EP1591937A1 - Method for providing an indication of the property rights which protect a product - Google Patents

Abstract

An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) element (10) is mounted on a protected piece of goods, e.g. a wristwatch (1). It may be in communication with an RFID reader (2) on a mobile telephone with a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card (3). The video display on the mobile telephone can give the relevant patent details (30). The mobile telephone is in communication with a first server (5) via a radio network (4). The server can send query signals (50,51) to further servers (6,7) with data banks containing patent details (71). Answer signals (60,70) are returned to the first server.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a system, with which a reference to industrial property rights with which a product is protected is, can be attached to a product.

For most intellectual property rights, there is a possibility to attach a copyright notice. For example, the brands have the endorsements ® and ™ naturalized. In patent rights depends on the country in which the patent is filed or granted been the opportunity to mark a product with a hint such as "patent pending", patent EPXXX'XXX "or, in the Switzerland, with the Swiss cross and the patent number.

The sense of the hint consists among other things in it, third to point out that a product is protected by one or more intellectual property rights is protected. In addition, such a notice is in several countries the Condition that the holder of the property rights provided for the maximum Claim damages.

However, a false note (for example, a reference to a property right that does not or no longer exists in a particular country) in many countries inadmissible or even punishable. The product manufacturer must therefore be careful that no product with a Reference to a title of intellectual property rights in an unprotected country becomes. This causes especially with products over Several channels and distributors are sold, hardly solvable logistics problems. In addition, the note would have to be changed as soon as the State of a protective right in a country changes. After the grant a patent in a particular country must have a reference "patent Pending "be replaced by" patent "after the expiration of the patent but this note is no longer allowed.

To solve these problems, bring some product manufacturers their products a detailed list of affected protective rights for each country. Especially for small products (for example electronic components or portable products) the available space is sufficient not for a detailed hint. In addition, the list should always be adapted to any change in the IP portfolio.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new method to resolve these copyright issues.

This goal is solved, inter alia, by a method to a reference to protective rights with which a product is protected to attach a product in which an RFID element with the Product is connected, wherein the RFID element contains data based which at least one copyright notice can be determined.

This has the advantage that the protected product only with one RFID element is marked, from which a detailed hint can be determined is. RFID elements can be tiny and cheaply manufactured and will be used for other purposes anyway, for example to ensure traceability, attached to more and more products.

In an embodiment, the RFID element comprises a code based on which the copyright notice from a server in one remote (ie not local) telecommunications network is determined. This has the advantage that the note is not stored in the RFID element, but in a remote server. The storage space in a server is essential cheaper and faster than in an RFID element. In addition, the Note edited and updated at any time, without affecting the RFID elements to have access.

In one embodiment, the named code is attached to a Name service servers transmit in which links between several electronic codes and several electronic addresses of Pages are registered. The copyright notice will then be taken from the page that stored at the address corresponding to the named code is loaded. This has the advantage that the copyright notice thus on a Page is dropped, and that the address of the page changed at any time without having to adapt all RFID elements.

This also has the advantage that the hint can be any length can, without the price or the size of the RFID element attached to the product to influence.

The address of the page corresponds to the one read in the RFID element Code. The link between the code and the electronic address the page is not static but is registered in a name service server. This has the advantage of making changes to the page address at any time possible and easily traceable.

Fig. 1 ein Blockschaltbild eines Systems mit einem Mobilgerät, einem RFID-Lesegerät, einem RFID-Element, einem Namendienstserver und einem Seitenserver.

Fig. 2 ein Blockschaltbild eines Systems mit einem Mobilgerät, einem RFID-Lesegerät und einem RFID-Element.

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. Show it

1 is a block diagram of a system with a mobile device, an RFID reader, an RFID element, a name service server and a page server.

2 shows a block diagram of a system with a mobile device, an RFID reader and an RFID element.

Figure 1 shows a system used by the user or mobile subscriber is used to with the inventive method Intellectual property rights for a protected product 1 (in this case a Clock). A mobile device 3 (for example a mobile phone or a PDA with a cellular cellular network interface) Short messages (for example SMS and USSD) and data (for example IP packets) received from a mobile network 4 and send to this network. The mobile radio network 4 is for example a GSM, GPRS, HSCSD, EDGE, UMTS or CDMA network via which data can also be transmitted. Instead of a mobile network, the inventive method analogously also with a fixed network, for example a telephone landline, a powerline network or a cable TV network. The mobile device 3 contains an identification module (for example a SIM card) to identify the device through the network 4. One or more Software applications can be used by a processor in the mobile device 3 and / or in the SIM card.

The mobile device 3 also comprises an RFID reading part 2, or is connected to such a reading part (for example via a USB, Firewire, PCCard, Compactflash, proprietary, etc, connection, or over a Bluetooth or wireless contactless connection). The reading part 2 comprises a microcontroller and at least one antenna or coil to contactless Exchange data with RFID components 10 in the immediate vicinity. The data transmission is preferably in the frequency domain 13.56MHz, 900MHz and / or 860-930MHz. The reading part may preferably optionally in different frequency ranges and with different ones RFIDs work. The significance when reading the RFIDs is preferably between 2 and 10 meters - depending on the orientation of the reading part and the Element. The connection is preferably carried out in half-duplex mode an ASK backscatter modulation.

The product 1 comprises an RFID element 10 with an indelible permanent storage area in which during manufacture or during personalization a code is stored. The code identified preferably each unique RFID element 10; each RFID element preferably has a different individual code. It is but it is also conceivable that the code only identifies the type of the product. The code is preferably unfeasible.

The codes 100 preferably comprise 64, 96 or more bits and are organized hierarchically. The response of element 10 to a request of the reading part 2 preferably comprises a header, redundant check data and the code 100. Other data may be in the memory area of the chip 10 filed and read by the reading part.

Codes 100 are preferably of common authority distributed to different product manufacturers; a part of the code gives preferably the identity of the manufacturer of the product 1. A manufacturer, which wishes to mark products with copyright notices a set of codes at the common authority and stores one Part of these codes in RFID elements 10.

At least one application is provided in the mobile device 3 to Codes 100 in adjacent RFID elements on the reading part 2 to read and to send this code over the cellular network 4. Reading a Codes are preferably initiated by the mobile device 3; possible, for example, that the mobile device always or periodically for adjacent RFID elements searches and codes in detected RFID elements or forwarding. In another, energy-saving variant is the reading initiated by the user of the mobile device 3, the corresponding one Application starts or enters a command when it receives a copyright notice wants to read about a particular product. This step may be be required for the product to be used at all can be; before displaying the hint, in one embodiment the product is locked and only after reading the code with a Command unlocked from a remote server.

Reading the RFID elements with the mobile device 3 or with another device may also be powered by an external device (e.g. Example of a point of sale or a vending machine) via an interface in the Short-range (for example, Bluetooth or WLAN) via the mobile network 4, or initiated via a link on a visited WEB or WAP page become.

Simple filters and editing tools can be part of the application be provided in the mobile device 3 and / or in the reading part 2 to read codes 100 to edit. For example, the application can only edit and forward certain areas of codes. redundancy checks can also be provided to be not plausible and to delete erroneous codes. Already used codes are preferred in a database in the mobile device for future control, Stored statistical evaluations and backups.

Depending on the application can also be a password or another Authentication may be required before the code is read or forwarded becomes. For example, the password can be hidden, exposed Part of the prepaid card will be printed or it will be the user communicated via another channel.

An application in the mobile device may require a confirmation from the user before the code is processed and the desired one Copyright notice is reproduced. This confirmation can, for example, via the keyboard of the mobile device, PDAs, over others Input means or with a voice command.

If the password is correct and the confirmation is received, will the read code 100 from the application in a message (for example in a short message or preferably in a GPRS or UMTS package) packaged and via the mobile network 4 to a server 5 to a known Address sent, preferably a server within the infrastructure of the mobile network 4. The message is optional from the mobile device 3 or signed by the SIM card and / or provided with a time stamp.

The server 5 manages messages with codes received from several or possibly all RFID readers 2,3 are received. Other, More complex filters can be provided in server 5 to code out Different areas or not to treat.

The server 5 may also check the identity of the user. This is more reliable when the server 5 from the operator of the mobile network 5 is managed. In this case, the identity of the mobile subscriber for example, using the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) or another identity in the SIM card reliable become. In this way, user-dependent protection rights notices For example, notes that come from the profile and the Preferences of the user.

The server 5 is via Internet or an intranet with a name service server 6 connected, in which for each code a corresponding electronic address of an electronic page is stored.

A request 50 with the just received code 100 will be passed from the server 5 to the name service server 6, with the corresponding electronic address 60 answers. The electronic address For example, it may consist of a URL or other address TCP-IP network.

The name service server 6 can be managed by the operator of the server 5 and / or external entities (such as the Organization that distributes the codes 100 to the various companies). Multiple name service servers can be linked together, so that searched for the desired address in another name service server if it is not in server 6. This allows for example a mobile network operator, even codes from other organizations too to edit.

The user of the mobile device 1 can thus all the codes 100 of Always direct all product manufacturers to the same target server 5 that is out the name service server 6 or the network of name service servers 6 the Address of the page from which the desired copyright notice can be loaded, determined.

The link in the name service server 6 between a code 100 and an address may preferably be from the provider of the desired Be changed at any time (for example, via a dedicated WEB Form). This allows the electronic address of a page or a domain without having to inform end users.

The address of the page on which the copyright notice can therefore be determined solely on the basis of the 64 or 96-bit codes, which are stored in the RFID element 1 can be found; the page, up which is accessed, is thus completely independent of the address or Phone number of the server 5. Since many products have to be marked, and since not all codes can be used, enough must be available available bits for the codes, simple IP numbers for example, might not be enough, because many possible Combinations have already been allocated. It is preferably another self-contained page addressing system is used.

The server 5 receives the response 60 from the name service server 6 with the desired page address and accesses the corresponding page in server 7, or on a network with multiple local or remote servers (Question 51 and Answer 70).

In one variant, the address of the desired page results from a combination of the name service server 6 specified address with one or more bits of code 100. In this case, the Address in the name service server 6 an area in which the individual Pages correspond to certain parts of the codes. This has the advantage that the name service server can be made simpler.

The page in the server 7 accessed by the server 5 possibly hypertext content in a markup language. In a Variant, this page includes an XML content (eXtended Markup Language). In another variant, the page includes a PML content (Product Marking Language). The site can also use SOAP protocol (Simple Object Access Protocol) support .NET Framework or other web services, with which the server 5 and finally the mobile device 3 on services and objects of the server 7 can access, from which the desired Proof of intellectual property rights can be determined.

The server 5 loads the desired page, or a part of the page, away from the server 7, and forwards it to the mobile device 3. Like us later, the page on the server 7 may also have a multimedia content, such as copyright notices also to play acoustically or with pictures. It is also possible that the copyright notice is spread over several pages that are linked together For example, links can be connected to the user more information about a copyright notice by clicking or can download the selection of links or menu options.

The copyright notice may come from within the mobile network 4 and / or the mobile device 3 parameters, including from the identity of the user of the mobile device 3, from his contract type, from his location, time, visited network and his Profile, etc. be dependent. The language of the content can be determined by the Location of the user and / or dependent on his previously filed profile be.

The desired copyright notice can be sent via a return channel, For example, as a message (SMS, MMS, USSD, or e-mail) or as a web or Transfer Wap page to the mobile device 3 and / or to the SIM card become. In one embodiment, the note is reproduced acoustically, for example, from the speaker or headphones of the mobile device 3. In this case, an audio file can be stored in the server 7, or from a speech synthesizer are generated.

The note can also be used within a session with the user several user requests and corresponding answers become. In one embodiment, an indication is made in server 5 or 7 filed that the copyright notice sent to the user to be able to prove this later. This information can be electronically signed and provided with a time stamp.

• mindestens ein Hinweis auf ein oder mehrere Patente, Patentanmeldungen oder Gebrauchmuster, die technische Merkmale des Produktes 1 betreffen, und/oder
• mindestens ein Hinweis auf eine oder mehrere Marken, die das Produkt 1 kennzeichnen, und/oder
• mindestens ein Hinweis auf ein oder mehrere Designs beziehungsweise Geschmackmuster, die ästhetische Merkmale des Produktes 1 betreffen, und/oder
• mindestens ein Hinweis auf einen oder mehrere geschützte Topographien, und/oder
• mindestens ein Hinweis auf einen Copyrightschutz und/oder
• allgemeine Geschäftsbedingungen (AGB) des Produktherstellers.

The following copyright notices are stored on the page in the server 7 and transmitted to the mobile device 3:

• at least one reference to one or more patents, patent applications or utility models relating to technical features of the product 1, and / or
• at least one reference to one or more marks identifying the product 1, and / or
• at least one reference to one or more designs or designs relating to the aesthetic features of the product 1, and / or
• at least one reference to one or more protected topographies, and / or
• at least an indication of copyright protection and / or
• General Terms and Conditions (GTC) of the product manufacturer.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the copyright notice a list of several rights attached to the product 1 include, for example, a list of patent numbers, brand numbers, etc. with which the product 1 should be protected. More information over a certain protection right can be selected by selecting a certain property rights from the list 30. For a patent or a design can, for example, the entire document in image format, for example in Tif or pdf format, by selecting a patent relationship Design number in the list can be downloaded. For one visual mark, for example, a picture of the mark can be displayed.

It is also possible that the reference is a summary of the Intellectual property rights, bibliographic data, or the rights of intellectual property So store in the server 7 that the user this information directly or by selecting the affected property right.

In one embodiment, the page in the server 7 comprises content, which is generated dynamically from an intellectual property database 71. Web protection legal databases are already known and are different Companies and organizations among others at the addresses www.propis.com, www.espacenet.com or www.depatisnet.dpma.de. According to the invention is based on the code in the RFID element 10 in Product 1 direct access to the site with the property right or the List of intellectual property rights that affect the product 1 so that a user, for example, directly by reading the RFID element on the Page in Espacenet succeeds in finding the appropriate patent or list of contains matching patents.

In one embodiment, the location of the mobile device 3 using a satellite positioning module or in the telecommunications network 4, for example, based on the identity of the mobile network or triangulation between multiple base stations. The location information may be from the mobile device 3 or from one of the servers 5 or 7 can be used to view the list of copyright notices, or to adjust the order in the list, depending on this location. For example, this allows a user to receive only copyright notices who also extend to the state where he is. It is also possible, the language of reference or national legal Adjust conditions depending on user location.

A profile of the user may be in server 5 or 7, or for example stored as a cookie in the mobile device 3, to which the IP right notice is adjusted. This allows, for example, a personal Adaptation of the language of the note to the user.

In a preferred variant, each RFID element 10 carries one different code, with which each product 1 individually marked becomes. Several identical products of the same model thus have a different code (for example, a different serial number). This allows the copyright notice to every individual product to adapt to individual adjustments, for example, or by specifying licenses for the individual Product has been purchased or is to be acquired in the property rights notice be taken into account. In this case, an individual, user-dependent Property Rights Notice will be displayed, for example "This product has been patented in the country XY where you are located Protected by EPXYZ12345. An exclusive use license was issued on 15.04.2004 for the own use of the user XY acquired. ". In one Embodiment offers the page on the server 7, the possibility of a License to acquire, renew, update or for other purposes The license fee is also preferred can be paid directly with the mobile device 3. The license conditions may preferably be user, site and product 1 be dependent.

In one variant, the product 1 consists of a data carrier with a protected content, such as a magnetic and / or optical media in which music, writing, pictures, films, Games, software applications and / or other works are stored, the protected by a protective right (for example copyright) and for which can be purchased a license. The copyright notice may be from Device can be detected and displayed in which the named volume or from another separate device. The release The license may be subject to certain conditions For example, the user will get a valid code the RFID element 10 demonstrates or that it is identified.

In a variant, the use of product 1 is blocked, as long as the affected copyright notices to the mobile device 3 and / or as long as no suitable license has been acquired has been. The product will be after talking to the server 5, 7 Unlocked by data (for example, a blocking flag) in the server 7 and / or in a memory area of the product 1. In A variant also data from the RFID reader 2 in the RFID element written after a change in the license state takes place. This allows a check of the license status of the product 1 without connection to the server 7.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment in which the Intellectual property notice read by an RFID reader 2.3 and immediately is displayed on it, without the hint necessarily from a remote server is loaded. In this case, all details are taken directly from the RFID element read.

Claims (32)

A method for disclosing an indication (30) of industrial property rights with which a product (1) is protected, comprising the following process steps: An RFID element (10) is connected to the product (1), wherein the RFID element contains data, based on which at least one copyright notice relating to the named product can be determined. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one Part of the copyright notice is stored in the named RFID element. The method of claim 1, wherein said data comprises a code,
wherein the named protection notice is determined based on the named code from a server (7) in a telecommunications network (4). The method of claim 3, wherein the named code is transmitted to a name service server (6) in which links between a plurality of electronic codes (100) and a plurality of electronic addresses are registered by pages in the designated telecommunications network,
and in which the named copyright notice is downloaded from the page located at the address corresponding to the named code. The method of one of claims 1 to 4, in which the named data in the RFID element are read with an RFID reader (2),
the RFID reader (2) being connected to a mobile device (3) or being built as part of a mobile device (2, 3),
wherein said mobile device (3) is connected to a remote telecommunications network,
and wherein the named copyright notice is loaded from the designated remote telecommunications network. The method of claim 5, wherein said IP address of the named mobile device (3) visually and / or is played back acoustically. The method of claim 6, wherein said Transfer protection notice as a data message to the mobile device (3) is displayed on a mobile device screen. The method of claim 6, wherein said Copyright notice is transmitted as a web and / or Wap page and according to a web and / or Wap browser from the mobile device (3) is reproduced. The method of claim 6, wherein said IP address is spoken by the mobile device (3). The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the copyright notice (30) relates to at least one of the following named intellectual property rights: Reference to one or more patents, patent applications or utility models, Reference to one or more brands, Reference to one or more designs or designs, Reference to one or more protected topographies. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the Property right at least one reference to copyright protection includes. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11,
in which the copyright notice includes general terms and conditions (GTC) of the manufacturer of the product (1). The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the copyright notice includes a list of indicia of multiple protections attached to the product (1),
and in which more information about a particular property right is displayed when a particular property right is selected from the named list. The method of claim 13, wherein the protective title in the image format. The method of one of claims 13 or 14, in which a summary of the title is displayed. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the The legal status of the property right is displayed. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the Web page from a database (71) with multiple protection rights dynamically is generated when a specific property right from the named list is selected. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, in which the named copyright notice is location dependent. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, in which the Named protection notice in response to a predetermined user profile is adjusted. The method of any of claims 3 to 19,
in which the notified code of each individual product (1) indicates the individual, and in which the named protection law Note individually adapted to each product. The method of claim 20, wherein said Proof of copyright information about licenses that are specific to the named individual Product have been purchased or are to be purchased include. The method of claim 21, wherein said Information is product-dependent, user-dependent and / or location-dependent are. The method of any of claims 5 to 22, wherein the User a license for at least one of the named rights with acquires the named mobile device (3). The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the named product (1) is blocked if the named protection notice were determined. The method of claim 23, wherein data in said RFID element (10) can be written after a change takes place in the license state. The method of claim 23, wherein data is sent to a Server (5, 7) in the designated telecommunications network (4) transmit after a change in the license state. The method of one of claims 4 to 26, wherein the named server (5) is located in the infrastructure of the telecommunications network (4),
and in which the named name service server (6) is outside the infrastructure of the telecommunications network (4) and is accessible to multiple network operators. System with the following features: A plurality of products (1) provided with RFID elements (10) in which codes are stored, At least one server (7) which stores protection notices corresponding to the named products, these notices being stored at an address which can be derived from the named codes. The system of claim 28, including a name service server, in which links between multiple electronic codes (100) and several electronic addresses of pages are registered. The system of any of claims 28 to 29, including a plurality RFID readers (2), each connected to a mobile device (3) or to be built as part of a mobile device (2, 3). The system of any of claims 28 to 30, including location determining means for determining the location of the RFID element (10) and to adapt the named hint to the named location. Database system (71) with the following features: a variety of codes that uniquely identify products (1), one or more copyright notices (30) associated with at least certain named codes, an interface to receive requests from a telecommunications network and to respond to these requests with a corresponding IP address.

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