Reader device for radio frequency identification transponder with transponder functionality

• US 20060280149A1
• Filed: 07/22/2003
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Vesikivi, Petri, Huomo, Heikki, Kuhl, Carmen, Wakim, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 8,384,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• 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 7/01 Details
• 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: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, which implements enhanced radio frequency identification transponder functionality. In particular, the present invention relates a reader device, which is capable to serve as a radio frequency identification transponder. A reader device for radio frequency identification transponders comprises a reader logic unit (300, 310), a radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface (150) and an antenna (160). The reader device is adapted to communicate at least with radio frequency identification transponders (700) in a reader operation mode. The reader device comprises additionally a transponder logic unit (200, 210, 510). The transponder logic unit (200, 210, 510) is connected to the reader device (600) and in particular to the radio/high frequency (RF/HF) interface (150) such that the reader device (600) acts as a radio frequency identification transponder (700) in a transponder operation mode. In particular, the transponder logic unit (200, 210, 510) is adapted to communicate with other reader devices for radio frequency identification transponders. The reader device for radio frequency identification transponders can be attached, connected, implemented and/or embedded in electronic device and particularly portable electronic devices, respectively.

Claims

1. Reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, comprising:

a radio frequency interface and an antenna wherein said reader device is adapted to communicate with said radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode; and

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 transponders.

2. Reader device according to claim 1, which comprises a reader logic unit, which is connected to said radio frequency interface and which allows for operating said reader operation mode.

3. Reader device according to claim 1, wherein said transponder operation mode is operable independently from any power supply.

4. Reader device according to claim 2, wherein said reader device is adapted to operate as a passive radio frequency identification transponder in said transponder operation mode.

5. Reader device according to claim 2, wherein said reader device acts as a passive read-only radio frequency identification transponder in said transponder operation mode.

6. Reader device according to claim 1, wherein said transponder logic unit comprises a transponder memory.

7. Reader device according to claim 6, wherein said transponder memory is non-volatile.

8. Reader device according to claim 6, wherein said transponder memory is configurable.

9. Reader device according to claim 1, 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.

10. Reader device according to claim 1, wherein said reader device operates autonomously in said transponder operation mode during periods of time, within which said reader device is not energized.

11. Reader device according to claim 1, 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.

12. Reader device according to claim 1, 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.

13. Reader device according to claim 12, wherein said reader device is operable with an active communication mode in said reader operation mode.

20. Reader device according to claim 2, wherein said transponder operation mode is operable independently from any power supply.

21. Reader device according to claim 7, wherein said transponder memory is configurable.

22. Reader device according to claim 2, 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.

23. Reader device according to claim 2, wherein said reader device operates autonomously in said transponder operation mode during periods of time, within which said reader device is not energized.

24. Reader device according to claim 2, 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.

25. Reader device according to claim 2, 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.

14. Portable electronic device which is connected to a reader device for radio frequency identification transponders, wherein said reader device comprises:

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

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.

15. Portable terminal according to claim 14, wherein said reader device comprises a reader logic unit, which is connected to said radio frequency interface and which allows for operating said reader operation mode.

16. Portable terminal according to claim 14, wherein said portable electronic device is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.

26. Portable terminal according to claim 15, wherein said portable electronic device is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.

17. 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 radio frequency interface and an antenna, wherein said reader device is adapted to communicate at least with said radio frequency identification transponders in a reader operation mode; and

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 transponders.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein said reader device comprises a reader logic unit, which is connected to said radio frequency interface and which allows for operating said reader operation mode.

19. System according to claim 17, wherein said portable electronic device is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.

27. System according to claim 18, wherein said portable electronic device is enabled to communicate via a public land mobile network.