CH712676B1 - Electrical device with wirelessly controllable power switch. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system having an electrical device (10) and a switch (11) which, when open, separates the electrical device (10) from an electrical network (12) and, when closed, disconnects the electrical device (10). connects to the electrical network (12) and thus enables electricity to be purchased. The system also has an electronic communication device (20), in particular a smartphone, and a central server (30). According to the invention, the switch (11) is designed as an electronic lock and configured in such a way that it can be connected to an application program (21) of the electronic device via a wireless communication link (25). The application program (21) is configured to receive and store an electronic key (IS) via the Internet from the central server (30), establish a wireless communication link (25) with the switch (11), from the switch a menu to receive and display and send the electronic key (IS) and a user selected time option to the electronic switch (11) via the wireless communication link (25). The invention also relates to a method for operating a switch, a switch and a computer program product with an application program.

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a system comprising an electrical device, in particular an electrical socket, and a switch that separates the electrical device from the electrical network in an open state and connects the electrical device to an electrical network in a closed state and thus allows electricity to be purchased. The invention also relates to a corresponding method, a corresponding switch and a corresponding computer program product comprising an application program.

background

With the ever-increasing spread of mobile electrical and electronic devices, there is also an increased need to supply such devices in public or semi-public spaces with electricity, in particular to charge batteries of such devices. If the electricity is not to be made available free of charge, solutions are required to make the electricity costs available and billed in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0003] GB 2 455 375 A discloses an electrical socket which can be controlled wirelessly by means of a user device. The release of the power purchase is made via a central provider or a central server. Therefore, a communication link between the socket and the central provider or the central server is required to obtain electricity.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system of the type mentioned, which allows a power purchase in a flexible, simple and efficient manner.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a system according to claim 1.

Accordingly, the system has an electrical device and a switch which, in an open state, separates the electrical device from the electrical network and, in a closed state, connects the electrical device to an electrical network and thus enables electricity to be drawn. According to preferred configurations of the invention, the electrical device can be an electrical socket. According to other preferred configurations of the invention, the electrical device can be an electrical consumer or an electrical load, e.g. a sauna or a washing machine. The system also has an electronic communication device, in particular a smartphone, and a central server. According to the invention, the switch is designed as an electronic lock and configured as an electronic switch in such a way that it can be connected to an application program of the electronic device via a wireless communication link. Furthermore, the switch is configured in such a way that it provides the application program with a menu with a plurality of predefined power purchase options, the power purchase options including different time periods for the power purchase as time options. In addition, the electronic switch is configured in such a way that, after receiving an electronic key that matches the electronic lock and a time option, it connects the electrical device to the electrical network for a time period specified by the time option, thereby enabling the device to draw electricity for the specified time period.

The application program of the electronic communication device is configured to receive and store the electronic key from the central server via a long-distance connection, in particular via the Internet, to establish the wireless communication connection with the switch, to receive the menu from the switch and and sending the electronic key and a user-selected time option to the switch over the wireless communication link. In addition, the application program of the electronic communication device is configured to send usage data, in particular a user identifier, a device identifier and the time option selected by the user for the electricity purchase, to the central server via the long-distance connection.

Such a system makes it possible to provide sockets and other electrical devices in a public or semi-public space in a cost-effective and very flexible manner for a power purchase and to bill for use easily and efficiently.

The switch can work completely independently according to embodiments of the invention and only requires electricity. In particular, no online communication link is required between the switch and the central server. According to embodiments of the invention, the "logic" of the switch and the "logic" of the application program and the server are completely separate from one another. The communication connections between the electronic communication device and the switch on the one hand and between the electronic communication device and the central server on the other hand are completely separate from one another according to embodiments of the invention. This makes it possible to operate the electrical device in places where there is no possibility of connecting to the Internet (no WLAN, no mobile network coverage, no wired Internet connection). This is often the case, for example, in underground car parks or basements. In addition, there are users, for example, who prefer to only connect to the Internet with the electronic communication device at locations where there is WLAN coverage.

The electronic device / smartphone thus acts according to the invention as a key or bunch of keys, by means of which in a flexible and efficient manner and independently of a mobile network coverage electricity can be obtained from electrical devices and billed.

[0011] Both the administration and issue of the key and the administration of the usage data are carried out by the central server.

According to embodiments of the invention, the electronic key can be used several times or as often as desired. The period of use can be selected through exclusive communication with the socket without a central server connection.

The invention also relates to a system according to claim 14.

The system according to claim 14 has the advantage that only users who have previously registered and obtained a master key have access to the device identifiers. Other electronic communication devices that do not have the master key therefore do not see the device identifiers and cannot establish any further communication with the devices. This increases the security of the system and prevents or makes improper use more difficult.

Application programs that have the master key can decrypt the device identifiers present in the reception area and display them to the user. In this way, these application programs can then also check whether they have the individual key associated with the respective device identifier and then, if necessary, then initiate a power purchase.

Such a group of devices, which is assigned a common master key, for example, be a group of sockets in a superstructure, which are arranged in common areas or publicly accessible rooms of this superstructure. The landlord or manager of this superstructure could then provide the tenants or owners with the general key and the individual keys via a cloud application, record usage via the cloud and create bills based on usage.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the application program is configured in such a way that it has an online mode in which the application program is linked to the central server via a long-distance connection, in particular via an Internet connection.

Preferably, the application program is configured in online mode such that immediately after sending a selected time period and activation of the electrical device as usage data, the associated user ID, the device identifier and the selected time period are transmitted over the long-distance connection to the central server.

Since there is a communication link to the central server in online mode, usage data can be sent to the central server immediately and without delay. In addition, in online mode, for example, additional keys can be requested that are not yet stored in the application program. A user can also be registered for the first time in online mode.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the application program has an offline mode in which the application program has no long-distance connection or other communication connection with the central server. When a device is activated in offline mode, the application program automatically saves the associated usage data, in particular the device identifier and the selected time option for the power purchase, in a secure memory. In particular, the secured memory can also be a hidden or secret memory whose memory location is unknown to the user and which cannot be deleted by the user. In particular, the secured memory is configured in such a way that it is not deleted when the application program is deleted.

According to a preferred embodiment, the application program is configured in such a way that, during a new installation, it recognizes usage data that has been cached and not yet sent to the central server and automatically transmits it to the central server.

Such an offline mode has the advantage that it allows electricity to be purchased at any time, regardless of whether there is a communication link to the central server or not. The only prerequisite for this is that the electronic keys required in each case have already been obtained in a previous online mode and are therefore already stored in the electronic communication device. The temporary storage of the usage data (device identifier and selected time period) then allows their later transmission to the central server.

The application program is preferably configured in such a way that, as soon as it has a long-distance connection with the central server again, it automatically sends the temporarily stored usage data, in particular the temporarily stored device ID and the selected time option, together with the associated user ID to the central server via the long-distance connection transmitted. This is particularly user-friendly and prevents the user from "forgetting" a later transmission.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the application program is configured in such a way that after a predefined number of consecutive activations in offline mode it changes to a locked mode, wherein in the locked mode the application program is locked for renewed use in offline mode until the cached usage data and the associated user ID have been transmitted to the central server via the long-distance connection.

With such a configuration of the application program, it can be ensured that the user can only initiate a predefined number of electricity purchases in offline mode without sending the usage data to the central server in between.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the switch is configured in such a way that it separates the electrical device from the electrical network during an interruption in the power supply during a selected period of time.

If the electrical device is designed as a socket, for example, this can prevent another user from removing a device plugged in by a legitimate user and using the time credit to charge their own device.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the wireless communication connection is a connection according to the Bluetooth standard, in particular according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard.

[0029] This is a very energy-efficient standard, which thus enables very energy-saving operation.

According to further advantageous refinements of the invention, the wireless communication connection is a connection based on the Near Field Communication (NFC) standard or a WLAN connection, in particular a connection based on the IEEE 802.11 standard or the WIFI standard.

[0031] According to further advantageous refinements of the invention, other radio communication protocols can be used which are optimized in particular for short ranges and low energy consumption. According to preferred embodiments, short ranges are understood to mean ranges of less than 10 m.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the wireless communication link is a direct communication link between the switch and the electronic communication device. Such a direct communication connection does not require any external communication devices such as WLAN routers, rather the communication connection can be implemented exclusively by means of the transmission and reception means present in the switch and the electronic communication device. This means that electricity can be purchased independently of any external communication infrastructure.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical device is a socket.

[0034] Such a socket can be arranged, for example, in public or semi-public spaces and enable electricity to be drawn there via the electronic communication device. Neither WLAN nor Ethernet nor additional external data cabling is required to operate the socket. Therefore, the installation of such a socket does not require any special knowledge and can be installed just like a conventional socket.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrical device is an electrical consumer or an electrical load, in particular a washing machine or a sauna.

With such a configuration, electrical devices that are installed in public or semi-public spaces can be switched on in a simple and reliable manner by means of the electronic communication device and the electricity purchase can be assigned to the user and billed according to the user responsible.

[0037] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the central server is a cloud server.

Such a cloud server can administrate the key management and usage data as a central point. In particular, such a cloud server can act as an intermediary between the users of the electrical devices and the owners of the electrical devices. Thus, on the one hand, the cloud server forms an interface to the users of the electrical devices by giving them the desired keys and receiving and storing the usage data. On the other hand, the cloud server forms an interface to the owners of the electrical devices by making the usage data available to them and thus enabling user-based billing. For example, the cloud server can have an interface for owners or property managers, which they can use to access the usage data from their electrical devices.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the menu with the predefined purchase options is stored as firmware in the switch. The switch has an interface which can be connected to an update program for the electronic communication device via the wireless communication connection. The update program is configured to upload a firmware update of the firmware over the wireless communication link.

[0040] This allows the firmware of the switch to be updated in a simple, flexible and cost-effective manner. The update program can be used, for example, by the owner or manager of the electrical devices to offer new options for purchasing electricity or to update the firmware in general.

The invention also relates to a method for operating a switch using an application program of an electronic communication device. The switch is provided for switching an electrical device to an electrical network. The method has a step of receiving and storing an electronic key for the switch over a long-distance connection, in particular over the Internet, from a central server. Further steps include establishing a wireless communication link with the switch; receiving and displaying a menu of a plurality of predefined sourcing options from the switch, the sourcing options including different power sourcing time periods as timing options; Sending the electronic key and a time option selected by a user via the wireless communication link to the switch and sending usage data, in particular a user identifier, a device identifier and the time option selected by the user for the electricity purchase, via the wide area connection to the central server.

The invention further relates to a switch for switching a device to an electrical network, the switch being designed as an electronic lock. Furthermore, the switch is configured to store an electronic key and a menu with a plurality of predefined power purchase options, the purchase options including different time periods for the power purchase as time options. In addition, the switch is configured to set up a wireless communication connection with an application program of an electronic communication device, in particular a smartphone, and to transmit the menu for a power purchase to the application program. Furthermore, the switch is configured to receive an electronic key and a user-selected time option from the application program via the wireless communication link and to compare the key received from the application program with the stored key and, if the comparison is positive, the switch for a through to close the time option for the specified period of time and thus to activate the device for drawing electricity for the specified period of time.

The invention further relates to a computer program product which includes an application program for an electronic communication device, in particular a smartphone. The application program is configured to receive and store an electronic key for a switch from a central server via a long-distance connection, in particular via the Internet. Furthermore, the application program is configured to set up a wireless communication connection with the switch, the switch being provided for switching a device to an electrical network and being designed as an electronic lock. Further, the application program is configured to receive and display from the switch a menu having a plurality of predefined sourcing options, the sourcing options including different time periods for power sourcing as timing options. In addition, the application program is configured to send the electronic key and a user-selected time option to the switch over the wireless communication link and to send usage data to the central server over the wide area link. The usage data can in particular include a user identifier, a device identifier and the time option selected by the user for the electricity purchase.

[0044] Further configurations, advantages and applications of the invention result from the further dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the figures.

Show:

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 shows a system with an electrical device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a system according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises several groups of electrical devices; FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a method according to embodiments of the invention; and FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a method according to embodiments of the invention.

Way(s) for carrying out the invention

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 with an electrical device 10 and a switch 11. The switch 11 is designed as an electronically controllable switch and is also referred to below as an electronic switch. The electronic switch 11 is designed in such a way that in an open state it disconnects the electrical device 10 from an electrical network 12 and in a closed state it connects the electrical device 10 to the electrical network 12 . When the switch 12 is closed, current can thus be drawn from the electrical network 12 . According to the in FIG. 1, the electrical device 10 is an electrical outlet. Correspondingly, when closed, the electronic switch 11 connects the electrical network 12 to connection holes 10a for connecting an external electrical device 14. According to other preferred configurations of the invention, the electrical device 10 itself can be an electrical consumer or an electrical load, such as a sauna or a washing machine. According to preferred configurations of the invention, the switch 11 is integrated into the device 10 . The electronic switch 11 has a control module 15 which is provided for controlling the electronic switch 11 . In addition, the electronic switch 11 has an interface 16, by means of which a wireless communication link to external devices can be set up.

The system 100 also has an electronic communication device 20, which can be a smartphone in particular.

The electronic switch 11 is designed as an electronic lock and has a key memory 17 which is provided for storing one or more electronic keys. A device identifier VK and, as an electronic key, an individual key IS that is assigned individually to the switch 11 are preferably stored in the key memory 17 . In addition, according to embodiments, a master key GS can be stored as a further electronic key. The device identifier VK is used to mark and identify the device 10 or the switch 11 coupled to the device 10. The individual key IS serves as proof of authorization for closing the switch 11. The master key GS can be used to encrypt the device identifier VK, such as is explained in more detail below.

The electronic communication device 20 is configured to control the electronic switch 11. An application program 21 is installed on the communication device 20 and is configured to set up a direct wireless communication link 25 with the electronic switch 11 . In particular, this can be a connection according to the Bluetooth standard, but also a WLAN or WIFI connection or an NFC connection. The connection 25 is preferably a direct radio connection between the switch 11 and the communication device 20 without using any external communication infrastructure such as WLAN routers, base stations, repeaters or the like. A control program is stored in the control module 15 of the electronic switch 11, which can communicate with the application program 21 and provides the application program 21 with a menu with a number of predefined purchase options for a power purchase. The menu with the predefined reference options can advantageously be stored in the electronic switch 11 as firmware. The firmware can use the interface 16 to set up a wireless communication connection 25 with an update program for the electronic communication device 20 (not shown in more detail) and use it to obtain firmware updates.

The update program can be used by the owner or manager of the electrical devices 10, for example.

The menu of the control program has different time periods Z as time options Z for the electricity purchase. The granularity of the time options Z can be designed depending on customer requirements. A possible granularity would be e.g. 15 min, 30 min, 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h and 1 day. In addition to fixed time periods, flexible time periods could also be offered, e.g. an option which closes the switch 11 until a consumer has been removed from the socket. With the latter option, one would then preferably specify a maximum period, which is sufficient for the user in any case.

For the purchase of electricity, it is necessary to send the electronic switch 11 a key that matches the individual key IS. Both symmetric and asymmetric keys can be used for this.

The application program 21 is configured to set up a wide area connection 41 to a wide area network 40 via an interface 24 and to use this to establish a communication connection to a central server 30 which is also connected to the wide area network 40 . The wide area network 40 is preferably the Internet and the wide area connection 41 is therefore an Internet connection. The connection to the wide area network 40 can be made, for example, via a cellular network or another wireless network such as a WLAN network.

The central server 30 is preferably embodied as a cloud server and serves on the one hand as an administrator for issuing electronic keys for the electrical device 10 and a large number of other electrical devices which are not shown separately and which are designed in accordance with the device 10 . On the other hand, the central server 30 is also used to receive and administer usage data from the electrical devices 10.

A user U of the communication device 20 can download the application program 21, for example, from the central server 30 or another distribution point and register with the central server 30 as a user. After registration, he can then obtain one or more electronic keys, in particular individual keys IS, for a desired number of electrical devices 10 and store them in a memory 22 . The communication device 20 is thus configured as an electronic key. If the user U of the communication device subsequently wants to obtain power from one of the electrical devices 10 , he can set up a wireless communication connection 25 with the electronic switch 11 . He can then activate the electronic switch 11 by transmitting the appropriate electronic key stored in the memory 22, in particular the individual key IS. For this purpose, it receives the menu of the electronic switch 11 stored in the firmware of the control module 15 and shows it to the user U on a display of the electronic communication device 20 . After the user U has selected a reference option, in particular a time option, this is sent to the electronic switch 11 via the wireless communication link 25 .

According to embodiments of the invention, the electronic individual key IS can be queried by the electronic switch 11 at different points in time. According to one embodiment of the invention, the electronic individual key IS is already queried before a menu is provided. According to other refinements of the invention, the electronic key IS is only queried after a reference option has been selected.

After receipt of a suitable electronic individual key IS and a time option Z, the switch 11 closes for a time period Z predetermined by the time option Z and the device 10 can draw electricity for the selected time period Z.

After selecting the time option, the application program 21 sends a user identifier NK assigned to the user, a device identifier VK and the time option Z selected by the user U for the electricity purchase via the wide area connection 41 to the central server 30.

The application program 21 is equipped with an online mode and an offline mode. In the online mode, the communication device 20 and the application program 21 are connected to the wide area network 40 and the central server 30 via the wide area connection 41 . Thus, the associated user identifier NK, the device identifier VK and the selected time period Z are preferably transmitted to the central server 30 via the long-distance connection 41 immediately after the selection of a selected time period Z and the activation of the electrical device 10 .

In the offline mode, the application program 21 has no long-distance connection with the central server 30. This can be the case, for example, in basements or underground garages. Nevertheless, it is possible for the user U to use the electronic key stored in the memory 22 to set up the wireless communication link 25 with the electronic switch 11 and to activate it and draw power. Immediately thereafter or at the same time, the associated device identifier VK and the selected time period Z of the power purchase are temporarily stored in a secure memory 22a of the communication device. The secure memory 22a is configured in such a way that it cannot be deleted by the user. As soon as the communication device 20 and the application program 21 have a long-distance connection 41 with the central server 30 again, the temporarily stored device identifier VK is transmitted to the central server 30 via the long-distance connection 41 together with the selected time period Z and the associated user identifier NK.

The key management of the electronic key IS, GS is preferably carried out via the cloud. Payment for the electricity purchase can also be carried out in various ways via the cloud. For the residents of a superstructure, the usage data can be made available, e.g. via the cloud of the property management for pay-as-you-go billing. An administrator V of the respective property can, for example, connect to the central computer 30 via a work computer 50 and view and download the usage data.

[0063] For sockets in public spaces, payment could be processed via a clearing company, for example.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a system 200 that includes multiple groups of electrical devices. More specifically, the system 200 includes a first group G1 and a second group G2. The first group G1 comprises a socket 201, a socket 202 and a socket 203 as the electrical device. The sockets 201, 202 and 203 can be arranged, for example, in common rooms of a first family house M1. The socket 201 is assigned an individual device identifier VK1 and an individual electronic key IS1, the socket 202 is assigned an individual device identifier VK2 and an individual electronic key IS2, and the socket 203 is assigned an individual device identifier VK3 and an individual electronic key IS3. A master key GS1 is assigned to the group G1 for encrypting the device identifiers VK1, VK2 and VK3.

Correspondingly, the second group G2 has a socket 204, a socket 205 and a socket 206. The sockets 204, 205 and 206 can be arranged, for example, in common rooms of a second family house M2. The socket 204 is assigned an individual device identifier VK4 and an individual electronic key IS4, the socket 205 is assigned an individual device identifier VK5 and an individual electronic key IS5, and the socket 206 is assigned an individual device identifier VK6 and an individual electronic key IS6. A master key GS2 is assigned to the group G2 for encrypting the device identifiers VK4, VK5 and VK6.

A first user U1, e.g. a tenant of the apartment building M1, can now obtain the general key G1 and the individual keys I1, I2 and I3 and the device identifiers VK1, VK2 and VK3 from the central server 30 (see FIG. 1) and in the Store memory 22. In a corresponding manner, a user U2, e.g. a tenant of the apartment building M2, can obtain the general key G2 and the individual keys 14, I5 and I6 and the device identifiers VK4, VK5 and VK6 from the central server 30 and store them in the memory 22 of the electronic communication device 20.

The individual keys I1, I2, I3, I4, I5 and I6 are provided for individually opening the electronic switch of the electrical sockets 201, 202, 203, 204, 205 and 206, respectively.

If, for example, the first user U1 now wants to use the electrical socket 202, he uses his smartphone 20 to establish a connection 25 to the electronic switch of the socket 202. The socket 202 then sends the device identifier VK2 encrypted with the general key G1 to the smartphone 20. The smartphone 20 can then use the general key G1 stored in the memory 20 to decode and check the device identifier VK2 and thereby determine that it has stored the matching individual key I2. The user U1 can then use this individual key I2 to activate the socket outlet 202 and obtain electricity.

If the user U2 were to try to get power from the socket 202, he would already fail because he does not have the appropriate master key G1. As a result, he could not decrypt the device identifier VK2 that was sent in encrypted form and could not conduct any further near-field communication with the socket outlet 202 . Such a double key protection increases the security of the system 200 and prevents users who do not have a suitable master key from being able to communicate with the sockets of the respective groups.

According to another embodiment of the invention, all sockets of the system 200 could be equipped with a uniform master key G, for example.

FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a method according to embodiments of the invention. The method illustrates the steps between the server 30, the communication device 20 and the electrical device 10 according to Figure 1. It is assumed below that the communication device 20 is designed as a smartphone 20 and the electrical device 10 as a socket 10.

In a step 310, the smartphone 20 sends a registration request to the server 10. The registration request can be, for example, a request to obtain a set of electronic keys for a group of electrical outlets 10, such as the keys of sockets of an apartment building in which the owner of the smartphone 10 resides. In a step 320, the server 30 then checks the user's authorization to obtain a key. The server 30 is preferably a cloud server and accordingly, e.g. If the authorization check is positive, the server 30 registers the user U and sends him one or more individual keys IS, a master key GS and the device identifiers VK belonging to the individual keys IS. In a step 340, the smartphone 20 receives the individual keys IS, the master key GS and the device identifiers VK belonging to the individual keys IS.

[0073] This completes the registration process and the user U of the smartphone 20 can use the key received and stored to obtain electricity.

The socket 10 sends advertisement data at predetermined periodic intervals in a step 350 in order to identify itself for smartphones and other electronic devices. This advertisement data can be designed according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard, for example.

If the user U of the smartphone 20 is now near a socket 10 and wants to draw electricity, he turns on the application program 21 and this sends a status request to the socket 10 in a step 360. The status request preferably contains the master key GS. When the socket 10 receives the master key GS, it knows that the smartphone 20 is generally authorized to draw power from sockets in the group assigned to the master key GS. In a step 365, the socket 10 then sends a status response back to the smartphone 20. According to embodiments of the invention, this status response contains a device identifier VK for the socket 10. In a step 370, the smartphone 20 now checks whether there is one that matches the device identifier VK Individual key IS has stored. If this is the case, it sends the individual key IS to the socket 10 in a step 375. If the smartphone 20 has not stored a suitable individual key IS, the user could, if necessary, connect to the server 30 via the Internet and obtain the suitable individual key IS. In a step 380, the socket 10 checks whether the individual key IS received from the smartphone 20 is correct. If this is the case, in a step 385 the socket 10 sends the smartphone 20 a menu with various purchase options for the electricity purchase. As time options Z, the procurement options include different time periods supported by the electrical socket 10 for the electricity procurement, e.g. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 4 hours and 1 day. The time options Z can be arbitrarily adapted to the respective application and user needs. In a step 390, the menu is displayed on the screen of the smartphone 20 and the user communicates his selection to the application program 21 via a user interface. The selected time option Z is then sent to the socket 10 in a step 395 . In a step 399, the electronic switch 11 then connects the socket 10 to the electrical network 12 and thus enables the electrical socket 10 to draw electricity for the time period defined by the time option Z.

Immediately after sending the time option Z, in a step 398 the application program 21 sends the selected time option Z together with the device identifier VK and the user identifier NK via the Internet connection 41 to the server 30, provided that the smartphone 20 or the application program 21 is in the online mode.

FIG. 4 uses a flow chart to explain the feedback of the time option Z selected by the user to the server 30 according to embodiments of the invention.

In a step 395, which corresponds to step 395 according to FIG. 3 corresponds, the smartphone 20 sends the selected time option Z to the socket 10. In a step 410 the application program 21 checks whether it is in online mode. If this is the case, in a step 420 it sends the selected time option Z together with the device identifier VK and the user identifier NK via the Internet connection 41 to the server 30. If the application program is in offline mode, it saves the device identifier in a step 430 VK and the time option Z in the secured memory 22a.

Then, in a step 440, the application program 21 goes into a sleep mode, with a timer being set that wakes up the application program 21 at regular intervals and, in a step 450, checks whether there is a long-distance connection and the application program 21 is therefore online mode. If the application program 21 is now in online mode, in a step 460 it sends the temporarily stored time option Z together with the device identifier VK and the user identifier NK via the Internet connection 41 to the server 30. If the application program is still in offline mode, go the application program 21 returns to sleep mode for a predefined interval.

While the present application describes preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. Having system an electrical device (10); a switch (11) which, in an open state, separates the electrical device (10) from an electrical network (12) and, in a closed state, connects the electrical device (10) to the electrical network (12) and thus enables electricity to be drawn; an electronic communication device (20), in particular a smartphone (20); and a central server (30); where the switch (11) is designed as an electronic lock and is configured in such a way that it can be connected to an application program (21) of the electronic communication device (20) via a wireless communication connection (25); that it provides the application program (21) with a menu with a plurality of predefined purchase options for a power purchase, the purchase options including different time periods for the power purchase as time options; and that after receiving a suitable electronic key (IS) and a time option (Z) from the time options provided, he connects the electrical device (10) to the electrical network (12) for a time period specified by the time option (Z) and thus the device (10 ) enabled to purchase electricity for the specified period of time; wherein the application program (21) of the electronic communication device (20) is configured to to receive and store the electronic key (IS) from the central server (30) via a long-distance connection (41), in particular via the Internet; establishing the wireless communication link (25) with the switch (11); receive and display the menu from the switch (11); send the electronic key (IS) and the time option (Z) selected by a user to the switch (11) via the wireless communication link (25); and To send usage data, in particular a user identifier (NK), a device identifier (VK) and the user-selected time option (Z) of the electricity purchase, via the wide area connection (41) to the central server (30). 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the application program (21) is configured in such a way that it has an online mode in which the application program (21) is coupled to the central server (30) via the long-distance connection (41), wherein the application program (21) is configured such that in online mode immediately after sending the time option (Z) and activation of the electrical device (10), the associated usage data, in particular the associated user identifier (NK), the device identifier (VK) and the time option ( Z) are transmitted to the central server (30) via the long-distance connection (41). 3. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the application program (21) is configured in such a way that it has an offline mode in which the application program (21) has no long-distance connection (41) with the central server (30); that when a device is activated in offline mode, it temporarily stores the associated usage data, in particular the associated device identifier (VK) and the selected time option (Z) of the electricity purchase, in a secure memory (22a). 4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the application program (21) is configured in such a way that, as soon as it has a long-distance connection (41) with the central server (30) again, it automatically transfers the cached usage data, in particular the device identifier (VK) together with the selected time option (Z) and the associated user ID (NK), transmitted over the wide area connection (41) to the central server (30). 5. System according to any one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that that the application program (21) is configured in such a way that after a predefined number of consecutive activations in offline mode it changes to a locking mode, wherein in the locking mode the application program (21) is locked for renewed use in offline mode until the temporarily stored usage data and the associated user ID (NK) have been transmitted to the central server (30) via the long-distance connection (41). 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic switch (11) is configured such that it separates the electrical device (10) from the electrical network (12) in the event of an interruption in the power supply during the time option (Z). . 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless communication connection (25) is a connection according to the Bluetooth standard, in particular according to the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. 8. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical device (10) is a socket. 9. System according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the electrical device (10) is an electrical device, in particular a washing machine or a sauna. 10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the menu with the predefined purchase options is stored as firmware in the switch (11) and that the switch (11) has an interface (16) which can be connected via the wireless communication link (25 ) can be connected to an update program for the electronic communication device (20). 11. A method for operating a switch using an application program of an electronic communication device, the switch (11) being designed as an electronic lock and for switching an electrical device (10) to an electrical network (12), the application program carrying out the following steps through leads: Receiving and storing an electronic key (IS) for the switch via a long-distance connection (41), in particular via the Internet, from a central server (30); establishing a wireless communication link (25) with the switch (11); receiving and displaying from the switch (11) a menu having a plurality of predefined sourcing options, the sourcing options including different time periods for power sourcing as timing options; sending the electronic key (IS) and a user selected time option (Z) over the wireless communication link (25) to the switch (11) to close the switch (11); and Sending usage data, in particular a user identifier (NK), a device identifier (VK) and the time option (Z) selected by the user for the electricity purchase, via the wide area connection (41) to the central server (30). 12. Switch for switching a device (10) to an electrical network (12), wherein the switch (11) is designed as an electronic lock and is configured to store an electronic key and a menu with a plurality of predefined purchase options for a power purchase, the purchase options including different time periods for the power purchase as time options; set up a wireless communication connection (25) with an application program (21) of an electronic communication device (20), in particular a smartphone; to transmit the menu for an electricity purchase to the application program (21); receive an electronic key (IS) and a user selected time option (Z) of the predefined time options via the wireless communication link (25) from the application program; and to compare the electronic key received from the application program with the stored electronic key and, if the comparison is positive, to close the switch for a period of time specified by the time option (Z) and thus enable the device (10) to draw electricity for the specified period of time. 13. Computer program product which includes an application program for an electronic communication device, in particular a smartphone wherein the application program (21) is configured to to receive and store an electronic key (IS) for a switch via a long-distance connection (41), in particular via the Internet, from a central server (30); set up a wireless communication connection (25) with the switch (11), the switch being provided for switching a device (10) to an electrical network (12) and being designed as an electronic lock; receive and display from the switch (11) a menu having a plurality of predefined sourcing options, the sourcing options including different time periods for power sourcing as timing options; send the electronic key (IS) and a user-selected time option (Z) to the switch (11) over the wireless communication link (25); and To send usage data, in particular a user identifier (NK), a device identifier (VK) and the user-selected time option (Z) of the electricity purchase, via the wide area connection (41) to the central server (30). 14. Having system at least one group (G1, G2) of a plurality of electrical devices (201, 202, 203; 204, 205, 206), each of which is assigned an individual device identifier (VK1, VK2, VK3; VK4, VK5, VK6) and a plurality of the electrical devices respectively associated switches; an electronic communication device (20), in particular a smartphone (20); and a central server (30); whereby the device identifiers of the group are encrypted with a master key (GS1, GS2); the switches (11) disconnect the respective electrical device (10) from an electrical network (12) in an open state and connect the respective electrical device (10) to the electrical network (12) in a closed state and thus enable electricity to be drawn; the switches (11) are designed as an electronic lock and are configured in such a way that they can each be connected to an application program (21) of the electronic communication device (20) via a wireless communication link (25); that they provide the application program (21) with a menu with a plurality of predefined purchase options for a power purchase, the purchase options comprising different time periods for the power purchase as time options; and that after receiving a suitable electronic individual key (IS) and a time option (Z) of the various time options, they connect the respective electrical device to the electrical network (12) for a time period specified by the time option (Z) and thus switch off the respective electrical device (10 ) to receive electricity for the specified period of time; wherein the application program (21) of the electronic communication device (20) is configured to establish a wireless communication link with one or more devices of the group; to receive and store the master key (GS1, GS2) and one or more individual keys (IS1, IS2, IS3; IS4, IS5, IS6) from the central server (30), the individual keys each being used to individually open the lock of a single device are configured; receive device identifiers sent from the electrical devices of the group and decrypt them using the master key; to check whether an individual key matching the received device identifiers of the one or more individual keys is stored in the application program (21); receive and display the menu from the respective switch (11); to send the respective electronic individual key (IS) and the time option (Z) selected by a user to the respective switch (11) via the wireless communication link (25); and To send usage data, in particular a user identifier (NK), a device identifier (VK) and the user-selected time option (Z) of the electricity purchase via the long-distance connection (41) to the central server (30).