EP2700055B1 - Id signal transmitter for a motor vehicle access system with a removable nfc assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an ID transmitter for a motor vehicle access system having a plastic housing and a component-enclosed printed circuit board enclosed by the housing, wherein the components include a voltage supply cell with an associated holder, an LF coil arrangement and RF transmitter. and receiving components for communication with motor vehicle side transmitting and receiving devices and at least one controller component.

ID encoders of the type mentioned are well known. The patent application DE 10 2010 061 351.7 describes an improvement on such a known ID transmitter, in which on the one hand a compact ID transmitter with a printed circuit board minimum size created and on the other hand, the ID transmitter is equipped with an NFC communication option. The ID transmitter described therein contains a printed circuit board in a plastic housing, on the upper side of which an LF-3D coil arrangement for receiving a wake-up signal emitted by the motor vehicle in the LF frequency range, a holder for receiving a battery and an NFC chip card holder are mounted. Further components are arranged on the back of the printed circuit board, such as a controller, a transceiver for bidirectional communication with a motor vehicle side transmitting and receiving device in the RF frequency range and an associated quartz crystal. Adjacent to the back of the printed circuit board and substantially parallel to this, an antenna assembly in the form of a conductor-carrying carrier film is arranged. The conductor tracks of the antenna assembly comprise an NFC antenna coil coupled via conductive lines of the printed circuit board to terminals of the NFC smart card receptacle. With this ID transmitter, the chip card holder can be inserted into an NFC chip card, which is also referred to as "NFC secure element" and has, for example, the format of a micro SD card. The NFC smart card includes transmit and receive circuits for radio frequency communication, circuits for encrypting and decrypting the transmitted signals, and controller and interface circuits. When inserted into the receptacle, the NFC chip card is coupled to the NFC antenna coil within the ID transmitter. In this patent application is stated that the NFC smart card is regularly equipped even with an antenna, the coupling of the NFC antenna coil of the ID transmitter but the increase in the communication range serve.

The document EP 1 798 867 A2 describes a communication device with an NFC device. The communication device may be, for example, a mobile phone with which an NFC module (NFC module) can be coupled.

The separation of ID transmitter and NFC module makes sense on different occasions. For example, with the NFC assembly, authorization of monetary services (e.g., purchases or booking services) may be made. However, it is not always desired that this authorization function or the data stored thereon and stored on the NFC chip remain connected to the ID transmitter. If, for example, the ID transmitter is handed over to a second user of the vehicle or a service force of a workshop, these persons should have access to the functions of the vehicle, but not to the data of the NFC chip.

However, it has been found that the NFC chip without an attached NFC antenna coil of the ID transmitter is not suitable to carry out the desired communication. However, it would be desirable if the NFC chip which can be coupled to an ID transmitter could also carry out NFC communication after it had been removed from the ID transmitter. Since the NFC chip lacks the required battery voltage supply, at least communication in transponder mode should be made possible, energy being transmitted via the RF field to the NFC chip which contains or is coupled to a small energy store.

Furthermore, it is often desirable and useful for ID encoders to provide a mechanical emergency key, which For example, in case of failure of the power supply unlocking the vehicle allowed.

It is an object of the invention to provide an ID transmitter with an emergency key, which has an NFC communication capability, wherein a communication enabling NFC module is detachable from the ID transmitter.

This object is achieved by an ID transmitter with the features of claim 1. The ID transmitter according to the invention for a motor vehicle access system has a plastic housing, a printed circuit board enclosed by components and a housing cover mounted and removable in a housing recess. The components of the printed circuit board include, among other things, a power supply cell with an associated mount, an LF coil assembly, and RF transmit and receive devices for communicating with on-vehicle transmit and receive devices and at least one controller device.

The ID transmitter according to the invention is characterized in that an NFC module is integrated under the housing cover which is mounted and removable in a housing recess, wherein the NFC module has an NFC chip removable from it (which can be inserted into a chip receiver of the NFC module and thus separately) or with the NFC assembly collectively removable from the housing), a coupled to the NFC chip NFC antenna coil and a plurality of arranged on the NFC assembly and coupled to the NFC chip contacts comprises.

When the assembly is mounted in the housing and the housing cover is secured in the housing recess, the contacts may be connected to associated contacts of the housing, the associated contacts being connected to the printed circuit board and / or the devices such that a voltage supply to the NFC And a signal exchange between the NFC assembly and the printed circuit board and / or the components is made possible. The NFC module preferably has an energy store and is then designed so that a communication with the NFC module is possible even after removing the NFC module.

A mechanical emergency key is separably coupled to the NFC assembly. For this, the NFC assembly has a receptacle that receives the emergency key. Emergency key and NFC module can be removed as a unit from the ID transmitter. However, it is also possible to remove the emergency key from the NFC module and leave the NFC module in the ID transmitter.

The inventive ID transmitter integrates both NFC chip and a coupled NFC antenna coil in a removable module and a mechanical emergency key, which is separably coupled to the assembly. The NFC assembly may remain functional even after removal - at least in a transponder mode - that is, NFC communication is enabled when the NFC assembly with the emergency key is disconnected from the ID transmitter. One of the advantages of this is that the owner of the ID transmitter can pass this on to a third party (for example a motor vehicle workshop) without at the same time having to pass on his NFC module, and that the owner nevertheless uses the removed NFC module can perform an NFC communication, so can use the NFC assembly. Of course, then the NFC module can no longer work with the support of the power supply cell of the ID transmitter. However, this can be compensated for by the smaller energy store (for example a capacitor) contained in the NFC module. The NFC assembly or NFC assembly must be of sufficient size to accommodate the NFC antenna coil.

Preferably, the housing cover is provided on a flat surface on a rear side of the ID transmitter and the NFC module is accommodated in a cavity under the housing cover. The housing cover can be replaced after removal of the assembly for sealed sealing of the opening.

It is advantageous if the conductor tracks of the NFC antenna coil are arranged in a surface of the NFC module adjacent to its edge, so that the largest possible winding diameter is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment of the ID transmitter, the ID transmitter has on a front side at least one operator-operable button and the removable housing cover is part of the back wall of the ID transmitter.

Preferably, the removable housing cover covers an interior of the ID transmitter, in particular a battery compartment, in which the power supply cell is housed. The housing cover has the function of a battery compartment cover while covering the NFC assembly. The NFC module is located underneath the housing cover and can also cover the battery of the ID transmitter, so that the NFC module must be removed to replace the battery at the ID transmitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable housing cover covering the NFC assembly may occupy substantially the entire backplane of the ID transmitter. The underlying NFC package can then be maximized in size so that the NFC antenna coil housed therein, circumferentially located near the edge of the NFC module, can occupy a maximum area. This serves to increase the communication range. At the same time, the housing cover can serve as a stable battery cover in this embodiment.

Thus, in the case of its temporary removal, the battery compartment or the interior is not exposed to the effects of dirt or moisture, the housing cover after removal of the NFC assembly can be reconnected to the ID transmitter and closes it against environmental influences.

In a preferred embodiment of the ID transmitter, the NFC assembly has a USB port. The USB port provides another way to exchange data with the NFC board while powering. In a preferred embodiment, the USB port may be partially formed by contacts formed directly on the removable NFC chip. The adapter, which accommodates the NFC chip, forms at least parts of the USB port for easy mechanical coupling to USB connectors.

Preferably, the NFC package includes matching components coupled between the antenna coil and the NFC chip.

In an advantageous development of the ID transmitter according to the invention, the controller component is coupled to the contacts and configured such that the insertion of the module detected in the ID sensor in the housing recess and after insertion into the housing recess a signal exchange between the NFC module and the controller device is executed to log on the NFC board.

Advantageous and / or preferred developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims.

• Figur 1 eine schematische Ansicht der Rückseite einer Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen ID-Gebers mit eingesetztem Gehäusedeckel;
• Figur 2 eine schematische Ansicht der Rückseite des in Figur 1 dargestellten ID-Gebers mit herausgeschobenem Gehäusedeckel;
• Figur 3 eine schematische Ansicht der Rückseite des in Figur 1 dargestellten ID-Gebers mit herausgeschobener NFC-Baugruppe im Träger,
• und
• Figuren 4a und 4b jeweils eine schematische Ansicht der Komponenten bei getrenntem ID-Geber und NFC-Modul.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings. In the drawings show:

• FIG. 1 a schematic view of the back of an embodiment of the invention ID transmitter with inserted housing cover;
• FIG. 2 a schematic view of the back of in FIG. 1 illustrated ID transmitter with pushed out housing cover;
• FIG. 3 a schematic view of the back of in FIG. 1 illustrated ID transmitter with pushed out NFC assembly in the carrier,
• and
• FIGS. 4a and 4b in each case a schematic view of the components with separate ID transmitter and NFC module.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the inventive ID transmitter 1 with a made of a plastic housing 2 of substantially parallelepiped shape with rounded edges and corners. The ID transmitter 1 is in this embodiment of flat, rectangular shape. On the in FIG. 1 shown back, the housing 2 has a housing cover 3. In this embodiment, the housing cover 3 can be removed from the housing 2 by being displaced in the direction of the plane of its receiving side. Of course, for the ID transmitter a variety of other housing designs conceivable (eg round or oval) and the housing cover 3 can be used in many ways in the housing 2 or be removed from it, for example by folding out or by a rotary motion.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the in FIG. 1 shown ID transmitter 1, in turn, the back is shown and wherein the housing cover 3 is pushed out of him housing receiving recess 5. When pushing out the housing cover 3 from the housing 2, the housing recess 5 is visible.

In this housing recess 5 is a carrier 6, which is received in lateral guides 7 and slidably. In the carrier 6, an NFC module consisting of adapter 8, smart card 9 and emergency key 10 is added. The adapter is the mechanically connecting component of the components, since the emergency key 10 is inserted into a recess of the adapter while the smart card 9 is inserted into another receptacle of the adapter 8. The adapter also houses the NFC antenna (not shown) encapsulated in its body. As shown below, the carrier 6 has recesses tuned to the adapter to securely receive the NFC assembly and bring the NFC assembly in use into contact with the ID transmitter electronic systems.

As in Fig. 3 5, the carrier 6, together with the NFC assembly, can be removed from the ID transmitter with the NFC assembly out of contact with the contacts 11 located below the carrier (see below).

It can be seen that the carrier 6 provides a separation between the interior of the ID transmitter and the NFC assembly, but an electrical contact is made possible. The components in the ID transmitter, e.g. However, a battery and other electronic components (not shown) are protected by the carrier 6 from mechanical effects of the NFC module.

The FIGS. 4a and 4b show the completely separate components of the ID transmitter system according to the invention.

The carrier 6 is pushed out of the ID transmitter and the adapter 8 is removed from the carrier 6. The emergency key 10 is pushed out of the receptacle on the adapter 8 and the NFC chip card 9 is also removed from the associated receptacle on the adapter 8.

It can be seen that the carrier 6 has a recess which receives a projecting portion of the adapter 8 when the adapter 8 is inserted into the carrier 6. In addition, the adapter 8 has on its underside ( FIG. 4b ) a recess which releases contacts on the underside of the chip 9. In the inserted state, the ID transmitter contacts 11 pass through this recess in contact with the associated contacts on the chip 9. On its upper side, the chip 9 in the free end region further contacts, which together with the recording of the adapter 8 is a USB-compatible Form arrangement. The adapter with inserted smart card 9 has in this section so dimensions and contacts through which a USB connector can be made.

Since the NFC antenna and associated electronics are still encapsulated in the adapter 8, the adapter has further contacts (not visible) in the hidden plug-in area in order to connect the electronic components of the chip 9 and 9 when inserting the chip card 9 into the adapter 8 the components of the adapter (antenna, energy storage, control electronics, etc.) produce. In this way, both an autonomous operation of the adapter 8 with inserted smart card 9, regardless of the ID transmitter 1 is possible, as well as an operation in the inserted state, in which case the control is taken over by the ID transmitter via the contacts 11. The components in the adapter 8 comprise an NFC antenna coil connected via the contacts mentioned in the interior of the adapter to the NFC chip 9. In order to form the antenna coil as large as possible, the turns are laid along the edge of the adapter 8.

The emergency key 10 is suitable to ensure basic locking functions on the vehicle even in the event of a power failure. The key 10 is also arranged in the adapter 8 so as to mechanically stabilize the NFC assembly against bending.

The individual components are therefore completely in the ID transmitter receivable but also, if necessary, separable from this. Of the Carrier 6 can be inserted into the ID transmitter after removal and the housing of the ID transmitter 1 can be closed with the lid 3. The ID transmitter is then usable for vehicle operation, but without providing the NFC functionality extracted with the NFC assembly. The removal of the NFC module (8, 9, 10) with the components of the NFC module contained therein has the advantage that the functions of the NFC module and those of the remaining ID transmitter 1 can be used separately. For example, the user can remove the module (8, 9, 10), which stores protected data, before forwarding the ID transmitter 1 to a third party, for example a motor vehicle workshop or another person who would like to use the motor vehicle for a short time , In the ID transmitter 1, the complete functionality for access to the motor vehicle is maintained.

The NFC module (8, 9, 10) can perform NFC communication even when it is taken out of the housing 2. However, after removal no data communication with the other components of the ID transmitter 1 longer possible; the support of the voltage supply by the voltage supply cell of the ID transmitter is then also eliminated. Thus, the NFC communication with the NFC chip 9 even after removal of the NFC module (8, 9, 10) is still possible, in the adapter 8 is coupled to the NFC chip 9 energy storage (not shown) provided at for example, it is a capacitor or a small power supply cell (battery, battery). With a capacitor as an energy storage, for example, a transponder operation of the NFC chip contained in the NFC module (8, 9, 10) is conceivable in which the energy required for operation via a feeding field and the NFC antenna coil in the adapter 8 to the NFC chip 9 and passed to the energy storage in the adapter 8 and stored there temporarily.

In a preferred embodiment, the controller included in the ID transmitter 1, for example one of the controller components, is configured such that the connection of the contacts 11 to the chip 9 during insertion of the NFC module (8, 9, 10) in the ID encoder triggers a signal, for example an interrupt, to the controller. This recognizes the event in this way the insertion of the module and begins with the execution of a program which starts a communication with the NFC module and after the exchange of data, in particular the readout of data from the NFC module, performs an application of the NFC module. After this logon procedure, the controller software knows that the NFC board (8, 9, 10) is loaded with the NFC board and available for data exchange. Corresponding contacts may include, for example, a power supply contact, a ground contact, and two data communication contacts for bidirectional communication.

Although the described example includes a carrier to couple the NFC assembly with the ID transmitter and safely pick up. It is also possible to insert the NFC module directly into the ID transmitter. Then it only makes sense to provide the protective and guiding function of the carrier 6 in other ways, e.g. by forming a protective cover over the electronic components of the ID transmitter, which, however, releases the contacts for contacting the inserted NFC module.

The contact between NFC chip and adapter shown as well as between NFC chip and ID transmitter is merely an example. The contact between the ID transmitter and the chip can be made on the upper side instead of on the lower side of the chip. Then the adapter takes over with suitable traces and contacts e.g. a contacting and passage of the signals and has at a suitable point in turn contacts with which when inserting into the ID transmitter contact between the ID transmitter and NFC chip (via the adapter) is made. The adapter can have further electronic components. In particular, adaptation components coupled in between the antenna coil and the NFC chip can be accommodated in the adapter.

Claims (8)

1. An ID transmitter (1) for a motor vehicle access system, comprising:

   a plastic housing (2),

   a printed circuit board equipped with components and enclosed by the housing (2), wherein the components comprise, amongst other things, a voltage supply cell with an associated holding fixture, an LF coil arrangement and HF transmitting and receiving components for communication with motor vehicle onboard transmitting and receiving devices and at least one controller component,

   wherein an NFC assembly separable from the housing is accommodated in a housing recess, said NFC assembly comprising contacts which, when the NFC assembly is fixed in the housing recess (5), are connected to associated contacts (11) of the housing (2), wherein the associated contacts (11) are connected to the printed circuit board and/or the components in the housing of the ID transmitter, so that a voltage supply for the NFC assembly and a signal exchange between the NFC assembly and the printed circuit board and/or the components is enabled,

   characterised in that

   the NFC assembly comprises a removable NFC chip (9), an NFC antenna coupled with the NFC chip, an adapter (8) coupled with the NFC chip and a mechanical emergency key (10),

   that a housing lid (3) separable from the housing (2) covers the housing recess (5), wherein the NFC assembly is accommodated in the housing recess (5),

   and

   the emergency key (10) is accommodated in a recess of the adapter (8) and separable from the adapter (8).
2. The ID transmitter according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter (8) comprises an energy storage element in the form of a capacitor and/or a further energy supply cell.
3. The ID transmitter according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the removable housing lid (3) is part of the rear wall of the ID transmitter (1).
4. The ID transmitter according to claim 3, characterised in that the removable housing lid (3) covers, apart from the NFC assembly (8, 9, 10), a battery compartment in which the voltage supply cell is housed.
5. The ID transmitter according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterised in that a support (6) separable from the ID transmitter and the NFC assembly is provided, which support can be inserted into the recess (5) as a coupling element between the ID transmitter and the NFC assembly.
6. The ID transmitter according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that the NFC assembly comprises a USB connection, which is constituted at least partially by the adapter (8).
7. The ID transmitter according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterised in that the controller component is coupled with the contacts (11) and configured in such a way that the presence of the NFC assembly in the housing recess (5) is detected and, after the insertion of the NFC assembly (8, 9, 10) into the housing recess (5), a signal exchange is carried out between the NFC chip (9) and the controller component for logging-on of the NFC assembly.
8. The ID transmitter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the emergency key (10) is disposed in the adapter (8) in such a way that it at least partially overlaps the electronic components accommodated in the adapter and mechanically stabilises the adapter in these areas.

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