Different types of devices are known in order to enable identification of an object. Through DE, 42 01 894, A1 a device is known which shows a hand held reading device for wireless reading of an ID-module, which comprises data related to a specific vehicle and which is provided onto said specific vehicle. The ID-module may for example comprise a bar-code. Hereby, the reading may be performed in an optical way. The ID-module may alternatively comprise a memory, for example a PROM-memory, a transmitter and an aerial. Hereby, the memory may be arranged to activate the transmitter, which transmit a signal via the aerial which may be received by the reading device. The object of the device according to DE, 42 01 894, A1 is to rapidly control the identity of a vehicle.

However, it may be desirable to update the information related to the object. The object may for example be a vehicle, which has been handed to a garage for repair. Consequently, it may be desirable to supplement the information, which is related to the vehicle by adding which actions, which have been performed in connection with the repair of the vehicle. Another possible application where it may be desirable to update the information related to an object is in medical service, wherein the object may be a patient. Hereby, if the patient is in hospital it may be desirable, at the round, to continuously supplement the information, which is related to the patient with information related to the state of health of the patient. A further example on an application where it may be

desirable to update the information related to an object is in manufacturing industry in connection with the manufacturing of a product from a solid material, wherein the material is to pass different manufacturing methods and method of treatments, such as different types of cutting treatments, heat treatments, surface treatments etc in order to receive the final product. Hereby, the result after every manufacturing step and treatment step may be supplemented to the information related to what will be shaped to the final product.

FR, 2 611 945, A1, describes a device and a method for recording and keeping information, which is related to an object. Moreover, the device offers that one may limit the possibilities to consult confidential information which is related to an object. The device comprises a support member, which is fixedly mounted onto an object and which comprises an integrated circuit with a microprocessor and memories of which at least one is of the type programmable reading memory, a so called PROM-memory, to which confidential information related to the object may be recorde. In order to record and read confidential information, a code is required. The device comprises a connection member, one end of which comprises contact members intended to interact with contact members of the support member. The connection member serves to connect the integrated circuit of the support member with means for writing or reading the recorded information. Said means may comprise some type of computer, which according to figure 3 appears to be a table computer. The object of the device according to FR, 2 611 945, A1 is to prove the authenticity of object of arts and reduce frauds.

A drawback with the device according to FR, 2 611 945, A1 is that it is not suited for rapid updating of information which is related to an object since said means for writing and reading information appears to be a table computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to overcome said above- mentioned problems. In particular, a device is aimed at which has such dimensions that it may be carried in the hand and which admit rapid reading and rapid updating of information which is related to an object. Moreover, it is aimed at that the unit which is arranged to store the information which is related to an object has a large storing capacity, requires very little maintenance and is protected from influence form the outside which may damage the information stored.

These objects are obtained by the device initially defined which comprises a storing unit and a communication unit, wherein the storing unit is intended to be associated with the object and comprises at least a memory unit which is arranged to store said information and means arranged for communication with the communication unit and wherein the communication unit is intended to be carried by a user and comprises a processor, first means arranged to enable communication with the storing unit, second means arranged to be operated by the user with the purpose of receiving or supplying said information and third means arranged to enable the user to perceive said received information. Such a communication unit, which comprises the equipment which is required in order to receive information from the storing unit or supply information to a storing unit and which has such a size that the user may in a simple way carrying it enables that the user may rapidly receive information related to the object and enables that the user may rapidly supplement information related to the object.

Hereby, the device according to the invention may facilitate the work for example in a garage, when someone hands his car in for repair. The person who receives the car may by a communication unit according to the invention supply to a storing unit according to the invention what will be repaired, whereat the person in question apply the storing unit in question onto the car which is to be repaired. After that the person who is to repair the car may supply to the storing unit what actions have been done by a communication

unit. If several persons from the stuff are involved with repairing the car, each person may supply to the storing unit by a communication unit what he/she has been taken care of. Moreover, the person in question may receive information from the storing unit about what the respective persons involved has been taken care of by his/her communication unit. Another possible field of application is in medical service. In connection with registration of a patient, someone from the hospital staff may supply information such as the name of the patient, personal code number, symptom, etc to a storing unit by a communication unit, whereat the patient may carry the storing unit. If sampling is performed on the patient, the results from the sampling may be supplied to the storing unit by a communication unit, whereat a doctor may receive the results by a communication unit. If the patient may be in hospital for quite a long time, it may be desirable to continuously supplement the information, which is related to the patient in connection with the round, for example with information about the state of health of the patient. Another example on an application where it may be desirable to receive or supply information which is related to an object is in manufacturing industry, in connection with the manufacturing of a product, for example from a solid material, wherein the material is to pass different manufacturing methods and method of treatments, such as different types of cutting treatments, heat treatments, surface treatments etc in order to receive the final product. Hereby, the result from every manufacturing step and treatment step may be supplied to a storing unit, which is associated with the final product, by a communication unit.

Moreover, the expected results from the respective manufacturing steps and treatment steps may have been supplied to the storing unit in an earlier state by a communication unit, wherein the expected result may be compared with the real result.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the communication is in pocket-size. The communication unit according to the invention may be done small and convenient, wherein the user may carry it in a simple way, for example by placing it in his/her chest pocket and rapidly and conveniently use the same in

order to supply or receive information from the storing unit. The communication unit may have a size, which may vary between a traditional matchbox and the size of a pocket calculator.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the memory unit comprises a non-volatile memory. An advantage of the storing member comprising a non-volatile memory is that the storing unit does not need any current in order to keep the information being stored in the memory unit. Preferably, the memory unit comprises a flash memory.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the memory unit comprises a programmable memory. Preferably, the memory unit comprises an EEPROM-memory, i. e. a memory, which may be programmed, be erased and be reprogrammed.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the storing unit comprises means, which admit attachment of the storing unit onto the object. The means may be of different types, for example if the storing unit has the design of a plate, which may have an arbitrary shape, one side of the plate may be provided with an adhesive tape which for example provides permanent attachment of the storing unit onto the object. Another possibility is that the storing unit comprises cords or the like, wherein, if the object is a person, the cords provides that the storing unit may be attached against a body part, for example the storing unit may be carried around the wrist.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, said communication means of the storing unit comprises contact members and said third means of the communication unit comprises contact members which are arranged to be connected to said contact members of the storing unit when the user wishes to receive or supply said information. According to one embodiment, the contact members of the storing unit comprises sheet metal contacts and that the contact members of the communication unit comprises sheet metal contacts, wherein the sheet metal contacts of the storing unit are provided in such a manner in relation to the sheet

metal contacts of the communication unit that the sheet metal contacts of the communication unit are arranged to be brought to abutment against the sheet metal contacts of the storing unit when the user wishes to receive or supply information.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, said second means comprises at least one key and/or a microphone. This enables that the information may be supplied to the storing unit either by operating said key or by speech via the microphone.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, said third means comprises a display and/or a loud speaker unit.

Consequently, the information, which is stored in the memory unit of the storing unit, may either be read via the display or listened to via the loud speaker unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the communications unit comprises an encryption unit which is arranged to encode in cipher the information supplied by the user via said second means, wherein the information is stored in the memory unit of the storing unit in enciphered form, and which is also arranged to decipher the information before the user receives the information. The encryption unit comprises the algorithms, which are required in order to encipher and decipher the information. The same so-called key is used in order to encipher and decipher. That the information being stored in the memory unit of the storing unit in enciphered form reduces the risk of unauthorised reading and listening.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, that the storing unit comprises protection means arranged to protect the contact members of the storing unit in such a manner that the contact members are not within reach of influence from the outside. Hereby, the risk of that someone by putting on current via said contact members, for example the sheet metal contacts, destroy the stored information is reduced.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a connection member arranged to connect said contact members of the storing unit with said contact members of the communication unit when a user wishes to receive or supply information.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, said connection member has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is intended to be provided in connection with the contact members of the storing unit and the second end is intended to be provided in connection with said contact members of the communication unit and that said first end is shaped in such a manner that said protection means of the storing unit is temporarily removed and exposes the contact members of the storing unit when the first end of the connection member is provided in connection with the contact members of the storing unit.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the communication unit comprises an adaptation unit arranged to enable communication with a central computer. Hereby, the information stored in the memory unit of the storing unit may be transmitted to a central computer.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the communication unit comprises a cellular phone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is now to be described by means of embodiments given as examples and with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig 1 shows a first embodiment of a device according to the invention, Fig 2 shows a storing unit with a tape, Fig 3 shows a storing unit with elongated elements such as cords or the like,

Fig 4 shows a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, Fig 5 shows in a view from above a storing unit, Fig 6 shows in a side sectional view the storing unit in Fig 5, Fig 7 shows in a side view a first end of a connection member which is intended to be provided in connection with the storing unit which is shown in Fig 5 and Fig 6, Fig 8 shows in a view from below the first end of the connection member in Fig 7, Fig 9 shows in a view from above a storing unit, Fig 10 shows in a side sectional view the storing unit in Fig 9, Fig 11 shows a first end of a connection member, which is intended to be provided in connection with the storing unit, which is shown in Fig 9 and Fig 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In the figures details with substantially the same function are provided with the same reference signs.

Fig 1 shows a device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention, which comprises a storing unit 2 and a communication unit 3. The storing unit 2 comprises a memory unit 4 and contact members in the form of sheet metal contacts 5, which are connected to the memory unit 4. The function of the memory unit 4 and the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2 will be described further on in the description. The communication unit 3 comprises a processor 6, contact members in the form of sheet metal contacts 7, a set of keys 8, and a display 9 and a battery unit 10.

The sheet metal contacts 7 of the communication unit 3, the keys 8, the display 9 and the battery unit 10 are connected to the processor 6. The function of the different parts of the communication unit 3 will be described further on in the description.

The storing unit 2 is intended to be associated with an object. This may be achieved by means, which admit attachment of the storing unit 2 onto the object. In Fig 2 means in the form of a tape 11 is shown and in Fig 3 means in the form of an elongated element 12, such as cords or the like, is shown. The tape 11 may be a tape, which provides permanent attachment of the storing unit 2 onto the object in question. However, if the object is a person, cords or the like may be preferable, wherein the storing unit 2 may be attached to a body part of the person, for example around the wrist.

With the device according to the invention it is possible for a user to receive or supply information related to an object. The information is stored in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2.

In the following it will be described how a user may use the device 1 according to Fig 1. The storing unit 2 may comprise a tape 11 such as is shown in Fig 2, wherein the storing unit is applied to the object by means of the tape 11. When the user for example wishes to supply information to the object, he/she brings the sheet metal contacts 7 of the communication unit 3 to abut the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2. This is possible since the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2 are provided in such a manner in relation to the sheet metal contacts 7 of the communication unit 3 that these will be in contact with each other when the user brings the communication unit 3 with its sheet metal contacts 7 to abutment against the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2.

Then the user may by operate the keys of the set of keys 8 transmit information to the storing unit 2 which is stored in the memory unit 4. If the user is interested in consult the information, which is stored in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2, the user brings the communication device 3 with its sheet metal contacts 7 to abutment against the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2, whereat the user, when he/she wishes to receive information from the memory unit 4, operates the keys of the set of keys 8, wherein the information is presented on the display 9.

In Fig 4 a device 1 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. According to this embodiment a connection member 13 enables the supplying or receiving of information. The connection member 13 has a first end 14, which is intended to be provided in connection with the contact members in the form of sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2 and a second end 15, which is intended to be provided in connection with a contact member 16 (not shown in detail) of the communication unit 3.

Consequently, the communication unit 3 according to this embodiment does not comprise sheet metal contacts 7 such as is shown in Fig 1.

In Fig 5 and Fig 6 it is shown how the storing unit 2 according to Fig 4 may be designed and in Fig 7 and Fig 8 it is shown how the first end 14 of the connection member 13 may be designed.

Consequently, the first end 14 of the connection member 13 in Fig 7 and Fig 8 is intended to be provided in connection with the storing unit 2 in Fig 5 and Fig 6.

Such as is shown in Fig 6, the storing unit 2 comprises two guide grooves 17, each of which extends along a respective side 18,19 of the storing unit 2 and which grooves are parallel to each other.

Moreover, such as is shown in Fig 7, the first end 14 of the connection member 13 comprises two protruding parts 20,21, which are parallel to each other and which are intended to be inserted into the guide grooves 18,19 of the storing unit 2. When the user for example wishes to read the storing unit 2 which is associated with an object, the user may move the first end 14 of the connection member 13 onto the storing unit 2 so that the protruding parts 20,21 run in the guide grooves 18,19. This motion will cease when a stop surface 22 of the first end 14 of the connection member 13 is in contact with one of the sides 23 or 24 of the storing unit 2. Hereby, the contact members 25 of the first end 14 of the connection member 13 are in contact with the sheet metal contacts 5 of the storing unit 2. Preferably, the contact members 25 of the first end 14 of the connection member 13 are resilient in order to

guarantee that contact is maintained between the contact members 25 and the sheet metal contacts 5.

Fig 9 and Fig 10 show a further variant how the storing unit 2 according to Fig 4 may be designed and Fig 11 shows a further variant how the first end 14 of the connection member 13 may be designed. Consequently, the first end 14 of the connection member 13 in Fig 11 is intended to be provided in connection with the storing unit 2 in Fig 1 and Fig 10.

The storing unit in Fig 9 comprises holes 26, each of which comprises a contact member in the form of a metal sleeve 27.

Moreover, the storing unit 2 comprises protection means in the form of spring-loaded element 28, one for each sleeve 27, which spring- loaded elements are intended to protect the sleeves 27 in such a way that the sleeves 27 are not within reach of influence from the outside.

Such as is shown in Fig 11, the first end 14 of the connection member 13 comprises metal pins 29. Each sleeve 27 of the storing unit 2 is arranged to receive a pin 29. When the pins 29 is inserted into the holes 26, the spring-loaded element 28 will be removed in such a manner that the pins 29 may be received by the sleeves 27.

In order to guarantee contact between the sleeves 27 and the pins 29, each sleeve 27 may comprise legs 30, which are resilient in such a manner that the legs abut the pins 29 with a pressure.

The communication unit 3 may comprise a loud speaker unit 31, wherein the user may listen to the received information instead of reading the received information by means of the display 9.

Moreover, the communication unit 3 may comprise a microphone 32, wherein the user may control the receipt and the supplying of information by means of speech.

In connection with some applications of the invention, when the information which is related to an object is about confidential information, it may be desirable that the information is stored in

enciphered form in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2, which is associated with the object so that unauthorised persons may not read the confidential information. Hereby, the communication unit 3 may comprise a encryption unit 33, which is arranged to encode in cipher the information supplied by the user, wherein the information is stored in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2 in enciphered form, and which is also arranged to decipher the information, i. e. the same so called key for encryption and decryption.

The memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2 may for example comprise an EEPROM-memory. Since the memory unit has limited storing capacity, it may be desirable to transmit the stored information of the memory unit 4 to a central computer, wherein the information of the memory unit 4 may be erased. After that further information may be supplied to the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2. In order to enable that the information, which is stored in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2 may be transmitted to a central computer, the communication unit 3 may comprise an adaptation unit 34, a so called interface, arranged to enable communication with a central computer. Consequently, the information, which is stored in the memory unit 4 of the storing unit 2 is transmitted to the central computer via the communication unit 3.

An application of the invention in addition to the applications, which have been mentioned earlier in the description, may be in stock- keeping, i. e. storing of raw materials, semi-finished products and/or finished products. Stocks exists on several places in a manufacturing line or a distribution line, wherein the object of the stocks for example may be to provide continuity in the manufacturing so that no manufacturing resources need to wait for material or to maintain settled delivery time. However, a stock has to be refilled as the raw material in question, semi-finished material in question or a finished product in question has been removed from the stock. Consequently, a storing unit according to the invention may be provided in connection with for example a compartment on which a certain type of products are stored and comprise information about what type of products it is about and the number

of products of said type which are stored. Every time someone from the stock-keeping staff, which all have their own communication unit according to the invention, goes for said product, he/she may by means of his/hers communication unit supply to the memory unit of the storing unit that one of said products has been removed from the storage. At the end of the working-day, they may by means of the respective communication unit transmit the information supplied to the storing unit to a central computer. Hereby, it is possible to control how many of said products, which are stored.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.