Transponder Actuatable Switching Device

• US 20090096587A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nera Innovations Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
• Inventors: Finkenzeller, Klaus
• Granted Patent: US 8,130,080 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.34
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10128 the step consisting of detection of the presence of one or more record carriers in the vicinity of the interrogation device
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/958 involving transponders

Abstract

The present invention relates to a switching device for generating a switch signal, a reading device with the switching device and a method for the communication between a reading device and a transponder (T). The switching device includes an antenna (4), which with the help of an adapter circuit (AN) is adapted to a given resistance, and a measuring bridge (1), which includes two voltage dividers connected in parallel. The resistance acts in one of the voltage dividers and in the case of a change of the resistance the measuring bridge (1) generates the switch signal. This means when a transponder reaches the detection range of a reading device having the switching device, an additional impedance is coupled in, which acts on the measuring bridge (1). This change is recognized and leads to the generation of the switch signal.

Claims

1. A switching device for generating a switch signal to be activated with the help of a transponder, comprising an antenna, adapted, with the help of an adapter circuit, to a given resistance, and a measuring bridge comprising two voltage dividers connected in parallel, wherein the resistance acts in one of the voltage dividers and the measuring bridge generates the switch signal when the resistance changes.

2. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein each voltage divider has two resistors connected in series.

3. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring bridge is a Wheatstone measuring bridge.

4. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring bridge is arranged to generate the switch signal when a voltage between the two voltage dividers connected in parallel exceeds a given threshold.

5. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter circuit is arranged to resonate the antenna at a frequency suitable for communication with other devices.

6. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter circuit is arranged to adapt the antenna to a given resistance.

7. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the adapter circuit is connected with the measuring bridge via a coaxial cable connection.

8. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is an antenna coil.

9. The switching device according to claim 1, including a high-frequency oscillator, which is arranged so that it generates an alternating voltage with a predetermined frequency and feeds it into the measuring bridge.

10. The switching device according to claim 1, including a measuring amplifier, which is disposed between the two voltage dividers.

11. The switching device according to claim 1, wherein the switching device is arranged for use in a transponder reading device for the communication with a transponder.

12. A reading device for communicating with a transponder of an external device, comprising a reading apparatus, which carries out the communication with the transponder, a switching device according to claim 1, and a control device arranged to control a switch on the basis of a switch signal of the switching device, the switch connecting the adapter circuit with the reading device.

13. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the control device is arranged to control the switch both dependent on the switch signal of the switching device and dependent on a signal of the reading apparatus.

14. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the reading apparatus is arranged to start the communication with the transponder of the external device when the control device receives the switch signal from the switching device.

15. A method for the communication between a reading device and a transponder of an external device, wherein the reading device comprises a reading apparatus for the communication with the transponder and a control device, comprising using a switching device to generate a switch signal for the control device, when the transponder reaches a detection range of the antenna of the switching device, and the control device on the basis of the switch signal to activate the communication with the transponder of the external device, and using as the switching device the switching device according to claim 1.

16. The method according to claim 15, including connecting the measuring bridge of the switching device with the adapter circuit of the switching device via a switch, when no communication of the reading apparatus with a transponder takes place.

17. The method according to claim 15, including connecting the reading apparatus with the adapter circuit of the switching device via a switch when the switching device supplies a switch signal.