Device for actuating an actuator

• US 8,358,232 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Issued: 01/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Giesecke + Devrient Mobile Security GmBH (Giesecke & Devrient GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
• Inventors: Finkenzeller, Klaus, Knies, Emil
• Primary Examiner(s): KAPLAN, HAL IRA
• Application Number:
  US12/529,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20100014207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,784 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/24 Inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer

Abstract

An apparatus for actuating an actuator having an energy storage for supplying the actuator, an integrated circuit for controlling the energy supply from the energy storage to the actuator and an antenna device. Additionally, an interface module that is configured as a separate unit relative to the integrated circuit is connected to the antenna device for the contactless transmission of energy for the energy storage and of data for a communication with the integrated circuit.

Claims

1. An apparatus for actuating an actuator, comprising:

an energy storage supplying energy to the actuator;

an integrated circuit controlling the energy supply from the energy storage to the actuator, wherein the integrated circuit is configured as a chip for chip cards;

an antenna device; and

an interface component configured as a separate unit relative to the chip having the integrated circuit, said interface component connected to the antenna device, wherein the interface component is arranged to transmit energy contactlessly to the energy storage and to transmit data for a communication with the integrated circuit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, including a switching device connecting the energy storage to the actuator.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching device is arranged so that a connection is enabled between the energy storage and the actuator by the switching device, without interrupting the energy supply from the antenna device to the energy storage.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage exclusively supplies the actuator and does not supply the integrated circuit.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface component is configured for simultaneous transmission of energy and data.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface component has a regulating circuit arranged to regulate voltage generated by the antenna device to a constant value.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein regulated antenna generated voltage is supplied to the integrated circuit as operating voltage (VCC).

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a charging current for charging the energy storage is output from the regulating circuit.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface component comprises a modulation device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the modulation device is activatable directly by the integrated circuit.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the interface component includes a signal forming device coupled with the antenna device for transforming a signal received by the antenna device into a digital signal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit is arranged to enable cryptographic operations to be carried out.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the energy storage is configured as a capacitor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuator constitutes a part of a locking device.

15. A system for actuating an actuator, comprising an external device and a control device, wherein the actuator is arranged to be actuated by the control device in dependence on a signal of the external device that is transmitted in a contactless fashion, wherein the control device is configured according to claim 1.

16. An interface component for an apparatus for actuating an actuator, comprising;

an energy storage for supplying the actuator;

an integrated circuit for controlling the energy supply from the energy storage to the actuator, wherein the integrated circuit is configured as a chip for chip cards;

an antenna device; and

said interface component configured as a separate unit relative to the chip having the integrated circuit, wherein the interface component is configured to enable transmittal of energy for the energy storage and data for a communication with the integrated circuit in a contactless manner.

17. A method for actuating an actuator using a control device, said control device comprising an energy storage for supplying energy, an integrated circuit controlling the energy supply from the energy storage to the actuator, an antenna device, and an interface component, wherein the actuator is connected to the energy storage, comprising the steps:

transmitting a signal to the interface component of the control device in a contactless fashion and,

supplying energy via said interface component in a contactless manner to the control device to thereby charge the energy storage,

wherein the integrated circuit is configured as a chip for chip cards and the interface component is configured as a separate unit relative to the chip having the integrated circuit.