WO2009033482A2

WO2009033482A2 - Charging and communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2009033482A2
Application number: PCT/DE2008/001565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Lewin
Original assignee: Sunload Gmbh
Priority date: 2007-09-16
Filing date: 2008-09-16
Publication date: 2009-03-19
Also published as: DE112008003163A5; WO2009033482A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent, automatically direct-contacting charging and communication device on which at least one electrical appliance can be deposited in a simple manner and in variable positions.

Description

description

Charging and communication device

The present invention relates to an intelligent, automatically directly contacting charging and communication device for simple, variable-position storage of at least one electrical device.

Charging and communication devices for electrical appliances are well known. Usually, electrical appliances are charged directly with a power cord or plug-in power supply. For mobile phones are plug-in power supplies, for example, with plugs as in US2006 / 0099999A1, as well as base stations, such as. from US2007 / 0036154A1, offered, in which the mobile telephone part can be plugged in and charged via the socket / plug contact.

From US2006 / 0028176A1 an inductively charging mobile phone is disclosed, which manages without direct contact for charging the electrical device.

A disadvantage of the previously known solutions that the user has to connect the electrical appliance with the power adapter manually time consuming and multi-pole connectors position or plug the electrical device time consuming and accurate or correct position in the base station or a charging stand.

Mains cable and the connected to the power supply cables with often round or flat plugs tend to slip from raised shelves, since the house-side connector or plug-in power supply is usually plugged into a bottom outlet and a substantial harness portion of gravity accordingly down draws. The free cable ends often fall to the ground so far and also have the disadvantage that people or animals can get tangled in the long cables and thus the terminal connected electrical appliance can tear down from the shelf and this can be damaged by the impact. In addition, the small connectors on the cable ends of the plug-in power supplies are difficult to find or recognize what a quick connection, not only inadequate lighting, difficult. Furthermore, the contact plug are usually subjected to voltage (220 or 110 V for power cables or low voltage for power supply units), so that in principle there are dangers due to live unprotected contacts and risk of short circuits. Conventional base stations for mobile phones have a close fit to the mobile phone housing or mounting bracket, the user must carefully control when parking the mobile phone in the base station. Such base stations also have the disadvantage that they are usually not stable when the mobile phone is switched off, ie that the handset tilts out of the holder during a hectic or uncontrolled storage of the handset in the base station and / or the base station with or can fall to the ground.

The use of inductive charging methods and devices for electrical appliances has the disadvantage that only a small amount of power can be transmitted with low efficiency.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a charging and communication device, a method for power supply and / or data exchange of one or more electrical devices, an electrical device, and a method for supplying energy and / or for data exchange from an electrical device with improved properties ,

This object is achieved by a charging and communication device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 21, an electrical device according to claim 22 and a method according to claim 23.

The present invention provides a charging and communication device for an electrical device to be charged and / or supplied with power and / or data, the charging and communication device comprising the following features:

- A storage surface with more than two electrically insulated from each other electrode surfaces which are adapted to establish at least one of a plurality of contact surfaces on an outer contour of the electrical appliance, an electrical connection; and

a measuring and / or control unit, which is connected to the electrode surfaces, wherein the measuring and / or control unit is designed to apply signals to individual or a plurality of electrode surfaces and to determine a signal response in the case of an electrode surface not acted upon by a signal to recognize from the signal response a contact situation between the electrode surfaces with the or the contact surfaces of the at least one electrical device. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for powering and / or exchanging data for one or more electrical appliances, the method comprising the following steps:

- Interval-like and / or continuous measurement of electrical contact situations between more than three mutually insulated electrode surfaces of a charging and communication device with Messig signals; and

Evaluating the measuring signals with a measuring and / or control unit and / or comparing the measuring signals with programmable parameters in order to detect a contact situation of an electrode surface with a contact surface of an electrical appliance as a function of the evaluation and / or comparison results; and driving the respective electrode surfaces with a voltage or ground potential, provided that an electrical device to be supplied with energy and / or a data stream exchanging electrical device with its contact surfaces in contact with the electrode surfaces.

An electrical appliance having the following features: at least three electrically isolated contact surfaces on an outer contour of the electrical appliance, which are designed to establish an electrical connection with at least one of a plurality of electrically insulated electrode surfaces of a charging and / or communication device; and

a measurement and / or control unit which is connected to each of the contact surfaces, wherein the measurement and / or control unit is designed to apply signals to one or more contact surfaces and to determine a signal response in the case of a contact surface not acted upon by a signal, to recognize from the signal response contact situations between the contact surfaces on the one hand with the or the electrode surfaces of the charging and / or communication device on the other hand.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of powering and / or exchanging data from an electrical appliance, the method comprising the steps of:

Interval-like and / or continuous measuring of electrical contact situations between at least three mutually insulated contact surfaces of the electrical appliance with

measuring signals; and

Evaluation of the measuring signals with a measuring and / or control unit and / or comparison of the measuring signals with programmable parameters, in dependence on the Evaluation and / or comparison results to detect a contact situation of a contact surface with an electrode surface of an electrical appliance; and receiving an energy and / or a data stream via a contact surface, provided that an energy and / or a data flow-supplying electrode surface of a charging and / or communication device in contact with the contact surface of the electrical device.

The present invention is based on the finding that a simpler and better possibility of charging an electrical appliance is possible by providing a depositing surface on a charging and communication device, which has a plurality of electrically insulated electrode surfaces, individually or in groups can be switched together. If now an electrical device with two contact surfaces is placed on the support surface, it can be detected via a measuring and / or control unit, which of the electrode surfaces is connected to the corresponding contact surfaces of the electrical device. Subsequently, a charge of a battery of the electrical appliance is performed by applying voltage between 2 electrode surfaces which are connected to the contact surfaces of the electrical appliance. In order to carry out a better contacting of the contact surfaces of the electrical appliance, a plurality of electrode surfaces of the storage area can also be switched together if they contact a single contact surface of the electrical appliance. As a result, a larger contact area between the electrode surfaces and contact surface can be ensured, which enables better energy transfer. In this way it is possible to put the electrical appliance (with the open lying contact surfaces) in any orientation on the shelf and also to charge electrode surfaces of the shelf. Also, data exchange between the charging and communication device and the electrical device can be carried out via the electrical contact between contact surfaces and electrode surfaces, so that multiple use of the position-independent contacting is possible.

In an analogous way, the improvement of the possibility of contacting can also be done on the part of the electrical appliance all in which several contact surfaces are provided, via which the charge of the electrical appliance can be done individually or in groups together. The operation of the interconnection of multiple contact surfaces for charging or data transmission between the charging and communication device and the electrical device takes place as in the interconnection for charging or Datenübertra- supply of the electrode surfaces on the support surface of the charging and communication device, so here an analog contacting concept on pages of the electrical appliance can be implemented. The present invention offers the advantage that for charging or for data transmission, the electrical device no longer needs to be set accurately positioned in the charging and communication device. Rather, a user can simply put the electrical appliance on the shelf with the charging and communication device on the measuring and / or control unit and the electrode surfaces to use the contact surfaces of the electrical appliance itself searches for charging the battery of the electrical appliance, a charging voltage between 2 corresponding electrode surfaces (or groups of electrode surfaces) which are connected to the corresponding contact surfaces of the electrical appliance. The operating concept of such a combination between charging and communication device and electrical devices is thus significantly simplified for the user, without affecting the technical charging functionality or data transfer functionality.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the measuring and / or control unit is designed to variably measure and / or control the electrode surfaces and / or supply them with at least two different voltage and / or a ground potential. This offers a high degree of flexibility in the measurement of the contact between the electrode surfaces and / or the contact surfaces and the design of the individual electrode surfaces as charging contacts, so that the advantageous properties of the position-independent charge can be realized.

The storage surface can also be designed in such a way that the electrical appliance is in electrical connection with the electrode surfaces and its contact surfaces in at least two different positional positions, preferably in every position on the depositing surface. This ensures advantageous the proper functioning of the charging and communication device in any edition of the electrical appliance on the shelf.

Furthermore, the measuring and / or control unit can also be designed to detect by measuring the electrical resistance over at least two electrode surfaces, on which electrode surfaces the at least one electrical device with its contact surfaces rests. This offers the advantage that it can be reliably detected by a simple procedure via which of the electrode surfaces it is possible to apply a charging voltage or to carry out a data exchange. The measurement of the resistance indicates, in the case of a very high measured resistance, that the electrode surface is not contacted, with an average resistance that the electrode surface is in contact with the contact surface and the electrical device is connected via a further contact surface and an electrode surface and thus a charge of the electrical appliance over this is possible. Furthermore, the measuring and / or control unit can also be designed to identify those electrode surfaces which are in electrical connection with the contact surfaces. This may be helpful for searching a group of electrode surfaces that contact a common contact surface of the electrical device so that these electrode surfaces can be interconnected to form a common "virtual" electrode surface to increase a contact area.

In another embodiment of the invention, the measuring and control unit can be designed to send to the electrode surfaces measuring and / or control signals and evaluate them to the evaluated signal depending on the parameter at least one suitable for an electrical appliance DC or DC voltage or a Switch alternating current or an alternating voltage on defined electrode surfaces by. This offers the advantage that the measuring and / or control signals can already indicate with which charging voltage the electrical appliance is to be charged, so that a simple selection of the required charging voltage by the measuring and / or control unit is possible.

Furthermore, it is also possible in another embodiment of the invention that the voltage potential between at least two electrode surfaces corresponds to a charging voltage of the electrical appliance, in particular wherein the charging voltage is less than 20 V. This offers the advantage that when the electrode surfaces are subject to erroneous loading with the

Charging voltage endangerment of a user by electric shock is almost impossible.

It is also favorable if the charging and communication device is equipped with a solar cell and / or a solar module and / or can be connected to such a solar cell. This offers a high degree of flexibility when using the charging and communication device, so that not only a network-dependent operation is possible, but also alternative energy supply concepts, for example, for mobile applications can be used for charging the electrical appliance.

Furthermore, the charging and communication device can also be equipped with an energy storage unit, preferably a rechargeable battery. This offers the advantage that the charging energy is not necessarily obtainable from a power supply network, but can also be effected by a slow charge over a relatively long period of time (for example via a solar module) and then the charge of the electrical device from the energy store is quickly possible. For a fast and secure energy transfer between the charging and communication device and the electrical device, the electrical electrode surfaces may have an area of at least 5 mm ² , preferably 25 mm ² , more preferably more than 50 mm ² .

In order to be suitable for any especially uneven storage surfaces, the electrical electrode surfaces may be semi-flexible, preferably flexible.

A simple production of the charging and communication device can take place if the electrical electrode surfaces consist of electrically conductive polymers or polymer blends, preferably graphite-filled elastomers.

Also, in a further embodiment of the invention, the electrical electrode surfaces consist of metallized fabrics, which is characterized by a favorable and simple manufacturing process of the electrode surfaces (for example, by vapor deposition).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the electrical electrode surfaces may consist of incorporated and / or woven metal threads and / or wires. This offers a very favorable possibility to contact the individual electrode surfaces via the metal threads or wire with the measuring and / or control unit.

In order to obtain the largest possible contact area between a contact surface and the electrode surfaces, mutually insulated electrical electrode surfaces can represent a contact surface field and / or electrical electrode surfaces can be connected to one another as desired.

Furthermore, the electrical electrode surfaces may also have a distance from one another which is selected such that contact is established between the contact surfaces and the electrode surfaces in each position of position by the electrical device on the deposition surface, so that a power supply and / or a data exchange with the electrical device in the storage area over electrode surfaces is possible. This ensures that the advantages essential to the invention can be implemented.

In order to obtain a fine resolution of the electrode surface grid on the support surface, the measuring and / or control unit should advantageously be connected to the respective electrical electrode surfaces individually, preferably galvanically separated. Likewise, for optimal resolution of the electrode surface grid, the measuring and / or control unit should advantageously be designed in such a way as to control the respective electrical electrode surfaces individually.

In order to load more than one electrical appliance at the same time, or at least to recognize it as lying on the shelf, the measuring and / or control unit can be designed to detect contact situations between the electrode surfaces on the one hand with the contact surface (s) of at least two electrical appliances on the other hand ,

The charge of at least two electrical appliances lying on the shelf can then be advantageously carried out when the measuring and / or control unit is designed to apply voltages to the different electrode surfaces in order to charge the at least two electronic appliances.

The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following exemplary embodiments, which should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection, but represent only one of several preferred embodiments, it being understood by those skilled in the art that the features of the embodiments illustrated in the figures can also be combined , The same or similar elements are provided with the same or similar reference numerals, wherein a repeated description is omitted.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a cross section of a charging and communication device according to the

2 shows a perspective view of a charging and communication device 1 according to the prior art, in which an electrical device 2 has been inserted. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a shell-shaped charging and communication device

1 with a plurality of electrode surfaces 4 and an electrical device 2 stored thereon. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a shell-shaped charging and communication device 1 with a plurality of electrode surfaces 4 and a layer deposited thereon

Electrical appliance 2

5 is a plan view of a flat charging and communication device 1 with a plurality of electrode surfaces 4 and a stored thereon electrical appliance. 2

6 is a plan view of a vaulted, flat charging and Kommunikationsvorrich- device 1 with a plurality of electrode surfaces 4 and stored thereon an electric device. 2

7 is a perspective view of two bag-shaped charging and communication devices 1 and in an electrical device 2 therein Fig. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention as a method; Fig. 9 is an illustration of an underside of another embodiment of the present invention as an electric appliance; and FIG. 10 is another flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention

Invention as a method.

In the prior art, which is shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electrical device 2 can be deposited on a charging and communication device 1, which via its contact surface (s) 3 with electrode surface (s) 4 of the charging and communication device 1 is connected. The charging and communication device 1 is connected via a connection or power cable 5 to a power grid and / or data network. In this case, the charging and communication device 1 may have a Kontaktberrüstrahmen 6 for electrical appliances 2. However, the charging and communication device 1 according to the prior art has the disadvantage that an electrical appliance always in a predetermined position (or rotated by 180 °) must be inserted into the charging bracket. As a result, the ease of use for a user is severely limited, so that a simple drop of the electrical appliance, for example, in the dark or inaccessible places is not possible or only with considerable expense.

Overcoming the above-mentioned surprisingly exemplary disadvantages has been achieved according to the invention in that a solution has been found which dispenses with the contacting by means of connectors and / or the targeted placement in conventional positions by at least two electrical contact surfaces 3 and on the outside according to the invention both on the electrical device Charging and communication device 1 also at least two, preferably more than two, contact surfaces or electrode surfaces 4 are mounted, wherein the contact between the electrical device 2 and the device 1 by the gravity of the device 2 on the device 1 comes about.

Electrical devices 2 for the charging and communication device 1 according to the invention can be, for example, electrical and / or electronic handheld devices, radios, data loggers, data scanners, mobile phones, PDAs, music and / or video or image playback devices.

The advantages according to the invention are again summarized as follows: By simply depositing at least one electrical device 2 on a storage surface of the charging and communication unit 1, these are automatically charged. This is the time optimal for the user, ie not further improved Process and the simplest possible use of electrical appliances to be charged and / or stored 2.

- The charging and communication unit 1 according to the invention represents a much more stable, designerfreiere, ergonomic and haptic improvement over the solutions of the prior art.

It can be loaded on a shelf more than one electrical device 2.

- The risk that the at least one electrical device 2 may fall, is low or greatly reduced.

Electric devices 2 can additionally exchange data, for example when the device is in electrical contact with the charging and communication unit 1, e.g. Software updates when a connection of the charging and communication unit 1 e.g. with the internet.

- Electrical devices 2 can use in electrical contact with the charging and communication unit 1 according to the invention as a loudspeaker and loudspeaker, which is not usually the case with conventional base stations and power adapters. - The direct contact enables a minimum loss of energy and data transmission.

The storage surface can be equipped with light sources, preferably with advertising elements, in low ambient lighting.

The embodiments described below relate to an inventive

Charging and Communication Device 1. The charging and communication device 1 according to Figure 3 consists of a tray with a plurality of radially arranged electrode surfaces 4, to which an electrical device 2 with contact surfaces on the outer contour (which are not shown in Fig. 3) can be stored. Because the electrode surfaces are arranged radially and are electrically insulated from one another, a measurement and / or control unit 7 can be used to carry out measurement with measurement signals which are electrically conductively connected to the electrode pads 4 of one of the contact surfaces. For example, this measurement can be carried out by applying a measuring potential to an electrode surface, and subsequently the potential on the other electrode surfaces can be determined in pairs or the resistance between the one subjected to the measuring potential and another electrode surface 4 can be determined. If, for example, the resistance is almost zero, it can be assumed that the two considered (ie examined) electrode surfaces 4 are connected via the contact surface 3 of the electrical appliance 2 (and can be interconnected to form an electrode group). If the resistance between the investigated electrode surfaces 4 is significantly greater than zero, it can be assumed that the examined electrode surfaces 4 make contact with different contact surfaces 3 of the electrical device 2, so that the energy store of the electrical device 2 to be charged forms a "charging resistor" the measuring and / or control unit 7 can be seen, that a charging voltage is to be connected between the electrode surfaces 4, over which the average resistance was measured. Furthermore, a very high resistance can also be measured between the considered electrode surfaces 4, from which it can be seen for the measuring and / or control unit that these considered electrode surfaces 4 are not connected to one another.

The charging and communication device 1 can now be used by a user such that the electrical device 2 can be placed in any position in the storage tray or storage tray to be charged with energy on the electrode surfaces 4 can. It is apparent from both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 (which is a perspective view of a charging and communication device 1) that the electrical device 2 need not be placed in a specific position on the support surface of the charging and communication device 1 ,

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the present invention in the form of a loading and communication device 1 wherein the loading and communication device 1 comprises a flat storage area made of textile fabric. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the loading and communication device 1 from FIG. 5. The textile fabric surface is woven with individual conductive metal filaments or bundles in such a manner that many mutually insulated contact or electrode surfaces 4 are formed which have an electrical connection for each individual contact surface 4 on the side or preferably on the backside of the textile fabric , The electrical connection is made by e.g. formed by a solder or crimp connection with a connection cable. Each cable of a contact surface 4 is guided to the measuring and control electronics unit 7 of the charging and communication device 1. The measuring and control unit 7 outputs several signals, e.g. 100 mV for 100 ms, on single or multiple contact surfaces 4, and at the same time, if the contact surfaces 4 are not so controlled, measures the signal response, e.g. the potential that arises. By suitable program logic or by selective variation of the transmission and interrogation mode, electrode surface pairs are identified as a result, between which an electrical connection, e.g. consists of a metallic foreign body or a designated E- lektrogerät 2. The measuring and control unit 7 checks after detection of the contact pairs 4 either a) by measuring e.g. the ohmic resistance between the pairs and / or b) by sending data information whether between the at least three electrode surfaces 4 is a desired aufzuladendes electrical device 2 or an electrical device 2 with appropriate communication protocols.

An electric device 2 suitable for the charging and communication device 1 becomes the ohmic resistance between the contact surfaces in a specific parameter range and / or in turn specifically respond to received potentials and / or data by sending signals and / or data ("handshake function", identification protocol.) The measurement and control unit is based on the signal response or the measurement results obtained, the specific parameters for set the electrical device 2 and continuously monitor the charging or data transfer process .. Preferably, only low voltages of less than 20 V and currents below 50OmA are passed through the contact surfaces 4.

If the user takes the electrical appliance from the storage surface, the measuring and control unit 7 detects the interruption of the connection and switches off the potentials on the electrode surfaces 4 or back into the identification or "stand-by mode" in which contact - Tested between the electrode surfaces 4 at regular or irregular intervals on.

If electrical connections e.g. By means of keys or other electrically conductive objects produced between electrode surfaces 4, the measuring and control unit 7 identifies these and does not conduct charging current or data information over the corresponding electrode surfaces in order not to cause a short circuit.

If an electrical appliance 2 occupies e.g. With a contact surface 3, two or more electrode surfaces 4 detects the measuring and control unit 7 this and evaluates the divided potentials or signals targeted. Possibly. As a consequence poorly contacted contact surfaces 4 are not switched on or switched on.

After identification and specific control of the positionally suitable contact surfaces to an electrical appliance 2, the charging and communication device 1 can also be used for speaker talk and / or open listening due to an optionally integrated amplifier via a data exchange. Furthermore, the charging station 1 can establish a connection for data exchange with a PC and others, e.g. "Slave" - control mobile phones (base station function).

With the charging station according to the invention, different devices, e.g. a mobile phone, an MP3 player and an electric key are loaded with different parameters. A temperature monitoring can be integrated.

Furthermore, the shelf does not necessarily have to be flat, but it can also be rolled up, for example, bag-shaped, as shown in Fig. 7. The electrical appliance can be kept very well in such a storage area. The measuring and / or control unit 7 can also measure those electrode surfaces 4 which are in electrical connection with an electrically conductive substance or mixture of substances, preferably an aqueous liquid, and / or an article which is not an electrical device 2 with contact surfaces 3.

Also, in another embodiment, the electrical electrode surfaces 4 made of gold and / or hard gold and / or nickel and / or silver and / or steel and / or metal alloys exist to form an optimal electrical connection to the contact surfaces 3 of the electrical device 2.

In order to indicate that a charge of the electrical appliance 2 is made by the charging and communication device, means for (preferably optical) displaying the charging process and / or the state of charge may be connected, which preferably comprise LEDs or O-LEDs.

An optimal location of the shelf even in the dark is ensured when the shelf, preferably in too low ambient light, is illuminated. It is also possible to provide illuminated advertising, so that the application of advertising on the one hand makes it possible for the user to purchase such a loading and communication device inexpensively and on the other hand also provides the advertising company with a good opportunity to advertise in the permanent field of vision User (when placing the electrical appliance on the shelf) to place.

Furthermore, the charging and communication device 1 can be used as a loudspeaker and audio hearing system over greater distances than with the electrical appliance alone for acoustic input and / or -ausgäbe. In this way, an optimal utilization of the various contact situations between contact surfaces and electrode surfaces can be ensured on the one hand for the energy transmission and on the other hand for the data transmission.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the measuring and / or control unit can switch off the electrode surfaces 4 or switch through a ground potential or a very low potential, preferably intermittently or permanently, for conductive substances and / or articles which are not electrical devices 2 with contact surfaces 3 preferably for measuring purposes, by switching to the electrode surfaces 4.

8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention as method 10 for supplying energy and / or exchanging data for one or more electronic devices. 2. The method comprises a step of intermittent and / or continuous measurement 12 of electrical contact situations between more than three electrode surfaces 4 of a charging and communication device 1 with measuring signals which are insulated from one another. Furthermore, the method comprises a second step of evaluating 14 the measurement signals with a measurement and / or control unit 7 and / or comparing the measurement signals with programmable parameters, depending on the evaluation and / or comparison results, a contact situation of an electrode surface 4 with a contact surface 3 of an electrical appliance 2 to recognize. Finally, the method 10 includes a step of driving 16 of the respective electrode surfaces 4 with a voltage or ground potential, provided that an electrical device 2 to be supplied with energy and / or a data flow is in contact with the electrode surfaces 4 with its contact surfaces 3.

However, the approach according to the invention is not limited to a charging and / or communication device 1 having a storage surface with at least three electrode surfaces 4 insulated from each other. The concept according to the invention can also be applied to the electrical appliance 2, in which case more than two contact areas must be controlled or evaluated in an analogous manner. Thus, the present invention also provides, according to an embodiment shown in FIG. 9 (bottom), an electrical device 2 having at least three electrically isolated contact surfaces 3 on an outer contour of the electrical device 2, which are designed to be electrically connected to at least one of several insulated electrode surfaces 4 of a charging and / or communication device 1 to establish an electrical connection. Furthermore, the electrical device 2 comprises a measuring and / or control unit 18 (which is contained in the electrical device 2 and is therefore shown in dashed lines in FIG. 9), which is connected to each of the contact surfaces 3, wherein the measuring and / or control unit 18 is formed is to apply single or multiple contact surfaces 3 with signals and to determine a signal response at a not acted upon with a signal contact surface 3, to the signal response contact situations between the contact surfaces 3 on the one hand with the or the electrode surfaces 4 of the charging and / or communication device 1 on the other hand to recognize. The design of such an electrical device 2 with at least three contact surfaces 3 can be carried out analogously to the specific embodiments of the charging and communication device 1, as defined in the subclaims.

Analogously, according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method 20 for supplying energy and / or exchanging data to an electrical appliance 2 can be provided, which comprises a first step of intermittent and / or continuous measurement 22 of electrical contact situations between at least three mutually insulated contact surfaces 3 of the electrical appliance 2 with measuring signals. Furthermore, the method comprises FIG. 20 shows a second step of evaluating 24 the measurement signals with a measurement and / or control unit 18 and / or comparing the measurement signals with programmable parameters to determine a contact situation of a contact surface 3 with an electrode surface 4 of a contact surface 3 as a function of the evaluation and / or comparison results Electric appliance 2 to recognize. Finally, in a third step, a recording 26 of an energy and / or a data stream takes place via a contact surface 3, provided that an energy and / or data flow-supplying electrode surface 4 of a charging and / or communication device 1 is in contact with the contact surface 3 of the electrical device second

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 charging and communication device

2 electrical appliance

3 contact surface (s) of the electrical appliance 4 contact surface (s) of the charging and communication device; electrode surfaces

5 connection or mains cable of the charging and communication device

6 contact retrofits for electrical appliances

7 measuring and / or control unit

10 method for power supply and / or data exchange of one or more electrical appliances

12 step of intermittent and / or ongoing measurement of electrical contact situations

14 step of evaluating the measuring signals 16 step of controlling the respective electrode surfaces with a voltage or

ground potential

18 measuring and / or control unit

20 method for power supply and / or data exchange of an electrical appliance 2

22 Step of the Interval-like and / or Continuous Surveying 24 Step of Evaluating the Measuring Signals with a Measuring and / or Control Unit 26 Step of recording an energy and / or a data stream over a contact surface

Claims

claims

1. Charging and communication device (1) for an electrical device (2) to be charged and / or supplied with energy and / or to be supplied with data, wherein the

Charging and communication device (1) comprising the following features:

- A storage surface with more than two electrically insulated from each other electrode surfaces (4) which are adapted to at least one of a plurality of contact surfaces (3) on an outer contour of the electrical appliance (2) to establish an electrical connection; and

- A measuring and / or control unit (7) which is connected to the electrode surfaces (4), wherein the measuring and / or control unit (7) is adapted to apply single or more electrode surfaces (4) with signals and at an electrode surface (4) not acted upon by a signal to determine a signal response in order to detect from the signal response a contact situation between the electrode surfaces (4) with the contact surface (s) (3) of the at least one electrical device (2).

2. charging and communication device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is formed to the electrode surfaces (4) variably measuring and / or controlling and / or charging current supplying at least two different voltage and / or a ground potential to strike.

3. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the storage surface is formed so that the electrical appliance (2) in at least two different position positions, preferably in each position position on the support surface with the electrode surfaces ( 4) and its contact surfaces (3) is in electrical connection.

4. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is designed to detect by measuring the electrical resistance across at least two electrode surfaces (4), on which electrode surfaces (4) the at least one electric device (2) rests with its contact surfaces (3).

5. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is designed to identify those electrode surfaces (4) which are connected to the contact surfaces (3). be in electrical connection.

6. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the measuring and control unit (7) is designed to send to the electrode surfaces (4) measuring and / or control signals and evaluate them in order to switch on at least one DC current or a DC voltage or an AC current or an AC voltage to defined electrode surfaces (4) which is suitable for an electrical appliance (2) from the evaluated signal, depending on the parameter.

7. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, character- ized in that the voltage potential between at least two E lektrodenflächen (4) corresponds to a charging voltage of the electrical device, in particular wherein the charging voltage is less than 20V.

8. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, character- ized in that the charging and communication device with a

Solar cell and / or a solar module equipped and / or can be connected to such.

9. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, character- ized in that the charging and communication device with a

Energy storage unit, preferably a battery, is equipped.

10. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) have an area of at least 5 mm ² , preferably 25 mm ² , more preferably more than 50 mm ² .

11. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) are semiflexible, preferably flexible.

12. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) of electrically conductive polymers or polymer blends, preferably graphite filled elastomers exist.

13. charging and communication device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, character- ized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) consist of metallized tissues.

14. charging and communication device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) made of incorporated and / or woven metal threads and / or wires.

15. Charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that mutually insulated electrical electrode surfaces (4) represent a contact surface field and / or electrical electrode surfaces (4) are arbitrarily interconnected.

16. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the electrical electrode surfaces (4) have a distance from each other, which is chosen so that by the electrical device (2) on the shelf in each position position Contact between the contact surfaces (3) and the

Electrode surfaces (4) is made, so that a power supply and / or a data exchange with the electrical appliance (2) in the storage area on electrode surfaces (4) is possible.

17. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) with the respective electrical electrode surfaces (4) individually, preferably electrically isolated, are connected.

18. charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is designed to individually control the respective electrical electrode surfaces (4).

19, charging and communication device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is adapted to the contact response situations between the electrode surfaces (4) on the one hand with the or Contact surfaces (3) of at least two electrical appliances

(2) on the other hand to recognize.

20. Loading and communication device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that the measuring and / or control unit (7) is designed to apply voltages to the different electrode surfaces (4) in order to charge the at least two electrical devices (2)

21. Method (10) for supplying energy and / or for exchanging data from one or more electrical appliances (2), the method (10) comprising the following steps:

- Interval-like and / or continuous measuring (12) of electrical contact situations between more than three mutually insulated electrode surfaces (4) of a charging and communication device (1) with measuring signals; and evaluating (14) the measurement signals with a measurement and / or control unit (7) and / or comparing the measurement signals with programmable parameters in order to determine a contact situation of an electrode surface (4) with a contact surface (4) as a function of the evaluation and / or comparison results. 3) of an E lektrogerätes (2) to recognize; and activating (16) the respective electrode surfaces (4) with a voltage or ground potential, provided that an electrical device (2) to be supplied with energy and / or a data flow exchanges its contact surfaces (3) with the electrode surfaces (4). is.

22 electrical appliance (2) having the following features: - at least three electrically isolated from each other contact surfaces (3) on an outer contour of the electrical device (2), which are adapted to at least one of a plurality of electrically isolated from each other electrode surfaces (4) of a loading and / or communication device (1) to establish an electrical connection; and

- A measuring and / or control unit (18) which is connected to each of the contact surfaces (3), Wherein the measuring and / or control unit (18) is adapted to apply single or multiple contact surfaces (3) with signals and to determine a signal response at a non-signal acted upon contact surface (3) to recognize from the signal response contact situations between the contact surfaces (3) on the one hand to the one or more electrode surfaces (4) of the charging and / or communication device (1) on the other.

23. Method (20) for supplying energy and / or for data exchange from an electrical appliance (2), the method (20) comprising the following steps:

Intermittent and / or continuous measuring (22) of electrical contact situations between at least three mutually insulated contact surfaces

(3) the electrical device (2) with measuring signals;

Evaluating (24) the measuring signals with a measuring and / or control unit (18) and / or comparing the measuring signals with programmable parameters in order to determine a contact situation of a contact surface (3) with an electrode surface (4) in dependence on the evaluation and / or comparison results ) of an electrical appliance (2); and

- receiving (26) an energy and / or a data stream via a contact surface (3), if an energy and / or a data flow-supplying electrode surface (4) of a charging and / or communication device (1) in contact with the contact surface ( 3) of the electrical appliance (2).