FlateC

Overview

Purpose of the device

The FlateC is a desktop RFID card and tag reader, connected directly to the computer's USB port. Compared to the RFID DESK, FlateC is housed in a slimmer enclosure and communicates via a USB-C port.

It's designed for reading various RFID tags and transponders, offering a wide array of configuration options. Thanks to the configuration software, the user can modify the method of code reading, setting prefixes, suffixes and code formatting, making integration with various systems easy.

The reader can operate in keyboard emulation or virtual serial port mode, allowing for flexible integration with computer software. The user can define various readout parameters such as bit negation, bit and byte swap, tag length, readout speed and many more. The device can be integrated with proprietary software thanks to the virtual serial port mode, making full device control and reaction for read transponder codes possible.

It supports multiple popular RFID transponder standards, making it a comprehensive solution for various applications, from access control to facility monitoring.

Changelog

1.0 18th of September 2025

• Firmware revision v1.37
  • Windows 11 compatibility patch

Device construction

Technical characteristics

Transponders depending on the device's version:

General view

General characteristics

Device configuration

Basic settings

To configure the device, download the free Inveo RFID Config programme from the INVEO website.

After installing and running the programme, connect the reader to the PC. In the programme's bottom secion, the current USB port (to which the device is connected) status and basic reader information should be displayed.:

• PC version – PC application version,
• RFID Hardware – RFID reader hardware revision,
• RFID Software – RFID reader software revision.

If the reader was detected by the programme, configuration can begin.

The USB mode of operation should be selected first. Available options:

• USB Keyboard emulator – Standard keyboard emulation (HID),
• Virtual Com Port – Virtual COM port communication (CDC),
• WebUSB Api – Communication via a web page.

Keybord emulation mode

In keyboard emulation mode, the reader behaves like a standard USB keyboard. After an RFID tag is applied, its number is stored in the space selected by the cursor in an appropriate format.

Virtual CDC serial port mode

If the Virtual Com Port mode is selected, the reader sends the applied tag's UID number to a virtual serial port.
In this mode both the sound and LED indicators can be controlled.

Sending the byte to the virtual com port causes a reaction:

Bit	Function	dec	hex	Description
0		1	1	LED 1
1		2	2	LED 2
2		4	4	LED 3
3		8	8	Continuous tone
4		16	10	Ascending tone
5		32	20	Descending tone
6	*	64	40	0 – Standard operating mode, the code is sent after a card is applied 1 – The code is sent by request only
7	**	128	80	1 – Card code send request

Number sending format

The next step is to set the format for sending the read card number.

The following output data formats are available:

• Binary – The card code bytes are sent in the binary format (applies to the Virtual Com Port mode),
• HEX LowerCase Letter – The tag code is sent in the hexadecimal format with lower case letters,
• HEX UpperCase Letter – The tag code is sent in the hexadecimal format with upper case letters,
• HEX UpperCase Letter Minus – The tag code is sent in the hexadecimal format with upper case letters, dashes separating the code bytes:

• Decimal – The tag is converted to decimal format:

• ASCII – Decoding of card data to the ASCII format (applies to Mifare tags). The string must end with a "0".
• Frame 1-Wire – DS2401 emulation.
• H10301

Prefix CDC – Is a string of numbers and letters sent before a tag is read in the virtual serial port mode.

Postfix CDC – Is a string of numbers and letters sent after a tag is read in the virtual serial port mode.

Prefix HID – Is a string of numbers and letters or special characters (Alt, Enter, key combination) sent before a tag is read in the keyboard emulation mode.

Postfix HID – Is a string of numbers and letters or special characters (Alt, Enter, key combination) sent after a tag is read in the keyboard emulation mode.

Key Interval – the delay between sent characters. This setting is used on slower devices such as tablets. If the device to which the reader is connected isn't fast enough to input the UID or characters defined in the Prefix/Postfix fields correctly (eg. doesn't input all characters), define a longer time delay between characters (Key Interval). The default value is 10.

Read Delay - Only new TAG – readout of the same tag is possible only after the defined time has passed, other tags are read immediately. This setting prevents the card from being read multiple times. The delay time is defined in x * 0,1s.

Read Delay - User Defined – User defined tag readout delay time. The delay time is defined in x * 0,1s.

To define a special character to be sent as a HID prefix or postfix, click Insert special char next to the appropriate position.

Using the virtual keyboard window, any key and character combination can be created.

First, the Prefix HID field should be filled with: "User logged in:"

In the Postfix HID field, "." should be inserted and an Enter key pressed on the virtual keyboard.

To confirm the settings, it's required to press the Upload data to RFID button.

Once this is done, every tag application will cause this string to display:
"User logged in: UIDnumber."

Advanced conversion functions

Under the Advanced tab, advanced code readout options are located.

The application allows modification of the read code in a wide range.
The following options are available:

Bit Negation – If selected, the read values are negated:

Swap Byte – Function enabling byte swap:

Swap Bit – Function causing the bit string to change:
Replacement of the first bit with the last one, the second bit with the second last one etc.

Begin (bit) – Number of the bit the reader begins the UID readout with.

End (bit) – Number of the bit the reader ends the readout operation with.

Input of a wrong value to the Begin / End (bit) field will result in a change to the entire tag value, because the bits of each byte will be shifted:

The UID code is in a 0-39 range. The user filled the fields as follows:
Begin (bit) = 1
End (bit) = 40
correct TAG: 04-00-1B-B7-BC → TAG read: 08-00-37-6F-78,

The entire tag (in bits) was shifted, that's why the value in bytes is completely different.

Align – Alignment of the read tag,

Auto Length – Automatic adjustment of the read code length.

Padding – Manual setting of the code value length. The value of 1 equals to one character.

Predefined – Predefined values for Begin (bit) and End (bit).

Use System Keyboard Layout – The system keyboard layout is taken into consideration when letters and numbers are inputted.

CDC Custom Serial – Optional number that can be read in the virtual COM port mode.

LED's and sound

The Inveo RFID Config programme enables simple configuration of visual and sound signalling. All you have to do is to go to the LED & Buzzer tab and select the appropriate settings.

For the buzzer, two options can be selected:

• OFF – Buzzer off,
• ON READ – Sound a signal when a tag is read.

Icon	Name	Description
	LED 1	By default, the diode informs about the fact that power is connected to the module. LED colour - green.
	LED 2	By default, the diode is not used. Led colour - red.
	LED 3	By default, the diode informs about a successful card read. LED colour - green.

The user can configure the LED's according to his needs. Each LED can be configured in 4 ways:

• ON – The LED glows constantly when power is connected,
• OFF – LED disabled,
• ON READ – The LED signals a successful tag read,
• IN FIELD – The LED signals that a tag has been applied and glows when it is in range of the module.

DS1990A

iButton DS1990A emulation.

The iButton by default contains the following data in its memory:

• 8-bit CRC code
• 48 bit serial number
• 8 bit family code (0x01)

If the Frame 1-Wire print format is selected, the reader will format the read card code to the DS1990A format.

Mifare block reading

The reader has the ability to read Mifare Classic 1k/4k card memory blocks. Any single block can be read from the tag's memory.

Overwrite UID – The function enables block readout. Enabling this function will overwrite the UID number with the read block value, Authorization KEY type – Selection of the authorization key (Key A or Key B), Block to read – Number of the block to be read, KEY – Authentication key, FF-FF-FF-FF-FF-FF by default.

Reading and writing blocks in CDC (Virtual COM port) mode

It is possible to safely read and write data from/to Mifare data blocks during Virtual COM port operation. Any operation on the block data requires authentication.
Multiple read and write operations can be conducted during a single programming mode "session".

    stateDiagram-v2
        classDef yourState font-weight:normal

        step1: Enter programming mode
        step2: Read card UID
        step3: Read block
        step4: Write block
        step5: Exit programming mode

        [*] --> step1:::yourState
        step1 --> step2
        step2 --> step3
        step2 --> step4
        step3 --> step5
        step3 --> step4
        step4 --> step5
        step4 --> step3
        step5 --> [*]

1. Enter programming mode

Frame: 0x00 0x01 0x02 0x03

2. Read card UID

Frame: 0x0F

The reader returns the UID length and its value.

• 0x00 – No card present in the read field.

3. Read block

Frame: 0x0C A/B SecAddr Res1 Res2 KEY[6]

• 0x0C – Enter block read mode,
• A/B – Authorization key A or B selection:
  • 0x00 – Key A,
  • 0x01 – Key B.
• SecAddr – Block address,
• Res1, Res2 – Unused,
• KEY – 6 key bytes (default: 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF).

The reader will return 0x00 and 16 data bytes if the read operation was successful, or an error code and 16 zeroes if it failed.

3. Write sector

Frame: 0x0D A/B SecAddr Res1 Res2 KEY[6] DATA[16]

• 0x0D – Enter block write mode,
• A/B – Authorization key A or B selection:
  • 0x00 – Key A,
  • 0x01 – Key B.
• SecAddr – Block address,
• Res1, Res2 – Unused,
• KEY – 6 key bytes (default: 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF),
• DATA – 16 data bytes.

The reader will return 0x00 if the operation was successful.

4. Exit programming mode

Frame: 0x0B

S: 0x00 0x01 0x02 0x03 //Enter programming mode
S: 0x0F //Card UID read request
R: 0x04 0x71 0x7A 0xA1 0x1B //UID length: 4 bytes, UID: 71 7A A1 1B
S: 0x0C 0x00 0x04 0x00 0x00 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF //Block 4 read request
R: 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 //Response with block 4 contents
S: 0x0C 0x00 0x06 0x00 0x00 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF //Block 6 read request
R: 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 //Response with block 6 contents
S: 0x0D 0x00 0x06 0x00 0x00 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x06 0x07 0x08 0x09 0x0A 0x0B 0x0C 0x0D 0x0E 0x0F 0x10 //Block 6 write request
R: 0x00 //Write operation successful
S: 0x0C 0x00 0x06 0x00 0x00 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF 0xFF //Block 6 read request
R: 0x00 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x06 0x07 0x08 0x09 0x0A 0x0B 0x0C 0x0D 0x0F 0x10 //Response with block 6 contents
S: 0x0B //Exit programming mode

Programmer

The programmer enables reading and writing data to a Mifare card

Editing of the data is done by input of the corresponding values:

• Selection of the appropriate key (A or B),
• Input of the key,
• Selection of a sector to be read or written,
• Editing the HEX or ASCII values,
• Selection of the block we want to save.

As shown above we are writing sector 9 (block 37 0x250 - 0x25f) with the ABCDEF string

The A and B keys are set to default values - 0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF,0xFF

After clicking the Write Sector button, the tag will be saved with corresponding values.

Factory settings

There are two methods of restoring the factory settings:

1. Using the RFID Config programme

   • Run the RFID Config programme.
   • Connect the device to the PC.
   • In the RFID Config programme, press the Reset to DEFAULT button.

2. Using the button

   • Power up the device
   • Press and hold the RESET button for 10 to 15 seconds,
   • Release the button when a continuous sound alert starts to play.

Warranty and manufacturer's liability

The manufacturer undertakes to respect the warranty agreement, if the following conditions are met:

• All repairs, changes, expansions and device calibrations are carried out by the manufacturer or an authorized service center,
• The power supply system meets the applicable standards,
• The device is operated in accordance with the suggestions presented in this manual,
• The device is operated in accordance with its intended purpose.

The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for consequences resulting from improper installation, improper use of the device, failure to comply with the instruction manual, and repairs made by unauthorized personnel.

Storage, operation and transport conditions

The device should be stored in enclosed rooms, where the atmosphere is free from vapours and corrosive substances:

• Environment temperature from -30°C to +60°C (-22°F - 140°F),
• Humidity from 25% to 90% (condensation unacceptable),
• Atmospheric pressure from 700 to 1060 hPa.

The device is intended to operate in the following conditions:

• Environment temperature from -10°C do +55°C (14°F - 131°F),
• Humidity from 30% to 75%,
• Atmospheric pressure from 700 to 1060 hPa.

Recommended transport conditions:

• Environment temperature from -40°C do +85°C (-40°F - 185°F),
• Humidity from 5% to 95%,
• Atmospheric pressure from 700 to 1060 hPa.

Installation and device operation:

• The module should be operated in accordance with recommendations provided later in this manual.

Disposal and decommissioning

In an event the device needs to be decommissioned (eg. after its intended life period is surpassed), it is recommended to contact the manufacturer or his representative, who are responsible to respond appropriately, i.e., to collect the device from the user. The user can alternatively contact companies specializing in electronic device or computer equipment disposal and/or decommissioning. Under no condition should the device be placed with other waste.