.
The above description of the preferred embodiments has been given by way of example. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the present invention and its attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the structures and methods disclosed. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10244133.2 | Sep 2002 | DE | national |
This is a Continuation of International Application PCT/DE03/03002, published under PCT Article 21(2) in German, and the disclosure of which is incorporated into this application by reference.
