FR2810430A1 - System for electronic management of data printed on a material support and at the same time recorded on a server database has a stand-alone reader that allows identifiers to be read from a material support and communicated later - Google Patents

Abstract

System for managing physical documents (7) that have an identifier (8), typically a barcode (8). A server (2) has a database (12) that stores indexed data and can be accessed via an editing station for printing the data. A stand-alone reader (4) with its own memory is used for reading in identifiers from documents and can be connected to a client station subsequently for communicating data to the server. The invention also relates to a reader. An Independent claim is made for a method of electronic management of data in which identifying data is read in off-line and can be communicated when the reader is connected to a client station later.

Description

 SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTRONIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT. The present invention relates to the field of electronic document management.

It relates more particularly, in its more general sense, to a system for the electronic management of information published on a hardware medium and associated with digital data stored in at least one database accessible by a computer network [such as an intranet or Internet characterized in that it is constituted by - at least one content server comprising a database in which are stored the indexed digital data, at least one item d <B> '</ B> tion for printing on a material support of the information, each piece of information being associated with a barcode identifier, in particular two-dimensional code] correlated with the index of the associated digital data, at least one autonomous reader, not connected during the reading phase to a client station, comprising a RAM for the recording of the identifiers scanned from a material medium, means of communication a with a client station, and at least one client station comprising first communication means for receiving the identifiers stored by an autonomous reader, and second communication means for exchanging data with said server. According to one variant, the system according to the invention comprises - a first server for the distribution of unique identifiers, - at least one second content server each comprising a database in which the digital data associated with the printed information are stored and corresponding identifiers.

Advantageously, the identifiers are two-dimensional bar codes.

Preferably, the stand-alone readers furthermore comprise means for inputting personal information specific to the reader, and in that the client station or the content server comprises a database allowing the association of said personal information with the corresponding indexed information. .

According to variant, the autonomous reader comprises means for the transmission of identifiers by the cellular telephone network.

The invention also relates to an autonomous reader for the electronic management of information constituted by an autonomous mobile housing comprising means for acquiring identifiers, an electronic circuit for controlling the identifier reader, a random access memory for recording identifiers read by said acquisition means, and means for transferring the stored identifiers to a client station.

According to variant embodiment, the autonomous reader further comprises means for entering personalization information associated with each stored identifier. Advantageously, said input means comprise a memory for 'registration of predefined codes and means for selecting and validating the chosen code.

The invention also relates to a server for the electronic management of information characterized in that it comprises a database for the registration of unique identifiers.

Preferably, the database further comprises at least one entry for the registration of a link associated with an identifier.

According to a variant, the database furthermore comprises at least one item for recording specific data originating from a client station associated with an identifier.

The invention also relates to a method for the electronic management of information characterized in that it comprises - a step of generating unique identifiers - a step of recording in a database of digital data associated with information, a unique identifier - a step of printing a document comprising 1 information and a coded identifier capable of being automatically recognized - a reading step of the identifier affixed to said document to the using a stand-alone reader not connected to a client station and registration of said identifier in a memory a step of transferring the identifiers stored in the memory of a client station a step of transferring said identifier to a content server and d recording data associated with the identifier or an alias of said data in a specific database.

The steps of reading the identifier, transfer identifiers and access or recording associated data are out of sync and may be repeated over time.

Access to the data can be made any time after the data is saved in the content server.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment which follows, with reference to the appended drawings in which - FIG. 1 represents a schematic view of the invention. The system according to the invention comprises: an identifier management server (1) - one or more content servers (2 - one or more client stations (3) These devices being interconnected with a computer network (6), for example an intranet, an extranet or the Internet.

The system also includes at least one autonomous identifier reader (4) and printed documents (5) having information (7) and an associated identifier (8).

The identifier management server (1) is intended for managing the allocation of identifiers and their exploitation. The identifiers are unique identifiers, and in part two-dimensional barcodes.

They may consist of several sections - one corresponding to the identity of the content publisher - another corresponding to the identity of a specific content of said publisher - possibly another corresponding to a thematic information - possibly another corresponding to the identity of the author or owner of the copyright.

Codes can be issued at the request of a content server, or in groups. They are stored in a database in connection with the link to the contents of the content server associated with the identifier, or in relation to content considered.

The identifiers are transferred to the content server by a secure link, for example by an SSL type session.

The content server fabricates the digital data associated with the identifier and stores it in a database (12). also produces a document (5) using printing equipment. This document presents information (7) and a two-dimensional bar code (8).

This document for example formed by a magazine, a daily newspaper, a catalog, a data sheet, a book, a packaging, an advertisement, etc.

The reader has a portable equipment (4) autonomous, allowing him to acquire the bar codes (8) information (7) that interest him. He can proceed to this acquisition at any place and at any time. He can for example scan the item code in the train, the plane, or his home to memorize the identifier of the articles information that caught his attention.

These identifiers are stored in the RAM of the autonomous reader (4), which furthermore comprises a power source, for example a battery or a battery, and an optical sensor (20).

It can also include commands (21) for associating with the stored identifiers personal indications, for example a thematic section, a teacher name corresponding to the article taken up, the name of a recipient, etc.

These indications can be entered using a keyboard, or a simplified input means, or by selection from prerecorded data.

The reader may further comprise means of time stamping the registration of the identifiers.

I1 also comprises a connection means with computer equipment connected to the network (6). This equipment is usually, but not necessarily, a client station (3).

The link can be an infrared link, radio link, or a physical link from a serial port or USB.

It can still be constituted by a telephone connection, for example GSM type. identifiers can be transmitted as short messages) or by using WAP standards.

These identifiers are transferred to a client computer, which is usually different from the previous ones. client station includes means for dialogue with the autonomous reader to enable the downloading of identifiers, and the transfer to the content server (2) or the identifier server).

The server receives the identifiers and in return transfers the corresponding digital data to the client station. These data correspond for example to the article (5) in a digital format, for example PDF.

According to one variant, the server creates a space dedicated to the user, in which he records the data corresponding to the identifiers communicated by said user, as well as additional data such as the time and date of reading the article or the article. transmission of the identifier.

The user has a personal database, either on the client machine, or on the content server or on the ID server, which he can access at any time to view selected articles, enrich them with classification headings that are personal and thus constitute a dynamic information system.

The information system may further include online payment means. It is thus possible to manage the remuneration of the copyrights, and / or the remuneration of the attribution of the identifiers.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1 - System for the electronic management of information published on a physical medium and associated with digital data recorded in less than one database accessible by a computer network [such as an intranet or the Internet] characterized what it consists by at least one content server comprising a database in which the indexed digital data are stored, at least one editing station for printing on a material support of the information, each information being associated with an identifier [barcode , in particular two-dimensional] correlated with the index of the associated digital data, at least one autonomous reader, not connected in read phase to a client station, comprising a random access memory for the registration of identifiers scanned from a hardware medium, and means of communication with a client station, and at least one client station including first communication means for receiving the identifiers stored by an autonomous reader, and second communication means for exchanging data with said server. 2 - System for the electronic management of information according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises - a first server for the distribution of unique identifiers, - at least a second content server each comprising a database in which are recorded the digital data associated with the printed information and the corresponding identifiers. 3 - System for the electronic management of information according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the identifiers are two-dimensional bar code. 4 - System for the electronic management of information according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the autonomous readers further comprise means for inputting personal information specific to the reader, and in that the client station or the server content includes a database for associating said personal information with the corresponding indexed information. 5 - System for the electronic management of information according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the autonomous reader comprises means for the transmission of identifiers by the cellular network. 6 - eur autonomous for the electronic management of information according to at least one of claims 1 to 5 constituted by an autonomous mobile housing comprising a means of acquisition of identifiers, an electronic circuit for the control of the reader identifier, a RAM for storing identifiers read by said acquisition means, means for transferring the stored identifiers to a client station. 7 - autonomous reader for electronic information tion according to claim 6 characterized in that it further comprises means for entering personalization information associated with each stored identifier. 8 - autonomous reader for the electronic management of information according to claim 7 characterized in that said input means comprises a memory for the registration of predefined codes and means for selecting and validating the chosen code. 9 - server for the electronic management of information according to at least one of claims to 5 characterized in that it comprises a database for the registration of unique identifiers. 10 - Server for electronic information management according to claim 9 characterized in that the database further comprises at least one entry for the registration of a link associated with an identifier. 11 - server for the electronic management of information according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the database further comprises at least one entry for the recording of specific data from a client station, associated with an identifier. 12 - Method for the electronic management of information characterized in that it comprises - a step of generating unique identities a step of recording in a database of digital data associated with information, and a unique identifier a step of printing a document comprising said information a coded identifier capable of being automatically recognized - a step of reading the identifier affixed to said document by means of a stand-alone reader not connected to a client station and registering said identifier in a random access memory - a step of transferring the identifiers stored in the memory of a client station - a step of transferring said identifier to a content and access server or d recording data associated with the identifier or an alias of said data in a specific database, the steps of reading the identifier, tra nsfert identifiers and access or record associated data being out of sync and likely to be repeated over time.