DE102006029919A1 - Data transfer executing circuit arrangement for e.g. mobile telephone, has interface system receiving signal event transmitted on quasistatic path, where interface system is integrated into another interface system - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has an interface system receiving a signal event transmitted on an electromagnetic path. A signal processing circuit is utilized to generate an output signal sequence based on the received signal event. Another interface system receives a signal event transmitted on a quasistatic path in the region of the latter interface system, where the latter interface system is integrated into the former interface system. An independent claim is also included for a mobile communication device such as mobile telephone, with an interface system.

Description

The Invention is directed to a circuit device for handling a signal transfer serving for the transfer of data.

For the settlement such data transfer operations are integrated modules for receiving with the help of electromagnetic Waves of transmitted data in great variety as standard commercial elements available. These include in particular infrared receiver with built-in decoder, as you get from infrared remote controls in entertainment devices knows or time signal receiver in the LF band (e.g., DCF) for Radio clocks. The telephone technology knows DTMF decoders, which are inductive coupled with two different tones each excited, number sequences and output switching signals. Special components are also used in transponder technology, for example, upon the arrival of electromagnetic signals this to decode and / or evaluation circuits such as microcontroller off to wake up a power-saving sleep state. An example is here circuits used in tire pressure sensors of motor vehicles are used. Similar Blocks are also used in active transponders for their activation used as needed.

Above mentioned Blocks are of different design and suitability for required wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum - of Light up to the gigahertz range - available.

Of the Invention has for its object to provide solutions that respect the processing of a data transfer compared to the previous concepts further possibilities and provide user benefits. Furthermore, the invention is also the Task underlying such user or system benefits under extensive recourse on per se known circuit concepts and this available To provide circuit components.

According to one First aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a circuit device for handling a data transfer with a first interface system for receiving one on electromagnetic Paths spent in the area of the first interface system Signal event, and one with the first interface system coupled signal processing circuit, for generating a characterized on the received signal event based output signal sequence by a second interface system for receiving a field electric (quasistatic) paths into the area of the second interface system spent signal event, wherein the second interface system functionally integrated in the first interface system.

Preferably is the second interface system in such a way in the first interface system integrated, that recorded by the second interface system Signal events via one of the coupling of the first interface device serving Port structure of the signal processing circuit is accomplished.

Preferably will over one of the two interface systems realizes a switch function, that of a signal variant temporarily Gives priority.

It is possible, too, the two interface systems via a switch device to couple, the switching state of the switch means of features of the over an interface device, or both interface systems received signal event is determined.

The Signal processing circuit is according to a particular aspect of Invention preferably by regarding the signal evaluation of Receive events of the first interface system designed Realized standard components.

The Both interface systems can be integrated into a mobile phone. The mobile phone can do this be configured and configured for the function release, the Communication cost accounting, and / or the user identification used information about the second interface system related.

The Moving to the transmission over the second interface system provided signal events in the Reception area can by coupling appropriate signal events into a user, or its vicinity by field electrical means respectively.

By an additional wiring such building blocks can be supplied to another, convenient for the user use. In this case, their intended use is not affected, so that an additional benefit arises from the invention. The invention is to be settled in the area of near field communication and should therefore be used in the field of action of people who perform self-determined, selective actions that are to be recognized and further processed in electronic systems. The range of these activities ranges from entertainment, games, to the initiation of opening, closing and switching operations, presence or absence detection of humans, animals or objects up to the transmission of biological signals in the medical field. Also, the invention can be usefully used where there is an increased security claim, which should be met under certain circumstances over several different transmission systems and / or channels.

At the entrance of one of the above mentioned building blocks a sensitive element can be connected directly or indirectly, which is able to absorb an alternating electric field. This sensor element, the wire-shaped, flat or spherical accomplished can act like a plate of a capacitor. This is for the input of the device so high impedance that it is the original Function of the block can not affect. Will now with Help another capacitor plate an alternating electric field with impressed data in the vicinity of the sensitive additional input, the module can do this Receive and decode data as if it came through the intended way (electromagnetically) into it. The feeding surface can Here, for example, be the hand of a user who is the sensitive area approaches. Parasitic capacities between the circuits, the use and against earth form the, for one closed AC circuit needed feedback.

Further Details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following Description in connection with the drawing. It shows:

1 a schematic representation for explaining the coupling of a signal event in a user based on quasi-static field-electrical interaction effects;

2 a schematic representation of a system according to the invention with a designed as an IR receiving system first interface system and a second interface system incorporated therein for data reception means of a modulated E-field;

3 a schematic representation of a system according to the invention with a designed as a radio receiving system first receiving system and a second interface system incorporated therein for data reception means of a modulated E-field;

4 a schematic representation to illustrate the inventive concept with recourse to a component typically used for electromagnetic signal transfer (eg MT8870DDTMF);

5 a schematic representation to illustrate a further variant of a circuit according to the invention;

6 a schematic representation to illustrate the inventive concept with the inclusion of an operational amplifier for coupling the signals received by the second interface system in the to be assigned to the first interface system circuit area;

7 a further schematic representation to illustrate the inventive concept for coupling the signals received by the second interface system in the to be assigned to the first interface system circuit area;

In order to transmit a data-modulated, electrical alternating field, this must first be generated. This takes place in the form of a transmission module carried by the user ( 1 ). The transmission module contains at least one generator which can generate the frequency required by the electromagnetic data reception block as a carrier and a mixing device with which data can be modulated onto this carrier. In this case, all known modulation methods are applicable, with the proviso that the corresponding receiving module can decode them. Such an alternating field modulated in this way with data can be transmitted directly or capacitively to the skin of a user and forms a sort of synthetic aura via them. If this aura comes close to a capacitive receiving surface (wire, ball, brush), a downstream decoder, which is selected from standard components, can receive and decode them with sufficient signal strength and feed them to an evaluation unit. Thus, it is possible to perform a selective signal transfer controlled by a user. If the signal level at this additional input decreases again, z. B. when removing the user or item or when data transfer is completed, the input of the block is free again for the intended use. This results in many applications, some of which will be described below. Of particular importance is the simplicity of the circuit structure, which promises the added benefit and increased comfort. Of particular importance is also that the execution of such a circuit for a wide variety of electromagnetic receiving modules is almost always the same and thus has a high degree of efficiency, because built with this standard IC scarf require only small additional costs and a low technical effort. Of course, the additional circuit according to the invention also completely replace the intended original data input function of the mentioned (and similar) components!

A first exemplary embodiment

To the input of an infrared detector ( 2 ), for example of type U2538B (TEMIC), a wire (or in addition to this one surface) is connected. With a generator, a modulated data signal (in this case ASK) is impressed on the skin of a test subject at the frequency controlled for this component. If it approaches the wire (or the surface) by hand, the corresponding signals appear as decoded data at the output of the block. When a data telegram is used, it becomes visible. The same happens after 3 in use eg with the transponder wake up module ATA 5283 (ATMEL), or after 4 with a DTMF decoder eg of the type MT8870D. The intended function of the blocks is retained. The circuit complexity for coupling an additional alternating electric field appears very low, the additional can be limited to overvoltage (eg with protective diodes). In a further embodiment, the sensitivity at the input can be increased eg by a field effect transistor, such as 5 shows. A further embodiment shows the possibility of an impedance matching by an operational amplifier connected as a voltage follower ( 6 ).

A first advantageous example

Of the Module ATA 8283 is housed in a vehicle tire to to activate a pressure gauge. About the additional circuit according to the invention can now from the outside a technician in the tire assembly an imprinted capacitive alternating field over this Bring module into the circuit, which, for example, assembly time, Time, date, fitter, air pressure, etc can save permanently. The fitter carries while close to the body a module, which an oscillator in the previously described form and a mixing option for identification numbers and provides time and date signals. These signals become capacitive transferred to the skin of the fitter and form a synthetic aura. When handling the tire gets this aura (the electric data-modulated alternating field) in the vicinity the additional invention Sensor input and causes the desired effect.

Further exemplary applications

7 shows the possibility of opening a locked door when approaching by stopping a transponder. As a second key, the user carries with him a donor circuit according to the invention, which emits a further identification signal via the aforementioned additional input. For example, it would be possible to determine on which side of the door a user is located and to increase the security of the circuit or design considerably. Another exemplary implementation is possible with the infrared module U2538B. An operator feeds a data-modulated light pulse into the frequency of the receiving module from a handheld terminal. This light pulse is modulated with identification data. At the same time, the handset (in the manner described above) applies a data signal in the form of a data-modulated electric field to the skin of the operator. Thus, it can be easily determined whether the operator emits this light pulse in the immediate vicinity or from a certain distance to the receiver. Since both emitter devices are located in the same handset, circuitry can be used to ensure that the delivery of the identifying data impulses is to be alternately to light (electromagnetic wave) or via the skin (capacitive alternating field).

Especially The invention can be used meaningfully in motor vehicles.

use in motor vehicles

One in start button of a vehicle should be triggered with a transponder. The launch of the vehicle should only be done if the acting Person sitting in the driver's seat. According to the invention is under the driver's seat an electric field is impressed on the skin of the driver, which is modulated with identifiable data. When approaching with the transponder to the start button, next to the transponder data also the impulsive or intermittent data of the seat recognition or seat occupancy recognition, so that is sure at the moment of starting, this happened from the driver. Similarly, the passenger or else People in the backseat also an imprinted Identification obtained to determine who certain buttons in the vehicle actuated. This operation can according to the invention then without transponders, which have other effects on the switching functions can.

It is often the case that the electromagnetic data receivers are supplied with energy by the electromagnetic carrier wave of a transmitter, which allows them to work and thus manage without an additional own power supply (passive transponder principle). This ability can be used according to the invention to supply via a magnetic wave an electromagnetic data receiving module with energy, the actual information but to be carried out capacitively when approaching by the auxiliary input according to the invention. This is done in a simple way, since the supplying electromagnetic wave then contains no modulated data signal, while this is very well the case with the capacitive alternating field. This seems particularly interesting for use in door closers which, by their very nature, can not be supplied with stationary energy because they are in a moving door. Using a kind of transformer bridge, this module could be constantly supplied with energy. When approaching a person with an identification device on the body ( 1 ) then the alternating electric field would be capacitive fed (of course, with authentication data), decoded and lead to the opening of the door. This also seems very advantageous in relation to the small dimensions of today's door locks. Since the transmitted signals can contain any data, it is possible to transmit sensitivity data of human bodies as they approach the circuit according to the invention, eg heartbeat, ECG, EEG, pulse, temperature, respiration, etc.

A execution therefor be for example, that a guard with a plaster applied near the heart which is capable of its heart rate and skin resistance (possibly respiration) and modulated onto a carrier frequency again Capacitive attributed to the skin of the guard. Will the guard go now his lap, e.g. with usual transponder tags, which he at checkpoints stops, will at the same time data next to this identification number of the tag additionally transferred, which in addition to a biological statement about the condition of the Security guard can also contain an ID number. Will this transponder, the on a keychain could be, now stolen, it is for Third not possible at this door to deliver a satisfactory control signal as a downstream control signal Electronics eliminating the for can tell the security guard specific information. Would the Security guard forced to leave his tour he can do this, but he will because of human behavior in stress this only with increased heart rate, sweating and thus reduced skin resistance and irregular breathing can, in which his fear can be reflected. This emotional behavior will be over the Additional input of the circuit according to the invention recorded and communicated to the controller so that a silent alarm can. Ideal is a deart application according to the invention also for flight crew, since all the crew members in a raid by terrorists alike in one Be in a state of fright which must be decodable without being recognizable is how the transfer has been done on switching elements.

Use of the invention in telephones, in particular mobile telephones

At the Mobile phone comes the trend towards near field communication (NFC), wherein an electromagnetic data receiver is to be accommodated in the mobile phone, on transponder chips, etc. or other electromagnetic data sources is to be held and in the wake of this rapprochement specific information about the Telephone system the mobile phone user acoustically and / or audio-visual offereth.

With Help of the invention it is now possible that To hold a phone in one hand and to touch or touch objects with the other hand to approach them, the small encoders in the form of oscillators with modulated ID numbers show. This can be small stickers glued on pieces of product. When approaching With the hand, the data-modulated alternating field is first on the skin of the consumer and then into the cell phone he is holding to the additional entrance of the original one electromagnetic data receiver circuit fed. The information can thus take place when a consumer Product self-determined and willingly touched to receive information about it. This forms a special form of "selfscanning" in the past rejected by consumers. Bar code or infrared or Bluetooth systems have known in the retail sector not enforced, because A consumer prefers handling the goods as readers to them almost bring. The invention solves this problem in an advantageous way, without the actual function of the data receiver affect.

Extended function options the solution according to the invention

In addition, it is possible to change an electromagnetic data receiver by changing its reception frequency, which is easy (s. 4 ) can be done, for example, by an additional capacitor (Cx), set to a different reception frequency for the fed by the alternating electric field data signal. This is useful in sequential circuits, where an electromagnetic data receiver is first activated by an alternating field signal to then switch to its intended function. Of course, this process is also reversible. This application according to the invention can also be used in bidirectionally operating systems.

examination and use of suitable building blocks

suitable electromagnetic data receivers, who are without big Effort through the circuit according to the invention There are aplenty. By way of example may be mentioned: decoding blocks for DCF time signals, as known from radio clocks and other AM or FM data receivers, activation blocks for transponder systems (Wake-up sequence) or transponder base stations and other forms of transponder readers, the in particular with coils and capacitors a selective element can form at the entrance, DTMF devices that are capable of two- or multi-tone frequencies in switching operations if they appear at the input at a suitable level. Normally these devices are also magnetically coupled, sometimes Do you have an acoustic input? Even such a building block can be by the circuit according to the invention use. It is even possible encoder-side voice or sound signals record and on the so modulated alternating electric field the inventive additional input of the data receive block. Just this extra Function could for mobile Phones of particular importance, as without much effort the already existing technology has become much more advanced comfort and security features.

From Of particular importance is that so far mentioned electromagnetic data receiving blocks always been used only for their intended use are, because it is absolutely new, that they have no additional cost Use supplied can be the state-of-the-art and current Nearfield communications and the Data transmission over the Skin in personal area networks comfortably supported. This is also of particular economic importance as the cost electronic devices more and more sink and no heightened Effort for Such comfort features must be operated when the circuit according to the invention is used and the block is available as an added benefit. About the construction and execution In addition to check cards, the donors also offer key rings and accommodation in portable entertainment devices and mobile phones. In many cases, they already have the option to generate the required signals. So it is possible, for example, that a microcontroller generates and outputs a modulated frequency can (e.g., PWM). This is of particular importance since such signals May contain information the above the device were fed, e.g. on a mobile phone that is over Network identifying data downloads these capacitively to the skin of a user, The then in a local place this information in one with the invention acted upon electromagnetic data receiver again can feed. This can be done during a self-determined, selective action happens and requires even with the user no additional Effort, so what the highest appears comfortable.

Claims (10)

Circuit device for processing a data transfer with a first interface system for receiving one by electromagnetic means signal event spent in the area of the first interface system, and a signal processing circuit coupled to the first interface system, for generating an output signal sequence based on the received signal event, characterized by a second interface system for receiving one in a field electric (quasi-static) way in the area of the second interface system spent signaling event, wherein the second interface system is functionally integrated into the first interface system is. Circuit device according to Claim 1, characterized the second interface system is integrated into the first interface system in this way is that picked up by the second interface system Signal events via one of the coupling of the first interface device serving Port structure of the signal processing circuit is accomplished. Circuit device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized marked that over one of the two interface systems realized a switch function which temporarily gives priority to a signal variant. Circuit device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two interface systems via a switch device are coupled and the switching state of the switch device of Characteristics of over an interface device, or both interface systems received signal event is determined. Circuit device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal processing circuit by regarding the signal evaluation of reception events of the first interface system designed standard components is realized. Circuit device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two interface systems in a Mobilte are integrated. Circuit device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mobile phone is formed in such a way and that is configured for the function release, the communication cost posting, and / or the user identification used information about the second one Interface system related. Circuit device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the shipments for transmission over the second Interface system provided signal events in its reception area by coupling corresponding signal events into a user, or its vicinity is carried out by field electrical means. Mobile communication device, in particular a mobile telephone with a first interface system for processing a data transfer based on electromagnetic interaction effects (radio-based) and a second interface system for handling a data transfer based on field-electrical interaction effects, the Device like this is designed and configured on the basis of the over second interface system received information about the information content of the first interface system settled data transfers becomes. Mobile telephone according to claim 9, characterized that in dependence from the information content of the over the second interface system provided signals a function enable, a User identification, and / or user profile information, and / or a booking data information is obtained.