# US 7,746,217 B2 · Reading from and writing to memory tags > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,746,217 B2 - Document ID: US7746217B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/573,444 - Filed: 2004-09-27 - Published: 2007-04-19 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2003-09-27 - Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Inventors: David Neil Slatter; James Thomas Edward McDonnell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7746217B2 ## CPC - G06K 17/0022: {arrangements or provisions for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device ("transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L)} - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract The reading of data from a memory tag to another device, using a memory tag reader, is described. The other device has an active portion which can detect the presence and position of the memory tag reader when brought adjacent to it. The memory tag reader is brought adjacent to the memory tag and data uploaded into the memory tag reader. The memory tag reader is moved adjacent to the active portion of the other device into a position which identifies the location to which the data is to be transferred. The data is then downloaded into that location in the other device. A similar process is described for downloading data from the other device to the memory tag. Apparatus appropriate to carry out each stage of these processes is described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of transferring data from a memory tag to another device, using a memory tag reader, wherein the other device has an active portion which can detect the presence and position of the memory tag reader when brought adjacent to it, the method comprising: bringing the memory tag reader adjacent to the memory tag, wherein the memory tag is inductively powered; uploading the data into the memory tag reader, wherein the data is automatically uploaded to the memory tag reader from the memory tag when the memory tag reader is brought adjacent to the memory tag; moving the memory tag reader adjacent to the active portion of the other device into a position which identifies the location to which the data is to be transferred, and downloading the data from the memory tag reader into that location in the other device, wherein the downloading automatically occurs when the memory tag reader is lifted from its location adjacent to the active portion of the other device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the data is image data corresponding to an image print. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, wherein the image data is a high resolution image data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the memory tag reader includes a separate read head and write head. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A method according to claim 4, wherein the read head includes a first resonant circuit and the write head includes a second resonant circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the active portion of the other device is a screen. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A method according to claim 6, wherein the screen is touch sensitive. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the other device is a computer or personal digital assistant. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the other device is a printer. ### Claim 10 A method of transferring data to a memory tag from another device, using a memory tag reader/writer, wherein the other device has an active portion which can detect the presence and position of the memory tag reader/writer when brought adjacent to it, the method comprising: identifying the data to be transferred; bringing the memory tag reader/writer adjacent to the active portion of the other device; uploading the data into the memory tag reader/writer, wherein the uploading automatically occurs when the memory tag reader/writer is lifted from its position adjacent to the active portion of the other device; moving the memory tag reader/writer adjacent to the memory tag, wherein the memory tag is inductively powered, and downloading the data into the memory tag. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the data to be transferred is identified by bringing the memory tag reader/writer adjacent to the active portion of the other device and dragging it across the active portion of the other device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the data to be transferred is identified by use of the other device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the downloading to the memory tag only occurs when a download button on the memory tag reader/writer is depressed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the memory tag reader/writer communicates with the other device via a wired connection. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the data is automatically downloaded from the memory tag reader/writer when the memory tag reader/writer is brought adjacent to the memory tag. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the memory tag reader includes a separate read head and write head. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method according to claim 16, wherein the read head includes a first resonant circuit and the write head includes a second resonant circuit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the active portion of the other device is a screen. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A method according to claim 18, wherein the screen is touch sensitive. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the other device is a computer or personal digital assistant. ### Claim 21 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein the other device is a printer. ### Claim 22 A system, comprising: a memory tag reader configured to read data from a memory tag and having a memory adapted to store the data that has been read from the memory tag, wherein the memory tag is inductively powered, and wherein the data is automatically read by the memory tag reader when the memory tag reader is brought adjacent to the memory tag; and a computing device having an active portion configured to detect the presence and position of the memory tag reader when brought adjacent to it, the active portion of the computing device identifying a location in the computing device to which the data is transferred from the memory of the memory tag reader, wherein the data is automatically transferred when the memory tag reader is lifted from a location adjacent to the active portion of the other device. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the active portion of the other device is a screen. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the screen is touch sensitive. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the data is high resolution image data corresponding to an image print. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the reader is configured not only to read data from a memory tag but also to write data to a memory tag, and wherein the reader is configured to receive data from the active portion of the computing device for writing to a memory tag. ### Claim 27 (depends on 22) The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the reader comprises one or more user operable switches to allow user control of transfer of data to or from the reader.