Lock Transponder
With this function an RFID transponder can be locked. A locked transponder prevents the data on the transponder from being overwritten or deleted. To lock a transponder, a matching barcode must be scanned first. The transponder will be locked, if the data on the transponder matches the barcode.
Procedure
The button to use this function can be set in the configuration.
By default, the lower right button (F2) is used.
The device has to be switched on.
Step 1: Scan barcode
Press and release the configured button. A short bright tone will sound and the yellow LED will light up. This means that the barcode reader is activated.
Successful Scan: A successful scan is confirmed with a short beep and a short vibration.
Failed Scan: A failed scan is signaled with three or more consecutive tones. The number of tones provides information about the reason for the error. If the scan fails, the process is aborted and can be restarted.
Step 2: Scan transponder
After successfully scanning the barcode, the RFID transponder to be locked is scanned. For this, the device must be held close to the transponder.
The locking process is started with the same button as when scanning the barcode. The process is signaled with a short bright tone and the yellow LED lights up. The RFID reader is now activated. Wait until a transponder has been read.
Successful Scan: A successful scan is confirmed with a short beep and a short vibration. The transponder is now locked.
Failed Scan: A failed scan is signaled with three or more consecutive tones.
Error Messages
Error messages are signaled with 3 or more consecutive tones. The number of tones provides information about the reason for the error.
| Number of tones | Error |
|---|---|
| 3 | No barcode was recognized or the procedure was cancelled by pressing a different button. |
| 4 | The barcode could not be converted to an EPC (Missing GCP, ...) |
| 5 | Failed to lock the tag (No transponder found, transponder is already locked, ...) |
| 6 | Unexpected Error |
Technical Details
The locking of the RFID transponder prevents the data on the transponder from being overwritten. There are two different types of locking. The following table shows how the memory areas of the transponder are locked with the two different types.
| Memory Bank | Type "Permanent" | Type "Random Password" | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| TID | Perma-Locked | Perma-Locked | Normally, already perma-locked by the manufacturer. |
| EPC | Perma-Locked | Locked | This is the memory that contains the written data. |
| USER | Unlocked | Unlocked | User memory area is not used with AIMSOC encode. |
| RESERVED (Kill PW) | Perma-Locked | Perma-Locked | Kill password is set to a random value, to prevent from killing the transponder. |
| RESERVED (Access PW) | Unlocked | Locked |
Permanent
With this type it is not possible to program the transponder again. Only the user memory can still be written to.
Random Password
With this type a random access password is set. Using this password, the transponder can be programmed again. The password is written to the journal, so one can get the passwords and store them at a safe place. Apart from the password, the TID of the transponder is stored in the journal. This allows to find the correct password for a specific transponder.
Although, you can lock a transponder reversible, AIMSOC encode currently does not support reprogramming a locked transponder, because there is not yet a mechanism to provide the access password during programming.