WO1998034192A1

WO1998034192A1 - Method and device for recording and/or processing information on an information carrier

Info

Publication number: WO1998034192A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhard Schäfer
Original assignee: Mic-O-Data B.V.
Priority date: 1997-01-31
Filing date: 1998-01-29
Publication date: 1998-08-06
Also published as: AU5884598A; NL1005151C2

Abstract

A method and a device (1) for recording and/or processing information on an information carrier (4, 5), wherein the information is recorded in a format which comprises a parameter block (10), a field block (11) and a data block (12). The data in the data block (12) are recorded in an order which corresponds with associated fields in the field block (11). The information which is read from an information carrier (4, 5) is processed in the device (1) in a format comprising a parameter block (14), a processing block (15) and a processing time block (16). Since the data, as well as the definition of the data in question, are available on an information carrier (4, 5), the information from an information carrier (4, 5) can be processed by means of a universal read/write unit (3) and a communication unit (2) via a universal processing unit.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR RECORDING AND/OR PROCESSING INFORMAΗON ON AN INFORMAΗON CARRIER

The invention relates to a method for recording information on an information carrier, in particular an information carrier for recording information in digital form, wherein the information is recorded in a format which comprises a parameter block and a data block.

Information carriers of the present type are used in practice for recording information of a varying nature, among which product information, personal information, logistic information, process information, working hours information, etc.

Information carriers which are known in practice are generally only suitable for one or a few of the above applications, which has resulted in a large variety of information carriers as regards their form and size. It will be apparent that this has also resulted in a large number of different devices for recording and/or processing information on information carriers.

International patent application WO 96/11447 relates to an information carrier on which data are registered in the form of a parameter block and a data block. The format of the data to be recorded and the manner of processing are stored in the parameter block during an initial isation phase. Once this has been done, only data having this format can be recorded.

US patent No. 5,233,598 describes an information carrier wherein information is arranged in tracks. Each track possesses a parameter block, in which a code containing information on the number of bits of a respective track, etc. can be recorded.

European patent application No. 0 261 030 relates to a chipcard which is arranged for the authorized addition of data and/or the provision of memory space for authorized parties. The data are recorded in block shape.

British patent application No. 2,294,562 describes an information carrier (memory card), on which information is arranged in blocks so as to be stored in the most reliable manner that is possible in case of any faults in the information carrier itself.

The drawback of these known information carriers is the fact that when the format of the data to be recorded changes, the information carrier has to be re-initialised or be replaced by an information carrier which has been initialised accordingly.

The object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a universal information carrier, which can basically be used independently of a particular application.

In accordance with the invention this objective has been accomplished by providing a field block on the information carrier, wherein the data in the data block are recorded in an order which corresponds with associated fields in the field block. The invention is based on the insight that by storing data on the information carrier in a format which not only includes the desired product information and/or personal information, but also the meaning of the said data, an application-independent information carrier can be provided. According to the invention the meaning or definition of the data in the data block is stored in a so-called field block, wherein each field contains a definition of the associated data from the data block. By recording the fields in the field block and the associated data in the data block in a corresponding order, a relatively simple programme structure, which allows insight to the user, is created. Accordingly, it is not required for a user to have knowledge about certain programme structures or programming languages in order to programme an information carrier.

In an embodiment of the invention the fields in the field block are recorded as a particular field type, among which a numerical field, a text field or for example a bar code field. Numerical fields are used for recording product component numbers, and text fields are used inter alia for recording personal information, such as name and address information, medical information and the like. Bar code fields are used in combination with a bar code reader for reading information contained in bar codes, which are used on a large scale and for various applications in practice.

The invention also relates to a method for processing information recorded on an information carrier in the form of a parameter block, a processing block and a processing time block, wherein the data of the data block are combined into a processing block, in an order which corresponds with associated fields of the field block. Since the meaning of the data in the data block is stored in the associated fields of the field block, processing can be effected by means of a universal processing unit, that is, a processing unit which need not be programmed in advance for reading information carriers for a particular application or category of applications. It will be apparent that this is a major advantage of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the information carrier comprises memory means for recording information in digital form, in particular semiconductor memories for recording information in a format comprising one or more information blocks, among which a parameter block, a field block and a data block, as described in the foregoing.

The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the above-described method according to the invention, which device comprises a communication unit provided with a first interface for being linked to a processing unit, and with a second interface for being linked to a read/write unit provided with connecting means for operatively connecting an information carrier in such a manner that information can be recorded on the information carrier, and that information from the information carrier can be stored in the read/write unit for further processing by the processing unit.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention will be described and illustrated hereafter with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention and the information carriers associated therewith.

Figure 2 schematically -shows an embodiment of the format wherein information is recorded on an information carrier according to the invention. Figure 3 schematically shows an embodiment of the format wherein information recorded on an information carrier according to the invention is processed.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a communication unit according to the invention as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a read/write unit according to the invention as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. Figure 6 shows an information carrier according to an embodiment of the invention, which is intended for use with the device according to Figure 1.

The embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention that is shown in Figure 1 comprises a communication unit 2, a detachable read/write unit 3 and information carriers 4, 5.

Read/write unit 3 comprises display means 7, a keypad 8 and a slot 6 for receiving an information carrier 4, 5.

In the illustrated situation, wherein read/write unit 3 is incorporated in communication unit 2, information can be recorded on an information carrier 4, 5 which has been inserted in slot 6. To this end communication unit 2 is coupled to a processing unit in the form of a personal computer or the like (not shown). Information to be recorded on an information carrier 4, 5 is transmitted, via communication unit 2, to read/write unit 3, and subsequently to information carrier 4, 5, and stored thereon. Read/write unit 3 is also arranged for reading information recorded on an information carrier 4, 5, which information is transmitted to said processing unit via communication unit 2.

Information carriers 4, 5 generally have the shape of a card or label for being attached to a product or being used as an identity card or the like. Read/write unit 3 can be removed from communication unit 2 and be used as a hand-held reading unit, in particular for reading information on an information carrier 4, 5 attached to a product. Read/write unit 3 is to that end provided with suitable memory means. The information stored in the memory means in question can subsequently be transmitted to the processing unit in question (not shown) by placing read/write unit 3 into communication unit 2.

Figure 2 shows a format for recording information on an information carrier in accordance with the invention. The information is stored on an information carrier in the form of a parameter block 10, a field block 11, a data block 12 and an optional error correction block 13. In the figure an example of the information stored in a particular block is shown under the block in question.

Parameter block 10 contains information, such as the number of the information carrier, the number of fields in the field block, the size of the data in the data block, etc. Field block 11 contains information with regard to the field definition, the field length, etc. The field information is directly related to the data stored in the data block. That is, the fields in the field block and the associated data in the data block are arranged in a corresponding order. For example, data 1 are associated with field 1 of a particular definition and length. Data 2 are associated with field 2 of a particular definition and length. The field definition basically indicates the nature or the meaning of the data, for example numerical data, text data, bar code data, input and output data, etc. The length of a field indicates the number of data associated with the field in question.

An error correction algorithm may be applied to the total of the recorded data, which will result in an error correction code, for example an error correction code obtained in accordance with the so- called cyclic redundancy code algorithm.

Besides the definition of the type and the length of each field, also information about access to the data in question may be added to each field. For example, access for a particular read/write unit or a particular user of a read/write unit, who must identify himself or herself, for example by means of a Personal Identification Number (PIN).

The above-described format can be used universally for any type of recording application, such as product information, personal information, etc. Since the definition of the data has been recorded on the information carrier itself along with the data, each information carrier may be used for any random application, and be programmed and/or processed via a universal read/write unit.

Figure 3 shows the format for processing information which is read from an information carrier by a read/write unit according to the invention. The information in question is recorded in a format comprising a parameter block 14, a processing block 15, a processing time block 16, and an optional error correction block 17. As in Figure 2, examples of the information stored in a particular block are shown under the block in question. Parameter block 14 inter alia contains the number of the respective read/write unit, a PIN code for identifying the user, etc. The processing block contains information about the number of fields, the field definitions and the associated data from field block 11 and data block 12 of an information carrier. Processing block 15 is structured in such a manner that a so-called record is respectively formed from field block 11 and data block 12, which record is subjected to further processing in processing unit (not shown).

An error correction algorithm may be applied to the information read from an information carrier, which results in an error correction code in the form of an error correction block 17. By comparing the data in error correction block 17 with the data in error correction block 13 of the information carrier, or processing said data otherwise, it can be determined whether the information read from an information carrier has been correctly transferred. Information that has not been read correctly may be rejected by the read/write unit, for example.

When the information contained in field block 11 of an information carrier includes information with regard to access to the data associated with particular fields for a respective read/write unit or a respective user (PIN-code), the read/write unit in question will always verify whether a particular record can be formed or not. In this manner unauthorized persons are prevented from reading or gaining access to particular data, for example diagnostic information present on an information carrier in the form of a patient card.

In another embodiment of the invention data files provided with the designation *.MC are formed to enable easy and unequivocal recognition of the information on an information carrier, wherein * represents a name which is characteristic of the data file in question. For example, CARRIER1.MC or PR0DUCT1.MC, etc.

Figure 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the communication unit according to the invention, for example the communication unit 2 which is shown in Figure 1. The communication unit 2 in question comprises a central control unit in the form of a microprocessor (μP) 20. Furthermore a register 21, a control unit 22 for controlling a so-called Light Emitting Diode (LED), a multiplexer (MUX) 23, and a clock and reset unit (reset) 24 are linked with microprocessor 20. Multiplexer 23 is 1 inked with a first interface 25 for exchanging information with a processing unit, and with a second interface 26 for exchanging information with a read/write unit according to the invention, such as the read/write unit 3 shown in Figure 1. First interface 25 may be any standard interface that is used in practice for communication in parallel and/or serial form, such as for example an interface of type RS 232 or RS 485. Second interface 26 for exchanging information with the read/write unit is preferably an interface for the wireless exchange of information, for example by infrared (IR) or radiographic means.

A Read Only Memory (ROM) 27 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 28 are linked with register 21.

Communication unit 2 furthermore comprises a device 29 for charging a rechargeable power supply present in a read/write unit to be connected to communication unit 2. Device 29 is provided with means 30 for being connected to an external electrical power supply.

Figure 5 shows the block diagram of an embodiment of a read/write unit according to the invention, such as the read/write unit 3 that is shown in Figure 1.

The heart of the read/write unit 3 is a microprocessor 31. A register 32, a keypad 8, a clock and reset device 33, and a multiplexer 34 are linked with microprocessor 31.

Multiplexer 34 is on the other hand connected to a number of interfaces, among which a first interface 35 for the wireless exchange, preferably infrared (IR), of information with communication unit 2, a second interface 36, for example in the form of a connector for contacting connection surfaces on an information carrier 4 (see Figure 1), and an optional third interface 37, for example a serial interface of type RS 232 for connection to a bar code reader (not shown).

Read/write unit 3 furthermore comprises a Read Only

Memory (ROM) 38 and a Random Access Memory (RAM) 39, which are linked with register 32. Furthermore a display unit 7 and a time clock 40 are linked with RAM 39. Time clock 40 generates the information for processing time block 16 as described above with reference to Figure 3.

Read/write unit 3 furthermore comprises an electric power supply unit 41, preferably a power supply unit in the form of rechargeable batteries, which supplies the various components of the read/write unit with electrical power. A user can input control commands and other data, among which a PIN number, into read/write unit 3 via keypad 8. The user can be made aware of for example error messages and other instructions via display uni t 7 .

Figure 6 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an information carrier for use in the present invention, for example an information carrier 4, 5 as shown in Figure 1. The information carrier comprises a microprocessor 42 for controlling the exchange of information between memory means 43 in the form of an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) 43, a clock and reset unit 44, a first input/output interface 45, and an optional second interface 46 for the wireless exchange by infrared or radiographic means of information with a read/write unit according to the invention.

The information carrier furthermore includes a so-called power supply module 47, by means of which the various components of the information carrier are supplied with electrical energy via read/write unit 3.

In accordance with the invention memory means 43 and microprocessor 42 are linked, in such a manner that the information on the information carrier can be recorded in blocks in the form of a parameter block, a field block, a data block and an optional error correction block.

A universally usable information carrier has been obtained according to the invention by recording on an information carrier not only the desired data, but also the definition of the data in question in a form in which said data are linked in a unequivocal sequence, which information carrier can be accessed by means of a universal read/write unit.

Of course the invention is not limited to being used in combination with a communication unit 2, a read/write unit 3 and information carriers 4, 5 as shown in figure 1. The idea underlying the invention may also be used, among other things, in combination with magnetic registration carriers.

Claims

CLAIMS .

1. A method for recording information on an information carrier, in particular an information carrier for recording information in digital form, wherein the information is recorded in a format which comprises a parameter block and a data block, characterized in that a field block is provided on the information carrier, wherein the data in the data block are recorded in an order which corresponds with associated fields in the field block.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the fields in the field block are recorded as a field type, among which a numerical field, a text field, a bar code field and an input/output field.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parameter field is used for recording information with regard to the number of fields in the field block, the number of data in the data block, and parameters for identifying the information carrier.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein an error correction block relating to said recorded information is recorded on said information carrier.

5. A method for processing information recorded on an information carrier according to any one of the preceding claims, which information comprises at least a parameter block and a data block, characterized in that said information is processed in a format comprising a parameter block, a processing block and a processing time block, wherein the data of the data block are combined into a processing block, in an order which corresponds with associated fields of the field block.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the information from an information carrier is processed into a data file provided with the designation *.MC, wherein * represents a name which is characteristic of the data file in question.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a corresponding processing time block is formed along with the processing blocks.

8. A method according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein a processing error block is formed from the information from the information carrier that is to be processed.

9. An information carrier comprising memory means for recording information, in particular information in digital form, characterized in that said memory means are arranged for recording information in blocks, including a parameter block, a field block and a data block, in accordance with any of the claims 1 - 4.

10. An information carrier according to claim 9, wherein said memory means comprise semiconductor memory devices.

11. A device for carrying out a method according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized by a communication unit provided with a first interface for being linked to a processing unit, and with a second interface for being linked to a read/write unit provided with connecting means for operatively connecting an information carrier in such a manner that information can be recorded on the information carrier, and that information from the information carrier can be stored in the read/write unit for further processing by the processing unit.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein said read/write unit is provided with means for the processing and storing in blocks of information from an information carrier according to any of the claims 5 - 8.