Apparatus for wireless transfer of energy and execution of an action

The invention relates to a device for wireless energy transfer and performing an action according to the preamble of claim 1.

Devices for wireless energy transfer are as Small kitchen appliances and power tools as already known. Here is a line-powered via a primary coil Charger a voltage in a device-specific secondary coil induces that for charging a device's own battery serves. To recharge the device is placed in the charging station, so that the secondary coil in inductive coupling enters the primary coil and held an energy transmission can.

A wireless energy and moreover data transfer is also known transponder systems, as for example in the DE-PS No. 40 03 410 C2. Here, a base station with one or more transponders can be coupled. The Base station comprises at least a radio frequency transmitter, the at the same time can be energy channels and data channels and the Transponder comprises a radio frequency receiver which simultaneously may be energy receiver and data receiver. there the transponder can be fitted without internal energy source be that it allows for the operation of its electronic circuit required energy from the base station. Hitherto it in transponder systems only known a memory to describe the transponder or to read and any Commands or instructions to execute the circuit. Usually transponder systems also have a Data transmission path in the reverse direction with a Transmitter or modulator in the transponder and a receiver in the base station. In such systems, for example, the base station having an actuator in the form of a lock or opener be equipped, in the framework of an access control system is actuated when a with a Zugangsberechtigungskode equipped transponder in the field of the base station is introduced. Known base stations are always equipped with its own power source, which in usually connected to the electricity grid. There is also battery-powered systems.

In addition, there are also remote control systems, consisting of a Transmitter and a receiver exist, wherein the receiving device is coupled to an actuator. In such systems, takes only a data transmission to the receiving device instead of. In contrast, the power of the receiving device is carried out, a possible transmitter and the actuator of a own battery or a rechargeable battery.

From EP-A-0634729 is a data transfer arrangement with a portable data carrier 1 and a fixed station 2 known. The data carrier 1 is for data exchange with the fixed station 2 is designed as a passive transponder that is, it draws its energy for transmission of data from the fixed station 2. This would require the fixed station 2 continuously an electromagnetic field emit. In order to power save, the electromagnetic field of the fixed station 2 is but only enabled for data exchange. To activate there is an additional receiver in the fixed station 2, the consumed at rest less energy than the transmitter. A properties under portable data carrier active oscillator is briefly switched on by means of a button, whereupon the receiver of the fixed station 2 whose transmitter is activated. Subsequently, the data exchange is then carried out in conventional example, in the transmitter of the fixed station 2 powered transponder electronics with power and this electromagnetic Field of the fixed station 2 modulates.

From US-A-4,688,036, against which the claims are delimited, a keyless entry system known for vehicles. This includes a guardian from to supporting active transponder and a built-in vehicle Read-write device. Both the transponder and the Read-write device is provided from own sources of energy.

Furthermore, from US-A-4,829,296 an electronic lock known, consisting of a receiver and an access device. The access device transmits an access code to the receiver and additional energy for powering the electronics and an electromagnet. The transfer of Data and power does not take place wirelessly via an electromagnetic Field but wired via corresponding contacts, to be engaged with each other.

Finally, from US-A-5,300,875 an active transponder known of its own energy source in the form of a battery owns. To charge the battery are different Types of energy converters shows how a seismic transducer, a piezolektrischer transducer, an acoustic transducer or a photovoltaic converter. In addition, is also a Converters available, the energy for charging the battery relates from an electromagnetic field.

The invention has the object of providing an apparatus wireless energy transfer and execution of an action to enhance the effect according to the preamble of claim 1, that the receiving device completely without its own Energy manages.

This object is achieved in a device according to the preamble of claim 1 by the features specified in the characterizing part resolved features.

Further developments and advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the other Description.

In the inventive solution, the power supply is a mechanical action from exporting actuator Stations taken. Given by the energy of the transmission device transmitted to the receiving device. The energy transfer and thus by abandoning its own Power source, the receiving device maintenance free work. A malfunction due to depletion of Energy can not occur. The receiving device comprises a temporary energy storage, the energy transfer from the transmitting device to the receiving device can be charged and the power supply of the actuator at Consumption peaks accepts.

This ensures that the actuators are used can that briefly need more power than transmitted from the sending device to the receiving device can be. Prominent examples are solenoids or motors mentioned.

The triggering of an action can be controlled and thus be influenced. This is in addition to the event the energy transfer itself nor an additional given control criterion for a first security Tampering or an unwanted tripping represents. Thus, the triggering of the action can be remotely controlled by the transmitting device done. Further, the activation of action automatically by at least one sensor of the receiving device done. Further possibilities are that Triggering of the action by a comparison of the transmission device transmitted with a code in the receiving device code stored automatically by the receiving device make. In addition, the triggering of the Action after authentication of between the transmission device and the receiving device data exchanged done. cause all these variants that besides the event the energy transfer itself, one or more additional be checked prior to the initiation of the action criteria, that increased security against manipulation attempts or an unintentional triggering exist.

When a plurality of actuators can also triggering the action carried out by selection and control of the associated actuators.

The sensor of the receiving device, a frequency detector and / or a voltage value detector for the from the transmission device be radiated energy signal. Further, the Sensor, a time detector or a detector for an external his physical size and by a control unit to Actuator control.

By means of the sensors is a specific control option the actuator, of the event of pure energy transfer is independent. Thus, the frequency detector can, in the simplest Case be a selective resonant circuit, the actuator the only triggers when the power signal on a particular Frequency is transmitted. The voltage detector can on the amount of a certain voltage to be adjusted, it is a peak voltage of from the transmission device to Receiving device the transmitted signal or to a voltage, which occurs when charging the temporary energy storage.

Further, an internal time base can be used to the action only trigger when the energy signal a predetermined time pending.

Detectors of external physical sizes allow more intelligent applications, for example, Control an action while a temperature of a Pressure, sound levels, a brightness value, a Acceleration or similar sizes.

The receiving device may include a logic or processor circuit for evaluating the sensor signal or the sensor signals include.

It is then possible actions depending further together control linked criteria and thereby the possibilities and safety in triggering actions improve.

Further, the reception apparatus may include a logic or processor circuit for evaluating remote control signals of the transmitter device include.

By this measure, the security against manipulation can be improved when triggering remote controlled actions.

The receiving device may comprise a decoder which upon request from the control unit of the receiving apparatus of the transmitting device Autentifikationsdaten sent evaluates and validity of the sensor Autentifikationsdaten and / or the actuator releases.

This measure is an additional security check transferred to the receiving device. It is thereby possible, the control option of receiving devices individually limit. For example, this makes sense, when a plurality of receiving devices are provided, and it different are authorized. Authorized with a low Authorization status can then only certain receiving devices remote control, while authorized a affect higher voter status multiple receiving devices can.

The receiving device may comprise a separate data transmitter and the transmitting device a separate data receiver for bidirectional communication include. Both in a memory the transmitter device and in a memory of the Receiving device can be stored Autentifikationsdaten be. Both in the transmitting device and in the receiving device may be provided decoder, by means of upon request mutually transmitted Autentifikationsdaten validity can be checked and only if it is valid Autentifikationsdaten of both the sensor and / or the actuator are releasable.

The tampering is thereby further increased. Should an attempt be made, the Autentifikationsdaten to identify by network eavesdropping and thus to decrypt the code, this is achieved by when unknown key used data communication considerably more difficult.

Furthermore, authentication processes in a memory the transmission device and / or the receiving device is stored will.

There are so automatically logs all authentication transactions created that allow z. B. subsequently Abuse or irregularity uncover.

According to an advantageous development of the energy supply the sensor and / or actuator energy required at the same time with a data transmission to the receiving device or a bi-directional data communication between the transmitter device transmit and receive device. alternative the energy transfer by the receiving device in the way be controllable that during authentication first only a necessary data transfer energy from the transmitting device is transmitted to the receiving device and only then to trigger an action, this required energy needed by the receiving device and transmitted from the sending device to the receiving device becomes.

In the first alternative, the time of authentication already for the transfer of energy to power the actuator or sensor used. This can be a total transmission time shorten and thus the response time of the improve sensor and / or actuator.

Although the other alternative shows a longer reaction time, since the energy required only after validity of the authentication is that energy efficiency is better. Therefore an action usually a much höh erer energy demand as there is for the pure data communication, this energy is saved every time the authentication is negative is. In particular, in battery-powered transmitting devices This leads to an increase in the service life when a small Validity rate in the authentication is.

The receiving device can separate temporary energy storage on the one hand for the actuator and on the other hand for the Sensor, the decoder and / or logic or processor circuit and / or the control unit. The remote version the energy storage device has the advantage that circuits, the less energy, only a small energy storage need and can go faster in operation, because the required supply voltage is reached more quickly. also is also its operation is not affected when the discharged energy storage of the actuator by executing the action has been.

In a practical embodiment, the actuator as a lock is or NC formed. One can possibly in this way save a mechanical lock or security against failure of the lock when environmental influences such as pollution or icing by the additional electronic improve controllable lock.

According to a use made applications to Operating the lock or opener at the door of a vehicle, a plot of land, building, goods container or the Cover a value cartridge, one for recyclable materials or debris collection. Here, there is the advantage that similar a mechanical lock needs no separate power supply is, but the disadvantages, such as contamination or damage eliminates the lock, loss of keys are and enhanced safety is realized, whose degree can be increased individually depending on the safety significance.

In a further development, the device can for the general Bridging an individually coded lock or opener serve.

This example is in sealable collecting recyclables given, in which individual users the collecting means separate key can open, the removal on a collection vehicle but they are generally open have to. It may by a further adjustable code, the mounted by the collection vehicle transmission device broadcast together with the energy signal, and in the each receiving device with a stored code is compared, even between different genera be distinguished from small containers. Thus avoided be that small containers for different recyclable materials in same collection container to be emptied.

Another application are cash cassettes, which also Users receive individual key, the financial institution but of rationalization, a master key is to be used, the electrical here over a Actuator exerts a general closing function.

Embodiments of the invention will become apparent the drawing explained.

In the drawings:<dl tsize="6"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a basic circuit of a device for wireless energy transfer with a Transmitting apparatus and a recommender Ange device</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>an expanded block diagram of a Transmitter device and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>an expanded block diagram of a Receiving device.</dd></dl>

In Fig. 1 comprises a transmitting device 10 for wireless transfer of energy a high frequency generator, as the energy transmitter 34 serves, as well as a resonant circuit 50, which coil 54 also serves as an antenna. The transmitting device 10 has its own power source 48 which by means of a control unit 20, which in the simplest case a switch or may be push button, are connected to the power stations 34 can. Adjacent to the transmitting device 10 is a Receiving device 12, the matched one to the same frequency Resonant circuit 52 includes, in which also the coil 58 serves as an antenna. The resonant circuit 52 of the receiving device 12 are a power receiver 36 in the form of a Rectifier and temporary energy storage 38, 39 in the form connected downstream of capacitors, which charging resistors are rechargeable. The larger capacitor serves as an energy storage 38 for an actuator 32, while the smaller capacitor as an energy store for an electronic circuit is used, which is shown here as a sensor 30th

This sensor 30 may be a voltage sensor with a comparator and his reference. The sensor 30 acts upon the control input of a Control unit 26, the switching transistor one or a includes thyristor, and an actuator 32 with the temporary energy storage can connect 38th As an actuator 32, for example, an electromagnet or a motor used. The separate execution the energy storage 38; 39 for the actuator 32 and for the sensor 30, the energy storage device 39 for a smaller Capacity sized and therefore be faster recharged. Of the Sensor 30 is thus ready for use more quickly than if he its power from the same energy storage 38 would refer to as the actuator 32. In addition, the operating voltage even then still present when at turning on the Actuator 32 whose energy storage 38 is completely discharged becomes.

By contrast, allows the higher capacity of energy storage 38 for the actuator 32 such that the switching current for an electromagnet applied or the starting current of a motor can be, even though the wireless power transmission such a power peak would not be transferable.

The energy transmitter 34 could also simultaneously a data code send out the evaluation of a decoder of the receiving device and is compared with a stored code. The actuator is triggered only when matching code.

Fig. 2 shows an expanded block diagram of a transmitter apparatus. The transmitting device 10 includes a high frequency generator, both as an energy transmitter 34 as well as a data transmitter 14 serves. Further, a data receiver 16, a Memory 20, a keyboard 44, a display 46, a control unit 18, a power source 48 and a simultaneously to Sending and Receiving serving resonant circuit 50 with a coil 54 is provided as an antenna. Via the resonant circuit 50 Power and data to the receiving device 12 and transferred received by the receiving device 12 derived data.

The control of the data transmitter 14 and data receiver 16, and carried out of the memory 20, the display 46 and the keyboard 44 by the control unit 18. The control unit 18 Further a decoder 40 for checking the validity of received associated data. The memory 20 is divided into a rewritable portion 64 and a non- or write-once area 60 in which an exclusive ID number of the transmitting device 10 is stored.

Fig. 3 shows an expanded block diagram of a receiving device. The receiving device 12 has partially similar Functional blocks as the above-described transmitting device 10. Thus, even when the receiving device 12, a data transmitter 24, a data receiver 22, a memory 28, a control unit 26 and for transmitting and receiving a simultaneously serving Resonant circuit 52 provided whose coil 58 as an antenna serves. In addition to the data receiver 22 is a power receiver 36 available. Through the resonant circuit 52 be of the transmission device received 10 derived energy and data and transmit data to the sending device 10th

Further, the receiving device 12 includes an actuator 32 and a sensor 30. The actuator 32 is of the control unit 26 controlled. A control of the actuator 32 may be controlled remotely from the transmission device 10 or automatically by a Sensor 32 carried. For evaluating remote control signals is one of the control unit 26 associated with processor circuitry 70. For automatic control by sensor signals the sensor 30 via a processing circuit 68 for evaluation the sensor signal connected to the control unit 26th

Storing the wirelessly transmitted energy takes place in two energy storage devices 38 and 39. For the energy supply of the Actuator 32 is used for energy storage 38 High Capacity and serves for the power supply of the other circuit parts the energy storage 39 to the low for its capacity is quickly charged and so the operational readiness the receiving device 12 quickly produces.

The control of the data transmitter 24 and data receiver 22, and of the memory 28 is carried out by the control unit 26. In addition, is the control unit 26, a decoder 42 for checking the Validity associated with received data. Memory 28 is divided into a rewritable area 66 and a non- or-once area 62, in the exclusive ID number of the receiving device 12 is stored is.

To protect against tampering with unapproved transmitting devices 12, but the used transmission protocol dominate, can proceed as follows.

The exclusive ID numbers of the transmitting devices and receiving devices, in a non-writable or only write-once memory area 60; 62 stored, are used for determining which transmission devices and receiving devices as a partner for mutual communication allowed are. Given the ID numbers are the permissible Partners in the rewritable storage area 64; 66 the other partners filed. When the transmission device 10 electromagnetically coupled to a receiving device 12 and is the function blocks of the receiving apparatus 12 with Refuel and go into operation, is initially an exchange of authentication data.

submit In a particularly tamper-proof method the transmitting device 10 and the receiving apparatus 12 each authentication data obtained by a test algorithm be modified and transferred back. Since the test algorithm known to both devices, can the validity of the Authentication data to be checked, without by Eavesdropping is possible to decrypt the authentication data. The authentication data with each new transmission changed. The test algorithm can through the ident numbers to be influenced. Only when the coupled device the validity of the authentication data have determined is the memory 28 and the actuator 32 and the sensor 30 by the control unit 26 of the receiving apparatus 12 released.

Below are a number of applications exemplified for the invention. There are recycling bin or residual waste container, the lid by means of a Lock can be locked and only the authorized user can be opened for disposal of its waste. to at emptying the container into a collection of Collection vehicle generally the closing mechanism of all small containers to bridge in the same way, the Inventive device be installed. Here, the Power to open the lock similar to the opening by a Master key from a transmitting device of the collection vehicle to an integrated in small containers receiving device, comprising an actuator, transferred. The actuator is unlocked then the locking mechanism.

Accordingly can be moved even with cash boxes, where each user has an individual key has, however, the financial institution due to rationalization be added without key management in the situation must, generally open all cash cassettes quickly and easily to. Again, in the cashbox a receiving device integrated with an actuator, the regular the can be bridged and unlock lock. The financial institution has corresponding transmitting devices which for activating the actuator and necessary for its power supply energy can transfer.

Corresponding applications are also in doors and furniture safes, as used in hotels, or in suitcases possible. In any case, the receiving device may not have their own Energy source commented. So she has neither the Mains are turned on, nor is a regular exchange and maintenance of a usual battery required.

Another possible application is used eg for a Tire pressure monitoring tires of a vehicle. Here is a power supply from the vehicle electrical system only under very complicated conditions possible. Through a temporary energy storage the receiving apparatus over a long period find and activate the tire pressure via a sensor when the pressure drops a data transmitter which an emergency call to the vehicle electronics transmitted. A corresponding emergency call can be discontinued shortly before the energy of the temporary Energy storage falls below a lower threshold value and comes to an end. It is then from time to time the temporary energy storage be recharged.