Patent Application
20080084293
The following description is a detailed description of the invention, with reference to the drawing of
The configuration and update of a radio frequency identifier (RFID) requires first inputting, using a radio frequency read device (or RFID reader), update data that correspond with the data saved in the radio frequency identifier. The RFID reader transmits the signal appropriate for, secondly, writing modified or new data in the radio frequency identifier, to perform an update of the data saved in the latter. The RFID must be in the reading field of the RFID reader. The RFID can only be read, write once read many (WORM) type, or can be rewritten, i.e. liable to be updated for the data it contains. The RFIDs implemented in the invention are identifiers that can be rewritten.
The data saved in the radio frequency identifier characterizes, for example, the identifier of an equipment item associated with the radio frequency identifier, hardware and software specific to the equipment.
The system in which the invention is implemented can comprise diverse electronic equipment, like for example terminals such as a personal computer (PC), television set, mobile phonecam, personal digital assistant (PDA), digital display screen. Every electronic equipment item is identified with a radio frequency identifier. The radio frequency identifier is affixed to the equipment; the identifier is, for example, stuck with one or several self-adhesive strips onto the equipment. The radio frequency identifier contains a memory, in which data are recorded. The recorded data generally contain data intended to identify the equipment on which the radio frequency identifier is affixed. But, the recorded data can advantageously contain other data, like data specific to each of the physical units characterizing the hardware structure of the equipment. A physical unit contributes especially to the processing and storage of data managed by the equipment. A physical unit is, for example, for a PC: processor, central memory, local bus, disk, or sound card and screen. The recorded data can also contain data specific to the software implemented with the equipment. This software is, for example, for a PC: operating systems or specific application software.
In a particular embodiment, the recorded data can comprise data specific to other connected equipment capable of exchanging data with the equipment bearing the electronic identifier.
In another particular embodiment where data security constraints intervene, the recorded data can comprise encryption data, to encode information and make it unintelligible. In this case, the encryption key can also be recorded in the identifier.
Electronic equipment used to implement the invention advantageously has the capacity to produce and display visual codes. A visual code is a pattern or symbol such as a barcode or a two dimensional (or 2D) code. The capacity to produce and display a visual code with the equipment is realized using equipment-specific software. The objective of this visual code is to identify something with a pattern having a unique representation of elementary modules. A 2D code can thus encode several thousand bytes of data with a unique symbol; the symbol can include alphanumeric, digital, or binary data. Advantageously, the visual code can be self-contained, i.e. contain configuration parameters to be able to be adapted to the equipment it is displayed on. 2D codes can be read, for example, by a digital camera that comprises a 2D visual code read device. The camera also comprises a read-write module of radio frequency data that is advantageously integrated into the camera case. The camera also has decoding software capable of converting the visual data captured by the camera, for example into digital data. The camera-specific software enables the digital data to be sent to the read-write module integrated into the camera.
As described above, the capacity to produce and display a visual code 7 with the equipment 1 is realized using software specific to equipment 1. The visual code 7 is, for example, a 2D code that contains update data intended for the radio frequency identifier 3. The update information conveyed by the visual code 7 is supplied for example using a wireless link 11. The link 11 enables a connection of the equipment 1 in a network comprising, for example, an update data server (not represented on
A second equipment item 2 especially comprising an image sensor 8 to capture digital images and a visual code read device having a radio frequency identifier read-write interface 4. The visual code read device having a radio frequency identifier read-write interface 4 is advantageously integrated within the case of the equipment 2. The second equipment 2 is, for example, a digital camera equipped with a keyboard 10 and a display screen 6. However, the second equipment item 2 can also be a phonecam integrating in its case, the visual code read device having a radio frequency identifier read-write interface 4. The second equipment 2 is configured with software for translating or converting, for example into digital data, a visual code captured with the camera 2. The camera-specific software 2 enables the digital data to be sent to the read-write module 4 integrated into the camera 2.
The visual code 7 is sent to the equipment I by the link 11. Then, the visual code 7 is displayed on the screen 5 of the equipment 1. The equipment 2 enables the visual code 7 to be captured by the image sensor 8. Then, the visual code 7 containing the update data is read, decoded and converted with the conversion software and the visual code read device having a radio frequency identifier read-write interface 4; then, the update data are transmitted by a radio communication link 12 to the radio frequency identifier 3. The equipment 2 enables the capture of an image of the visual code 7 displayed on the screen 5 of the equipment 1, and the equipment 2, provided with the active transponder 4, sends an update signal to the chip of the transponder 3.
In a preferred embodiment, the visual code also comprises the data of an executable program intended for the equipment 2 and comprising automatic execution instructions for the steps of reading and decoding of the visual code, and the conversion and transmission of update data to the radio frequency identifier 3.
A second embodiment of the implementation of the invention (not represented by a figure) consists, for example, in updating the data specific to a printer. From a PC, the visual code 7 bearing the update data is collected, for example, from an Internet site address, then displayed on the PC's screen. Then, the visual code is captured with, for example, a mobile or portable phonecam equipped with an image sensor and the visual code is decoded, converted and transmitted with a visual code read device having a radio frequency identifier read-write interface integrated into the phonecam. Then, the update data are sent to a radio frequency identifier specific to the printer by a radio link made between the phonecam and the printer. In the case of a first configuration of the printer, the update data can consist in completing the fields of the memory of the printer's radio frequency identifier.
In a particular embodiment of the invention, the RFID transponder 3 of the equipment 1 and the active RFID transponder 4 of the equipment 2 are respectively near field communication (NFC) type. NFC technology is a particular application of radio frequency link that can be used advantageously in a mobile environment, i.e. a system comprising mobile or portable terminals in which RFID transponders are integrated. The NFC application operates in the high frequency area, i.e. 13.56 MHz (megahertz).
While the invention has been described with reference in particular to its preferred embodiment, it is apparent that the presented embodiment is illustrative and non-restrictive as regards the claimed protection; the claimed protection can cover variants and modifications corresponding to the invention's object and which can be added within the scope of the claims.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0608705 | Oct 2006 | FR | national |
