Method with which a terminal can retrieve information associated to an EPC-code from an EPC network
View Patent ↗A method is disclosed with which a terminal ( 3 ) can retrieve information associated to an EPC code from an EPC network ( 4, 5, 6, 7 ). The EPC code is virtual, is generated independently of RFID tags and is stored permanently and is not—or not permanently—associated to an RFID tag. A terminal ( 3 ) sends a message with the EPC code over a telecommunication network ( 4 ) to an object name server ( 6 ), the server ( 6 ) replies with the address of the desired PML page and the terminal ( 3 ) access the content of said PML page. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
1. A method for generating virtual EPC codes independently of an RFID tag using a programmable EPC generator, said method comprising the steps of:
programming said EPC generator to generate any virtual EPC code or codes in a predefined number range;
generating said EPC code or codes in the predefined number range using said EPC generator; and
associating said EPC code or codes with intangible goods.
2. The method for generating virtual EPC codes according to claim 1 , wherein the EPC generator uses a data transmission protocol that is also used by EPC RFID reader devices for reading RFID tags, so that generated virtual EPC codes can also be read by conventional EPC-compatible RFID reader devices.
3. A virtual EPC Code generator for generating virtual EPC codes independently of a RFID tag, said EPC generator being adapted to be programmable to generate virtual EPC code or codes in a predefined number range, wherein said EPC code or codes are associated with intangible goods.
4. The virtual EPC Code generator according to claim 3 , wherein the EPC generator uses a data transmission protocol that is also used by EPC RFID reader devices for reading RFID tags, so that generated virtual EPC codes can also be read by conventional EPC-compatible RFID reader devices.
5. A method for generating virtual EPC codes independently of a RFID tag using an EPC generator, said method of generating at least one virtual EPC code for a PML page by either:
connecting said EPC generator with an object name server for verifying whether a EPC code has been allocated to a PML page and then generating at least one virtual EPC code for said PML page if no such code has been allocated, or
generating an EPC code corresponding to the PML page by sending a query to the object name server.
6. The method for generating virtual EPC codes according to claim 5 , wherein PML pages are associated with intangible goods including one or more of: computer files, computer programs, services, a data stream, or generally for a copyright resource.
7. A virtual EPC Code generator comprising an interface for either:
connecting said EPC generator with an object name server for verifying whether a EPC code has been allocated to a PML page, wherein said EPC code generator is adapted for generating at least one virtual EPC code independently from a RFID for said PML page if no such code has been allocated, or
an interface for sending query to an object name server, wherein said EPC generated is adapted for generating an EPC code corresponding to a desired PML page by sending said query.
8. The virtual EPC Code generator according to claim 7 , wherein PML pages are associated with intangible goods including one or more of computer files, computer programs, services, a data stream, or generally for a copyright resource.
9. A method for generating virtual EPC codes, comprising the steps of:
generating at least one virtual EPC code, which is independently from a RFID tag;
storing said virtual EPC code permanently or semi-permanently in an identification module of a mobile device; and
storing the virtual EPC code in a SIM card of the mobile user device.
10. The method for generating virtual EPC codes according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of using the virtual code for univocally identifying processes, software, program parts, data, files or operations in the mobile user device.
11. The method for generating virtual EPC codes according to claim 9 , further comprising the step of generating said at least one virtual EPC code using said identification module.
12. the method for generating virtual EPC codes according to claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
reading said at least one virtual EPC code by executing an application in the mobile device or in the identification module;
sending said at least one virtual EPC code to a server in an infrastructure of a mobile radio network; and
receiving information from said server based on said at least one virtual EPC code.
13. The method for generating of virtual EPC codes according to claim 9 , further comprising at least one of the following additional steps:
determining said virtual EPC code from a magnetic, optical or magneto-optical data medium;
downloading the virtual EPC code over a mobile network to said mobile device; or
receiving said virtual EPC code over a personal area network from another mobile device or a payment terminal in the immediate vicinity of said mobile device.
14. A mobile device including an identification module, said mobile device comprising
an EPC code generator for generating at least one virtual EPC code, which is independently from a RFID tag; and
a memory for storing said EPC code permanently or semi-permanently, wherein
said mobile device is a mobile telephone, a PDA, a PDA with an interface for a cellular mobile radio network or a set-top-box.
15. A mobile device including an identification module, said identification module comprising an EPC code generator for generating said at least one virtual EPC code, wherein said mobile device is a mobile telephone, a PDA, a PDA with an interface for a cellular mobile radio network or a set-top-box.
16. The mobile device according to claim 15 , wherein said identification module is a SIM card of said mobile user device.
17. The mobile device according to claim 15 , wherein the virtual EPC code univocally identifies processes, software, program parts, data, files or operations in the mobile device.
18. The mobile device according to claim 15 , further comprising an application for reading said at least one virtual EPC code in the identification module and for sending said virtual EPC code to a server in an infrastructure of a mobile radio network.
19. The mobile device according to claim 15 , wherein said virtual EPC code is stored in said identification module.
20. The mobile device according to claim 15 , wherein said EPC code generator is programmable to generate any virtual EPC code or codes in a predefined number range.
21. The mobile device according to claim 15 , wherein the EPC code generator uses a data transmission protocol that is also used by EPC RFID reader devices for reading RFID tags, so that generated virtual EPC codes can also be read by conventional EPC-compatible RFID reader devices.