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Andrey G.

Tech Entrepreneur/ Start-Up CTO. R&D consultant @Social Computing

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Using Bluetooth on Mobile Phone to read RFID tags?

Anyone may help me with ad advise please- if it may worth an R&D study project, or it couldn't be ever possible?

* Using Bluetooth on Mobile Phone (a program development for a Mobile OS, preferred Symbian) to read (standard or custom) RFID tags?

In the case if RFID chip frequency is good for bluetooth sector, could there be some custom development done so a program for mobile phone developed? Any 3-rd party RFID reader with bluetooth interface isn't OK, it's too easy :D

I'm of course not the first who's asking this question:

* use Bluetooth to read RFID tag, http://www.whynot.net/ideas/4601

Thanks to all wishing to help with an advise ;)

Clarification added June 21, 2009:

In order to be more practical: I need from my RFID to hear only its ID, any number, anything simple and unique I will already have in my inventory DB.
It doesn't need to transmit any user/ object info. only an ID (like CellID in Telecommunications), the project is about proximity services.
Hope this explains better the needs.

posted June 20, 2009 in Wireless | Closed

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Yoel F.

Tech & Biz

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Best Answers in: Product Design (3), Business Development (1), Manufacturing (1), Engineering (1), Positioning (1), Energy and Development (1), Wireless (1)

This was selected as Best Answer

Andrey;
Passive RFid technology (most likely what you are after) comprises of a tag and a transponder. The transponder (which you do not have in cellular handset, mercifully) generates a flux of electromagnetic radiation. When the tag moves through the magnetic field, its coil shaped antenna generates current that serves to load a capacitor. When discharged, this capacitor provides the power for a transmission pulse, to be read by the transponder.
So, in my best knowledge, passive RFid is not an option for mobile phones.
Active RFid may be different, in that a battery on the tag provides power that can suffice to transmit to any practical distance (there are commercial application with 3KM range).
I can think of a protocol implementation that transmit over BT infrastructure iD bytes. I am not sure there are off the shelf solutions, though. The last link describes something that may be suitable for you

More info in the links
BR,

Yoel

Links:

Clarification added June 23, 2009:

an excellent forum, moderated and answered by knowledgeable moderator, is to be found in: http://www.sensorsmag.com/sensors/Wireless+Works/Differences-Among-RFID-Extending-Bluetooths-Range/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/324980

posted June 21, 2009

Muthu K.

Freelance Developer (iPhone/Android/Leopard)

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Only one version of high frequency RFID systems operate at
2.4 Ghz - 2.5 Ghz ISM band as Bluetooth. So, you may be able to
do this but I'm not a RF engineer.

Then you have to work on the firmware, bluetooth stack and API (profile) etc.

This can not be done just at the software level (bluetooth firmware, upper stack at the OS level).

Then, would Nokia/Sony Ericsson use your chip/software stack? I doubt it.

Clarification added June 21, 2009:

fyi: http://www.openbeacon.org/start.0.html

posted June 21, 2009

Sam H.

CEO/Founder at Stealth Startup

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The only problem, Andrey is the range of bluetooth and the personal or business implications caused therein. You do not want an RFID chip that contains vital business, personal, medical, or any other exact information on it, to be activated and read on the BT frequency because of the effective range and widespread availability. It would be great if all people were honest and all, but that simply isn't the case. The privacy problems created by this is too great for entertainment use, or anything else for that matter. But these are my opinions and perhaps you have a precise niche that you have identified that the integrity of the information isnt high priority.and precise location cannot be figured by its use. Just remember you may create something intended for a great use, but other people will refine your idea and create ways for it to be used another way. Good luck with everything. I hope this answered your question.

posted June 21, 2009

Alexandre D.

Chief Security Officer/CEO

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you can't do it for 2 reasons:
-The software on mobiles using bluetooth are OS mobile based limited . For eg can be used to pair a headset, exchange address book entry share files.

-The frequencies are different. Bluetooth is on 2.4Mhz and RFID are on Low-frequency (LF: 125–134.2 kHz and 140–148.5 kHz), high-frequency (HF: 13.56 MHz), Ultra-high-frequency (UHF: 868–928 MHz).

posted June 23, 2009

More Answers (4)

Fabien G.

Innovation Program Director Independent Aging at Philips Home Monitoring

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Hi,

if it exist you can find it there

Links:

posted June 20, 2009

Vincent S.

at Kassandra NV

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RFID is working on cm distances due to the fact that is has no power source.
Is the idea to go with the phone as close?
Bluetooth goes upto 12m, the normal range will be some m.
It will never be possible to tranfer the energy neede for the RFID I presume.

posted June 21, 2009

Massimo F.

MKT Manager presso Progetto Olivea

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Ciao Andrey, chiamami al 348 5932242 credo di poterti aiutare.

posted June 22, 2009

Boris S.

Senior Solution Architect at Negev Software Industries Ltd.

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No, you can't. RFID and BT are very different technologies that are not compatible with each other in any way.

posted June 22, 2009