EP3039661A1

EP3039661A1 - Remote control by means of passive components

Info

Publication number: EP3039661A1
Application number: EP14742530.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alexander Benner
Original assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
Current assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
Priority date: 2013-08-30
Filing date: 2014-07-24
Publication date: 2016-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-24
Also published as: WO2015028215A1; DE102013109422A1; US20160203707A1; EP3039661B1; US20170263115A1; US9997065B2; US9886847B2

Abstract

The invention relates to the remote control for technical devices, comprising a passive RFID transponder which triggers a switch contact in the event of a physical contact of a user, in order to emit information to control the technical device.

Description

Remote control by means of passive components

The invention relates to the field of the invention:

The invention relates to the field of remote controls. That There are electrical devices to control remote. A remote control usually refers to an electronic hand-held device with which devices or machines can be operated over short to medium distances (about 2 to 20 m). The term remote control can also be used as a radio remote control. Usually a remote control needs its own power supply

(Battery), is often a bit unwieldy or confusing, but usually not where you look.

Overview of the invention:

The proposed invention does not have the aforementioned disadvantages. It consists of passive components that do not require a permanently connected power supply, only a few

Millimeters high (eg l-2mm) and will arrive at the destination

glued on or is already in objects (eg tables)

integrated. In an alternative embodiment, it may also be active transponder.

In a preferred embodiment, the controls are arranged in a matrix form and become a contactless keyboard or a contactless freely definable input unit

Each remote control key consists, for example, in an autonomously switchable RFID transponder.

The controls can z. For example, the user can personalize his "Passive-Remote" individually, and in a typical printer, the keyboard template or a foil can be used to make it easy to print and print on

Keyboard template to be printed. The printed

Keyboard template or keyboard template with glued foil can then be adjusted with an ordinary pair of scissors or a paper cutter according to individual needs.

Also, the order finished keyboards on the Internet, z. B. in a special portal in which one indicates his wishes regarding the keyboard label and size can be realized. Similar to how z. B. today on the PC own photo albums

put together, remote controls could be designed according to their own wishes and tastes, possibly even "prepared" for specific use on various devices.

The preparation refers to an assignment of the buttons of the remote control, z. For example, specific IR codes required by the terminal to execute a command (eg, "TV On").

The keyboard can be on the back z. B. be provided with an adhesive film, with which they can then be attached to the destination.

Since the remote control consists almost of a foil, contains no active components that require a "maintenance" such as an ordinary remote control, in which the battery must be replaced from time to time, the proposed invention is completely waterproof, ie even a potted glass of water on the remote control does not cause any damage.The remote control is easily washable with a wet cloth flexible attachable, z. B. by sticking to a round leg of a table.

In accordance with the present invention, the remote control for technical devices includes a passive RFID transponder that triggers a switch contact upon physical contact by a user to send information to control the technical device. In this case, the remote control preferably sends to a proxy or an interposed device, which then performs a conversion of the transmitted information into commands for a device.

It should be noted that preferably the switch is part of the RFID transponder, and can make contact mechanically, for example, by contact. It can thus be a very thin flat membrane key, which makes contact by pressing, so that the corresponding chip, which is arranged in the RFID transponder, is activated or supplied with power.

The energy for the switchable RFID transponder is preferably transmitted via the resonance frequencies, whereby the passive components are supplied. Caching of the energy in the form of a capacitor is also conceivable. The contact creates an at least 1-valent operating state, which is determined by the switching contact, in order to transmit the

Generate or send information.

The transmission of the signal (information) takes place in particular in the form of the interpretable by the receiver influencing the electromagnetic field of the transmitter ("power supply").

However, it is conceivable that an RFID transponder has a plurality of contact area, due to the different

Touching different locations to send different signals. In this case, a transponder has multiple contacts and sends different signals depending on the contacts that have been touched. In another embodiment, a plurality of transponders are arranged in a remote control, each having a switching contact, so that each transponder sends its own signal when the switch contact is touched. Here, a plurality of transponders is provided, each associated with a switching contact of the remote control, which are autonomously switchable to control a variety of functions. Thus, the individual transponders can also be pressed in parallel to send information in parallel.

The switching contact is preferably a make contact, which either produces a power supply when actuated by preferably a receiving antenna is switched on, or an internal logic of the RFID transponder turns on, which is used to send the

Information leads. Each RFID module preferably has its own antenna or else modules are grouped into groups which operate via the same antenna, which however may also have disadvantages.

In a further embodiment, the remote control is designed as a film which is preferably flexible, self-adhesive, magnetic and / or waterproof.

Thus, the remote control may have been created by a printing process in which a film was printed. On the back of the film is a corresponding adhesive or a magnetic film

arranged, which allows attachment to a substrate.

Due to this very flexible design of the remote control, the keyboard for the disabled is particularly useful for visually impaired people, preferably each button has a size, e.g. of 5x5 cm. Other sizes and applications, eg. B. attached (glued) to a walker, are conceivable.

In a preferred embodiment, the transponder obtains the energy from a locally existing radio network, eg. B.

WIRELESS INTERNET ACCESS. Wi-Fi is set by appropriate standards and is often available throughout the house. In a preferred Embodiment, a WLAN router is formed by an appropriate software adaptation so that the information emitted by the remote control information can also be received. Often this is the change in the Wi-Fi signal sent by the remote control. The wireless router detects the information sent from the remote and generates commands to control the devices. These commands can be sent via different interfaces eg via infrared, Bluetooth, WLAN, or Ethernet / LAN. In a corresponding table, which is managed by the router, an assignment of the commands to the information provided by the

Transponders are sent. About one

corresponding user interface of the wireless router (web interface) is then an assignment of the information of the remote control, which may represent, for example, a specific code to which

Command or the command to be executed to control a device. For example, in this table, the information of the transponder can be associated with a

Information (command) to be sent via an infrared interface, for example a TV

turn. In one possible embodiment, these commands may also be from the original remote control of the

Television, so a variety of learning remotes are known. In an alternative embodiment, the commands for the individual devices can be downloaded from an Internet server if, for example, these are provided by the manufacturer of the device in order to be able to insert them into the table.

In one possible embodiment, the receiver has the

Functionality of a WLAN router or access point (hereafter referred to as WLAN router in general), which is additionally able to receive the information from the remote control and then generate commands for sending it to devices via the interfaces of the WLAN router. A Wi-Fi router is a device that connects to one side of Wi-Fi devices, then their To relay information over a network. This further network can again be a WLAN, an Ethernet, or, for example, a DSL, power network, generally wired

Networks or networks by radio, z. GSM, UMTS, LTE. Such a wireless router is additionally assigned the function of a receiver for the remote control. The WLAN unit of the router serves, on the one hand, to power the transponder

on the other hand, to receive the information of the transponder for further processing.

In another embodiment (repeater remote), there is a separate remote control receiver that includes a radio transmitter that transmits power to the remote control or transponder. Furthermore, the receiver for the remote control comprises a first radio receiver for the information from the

Remote control and a second transmitter, which sends the information from the remote control to the device. However, before the information is forwarded, they are replaced by a

Processing unit which is adapted to process the information from the remote control to send it via the second transmitter to the device.

As already stated above, these signals can be forwarded to the devices as an IR signal (infrared or optical), a Bluetooth signal or an IP signal via the second transmitter.

Thus, there are a number of advantages, so no built-in power supply (eg battery) of the remote control is necessary because there is a use of switchable passive RFID transponder.

Also, no maintenance costs of the keyboard are necessary because there are no active components and only very limited moving parts are used (the thickness of the keyboard is in Essentially by the height of the pressure point to be detected

Switching of the RF transponder is determined).

The keyboard is waterproof, washable and flexible, z. B. also on uneven or curved

Substrates.

A simple and very cost-effective production of the keyboard by a suitable printing on-site z. B. by means

special 3D printer or completion based

Pre-fabricated RFID carrier printed with a standard printer or as an order service is conceivable, similar to a "photo service" on the Internet.The basis of the remote control are assembled in arrays ready-produced switchable RF transponders that can be produced cheaply.

The invention can be used with existing wireless router / access point for implementation. For devices that are controlled via web or an app, then only the thin stick-on keyboard is needed.

Existing routers / access points can be upgraded to the required functionalities via SW update, and new routers / access points can be built at no extra cost.

When using "Repeater-Remote" a completely independent operation of existing or even non-existent technology at the place of use (eg network, Internet, WLAN) is possible.The "Repeater-Remote" can directly control each terminal, the even now with a remote control can be controlled.

Using a web front-end / app, the assignment of the transponder signal to a specific function (eg "TV-on") can be quickly changed and even supplemented at any time, even macros can be implemented, eg in "TV-On "+" Amplifier-on ". The remote control could also be used by people who have physical disabilities. So keyboards could be realized with almost any size buttons, z. B. 5x5 cm for visually impaired people.

Description of the figures:

FIG. 1 shows an RFID structure in a matrix arrangement on a remote control, with a representation of possible arrangements of the associated antenna. Thus, several modules may have an antenna or be associated with an antenna.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the structure of an RFID transponder (transmitter), consisting of a microchip, an antenna and electrically conductive connections.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of the RFID chip (microchip), wherein the antenna is responsible for the reception and transmission of the signals, and the "power supply" of the RFID module is usually the identical component (hardware).

Figure 4 shows the schematic representation of the structure of an RFID reader / transmitter (receiver).

Embodiment of the invention

In a preferred embodiment, an arrangement of one or more mostly arranged in matrix form RFID modules on the remote control. RFID is a transponder that transmits information (signals). In addition, a receiver capable of receiving and evaluating the signals is necessary. Compared to the usual use of RFID, there is a big difference in that the contacts (RFID transponder) in case of inactivity, ie non-actuation send out no signal and only when such a signal is transmitted. However, this can also be reversed, ie if no information is sent, this is interpreted as a command.

It is thus a switchable RFID transponder, or generally based on resonance frequencies transmission modes of energy, for the supply of passive components, in which over a at least 1-valued operating state

(Switching state) generates the information to be transmitted and in particular in the form of influencing at least one existing on-site radio field is transmitted.

The switch contact is usually a "make contact" and either provides power upon actuation (i.e., "receive antenna" is closed) or the internal logic of the RFID transponder is turned on (i.e., now "allowed")

First send transponder).

On the already known technology "RFID" is here

set up to already available security and security

Cost-effective to adopt production techniques.

In the technical realization of the receiver, the following general approaches are feasible, although there may also be mixed forms among each other:

Realization without additional device, with existing WLAN router and over the network (LAN / WLAN) controllable terminal, z. B.

Smart TV "Smart TV".

Implementation with additional device "Repeater-Remote", and not via the network (LAN / WLAN) controllable terminal, eg TV.

In the realization without additional equipment is the for

Power supply of the transponder required energy from the on

Location of "Passive Remote" already existing wireless network, z. B. WLANs provided. When a switch contact (transponder) is activated, the signal (eg "TV On") is generated and transmitted to a router that is ready to receive a call from the router => determines that the signal is "TV On" = > transmits this via IP protocol to the TV => TV (Smart TV) turns on.

Since most routers on the HW side should be able to receive the signal, only special software would have to be developed in order to convert the signal into a command via IP protocol and forward it to the device to be controlled. Modern router of the manufacturer AVM, z. For example, if you already have your own menu item for home automation, then the administration of "Passive Remote" could also be implemented.

When approach with additional device, which becomes the power supply

necessary energy (if not possible on the basis of existing WLANs) emitted by an additional module, the so-called "repeater remote." This could be realized in terms of form factor analogous to a plug-in power supply, ie he is simply in an already at the place of use of "Passive Remote "existing socket plugged in.

"Repeater-Remote" has the following general and

optional tasks:

1. General: reception of the transponder signal when a contact is actuated

2. General: transformation of the received signal into an interpretable for the terminal command, z. In an IR signal, Bluetooth signal or an IP signal (for forwarding in the IP network to the receiver).

3. Optional: Web front-end / app, for assigning the transponder signals in evaluable for the terminal to be controlled

Control signals (eg IR signal, Bluetooth signal or an IP signal => "TV On")

4. Optional: Supply of the transponder with the necessary energy for the transmission of a signal by electromagnetic waves. 5. Optional: Integration into the existing IP network via LAN, Power_LAN or WLAN.

If, from the socket used, the IR transmitter diode installed in the "repeater remote" can not be "seen" by the terminal, then an additional module (eg an IR diode with a 2m cable plugged in via a jack) can be used is then attached so that line of sight to be controlled

Terminal exists.

During commissioning, the keys of the keyboard (transponders of the "passive remote") are assigned to the commands expected by the receiving device.To do this, the WLAN router / access point must be put into learning mode or, in the second technical implementation, the "Repeater remote".

This can be done via web frontend / app on router / access point

be accessed and the readiness to learn to receive the transponder signals are activated. Then everyone has to

Keys of the keyboard are briefly pressed in a planned sequence so that the transponder known to the system. By specifying the Arrey size, eg. B. 4 x 8, the 32 fields are then successively in the web front-end / App graphically as to learn

represented and possibly by means of a user function with

User guide filled.

When integrating the "repeater remote" into the IP network via LAN / WLAN, the transponder signals are announced as in the case of the WLAN router.

In autonomous operation (without use on site

existing networks) provides the "repeater remote" via ad hoc network a wireless connection, for example, to a laptop or

Smartphone. The web frontend / app is then the

Announcement of the transponder signals as with the wireless router. The production of the remote control "Passive Remote" can take place via a service provided, for example, on the Internet, so that not only an automatic inscription and possibly also

Design wishes to be realized, but also direct association between the

"Passive Remote" (ie the transponder signals used in connection with their arrangement) and the terminal to be controlled would be very convenient in this case since only one identity feature would be needed to put the Passive Remote into service a QR code, bar code or serial number printed on the remote control or its packaging, all data needed for control could then be provided via the Internet and only a few keys (ie RFID transponders) could be operated to check the functionality.

If you get a new device or want to control other devices, then the existing assignments could be changed via the web front-end / app. If "Passive Remote" is integrated in the IP network, then any actions can be controlled via it: In addition to the control of HiFi / TV terminals, also any IP-capable actuators, eg for switching the lighting on and off in the house or opening the front door if someone has previously rung it.

Even macros could be started by pressing a button, such. B .: 1. Turn on the TV; 2. Turn on the amplifier; Third

Turn off the room lighting.

The implementation of "passive-remote" would in principle also work by means of switchable RFID transponders, but this form of realization should only be a maximum in exceptional cases

be considered, since this realization is very error prone. So z. B. only a very limited uniquely be recognized whether a button (RFID transponder) was specifically turned off, is defective or simply "only" currently no longer receivable. FIG. 1 shows an RFID structure in a matrix arrangement on a remote control, with a representation of possible arrangements of the associated antenna. Thus, several modules may have an antenna or be associated with an antenna.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the structure of an RFID transponder (transmitter), consisting of a microchip, an antenna and an electrically conductive connection. If not already integrated in the housing of the microchip, a capacitor could optionally also be used as a separate component in order to increase the range of the transmitter and / or the reaction time from the actuation of the probe to the transmission of the information.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of the RFID chip (microchip), wherein the antenna for the reception and transmission of the signals, as well as the "power supply" of the RFID module

As a rule, the identical component (hardware) are. The

Receiving distance with antenna with receiver and demodulator is optional to see, in the simplest kind of realization, the receiving antenna is needed only for the power supply.

For more complex use cases, a concrete

"Function signal" are received and decoded, in whose

Context then only the signal sent out when the contact is sent may be sent, eg. B. offset in time. Also

Security functions can be realized, so that z. For example, the RFID transponder will reveal its "secret" (information) only when concrete information is received as a function signal (password) .This method would also make it possible to use highly secure remote controls, which can only be used in conjunction with a specific one

Function signal can be used.

Figure 4 shows the schematic representation of the structure of an RFID reader / transmitter (receiver). The transmit antenna is used in the simplest application only the "power supply" of the RFID transponder and can be housed in the same housing as the receiving device or else be realized on the basis of other devices.

The interfaces output the control code required in each case by the terminal to be controlled in a manner that can be processed by it, for B. Infrared signal for a TV.

The assignment between "actuated" RFID transponder

(Button) and control code for the device to be controlled (z.

TV) happens in two ways:

1.) By means of the web front-end / app, an assignment between push-button and function (eg switch-on) is defined. This is ideally done on the basis of the previous selection of the device to be controlled from a database containing the respective ones of the

Receiver already contains processable control codes depending on the function (eg switching on).

2.) The interfaces serve not only as a transmitter, but also as a receiver for the learning process, d. H. the assignment of the keys from new to "old" (already existing) remote control.

a) The evaluation and control logic is put into the "teach-in" phase.

b) At the new and the old remote control is simultaneously or based on a predetermined process (eg

Operation button "old" remote control and then button

Remote control "new"), the assignment between the keys and the control codes to be sent, provided that the control code for the respective function can be received error-free via the interface in this way the new remote control with respect to the code to be used "trained c) The "Learn" phase is ended. The memory consists of the assignments created in the aforementioned manner, the interface to be used, if necessary

made determinations to previously programmed procedures

(Macros) and continue general operating settings filed.

The web frontend allows access via http: // or

https: / / on the evaluation and control logic. This can (depending on the scope of the graphical user interfaces) also give direct control commands, without pressing a button.

In another embodiment, a password exchange and / or a challenge response method is in use.

For example, it should be noted that many users have one

Own remote control for your garage door. The "password" for opening the gate is the knowledge of a particular code among up to several million possible codes. However, if the remote control in the car is forgotten while the car is in the workshop, it is easy for unauthorized persons to create a duplicate of the remote control. Next

"learnable" universal remote controls, it is usually not a problem to obtain a replacement remote control and then to train them on the existing in the car remote control.

By means of the inherent security mechanisms in more complex RFID transponders, this could be prevented if the transponder answers with the correct code only if it has previously received a specific password via radio. In this way, there is, in a certain way, a Challenge Response mode. A "complete" operation "Challange -> Response" is obtained if the integrated microcontroller supports this function as follows.

1. Radio network sends password and secret 1

2. Transponder "recognizes" password and calculates a secret based on secret 1 2 3. secret 2 is given together with the code from the transponder to the wireless network (or the receiver), the secret 2 with the code can also be "billed", z. B. by XOR link.

4. The receiver compares the result of secret 2 and the code sent by the transponder with the result calculated for this purpose.

5. If both results match, a function (eg Go on) is performed. If the results do not match, no function is performed. It should be noted that the

Transponder and the receiver of the algorithm for calculating the

Secret 2 must be known from secret 1 and the formation of the result from code and secret 2. Secret 1 is from the

Receiver sent out, this is thus known and the

Transponder receives this by radio.

Below is an example that implements this method:

the code is "1000"

• the secret 1 is "1"

• the algorithm for calculating secret 2 is:

Secret 2 = secret 1 + "2"

• => the secret 2 would be "3"

• the code "1000" is "set off" with the secret 2, z. B. by mathematical addition ("1000" + "3") => would be transmitted from the transponder "1003"

· The receiver would calculate the result in an identical way. If both results are the same, the transponder is verified as "real" or the "original".

The above mechanism ensures that:

a) Basic Challange Response mode: The "correct" code is only "sent out" in a specific radio network. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized reading of the code. However, the same code is always sent out here. b) Full Challange Response Operation: The "correct" code is only "broadcast" in a known radio network. However, the signal required for an action ("code") constantly changes in one only the transponder and receiver known manner. Thus, it is not possible for potential "attackers" to guess the code.

Claims

claims

1. Remote control for technical equipment comprising a

passive or active RFID transponder that triggers a switch contact upon physical contact by a user to send information to control the technical device.

2. The remote control according to the preceding claim, wherein the energy for the passive switchable RFID transponder on the resonance frequencies or generally via

electromagnetic waves (radio waves) is transmitted to supply passive components, with an at least 1-valued operating state, which is determined by the switching contact to generate or send the information to be transmitted.

The remote control after one or more of

preceding claims, wherein the switching contact is a make contact, which either produces a power supply when actuated, in which preferably a receiving antenna is switched on, or which turns on an internal logic de: RFID transponder, which leads to a transmission of the information.

4. The remote control after one or more of the

preceding claims, wherein the information is sent upon actuation of the button until a special function signal, preferably password, is previously received by the transponder.

5. The remote control after one or more of

preceding claims, wherein a plurality of transponders is provided, each one

Switching contact associated with the remote control, the are autonomously switchable to control a variety of functions.

6. The remote control after one or more of

preceding claims, wherein the remote control is designed as a foil which is preferably flexible,

self-adhesive, magnetic and / or waterproof and is preferably formed by a printing process.

The remote control after one or more of

previous claims, wherein the switch contacts have any size buttons to

Visually impaired people to be usable, preferably, each button has a size of 5x5 cm.

The remote control after one or more of

previous claims, characterized by a

Device that draws energy from a wireless LAN.

The remote control after one or more of

previous claims, characterized by a

Establish a challenge - response procedure with a receiver.

The remote control according to the preceding claim, characterized by means and configuration for performing the following steps:

- Receive from the network / receiver of a password and secret 1

- recognize the password and calculated based on the

Secret 1 a secret 2;

- secret 2 is sent together with a code from the transponder to the radio network / receiver), wherein the secret 2 can also be offset with the code, preferably by XOR operation; Receiver for a remote control according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the functionality of a WLAN router, which is additionally capable of receiving the information of the remote control, in order then to generate commands for sending them to devices via the interfaces of the WLAN Send routers.

A remote control receiver according to one or more of the preceding claims for remote control

- a radio transmitter that sends energy for the remote control,

a first receiver for the information from the remote control,

a second transmitter which transmits the information from the remote control to the device;

- A processing unit which is adapted to process the information from the remote control to send them via the second transmitter to the device.

Receiver according to one or more of the preceding two claims, wherein the information from the remote control as an IR signal, Bluetooth signal, RF signal or an IP signal via the second transmitter to the device

to get redirected.

Receiver according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a web interface, via which information of the remote control of a specific function of the device is assigned, the processing unit is designed to use the assignment of a received information of the remote control in a signal for to convert the terminal.

15. Receiver according to one or more of the preceding

Recipient claims, characterized by a Learning ability in which the signals of the terminals can be learned to serve an association.

Receiver of the preceding claims, characterized by a device for implementing a challenge-response method with a receiver.

The receiver according to the preceding claim,

characterized by a configuration and means to perform the following steps:

- Sending password and secret 1

- Receiving secret 2, which was sent together with the code from the transponder, wherein the secret 2 can be charged with the code also, in particular by XOR operation, the transponder before the password received and based on the secret 1 a secret. 2 calculated;

Comparing the result of secret 2 and the code sent by the transponder with the result calculated itself therefor,

- If both results match, if a function is performed, the results do not match, no function is performed.