WO2001026320A2

WO2001026320A2 - System for establishing a data transmission link

Info

Publication number: WO2001026320A2
Application number: PCT/EP2000/009601
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ben Bordes; Michael Cernusca; Matthew Green; Christoph Kauer
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 1999-10-06
Filing date: 2000-09-28
Publication date: 2001-04-12
Also published as: CN1379892A; WO2001026320A3; JP2003511912A; KR20010090867A; EP1208545A2

Abstract

A system (1) for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication device (3, 7) and an information device (4, 5, 8), the system includinga mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11) for the storage of link information (LI), and including the communication device (3, 7) for reading the link information (LI) stored in the data carrier (9, 10, 11) and for supplying the link information (LI) thus read to a link device (6) of the system (1), in which the link device (6) has link memory means (24) in which address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8) is stored in correlation with the link information (LI) received by the link device (6), and in which upon the reception of the link information (LI) the link device (6) can supply the address information (AI), stored in the link memory means (24) in correlation with the received link information (LI), to the communication device (3, 7) for establishing the data transmission link between the communication device (3, 7) and the information device (4, 5, 8) identified by the address information (AI).

Description

System for establishing a data transmission link

The invention relates to a system and to a method for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data between a communication device and an information device, as well as to a communication device, a link device, a link-data allocation device and a data carrier for such a system.

Such a system and such a method for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data between a communication device and an information device and such a communication device are known from the document FR 2 737 797 AI. The known system has a mobile data carrier in the form of a smart card, which stores address information of an information device. Such address information of an information device can be an e-mail address, a world wide web address, or a telephone number of an information device formed by a computer, a telephone or a computer server connected to the internet.

The known system further includes a communication device, which may take the form of a telephone, a facsimile apparatus, a personal digital assistant or by a computer. The communication device includes a read device for reading the address information stored in the data carrier.

When the data carrier is introduced into the read device of the communication device the address information stored in the data carrier is read and it is checked what type of address information has been read and whether by means of this communication device it is possible to establish a data transmission link with the information device identified by the address information. When this check has a positive result the communication device builds up a data transmission link with the information device in order to transmit information data.

When, for example, the communication device is formed by a computer, the information device is formed by a computer server connected to the internet, and the address information is formed by a world wide web address of a home page stored in the computer server, and when the user introduces the data carrier into the read device of the computer, the computer automatically establishes a data transmission link with the computer server in order to retrieve the image information of this home page. With the known system and the know method for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data between a communication device and an information device and with the known communication device it is found to be a drawback that the address information is stored in the mobile data carrier and it is practically impossible to change the stored address information after the mobile data carrier has been distributed to the user.

It is an object of the invention to provide a system and a method for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data between a communication device and an information device, and a communication device, which allow a subsequent change of the address information of an information device. In a system and a method for establishing a data transmission link between a communication device and an information device this object is achieved by the provision of a link device having link storage means as claimed in claim 6, a communication device as claimed in claim 8, a link data allocation device as claimed in claim 12, by storing link information in the data earner as claimed in claim 14, and by the steps of the method as claimed in claim 10.

Thus, it is achieved that data carriers distributed to users store link information which is first allocated to address information of an information device with the aid of the link data allocation device, the link information being stored in correlation with the address information in link storage means of the link device. This has the advantage that it enables, for example, a company which has already distributed a large number of smart cards to customers by way of publicity so as to make it easier for the customers to find the company's home page, to change the address information stored in the link storage means in correlation with the link information of the smart card, and thus permit the user to simply find a new company home page having a new world wide web address.

The measures as defined in claim 2, claim 9, claim 11 and claim 14 enable a particularly simple use of the mobile data carrier by a user.

The measures as defined in claim 3 and claim 15 enable the data carrier to be manufactured in a particularly simple manner and at low cost and, in some cases, even so as to be recyclable.

The measures as defined in claim 4 yield the advantage that the serial number of a transponder, which is usually stored in the transponder, is also used as link information, as a result of which no additional storage capacity is required for the link information in the transponder. The measures as defined in claim 5 yield the advantage that the link information and address information can be allocated in a flexible and simple manner in the link storage means.

The invention will now be described with reference to an example of an embodiment which is shown in the Figures but to which the invention is not limited.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data between a communication device and an information device. Fig. 2 shows a link table stored in link storage means of a link device of the system shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a system 1 for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data ID between a communication device and an information device. The system 1 has a business card terminal 2, a first computer 3, a second computer 4, a third computer 5 and a computer server 6, all connected to a computer network formed by the internet NET. A mobile telephone 7 in accordance with the GSM standard, a telephone 8 and the computer server 6 are connected to a telephone network PSTN.

The system 1 further includes a multitude of data carriers represented here as a first data carrier 9, a second data carrier 10 and a third data carrier 11. The data carriers 9, 10 and 11 are formed by integrated circuits fabricated from semiconducting polymers, which has the advantage that the data carriers can be manufactured very cheaply. The data carriers 9, 10 and 11 are incorporated between paper layers of business cards 12, 13 and 14 and are hardly visible nor discernable by the touch for users of the business cards. The data carriers 9, 10 and 11 are so-called transponders, tags or so-called smart labels, which are configured for contactless communication with a read station, which may be at a distance of, for example, up to 10 cm from the data carrier 9, 10 or 11 during communication. During such communication a read station can read data stored in the data carriers 9, 10 and 11 and representing a serial number of the data carrier in the present example.

The business card terminal 2, which forms a link data allocation device, is situated in a shopping mall and comprises a keyboard 15, a monitor 16, a printer 17 and interface means 18. By means of the keyboard 15 a user of the business card terminal 2 can enter his name and his mailing address, information entered by the user being displayed on the monitor 16 for verification. The user of the business card terminal 2 can further enter the telephone number of his telephone, the e-mail address of his computer and a world wide web address of a home page of the user as address information AI, as will be expounded on hereinafter. The printer 17 is adapted to print the name, the mailing address and the telephone number of the telephone of the user of the business card terminal 2 on blank new business cards held in the printer. The printer 17 thus forms a data carrier delivery means for the delivery of business cards containing data carriers and printed by means of the printer 17, as is shown symbolically for the business card 12 and the data carrier 9 included in the business card 12 in Fig. 1.

The paper layers of these new business cards already contain data carriers which each store a serial number. In the stack of new business cards every 100 data carriers of successive new business cards in the stack the same serial number is stored as link information LI, as will be expounded on hereinafter. The interface means 18 form data set supply means and are configured to carry out a TCP/IP protocol as customary in the internet NET, in order to communicate with other computers connected to the internet NET. Memory means of the interface means 18 store the IP address of the computer server 6, which forms a link device.

When a user enters address information AI for new business cards by means of the keyboard 15 and the printer 17 prints out business cards for the user, the serial number stored in the data carriers of the new business cards as link information LI and the address information AI entered by the user is supplied to the interface means 18. The interface means 18 are then adapted to transmit the address information AI entered and the link information LI read to the computer server 6 as data set information DI, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

The first computer 3 of the system 1 forms a communication device for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data ID between the computer 3 and an information device. The first computer 3 has a keyboard 19, a monitor 20, a read device 21 and interface means 22. By means of the keyboard 19 a user can enter, for example, the text of an e-mail message, which is then displayed by means of the monitor 20.

The read device 21 is configured for the contactless read-out of the serial number of a data carrier, for example the data carrier 10, stored in the data carrier 10. The serial number of a data carrier thus read and forming link information LI can be supplied to the interface means 22. The interface means 22 are configured to run internet browser software, for example Internet Explorer ® or Netscape ®. Such an internet browser is also adapted to carry out the TCP/IP protocol as customary in the internet NET. In order to enable the functionality of the computer 3 to be described hereinafter, the user of the computer 3 has loaded, in addition to a world wide web address, a so-called plug-in into the internet browser software run by the interface means 22, which plug-in inter alia contains the IP address of the computer server 6, which forms a link device.

When the read device 21 supplies link information LI to the interface means 22, the interface means 22 are adapted to transmit the link information LI read to the computer server 6 which forms a link device and to receive address information AI which identifies an information device from the computer server 6. Upon receipt of the address information AI from the computer server 6 the interface means 22 are adapted to establish a data transmission link with the information device identified by the received address information AI, which will be expounded on hereinafter. The link device 6 has interface means 23 and link memory means 24. The interface means 23 form receiving means for receiving link information LI transmitted by a communication device such as the first computer 3, and for receiving data information DI transmitted by the business card terminal 2. The interface means 23 further constitute transmitting means for transmitting address information AI to the communication device that has received the link information LI, the transmitted address information AI being stored in the link memory means 24, in correlation with the received link information LI. The interface means 23 can store data set information DI received by the interface means 23 in the link memory means 24.

In the link memory means 24 data information DI can be stored in a link table 25, which is shown in Fig. 2. The link table 25 stores data set information DI transmitted to the computer server 6 by the business card terminal 2 and by further business card terminals not shown in Fig. 1, i.e. link information LI and address information AI in a correlated fashion. The link table 25 stores address information AI in the form of a telephone number of a telephone as telephone information TI, and/or an e-mail address of a computer as mail information MI and/or a world wide web address of a home page as IP information IP.

The advantages of the invention will be set forth hereinafter by means of an example of the use of an embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 1. In the example of use it is assumed that Mr. Franz Huber sees the business card terminal 2 in a shopping mall and decides to order 100 new business cards. Mr. Huber pays at the business card terminal 2 and enters his name "Franz Huber" and his mailing address "1130 Vienna, Hetzendorferstr. 158" by means of the keyboard 15. At home Mr. Huber has a computer, namely the second computer 4, and a telephone, namely the telephone 8, and by means of the keyboard 15 he also enters his e-mail address "HUBER@ABC.COM" and the telephone number "+4318490023" of his telephone 8. Mr. Huber has a company which has a home page on the internet NET, which home page is stored in the third computer 5 with the IP address "443267764356". Mr.Huber also enters this IP address by means of the keyboard 15 and subsequently activates the printing process of the business card terminal 2. When the printing process has been activated in the business card terminal 2 the printer 17 prints the name, the entered mailing address, the entered e-mail address and the entered telephone number onto the next 100 new business cards of a stack of new business cards present in the business card terminal 2. In the data carriers 9, 10 and 11 of the business cards 12, 13 and 14 and in the further data carriers of these 100 business cards the serial number 123456789002 is stored as link information LI. The printer 17 supplies this link information LI to the interface means 18.

Subsequently, the interface means 18 of the business card terminal 2 supply the link information LI applied to the interface means 18 and the address information AI entered by Mr. Huber as data set information DI to the IP address stored in the memory means of the interface means 18, i.e. to the computer server 6. The data set information DI received by the interface means 23 of the computer server 6 is stored in the link memory means 24 by the interface means 23 and is allocated to the fifth row of the link table 25. The process described in the foregoing causes the 100 business cards of Mr. Huber to be initialized in the computer server 6. In the present example it is now assumed that at a meeting Mr. Huber hands the business card to Mr. Meier and the business card 14 to Mrs. Muller, who he has met during this meeting. Furthermore, it is assumed that after the meeting Mr. Meier goes to his computer, i.e. the first computer 3, and holds Mr. Hubbell's business card 13 in the proximity of the read device 21 of the computer 3. The read device 21 subsequently reads the serial number "123456789002" stored as link information LI in the data carrier 10 and supplies this to the interface means 22. Upon receipt of the link information LI the interface means 22 are adapted to supply the link information LI to the computer server 6 identified by the IP address of the plug-in via the internet NET. Thereupon, the interface means 23 of the computer server 6 look up the address information AI stored in correlation with the received link information LI in the link memory means 24 and transmit this to the first computer 3, which received the link information LI.

When the plug-in software is run by the first computer 3 the first computer 3 is adapted, upon receipt of address information AI, to load the mail information MI =

"HUBER@ABC.COM" contained in the received address information AI into an e-mail address data base and the telephone information TI = "+4318490023" contained in the received address information AI into a telephone number data base of Mr. Meier's computer 3. Moreover, while the plug-in software is run by the first computer 3 upon receipt of IP information of received address information AI, which IP information contains a world wide web address or an IP address, the internet browser is activated and, in the present example of use, the image information of the home page of Mr. Huber's company, identified by the IP information "443267764356" is loaded by the interface means 22.

This has the advantage that Mr. Huber's e-mail address and telephone number are automatically stored in Mr. Meier's computer 3 and Mr. Meier directly receives information from the home page of Mr. Huber's company. It is then particularly advantageous that the address information AI is not stored directly in the data carrier 10 of the business card 13 but is stored in the link memory means 24, because as a result of this Mr. Huber can have the address information AI changed at any time, for example to announce a new telephone number of his telephone 8. In addition, this yields the advantage that not all the address information AI has to be stored in the data carrier 10 but only the link information LI which requires less storage capacity, as a result of which the data carriers can be particularly cheap.

It is to be noted that address information AI stored in the link memory means 24 for the link information LI of Mr. Huber's business cards can be changed in different manners. For example, to change the address information AI Mr. Huber may call the operator of the computer server 6 or send an e-mail message to the operator of the computer server 6. However, it is also possible that during the print-out of the business cards he purchased Mr. Huber is given a password which is displayed on the monitor 16 and which allows him and only him, by means of his computer 4, to change the address information AI stored in the link memory means 24 in correlation with the link information LI of his business cards.

It is to be noted that alternatively the IP address of the link device, i.e. of the computer server 6, may be stored in the data carriers of the business cards and may be read by means of the read device 21. This would enable a plug-in for the internet browser as described hereinbefore to be basically dispensed with.

In the present example it is now assumed that Mrs. Mϋller holds the business card received from Mr. Huber in the proximity of her mobile telephone 7, which also forms a communication device. A read device 26 included in the mobile telephone 7 is thus adapted to read the serial number "123456789002" of the data carrier 11 as link information LI. Thereupon, the mobile telephone 7, in which the telephone number of the computer server 6 is stored, is adapted to dial up the computer server 6 via the telephone network PSTN and to supply the link information LI thus read to the interface means 23. Subsequently, the interface means 23 transmit the address information AI, stored in correlation with the link information LI in the link memory means 24, to the mobile telephone 7 making the call.

Upon receipt of the address information AI from the computer server 6, the mobile telephone 7, which is configured to receive and send e-mails via a service provider, is adapted to store the mail information MI = "HUBER@ABC.COM" as an e-mail address in an e-mail address list. The mobile telephone 7 can be set to a store/call mode or to a store mode.

When the mobile telephone 7 is in the store mode the telephone number contained in the telephone information TI = "+4318490023" is stored in the telephone number memory of the mobile telephone 7 upon receipt of address information AI containing telephone information TI. When the mobile telephone 7 is in the store/call mode the telephone number is not only stored in the telephone number memory but, in addition, the telephone identified by the telephone number is called forthwith.

This has the advantage that Mrs. Mϋller need not enter the telephone number and e-mail address of Mr. Huber with the aid of the small keys and the small display but that these are stored automatically in the e-mail address list and the telephone memory by holding the business card 14 in the proximity of the mobile telephone 7.

It is to be noted that the telephone number of the computer server 6 stored in the mobile telephone 7 has been entered and stored in the mobile telephone 7 by Mrs. Mϋller with the aid of the keys of the mobile telephone 7. It is likewise possible that during an arbitrary call by Mrs. Mϋller the telephone number of the computer server 6 has been transmitted to the mobile telephone 7 and stored in the mobile telephone 7 by a mobile switch center of the operating company of the telephone network PSTN via a data return channel, where speech pauses are utilized for the transmission of data. In addition to the serial number in the data earner 11, it is also possible to store the telephone number of the link device, i.e. of the computer server 6.

It is to be noted that information data transmitted via a data transmission link between a communication device and an information device may take the form of image information, sound information or additional information such as digital data containing text information.

It is to be noted that alternatively each data carrier embedded in paper layers of a business card may have a different serial number, in which case the business card terminal supplies the serial numbers of the data carriers of all the business cards printed for a user, allocated to the address information AI entered by the user, to the link device as data set information DI to be stored in the link memory means.

The system in accordance with the invention, the communication device in accordance with the invention, the link device in accordance with the invention, the method in accordance with the invention and data carriers in accordance with the invention can be used advantageously for a multitude of further methods of doing business. Thus, data carriers in accordance with the invention may be inserted in paper layers of a card glued into a newspaper for an advertising campaign of a pizza service. When these cards are brought in the proximity of a computer such the computer 3, the computer will transmit, as described hereinbefore, link information LI read from the data carrier to the link device and will receive address information AI which enables the internet browser of the computer the load the order form of the pizza service from a computer connected to the internet.

It is to be noted that a link data allocation device, such as for example the business card terminal 2, may also have link-information changing means to change a part of the data stored in the data carriers before delivery by the data carrier delivery means or to store said data in the data carriers for the first time. Thus, it is possible for example to store the period of validity of a voucher, the data of expiration of a frozen-food product or any other information in the data carriers during the delivery of the data carriers.

Likewise, data carriers in accordance with the invention may be included in a price label of a product such as for example a frozen-food product to be heated by means of a microwave oven. In this case, a read device of the microwave oven, which then forms a communication device, can read the link information LI stored in the data carrier and information about the heating time and the power range to which the microwave oven is to be set for heating the frozen-food product can be retrieved from an information device connected to the microwave oven via a data network or the internet. In the same way, it is possible to take part in a lottery on the internet or to retrieve information about the assembly of a piece of furniture delivered in parts. Such information may be retrieved on-line, i.e. directly, or off-line, i.e. with a given time delay.

It is to be noted that for the identification of a home page of a user it is also possible to enter the world wide web address instead of the IP address.

It is to be noted that an integrated circuit of a transponder may be fabricated wholly from a polymer or only partly from a polymer.

It is to be noted that a link-data allocation device may also be provided in a print shop in which, for example, stationery or advertising material can be printed. It is to be noted that a communication device may be formed by any portable electrical apparatus. Such an apparatus, for example, also be a clock or a portable computer.

It is to be noted that a mobile data carrier may alternatively be configured to store link information in the form of an optically readable bar code.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system (1) for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication device (3,7) and an information device (4, 5, 8), the system including a mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11) for the storage of link information (LI), and including the communication device (3, 7) for reading the link information (LI) stored in the data carrier (9, 10, 1 1) and for supplying the link information (LI) thus read to a link device (6) of the system (1), in which the link device (6) has link memory means (24) in which address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8) is stored in correlation with the link information (LI) received by the link device (6), and in which upon the reception of the link information (LI) the link device (6) can supply the address information (AI), stored in the link memory means (24) in correlation with the received link information (LI), to the communication device (3, 7) for establishing the data transmission link between the communication device (3, 7) and the information device (4, 5, 8) identified by the address information (AI).

2. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11) is formed by a transponder configured for contactless communication and in which the communication device (3, 7) includes a read device (21, 26) configured for contactless communication.

3. A system (1) as claimed in claim 2, in which the transponder includes an integrated circuit fabricated from semiconducting polymers.

4. A system (1) as claimed in claim 2, in which the link information (LI) is formed by the serial number of the transponder.

5. A system (1) as claimed in claim 1, which further includes a link data allocation device (2) configured to introduce a further data carrier (9) into the system for supplying data set information (DI) to the link memory means (24) of the link device, in which the data set information (DI) contains the link information (LI) stored in the further data carrier (9) and address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8), which address information is allocated to said link information (LI) by means of the link data allocation device (2).

6. A link device (6) for a system (1) for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication device (3,7) and an information device (4, 5, 8), the link device including receiving means (23) for receiving link information (LI) which can be read from a mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11) by the communication device (3, 7) and which can be supplied to the link device (6), and including link memory means (24) in which address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8) is stored in correlation with the received link information (LI), and including transmitting means (23) for transmitting to the communication device (3, 7) the address information (AI) stored in the link memory means (24) in correlation with the received link information (LI), so as to enable the data transmission link between the communication device (3, 7) and the information device (4, 5, 8) identified by the address information (AI) to be established.

7. A link device (6) as claimed in claim 6, in which the link device (6) is formed by a computer server connected to the internet (NET).

8. A communication device (3, 7) for a system (1) for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication device (3,7) and an information device (4, 5, 8), the communication device including a read device (21, 26) for reading link information (LI) stored in a mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11), and including interface means (22) for transmitting the link information (LI) thus read to a link device (6) and for receiving from the link device (6) address information (AI) which identifies the information device (4, 5, 6), in which upon the reception of the address information (AI) from the link device (6) the interface means (22) are adapted to directly or subsequently establish a data transmission link with the information device (4, 5, 8) identified by the address information (AI).

9. A communication device (3, 7) as claimed in claim 8, in which the read device

(21, 26) is configured for contactless communication with the data carrier (9, 10, 11) in order to read the link information (LI) stored in the data carrier (9, 10, 11).

5 10. A method of establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication device (3, 7) and an information device (4,

5, 8), in which the method includes the following steps: reading by means of the communication device (3, 7) link information (LI) stored in a mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11), and 10 supplying the link information (LI) thus read from the communication device (3, 7) to a link device (6), which link device (6) includes link memory means (24) which store address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8) in correlation with link information (LI) received by the link device (6), and supplying to the communication device (3, 7) the address information (AI) of an information 15 device (4, 5, 8) stored in the link memory means (24) in correlation with the received link information (LI), and establishing the data transmission link between the communication device (3, 7) and the information device (4, 5, 8) identified by the address information (AI).

20 11. A method as claimed in claim 10, in which the link information (LI) stored in the data carrier (9,10,11) is read out during contactless communication.

12. A link-data allocation device (2) for a system (1) for establishing a data transmission link for the transmission of information data (ID) between a communication 25 device (3, 7) and an information device (4, 5, 8), the link-data allocation device including data carrier delivery means (17) for delivering a mobile data carrier (9, 10, 11) in which link information (LI) is stored, and including data set supply means (18) for supplying data set information (DI) to link memory means

(24) of a link device (6), in which the data set information (DI) contains the link information 30 (LI) stored in the delivered data carrier (9, 10, 11) and address information (AI) of an information device (4, 5, 8), which address information is allocated to said link information

(LI) by means of the link data-allocation device (2).

13. A link-data allocation device (2) as claimed in claim 12, including link information changing means for changing at least a part of the link information (LI) stored in the data carriers (9, 10, 11) which can be delivered by the data carrier delivery means (17).

14. A data carrier (9, 10, 11) for a system (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the data carrier (9, 10, 11) is configured for contactless communication with a read device (21, 26).

15. A data carrier (9, 10, 11) as claimed in claim 14, in which the data carrier (9, 10, 11) is formed by a transponder which includes an integrated circuit fabricated from semiconducting polymers.