Method and arrangement for providing and managing information linked to RFID data storage media in a network

• US 9,582,690 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2012
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smartrac IP BV (OEP Technologie BV)
• Original Assignee: Smartrac IP BV (OEP Technologie BV)
• Inventors: Rietzler, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brian
• Application Number:
  US14/122,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20140111314A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,770 Days
• Field of Search: 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10009 sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10297 arrangements for handling protocols designed for non-contact record carriers such as RFIDs NFCs, e.g. ISO/IEC 14443 and 18092 cryptographic protocols H04L9/00; network security protocols H04L63/00; real-time communication protocols in data switching networks H04L65/00; network protocols for data switching network services H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10386 the interrogation device being of the portable or hand-handheld type, e.g. incorporated in ubiquitous hand-held devices such as PDA or mobile phone, or in the form of a portable dedicated RFID reader
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

A method provides and manages information linked to RFID data storage media in a network with data transmission between an RFID data storage medium and an RFID reading unit, integrated in a mobile radio device, for reading the data stored on the RFID data storage medium. A data link is set up to a network server in a network via a radio interface of the mobile radio device. A data memory area on the network server is associated with the RFID data storage medium. An arrangement provides and manages information linked to RFID data storage media in a network. The arrangement includes an RFID data storage medium, a mobile radio device with an integrated RFID reading unit for reading RFID data records, and a network with a network server. The network server has a data memory area which is associated with the RFID data storage medium.

Claims

1. A method for providing and managing information linked to radio frequency identification (RFID) data storage media in a network, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting data between an RFID data storage medium and an RFID reading unit, integrated in a mobile radio device, for reading the data stored on the RFID data storage medium;

setting up a data link, to a network server in a network via a radio interface of the mobile radio device; and

associating a data memory area, on the network server, with the RFID data storage medium, wherein the association of the server data memory area with the RFID data storage medium is effected by addressing the server data memory area by means of an RFID data record that is stored on the RFID data storage medium, the server data memory area being provided with an access authorization for different user categories with specific access rights, wherein members of a first user category possess the full access authorization including write and read authorization and directly have access to the server data memory area by means of a password, wherein the members of a user category only possess read authorization and, in the case of the Internet network, only indirectly have access to the server data memory area via an Internet portal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the association of the RFID data storage medium with the RFID data record for addressing the server data memory area is effected by means of a serial number of the RFID data storage medium.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the association of the RFID data storage medium with the RFID data record for addressing the server data memory area is effected by means of an identifier that is stored on the RFID data storage medium.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the association of the RFID data storage medium with the RFID data record for addressing the server data memory area is effected by means of a combination of a serial number of the RFID data storage medium and of an identifier that is stored on the RFID data storage medium.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data contained in the RFID data record for addressing the server data memory area are encrypted.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission between the RFID data storage medium and the RFID reading unit is effected by means of an NFC interface which is integrated into the mobile radio device and which is compatible with an RFID interface.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission between the RFID data storage medium and the RFID reading unit as well as the setup of the data link to the network server via the radio interface are controlled by means of application software that is installed on the mobile radio device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein when starting the application software, the RFID reading unit reads out the RFID data record from the RFID data storage medium, generates an access right for the server data memory area from these data, directs a request to the network server and processes the data received from the network server such that the data can be presented on the mobile radio device.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the application software is a basic reading software with which further reference data, that are stored on the RFID data storage medium, can be read out, in order to be able to directly download extended application software modules onto the mobile radio device from the network.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setup of the data link to the network server is effected within a global network.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setup of the data link to the network server is effected via the radio interface that is specified in accordance with a mobile radio standard.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setup of the data link to the network server is effected via the radio interface that is specified in accordance with a local radio network standard.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the server data memory area comprises data which present a link to other databases or websites.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein on the RFID data storage medium further reference data for the server data memory area can be stored, which reference data are read out manually in an off-line mode and can either be used directly or serve for the manual setup of a network link.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein data transmission, over the set up data link, between the mobile radio device and the network server, is effected in an encrypted manner.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a key for an encryption algorithm is stored on the RFID data storage medium.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein by means of an additional signal input for determining an external condition the RFID data record for addressing the server data memory area can be stored in a pre-set memory area in a targeted manner, corresponding to the state of the signal input.

18. An arrangement for providing and managing information linked to radio frequency identification (RFID) data storage media in a network, the arrangement comprising:

an RFID data storage medium;

a mobile radio device with an integrated RFID reading unit for reading RFID data records; and

a network with a network server, wherein the network server has a data memory area which is associated with the RFID data storage medium, wherein the RFID data storage medium has a memory area for receiving an RFID data record, which creates the association of the server data memory area with the RFID data storage medium by addressing the server data memory area, the server data memory area being provided with an access authorization for different user categories with specific access rights, wherein members of a first user category possess the full access authorization including write and read authorization and directly have access to the server data memory area by means of a password, wherein the members of a user category only possess read authorization and, in the case of the Internet network, only indirectly have access to the server data memory area via an Internet portal.

19. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the mobile radio device has a near field communication (NFC) interface which is compatible with an RFID interface.

20. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the network is a global network.

21. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the RFID data storage medium has another memory area for receiving further access data and reference data.

22. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the RFID data storage medium has an additional signal input for determining an external condition with which the RFID data record, for addressing the server data memory area, can be stored in a pre-set memory area in a targeted manner, corresponding to the state of the signal input.

23. A method for providing and managing information linked to radio frequency identification (RFID) data storage media in a network, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a mobile device comprising an RFID reading unit;

providing a RFID element comprising an RFID data storage medium, said RFID data storage medium comprising an RFID data record, said RFID data record comprising network server access data;

providing a network server comprising a server data memory area, said server data memory area comprising additional data;

transmitting said RFID data record from said RFID element to said reading unit, said reading unit generating network server access data based on said RFID data record;

setting up a data link between said network server and said mobile device based on said network server access data via said mobile device; and

transmitting said additional data from said server data memory area to said mobile device via said data link, the server data memory area being provided with an access authorization for different user categories with specific access rights, wherein members of a first user category possess the full access authorization including write and read authorization and directly have access to the server data memory area by means of a password, wherein the members of a user category only possess read authorization and, in the case of the Internet network, only indirectly have access to the server data memory area via an Internet portal.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the server data memory area is associated with the RFID data storage medium by addressing the server data memory area by means of said RFID data record.