HK1241096B - Data application method and system of rfid tags - Google Patents

Description

A data application method and system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags

Technical Field

The present application relates to data communication, and in particular to a data application method and system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Background Art

RFID (Radio-frequency identification) is a technology that has attracted much attention in recent years. Especially as the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly accepted by people and its application areas are becoming more and more extensive, RFID plays an increasingly important role.

As shown in Figure 1, an RFID system typically consists of a computer system 11, a reader/writer 12, an antenna 13, and an electronic tag 14. Different types of RFID tags require matching readers and antennas to function properly. This limits the application of RFID technology in certain situations, and further improvements are needed to expand its application.

Application Contents

This application provides a data application method for a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, comprising:

When the first type of RFID tag is within a readable range of the first type of RFID reader, the first type of RFID reader obtains data of the first type of RFID tag;

The simulator obtains the first type of RFID tag data, converts the first type of RFID tag data into second type data according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and provides the data to the second type reader/writer;

The second type reader/writer converts the second type data into a second type RFID signal and sends it out.

In one embodiment, the first type RFID reader/writer, the second type reader/writer, and the simulator are integrated into the same physical device.

In one embodiment, the physical device obtains associated data of the first type of RFID tag data from a cloud server or a local database according to the first type of RFID tag data.

In one embodiment, the first type RFID tag is an ultra-high frequency (UHF) tag, the first type reader is a UHF reader, the second type data is near-field wireless communication (NFC) tag data, the second type reader is an NFC reader, and the second type signal is an NFC signal.

In one embodiment, the NFC signal is acquired from the NFC reader/writer via a smart mobile terminal having an NFC function.

In one embodiment, the operation process of the data application method includes:

The UHF reader transmits radio waves through the UHF antenna. When the UHF tag is within the coverage of the radio waves, the UHF tag will be activated;

The UHF reader obtains the tag identification or electronic product code sent by the activated UHF tag through the UHF antenna;

The UHF reader/writer transmits the tag identification or electronic product code to the RFID simulator and determines whether the UHF tag is the desired product;

The RFID simulator obtains the product information represented by the UHF tag from the local database or cloud server;

The RFID simulator converts the product information into an NFC code containing product-related information according to a predetermined encoding algorithm;

The RFID simulator sends an NFC signal containing the NFC code through the NFC reader;

A smart mobile terminal with the NFC function turned on receives the NFC signal within the readable range, and obtains and displays product-related information through application mode or hyperlink mode.

This application also provides a data application system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, including:

A first type RFID reader/writer, configured to obtain data of the first type RFID tag when the first type RFID tag is within a readable range of the first type RFID reader/writer;

A simulator, configured to obtain the first type of RFID tag data, convert the first type of RFID tag data into second type data according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and provide the data to a second type reader/writer;

The second type reader/writer is used to convert the second type data into a second type signal and send it out.

The data application method and system of the present application can expand the application of RFID tags and make their application more extensive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

FIG1 shows a system architecture diagram of an RFID application in the prior art.

2 and 3 show the architecture diagrams of the UHF to NFC conversion system according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG4 shows a flow chart from a UHF tag to an NFC smart terminal according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG5 shows a data expansion method according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG6 shows the process of determining and installing an APP in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG7 is a system architecture diagram of UHF-to-NFC deployed in a retail store using the data application method according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present application may be constructed and/or used. This description illustrates the functions and structures for constructing and operating the application in relation to the illustrated embodiments. However, it should be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments, which are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present application.

RFID generally includes four main types: LF, HF (NFC), UHF, and MW. Although they differ in their operating frequency bands and implementation methods, they all fall into the category of wireless radio frequency. See Table 1 below:

Table 1

Different types of electronic tags have different characteristics and are therefore suitable for different scenarios and applications, such as:

The reading distance of UHF (Ultra high frequency) can usually exceed 3M, so it is suitable for use in the logistics field;

NFC (Near field communication) is suitable for end-user electronic payments and short-range data transmission because it is a short-range reading method (<10cm).

Currently, smart mobile terminals, such as various smartphones, are usually equipped with NFC modules, thus giving smart mobile terminals NFC functions. However, as mentioned above, due to the diversity of RFID tag types, smart mobile terminals equipped only with NFC modules are still limited in the application of RFID. If all kinds of RFID tag support functions are equipped in smart mobile terminals, it will have adverse effects in terms of cost and portability of the smart mobile terminals themselves.

In an embodiment of the present application, a method for applying data of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is provided, comprising:

When the first type of RFID tag is within a readable range of the first type of RFID reader, the first type of RFID reader obtains data of the first type of RFID tag;

The RFID simulator obtains the first type of RFID tag data, converts the first type of RFID tag data into second type of RFID tag data according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and provides the data to the second type of RFID reader/writer;

The second-type RFID reader/writer converts the second-type RFID tag data into a second-type RFID signal and sends it out.

The above-mentioned data application method can be implemented by a data application system including a first type of RFID reader/writer, an RFID simulator and a second type of RFID reader/writer. By using this data application system, conversion can be achieved between different types of RFID tags, which is conducive to the implementation of the RFID support function of the terminal. For example, only the NFC function, which is relatively easy to set up and has little impact on the portability of the smart mobile terminal, is equipped on the smart mobile terminal. With the cooperation of the data application system of the embodiment of the present application, the reading and writing functions of various types of RFID tags can still be realized.

The various components of the data application system, namely the first type RFID reader/writer, the second type RFID reader/writer, and the RFID simulator, can be physically separate, but connected via a wired or wireless network. Alternatively, these components can be integrated into a single physical device (referred to as an RFID data application device). The RFID data application device can retrieve associated data of the first type RFID tag data from a cloud server or a local database based on the first type RFID tag data.

Databases are typically implemented using mass storage devices. These mass storage devices can be located in the cloud, relative to the RFID data application device, meaning they are physically located separately from the RFID data application device. The RFID data application device can access these databases via the internet, meaning they are cloud-based databases. Alternatively, the databases can be local databases, meaning the RFID data application device and the mass storage device are physically located in the same location, connected via, for example, a wired cable.

In the cloud, a cloud server for supporting the data application system can be configured. The cloud server includes a central processing device for executing specific instructions and a massive data storage device, such as a blade storage array. The massive data storage device in the cloud is also a cloud database. The central processing device is used to execute specific instructions, thereby performing various system-related operations. The RFID data application device can exchange data with the cloud server, such as obtaining associated data of the first type of RFID tag data. The associated data can be, for example, product-related information of the product to which the first type of RFID tag is attached. The cloud server supports access via wireless or wired methods; wireless or wired access methods include: WIFI/2G/3G/4G mobile network access methods, or satellite communication, wireless broadcast communication access methods.

In one embodiment of the present application, the first type of RFID tag is a UHF tag, the first type of reader is a UHF reader, the second type of data is NFC data, the second type of reader is an NFC reader, and the second type of RFID signal is an NFC signal. The NFC signal can be obtained from the NFC reader by a smart mobile terminal with NFC functionality.

In the above embodiment, UHF electronic tags and mobile devices with NFC functions (such as smart phones) are used to simultaneously meet the respective needs of supply chain/logistics and consumers, thereby further extending and broadening the application of UHF electronic tags.

2 and 3 , the UHF reader/writer 320, the RFID (UHF-NFC) simulator 330, and the NFC reader/writer module 340 are organically combined to achieve the acquisition, conversion, and expansion of UHF signals, as well as the transmission of NFC signals, so that the NFC smart terminal 350 can conveniently receive relevant information, thereby realizing data communication from the UHF electronic tag 310 to the NFC smart terminal 350. Among them, the RFID simulator 330 uses a predetermined data conversion protocol to convert UHF tag data to NFC tag data, which may include a standard or custom encoding algorithm. The RFID simulator can integrate a coding and decoding system to achieve data conversion. The coding and decoding system can be implemented using hardware, such as a dedicated IC, a DSP (digital signal processing) processor, or a software program implemented in various programming languages such as C and assembly. Specifically, the operation flow of the data application method is shown in FIG4 , including:

410: The UHF reader transmits radio waves through the UHF antenna. When the UHF tag is within the coverage of the radio wave, the UHF tag is activated.

420: The UHF tag returns the Tag ID (tag identification) or EPC (Electronic Product Code), and the UHF reader receives the relevant information through the UHF antenna.

430: The UHF reader transmits the Tag ID/EPC code to the encoding and decoding system in the RFID simulator and determines whether the UHF tag is the required product, such as the required company product.

440: The encoding and decoding system retrieves the product information represented by the UHF tag from the database/cloud.

450 and 460: The simulator generates NFC content through standard or custom encoding algorithms and automatically converts it into NFC encoding and related information.

470: The simulator sends the generated NFC signal through the NFC reader.

480: The NFC mobile terminal with the NFC function turned on receives the NFC signal within the readable range.

490: Obtain and display relevant information (text, pictures, web pages, etc.) of the product through an APP (application) or hyperlink.

FIG5 shows two data expansion modes according to an embodiment of the present application, namely, the APP mode and the hyperlink mode, which include:

442 and 444: The system determines and decides how to display the product information. If it is a hyperlink mode, it proceeds to step 446. Otherwise, it proceeds to step 448.

446: When displayed in APP mode, the acquired data is generated in APP mode.

448: When displayed in hyperlink mode, the acquired data is generated in hyperlink mode.

The NFC signal is then sent at step 450 .

FIG6 shows the process of determining and installing an APP according to an embodiment of the present application:

492: When the system decides to display information in APP mode,

494: The system determines whether the APP exists.

496: If the APP is not installed yet, install the APP first.

498: If the app is installed, launch the app and display product information.

The data application method and system of the embodiments of the present application are particularly useful in the retail industry, especially in clothing, shoes, and handbags: after installing and configuring relevant devices in a physical store/experience store using this method, consumers can conveniently use their smart mobile devices to obtain information about the items represented by the UHF tags; at the same time, merchants can use this to establish close relationships with consumers, promote products, and enhance consumer loyalty to the brand.

FIG7 is a diagram of the UHF-to-NFC system architecture deployed in a retail store using the data application method and system of an embodiment of the present application: When a UHF electronic tag is within the readable range of the UHF antenna of a UHF reader (wired to the UHF reader), the data application system automatically obtains the UHF code (EPC code), connects to a cloud database via a wireless network and the Internet to obtain further information, and transmits an NFC signal in conjunction with an RFID simulator. As long as a smart mobile terminal with NFC functionality is close to the NFC reader, the corresponding information can be obtained, realizing the function of the NFC mobile terminal "reading" the UHF tag. It can be seen that the system architecture can be quite flexible. For example, the cloud server can be connected to a router via a network, and the router can be connected to the UHF reader via a wired or WIFI network, connected to a computer or display device via a WIFI network, and connected to the RFID simulator via a wired or WIFI network. The UHF reader, computer or display device, and RFID simulator can be connected via USB or Micro USB, and the smart mobile terminal can interact with the cloud server via a mobile network. It is understood that the smart mobile terminal can be a smartphone with NFC functionality, a smart wearable device, a tablet computer, etc. Using this system, consumers can use their own smartphones and other devices to understand the information of items and identify the authenticity of the purchased items, and provide a convenient contact channel for merchants' after-sales service.

UHF readers are usually large, complex, and expensive, making them difficult to embed in mobile terminals (especially smartphones). To implement an electronic tag that can meet the needs of both supply chain/logistics and consumers, there are the following possible methods:

Develop a chip that combines UHF and NFC. Currently, there is no such chip. Even if there is one, the price of the chip is at least 5 times that of UHF.

Combining UHF and NFC on the same tag will result in a larger electronic tag area and cost at least three times that of a UHF tag.

A UHF reader can be plugged into or embedded in a mobile device, but UHF readers are not only expensive but also affect the portability of the mobile device. This is not suitable for users in terms of both cost and user experience.

The data application method and system of the embodiment of the present application can use a smart mobile device with NFC to read UHF tags, so that a UHF electronic tag can play a role in the supply chain/logistics and allow consumers to use mobile terminals (such as smart phones) to obtain relevant information, making the application of RFID more extensive and better balancing factors such as price, convenience and popularity. In addition, although the above embodiment takes the reading of UHF tags by smart mobile devices with NFC functions as an example, it can be understood that it can also similarly realize the reading of UHF tags by smart mobile devices with QR code scanning functions, that is, the first type of tag is a UHF tag, and the second type of reader is a QR code reader. As mentioned above, in order to be suitable for the portability of smart mobile devices, the second type of reader is generally a type that is relatively easy to integrate into the smart mobile device, such as NFC reading and writing, QR code scanning, etc., which is relatively low-cost and has almost no impact on the portability of the smart mobile device. The first type of tag can be set as needed.

Although the present application has been described in detail together with specific embodiments, it should be appreciated that other variations of the present application can be designed without departing from the spirit of the present application.

Claims (6)

1. A method for applying data from an RFID tag, characterized in that it includes: When a first type of RFID tag is within the readable range of a first type of RFID reader, the first type of RFID reader acquires the data of the first type of RFID tag. The simulator obtains the first type of RFID tag data, converts the first type of RFID tag data into second type data according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and provides it to the second type reader/writer; The second type of reader/writer will generate a second type of signal from the second type of data and send it out. The first type of RFID tag is an ultra-high frequency (UHF) tag, the first type of reader/writer is a UHF reader/writer, the second type of data is near-field communication (NFC) tag data, the second type of reader/writer is an NFC reader/writer, and the second type of signal is an NFC signal; the NFC signal is obtained from the NFC reader/writer through a smart mobile terminal with NFC functionality. The operation process of the data application method includes: UHF readers transmit radio waves through a UHF antenna. When a UHF tag is within the coverage area of the radio waves, the UHF tag will be activated. UHF readers obtain the tag identification or electronic product code emitted by the activated UHF tag through the UHF antenna; The UHF reader transmits the tag identification or electronic product code to the RFID simulator and determines whether the UHF tag is the required product. The RFID simulator obtains product information represented by UHF tags from a local database or a cloud server, wherein the cloud server is connected to a router via a network, and the router connects the UHF reader and the RFID simulator via a wired or WIFI network respectively. The RFID simulator converts product information into NFC codes containing product-related information according to a predetermined encoding algorithm; The RFID simulator emits NFC signals containing NFC codes via an NFC reader/writer; Smart mobile terminals with NFC enabled can obtain NFC signals within a readable range and retrieve and display product-related information through application mode or hyperlink mode. 2. The data application method according to claim 1, wherein the first type of RFID reader, the second type of reader, and the simulator are integrated into the same physical device. 3. The data application method according to claim 2, wherein the physical device obtains the associated data of the first type of RFID tag data from a cloud server or a local database based on the first type of RFID tag data. 4. The data application method according to claim 1, wherein the simulator integrates an encoding and decoding system for implementing data conversion; the encoding and decoding system includes a dedicated IC or a digital signal processing (DSP) processor. 5. The data application method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when determining and deciding the method of displaying product information, the data obtained is generated in application mode when displaying product information in application mode, and the data obtained is generated in hyperlink mode when displaying product information in hyperlink mode; wherein when it is decided to display information in application mode, it is determined whether the application exists; if it has not been installed, the application is installed first; if it has been installed, the application is started and the product information is displayed. 6. A data application system for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, characterized in that it comprises: A first type of RFID reader/writer is used to acquire data from a first type of RFID tag when the first type of RFID tag is within the readable range of the first type of RFID reader/writer. The simulator is used to obtain the first type of RFID tag data, convert the first type of RFID tag data into second type data according to a predetermined data conversion protocol, and provide it to the second type reader. The second type of reader/writer is used to generate a second type of signal from the second type of data and send it out. The first type of RFID tag is an ultra-high frequency (UHF) tag, the first type of reader/writer is a UHF reader/writer, the second type of data is near-field communication (NFC) tag data, the second type of reader/writer is an NFC reader/writer, and the second type of signal is an NFC signal; the NFC signal is obtained from the NFC reader/writer through a smart mobile terminal with NFC functionality. The operation process of the data application system includes: UHF readers transmit radio waves through a UHF antenna. When a UHF tag is within the coverage area of the radio waves, the UHF tag will be activated. UHF readers obtain the tag identification or electronic product code emitted by the activated UHF tag through the UHF antenna; The UHF reader transmits the tag identification or electronic product code to the RFID simulator and determines whether the UHF tag is the required product. The RFID simulator obtains product information represented by UHF tags from a local database or a cloud server, wherein the cloud server is connected to a router via a network, and the router connects the UHF reader and the RFID simulator via a wired or WIFI network respectively. The RFID simulator converts product information into NFC codes containing product-related information according to a predetermined encoding algorithm; The RFID simulator emits NFC signals containing NFC codes via an NFC reader/writer; Smart mobile terminals with NFC enabled can obtain NFC signals within a readable range and retrieve and display product-related information through application mode or hyperlink mode.