Systems and methods for programming an RFID reader

• US 8,710,962 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2009
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xceedid Corporation (Allegion PLC)
• Original Assignee: Xceedid Corporation (Allegion PLC)
• Inventors: Menzel, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): BEE, ANDREW W.
• Application Number:
  US12/741,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20100259388A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,939 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1, 340/10.51, 340/531, 340/539.11, 340/5.7, 455/411, 235/382, 235/382.5
• US Class Current: 340/10.51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/45 Structures or tools for the administration of authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10227 loading programming parameters or programs into the interrogator, e.g. for configuring the interrogator
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10366 the interrogation device being adapted for miscellaneous applications
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0492 by using a location-limited connection, e.g. near-field communication or limited proximity of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• 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

Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for performing RFID reader updates. As an example, systems are described that include a server, an RFID reader, and a portable update device. The server is operable to provide an RFID reader update via a communication network. The RFID reader has an nfc interface. The portable update device is operable to receive the RFID reader update via the communication network, and to transfer the RFID reader update to the RFID reader via the nfc interface.

Claims

1. An RFID reader update system, the system comprising:

a server, wherein the server is operable to provide an RFID reader update via a cellular telephone interface;

an RFID reader operable to communicate with presented credentials at a reader frequency, wherein the RFID reader has an nfc interface having a nfc range;

a portable update device selectively movable into and out of the nfc range, wherein the portable update device is operable to receive the RFID reader update via the cellular telephone interface; and

an RFID reader update application included in the portable update device, the RFID reader update application operable to uniquely identify the particular RFID reader to be updated, and wherein the portable update device is operable to transfer the RFID reader update to the RFID reader via the nfc interface, and wherein the RFID reader update includes firmware instructions that cause the RFID reader to perform communications with presented credentials at another frequency in addition to the reader frequency.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable update device is a cellular telephone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the nfc interface operates at 13.56 MHz.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader update causes a change in an authorization code of the RFID reader.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is associated with an access point, and wherein by authorizing a credential to the RFID reader the access point is opened.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader includes a processor, and wherein the RFID reader update includes instructions executable by the processor to modify the function performed by the RFID reader.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable update device transmits authorization information at a first frequency, wherein the RFID reader is operable to receive authorization information at a second frequency, and wherein the RFID reader update render the RFID reader able to receive authorization information at the first frequency.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the RFID reader is implemented as part of a point of sale device.

9. A method for updating an RFID reader that is operable to read a presented credential at a reader frequency, the method comprising:

transferring an RFID reader update to a portable update device via a cellular telephone interface, the portable update device movable into and out of a nfc interface communication distance;

detecting the portable update device within the nfc interface communication distance of the RFID reader;

determining if the RFID reader is a particular RFID reader that is to be updated; and

transferring the RFID reader update to the RFID reader via the nfc interface in response to a positive determination that the RFID reader is the particular RFID reader that is to be updated, wherein the RFID reader operates consistent with the RFID reader update, and wherein the RFID reader update includes firmware instructions that cause the RFID reader to perform communications with presented credentials at another frequency in addition to the reader frequency.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the RFID reader update causes a change in an authorization code of the RFID reader.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the RFID reader is associated with an access point, and wherein by authorizing a credential to the RFID reader the access point is opened.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the RFID reader update renders the credential unauthorized.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the RFID reader update renders the credential authorized.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the credential transmits authorization information at a first frequency, wherein the RFID reader is operable to receive authorization information at a second frequency, and wherein the RFID reader update renders the RFID reader able to receive authorization information at the first frequency.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the RFID reader is implemented as part of a point of sale device.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the portable update device is a cellular telephone, and wherein the cellular telephone supports near field communication.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the near field communication are used to transfer the RFID reader update to the RFID reader using a programming frequency and protocol recognized by the RFID reader.