RFID/NFC-SYSTEM AND AN RFID/NFC-ELEMENT

Abstract

An RFID/NFC-system comprising a stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) and a movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6), wherein the stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) comprises a stationary carrier (16) with a first coil (17) arranged for example on its upper surface (15) or on its lower surface and connected to a first RFID/NFC-chip (18), wherein the stationary carrier (16) is fixed with one of its side faces (5) to a mounting device (2), wherein the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) comprises a movable carrier (7, 7, 7) with a second coil (8, 8, 8) arranged for 6, 9 example on its upper surface (14) or on its lower surface, wherein the second coil (8, 8, 8) is connected or connectable to a second RFID/NFC-chip and wherein the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) can be moved with respect to the stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) such that the upper surface (14) or the lower surface of the movable carrier (7, 7, 7) and the upper surface (15) or the lower surface of the stationary carrier (16) at least partly face each other such that signals can be transferred between the first coil (17) and the second coil (8, 8, 8). Further an according RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) is described.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. RFID/NFC-system comprising: a stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4); and a movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6), wherein: the stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) comprises a stationary carrier (16) with a first coil (17) arranged on either its upper surface (15) or on its lower surface and connected to a first RFID/NFC-chip (18), the stationary carrier (16) is fixed with one of its side faces (5) to a mounting device (2), the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) comprises a movable carrier (7, 7, 7) with a second coil (8, 8, 8) arranged on either its upper surface (14) or on its lower surface, the second coil (8, 8, 8) is either connected or connectable to a second RFID/NFC-chip, and the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) is movable with respect to the stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) such that the upper surface (14) or the lower surface of the movable carrier (7, 7, 7) and the upper surface (15) or the lower surface of the stationary carrier (16) at least partly face each other such that signals can be transferred between the first coil (17) and the second coil (8, 8, 8).

14. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) is arranged with respect to the stationary RDIF/NFC-interface (4) such that a plane of the first coil (17) and a plane of the second coil (8, 8, 8) at least partly face each other.

15. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein: at least one of the stationary carrier (16) or the movable carrier (7, 7, 7) is a printed circuit board; and at least one of the first coil (17) or the second coil (8, 8, 8) is etched or printed onto the printed circuit board.

16. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein: at least one of the stationary carrier (16) or the movable carrier (7, 7, 7) is a printed circuit board; and at least one of the first coil (17) or the second coil (8, 8, 8) is etched or printed as a planar coil onto the printed circuit board.

17. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the mounting device (2) is a top hat rail.

18. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the mounting device (2) is a DIN rail (2).

19. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein at least two stationary RFID/NFC-interfaces (4) are fixed to the mounting device (2).

20. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 19, wherein the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) are movable between the stationary RFID/NFC-interfaces (4).

21. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the stationary RFID/NFC-interface (4) comprises a housing (3) with an opening (13) for inserting the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6).

22. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the second coil (8, 8, 8) is connected to a third coil (10) for transmitting signals to or receiving signals from a portable RFID/NFC-interface (12).

23. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the portable RFID/NFC-interface (12) is one or more of a portable computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, or any other RFID/NFC-enabled mobile device.

24. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 22, wherein the third coil (10) is fixed to the portable RFID/NFC-interface (12) by adhesive means.

25. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 22, wherein the third coil (10) is fixed to the portable RFID/NFC-interface (12) by mechanical means.

26. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 13, wherein the movable RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) is part of a movable RFID/NFC-interface (9) comprising an RFID/NFC-chip.

27. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 26, wherein the movable RFID/NFC-interface (9) comprises at least one of a display, an operator control (21), a battery (20), a communication-port (23), or a power connection (22).

28. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 27, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display (LCD) (19).

29. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 27, wherein the operator control (21) is at least one key (21) or button.

30. RFID/NFC-system according to claim 27, wherein the communication-port (23) is a USB-port.

31. RFID/NFC-element (6, 6, 6) according to claim 13.

Description

[0021] There are several ways how to design and further develop the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous way. To this end it is to be referred to the patent claims subordinate to patent claim 1 as well as to independent claim 11 on the one hand and to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention by way of example, illustrated by the figure on the other hand. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention by the aid of the figure, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching will be explained. In the drawing

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of different embodiments of an RFID/NFC-system according to the invention,

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic cutaway view of a component comprising an RFID/NFC-interface according to the invention,

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of an RFID/NFC-element according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of an RFID/NFC-element according to the invention,

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of an RFID/NFC-element according to the invention,

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of an RFID/NFC-element according to the invention, and

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the parameter setting of a stationary RFID/NFC-element according to the invention.

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of different embodiments of an RFID/NFC-system according to the invention. Three components 1 are mounted to mounting device 2, for example a top hat rail, especially a DIN rail 2. The components 1 comprise a housing 3 and a stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 that is arranged inside the housing 3 and therefore not visible. The components 1 are fixed with one of their side faces to the mounting device, for example a top hat rail, especially as shown a DIN rail 2. Hence the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 is fixed to the DIN rail 2 with one of its not shown side faces 5, too.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows two different embodiments of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6. The first embodiment of an RFID/NFC-element 6 comprises a movable carrier 7 with a second coil 8. The RFID/NFC-element 6 is part of a movable RFID/NFC-interface 9, for example an RFID/NFC-reader/writer, and is thus RFID/NFC-enabled.

[0031] The second embodiment of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6 comprises a movable carrier 7 with a second coil 8. The second coil 8 is connected to a third coil 10 arranged on a substrate 11. The substrate 11 is designed as a sticker such that the substrate 11 is attached to a portable RFID/NFC-interface 12 by adhesive means. In this embodiment the portable RFID/NFC-interface 12 is a mobile phone or smart phone. The RFID/NFC-element 6 and the third coil 10 serve as an extension for the portable RFID/NFC-interface 12.

[0032] As can further be seen from FIG. 1 the movable RFID/NFC-element 6, 6, 6 can be either inserted in an opening 13 of the housing 3 or moved between the components 1. When the RFID/NFC-element 6, 6, 6 is arranged inside the housing 3 or between the components 1, the upper surface 14 of the movable carrier 7, 7, 7 faces the not shown upper surface 15 of the not shown stationary carrier 16. Depending on the position of the not shown first coil 17 arranged on the stationary carrier 16 the movable RFID/NFC-element 6, 6, 6 can be arranged with respect to the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 such that a plane of the first coil 17 and a plane of the second coil 8 at least partly face each other. This leads to a very good inductive coupling between the first coil 17 and the second coil 8. Due to the good inductive coupling the first coil 17 and/or the second coil 8 can be operated with low power. Thereby the transmitting power of the first coil 17 and/or the second coil 8 is low such that the magnetic field generated by the first coil 17 and/or the second coil 8 will not interfere with adjacent devices. Hence each stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 of each component 1 can communicate with the movable RFID/NFC-element 6, 6, 6 respectively the movable RFID/NFC-interface 9 or the portable RFID/NFC-interface 12.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a schematic cutaway view of a component 1 comprising a stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 arranged in a housing 3. The stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 comprises a stationary carrier 16 with a first coil 17 and a RFID/NFC-chip 18 each arranged for example on the upper surface 15 of the stationary carrier 16. The housing 3 comprises an opening 13 for inserting a movable RFID/NFC-element 6. The housing 3 is fixable to a DIN rail 2 with its side face and therefore the stationary carrier 16 is fixed to the DIN rail 2 with its side face 5, too.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6 in a schematic top view. The movable RFID/NFC-element 6 comprises a movable carrier 7 with a second coil 8 arranged for example on its upper surface 14. The second coil 8 is connected to a third coil 10. Third coil 10 is arranged on a substrate 11. The substrate 11 can be a sticker such that the third coil 10 can be adhesively attached to an RFID/NFC-enabled device.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6 in a schematic top view. The movable RFID/NFC-element 6 is part of a movable RFID/NFC-interface 9, for example an RFID/NFC-reader. The movable RFID/NFC-element 6 comprises a movable carrier 7 with a second coil 8 arranged for example on the upper surface 14 of the movable carrier 7. Further the movable RFID/NFC-element 6 comprises an LCD 19, a battery 20 and keys 21 as operator control.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6 in a schematic top view. The movable RFID/NFC-element 6 of FIG. 5 differs from the movable RFID/NFC-element 6 of FIG. 4 only in that a power connection 22 instead of a battery 20 is arranged. Therefore the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is especially suitable for industrial implementation.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of a movable RFID/NFC-element 6 in a schematic top view. The movable RFID/NFC-element 6 of FIG. 6 differs from the movable RFID/NFC-element 6 of FIG. 4 in that an communication port 23, for example an USB-port, is arranged instead of an LCD 19, a battery 20 and keys 21. Hence the RFID/NFC-reader shown in FIG. 6 is simple in construction and therefore inexpensive to manufacture.

[0038] FIG. 7 shows the parameter setting of a component 1 comprising a stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 inside the housing 3. The stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4, for example an RIFD/NFC-tag, can be parameterized by a RFID/NFC-reader 24 before mounting component 1 to the DIN rail 2. Parameter setting can involve storing a serial number in the Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) of the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4. Hence the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 will serve as a type label. Alternatively or additionally other information can be stored to the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4, too. After mounting the component 1 to the DIN rail 2 the stationary RFID/NFC-interface 4 can communicate with the movable RFID/NFC-element 6, for example a portable RFID/NFC-interface 12 or a movable RFID/NFC-interface 9. An RFID/NFC-system according to the invention can be utilized for inventory. Further the Firmware of the component 1 can be updated using an RFID/NFC-system of the invention.

[0039] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to the one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0040] 1 component [0041] 2 mounting device, DIN rail [0042] 3 housing [0043] 4 stationary RFID/NFC-interface [0044] 5 side face [0045] 6, 6, 6 movable RFID/NFC-element [0046] 7, 7, 7 movable carrier [0047] 8, 8, 8 second coil [0048] 9 movable RFID/NFC-interface [0049] 10 third coil [0050] 11 substrate [0051] 12 portable RFID/NFC-interface [0052] 13 opening [0053] 14 upper surface (movable carrier) [0054] 15 upper surface (stationary carrier) [0055] 16 stationary carrier [0056] 17 first coil [0057] 18 RFID/NFC-chip [0058] 19 LCD [0059] 20 battery [0060] 21 operator control (keys) [0061] 22 power connection [0062] 23 communication port [0063] 24 RFID/NFC-reader