Radio frequency identification (RF-ID) based discovery for short range radio communication with reader device having transponder functionality

• US 20040176032A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dekeyseria Technologies, LLC, Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Kotola, Sakari, Hussmann, Holger
• Granted Patent: US 7,565,108 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10237 the reader and the record carrier being capable of selectively switching between reader and record carrier appearance, e.g. in near field communication [NFC] devices where the NFC device may function as an RFID reader or as an RFID tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/327 Short range or proximity payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3278 RFID or NFC payments by means of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4097 using mutual authentication between devices and transaction partners
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A RF-ID based wireless terminal includes a reader device with transponder functionality implementing ECMA 340 standard for near field communication and has shortened session set-up and user identification. The reader device is operable in an active communication mode or a passive communication mode. During the active mode, one RF-ID tag reader simulates a RF-ID tag while the other simulates a RF-ID tag reader. The reader includes a transponder, which operates during periods of time when the reader is not energized. A radio frequency interface provides signal for operation of the reader in the reader operation mode or transponder mode of operation. An RF-ID reader upon receiving a response signal from a semi-passive or active RF-ID tag of reader emulating a tag informs the terminal CPU which instructs the short-range communication to enter e.g. a page scanning mode which shortens session set-up time and user identification.

Claims

1. A method of connection establishment in a short-range wireless communication environment, comprising:

a) generating a RF-ID interrogation signal by a first terminal equipped with a RF-ID tag reader device;

b) detecting the RF-ID interrogation signal by a second terminal equipped with means to detect and respond to RF-ID interrogation signals when within the range of the RF-ID interrogation signal;

c) notifying a processor in the second terminal of the presence of the RF-ID interrogation signal for setting a short-range communication module in the second terminal into a predefined operation mode for being capable of detecting paging signals directed to the second terminal;

d) responding to the RF-ID interrogation signal by transmitting a RF-ID response signal to the first terminal including identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal;

e) processing the received RF-ID response signal by the first terminal to activate a short-range communication module in the first terminal to initiate a shortened session setup by transmitting a short-range paging signal directed to the second terminal based on information of the received RF-ID response signal to establish a short-range connection with the second terminal; and

f) detecting the paging signal by the short-range communication module in the second terminal for immediate establishment of a short-range connection between the first and second terminals.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

g) incorporating in the second mobile terminal a RF-ID tag reader having tag functionality and terminal identification information.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

h) switching the RF-ID tag reader in the second terminal to operate in a show communication mode and simulate a RF-ID tag device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second terminals include RF-ID tag readers operating in an active mode.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the RF-ID tag reader of the second terminal operates in a powered down state and passive mode.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein one RF-ID tag reader automatically switches to a passive state when de-energized.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the short-range communication modules of the first and the second terminals conform to the principles of Bluetooth technology.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the processor of the second terminal responding terminal to the second terminal informs the Bluetooth module of the second terminal to enter into a Bluetooth page scan mode after detecting an interrogation signal and responding to it with identification information of the Bluetooth communication module in order to provide a shortened device discovery and session setup between the terminals.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein transmitting the paging signal by the first terminal comprises transmitting by the first terminal a Bluetooth paging message to the second terminal including the Bluetooth identification information of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the predefined operation mode of the second terminal is Bluetooth Page scanning mode.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal includes at least a unique Bluetooth identification number of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

i) periodically updating at least portion of the identification information relating to the second terminal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal includes a Bluetooth serial number and Bluetooth Clock Offset information of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the terminals is a stationary access point connected to an infrastructure network enabling the other terminal to conduct transactions with service applications within the communication network through the established wireless short range connection.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the infrastructure network is the Internet.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and the second terminals are mobile terminals.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

j) determining whether a short-range connection is acceptable.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

k) instructing the short-range communication module to enter into a page scanning mode if the Bluetooth mode is acceptable.

19. Method of claim 17 further comprising:

l) instructing the short-range communication module to enter into a non-connectable connection if the Bluetooth mode is not acceptable.

20. Apparatus for connection establishment in a short-range wireless communication environment, comprising:

a) means for generating a RF-ID interrogation signal by a first terminal equipped with a RF-ID tag reader device;

b) means for detecting the RF-ID interrogation signal by a second terminal equipped with means to detect and respond to RF-ID interrogation signals when within the range of the RF-ID interrogation signal;

c) means for notifying a processor in the second terminal of the presence of the RF-ID interrogation signal for setting a short-range communication module in the second terminal into a predefined operation mode for being capable of detecting paging signals directed to the second terminal;

d) means in the second terminal for responding to the RF-ID interrogation signal by transmitting a RF-ID response signal to the first terminal including identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal;

e) means in the first terminal processing the RF-ID response signal to activate a short-range transceiver in the first transceiver to initiate a shortened session setup by transmitting a short-range paging signal to the second terminal based on information of the received RF-ID response signal to establish a short-range connection with the second terminal; and

f) means in the second terminal for detecting the paging signal by the short-range communication module for immediate establishment of a short-range connection between the first and second terminals.

21. The Apparatus of claim 20 wherein the second mobile terminal is a RF-ID tag reader having tag functionality and terminal identification information

22. The Apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

g) means for switching the RF-ID tag reader in the second terminal to operate in a show communication mode and simulate a RF-ID tag device.

23. The Apparatus of claim 20 wherein the first and second terminals include RF-ID tag readers operating in an active mode.

24. The Apparatus of claim 20 wherein the RF-Tag reader of the second terminal operates in a powered down state and passive mode.

25. The Apparatus of claim 24 wherein one RF-Tag reader automatically switches to passive state when de-energized.

26. The Apparatus of claim 20 wherein the short-range communication modules of the first and second terminals conform to the principles of Bluetooth technology.

27. The Apparatus of claim 26 wherein the processor of the first terminal responding terminal to the second terminal informs the Bluetooth module of the first terminal to enter into a Bluetooth page scan mode after detecting an interrogation signal and responding to it with a Bluetooth communication module identification information in order to provide a shortened device discovery and session setup between the terminals.

28. The Apparatus of claim 26 wherein transmitting the paging signal by the first terminal comprises transmitting by the first terminal a Bluetooth paging message to the second terminal including the Bluetooth identification information of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

29. The Apparatus of claim 26, wherein the predefined operation mode of the second terminal is Bluetooth Page scanning mode.

30. The Apparatus of claim 26, wherein the identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal includes at least a unique Bluetooth identification number of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

31. The Apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

h) means periodically updating at least portion of the identification information relating to the second terminal.

32. The Apparatus of claim 31, wherein the identification information relating to the short-range communication module of the second terminal includes a Bluetooth serial number and Bluetooth Clock Offset information of the short-range communication module of the second terminal.

33. The Apparatus of claim 20, wherein one of the terminals is a stationary access point connected to an infrastructure network enabling the other terminal to conduct transactions with service applications within the communication network through the established wireless short range connection.

34. The Apparatus of claim 33 wherein the infrastructure network is the Internet.

35. The Apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first and the second terminals are mobile terminals.

36. The Apparatus of claim 20 further comprising:

i) determining means determining whether a short-range connection is acceptable.

37. The Apparatus of claim 36 further comprising:

j) instructing means instructing the short-range communication module to enter into a page scanning mode if the Bluetooth mode is acceptable.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the instructing means instructs the short-range communication module to enter into a non-connectable connection if the Bluetooth mode is not acceptable

39. The Apparatus of claim 20 wherein the RF-ID tag reader comprises:

k) a radio frequency interface and an antenna; and

l) an associated logic unit, which is connectable to the radio frequency, interface where the associated logic unit is operable in a transponder operation mode, in which the reader device acts as radio frequency identification transponder.

40. The Reader device according to claim 20 which comprises a reader logic unit, which is connected to said radio frequency interface and which allows for operating said reader operation mode.

41. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said transponder operation mode is operable independently from any power supply.

42. The Reader device according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein said reader device is adapted to operate as a passive radio frequency identification transponder in said transponder operation mode.

43. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said reader device acts as a passive read-only radio frequency identification transponder in said transponder operation mode.

44. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said transponder logic unit comprises a transponder memory.

45. The Reader device according to claim 44 wherein said transponder memory is non-volatile.

46. The Reader device according to claim 45 wherein said transponder memory is configurable.

47. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said transponder logic unit is coupled through a switch unit to said radio frequency interface, wherein said switch unit is operable to select between said reader operation mode and said transponder operation mode.

48. The Reader device according to claim 40 wherein said reader device operates autonomously in said transponder operation mode during periods of time, within which said reader device is not energized.

49. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said radio frequency interface is adapted to provide signals required for operation of said reader device in said reader operation mode and said transponder operation mode.

50. The Reader device according to claim 40, wherein said reader device supports near field communication (ECMA-340) standard, wherein said reader device is operable with a passive communication mode in said reader operation mode, wherein said reader device is operable with a show communication mode in said transponder operation mode.

51. The Reader device according to claim 40 wherein said reader device is operable with an active communication mode in said reader operation mode.

53. The portable terminal according to claim 52, wherein said reader device is a reader device according to claim 39.

52. A portable electronic device, which is, connected to a reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, wherein said reader device comprises:

a) a radio frequency interface and an antenna such that said reader device is adapted to communicate at least with said radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode; and

b) an associated transponder logic unit which is connectable to said radio frequency interface, wherein said transponder logic unit (is operable in a transponder operation mode, in which said reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder.

54. The portable terminal according to claim 52, wherein said portable electronic device is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.

55. A system including a portable electronic device and a reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which is connected to said portable electronic device, wherein said reader device comprises:

a) a radio frequency interface and an antenna such that said reader device is adapted to communicate at least with said radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode; and

b) a transponder logic unit, which is connected/to, said radio frequency interface, wherein said transponder logic unit is operable in a transponder operation mode, in which said reader device acts as a radio frequency identification transponder.