WO2010108474A1

WO2010108474A1 - Apparatus for temporary current and/or signal access

Info

Publication number: WO2010108474A1
Application number: PCT/DE2010/000310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Brunner
Original assignee: Brunner Gmbh
Priority date: 2009-03-23
Filing date: 2010-03-22
Publication date: 2010-09-30
Also published as: EP2410891A1; DE102009014083A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for current and/or signal access to a piece of seating and/or writing furniture, wherein at least one current-conducting and/or signal-conducting terminal (41, 42) is provided at the piece of seating and/or writing furniture (10-13) connected to a power and/or signal supply. For this purpose, a current and/or signal flow connecting or disconnecting switch element is disposed at the piece of seating and/or writing furniture between the current and/or signal supply (51) and the provided current-conducting and/or signal-conducting terminal. The switch element can be actuated for a settable time period by way of a time switch. The time switch can be activated by way of a transceiver unit by the approach of a transponder (70). The present invention provides an apparatus for temporary current and/or signal access, wherein a specially authorized customer is given current and/or signal access for a constant or selectable time period.

Description

Device for temporary power and / or signal access

Description:

The invention relates to a device for a power and / or signal access to a sitting and / or writing furniture, wherein provided at the connected to a power and / or signal supply seating and / or writing furniture at least one power and / or signal-carrying connection is.

Travelers often travel with battery-powered, mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, GPS receivers, smaller music players, and similar devices. During longer wait pauses, e.g. in waiting areas of airports or train stations, these devices are often used. There you occasionally need a standard power connection to

Charging the power storage integrated in the entrained devices. So you often see a small group of travelers who stand with laptops on their knees in the waiting area at a equipped with sockets indoor pillar to operate their equipment and / or recharge.

From DE 20 2007 002 596 Ul table furniture are known, which carry a connection device to which, for example, a computer for power supply to a power outlet and for communication to a USB or VGA port can be adapted. From DE 101 49 225 Al a connected to a power supply seating is known, are attached to the multimedia communication means. The communication means comprise data transmission means for transmitting and receiving data. The seating furniture including a screen, speakers and at least one microphone are arranged.

The present invention is based on the problem to develop a device for a temporary power and / or signal access, in which a specially authorized customer receives a power and / or signal access for a constant or selectable period of time.

This problem is solved with the features of claim 1. For this purpose, a current and / or signal flow connecting or disconnecting switching element is arranged on the seat and / or writing furniture between the power and / or signal supply and the provided flow and / or signal-carrying connection. The switching element can be actuated via a timer for an adjustable period of time. The timer can be activated by means of a transmitting and receiving unit by approaching a transponder.

The present invention is intended to allow certain persons who are temporarily in public places, to connect their power-dependent devices on the power grid for use or charging. The public places are here eg waiting halls for travelers, libraries for learners or lounges in hospitals for those waiting. At this Public places are seating of all kinds, such as benches, chairs, armchairs, sofas or tables set up. The seating furniture can be indoors or outdoors. Possibly. These furniture are firmly anchored.

In the following embodiment, a chair is presented, on which a power supply via two safety sockets is arranged. In addition to this type of power access, low voltage accesses such as e.g. Jacks for 1.2 to 24 volts or plug-in slots as a charging station for laptop or mobile phone batteries conceivable.

Instead of the plug-in or charging-based charging or power supply, the device arranged on the seat or table furniture can also comprise a wireless charging or supply station. For this purpose, the supply station and the device to be charged each have an electric coil. The excitation coil of the supply station transmits the current to the consumer coil by inductive transmission in the near field. This transformer coupling can be used by all - currently available devices.

Furthermore, the device can also signal leading connections such. TAE or ISDN sockets, TV analog connections, LAN sockets or the like. These signal-carrying connections are also enabled by a corresponding transponder.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of a schematically illustrated embodiment. Figure 1: multi-seater with temporarily energized double socket between two seats; Figure 2: Enlarged section of Figure 1, but in addition with a card transponder; FIG. 3: access control module;

Figure 4: multi-seater with three seats seen from above; Figure 5: as Figure 4, but with four seats; Figure 6: as Figure 5, but with six seats.

Figure 1 shows by way of example a chair (10), as e.g. in waiting areas of train stations or airports. Such a seat (10) comprises a group of seats (14, 15), wherein each seat (14, 15) has a seat (21) and possibly also a backrest (22). The combination of seat (21) and backrest (22) is here attached to a support tube (24). The support tube (24) itself is on the furniture legs (28) on the respective room floor (1).

According to Figure 1, the seating (10) has two seats (14, 15), wherein between the seats (14) and (15) is a free space (29), in which a multiple socket (30) and an access control module (60) are arranged. The combination of the multiple socket (30) and the access control module (60) is a device for temporary power and / or signal access.

The multiple socket (30) is mounted, for example, on the front surface (35) of the square-shaped support tube (24). The access control module (60) is mounted centrally on the top (34) of the multiple socket (30). The top (62) of the Access control module (60) is located according to Figure 1 approximately at the height of the seat surface (21) of the adjacent seats (14, 15).

Referring to Figure 2, the support tube (24) is, for example, a square tube with an edge length of e.g. 100 millimeters. The top of the support tube is here parallel to the contact surface (1) of the chair (19) oriented. On the front side (26) of the support tube (24) is the multiple socket (30), e.g. via screw connections, so fastened that the geometric center of the housing (33) of the multiple socket (30) is at the height of the theoretical center line (25) of the support tube (24).

The example cuboid housing (33) of the multiple socket (30) has on its front side (35) two earthed sockets (41, 42). Possibly. Each outlet (41, 42) can be closed with a resilient hinged lid. Inside the housing (33) behind the sockets (41, 42) a - not shown - - arranged power supply. The power supply is connected to a support tube (24), e.g. three-core cable (51) connected. The cable (51) is e.g. a designed for 230 volt plastic wire line NYM type. Inside of seating (10-13), which are fixed at the place of installation on the room floor (1), the cable (51), for example via one of the hollow furniture legs (28) in the room floor (1) introduced to there - in cable ducts laid - to be connected to the building electrics or electronics.

Instead of the rigid attachment of the housing (33) at fixed locations of the support tube (24) and a variable mounting can be provided. For this purpose, the support tube (24), for example, on its front side (26) with a dovetail or t groove-like longitudinal groove provided. In the longitudinal groove, the housing (33) is attached via sliding mortise stones. In the groove area, the support tube (24) has a plurality of transverse bores for a cable feedthrough. Between the assembled multiple (30) or single sockets (31), the longitudinal groove is sealed dust-tight by a cover strip.

On the housing (33), the access control module (60) is attached. The access control module (60) has a relatively flat, cuboid housing (61), which rests here with its rear side on the support tube (24). According to FIG. 3, a cross-shaped marking (65) is located on the upper side (62) of the housing (61) - almost centrally. In the left edge of the case, three LEDs (66-68) are visible. The underside of the housing (61) has an opening which is mounted over an at least approximately congruent opening of the housing (33). The power supply unit and the sockets are connected to the electrical system and electronics of the access control module via a cable harness passing through the openings.

In the housing (61) u.a. a transmitting and receiving unit, a switching element, e.g. arranged in the form of an electrical relay, a timer and a fixed antenna.

The transmitting and receiving unit is the stationary part of an RFID system. To complete the RFID system, you need at least one transponder (70).

The transponder (70), here for example a passive transponder, essentially consists of a microchip and an antenna. The microchip stores a few kilobytes of data, which include, for example, the access code and / or the validity of the transponder. The microchip data becomes readable as soon as the transponder near the access control module (60) or its stationary antenna passes.

The stationary antenna emits a high-frequency electromagnetic signal generated by the transmitting and receiving unit

Alternating field. In this field, the transponder (70) extracts the energy, which is necessary to generate an induction current in the antenna coil, via its integrated antenna. The induction current is rectified in the transponder (70) to charge a capacitor as a short-term memory. The temporary memory provides the power to make the microchip data readable to the transmitting and receiving unit.

In the present case, the RFID operating frequency is e.g. in the long-wave range at 125 kHz. The working range, ie the distance between the transmitting and receiving unit and the transponder (70) is a few centimeters, ideally 0 to 1 cm.

The transponders (70) may e.g. have the usual chip card format, cf. Figure 2. You can also have the shape of key chains or adhesive labels.

The electronics of the access control module (60) has a cooperating with an electromechanical or electronic load relay timer. The load relay has at least one NO contact, which supplies the respective sockets with mains voltage during a relay operation. The load relay in turn is activated by the timer. For example, the timer is set to a constant period, e.g. 15 minutes or a multiple of this set.

If a waiting person sitting on a seat (14-19) next to the access control module (60) now places his transponder the (70) briefly on the top (62) of the housing (61) in the region of the cross-shaped mark (65), the timer is activated. At least the socket directly next to the seat (14-19) now supplies power for a certain period of time.

As already mentioned, the time span can be determined by the device hardware. It is also possible to specify the time span through the transponder. For example, There are cards for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes or even for several hours or days. The reading device integrated in the transmitting and receiving unit reads from the memory of the transponder the time period specified there. The electronics of the access control module (60) will then give that time to the timer.

In order to facilitate the use of the device or the user, the device has only the example of the three LEDs (66, 67, 68). The upper, e.g. red LED (66) lights to indicate the operational readiness of the device, i. the sockets (41, 42) can be unlocked with a suitable transponder (70). The two other LEDs (67, 68) are off.

If the person waiting uses his transponder (70), the red LED (66) goes out. For this, the third light emitting diode (68), e.g. a green LED, energized. It lights up as long as the corresponding socket (41, 42) provides the mains voltage.

The second middle LED (67), for example, it has a yellow color, begins to flash when the time specified by the timer is over. For example, it starts two minutes before the end of the ken. Possibly. In the last 30 seconds, the flashing frequency is increased - for increased clarification of the time span end.

Of course, the optical signals here can also be replaced or supplemented by acoustic signals. In this case, a piezo signal generator, including the required circuitry, is additionally provided in the housing (61). Haptic signalers are also known e.g. in libraries conceivable. The latter, for example, are integrated in the seating area and vibrate when the power is turned off in the near future.

With the access control module (60) described so far, the user is provided with at least one socket on site after his authorization for a certain period of time. The non-writable or erasable transponder (70) he can use this again and again, regardless of location. With a higher-value RFID system, the access control module (60) can not only read the memory of the transponder (70), but also selectively delete or at least partially rewrite its contents. This is u.a. used to specify a specific total useful life in memory, which is then reduced by the amount of time spent each time it is used. The time offset can be made in seconds, minutes or time intervals. Once the total useful life has been exhausted, the transponder becomes unusable or must be connected to appropriate machines - e.g. Chargeable - recharge.

For this higher-value system, the access control module (60) can be equipped with a display, which then displays, for example, the remaining usage time. Also, the access control module (60) can be expanded, for example, with a ten-key pad, so as to type in individual usage times. In a further expansion stage, it is also conceivable via the access control module (60) and the matching transponder to supply the respective socket with the mains voltage required by the user - eg 110 or 230 volts. For this purpose, for example, the corresponding changeover switch is actuated in the access control module (60) for the respective voltage.

The access control module (60) may also be coupled to a seat usage detection. In this case, the access control module (60) or its electronics and antenna is activated only when a person waiting by its own weight, the seat (21) of the corresponding seat loads. A corresponding weight or pressure sensor starts the functions of the access control module (60).

As an alternative to the regular power supply, larger accumulators with downstream inverters can be arranged on the sitting or writing furniture. The accumulators and inverters are suspended e.g. hidden under the seats or underneath the corresponding desks of the desks. The rechargeable batteries supply their direct current to inverters when needed, in order to transform them from this into the local alternating voltage. The access control module (60) is supplied in this alternative directly from the accumulator with its operating voltage. If the operating voltage is below the rated voltage of the accumulator, it is adjusted by a downstream voltage converter.

Instead of a multiple socket can also be used coming out of the support tube wiring harness. The cable harness then carries at each end of the cable, for example, a protective contact coupling. Possibly. the harness is automatically pulled into the support tube after use.

Furthermore, in the field of sockets also charging compartments for standardized accumulators, e.g. of the types Micro, Mignon or Baby. Low-voltage charging compartments for mobile phones are also conceivable.

In the embodiments described above, the multiple sockets and the access control modules are mounted on a support tube of the chair. Instead of the support tube, any other viable construction is conceivable. It is also possible to integrate the multiple sockets and access control modules in the furniture itself.

In the figures 4 to 6, the arrangement of the devices is shown in seating with more than two seats in a schematic plan view. FIG. 4 shows a three-conductor (11). Here, a double socket (30) is arranged between the first (14) and the second seat (15). Between the second (15) and the third seat (16) it is e.g. only a single socket (31).

FIG. 5 shows a four-seater (12). Here is between the first (14) and second seat (15) and between the third (16) and fourth seat (17) a double socket (30) positioned. The six-seater (13) of Figure 6, the scheme continues regularly.

Of course, any other meaningful placement of sockets is conceivable. Also, the flow and / or signal-carrying terminals (41, 42) under the seat surfaces (21) and / or behind the backrests (22) may be arranged. List of reference numbers:

1 standing area, room floor

10 seats, two-seater

11 three-seater

12 four-seater

13 six-seater

14-19 seat

21 seat area

22 backrest

24 support tube

25 midline

26 area, front

28 furniture legs

29 free space

30 multiple socket, double socket

31 simple socket

33 housing

34 top

35 front side; Area, front

41, 42 sockets, socket outlets; current and / or signal-carrying connections

51 power cables, plastic wire; Power and / or signal supply Access control module Housing top mark, cross mark upper LED middle LED lower LED

transponder

Claims

claims:

1. Device for a power and / or signal access to a sitting and / or writing furniture, wherein at the connected to a power and / or signal supply seat and / or writing furniture (10-13) at least one stream and / or signal carrying connection (41, 42) is provided, characterized in that - that on the seat and / or writing furniture (10-13) between the

Power and / or SignalVersorgung (51) and the provided flow and / or signal-carrying port (41, 42) is arranged a current and / or signal flow connecting or disconnecting switching element, - that the switching element via a timer for an adjustable period of time is operable and

- That the timer can be activated by means of a transmitting and receiving unit by the approach of a transponder (70).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching element, the timer and the transmitting and receiving unit as access control module (60) in a housing (61) are summarized.

3. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transponder (70) comprises a microchip and an antenna

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the access control module (60) and the transponder (70) form a radio-frequency identification system.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transponder (70) is a smart card or a key fob.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current-carrying terminal (41, 42) is a protective contact socket of a multiple socket (30).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that in the housing (33) of the multiple socket (30) a power supply for the provision of the access control module (60) required low voltage is arranged.

8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the transponder (70) a non-volatile data memory is arranged, whose memory cells individually or in groups represents monetary time periods.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmitting and receiving unit of the access control module (60) at each use of the transponders in the transponder (70) individually or in groups - money-worth periods representing - memory cells are deleted.