EP3566607A1 - Biometric sensor-controlled button-shaped closure system - Google Patents

Abstract

Button with a first assembly (3,4,6) attached to a first application material (5) with a second assembly (4a, 10,11) attached to a second application material (5a), the first The assembly can be releasably brought into a holding connection with the second assembly, characterized in that the first assembly has a biometric sensor (1) via which a user can authenticate, and the second assembly has an electrically controllable locking device (7) which the can bring the first assembly firmly into engagement with the second assembly and release it, and with a controller (14,15,16) which, depending on information from the biometric sensor (1), controls the locking device in order to release the engagement or the engagement to undertake.

Description

The invention relates to an automated button.

Field of the invention:

A button is a small, solid, mostly round article on garments. It is used to close clothes or shoes as well as containers such as bags, baskets, boxes and others. A push button is a closure means of two small, often round parts, one of which is provided with a recess, the other with a matching head. They are sewn or riveted on opposite sides of the fabric and pressed together to close. In order for the head to snap in and the knob to open only when there is considerable traction, the recess is correspondingly shaped as an open cavity or ring, then the material elasticity of the knob allows for snap-in, or an additional laterally resilient member is incorporated. Push buttons are usually made of metal, more rarely plastic, and usually serve as inconspicuous, or in the closed state usually not visible closures of garments, bags and other things.
Automatic buttons are off CN105124893 . CN206025562 . CN206238642 , CN206354655 . DE10060924 . DE202005010362 . US2090226050 . US8847760 known.

Overview of the invention:

The invention relates to a button with a first assembly, which is attached to a first application material (fabric / leather, etc.). This first assembly is thus the upper part of the button (push button) which is connected to a first fabric or leather. The invention comprises a second assembly, which is attached to a second application material (fabric / leather, etc.). This is the lower part of a button (push button) that is connected to a second fabric or leather or similar. The modules usually consist of several components, which are composed. The first assembly is releasably engageable with the second assembly in a holding connection. Ie. the two button assemblies can be mated or compressed to form a closure that can be opened or closed as needed.
The first assembly has a biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor that allows a user to authenticate. This sensor is as flat as possible and is located on the outside of the button so that it is easily accessible to a user. Using the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor, a user can authenticate themselves and release or activate the connection of the button between the assemblies.
For authentication, a biometric sensor (fingerprint / fingerprint sensor, face recognition sensor, Sprechererkennungssensor etc.) provided - hereinafter the term fingerprint sensor also for the general concept of the biometric sensor-, the instructions, preferably via the control board to which transmitted to initiate an action depending on the detected fingerprint. The connection can be made via a contact connection or a wireless connection. Also, the biometric sensor may be located in close proximity to or around the zipper, or away from it. Here, if possible, only the non-safety-relevant sensors are arranged on the upper side. The actual logic, and their calculation and recognition of the fingerprint / or. The biometric information is preferably carried out at the bottom in a circuit board
The second assembly comprises an electrically controllable closure device which firmly engages and disengages the first assembly with the second assembly. The engagement or the connection can be of a mechanical nature, by means of bolts, clamps, piezoelements or also electrically by corresponding magnets. The control is preferably carried out electrically or electromagnetically or electromechanically.
The control is carried out by a controller that controls the shutter device in response to information from the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor to solve the intervention or make the intervention. The controller is preferably arranged on the underside of the second module so that it is as protected as possible from attacks and manipulation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first assembly comprises a button cap and a plate with a pin, between which the application material is arranged, wherein the Pen is inserted into the second module, and is used to make the intervention. Preferably, the pin is connected at right angles to the overlying plate in the center thereof. Between the button cap and the plate with a pin, the substance is usually clamped or pressed. As a rule, these two components are riveted or pressed. Other techniques such as gluing or welding for connection are of course conceivable.

On the button cap the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor is arranged. Further, a socket for receiving the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor is arranged on the button cap, which is preferably illuminated to indicate the position of the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor for the user. In a preferred embodiment, the light is radiated in an annular manner around the fingerprint sensor, so that the user is purposefully guided with his finger to the center. In this case, the source of illumination is located below the sensor.

In principle, the illumination for the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor can be switched on as a function of a proximity sensor. In this case, the proximity sensor detects whether a hand is approaching the housing to then turn on the lighting. It is also conceivable that in case of contact with the housing, it is detected by a contact sensor that the user is looking for the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor in order to then illuminate it. It is also conceivable that motion sensors and brightness sensors are used to switch the lighting on and off. Certain movement patterns and / or brightnesses can be switched on.

The second assembly preferably has a plate with eyelet or a bore into which the pin of the plate is inserted. Through this hole, the pin is guided exactly and the two modules are positively connected with each other. The plate of the second assembly is connected via a connecting element with a housing. Also in this connection is preferably a riveting, pressing or gluing. Between the plate and the housing, the application material or the substance is arranged. It is thus the lower part of a button (push buttons) which is permanently connected to a second fabric.

In order to make the necessary connection, which can be opened and closed, it is necessary on the pin preferably at its lower end a recess which can be extended into the housing. In the housing, a bolt is provided, which can be preferably performed electromechanically in the recess to make an engagement.
It is also conceivable that the recess is a groove, an annular groove, a bore into which corresponding engagement means can be inserted out of the housing. It is also conceivable that the locking takes place vice versa by an element moves out of the pin that is hooked in the hole in recesses. The drive can be made, for example, inductively or mechanically. The control can be done, for example, piezo-electric, electromagnetic or electric motor.

For better insertion of the pin, the inside of the hole, which is formed in the plate with the eyelet, have a magnetic guide to attract the pin of the plate with pin, which may also be magnetic, so that it can be guided by the magnetic force in the hole. The magnetic field can thus serve as a guideway, which ensures that the two modules are simply engageable with each other in positive engagement. The magnetic field thus directs the components and their assemblies. The magnet can in this case be formed alternately either of the first module or the second module or it can even be present two magnets.

The housing includes a battery and a board that takes control and performs an analysis of the fingerprint / biometric information captured by the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor.
For configuration and power supply, the housing has a plug, preferably USB, via which a configuration of the board and / or a charging of the battery takes place. Of course, it is conceivable that charging takes place inductively or the configuration is made possible via a wireless connection. Possible standards here are Bluetooth, WLAN, LTE, Zigbee etc. conceivable. Through an app then a configuration with a mobile device would be possible. Of course, it is also conceivable that the mobile terminal controls the opening and closing of the button. This can be particularly advantageous if the fingerprint is not recognized, or a first-time configuration is necessary. Due to the fact that the assemblies are mechanically separated from each other, a power supply of the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor is required.
This supply can be powered by its own battery, using solar power (in the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor, or around the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor, solar cells can be arranged), or it may be a contact-oriented or a wireless power supply. Typically, a back-up battery or capacitor should be present in the first assembly to provide a function of the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor, even if it is not connected to the second assembly. It should be noted that the sensor does not have to be arranged directly on the button, but can also be arranged remotely, for example on a bracket and a strap, etc.
Communication of the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor with the controller or board in the housing may be via mechanical contacts that are connected when the first assembly is in communication with the second assembly. Alternatively, a contactless communication or power supply is conceivable. Thus, the communication by radio and / or the power supply can be made inductively.
It is also conceivable that the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor is operated by RFID, both in terms of power supply and communication.
In a further embodiment, the housing has a lighting to illuminate the closable area when it has been opened. The illumination is activatable, preferably by sensors, in particular motion sensors, the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor and a sensor that detects that the button is open. Timers are also conceivable that switch off the lighting after the occurrence of an event. In the case of a bag, it is thus possible that after opening the interior of the bag is optionally lit for a certain time.

In the preferred embodiment, the impulse for automatically unlocking and locking the shutter system is via the actuation of the biometric sensor / fingerprint or functionally equivalent types of switches, which are enabled by the user's personal biometric legitimization via a wireless connection type, such as e.g. Bluetooth, done via app with the locking system. The personal sharing condition can be stored via an internal memory chip and / or app in the locking system or externally in a cloud.

In another embodiment, an alarm control is provided which detects a manipulation of the automatic button to generate an alarm signal. For example, if a forced opening due to measured forces or deformation is detected, or a variety of attempts to open the button using the sensor, an alarm message may be generated. This alarm message may be acoustically output via speakers or a radio signal may be generated which is sent to a mobile terminal or other device on a network to indicate that an attempt is being made to open the pocket without authorization.

For this purpose, in a further embodiment, a GPS and / or mobile network unit can determine and / or communicate by radio the position of the button. Thus, in combination with the alarm unit, a location of a stolen bag having the button can be made possible.

In a further embodiment, the button comprises a radio unit for contact with a network or a local computer system, mobile terminal or smartphone, in particular 3G, 4G, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zig-Bee, for exchanging information, for configuration or for activation. As already described above, the button can thus be configured to determine which fingerprints or biometric information can open or close the button, or it can also be activated to open and unlock the button.

For charging and for configuring or for setting parameters and for charging the battery, the control board and / or the power supply is provided with a connection, preferably USB.

Another part of the invention is a bag having the button according to the invention.

It is therefore a multi-button system with biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor or other switches for closing and opening of bags, luggage and mobile and stationary transport units as well as clothing, shoes, headgear, helmets, jewelry, watches and furniture such as cabinets, dressers, Tables as well as doors, consoles, gates and objects in general, which can be closed by a locking system.
The impulse to unlock and lock the closure system is via actuation of the biometric sensor / fingerprint sensor or other types of switches, by means of the user's personal biometric legitimacy via a connection type, such as Bluetooth, via app with the locking system. The personal fingerprint / personal biometric information can be stored via an internal memory chip and / or app in the locking system or externally in a cloud.

Upper / first assembly:
In the upper part of the button closure, the button cap, a fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor is embedded in a socket. The fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor may also be located at another location of the object in which the locking system is incorporated.
The socket of the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor may optionally include illumination.
The button cap and / or fingerprint sensor and / or fingerprint sensor socket may be made of different materials, such as polycarbonate, metal and the like.
The buttoncap and / or fingerprint sensor and / or fingerprint sensor socket may be round, angular, oval and / or any shape.
The fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor is powered by a cable with power and control signals and can optionally be self-illuminated.
The fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor socket can be fastened to a plate by "rivet-like" components.
Application material / leather / fabric / uA can be interposed between fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor holder and plate.
The plate may consist of a disc with a pin, at the end of an eyelet / hole / indentation is embedded.

Between the upper and lower component, a magnetic or electromagnetic fixation for the upper and lower component can be attached.

Lower / second assembly:

The lower assembly consists inter alia of a hole, which is connected via "rivet-like" components with a housing which is located below the eyelet.
Between the eyelet and the housing application material / leather / fabric / uA can be interposed.

A plate with pin (reference numeral 6) can be passed through the eyelet into the housing.

In the housing there is an actuator preferably with a drive shaft and a closure device, which are fed via a cable with power and control signals.

The closure device is locked by the actuator and the drive device and can cause a locking and / or unlocking.
Below the housing, lighting systems can be located for interior lighting and / or in another location.

Underneath the housing, one and / or more loudspeakers for the alarm signal may be in the event of theft or removal of the user from the system and / or at another location.

Brief Description:

Fig. 1

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht der vorliegenden Erfindung im Schnitt von der Seite.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine Anwendung der vorliegenden Erfindung innerhalb einer Tasche.

The figures are briefly described below.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic view of the present invention in section from the side.

Fig. 2

shows an application of the present invention within a bag.

Description of the embodiment:

The FIG. 1 shows a fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor 1, which is arranged in a socket 2 of the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor. This socket can be provided with lighting. The version 2 is formed on a button cap 3. A connecting element 4 connects the buttoncap through the fabric 5 with a plate 6 below the fabric which has a pin. The button cap 3 and the plate 6 are permanently connected to each other by the connecting element 4, and preferably compress the material 5 together, so that a preferably non-releasable permanent connection is formed. On the plate 6 is a pin which can be guided in the second or lower module. The pin is used for releasable locking. In the lower region of the pin, an eyelet or a recess 13 is provided, into which a bolt or closure element 7 can engage. As a result, a preferably manually non-detachable connection between the upper assembly and the lower assembly is made. The bolt 7 may be driven by a drive shaft 12 by rotating the bolt or sliding it laterally back and forth. To drive the bolt, a motor 8 is provided or an actuator which allows the movement or rotation. The motor is connected via a power line 9 with a battery unit. In addition, a signal control line 15 is provided which leads to a circuit board 14, so that the motor can be controlled. The board takes over the control, the interpretation of the data of the fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor and decides on the basis of the stored patterns, whether and in what form the engine is to be controlled, so that the shutter is opened or closed. On the board, the radio control is also preferably arranged.

So that the upper assembly and the lower assembly can be easily assembled together and the pin is securely inserted, preferably magnetic guide rails are arranged on the inner sides of the hole, which can be a magnet itself or be magnetized and align the pen and pull in accordingly , Here, the pin can be a magnet or magnetizable.

The FIG. 2 shows a concrete application of the present invention in a bag with a bag body 25. The bag is shown in section from the side. The pocket includes a pocket handle 24. The flap 20 of the pocket is held closed by a button according to the present invention. On top of the button is a fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor 21.

For charging electronic devices, the bag has a plurality of induction elements 26, 27, 36. Through an induction transmitter 27, the batteries 28 can be loaded inside the bag. This may in particular be the battery of the closure device according to the invention for the button. Even mobile devices that have been stored in the bag, can be charged. Here, the induction transmitter is connected to the battery 28. Furthermore, the battery 28 may also be inductively charged by an induction receiver 26 or by an external terminal 30. For charging the battery in the bag or for charging devices in the pocket are USB ports 29, 30 (other types of ports are of course conceivable that allow the same function charging and communication) provided. For the control of the entire batteries, charging units and connections, a board 32 is provided with components in the lower region of the pocket.

Also, a dynamo 31 may be provided, which makes it possible to make manually, for example by a crank, an emergency charging of the battery, so that the functionality of the bag for emergency operation is enabled. This can be achieved that the bag can also be opened when no energy is available to charge the batteries.

For the drive and communication of the individual components, there are power supply lines 33 and signal control lines which interconnect and supply the individual components.

For the external charging station 36, which may also be designed as an induction transmitter, a power supply line 33 is provided. It serves to charge the battery inside the bag via the induction receiver 26.

In a preferred embodiment, the entire power supply and control unit can be made as a compact module with its own housing 35, which can be arranged in the lower area of the bag and this can be incorporated there. Depending on the size of the bag, it will be designed differently. Here, the components are arranged differently or formed different sizes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1. Fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor
• 2nd version fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor with / without illumination
• 3. Button cap
• 4.- 4c. connecting element
• 5- 5a application material / leather / fabric / u.A.
• 6. plate with pen
• 7. Locking device / bolt
• 8. engine
• 9. Power supply / line
• 10. plate with eyelet
• 11. Housing
• 12. Drive shaft
• 13th recess
• 14. Board with components
• 15. Signal control / line
• 16. Battery / Battery
• 17. Guide rail (magnetic)
• 20.Taschenklappe
• 21. Fingerprint sensor / biometric sensor
• 22. Lighting
• 24. Pocket handle
• 25. Bag body
• 26. Induction receiver
• 27. Induction transmitter
• 28. Battery / Battery
• 29. USB port out
• 30. USB port in
• 31. Dynamo for emergency charging battery
• 32. Board with components
• 33. Power supply / line
• 35. Housing all-in-one unit
• 36. Charging station induction transmitter external

Claims (15)

An automatic opening or closing button comprising a first assembly (3, 4, 4a, 6) attached to a first application material (5) and a second assembly (4a, 4c, 10, 11) attached to a second assembly Applying material (5 a) is attached, wherein the first assembly with the second assembly is detachably engageable in an engageable connection, characterized by a biometric sensor (1), via which a user can authenticate, and the second module an electrically controllable closure device (7) which can firmly engage and disengage the first assembly with the second assembly, and a controller (14, 15, 16) which, in response to information from the biometric sensor (1), drives the closure device to engage solve or make the intervention. A button according to the preceding claim, wherein the biometric sensor (1) is a fingerprint sensor, a speaker recognition sensor and / or a face recognition sensor. Button according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the biometric sensor (1) is arranged directly on the button, preferably on the first assembly, or is arranged remotely from the button. A button according to the preceding claim, wherein the first assembly comprises a button cap (3) and a plate (6) a pin, between which the application material (5) is arranged, wherein the pin is insertable into the second assembly, and serves to produce the engagement,
and preferably
on the button cap (3) of the biometric sensor (1) is arranged. Button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the button cap (3) a socket (2) for receiving the biometric sensor (1) is arranged, which is preferably illuminated to indicate the position of the fingerprint sensor for the user. A button according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second assembly comprises a plate (10) with eyelet into which the pin of the plate (6) is insertable, and wherein the plate (10) is connected to a housing (11) via a connecting element (4a) ), wherein between the plate (6) and the housing (11) the application material (5a) is arranged. Button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pin has at its lower end a recess (13) which is extendable into the housing (11), wherein in the housing a bolt (7) is provided, which electromechanically into the recess (13) is feasible to establish an intervention. A button as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inside of the hole formed in the plate (10) with eyelet forms a magnetic guide (17) around the pin of the pin plate (6) is also magnetic, tighten, so that it can be guided by the magnetic force in the hole. Button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (11), a battery (16) and a circuit board (14), which takes over control and analysis of the fingerprint takes over. Button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing has a plug, preferably USB, via which a configuration of the board and / or a charging of the battery takes place. Button according to one of the preceding claims, with a device which allows communication with the fingerprint sensor and / or the power supply of the fingerprint sensor via mechanical contacts and / or wirelessly. Button according to the preceding claim, with a device which enables communication by radio and / or inductively enables the power supply and / or wherein the biometric sensor is operated by RFID. Button according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the housing (11) is provided for the illuminable by the lockable area, which can be activated, preferably by sensors, in particular motion sensors, the biometric sensor and a sensor which detects that the button is open. A button according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an alarm control is provided which detects a manipulation of the automatic button to generate an alarm signal,
and or
comprising a GPS and / or mobile network unit, via which the position of the button can be determined by radio,
and or
comprising a radio unit for contact with a network or a local computer system, mobile terminal or smartphone, in particular 3G, 4G, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, Zig-Bee, for exchanging information, for configuration or for activation. Bag characterized by a button according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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