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French to English translations [PRO] Tech/Engineering - Electronics / Elect Eng / LMB readers
French term or phrase:badges fonction
This would appear to be referring to an electronic badge or card (tag?) reader of some sort. I am wondering whether the 'badges fonction' here are simply 'company badges' - it is obviously some sort of security device, for use in various places. Has anyone come across this precise term before? It could simply mean 'badge' of course, but then that rather leaves the 'fonction' high and dry and I wondering exactly what that part of the term means here. They are obviously badges or tags or cards...so I guess I am looking the best industry-standard generic term to use until the text becomes more specific about what is in fact being read (e.g. a badge on a person or a tag in a vehicle)...
Here are 2 random parts of the text in which the term appears:
(By the way, LMB = Compact readers - Dynamic Identification (<100Km/h or <60 miles/h)
Il y a trois manières de configurer le lecteur LMB. Par le tableau de bord décrit dans ce chapitre, au moyen de commandes envoyées sur la liaison série), et au moyen de ***badges fonction***. Chaque méthode a sa raison d'être et son moment d'utilisation.
Après installation, le tableau de bord est rarement disponible (caché ou inaccessible) et il n'est peut-être pas possible d'interrompre le fonctionnement du système informatique afin d'effectuer des changements, en général d'un ou de deux paramètres seulement. Dans ce cas, les ***badges fonction*** sont d'une grande utilité car ils agissent directement sur le lecteur sans liaison filaire.
I think actually in the end the client wanted it to be translated as 'smart badge' (although I didn't know this at the time, obviously - put out a query in the meantime). But this answer was the best at the time - thanks. 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer
...it is certainly concerned with people who can configure the system....and I did wonder about that... although the answer below seems to be suggesting that the 'fonction' refers more to the badge than the person...
By the context it looks as if maybe 'fonction' here means a badge-holder who has authority to configure the system. Does this help?
Also 'card' rather than 'badge' is more likely to be used in UK - but this varies.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
3 hrs confidence: peer agreement (net): +1
active badge
Explanation: A fairly generic term for a badge or other wearable token which interacts (usu. electronically) with some other device.
Martin Cassell United Kingdom Local time: 08:46 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
I think actually in the end the client wanted it to be translated as 'smart badge' (although I didn't know this at the time, obviously - put out a query in the meantime). But this answer was the best at the time - thanks.
Explanation: Key cards are usually used to access electronic systems, for physical access as well as gaining entry into IT systems.
Access card is another possibility.
System and method for dual key card dual database access control ...
System and method for dual key card dual database access control and .... single database systems requiring key card enablement to perform database file ... www.freepatentsonline.com/20030033534.html
Tamara Salvio Local time: 09:46 Native speaker of: English
master card, programming card, special function card
Explanation: Usually access control systems are programmed by software, but there are simpler systems (lower cost) that are usually called generically "stand-alone", that are programmable without using any software oc PC, just by presenting some special card (whose usage is restricted, for obvious reasons, sometimes they aren't even given to the end-user). These are known with different names: "master card" or "electronic master key" is widespread in the context of electronic door systems for hotels, while the other two terms I mentioned are more generally used.
Other circumlocutions for these are also used, less frequently though.
Hope the link can help you :-)
Example sentence(s):
http://www.proxtec.com/new_page_08.htm
bistefano Local time: 09:46 Native speaker of: Italian PRO pts in category: 4
The translation workplace 
