FR2689274A1 - Detection pen for gathering information from bar=codes - has information transmission means at vocal frequency or infrared with security module for verification of coded information - Google Patents

Abstract

The detector pen (1) has the form of a container with an electronic card and a detection part (20) and an emission-reception interface (9) between the pen the equipment to be detected by an infrared or audio signal. The user moves the detection side (11) of the pen over the object and the information received is decoded by a microprocessor (4) (or microcontroller) which is recorded in memory. Until the user wants to transmit the information it is saved until a command button (13) is pressed. The pen is able to transmit or receive information in the form of audio frequency signals or infrared signals. An output circuit of the "buzzer" type (7) relies on indicators (70) exterior to the container and will show if the device is in the transmission or detection mode. The detection part (3) is optical (2) but is not necessarily obligatory. The detector can be optical for bar codes or for television spots by a magnetic detector. The optical beam is concentrated on a diode attached to an operational amplifier which transmits the signal to the microprocessor. USE - Hand-held device for reading bar-codes.

Description

DETECTION PENCIL FOR ENTERING INFORMATION AND
INPUT SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH A PENCIL
The invention relates to detection pencils for entering coded information. The invention also relates to input systems comprising such pencils.

 In many applications today, information input is used, in particular from a detection pencil. The information entered is most often coded, in the form of bar codes. The pencils used are pencils commonly called optical pencils because the detection is based on the use of optics making it possible to concentrate the light entering the pencil towards a diode controlled by an operational amplifier.

 In certain applications, the pencil is controlled by the central unit of a microcomputer to which this pencil is connected. The user carrying out the entry scans the bar codes placed on articles or other medium and the transmission of the coded information is done automatically by an access procedure established by the microcomputer.

 It is also known to use a pencil in mail-order type applications. The pencil is then connected via the modem of a communication terminal to the telephone network. To carry out an order at home from such equipment, the user activates his terminal to enter into communication with a server from the keyboard of the terminal and possibly from a minitel.

When communication is established, the voice server controls the command. This results in the scrolling of questions on the terminal screen. The user must remain online to answer these questions and at the same time enter bar codes from a catalog containing the items he wishes to order.

 In these different applications, it can be seen that the transmission takes place as the data are entered in synchronism with the data entry.

 In the case of a correspondence order, the operator makes her choices while remaining in communication with the server. It is also recalled here that there are two types of servers: videotext servers which are associated with minitels and voice servers which are associated with telephone sets.

 Such operation proves to be uncomfortable for the user since he must not only monitor the terminal screen but also the pages of the catalog. Such operation proves to be moreover expensive since the duration of the communication includes both the dialogue with the server and the entry of the information.

 The present invention overcomes these problems. It relates to a detection pencil for entering coded information comprising means for reading this information, characterized in that it comprises - means for memorizing the information read; - means for transmitting the information stored in the form of voice frequency or infrared signals; - Means for activating the transmission means so that the transmission can be done in a delayed manner.

 In order to avoid any risk of fraud or error, the pencil also includes a security module capable of carrying out verifications on the coded information entered and recorded on the basis of information received by the transmission means.

 The present invention also relates to a system for entering information coded by an operator and for transmitting this information through a communication network to a server, characterized in that it comprises - a detector pen for entering comprising means reading coded information on an information medium available to the operator; - means for storing the information read; - means for transmitting this information in the form of voice frequency or infrared signals; - Activation means allowing the operator to control the transmission on the communication network when the operator wishes to enter into communication with the server.

 Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures which represent - Figure 1, the block diagram of a pencil according to the invention; - Figure 2, the block diagram of an input system according to the invention according to three embodiments; - Figure 3, the block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention.

 FIG. 1 shows the functional diagram of a detection pencil according to the invention.

 In practice, the pencil is presented as a box 10 containing an electronic card 1, a detection part 20 fulfilling the function of reading the coded information and a part 9 ensuring the transmission-reception interface between the pencil and the equipment capable of be in communication with the pencil, ie receive or transmit infrared or voice frequency signals.

 To carry out the entry, the user will scan the information 11 with the side 11 of the pencil (detection side), one after the other. This information is decoded by a microprocessor 4 (or microcontroller) which stores it in a memory 5.

 When the user wishes to transmit the information entered, it suffices to trigger the transmission either by actuating a control button 13, or as will be described in more detail below, by connecting the pencil to the communication network, the pencil having for that a connection plug of the telephone plug type for example.

 The pencil has means 8 for transmitting or receiving information either in the form of voice frequency signals or infrared signals. This function can, in the case of voice frequency signals, be integrated into the microprocessor 4 or be carried out by a standard commercial component without this changing the principle of the invention.

 The voice frequency signals can advantageously be signals of the DTMF type (dual tone modulation frequency according to English terminology).

In the case of the transmission of infrared signals, of course the function fulfilled by the means bearing the reference 8 is that of an infrared transmitter-receiver.

 Such means are known and their use by a person skilled in the art does not present any difficulty.

By way of example in the case of DTMF signals, the means 8 can be produced by an encoder-decoder
M8888 from Telton. The means 9 can be produced either by a buzzer associated with a microphone or by a conventional communication line interface.

 In the case of IR signals, the means 8 are produced by the microprocessor which has an associated program memory loaded with a conventional program for performing this function. The means 9 are produced by a circuit based on standard IR diodes.

 The card 1 may also include a buzzer-type circuit bearing the reference 7 on the diagram connected to indicators 70, outside the box allowing the user to know if the box is in transmission or detection mode.

 The detection part comprises a detector 3 and an optic 2. The optic 2 is not necessarily necessary, in the case where there is at the end of the pencil, a suitable opening.

 The detector 3 can be either an optical detector for bar codes or television spots or a magnetic detector for detecting information on a catalog having a coding by magnetic ink.

 In the case of an optical detector, the optics focus the light beam on a diode controlled by an operational amplifier which transmits the signal to the microprocessor 4. For this, the microprocessor contains the program for decoding the signal (classic program like this has been described above).

 In the case of a magnetic detector, a first coil polarizes the ink, a second is excited by induction. An operational amplifier as described in connection with the optical detector makes it possible to transmit the signal to the microprocessor. The pencil scrolls past the code to be read and detects through induction the presence or absence of a magnetic ink stain.

 According to another aspect of the invention, the pencil may further include a security module such as that found for example on smart cards.

 In Figure 2 there is shown schematically a coded information entry system according to the invention.

 The diagram actually shows three alternative embodiments for such a system.

 Reference 10 corresponds to a pencil as described from FIG. 1.

The pencil allows you to enter information appearing either on a TV television set during a "TV purchase" type broadcast or on a catalog.
C mail order.

 The user will therefore enter all the information he wishes to record, taking all the time he wants.

 At the end of the entry, when the user is ready to place his order, he will get in touch with a remote server via the communication network symbolized by the reference R.

 To get in touch, three alternative embodiments have been shown.

 The first variant consists in transmitting the signals from the microphone 21 of a telephone set connected by a telephone socket 25 to a line of the network R, the processing server will then be a voice server.

 For this, the pencil 10 is provided with a circuit 8 capable of transmitting voice frequency signals.

 The second variant consists in transmitting the signals from an infrared interface 30 connected to a modem 31 connected by a telephone socket 26 to a line of the network R, the processing server will then be a videotext server.

 For this, the pencil 10 is provided with circuits 8 and 9 capable of emitting infrared signals.

 The transmission can also be done from a modem fitted to a communication terminal 40.

The infrared interface 30 is then connected to the terminal 40 which is for example a Minitel, itself connected to a telephone socket 27.

 In this case also the emission is made by sending infrared signals to the interface 30.

 According to an alternative embodiment, of the first system described, the connection to the telephone set is made by a "pen tray" provided so that the user does not have to hold the pencil during the transmission. This variant is shown in FIG. 3.

 Thus, the user can connect the pencil 10 to the pen tray in the direction indicated by the arrow. A socket 15 of the telephone socket type is provided on the pencil. The pen tray 50 has a connector 16 intended to receive this socket. The pen tray 50 is connected to the telephone set 20 for example by the connection socket of the handset which is disconnected. It is preferable to choose a telephone set that can operate hands-free.

 In this embodiment, it can be provided that the simple connection of the pencil on the pen tray triggers the line seizure as does the off-hook of the handset. It can also be provided that this connection activates the pencil's transmission circuits, the contact button 13 then no longer being necessary, its function being replaced by the pencil-pencil holder contact. A handset 21 is connected to the pen tray and makes it possible to have the usual functions of a telephone handset from the pen tray 50.

 According to another aspect of the invention, provision can be made to secure the pencil either by introducing a security module to it, or by placing this module on a smart card.

 The term “security module” is understood to mean a module ensuring access control such as many integrated circuits implanted on smart cards today allow.

 Many integrated circuits known today make it possible to obtain higher or lower degrees of security by means of an access control which begins with a first level of authentication consisting in carrying out a verification of the authorization of the holder. For this, the holder of the smart card introduced to the keyboard of the device in which he introduced his card, his confidential code, it is transmitted to the card. A comparison is made in the card and subsequent operation is only authorized if the code entered corresponds to the confidential code stored in the card.

 In the present invention an integrated circuit of conventional type also called security module has been represented in FIG. 1 in the form of a circuit bearing the reference 6. It is then connected to the microprocessor 4. It can be provided that the functions fulfilled by this security module are integrated into the microprocessor in the form of a program recorded in a PROM type memory.

 According to another embodiment, in the case where a pen tray is provided for establishing the connection between the pencil and a telephone set, this pen tray can then also be a smart card reader as shown in FIG. 3. The smart card 60 then carries the security module and allows, before any data transfer, to carry out a check on the coded information entered by the pencil from the information that the pen tray receives from the remote voice server. As described above, this type of verification consists, for example, in the first instance of knowing whether the order that is going to be placed is properly identified and authenticated thanks to the confidential code contained in the security module. This will prevent any fraudulent order by a person who seeks to access the system and place orders on the account of another person. A second degree of security can consist in verifying that the information entered corresponds to the order placed. The security program loaded in the security module will, for example, verify that the references entered correspond to that of the catalog from which the order is made.

 In all cases, the confidential code may be entered by the user when establishing communication with the server from a keyboard. This keyboard can be that of the terminal, or that of the telephone set. It can also be a keyboard placed on the pencil or on the pen tray.

Claims (16)

 1. Detection pencil for entering coded information comprising means for reading this information, characterized in that it comprises - storage means (4,5), information read; - means of transmission (4, 8, 9) of the information stored in the form of signals with a voice or infrared frequency; - Means (13, 15) for activating the transmission means so that the transmission can be done in a delayed manner.  2. Detection pencil according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a security module (6) capable of carrying out verifications on the coded information entered and recorded on the basis of information received by the transmission means.  3. Pencil according to claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the transmission means comprise a module 8 capable of supplying or processing signals on two voice frequencies.  4. Pencil according to claim 3, characterized in that the voice frequency signals are standardized signals of DTMF type.  5. Pencil according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission means are capable of supplying or processing signals in V22 mode.  6. Pencil according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a transmission-reception interface (9).  7. Pencil according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reading means comprise an optical detector (3) making it possible to read coded information of the bar code or television spot type.  8. Pencil according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the reading means comprise a magnetic detector (3) for reading coded information of the magnetic ink coding type.  9. System for entering information coded by an operator and for transmitting this information through a communication network to a server, characterized in that it comprises a detector pencil (10) for entering comprising - reading means ( 20) information coded on an information medium available to the operator; - storage means (4,5) of this information read; - means for transmitting this information in the form of voice frequency or infrared signals; - activation means (13,15) allowing the operator to control the transmission over the communication network when the operator wishes to enter into communication with the server.  10. System according to claim 9 characterized in that it comprises security means (6,60) capable of carrying out checks on the coded information read and recorded from information received by the transmission means.  11. System according to claim 10 characterized in that the security means (6,60) comprises a security module placed on a smart card (60) and in that it comprises a card reader (50) intended for receive this card, the pencil being connected to the reader.  12. System according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a telephone station (20) and in that the pencil transmits voice frequency signals to the microphone of this station, these signals being transmitted to the network by post.  13. System according to any one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a pen tray (50) on which the operator will connect the pencil, the activation means being produced by connection of the pencil on the pen tray , and in that it also includes a telephone set (20) capable of operating in freehand mode, the pen tray being connected to the telephone set.  14. System according to claim 9 and 11, characterized in that the card reader comprises a socket, the pencil comprising a plug intended to be connected to the socket of the connector, the reader thus ensuring the pen tray function in addition to these functions of recorder reader .  15. System according to claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a transmission-reception interface for infrared signals (30) and a modem (31) to which this interface is connected and in that the pencil is capable of receiving or to transmit infrared signals from this interface or to this interface.  16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the modem is the modem of a communication terminal (40), the interface (30) being connected to this terminal.