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

• US 9,977,932 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2017
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SMARTRAC Investment B.V. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SMARTRAC Investment B.V. (Avery Dennison Corporation)
• Inventors: Rietzler, Manfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Brian
• Application Number:
  US15/405,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20170124363A1
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• 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 comprising at least the steps of:

providing a mobile device comprising at least an RFID reading unit;

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

providing an RFID element comprising an RFID data storage medium, said RFID data storage medium comprising an RFID data record, said RFID data record comprising second data, wherein the second data comprises information to form a data link to the network server;

transmitting, by said RFID element, or receiving, by said RFID reading unit, said RFID data record from said RFID element to said RFID reading unit, said RFID reading unit generating network server access data based on the information to form the data link to the network server on said RFID data record;

transmitting, by said network server, or receiving, by said mobile device, said first data from said server data memory area to said mobile device.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the RFID reading unit is integrated in the mobile device to allow the mobile device to access data stored on the RFID storage medium.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second data comprises an address of the server data memory area.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second data comprises one or more identifiers stored on the RFID data storage medium.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the server data memory area comprises an access authorization for different user categories with specific access rights, wherein the access authorization provides access levels to the server data memory area by means of the RFID data record.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the access authorization comprises a password.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein members of one user categories possess full access authorization including write and read authorization and have access to the server data memory area by the access authorization.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein members of one user categories possess only read authorization and indirectly have access to the server data memory area.

9. The method as in claim 1 further comprising

setting up the data link between the mobile device and the network server, after the RFID reading unit generates the network server access data.

10. The method as in claim 9, wherein the data link is between the network server in a network via a radio interface of the mobile radio device.

11. The method as in claim 1 further comprising

setting up a data link between the RFID reading unit and the RFID data storage medium, wherein the data link between the RFID data storage medium and the RFID reading unit is effected by means of an NFC system which is integrated into the mobile radio device.

12. The method as in claim 1 further comprising

setting up a first data link between the RFID reading unit and the RFID data storage medium, and

setting up a second data link between the mobile device and the network server, after the RFID reading unit generates the network server access data,

wherein the data link between the RFID data storage medium and the RFID reading unit as well as the setup of the data link to the network server are controlled by means of software that is installed on the mobile radio device.

13. The method as in to claim 12, wherein when starting the 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.

14. The method as in claim 12, wherein the software is a basic reading software with which further reference data, that are stored on the RFID data storage medium, are configured to be read out, in order to be able to directly download extended application software modules onto the mobile radio device from the network.

15. The method as in 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 standard such as a mobile radio standard or local radio network standard.

16. The method as in claim 1, wherein the server data memory area includes data and connection to other databases or websites.

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

18. The method as in claim 1, wherein data transmission, over a data link between the mobile radio device and the network server for transmitting or receiving first data, is effected in an encrypted manner.

19. The method as in claim 18, wherein a key for an encryption algorithm is stored on the RFID data storage medium.

20. The method as in claim 1, wherein by means of an additional signal input for determining an external condition, the RFID data record for accessing the network server is configured to be stored in a pre-set memory area in a targeted manner, corresponding to the state of the signal input.

21. A system comprising:

a mobile device comprising an RFID reading unit;

a network server comprising a server data memory area, said server data memory area comprising first data;

an RFID element comprising an RFID data storage medium, said RFID data storage medium comprising an RFID data record, said RFID data record comprising second data, wherein the second data comprises information to form a data link to the network server;

wherein the mobile device is configured to

receiving said RFID data record from said RFID element to said RFID reading unit, said RFID reading unit generating network server access data based on the information to form the data link to the network server on said RFID data record;

receiving said first data from said server data memory area.

22. A system as in claim 21 further comprising:

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 an authentication, and

members of a second user category possess read authorization and indirect access to the server data memory area.

23. The system as in claim 21, wherein the mobile radio device has a near field communication (NFC) interface which is compatible with an RFID interface.

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

25. The system according to claim 21, 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, is configured to be stored in a pre-set memory area in a targeted manner, corresponding to the state of the signal input.