WO2006021592A1 - Electronic lock comprising an automatic actuation system which uses a capacitive proximity sensor - Google Patents

Electronic lock comprising an automatic actuation system which uses a capacitive proximity sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006021592A1
WO2006021592A1 PCT/ES2004/000341 ES2004000341W WO2006021592A1 WO 2006021592 A1 WO2006021592 A1 WO 2006021592A1 ES 2004000341 W ES2004000341 W ES 2004000341W WO 2006021592 A1 WO2006021592 A1 WO 2006021592A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
proximity
detection
lock
charge
cycles
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES2004/000341
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
José Angel PÉREZ LÓPEZ
Aitor María AGUEDA QUESADA
Original Assignee
Onity S.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Onity S.L. filed Critical Onity S.L.
Priority to AT04742069T priority Critical patent/ATE498876T1/en
Priority to DE602004031469T priority patent/DE602004031469D1/en
Priority to EP04742069A priority patent/EP1783694B1/en
Priority to ES04742069T priority patent/ES2360857T3/en
Priority to PCT/ES2004/000341 priority patent/WO2006021592A1/en
Publication of WO2006021592A1 publication Critical patent/WO2006021592A1/en

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07CTIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/00174Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys
    • G07C9/00309Electronically operated locks; Circuits therefor; Nonmechanical keys therefor, e.g. passive or active electrical keys or other data carriers without mechanical keys operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks

Definitions

  • the new electronic proximity lock referred to in this invention is aimed at electronic locksmith applications in which the lock is an energetically autonomous device, that is, it is powered by batteries and not connected to an unlimited supply electrical network, or is a device that requires low energy consumption, and the key with which this lock operates is a proximity key without contacts, which can be a card , a keychain, or in general any object that incorporates technologies for exchanging data with electronic devices without physical contact between them.
  • the lock itself must also incorporate the electronics necessary for this contactless data exchange to take place and a low-consumption wake-up system for this communications electronics to reduce the high energy consumption that would entail keeping the lock constantly in communication.
  • the solution referred to in this invention can be integrated into any other electronically controlled device that, such as the electronic lock, is energy-independent or that a minimum energy consumption is sought without being operated by proximity to a contactless proximity such as safes, encoders, wall card readers, etc.
  • a contactless proximity such as safes, encoders, wall card readers, etc.
  • These devices are usually intended to equip, for example, hotel rooms, cruise ships, government buildings, military buildings, universities and, in general, any premises where there will be a wide variability of users with the right of access over time.
  • the concept of proximity electronic locksmithing has been developed in several clearly differentiated technical stages and on most occasions has been directly related to the use of cards as a key element.
  • the first concepts of electronic proximity lock such as the one described in patent US4717816, understand the term proximity by exclusively encompassing the reading element, that is, the lock is not operated by the proximity of the card but rather the reading of the card , magnetically encoded in this case, is performed without the need for physical contact between the card and the reader head of the lock, but always with the need for the card to be inserted in a reading slot or, in the most general case, that The card is precisely positioned on the reader of the lock.
  • an electronic lock is described that has a magnetic reader formed by three heads capable of detecting a code written on a card by means of the magnetization of three parallel bands.
  • This new concept of electronic proximity locksmith is based on the application of technologies for the exchange of important volumes of contactless information between an electronic device, such as a lock, and a key or card that has elements for the storage and exchange of information. such as proximity chip cards.
  • These technologies allow an exchange of information between these two elements due to the mere proximity between said elements, for example by means of radio frequency, and therefore does not require the introduction of the card in a slot or an especially precise positioning of it on a specific reader.
  • the only necessary and sufficient condition is proximity, and the distance at which this type of communication can be maintained depends, among other factors, on the emitting power of the electronic device that will interact with proximity cards, among other factors.
  • the user In the chip card presentation maneuver, the user must press one of the surfaces of the lock that is connected to a switch, which thanks to this pressure connects the power supply to the chip card reading unit, activating it and allowing " in that moment the reading of the card without there being physical contact between card and lock.
  • Some commercial solutions are based on substituting presence detection for self-awakening with an awakening, programming the communications system according to the expected frequency of use of the lock in such a way that, by For example, if a user has recently opened the door, the time between a switch on and the next of the communication system is longer than after several hours of inactivity of the lock in which a possible user is expected to be about to arrive.
  • the most recent advances in this field are described in patent JP2001055852.
  • a body moves in the proximity of a detection electrode, the resonance state varies by the electrostatic capacity that is generated between the approached body and the detection electrode, generating a voltage that indicates this approach and activates the communications circuit.
  • the overall consumption of the lock is very low, the operation of the lock does not require contacts even for self-ignition.
  • This invention implicitly exploits a physical phenomenon by which the capacitance of the environment varies with the presence of a body, which in turn produces a variation in a state of resonance, but the differentiating element is the aforementioned change in electrostatic capacity.
  • patent US6362632 proposes a system to measure the variation of the capacitance of the environment when an object is in proximity.
  • the invention consists of using a circuit with two switches whose purpose is to charge a reference capacitor with a known and stable capacitance in time, by means of charges and discharges consecutive of a plate that doubles as a sensor.
  • the first switch allows the sensor to be connected to a determined voltage and the second switch connects the plate to the reference capacitor.
  • the sensor will adopt a load proportional to the voltage and capacitance at that precise moment.
  • the first switch is opened and the second switch is closed, the charge acquired by the sensor will be transferred to the reference capacitor, generating in it a voltage that will be a function of its already known capacitance and the transferred charge, giving this idea of the capacitance of the sensor from which it has been transferred Ia load.
  • This type of detection systems have not been applied to date to an electronic lock in combination with a communications system.
  • the self-awakening system and the contactless communication system for cards are always linked as two integral parts of a self-awakening and communications module.
  • the principles of mechanical or optical self-awakening combined with a proximity communication system have been incorporated into other devices with autonomy requirements similar to those of an electronic lock, such as the case of an operated hotel room safe. by proximity card.
  • the present invention refers to a new electronic proximity lock and the self-awakening and proximity communications module that characterizes it. It is a lock operated by proximity to a key element, hereinafter the card, in which the exchange of information between the lock and the card is carried out without the need for contact between them and without the need for the card to be inserted into no slot of the lock or is precisely positioned on the card reader.
  • the technical problem that is to be overcome with the present invention is related to the limitations of current communication technologies that allow this type of contactless communication between the lock and the card, such as proximity card reading radio frequency systems.
  • These communications technologies require a significant energy consumption of the reader device so that it creates a field around it that excites the electronics incorporated in the proximity card and this can emit the corresponding signal and thus carry out the exchange of information between card and device.
  • Most of today's electronic locks for reasons of economic viability, are autonomous devices from an energy point of view and are usually powered by conventional batteries. By incorporating proximity card technologies in autonomous electronic locks, this high energy consumption of the proximity communication system becomes critical for the viability of the lock.
  • the only solution for this limitation is to incorporate a low consumption proximity detection system in the lock for self-awakening of the communications system, so that the lock can detect the proximity of a body or object at all times but maintaining residual electrical consumption and can activate the communications system, with high energy consumption, only when potentially necessary.
  • this system must allow detection and self-awakening so quickly that the benefits offered to the user are not diminished, that is, the user does not perceive any delay in the operation of the lock due to the incorporation of the self-awakening system.
  • the autonomy of electronic proximity locks is adequate so that their installation is technically and economically viable in the applications for which electronic proximity locks are intended.
  • FIG. 1 shows the theoretical circuit on which the charge pump system is based. Its operation is based on the alternative switching of two switches (1) and (2). By short-circuiting the switch (1) and keeping the switch (2) open, a conductive plate (3) is connected, which acts as a sensor at a predefined voltage (VCC). This plate (3) creates together with the nearby environment and earth a dummy capacitor (4) of capacitance (CX).
  • VCC predefined voltage
  • This capacitance (CX) is variable and depends on the conditions of the environment close to the plate (3) and therefore, the proximity of an object or body to the plate will produce a variation in (CX) with respect to the situation in which there is no proximity of any body or object to the plate (3). Therefore, by short-circuiting the switch (1) keeping the switch (2) open, the plate (3) will load a load (qx1) as a direct function of the capacitance (CX) at said instant. Subsequently, the switch (1) is opened and the switch (2) is short-circuited. At this time, the charge (qx1) acquired by the dummy capacitor (4) is transferred to a reference capacitor (5) connected to ground and with known and stable capacitance in time (CP).
  • the reference capacitor (5) maintains the charge (qx1), while the plate (3) is recharged with a charge (qx2) that it will be a function of the capacitance (CX) of the dummy capacitor (4) at the instant of this second maneuver.
  • the reference capacitor (5) will have a total charge that will be the sum of all the transferred partial charges from the plate (3) in the (N1) charge cycles, and it will generate a voltage (V1) between its terminals that will be a function of the total load that has been transferred from the plate (3).
  • V1 voltage between its terminals that will be a function of the total load that has been transferred from the plate (3).
  • this microcontroller (6) allows a more optimized application of the previous load pump system, designed to measure the capacitance of the environment, adapting it for its application to the detection of proximity of a body or object to the lock effectively, safe and stable.
  • the improvement of the load pump system incorporated in the present invention consists of a new method or algorithm as shown in Figure 4, which, executed by the microcontroller (6), offers the lock a response performance compared to the proximity of a user and global consumption of the proximity lock that improve the current state of the art in this field of technique.
  • Figure 4 shows the final construction of the low power self-awakening system by detecting variations in the capacitance of the environment of the present invention. It includes two protection diodes (7) and (8) and three resistors (9), (10) and (11) for adjusting the currents and voltages in the circuit.
  • FIG. 5 shows a summary of the method used by the present invention for proximity detection using a modification of the charge pump principle described above. As mentioned, said method consists of an algorithm executed by the microcontroller (6) on the modified charge pump circuit shown in Figure 4. Two subprocesses called:
  • Charging cycle which is the maneuver in which the charge of the plate (3) occurs and its subsequent discharge, transferring the acquired charge to the reference capacitor (5).
  • the amount of charge transferred in each charge cycle will depend on the capacitance of the environment of the plate (3).
  • Complete charging process which is the repetition of consecutive charging cycles until the voltage generated between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) equals or exceeds a voltage threshold (V2).
  • V2 voltage threshold
  • the number of charge cycles involved in each complete charge process will depend on the capacitance of the environment during the completion of the complete charge process.
  • the reference capacitor (5) is discharged to a known initial charge, which may be, for example, zero.
  • the method begins with the positioning of the self-awakening system in an initial position (B1) by way of restarting the system and the calibration (B2) of the system, which occurs for example in the first installation of the lock. System calibration occurs not only during reboot but also in process steps (B7) and (B9), where the entire system is recalibrated.
  • the comparison variables of the measured signal and the reference voltages used by the system are given value, and both the dummy capacitor (4) and the reference capacitor (5) are discharged to an initial state that may consist for example, when both capacitors are completely discharged.
  • the comparison variables and the reference voltages that are given value in these calibrations are:
  • VCC Voltage
  • N2 Trip threshold
  • V2 voltage threshold
  • Voltage threshold (V2) or the voltage that is generated between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) after carrying out a number of charge cycles coinciding with the trip threshold (N2), with the condition that there is no proximity to the plate (3) of any body or object other than the lock.
  • Counter value (CONT1) which in the calibration and after each complete charging process is set to zero, and which is the variable that counts the number of charging cycles carried out in each complete charging process, so that each time a charge cycle is performed, the counter value (CONT1) is increased by one unit.
  • Sensitivity S
  • N2 the trigger threshold
  • CONT1 the counter value
  • N3 Number of wake-up cycles (N3), or the number of consecutive times that the counter value (CONT1) must vary with respect to the trigger threshold (N2), and their difference must exceed the sensitivity (S), so that this means unequivocally The proximity of a body or object.
  • Counter value (CONT2) which in calibration is positioned at zero, and which is the variable that counts the number of consecutive complete charging processes in which the counter value (CONT1) has varied with respect to the trigger threshold (N2) and its difference has exceeded the sensitivity (S).
  • the system performs a first measurement (B3) of the capacitance of the environment through charge cycles.
  • the dummy condenser (4) and the reference condenser (5) are initially discharged and the counter value (CONT1) to zero. After this discharge, consecutive charging cycles are carried out.
  • the plate (3) is charged, connecting it to the fixed voltage (VCC) while the reference capacitor (5) is disconnected.
  • the microcontroller (6) opens the power switch of the plate (3) and closes a discharge circuit to charge the reference capacitor (5) with the charge recently acquired by the plate (3).
  • This charge is stored in the reference capacitor (5) that is disconnected from the plate (3).
  • the previous counter value (CONT1) is increased by one unit and it is measured if the voltage between the terminals of the capacitor (5) is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold (V2). If the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) does not exceed the voltage threshold (V2), the charging cycle is repeated again until the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) equals or exceeds the threshold of voltage (V2).
  • the proximity of a body to the plate (3) creates an increase in the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) but the existence of certain materials has been verified, some of them used for the support of chip data. proximity, which create a decrease in the capacitance of the environment with its proximity to the plate (3).
  • the incorporation of the microcontroller (6) in the present invention allows the applied method to be modified depending on the effect expected by the proximity of the proximity chip holder, without changing the algorithm used.
  • This algorithm difference basically consists in that, in the comparisons of the measurements made of the current counter value (CONT1) with respect to the triggering threshold (N2), the value that means possible proximity of a body or object is higher or lower than the threshold firing (N2).
  • the self-awakening system After this ignition, it is checked whether the communications is activated or not (B14). If it is still on, the self-awakening system considers that the last communication process has not finished and resumes the next power-up (B11). In the event that the communications circuit is not turned on, the process is restarted from the environment capacity measurement (B3). If the difference between the counter value (CONT1) and the trigger threshold (N2) after the complete charging process is greater than the sensitivity (S), there is a second indication of the proximity of a body or object to the plate (3 ) but a single measure does not confirm proximity either, since it could have been due to internal errors in the power supply or electronics. Therefore, the counter value (CONT2) is increased by one unit and the complete process of loading and comparison from (B3) to (B5) is repeated (B8) until one of the following three cases occurs:
  • N2 and the current counter value (CONT1) is less than the sensitivity (S) when the counter value (CONT1) is less than the tripping threshold (N2), so the increase in the capacitance of the environment is not owes to any proximity.
  • the communications system will exchange data with this element and in case it corresponds to a key object that corresponds to the lock, the communications circuit will emit a signal to the control circuit of the lock, which will correspond to performing the operation corresponding to the nature of the data exchanged, for example opening the lock.
  • Figure 2 shows an evolution of the circuit of Figure 1 with the same functionality but with a relocation of the switch (2) more in accordance with the application of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows a load pump circuit commanded by a microcontroller (6) with the same functionality as the circuits of Figures 1 and 2.
  • Figure 8 shows the main angles to take into account for the location of the plate (3) as a function of the most probable angle of approach of the card (22).
  • FIG. 9 shows the main external distances to the lock to be taken into account for its operation.
  • the following references are indicated in these figures:
  • VREF Reference voltage for comparison with the capacitor voltage (5)
  • CX Variable capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4)
  • CP Variable capacitance of the reference capacitor (5) 1.
  • B3. Calibration action of the self-awakening comparison variables.
  • B3. Measurement action of the variation of the capacitance of the environment of the plate (3)
  • B4. Comparison of the measurement regarding the tripping threshold (N2)
  • B5. Comparison of the difference between (N2) and the measurement regarding to the sensitivity (S)
  • B6. Action of not activating the communications system.
  • B7. Recalibration action of self-awakening comparison variables.
  • B8. Comparison of the number of consecutive measurements that indicate proximity.
  • B9. Recalibration action of self-awakening comparison variables.
  • B10. Activation action of the communications system.
  • This non-metallic coverage (13) allows the communications field created by the lock's communication system not to be screened by the metal casing (14) of the proximity lock.
  • the conductive plate (3) of the proximity sensor stands out first due to variation of the capacitance of the environment and the antenna of the communication system (12).
  • Plate (3) and antenna (12) are physically mounted on a single support plate (16) or PCB, one on each face of said support plate (16), and with Ia plate (3) located on its outermost face. Due to the special surface of the plate (3) in the form of parallel ribs of approximately one millimeter in width with a transverse rib that electrically interconnects them, the communications field created by the antenna (12) when the communications system is active it is not distorted when crossing the plate (3) and the assembly can adopt its maximum compactness, reducing the space required inside the lock and therefore reducing its overall size.
  • This set of plate (3), antenna (12) and common support plate (16) are supported on a second plate (17) that in turn houses the microcontroller (6) necessary for self-awakening, the additional electronics necessary for the self-awakening circuit and the electronics necessary for the communications system.
  • figure 7 shows a cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna (12) of the communications system.
  • Figure 7 shows the effective proximity detection area (21), a possible approximation of a proximity card (22) and the effective communication area (23) with the proximity card.
  • these effective detection (21) and communications (23) areas are concentrated around the area in which the electronic proximity lock does not have an external metal casing (14), but rather a cover non-metallic (13), for example plastic. In the rest of the areas around the metal casing (14), said casing produces a shielding effect on the detection and communication fields, so the user must bring the card closer to the plastic-covered area (13).
  • the effective area of communications is greater than the effective proximity detection area. This is done so that, given the possibility that the The user moves the card (22) slightly in the proximity of the lock and the communications field is capable of interacting with the card even if the movement is slightly distant after proximity detection.
  • the card (22) can be read in any position that is within the effective communications area (23), although a parallel approach between the surface of the card (22) to the surface of the non-metallic casing (13) is the approach with greater guarantees of operation of the lock.
  • figure 8 shows another cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna of the communications system (12).
  • Two angles stand out in this figure: the angle ( ⁇ ) of positioning of the plate (3) and the antenna (12) located on the same support plate (16) with respect to the vertical, and the angle ( ⁇ ) which is the probable angle of approach of the proximity card with respect to the vertical.
  • figure 9 shows another cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna of the communications system (12).
  • the distance (D1) to the exterior of the metal casing (14) to which the set consisting of proximity sensor plate (3), antenna (12) and the plate that supports them (16) stands out. with respect to the most outstanding point of the metal casing (14) of the lock.

Abstract

The invention relates to a low-power-consumption electronic proximity lock comprising an automatic actuation system which measures variations in the capacitance of the environment of a plate (3). According to the invention, the aforementioned plate serves as a proximity sensor which, together with the environment thereof and an earth connection, forms a dummy capacitor having a capacitance which varies depending on the proximity of a body. In this way, upon detection of the proximity of a body, the automatic actuation system activates a contactless communication system which emits a communication signal, e.g. a radio frequency signal, which is intended to establish a data exchange with a card. When a card is within proximity of, and corresponds to, the lock, the communication system transmits an order to the lock control system and performs the appropriate actions in accordance with the type of data exchanged.

Description

DESCRIPCIÓN Título DESCRIPTION Title
Cerradura electrónica con sistema de autodespierte mediante sensor de proximidad capacitivo Campo de Ia invención La nueva cerradura electrónica de proximidad a Ia que se refiere esta invención está orientada a aplicaciones de cerrajería electrónica en Ia que Ia cerradura es un dispositivo energéticamente autónomo, es decir, está alimentado por baterías y no conectado a una red eléctrica de suministro ilimitado, o es un dispositivo en el que se requiere un bajo consumo energético, y Ia llave con Ia que opera esta cerradura es una llave de proximidad sin contactos, que puede ser una tarjeta, un llavero, o en general cualquier objeto que incorpore tecnologías para el intercambio de datos con dispositivos electrónicos sin que se produzca contacto físico entre ellos. Para esto Ia propia cerradura deberá incorporar también Ia electrónica necesaria para que se produzca este intercambio de datos sin contacto y un sistema de despierte de bajo consumo de esta electrónica de comunicaciones para reducir el elevado consumo energético que supondría mantener Ia cerradura constantemente en comunicación. A su vez Ia solución a Ia que se refiere esta invención puede ser integrada en cualquier otro dispositivo controlado electrónicamente que, como Ia cerradura electrónica, sea autónomo energéticamente o que sin serlo se busque un consumo energético mínimo, y operado por proximidad de una llave de proximidad sin contactos, como pueden ser cajas fuertes, encoders, lectores de tarjetas de pared, etc. Estos dispositivos son habitualmente destinados a equipar por ejemplo habitaciones de hoteles, cruceros, edificios gubernamentales, edificios militares, universidades y en general cualquier local en el que se vaya a dar una amplia variabilidad de usuarios con derecho a acceso en el tiempo. Estado de Ia técnica anterior Dentro del campo de Ia cerrajería electrónica, el concepto de cerrajería electrónica de proximidad se ha desarrollado en varios estadios técnicos claramente diferenciados y en Ia mayoría de las ocasiones se ha relacionado directamente con el uso de tarjetas como elemento llave. Los primeros conceptos de cerradura electrónica de proximidad, como el descrito en Ia patente US4717816, entienden el término de proximidad abarcando exclusivamente al elemento de lectura, es decir, Ia cerradura no es operada por Ia proximidad de Ia tarjeta sino que Ia lectura de Ia tarjeta, codificada magnéticamente en este caso, se realiza sin Ia necesidad de contacto físico entre Ia tarjeta y el cabezal lector de Ia cerradura pero siempre con Ia necesidad de que Ia tarjeta sea insertada en una ranura de lectura o, en el caso más general, que Ia tarjeta sea posicionada de forma precisa sobre el lector de Ia cerradura. En Ia citada patente se describe una cerradura electrónica que dispone de un lector magnético formado por tres cabezales capaces de detectar un código escrito en una tarjeta mediante Ia magnetización de tres bandas paralelas. Posteriores aplicaciones de cerrajería electrónica de proximidad amplían este concepto de proximidad a su interpretación más general, es decir, que Ia tarjeta llave o el elemento llave que debe interactuar con Ia cerradura no deba estar forzosamente introducida en una ranura de Ia cerradura ni en una posición precisa sobre un cabezal de lectura como en el caso anterior, sino que puedan operar con una proximidad externa de Ia tarjeta llave a Ia cerradura sin requerimientos estrictos de posición respecto de Ia cerradura.Electronic lock with self-awakening system using a capacitive proximity sensor Field of the invention The new electronic proximity lock referred to in this invention is aimed at electronic locksmith applications in which the lock is an energetically autonomous device, that is, it is powered by batteries and not connected to an unlimited supply electrical network, or is a device that requires low energy consumption, and the key with which this lock operates is a proximity key without contacts, which can be a card , a keychain, or in general any object that incorporates technologies for exchanging data with electronic devices without physical contact between them. For this, the lock itself must also incorporate the electronics necessary for this contactless data exchange to take place and a low-consumption wake-up system for this communications electronics to reduce the high energy consumption that would entail keeping the lock constantly in communication. In turn, the solution referred to in this invention can be integrated into any other electronically controlled device that, such as the electronic lock, is energy-independent or that a minimum energy consumption is sought without being operated by proximity to a contactless proximity such as safes, encoders, wall card readers, etc. These devices are usually intended to equip, for example, hotel rooms, cruise ships, government buildings, military buildings, universities and, in general, any premises where there will be a wide variability of users with the right of access over time. State of the prior art Within the field of electronic locksmithing, the concept of proximity electronic locksmithing has been developed in several clearly differentiated technical stages and on most occasions has been directly related to the use of cards as a key element. The first concepts of electronic proximity lock, such as the one described in patent US4717816, understand the term proximity by exclusively encompassing the reading element, that is, the lock is not operated by the proximity of the card but rather the reading of the card , magnetically encoded in this case, is performed without the need for physical contact between the card and the reader head of the lock, but always with the need for the card to be inserted in a reading slot or, in the most general case, that The card is precisely positioned on the reader of the lock. In the aforementioned patent an electronic lock is described that has a magnetic reader formed by three heads capable of detecting a code written on a card by means of the magnetization of three parallel bands. Subsequent applications of electronic proximity locks extend this proximity concept to its more general interpretation, that is, that the key card or the key element that must interact with the lock must not necessarily be inserted in a slot of the lock or in a position precise on a reading head as in the previous case, but they can operate with an external proximity of the key card to the lock without strict position requirements with respect to the lock.
Este nuevo concepto de cerrajería electrónica de proximidad se basa en Ia aplicación de tecnologías de intercambio de volúmenes importantes de información sin contacto entre un dispositivo electrónico, como puede ser una cerradura, y una llave o tarjeta que dispone de elementos de almacenamiento e intercambio de información como pueden ser las tarjetas con chip de proximidad. Estas tecnologías permiten un intercambio de información entre estos dos elementos por Ia mera proximidad entre dichos elementos, por ejemplo mediante radiofrecuencia, y por Io tanto no requiere Ia introducción de Ia tarjeta en una ranura ni un posicionamiento especialmente preciso de Ia misma sobre un lector determinado, Ia única condición necesaria y suficiente es Ia proximidad, y Ia distancia a Ia que se pueden mantener este tipo de comunicaciones depende, entre otros factores, de Ia potencia emisora del dispositivo electrónico que interactuará con las tarjetas de proximidad entre otros factores.This new concept of electronic proximity locksmith is based on the application of technologies for the exchange of important volumes of contactless information between an electronic device, such as a lock, and a key or card that has elements for the storage and exchange of information. such as proximity chip cards. These technologies allow an exchange of information between these two elements due to the mere proximity between said elements, for example by means of radio frequency, and therefore does not require the introduction of the card in a slot or an especially precise positioning of it on a specific reader. The only necessary and sufficient condition is proximity, and the distance at which this type of communication can be maintained depends, among other factors, on the emitting power of the electronic device that will interact with proximity cards, among other factors.
Hasta Ia fecha se han realizado diversas invenciones que responden a Ia anterior evolución y que integran como una de sus partes diferenciadoras los denominados sistemas de autodespierte, cuyo fin es reducir el consumo derivado de mantener el sistema de comunicaciones constantemente emitiendo señal. Una primera aproximación es Ia que se describe en Ia patente ES2112152(A1), en Ia cual se describe un sistema de autodespierte de tipo mecánico. Se trata de una cerradura electrónica autónoma alimentada a base de pilas que dispone de una unidad de lectura de tarjetas chip de proximidad mediante ondas electromagnéticas que está aletargada en un estado de consumo mínimo. En Ia maniobra de presentación de Ia tarjeta chip el usuario debe presionar alguna de las superficies de Ia cerradura que está conectada a un interruptor, el cual gracias a esta presión conecta Ia alimentación de Ia unidad de lectura de tarjetas chip activándola y permitiendo" en ese momento Ia lectura de Ia tarjeta sin que haya contacto físico entre tarjeta y cerradura.To date, various inventions have been made that respond to the previous evolution and that integrate so-called self-awakening systems as one of their differentiating parts, the purpose of which is to reduce consumption derived from maintaining the communication system constantly emitting signal. A first approach is that described in patent ES2112152 (A1), in which a self-awakening system of a mechanical type is described. It is an autonomous electronic lock powered by batteries that has a reading unit for proximity chip cards using electromagnetic waves that is dormant in a state of minimum consumption. In the chip card presentation maneuver, the user must press one of the surfaces of the lock that is connected to a switch, which thanks to this pressure connects the power supply to the chip card reading unit, activating it and allowing " in that moment the reading of the card without there being physical contact between card and lock.
Posteriormente se han desarrollado invenciones que no requieren contacto alguno para el despierte del sistema de comunicaciones. Este es el caso de las invenciones descritas en Ia patente EP1026617(A1 ) que consiste en una cerradura electrónica con sistemas de autodespierte sin contacto utilizando tecnologías de detección infrarroja, de barrera óptica o compuestos por un emisor-receptor de un rayo que se refleje en Ia tarjeta. Estos sistemas también consiguen un bajo consumo total de Ia cerradura electrónica haciendo que el sistema de comunicaciones emita sólo en caso de que sea potencialmente necesario ya que el consumo de los sistemas de despierte propuestos es inferior al consumo del sistema de comunicaciones.Subsequently, inventions have been developed that do not require any contact to wake up the communications system. This is the case of the inventions described in patent EP1026617 (A1), which consists of an electronic lock with self-awakening systems without contact using infrared detection technologies, optical barrier or composed of an emitter-receiver of a ray that is reflected in Ia card. These systems also achieve a low total consumption of the electronic lock, making the communications system issue only in the event that it is potentially necessary since the consumption of the proposed awakening systems is less than the consumption of the communications system.
Algunas soluciones comerciales, de las cuales no existen referencias escritas remarcables, se basan en sustituir Ia detección de presencia para el autodespierte por un despierte, programando del sistema de comunicaciones en función de Ia frecuencia esperada de uso de Ia cerradura de tal forma que, por ejemplo, si un usuario ha abierto Ia puerta recientemente, el tiempo entre un encendido y el siguiente del sistema de comunicaciones es más amplio que tras varias horas de inactividad de Ia cerradura en Ia cual se espera que un posible usuario esté a punto de llegar. Los avances más recientes en este campo se describen en Ia patente JP2001055852.Some commercial solutions, of which there are no remarkable written references, are based on substituting presence detection for self-awakening with an awakening, programming the communications system according to the expected frequency of use of the lock in such a way that, by For example, if a user has recently opened the door, the time between a switch on and the next of the communication system is longer than after several hours of inactivity of the lock in which a possible user is expected to be about to arrive. The most recent advances in this field are described in patent JP2001055852.
Se trata de una cerradura electrónica de proximidad equipada con un sistema de autodespierte que cuenta con un circuito de oscilación con una determinada frecuencia y un circuito resonante que causa una resonancia a un armónico un número determinado de veces mayor que Ia frecuencia de oscilación. Cuando un cuerpo se mueve en Ia proximidad de un electrodo de detección, el estado de resonancia varía por Ia capacidad electrostática que se genera entre el cuerpo que se ha aproximado y el electrodo de detección, generando un voltaje que indica esta aproximación y que activa el circuito de comunicaciones. De esta forma, el consumo global de Ia cerradura es muy bajo, Ia operación de Ia cerradura no requiere contactos ni siquiera para el autoencendido. Esta invención explota implícitamente un fenómeno físico por el cual Ia capacitancia del entorno varía con Ia presencia de un cuerpo, que a su vez produce una variación en un estado de resonancia, pero el elemento diferenciador es el mencionado cambio de capacidad electrostática.It is an electronic proximity lock equipped with a self-awakening system that has an oscillation circuit with a certain frequency and a resonant circuit that causes a harmonic resonance a certain number of times greater than the oscillation frequency. When a body moves in the proximity of a detection electrode, the resonance state varies by the electrostatic capacity that is generated between the approached body and the detection electrode, generating a voltage that indicates this approach and activates the communications circuit. In this way, the overall consumption of the lock is very low, the operation of the lock does not require contacts even for self-ignition. This invention implicitly exploits a physical phenomenon by which the capacitance of the environment varies with the presence of a body, which in turn produces a variation in a state of resonance, but the differentiating element is the aforementioned change in electrostatic capacity.
En este sentido Ia patente US6362632 propone un sistema para medir Ia variación de Ia capacitancia del entorno cuando se da proximidad de un objeto. A pesar de que no se trata de una patente directamente relacionada con una cerradura electrónica, Ia invención consiste en utilizar un circuito con dos interruptores cuyo fin es ir cargando un condensador de referencia con una capacitancia conocida y estable en el tiempo, mediante cargas y descargas consecutivas de una placa que hace las veces de sensor. El primer interruptor permite que el sensor se conecte a un voltaje determinado y el segundo interruptor conecta Ia placa al condensador de referencia. Partiendo de una situación inicial en Ia que tanto el sensor como el condensador están descargados o con una carga conocida, si se cortocircuita el primer interruptor, el sensor adoptará una carga proporcional al voltaje y a Ia capacitancia en ese preciso instante. Si tras hacer esto se abre el primer interruptor y se cierra el segundo interruptor, Ia carga adquirida por el sensor se transferirá al condensador de referencia, generando en éste un voltaje que será función de su capacitancia ya conocida y Ia carga trasferida, dando esto idea de Ia capacitancia del sensor del que se ha transferido Ia carga. Este tipo de sistemas de detección no han sido aplicados hasta Ia fecha a una cerradura electrónica en combinación con un sistema de comunicaciones.In this sense, patent US6362632 proposes a system to measure the variation of the capacitance of the environment when an object is in proximity. Although it is not a patent directly related to an electronic lock, the invention consists of using a circuit with two switches whose purpose is to charge a reference capacitor with a known and stable capacitance in time, by means of charges and discharges consecutive of a plate that doubles as a sensor. The first switch allows the sensor to be connected to a determined voltage and the second switch connects the plate to the reference capacitor. Starting from an initial situation in which both the sensor and the capacitor are discharged or with a known load, if the first switch is short-circuited, the sensor will adopt a load proportional to the voltage and capacitance at that precise moment. If after doing this, the first switch is opened and the second switch is closed, the charge acquired by the sensor will be transferred to the reference capacitor, generating in it a voltage that will be a function of its already known capacitance and the transferred charge, giving this idea of the capacitance of the sensor from which it has been transferred Ia load. This type of detection systems have not been applied to date to an electronic lock in combination with a communications system.
A Io largo de toda esta descripción del estado de Ia técnica anterior, sistema de autodespierte y sistema de comunicaciones sin contacto para tarjetas van siempre unidos como dos partes integrantes de un módulo de autodespierte y comunicaciones. De hecho, los principios de autodespierte mecánico u óptico combinados con un sistema de comunicaciones de proximidad se han incorporado a otros dispositivos de requerimientos de autonomía similares a los de una cerradura electrónica, como puede ser el caso de una caja fuerte de habitación de hotel operada por tarjeta de proximidad. En este sentido existen soluciones comerciales, sin referencias documentales reseñables, que combinan autodespierte y comunicaciones como un módulo único a incorporar en cualquier dispositivo que Io requiera, pero como se ha dicho en el párrafo anterior, todos estos módulos se basan en los principios mecánicos u ópticos de detección, y no en principios como el de detección de Ia variación de Ia capacitancia del entorno con respecto a un condensador de referencia. Explicación de Ia invenciónThroughout this entire description of the state of the prior art, the self-awakening system and the contactless communication system for cards are always linked as two integral parts of a self-awakening and communications module. In fact, the principles of mechanical or optical self-awakening combined with a proximity communication system have been incorporated into other devices with autonomy requirements similar to those of an electronic lock, such as the case of an operated hotel room safe. by proximity card. In this sense, there are commercial solutions, without notable documentary references, that combine self-awakening and communications as a single module to be incorporated in any device that requires it, but as it has been said in the previous paragraph, all these modules are based on the mechanical principles or detection optics, and not in principles such as the detection of the variation of the capacitance of the environment with respect to a reference capacitor. Explanation of the invention
La presente invención se refiere a una nueva cerradura electrónica de proximidad y al módulo de autodespierte y comunicaciones de proximidad que Ia caracteriza. Se trata de una cerradura operada por Ia proximidad con un elemento llave, en adelante tarjeta, en Ia que el intercambio de información entre Ia cerradura y Ia tarjeta se realiza sin necesidad de contacto entre ellas y sin Ia necesidad de que Ia tarjeta se introduzca en ninguna ranura de Ia cerradura o se posicione de forma precisa sobre el lector de Ia tarjeta.The present invention refers to a new electronic proximity lock and the self-awakening and proximity communications module that characterizes it. It is a lock operated by proximity to a key element, hereinafter the card, in which the exchange of information between the lock and the card is carried out without the need for contact between them and without the need for the card to be inserted into no slot of the lock or is precisely positioned on the card reader.
El problema técnico que se trata de superar con Ia presente invención está relacionado con las limitaciones de las tecnologías actuales de comunicaciones que permiten este tipo de comunicaciones sin contacto entre cerradura y tarjeta, como por ejemplo los sistemas de radiofrecuencia de lectura de tarjetas de proximidad. Estas tecnologías de comunicaciones requieren un consumo importante de energía del dispositivo lector para que cree a su alrededor un campo que excite Ia electrónica incorporada en Ia tarjeta de proximidad y ésta pueda emitir Ia señal correspondiente y así realizar el intercambio de información entre tarjeta y dispositivo. La mayoría de las cerraduras electrónicas de Ia actualidad, por motivos de viabilidad económica, son dispositivos autónomos desde un punto de vista energético y habitualmente están alimentados mediante pilas convencionales. Al incorporar tecnologías de tarjetas de proximidad en las cerraduras electrónicas autónomas, este elevado consumo energético del sistema de comunicaciones de proximidad se vuelve crítico para Ia viabilidad de Ia cerradura. Para que cuando un usuario se aproxime a Ia cerradura y ésta responda abriéndose en caso de que Ia tarjeta que porta el usuario corresponda con Ia cerradura, el sistema de comunicaciones debe estar en funcionamiento. Dado que es imposible crear un patrón preciso del instante en el que dicho usuario va a acercarse a dicha cerradura con intención de abrirla, ya que esto es impredecible, en una primera aproximación el sistema de comunicaciones debería estar permanentemente emitiendo para detectar cualquier tarjeta que se aproxime a Ia cerradura. Desde un punto de vista energético esto haría que Ia vida de las pilas de Ia cerradura, y por Io tanto su autonomía, fuera excesivamente reducida y requeriría una sustitución o una recarga de las pilas de Ia cerradura excesivamente frecuente, generando un coste y una complejidad de mantenimiento que hacen inviable esta solución. Pretender que las cerraduras estén alimentadas permanentemente por Ia red eléctrica convencional supone un extracoste excesivamente alto de instalación eléctrica para las aplicaciones en las que habitualmente se utilizan las cerraduras electrónicas, como los hoteles, y aún en el caso de que Ia cerradura está conectada a Ia red eléctrica el consumo energético de mantener el sistema de comunicaciones constantemente emitiendo su señal sería energéticamente costoso, poco eficiente y poco rentable. Otra solución es Ia de programar despiertes del sistema de comunicaciones, Io cual reduce el consumo total pero las prestaciones que se dan al usuario de Ia cerradura dependerán de Io ajustado que sea el patrón de despierte del sistema de comunicaciones a las necesidades de uso de Ia cerradura, con Io que si se quieren altas prestaciones se deberá despertar el sistema de comunicaciones con mucha frecuencia, incrementando el consumo energético, y si se quiere reducir el consumo un usuario deberá estar esperando al despierte del sistema de comunicaciones para abrir Ia cerradura. Por Io tanto Ia única solución para esta limitación es incorporar en Ia cerradura un sistema de detección de proximidad de bajo consumo para el autodespierte del sistema de comunicaciones, de forma que Ia cerradura pueda detectar Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto en todo momento pero manteniendo un consumo eléctrico residual y pueda activar el sistema de comunicaciones, con un consumo energético elevado, sólo cuando sea potencialmente necesario. Además este sistema debe permitir Ia detección y el autodespierte de forma tan rápida que las prestaciones ofrecidas al usuario no se vean mermadas, es decir que el usuario no perciba ningún retraso en Ia operación de Ia cerradura por Ia incorporación del sistema de autodespierte. Con esta solución, Ia autonomía de las cerraduras electrónicas de proximidad es Ia adecuada para que su instalación sea técnica y económicamente viable en las aplicaciones a las que están destinadas las cerraduras electrónicas de proximidad.The technical problem that is to be overcome with the present invention is related to the limitations of current communication technologies that allow this type of contactless communication between the lock and the card, such as proximity card reading radio frequency systems. These communications technologies require a significant energy consumption of the reader device so that it creates a field around it that excites the electronics incorporated in the proximity card and this can emit the corresponding signal and thus carry out the exchange of information between card and device. Most of today's electronic locks, for reasons of economic viability, are autonomous devices from an energy point of view and are usually powered by conventional batteries. By incorporating proximity card technologies in autonomous electronic locks, this high energy consumption of the proximity communication system becomes critical for the viability of the lock. So that when a user approaches the lock and it responds by opening itself in the event that the card carried by the user corresponds to the lock, the communications system must be in operation. Since it is impossible to create a precise pattern of the instant in which said user is going to approach said lock with the intention of opening it, since this is unpredictable, in a first approach the communications system should be permanently emitting to detect any card that approaches the lock. From an energy point of view, this would make the life of the lock batteries, and therefore their autonomy, excessively short and would require an excessively frequent replacement or recharging of the lock batteries, generating cost and complexity. of maintenance that make this solution unfeasible. Pretending that the locks are permanently powered by the conventional electrical network supposes an excessively high extra cost of electrical installation for applications in which electronic locks are usually used, such as hotels, and even in the case that the lock is connected to Ia Electricity grid The energy consumption of maintaining the communication system constantly emitting its signal would be energetically expensive, inefficient and not very profitable. Another solution is to program awakening of the communications system, which reduces total consumption but the benefits given to the user of the lock will depend on the adjusted Io that the awakening pattern of the communications system is to the needs of use of the lock, meaning that if high performance is desired, the communications system must be awakened very frequently, increasing energy consumption, and if consumption is to be reduced, a user must be waiting for the communication system to wake up to open the lock. Therefore, the only solution for this limitation is to incorporate a low consumption proximity detection system in the lock for self-awakening of the communications system, so that the lock can detect the proximity of a body or object at all times but maintaining residual electrical consumption and can activate the communications system, with high energy consumption, only when potentially necessary. Furthermore, this system must allow detection and self-awakening so quickly that the benefits offered to the user are not diminished, that is, the user does not perceive any delay in the operation of the lock due to the incorporation of the self-awakening system. With this solution, the autonomy of electronic proximity locks is adequate so that their installation is technically and economically viable in the applications for which electronic proximity locks are intended.
Tal y como se ha descrito en el estado de Ia técnica anterior, hasta Ia fecha se han dado diferentes soluciones al autodespierte de cerraduras electrónicas de proximidad, destacando los autodespiertes por medios mecánicos, ópticos y por resonancia. La cerradura electrónica de proximidad y el módulo de autodespierte y comunicaciones de Ia presente invención amplían esta gama de soluciones mediante Ia detección de proximidad, y el posterior autodespierte del sistema de comunicaciones, a partir de Ia medición de variaciones de Ia capacitancia del entorno próximo de Ia cerradura.As described in the state of the prior art, to date different solutions have been given to self-awakening of electronic proximity locks, highlighting self-awakening by mechanical, optical and resonance means. The electronic proximity lock and the self-awakening and communications module of the present invention expand this range of solutions by means of proximity detection, and the subsequent self-awakening of the communications system, from the measurement of variations in the capacitance of the vicinity of the lock.
El sistema que utiliza Ia invención para Ia medición de variaciones en Ia capacitancia del entorno, y por Io tanto para Ia detección de Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia cerradura o el módulo de detección de proximidad y comunicaciones, es el conocido como bomba de carga. La figura 1 muestra el circuito teórico sobre el que se basa el sistema de bomba de carga. Su funcionamiento se basa en Ia conmutación alternativa de dos interruptores (1) y (2). Al cortocircuitar el interruptor (1) y manteniendo abierto el interruptor (2), se conecta una placa (3) conductora que hace las veces de sensor a un voltaje predefinido (VCC). Esta placa (3) crea junto con el ambiente próximo y tierra un condensador ficticio (4) de capacitancia (CX). Esta capacitancia (CX) es variable y depende de las condiciones del entorno próximo a Ia placa (3) y por Io tanto, Ia proximidad de un objeto o cuerpo a Ia placa producirá una variación en (CX) respecto de Ia situación en Ia que no haya proximidad de ningún cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3). Por Io tanto, al cortocircuitar el interruptor (1) manteniendo abierto el interruptor (2), Ia placa (3) se cargará un una carga (qx1) en función directa de Ia capacitancia (CX) en dicho instante. Posteriormente se abre el interruptor (1) y se cortocircuita el interruptor (2). En este momento Ia carga (qx1) adquirida por el condensador ficticio (4) se transfiere a un condensador de referencia (5) conectado a tierra y con capacitancia conocida y estable en el tiempo (CP). Si posteriormente se abre el interruptor (2) y se cortocircuita el interruptor (1), el condensador de referencia (5) mantiene Ia carga (qx1), mientras que Ia placa (3) se vuelve a cargar con una carga (qx2) que será función de Ia capacitancia (CX) del condensador ficticio (4) en el instante de esta segunda maniobra.The system that uses the invention for the measurement of variations in the capacitance of the environment, and therefore for the detection of the proximity of a body or object to the lock or the proximity detection module and communications, is known as a pump. load. Figure 1 shows the theoretical circuit on which the charge pump system is based. Its operation is based on the alternative switching of two switches (1) and (2). By short-circuiting the switch (1) and keeping the switch (2) open, a conductive plate (3) is connected, which acts as a sensor at a predefined voltage (VCC). This plate (3) creates together with the nearby environment and earth a dummy capacitor (4) of capacitance (CX). This capacitance (CX) is variable and depends on the conditions of the environment close to the plate (3) and therefore, the proximity of an object or body to the plate will produce a variation in (CX) with respect to the situation in which there is no proximity of any body or object to the plate (3). Therefore, by short-circuiting the switch (1) keeping the switch (2) open, the plate (3) will load a load (qx1) as a direct function of the capacitance (CX) at said instant. Subsequently, the switch (1) is opened and the switch (2) is short-circuited. At this time, the charge (qx1) acquired by the dummy capacitor (4) is transferred to a reference capacitor (5) connected to ground and with known and stable capacitance in time (CP). If the switch (2) is subsequently opened and the switch (1) is short-circuited, the reference capacitor (5) maintains the charge (qx1), while the plate (3) is recharged with a charge (qx2) that it will be a function of the capacitance (CX) of the dummy capacitor (4) at the instant of this second maneuver.
Continuando con este proceso, al repetir un número (N1) de veces el ciclo de carga anterior sin descargar el condensador de referencia (5), el condensador de referencia (5) tendrá una carga total que será Ia suma de todas las cargas parciales transferidas desde Ia placa (3) en los (N1) ciclos de carga, y generará entre sus terminales una tensión (V1 ) que será función de Ia carga total que se ha transferido desde Ia placa (3). Al comparar Ia tensión (V1) con una tensión de referencia conocida (VREF) se obtendrá una medida de Ia capacitancia del entorno durante Ia ejecución del ciclo. Según Io dicho hasta el momento, si (VREF) se predetermina como Ia tensión que generaría el condensador al ser cargado durante (N1) ciclos de carga sin Ia proximidad de ningún cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3), Ia variación de Ia tensión (V1) respecto de (VREF) determinará por ejemplo Ia proximidad o no de un cuerpo u objeto durante Ia ejecución de los (N1) ciclos. La figura 2 muestra otra construcción del circuito teórico con los mismos elementos que en Ia figura 1 pero con una disposición más próxima a Ia requerida por Ia presente invención. Con Ia disposición del interruptor (2) entre el condensador de referencia (5) y tierra se consigue situar dicho condensador de referencia (5) entre los interruptores (1) y (2), facilitando Ia incorporación de un sistema de maniobra de los interruptores como puede ser un microcontrolador (6) tal y como se muestra en Ia figura 3. La incorporación de este microcontrolador (6) suministra una solución simple, de gran flexibilidad y con grandes posibilidades de control para Ia ejecución de los ciclos de bomba de carga anteriormente descritos. A su vez el microcontrolador (6) permite efectuar las operaciones de los interruptores a una velocidad muy elevada, muy superior al tiempo normal de aproximación de un usuario con Ia tarjeta a Ia cerradura, de forma que el usuario no percibe ningún retraso en Ia operación de Ia cerradura cuando se realiza el proceso completo. La incorporación de este microcontrolador (6) permite una aplicación más optimizada del anterior sistema de bomba de carga, diseñado para medir Ia capacitancia del entorno, adaptándolo para su aplicación a Ia detección de proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia cerradura de forma eficaz, segura y estable. La mejora del sistema de bomba de carga incorporada en Ia presente invención consiste en un nuevo método o algoritmo tal y como se muestra en Ia figura 4 que ejecutado por el microcontrolador (6) ofrece a Ia cerradura unas prestaciones de respuesta frente a Ia proximidad de un usuario y de consumo global de Ia cerradura de proximidad que mejoran el estado del arte actual de este campo de Ia técnica. La figura 4 muestra Ia construcción final del sistema de autodespierte de bajo consumo mediante Ia detección de variaciones de Ia capacitancia del entorno de Ia presente invención. Incluye dos diodos de protección (7) y (8) y tres resistencias (9), (10) y (11) para el ajuste de las corrientes y las tensiones en el circuito.Continuing with this process, by repeating a number (N1) of times the previous charge cycle without discharging the reference capacitor (5), the reference capacitor (5) will have a total charge that will be the sum of all the transferred partial charges from the plate (3) in the (N1) charge cycles, and it will generate a voltage (V1) between its terminals that will be a function of the total load that has been transferred from the plate (3). When comparing the voltage (V1) with a known reference voltage (VREF), a measurement of the capacitance of the environment will be obtained during the execution of the cycle. According to what has been said so far, if (VREF) is predetermined as the voltage that the capacitor would generate when it is charged during (N1) charge cycles without the proximity of any body or object to the plate (3), the variation of the voltage (V1) with respect to (VREF) will determine, for example, the proximity or not of a body or object during the execution of the (N1) cycles. Figure 2 shows another construction of the theoretical circuit with the same elements as in Figure 1 but with an arrangement closer to that required by the present invention. With the arrangement of the switch (2) between the reference capacitor (5) and This reference capacitor (5) is located between the switches (1) and (2), facilitating the incorporation of a switch handling system such as a microcontroller (6) as shown in Figure 3 The incorporation of this microcontroller (6) provides a simple solution, of great flexibility and with great control possibilities for the execution of the charge pump cycles previously described. At the same time, the microcontroller (6) allows the operations of the switches to be carried out at a very high speed, much higher than the normal approach time of a user with the card to the lock, so that the user does not perceive any delay in the operation. of the lock when the complete process is carried out. The incorporation of this microcontroller (6) allows a more optimized application of the previous load pump system, designed to measure the capacitance of the environment, adapting it for its application to the detection of proximity of a body or object to the lock effectively, safe and stable. The improvement of the load pump system incorporated in the present invention consists of a new method or algorithm as shown in Figure 4, which, executed by the microcontroller (6), offers the lock a response performance compared to the proximity of a user and global consumption of the proximity lock that improve the current state of the art in this field of technique. Figure 4 shows the final construction of the low power self-awakening system by detecting variations in the capacitance of the environment of the present invention. It includes two protection diodes (7) and (8) and three resistors (9), (10) and (11) for adjusting the currents and voltages in the circuit.
La figura 5 muestra un resumen del método utilizado por Ia presente invención para Ia detección de proximidad utilizando una modificación del principio de bomba de carga descrito anteriormente. Como se ha comentado, dicho método consiste en un algoritmo ejecutado por el microcontrolador (6) sobre el circuito de bomba de carga modificado que se muestra en Ia figura 4. En este método intervienen dos subprocesos denominados:Figure 5 shows a summary of the method used by the present invention for proximity detection using a modification of the charge pump principle described above. As mentioned, said method consists of an algorithm executed by the microcontroller (6) on the modified charge pump circuit shown in Figure 4. Two subprocesses called:
Ciclo de carga, que es Ia maniobra en Ia cual se produce Ia carga de Ia placa (3) y su posterior descarga, transfiriendo Ia carga adquirida al condensador de referencia (5). Como se ha mencionado antes, Ia cantidad de carga transferida en cada ciclo de carga dependerá de Ia capacitancia del entorno de Ia placa (3).Charging cycle, which is the maneuver in which the charge of the plate (3) occurs and its subsequent discharge, transferring the acquired charge to the reference capacitor (5). As mentioned before, the amount of charge transferred in each charge cycle will depend on the capacitance of the environment of the plate (3).
Proceso completo de carga, que es Ia repetición de ciclos de carga consecutivos hasta que Ia tensión generada entre los terminales del condensador de referencia (5) iguale o supere un umbral de tensión (V2). Como corolario del anterior proceso, el número de ciclos de carga involucrados en cada proceso completo de carga dependerá de Ia capacitancia del entorno durante Ia realización del proceso completo de carga. Tras cada proceso completo de carga el condensador de referencia (5) se descarga hasta una carga inicial conocida que puede ser por ejemplo nula. El método comienza con el posicionamiento del sistema de autodespierte en una posición inicial (B1 ) a modo de reinicio del sistema y Ia calibración (B2) del sistema, que se produce por ejemplo en Ia primera instalación de Ia cerradura. La calibración del sistema no se produce solamente durante el reinicio sino que también en las etapas (B7) y (B9) del proceso, en las que se recalibra el sistema completo. En estas calibraciones se da valor a las variables de comparación de Ia señal medida y a las tensiones de referencia que utiliza el sistema, y se descargan tanto el condensador ficticio (4) como el condensador de referencia (5) a un estado inicial que puede consistir por ejemplo en estar ambos condensadores completamente descargados. Las variables de comparación y las tensiones de referencia a las que se da valor en estas calibraciones son:Complete charging process, which is the repetition of consecutive charging cycles until the voltage generated between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) equals or exceeds a voltage threshold (V2). As a corollary of the previous process, the number of charge cycles involved in each complete charge process will depend on the capacitance of the environment during the completion of the complete charge process. After each complete charging process, the reference capacitor (5) is discharged to a known initial charge, which may be, for example, zero. The method begins with the positioning of the self-awakening system in an initial position (B1) by way of restarting the system and the calibration (B2) of the system, which occurs for example in the first installation of the lock. System calibration occurs not only during reboot but also in process steps (B7) and (B9), where the entire system is recalibrated. In these calibrations, the comparison variables of the measured signal and the reference voltages used by the system are given value, and both the dummy capacitor (4) and the reference capacitor (5) are discharged to an initial state that may consist for example, when both capacitors are completely discharged. The comparison variables and the reference voltages that are given value in these calibrations are:
Tensión (VCC), o Ia tensión fija a Ia que se realizan las cargas de Ia placa (3). Umbral de disparo (N2), o el número de ciclos de carga necesarios para que el condensador de referencia (5) genere entre sus terminales una tensión mayor o igual a un umbral de tensión (V2), con Ia condición de que no haya proximidad a Ia placa (3) de ningún cuerpo u objeto ajeno a Ia cerradura.Voltage (VCC), or the fixed voltage at which the charges of the plate (3) are made. Trip threshold (N2), or the number of charge cycles necessary for the reference capacitor (5) to generate a voltage greater than or equal to a voltage threshold (V2) between its terminals, with the condition that there is no proximity to the plate (3) of any body or object other than the lock.
Umbral de tensión (V2), o Ia tensión que se genera entre los terminales del condensador de referencia (5) tras Ia realización un número de ciclos de carga coincidente con el umbral de disparo (N2), con Ia condición de que no haya proximidad a Ia placa (3) de ningún cuerpo u objeto ajeno a Ia cerradura. Valor de contador (CONT1), que en Ia calibración y tras cada proceso completo de carga se posiciona a cero, y que es Ia variable que contabiliza el número de ciclos de carga realizados en cada proceso completo de carga, de forma que cada vez que se realiza un ciclo de carga se incrementa el valor de contador (CONT1) en una unidad.Voltage threshold (V2), or the voltage that is generated between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) after carrying out a number of charge cycles coinciding with the trip threshold (N2), with the condition that there is no proximity to the plate (3) of any body or object other than the lock. Counter value (CONT1), which in the calibration and after each complete charging process is set to zero, and which is the variable that counts the number of charging cycles carried out in each complete charging process, so that each time a charge cycle is performed, the counter value (CONT1) is increased by one unit.
Sensibilidad (S), o valor de Ia diferencia entre el umbral de disparo (N2) y el valor de contador (CONT1) tras cada proceso completo de carga, que signifique una posible proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3).Sensitivity (S), or value of the difference between the trigger threshold (N2) and the counter value (CONT1) after each complete charging process, which means a possible proximity of a body or object to the plate (3).
Número de ciclos de despierte (N3), o el número de veces consecutivas que el valor de contador (CONT1 ) debe variar respecto del umbral de disparo (N2), y su diferencia debe superar Ia sensibilidad (S), para que esto signifique inequívocamente Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto.Number of wake-up cycles (N3), or the number of consecutive times that the counter value (CONT1) must vary with respect to the trigger threshold (N2), and their difference must exceed the sensitivity (S), so that this means unequivocally The proximity of a body or object.
Valor de contador (CONT2), que en calibración se posiciona a cero, y que es Ia variable que contabiliza el número procesos completos de carga consecutivos en los que que el valor de contador (CONT1) ha variado respecto del umbral de disparo (N2) y su diferencia ha superado Ia sensibilidad (S). Tras este ajuste inicial, el sistema ejecuta una primera medida (B3) de Ia capacitancia del entorno mediante ciclos de carga. En esta medida se procede inicialmente a descargar tanto el condensador ficticio (4) como el condensador de referencia (5) y a posicionar el valor de contador (CONT1 ) a cero. Tras esta descarga se procede a Ia realización de ciclos de carga consecutivos. En cada ciclo de carga, mediante una conmutación del microcontrolador (6) se carga Ia placa (3) conectándola a Ia tensión fija (VCC) mientras el condensador de referencia (5) está desconectado. Posteriormente, el microcontrolador (6) abre el conmutador de alimentación de Ia placa (3) y cierra un circuito de descarga para cargar el condensador de referencia (5) con Ia carga recién adquirida por Ia placa (3). Esta carga se almacena en el condensador de referencia (5) que se desconecta de Ia placa (3). Con esto se provoca un incremento de tensión entre los terminales del condensador de referencia (5) proporcional a Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) formado por Ia placa (3) y su entorno próximo a tierra, que es dependiente de las condiciones del entorno y Ia proximidad o no de cuerpo u objetos. Tras esta carga se incrementa el valor de contador (CONT1) anterior en una unidad y se mide si Ia tensión entre los terminales del condensador (5) es igual o superior al umbral de tensión (V2). Si Ia tensión entre los terminales del condensador de referencia (5) no supera el umbral de tensión (V2) se repite de nuevo el ciclo de carga hasta que Ia tensión entre los terminales del condensador de referencia (5) iguale o supere el umbral de tensión (V2).Counter value (CONT2), which in calibration is positioned at zero, and which is the variable that counts the number of consecutive complete charging processes in which the counter value (CONT1) has varied with respect to the trigger threshold (N2) and its difference has exceeded the sensitivity (S). After this initial adjustment, the system performs a first measurement (B3) of the capacitance of the environment through charge cycles. In this measure, the dummy condenser (4) and the reference condenser (5) are initially discharged and the counter value (CONT1) to zero. After this discharge, consecutive charging cycles are carried out. In each charge cycle, by means of a commutation of the microcontroller (6), the plate (3) is charged, connecting it to the fixed voltage (VCC) while the reference capacitor (5) is disconnected. Subsequently, the microcontroller (6) opens the power switch of the plate (3) and closes a discharge circuit to charge the reference capacitor (5) with the charge recently acquired by the plate (3). This charge is stored in the reference capacitor (5) that is disconnected from the plate (3). This causes an increase in voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) proportional to the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) formed by the plate (3) and its environment close to ground, which is dependent on the conditions of the environment and the proximity or not of body or objects. After this load, the previous counter value (CONT1) is increased by one unit and it is measured if the voltage between the terminals of the capacitor (5) is equal to or greater than the voltage threshold (V2). If the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) does not exceed the voltage threshold (V2), the charging cycle is repeated again until the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitor (5) equals or exceeds the threshold of voltage (V2).
Si Ia tensión entre los terminales del condensador (5) iguala o supera el umbral de tensión (V2), se ha realizado un proceso completo de carga y se pasa a Ia comparación (B4) del valor actual del contador de ciclos de carga (CONT1) y el umbral de disparo (N2). En este punto el método varía ligeramente en función del efecto esperado por Ia proximidad del cuerpo en Ia capacitancia del entorno de Ia placa (3).If the voltage between the terminals of the capacitor (5) equals or exceeds the voltage threshold (V2), a complete charging process has been carried out and the current value of the charge cycle counter (CONT1) is passed to (B4) ) and the trigger threshold (N2). At this point the method varies slightly depending on the effect expected by the proximity of the body on the capacitance of the environment of the plate (3).
En Ia mayoría de los casos, Ia proximidad de un cuerpo a Ia placa (3) crea un incremento de Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) pero se ha constatado Ia existencia de determinados materiales, algunos de ellos utilizados para el soporte de chips de proximidad, que crean una disminución de Ia capacitancia del entorno con su proximidad a Ia placa (3). La incorporación del microcontrolador (6) en Ia presente invención permite modificar el método aplicado en función del efecto esperado por Ia proximidad del soporte del chip de proximidad sin más que variar el algoritmo utilizado. Esta diferencia de algoritmo consiste básicamente en que, en las comparaciones de las medidas realizadas de valor actual de contador (CONT1 ) respecto del umbral de disparo (N2), el valor que significa posible proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto sea superior o inferior al umbral de disparo (N2). Ambos casos están contemplados por separado en las reivindicaciones pero a efectos de descripción de Ia invención se considera únicamente el caso en el que Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto genera un incremento de Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) y por Io tanto, el valor actual de contador (CONT1) es inferior al umbral de disparo (N2) cuando haya proximidad. Continuando, tras Ia anterior aclaración, en el punto donde se compara (B4) el valor actual de contador (CONT1) y el umbral de disparo (N2) tras cada proceso completo de carga, en caso de que el valor actual de contador (CONT1) sea superior al umbral de disparo (N2) Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) es inferior a Ia capacitancia del mismo sin presencia de un cuerpo u objeto, por Io tanto no hay proximidad de ningún cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3) y no se debe activar el sistema de comunicaciones (B6). De todas formas es posible que las condiciones ambientales de temperatura, humedad, carga electrostática hayan variado y que esto haya variado también Ia capacitancia del entorno, por Io tanto se deben recalibrar (B7) los valores de las variables de comparación descritos en el proceso de reinicio (B1) y calibración (B2) en función de Ia nueva situación dada por Ia última medida completa de variación de capacitancia del entorno. Tras esta calibración se determina el momento en el que se iniciará un nuevo proceso de medida de Ia variación de capacitancia del entorno (B11) y se duerme el sistema de autodespierte (B12), que tras el periodo de tiempo preprogramado se vuelve a encender (B13). Tras este encendido se comprueba si el circuito de comunicaciones está activado o no (B14). En caso de que siga encendido, el sistema de autodespierte considera que el último proceso de comunicaciones no ha finalizado y vuelve a programa el próximo encendido (B11). En caso de que el circuito de comunicaciones no esté encendido se reinicia el proceso desde Ia medida de capacidad del entorno (B3). En caso de que el valor actual del contador (CONT1) sea inferior al umbral de disparoIn most cases, the proximity of a body to the plate (3) creates an increase in the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) but the existence of certain materials has been verified, some of them used for the support of chip data. proximity, which create a decrease in the capacitance of the environment with its proximity to the plate (3). The incorporation of the microcontroller (6) in the present invention allows the applied method to be modified depending on the effect expected by the proximity of the proximity chip holder, without changing the algorithm used. This algorithm difference basically consists in that, in the comparisons of the measurements made of the current counter value (CONT1) with respect to the triggering threshold (N2), the value that means possible proximity of a body or object is higher or lower than the threshold firing (N2). Both cases are contemplated separately in the claims, but for the purposes of describing the invention, only the case in which the proximity of a body or object generates an increase in the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) and therefore, the counter current value (CONT1) is lower than the trigger threshold (N2) when there is proximity. Continuing, after the previous clarification, at the point where the current value of the counter (CONT1) and the trigger threshold (N2) are compared after each complete charging process, in the event that the current value of the counter (CONT1 ) is higher than the tripping threshold (N2), the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) is lower than its capacitance without the presence of a body or object, therefore there is no proximity of any body or object to the plate (3) and the communication system (B6) must not be activated. In any case, it is possible that the environmental conditions of temperature, humidity, electrostatic charge have varied and that this has also varied the capacitance of the environment, therefore the values of the comparison variables described in the process of comparison should be recalibrated (B7). restart (B1) and calibration (B2) depending on the new situation given by the last complete measurement of the capacitance variation of the environment. After this calibration, the moment in which a new process for measuring the variation in the capacitance of the environment (B11) is started and the self-awakening system (B12) falls asleep, which after the preprogrammed period of time turns on again ( B13). After switching on, it is checked whether the communication circuit is activated or not (B14). If it is still on, the self-awakening system considers that the last communication process has not finished and resumes the next power-up (B11). In case the communications circuit is not turned on, the process is restarted from the environment capacity measurement (B3). In case the current value of the counter (CONT1) is below the trigger threshold
(N2) tras el proceso completo de carga, esto significa que se ha incrementado Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) y que por Io tanto es posible que haya proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3). De todas formas esta primera medida no es concluyente puesto que el incremento de Ia capacitancia del condensador ficticio (4) puede haberse producido por variaciones de temperatura, humedad o carga electrostática del entrono próximo a Ia placa (3). Por Io tanto en este caso se procede a Ia comparación (B5) de Ia diferencia entre el umbral de disparo (N2) y el valor actual del contador (CONT1) con respecto a Ia sensibilidad (S). Si Ia diferencia no supera Ia sensibilidad (S) se ha producido un incremento de Ia capacitancia no relacionable con Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3), y por Io tanto no hay que encender el sistema de comunicaciones (B6), pero se ha dado un cambio en las condiciones del entorno y por Io tanto hay que recalibrar (B7) los valores de las variables de comparación descritos en el proceso de reinicio (B1) y calibración (B2) a Ia nueva situación dada por Ia última medida completa de variación de capacitancia del entorno. Tras esta calibración se determina el momento en el que se iniciará un nuevo proceso de medida de Ia variación de capacitancia del entorno (B11 ) y se duerme el sistema de autodespierte (B12), que tras el periodo de tiempo preprogramado se vuelve a encender (B13). Tras este encendido se comprueba si el circuito de comunicaciones está activado o no (B14). En caso de que siga encendido, el sistema de autodespierte considera que el último proceso de comunicaciones no ha finalizado y vuelve a programa el próximo encendido (B11). En caso de que circuito de comunicaciones no esté encendido se reinicia el proceso desde Ia medida de capacidad del entorno (B3). Si Ia diferencia entre el valor de contador (CONT1) y el umbral de disparo (N2) tras el proceso completo de carga es superior a Ia sensibilidad (S) se tiene un segundo indicio de proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3) pero una única medida tampoco confirma Ia proximidad puesto que se ha podido deber a errores internos de Ia alimentación o Ia electrónica. Por Io tanto, se incrementa en una unidad el valor de contador (CONT2) y se procede a repetir (B8) el proceso completo de carga y comparación desde (B3) hasta (B5) hasta que se dé uno de los tres casos siguientes:(N2) after the complete charging process, this means that the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) has increased and that therefore it is possible that there is proximity of a body or object to the plate (3). Anyway, this first measurement is not conclusive since the increase in the capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) may have been produced by variations in temperature, humidity or electrostatic charge of the environment near the plate (3). Therefore, in this case, the comparison (B5) of the difference between the trigger threshold (N2) and the current value of the counter (CONT1) with respect to sensitivity (S) is carried out. If the difference does not exceed the sensitivity (S), there has been an increase in capacitance not related to the proximity of a body or object to the plate (3), and therefore the communication system must not be turned on (B6) , but there has been a change in the conditions of the environment and therefore the values of the comparison variables described in the reset process (B1) and calibration (B2) must be recalibrated (B7) to the new situation given by Ia last complete measure of capacitance variation of the environment. After this calibration, the moment in which a new process for measuring the variation in the capacitance of the environment (B11) is started and the self-awakening system (B12) falls asleep, which after the preprogrammed period of time turns on again ( B13). After this ignition, it is checked whether the communications is activated or not (B14). If it is still on, the self-awakening system considers that the last communication process has not finished and resumes the next power-up (B11). In the event that the communications circuit is not turned on, the process is restarted from the environment capacity measurement (B3). If the difference between the counter value (CONT1) and the trigger threshold (N2) after the complete charging process is greater than the sensitivity (S), there is a second indication of the proximity of a body or object to the plate (3 ) but a single measure does not confirm proximity either, since it could have been due to internal errors in the power supply or electronics. Therefore, the counter value (CONT2) is increased by one unit and the complete process of loading and comparison from (B3) to (B5) is repeated (B8) until one of the following three cases occurs:
Que en uno de los procesos completo de carga el valor de contador (CONT1) sea superior al umbral de disparo (N2) cuando se haya superado el umbral de tensión (V2), con Io que Ia capacitancia del entorno ha disminuido y por Io tanto no hay proximidad. Que en uno de los procesos completo de carga Ia diferencia entre el umbral de disparoThat in one of the full charging processes the counter value (CONT1) is higher than the tripping threshold (N2) when the voltage threshold (V2) has been exceeded, with which the capacitance of the environment has decreased and therefore Io there is no proximity. That in one of the full load processes the difference between the trigger threshold
(N2) y el valor de contador actual (CONT1) sea inferior a Ia sensibilidad (S) cuando el valor de contador (CONT1) es inferior al umbral de disparo (N2), por Io que el incremento de Ia capacitancia del entorno no se debe a proximidad alguna.(N2) and the current counter value (CONT1) is less than the sensitivity (S) when the counter value (CONT1) is less than the tripping threshold (N2), so the increase in the capacitance of the environment is not owes to any proximity.
Que el valor actual (CONT2) iguale al número de ciclos de despierte (N3), con Io que el incremento de capacitancia detectado se debe inequívocamente a Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a Ia placa (3). En este caso se ha vuelto a modificar Ia situación del entorno por Ia proximidad de un objeto que puede ser un usuario de Ia cerradura con una tarjeta o no, puede ser por ejemplo un objeto que se ha pegado a Ia cerradura o un elemento decorativo que se ha situado cerca de Ia puerta. En caso que sea un cuerpo u objeto próximo que no va a ser retirado en un breve lapso de tiempo, se produciría una situación en Ia que el sistema estaría constantemente captando proximidad de forma continua, manteniendo el circuito de comunicaciones activado y por Io tanto consumiendo energía y reduciendo drásticamente Ia autonomía de Ia cerradura. Para evitar esto, se procede primero a Ia calibración (B9) de los valores de las variables de comparación descritos en el proceso de reinicio (B1) y calibración (B2) a Ia nueva situación dada por Ia última medida completa de variación de capacitancia del entorno, que se corresponderá a los valores con proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto. Estos valores, en caso de que Ia proximidad sea de un usuario que se aleje de Ia cerradura tras su operación normal se reajustarán a valores similares a los iniciales en posteriores procesos de medida de Ia variación de Ia capacitancia del entorno. Tras esta calibración se determina el momento en el que se iniciará un nuevo proceso de medida de Ia variación de capacitancia del entorno (B11 ) y se duerme el sistema de autodespierte (B12) que tras el periodo de tiempo preprogramado se vuelve a encender (B13). Tras este encendido se comprueba si el circuito de comunicaciones está activado o no (B14). En caso de que siga encendido, el sistema de autodespierte considera que el último proceso de comunicaciones no ha finalizado y vuelve a programa el próximo encendido (B11). En caso de que el circuito de comunicaciones no esté encendido se reinicia el proceso desde Ia medida de capacidad del entorno (B3).That the current value (CONT2) equals the number of wake cycles (N3), with which the detected increase in capacitance is unequivocally due to the proximity of a body or object to the plate (3). In this case, the situation of the environment has been modified again due to the proximity of an object that can be a user of the lock with a card or not, it can be for example an object that has been glued to the lock or a decorative element that it has been placed near the door. In the event that it is a nearby body or object that is not going to be removed in a short period of time, a situation would occur in which the system would be constantly capturing proximity continuously, keeping the communications circuit activated and therefore consuming energy and drastically reducing the autonomy of the lock. To avoid this, we proceed first to the calibration (B9) of the values of the comparison variables described in the reset process (B1) and calibration (B2) to the new situation given by the last complete measurement of the capacitance variation of the environment, which will correspond to the proximity values of a body or object. These values, in the event that the proximity is of a user who moves away from the lock after its normal operation, will be readjusted to values similar to the initial ones in subsequent processes for measuring the variation in the capacitance of the environment. After this calibration, the moment in which a new process for measuring the capacitance variation of the environment (B11) is started is determined and the self-awakening system (B12) sleeps, which after the preprogrammed period of time turns on again. (B13). After switching on, it is checked whether the communication circuit is activated or not (B14). If it is still on, the self-awakening system considers that the last communication process has not finished and resumes the next power-up (B11). In case the communications circuit is not turned on, the process is restarted from the environment capacity measurement (B3).
Mientras tanto el sistema de comunicaciones recién activado está emitiendo su señal, sin ser perturbada por el campo que podría crear Ia placa (3) del sistema de autodespierte puesto que éste está dormido, en busca de una tarjeta u objeto llave que incorpore Ia tecnología de comunicaciones compatible con el sistema de comunicaciones integrado en el módulo de autodespierte y comunicaciones y Ia cerradura de Ia presente invención. Si en Ia proximidad de Ia cerradura no existe tal tarjeta u objeto llave, tras un cierto tiempo el sistema de comunicaciones se vuelve a dormir hasta que el sistema de autodespierte detecte de nuevo proximidad. Por el contrario, si dicho objeto llave se encuentra en Ia proximidad de Ia cerradura, el sistema de comunicaciones intercambiará datos con este elemento y en caso de que se corresponda con un objeto llave que corresponde a Ia cerradura, el circuito de comunicaciones emitirá una señal al circuito de control de Ia cerradura, Ia cual corresponderá realizando Ia operación correspondiente a Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados, por ejemplo abriendo Ia cerradura.Meanwhile, the newly activated communications system is emitting its signal, without being disturbed by the field that could create the plate (3) of the self-awakening system since it is asleep, looking for a card or key object that incorporates the technology of communications compatible with the communications system integrated in the self-awakening and communications module and the lock of the present invention. If in the proximity of the lock there is no such card or key object, after a certain time the communications system goes back to sleep until the self-awakening system detects proximity again. On the contrary, if said key object is in the proximity of the lock, the communications system will exchange data with this element and in case it corresponds to a key object that corresponds to the lock, the communications circuit will emit a signal to the control circuit of the lock, which will correspond to performing the operation corresponding to the nature of the data exchanged, for example opening the lock.
A su vez, Ia presente invención incluye una solución a uno de los problemas fundamentales que afectan a Ia combinación de un sistema de autodespierte basado en principios capacitivos y un sistema de comunicaciones sin contacto como puede ser Ia radiofrecuencia. Este problema es Ia distorsión del campo electromagnético de comunicaciones que se puede producir por Ia presencia de una placa (3) conductora cuya misión es Ia de servir de sensor para detectar variaciones de capacitancia. Por definición, Ia placa (3) debe tener suficiente superficie conductora para poder crear con el entorno un condensador ficticio (4). También por definición, al someter una placa (3) conductora a un campo electromagnético, se generarán en ésta una serie de corrientes parásitas internas que generarán un segundo campo electromagnético que se oponen al campo electromagnético que Io genera distorsionándolo. Este es precisamente el caso en el que se encuentra Ia presente invención, puesto que se deben integrar una placa conductora (3) y una antena (12) que genera un campo electromagnético de comunicaciones en un espacio reducido por razones de instalabilidad y viabilidad de Ia cerradura electrónica tal y como se muestra en Ia figura 6. La presente invención solventa Ia presente problemática en dos frentes: El primero, mediante el método de trabajo descrito anteriormente, en el cual en ningún momento se permite el funcionamiento paralelo de sistema de autodespierte y sistema de comunicaciones de forma que Ia placa (3) no recibe carga de Ia tensión (VCC) si el sistema de comunicaciones está en funcionamiento.In turn, the present invention includes a solution to one of the fundamental problems that affect the combination of a self-awakening system based on capacitive principles and a non-contact communication system such as radio frequency. This problem is the distortion of the electromagnetic field of communications that can be produced by the presence of a conductive plate (3) whose mission is to serve as a sensor to detect variations in capacitance. By definition, the plate (3) must have sufficient conductive surface to be able to create a dummy capacitor (4) with the environment. Also by definition, by subjecting a conductive plate (3) to an electromagnetic field, a series of internal eddy currents will be generated in it, which will generate a second electromagnetic field that opposes the electromagnetic field that Io generates by distorting it. This is precisely the case in which the present invention is found, since a conductive plate (3) and an antenna (12) must be integrated that generates an electromagnetic field of communications in a reduced space for reasons of instability and viability of Ia electronic lock as shown in figure 6. The present invention solves the present problem on two fronts: The first, by means of the work method described above, in which the parallel operation of the self-awakening system is not allowed at any time and system of communications so that the board (3) does not receive a voltage load (VCC) if the communications system is in operation.
El segundo, mediante Ia incorporación de una placa (3) suya superficie está dividida en nervios conductores delgados, cercanos al milímetro de anchura, interconexionados eléctricamente entre sí mediante un nervio conductor común también delgado de forma que en conjunto forman una superficie metálica suficiente para que Ia placa (3) tenga las prestaciones adecuadas para su uso como sensor capacitivo y Ia vez que ofrece una gran resistencia a Ia generación de circuitos cerrados internos que potencien Ia generación de corrientes parásitas internas al someter Ia placa (3) al campo electromagnético generado por Ia antena (12) de comunicaciones. De esta manera se minimizan las corrientes parásitas generadas y también su efecto negativo en el campo de comunicaciones, haciéndolo efectivo incluso en caso de que Ia placa (3) se sitúe delante de Ia antena (12) tal y como se muestra en Ia figura 6. Esta circunstancia es muy acusada en aquellos dispositivos de baja potencia alimentados por pilas convencionales, que es precisamente el campo en el que se enmarca Ia presente invención.The second, by means of the incorporation of a plate (3) on its surface, is divided into thin conductive ribs, close to one millimeter wide, electrically interconnected with each other by means of a common conductor rib, also thin, so that together they form a metallic surface sufficient for The plate (3) has the appropriate features for use as a capacitive sensor and the time it offers great resistance to the generation of internal closed circuits that enhance the generation of internal eddy currents by subjecting the plate (3) to the electromagnetic field generated by The communications antenna (12). In this way, the eddy currents generated are minimized and also their negative effect in the communications field, making it effective even in the event that the plate (3) is placed in front of the antenna (12) as shown in Figure 6 This circumstance is very marked in those low power devices powered by conventional batteries, which is precisely the field in which the present invention is framed.
En Io que respecta a las ventajas de Ia presente invención respecto del estado del arte, si se comparan las prestaciones de Ia invención con respecto a las ofrecidas por las cerraduras que incorporan sistemas de despierte mecánico, Ia ventaja principal es que, en el caso de los sistemas mecánicos se requiere siempre un primer contacto para activar el circuito de comunicaciones y Ia presente invención no requiere contacto en ningún momento. Por otro lado, Ia existencia de partes móviles para el despierte mecánico es un origen de posibles fallos o sabotajes, por ejemplo introduciendo elementos extraños en las ranuras prácticamente inevitables del sistema mecánico, que con Ia presente invención se salvan por Ia no necesidad de contacto. En Io que respecta a las cerraduras con sistemas de autodespierte ópticos, a pesar de que desde el punto de vista de Ia funcionalidad estas soluciones ya ofrecen una operación de Ia cerradura sin ningún tipo de contacto, tienen una serie de desventajas que los hacen mejorables. Las principales desventajas de estos sistemas se deben al propio principio de detección del sistema de autodespierte. Se trata de sistemas que requieren emitir señales ópticas, por Io tanto dependen de Ia limpieza de Ia superficie emisora o receptora que es esencial para su funcionamiento, haciéndolos especialmente sensibles al sabotaje, y por otro lado, el campo de emisión de Ia señal óptica debe estar perfectamente ajustado en posición y ángulo en el espacio ya que un ajuste impreciso puede producir que el campo barrido sea excesivamente amplio, detectando cualquier tipo de presencia con o sin Ia intención de interactuar con Ia cerradura y produciendo un mayor consumo de Ia cerradura, o por el contrario puede ser demasiado estrecho impidiendo el correcto funcionamiento, de forma que requieren un montaje muy preciso y un mantenimiento frecuente y costoso. En el caso de Ia presente invención estos problemas se salvan puesto que Ia detección se realiza sin necesidad de emisión de ninguna señal óptica y en caso de sabotaje, por ejemplo pegando alguna sustancia al lector, el propio sistema de autodespierte es el que adapta sus variables a Ia nueva situación y continúa funcionando. Finalmente Ia detección capacitiva de proximidad requiere menor consumo energético con Io que Ia autonomía de Ia cerradura para las mismas pilas es mayor en el caso de Ia presente invención.Regarding the advantages of the present invention with respect to the state of the art, if the benefits of the invention are compared with those offered by the locks that incorporate mechanical awakening systems, the main advantage is that, in the case of mechanical systems always require a first contact to activate the communications circuit and the present invention does not require contact at any time. On the other hand, the existence of moving parts for mechanical awakening is an origin of possible failures or sabotage, for example by introducing foreign elements in the practically inevitable grooves of the mechanical system, which with the present invention are saved due to the lack of contact. Regarding locks with optical self-awakening systems, despite the fact that from the point of view of functionality these solutions already offer operation of the lock without any type of contact, they have a series of disadvantages that make them upgradeable. The main disadvantages of these systems are due to the detection principle of the self-awakening system. These are systems that require emitting optical signals, therefore they depend on the cleaning of the emitting or receiving surface that is essential for their operation, making them especially sensitive to sabotage, and on the other hand, the emission field of the optical signal must be perfectly adjusted in position and angle in space since an imprecise adjustment can cause the swept field to be excessively wide, detecting any type of presence with or without the intention of interacting with the lock and producing greater consumption of the lock, or on the contrary, it can be too narrow, preventing correct operation, so they require very precise assembly and frequent and expensive maintenance. At In the case of the present invention, these problems are avoided since the detection is carried out without the need to emit any optical signal and in the event of sabotage, for example by sticking some substance to the reader, the self-awakening system itself adapts its variables to the new situation and continues to work. Finally, capacitive proximity detection requires less energy consumption with the autonomy of the lock for the same batteries being greater in the case of the present invention.
En Io que respecta a las soluciones con despierte programado del sistema de comunicaciones, a pesar de que estas soluciones mejoran los puntos débiles de las soluciones mecánica y ópticas, dependen completamente del acierto en Ia programación de los despiertes del sistema de comunicaciones para conseguir una buena relación entre tiempo de respuesta y prestación ofrecidas al usuario, de forma que resultan en un mayor consumo y una menor autonomía de Ia cerradura, faltando así al objetivo fundamental que motiva el desarrollo de Ia propia solución. Por otro lado, el hecho de que el módulo de autodespierte y comunicaciones y Ia cerradura de proximidad de Ia presente invención incorporen una funcionalidad de programación de los momentos en los que el sistema de detección de proximidad capacitivo realiza las medidas de variación de capacidad del entorno, hace que pueda incorporar en su algoritmo las mismas funciones que las soluciones con despierte programado del sistema de comunicaciones, pero con Ia diferencia de que Io que se despierta es el sistema de autodespierte de bajo consumo y no el sistema de comunicaciones de elevado consumo energético.Regarding the solutions with programmed awakening of the communications system, despite the fact that these solutions improve the weak points of the mechanical and optical solutions, they completely depend on the success in programming the awakenings of the communications system to achieve a good relationship between response time and provision offered to the user, so that they result in greater consumption and less autonomy of the lock, thus missing the fundamental objective that motivates the development of the solution itself. On the other hand, the fact that the self-awakening and communications module and the proximity lock of the present invention incorporate a programming functionality of the moments in which the capacitive proximity detection system performs the capacity variation measurements of the environment , makes it possible to incorporate into its algorithm the same functions as the solutions with programmed awakening of the communication system, but with the difference that what is awakened is the low-power self-awakening system and not the high energy consumption communication system .
Finalmente, Ia principal ventaja que aporta Ia presente invención respecto de las soluciones basadas en circuitos de oscilación y resonancia a partir de Ia variación de Ia capacidad del entorno, es que el principio de detección utilizado es más sencillo y Ia utilización del microcontrolador (6) en el circuito mejora ampliamente Ia flexibilidad del dispositivo y su capacidad de control, mejorando las prestaciones de Ia cerradura y reduciendo a su vez potenciales focos de error al simplificar los circuitos necesarios. A su vez, en estas soluciones no se ha tratado Ia problemática que genera Ia introducción de una placa (3) conductora a modo de sensor en el mismo dispositivo que Ia antena que requiere el sistema de comunicaciones y en Ia presente invención se solventa con creces esta problemática.Finally, the main advantage provided by the present invention with respect to solutions based on oscillation and resonance circuits based on the variation in the capacity of the environment, is that the detection principle used is simpler and the use of the microcontroller (6) In the circuit, the flexibility of the device and its control capacity are greatly improved, improving the performance of the lock and reducing potential sources of error, by simplifying the necessary circuits. In turn, these solutions have not dealt with the problem generated by the introduction of a conductive plate (3) as a sensor in the same device as the antenna required by the communications system and in the present invention is more than solved this problematic.
Explicación de las figurasExplanation of the figures
La figura 1 muestra un circuito teórico que opera como bomba de carga destinado a Ia medición de Ia capacitancia del entorno de una placa (3).Figure 1 shows a theoretical circuit that operates as a charge pump for measuring the capacitance of the environment of a plate (3).
La figura 2 muestra una evolución del circuito de Ia figura 1 con Ia misma funcionalidad pero con una reubicación del interruptor (2) más acorde con Ia aplicación de Ia presente invención. La figura 3 muestra un circuito de bomba de carga comandado por un microcontrolador (6) con Ia misma funcionalidad que los circuitos de las figuras 1 y 2.Figure 2 shows an evolution of the circuit of Figure 1 with the same functionality but with a relocation of the switch (2) more in accordance with the application of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a load pump circuit commanded by a microcontroller (6) with the same functionality as the circuits of Figures 1 and 2.
La figura 4 muestra el circuito básico del sistema de autodespierte por variación de capacitancia del entorno de Ia presente invención como evolución del circuito de Ia figura 3. La figura 5 muestra el diagrama de operaciones del método seguido por Ia presente invención para Ia determinación de proximidad de un cuerpo por variación de capacitancia del entorno de una placa (3).Figure 4 shows the basic circuit of the self-awakening system by capacitance variation of the environment of the present invention as an evolution of the circuit of figure 3. Figure 5 shows the diagram of operations of the method followed by the present invention for determining proximity. of a body by variation of capacitance of the environment of a plate (3).
La figura 6 muestra un diagrama general de los principales elementos constructivos y los elementos internos de Ia cerradura de proximidad de Ia presente invención. La figura 7 muestra las áreas de detección de proximidad (21) y comunicaciones (23).Figure 6 shows a general diagram of the main constructive elements and the internal elements of the proximity lock of the present invention. Figure 7 shows the proximity detection areas (21) and communications (23).
La figura 8 muestra los ángulos principales a tener en cuenta para Ia ubicación de Ia placa (3) en función del ángulo más probable de aproximación de Ia tarjeta (22).Figure 8 shows the main angles to take into account for the location of the plate (3) as a function of the most probable angle of approach of the card (22).
La figura 9 muestra las principales distancias externas a Ia cerradura a tener en cuenta para su operación. En estas figuras se indican las siguientes referencias:Figure 9 shows the main external distances to the lock to be taken into account for its operation. The following references are indicated in these figures:
VCC- Tensión fija con Ia que se carga Ia placa (3)VCC- Fixed voltage with which the plate (3) is charged
VREF.- Tensión de referencia para comparación con Ia tensión del condensador (5) CX.- Capacitancia variable del condensador ficticio (4) CP.- Capacitancia conocida del condensador de referencia (5) 1.- Primer interruptor del circuito de bomba de carga.VREF.- Reference voltage for comparison with the capacitor voltage (5) CX.- Variable capacitance of the dummy capacitor (4) CP.- Known capacitance of the reference capacitor (5) 1.- First switch of the charge pump circuit .
2.- Segundo interruptor del circuito de bomba de carga. 3.- Placa que con su entorno y tierra crea el condensador ficticio (4) 4.- Condensador ficticio creado por Ia placa (3), su entorno y tierra. 5.- Condensador de referencia de capacitancia conocida. 6.- Microcontrolador que comanda el autodespierte por variación capacitiva.2.- Second switch of the load pump circuit. 3.- Plate that with its environment and earth creates the dummy capacitor (4). 4.- Dummy capacitor created by the plate (3), its environment and earth. 5.- Reference capacitor of known capacitance. 6.- Microcontroller that controls self-awakening due to capacitive variation.
7.- Primer diodo de protección del sistema de autodespierte de Ia invención. 8.- Segundo diodo de protección del sistema de autodespierte de Ia invención. 9.- Primera resistencia de ajuste del sistema de autodespierte de Ia invención. 10.- Segunda resistencia de ajuste del sistema de autodespierte de Ia invención. 11.- Tercera resistencia de ajuste del sistema de autodespierte de Ia invención.7.- First protection diode of the self-awakening system of the invention. 8.- Second protection diode of the self-awakening system of the invention. 9.- First adjustment resistance of the self-awakening system of the invention. 10.- Second adjustment resistance of the self-awakening system of the invention. 11.- Third adjustment resistance of the self-awakening system of the invention.
12.- Antena del sistema de comunicaciones de Ia invención 13.- Pieza de material no metálico que cubre Ia placa (3) 14.- Carcasa metálica externa de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad. 15.- Manilla de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad. 16.- Placa que soporta Ia antena de comunicaciones y Ia placa 3.12.- Antenna of the communication system of the invention 13.- Piece of non-metallic material that covers the plate (3) 14.- External metal casing of the electronic proximity lock. 15.- Handle of the electronic proximity lock. 16.- Plate that supports the communications antenna and plate 3.
17.- Placa que soporta los circuitos de autodespierte y de comunicaciones.17.- Plate that supports the self-awakening and communication circuits.
18.- Ubicación del sistema de control de operaciones de Ia cerradura de proximidad. 19.- Ubicación de los elementos electromecánicos de Ia cerradura de proximidad. 20.- Ubicación de las pilas que alimentan Ia cerradura de proximidad. 21.- Campo de detección de proximidad efectiva. 22.- Tarjeta de proximidad. 23.- Campo de comunicación efectiva con tarjeta.18.- Location of the proximity lock operations control system. 19.- Location of the electromechanical elements of the proximity lock. 20.- Location of the batteries that supply the proximity lock. 21.- Effective proximity detection field. 22.- Proximity card. 23.- Field of effective communication with card.
BL- Acontecimiento de reinicio del sistema de autodespierte. B2.- Acción de calibración de las variables de comparación de autodespierte. B3.- Acción de medida de Ia variación de Ia capacitancia del entorno de Ia placa (3) B4.- Comparación de Ia medida respecto del umbral de disparo (N2) B5.- Comparación de Ia diferencia entre (N2) y Ia medida respecto a Ia sensibilidad (S)BL- Auto wake up system restart event. B2.- Calibration action of the self-awakening comparison variables. B3.- Measurement action of the variation of the capacitance of the environment of the plate (3) B4.- Comparison of the measurement regarding the tripping threshold (N2) B5.- Comparison of the difference between (N2) and the measurement regarding to the sensitivity (S)
B6.- Acción de no activación del sistema de comunicaciones. B7.- Acción de recalibración de variables de comparación del autodespierte. B8.- Comparación del número de medidas consecutivas que indican proximidad. B9.- Acción de recalibración de variables de comparación del autodespierte. B10.- Acción de activación del sistema de comunicaciones.B6.- Action of not activating the communications system. B7.- Recalibration action of self-awakening comparison variables. B8.- Comparison of the number of consecutive measurements that indicate proximity. B9.- Recalibration action of self-awakening comparison variables. B10.- Activation action of the communications system.
B11.- Acción de programación de Ia siguiente ejecución del sistema de autodespierte. B12.- Acontecimiento de desactivación del sistema de autodespierte. B 13.- Acontecimiento de activación del sistema de autodespierte. B14.- Comparación de situación de actividad del sistema de comunicaciones. α.- Ángulo de posicionamiento de Ia placa (3) respecto de Ia vertical. β.- Ángulo probable de aproximación de Ia tarjeta de proximidad respecto de Ia vertical. DL- Distancia de Ia placa (3) respecto de Ia carcasa metálica de Ia cerradura. D2.- Distancia nominal de Ia tarjeta de proximidad para operación de Ia cerradura. Exposición de una realización preferente La figura 6 muestra el aspecto exterior y los elementos generales contenidos en una realización preferente de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad de Ia presente invención. En el exterior de esta realización preferente se destacan Ia carcasa metálica de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad (14), Ia manilla de Ia cerradura de proximidad (15) y un elemento no metálico (13), por ejemplo de plástico, que cubre Ia placa (3) que hace las veces de elemento sensor. Esta cobertura no metálica (13) permite que el campo de comunicaciones creado por el sistema de comunicaciones de Ia cerradura no se vea apantallado por Ia carcasa metálica (14) de Ia cerradura de proximidad.B11.- Programming action for the next execution of the self-awakening system. B12.- Event of deactivation of the self-awakening system. B 13.- Self-awakening system activation event. B14.- Comparison of the activity situation of the communications system. α.- Positioning angle of the plate (3) with respect to the vertical. β.- Probable angle of approach of the proximity card with respect to the vertical one. DL- Distance of the plate (3) with respect to the metal casing of the lock. D2.- Nominal distance of the proximity card for operation of the lock. Exposure of a preferred embodiment Figure 6 shows the exterior appearance and the general elements contained in a preferred embodiment of the electronic proximity lock of the present invention. On the outside of this preferred embodiment, the metallic casing of the electronic proximity lock (14), the handle of the proximity lock (15) and a non-metallic element (13), for example plastic, that covers the plate stand out. (3) that acts as a sensor element. This non-metallic coverage (13) allows the communications field created by the lock's communication system not to be screened by the metal casing (14) of the proximity lock.
En el interior de Ia cerradura destacan primero Ia placa (3) conductora del sensor de proximidad por variación de Ia capacitancia del entorno y Ia antena del sistema de comunicaciones (12). Placa (3) y antena (12) se encuentran físicamente montadas sobre una única placa soporte (16) o PCB, una en cada cara de dicha placa soporte (16), y con Ia placa (3) situada en su cara más externa. Debido a Ia superficie especial de Ia placa (3) en forma de nervios paralelos de aproximadamente un milímetro de anchura con un nervio transversal que los ¡nterconecta eléctricamente, el campo de comunicaciones creado por Ia antena (12) cuando el sistema de comunicaciones está activo no se ve distorsionado al atravesar Ia placa (3) y el conjunto puede adoptar su máxima compacidad reduciendo el espacio necesario en el interior de Ia cerradura y reduciendo por Io tanto también su tamaño total. Este conjunto de placa (3), antena (12) y placa de soporte común (16) se encuentran sostenidas en una segunda placa (17) que alberga a su vez, el microcontrolador (6) necesario para el autodespierte, Ia electrónica adicional necesaria para el circuito de autodespierte y Ia electrónica necesaria para el sistema de comunicaciones.Inside the lock, the conductive plate (3) of the proximity sensor stands out first due to variation of the capacitance of the environment and the antenna of the communication system (12). Plate (3) and antenna (12) are physically mounted on a single support plate (16) or PCB, one on each face of said support plate (16), and with Ia plate (3) located on its outermost face. Due to the special surface of the plate (3) in the form of parallel ribs of approximately one millimeter in width with a transverse rib that electrically interconnects them, the communications field created by the antenna (12) when the communications system is active it is not distorted when crossing the plate (3) and the assembly can adopt its maximum compactness, reducing the space required inside the lock and therefore reducing its overall size. This set of plate (3), antenna (12) and common support plate (16) are supported on a second plate (17) that in turn houses the microcontroller (6) necessary for self-awakening, the additional electronics necessary for the self-awakening circuit and the electronics necessary for the communications system.
A su vez, caben destacar Ia ubicación de Ia electrónica de control general de operación (18) común a todas las cerraduras electrónicas sean de proximidad o no, cuya función es Ia ejecución de las acciones adecuadas a Ia naturaleza de Ia información recibida de Ia llave tarjeta, por ejemplo abrir Ia cerradura, Ia ubicación de los elementos electromecánicos (19) de Ia cerradura y Ia ubicación de las pilas (20) que suministran Ia energía necesaria para que Ia cerradura sea autónoma energéticamente.In turn, it is worth highlighting the location of the general operation control electronics (18) common to all electronic locks, whether they are proximity or not, whose function is to carry out the actions appropriate to the nature of the information received from the key. card, for example opening the lock, the location of the electromechanical elements (19) of the lock and the location of the batteries (20) that supply the energy necessary for the lock to be autonomously energetically.
Con esta realización, en Ia figura 7 se muestran un corte transversal de Ia parte superior de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad que alberga Ia placa (3) de detección de proximidad y Ia antena (12) del sistema de comunicaciones. En Ia figura 7 se observa el área efectiva de detección de proximidad (21), una posible aproximación de una tarjeta de proximidad (22) y el área de comunicaciones efectivas (23) con Ia tarjeta de proximidad. Tal y como se muestra en Ia figura 7, estas áreas efectivas de detección (21 ) y de comunicaciones (23) se concentran alrededor de Ia zona en Ia que Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad no tiene carcasa metálica (14) externa, sino una cobertura no metálica (13), por ejemplo de plástico. En el resto de zonas alrededor de Ia carcasa metálica (14), dicha carcasa produce un efecto de apantallamiento sobre los campos de detección y comunicaciones por Io que el usuario deberá aproximar Ia tarjeta a Ia zona cubierta de plástico (13). En dicha cubierta (13) se graban señales indicativas de este modo de interactuar con Ia cerradura. Por el contrario, el apantallamiento del campo de comunicaciones por parte de Ia carcasa metálica (14) produce un efecto deseable en Ia parte posterior de Ia cerradura. Esta parte posterior se corresponde habitualmente con Ia parte interior de Ia habitación que cierra Ia cerradura electrónica. Si no existiera este apantallamiento en Ia parte posterior, también existiría un área de comunicaciones efectivas en el interior de Ia habitación, con el consiguiente riesgo de que accidentalmente se abra Ia cerradura sin así pretenderlo.With this embodiment, figure 7 shows a cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna (12) of the communications system. Figure 7 shows the effective proximity detection area (21), a possible approximation of a proximity card (22) and the effective communication area (23) with the proximity card. As shown in Figure 7, these effective detection (21) and communications (23) areas are concentrated around the area in which the electronic proximity lock does not have an external metal casing (14), but rather a cover non-metallic (13), for example plastic. In the rest of the areas around the metal casing (14), said casing produces a shielding effect on the detection and communication fields, so the user must bring the card closer to the plastic-covered area (13). In said cover (13) signals indicative of this way of interacting with the lock are recorded. On the contrary, the shielding of the communications field by the metal casing (14) produces a desirable effect on the back of the lock. This rear part usually corresponds to the interior part of the room that closes the electronic lock. If this shielding did not exist in the back, there would also be an effective communications area inside the room, with the consequent risk that the lock would accidentally open without intending to.
Como se ve en Ia figura 7, el área efectiva de comunicaciones es mayor que el área efectiva de detección de proximidad. Esto se hace así para que, ante Ia posibilidad de que el usuario mueva ligeramente Ia tarjeta (22) en Ia proximidad de Ia cerradura y el campo de comunicaciones sea capaz de interactuar con Ia tarjeta incluso si el movimiento es de ligero alejamiento tras Ia detección de proximidad. Con carácter general, Ia tarjeta (22) puede ser leída en cualquier posición que se encuentre dentro del área de comunicaciones efectivas (23), aunque un acercamiento paralelo entre de Ia superficie de Ia tarjeta (22) a Ia superficie de Ia carcasa no metálica (13) es Ia aproximación con mayores garantías de funcionamiento de Ia cerradura.As seen in Figure 7, the effective area of communications is greater than the effective proximity detection area. This is done so that, given the possibility that the The user moves the card (22) slightly in the proximity of the lock and the communications field is capable of interacting with the card even if the movement is slightly distant after proximity detection. In general, the card (22) can be read in any position that is within the effective communications area (23), although a parallel approach between the surface of the card (22) to the surface of the non-metallic casing (13) is the approach with greater guarantees of operation of the lock.
A este respecto en Ia figura 8 se muestra otro corte transversal de Ia parte superior de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad que alberga Ia placa (3) de detección de proximidad y Ia antena del sistema de comunicaciones (12). En esta figura se destacan dos ángulos: el ángulo (α) de posicionamiento de Ia placa (3) y Ia antena (12) ubicadas en Ia misma placa soporte (16) respecto de Ia vertical, y el ángulo (β) que es el ángulo probable de aproximación de Ia tarjeta de proximidad respecto de Ia vertical.In this regard, figure 8 shows another cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna of the communications system (12). Two angles stand out in this figure: the angle (α) of positioning of the plate (3) and the antenna (12) located on the same support plate (16) with respect to the vertical, and the angle (β) which is the probable angle of approach of the proximity card with respect to the vertical.
Se ha comprobado que Ia lectura de Ia tarjeta de proximidad por parte del sistema de comunicaciones integrado en Ia cerradura electrónica es tanto mejor cuanto más paralelismo haya entre Ia antena (12) y Ia tarjeta (22). Por Io tanto, una vez determinado el valor del ángulo (β) más probable respecto de Ia vertical en el que un usuario aproximará Ia tarjeta de proximidad (22) a Ia cobertura no metálica (13) que cubre Ia placa (3) de detección de proximidad y Ia antena (12), el ángulo (α) con el que se deberá ubicar el conjunto formado por placa (3) sensora de proximidad, antena (12) y Ia placa que las soporta (16) respecto de Ia vertical será igual al ángulo (β). En Ia realización preferente de Ia presente invención dicho ángulo es de 45°. Como consecuencia Ia superficie frontal de Ia cobertura no metálica (13) que cubre placa (3) sensora y antena (12) deberá tener este mismo ángulo para inducir al usuario a aproximar Ia tarjeta con dicho ángulo. Finalmente en Ia figura 9 se muestra otro corte transversal de Ia parte superior de Ia cerradura electrónica de proximidad que alberga Ia placa (3) de detección de proximidad y Ia antena del sistema de comunicaciones (12). En esta figura se destaca Ia distancia (D1) hacia el exterior de Ia carcasa metálica (14) a Ia que se sitúa el conjunto formado por placa (3) sensora de proximidad, antena (12) y Ia placa que las soporta (16) respecto del punto más sobresaliente de Ia carcasa metálica (14) de Ia cerradura. Se ha comprobado que cuanto mayor sea esta distancia, es decir cuanto más fuera esté el conjunto de Ia carcasa metálica (14) externa de Ia cerradura, mayor es Ia distancia (D2) de comunicaciones efectivas entre el sistema de comunicaciones integrado en Ia cerradura y Ia tarjeta (22). En Ia presente descripción de Ia realización preferente se ha comprobado que a partir de una distancia (D1) de más de 30 milímetros, el efecto de apantallamíento que produce Ia carcasa metálica (14) sobre el campo de comunicaciones es despreciable. It has been verified that the reading of the proximity card by the communication system integrated in the electronic lock is all the better the more parallelism there is between the antenna (12) and the card (22). Therefore, once the value of the most probable angle (β) is determined with respect to the vertical in which a user will approach the proximity card (22) to the non-metallic cover (13) that covers the detection plate (3) of proximity and the antenna (12), the angle (α) with which the set consisting of proximity sensor plate (3), antenna (12) and the plate that supports them (16) with respect to the vertical must be located equal to angle (β). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention said angle is 45 °. As a consequence, the front surface of the non-metallic cover (13) that covers the sensor plate (3) and antenna (12) must have this same angle to induce the user to approach the card with said angle. Finally, figure 9 shows another cross section of the upper part of the electronic proximity lock that houses the proximity detection plate (3) and the antenna of the communications system (12). In this figure, the distance (D1) to the exterior of the metal casing (14) to which the set consisting of proximity sensor plate (3), antenna (12) and the plate that supports them (16) stands out. with respect to the most outstanding point of the metal casing (14) of the lock. It has been verified that the greater this distance is, that is, the further the assembly of the external metallic casing (14) of the lock is, the greater the distance (D2) of effective communications between the communication system integrated in the lock and The card (22). In the present description of the preferred embodiment, it has been verified that from a distance (D1) of more than 30 millimeters, the shielding effect produced by the metal casing (14) on the communications field is negligible.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de un objeto llave que contiene los medios adecuados para establecer y mantener un intercambio de datos sin contacto con dicha cerradura, los medios adecuados para almacenar los datos necesarios para dicho intercambio y los datos a intercambiar, de forma que dicha cerradura sea capaz de determinar las acciones consecuentes de dicho intercambio de datos en función de Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados, caracterizada porque comprende:1. Electronic lock operated by proximity to a key object that contains the appropriate means to establish and maintain a data exchange without contact with said lock, the appropriate means to store the data necessary for said exchange and the data to be exchanged, so that Said lock is capable of determining the consequent actions of said data exchange depending on the nature of the data exchanged, characterized in that it comprises:
Un sistema electrónico de detección de proximidad, capaz de detectar Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a una placa de detección, mediante Ia detección de Ia variación de Ia capacitancia que se genera por esta proximidad en un elemento capacitivo de detección formado por Ia placa de detección y su entorno próximo. Dicha detección se produce a través de Ia contabilización iterativa del número de ciclos de carga y descarga necesarios para generar un primer voltaje predeterminado entre los terminales de un elemento capacitivo de referencia, comprendiendo dichos ciclos de carga y descarga al menos un paso de carga de Ia placa de detección conectándola a un segundo voltaje predeterminado y otro paso de descarga de Ia placa de detección transfiriendo Ia carga adquirida por esta placa al elemento capacitivo de referencia, de forma que Ia carga del elemento capacitivo de referencia se incrementa en cada ciclo de carga y descarga, incrementándose por Io tanto el voltaje entre los terminales del elemento capacitivo de referencia.An electronic proximity detection system, capable of detecting the proximity of a body or object to a detection plate, by detecting the variation in capacitance that is generated by this proximity in a capacitive detection element formed by the detection plate. detection and its immediate environment. Said detection occurs through the iterative accounting of the number of charge and discharge cycles necessary to generate a predetermined first voltage between the terminals of a reference capacitive element, said charge and discharge cycles comprising at least one charge step of Ia detection plate connecting it to a second predetermined voltage and another discharge step of the detection plate transferring the load acquired by this plate to the reference capacitive element, so that the load of the reference capacitive element increases in each charge cycle and discharge, thereby increasing the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitive element.
Un sistema electrónico de comunicaciones que comprende una antena y su circuito asociado capaz de emitir y recibir señales de comunicaciones, de determinar si en esta proximidad se encuentra algún objeto llave y en su caso iniciar y mantener un intercambio de datos con el mismo que conlleve a Ia realización de las acciones correspondientes a Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados.An electronic communications system that includes an antenna and its associated circuit capable of emitting and receiving communication signals, of determining if a key object is in this proximity and, if necessary, initiating and maintaining a data exchange with it that leads to The performance of the actions corresponding to the nature of the data exchanged.
Un sistema electrónico de activación o despierte que comprende un circuito que conecta el sistema de comunicaciones a una fuente de alimentación eléctrica, incorporada en Ia cerradura o ajena a Ia misma, en caso de que el sistema de detección de proximidad haya detectado proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto cualquiera a Ia placa de detección permitiendo así que el sistema de comunicaciones se active y detecte si el cuerpo u objeto en cuestión es un objeto llave.An electronic activation or wake-up system that comprises a circuit that connects the communications system to an electrical power source, incorporated in or outside the lock, in the event that the proximity detection system has detected proximity to a body or any object to the detection plate, thus allowing the communications system to activate and detect if the body or object in question is a key object.
2. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 1 , caracterizada porque comprende un microcontrolador que comanda e integra el proceso cíclico de carga y descarga, Ia contabilización del número de ciclos de carga y descarga, y Ia activación o despierte del circuito de comunicaciones.2. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a microcontroller that commands and integrates the cyclical process of loading and unloading, the accounting of the number of loading and unloading cycles, and the activation or awakening of the communications.
3. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 1, caracterizada porque comprende una placa de detección ubicada dentro del área efectiva de comunicaciones de Ia antena, teniendo Ia placa de detección una geometría que evita Ia aparición de corrientes parásitas en su seno siendo de esta manera permeable a las señales de comunicaciones emitidas por Ia antena, consiguiendo así que Ia distorsión producida sobre dichas señales de comunicaciones no evite una comunicación efectiva con el objeto llave.3. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a detection plate located within the effective area of communications of the antenna, the detection plate having a geometry that prevents the appearance of eddy currents within it, thus being permeable to the communication signals emitted by the antenna, thus achieving that the distortion produced on said communication signals does not avoid effective communication with the key object.
4. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de un objeto llave que contiene los medios adecuados para establecer y mantener un intercambio de datos sin contacto con dicha cerradura, los medios adecuados para almacenar los datos necesarios para dicho intercambio y los datos a intercambiar, de forma que dicha cerradura sea capaz de determinar las acciones consecuentes de dicho intercambio de datos en función de Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados, caracterizada porque comprende un sistema de autodespierte por detección de variaciones de Ia capacitancia en Ia proximidad de Ia cerradura que comprende:4. Electronic lock operated by proximity to a key object that contains the appropriate means to establish and maintain a contactless data exchange with said lock, the appropriate means to store the data necessary for said exchange and the data to be exchanged, so that Said lock is capable of determining the consequent actions of said data exchange depending on the nature of the data exchanged, characterized in that it comprises a self-awakening system for detecting variations in capacitance in the vicinity of the lock, which comprises:
Una placa de detección, que junto con su entorno genera un elemento de capacidad cuya capacitancia variará en función de las condiciones del entorno y de Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto. Un elemento de capacidad de referencia con una capacitancia estable en el tiempo o cuya variación en función de las condiciones del entorno sea baja.A detection plate, which together with its environment generates a capacity element whose capacitance will vary depending on the environment conditions and the proximity of a body or object. A reference capacity element with a capacitance stable over time or whose variation depending on the environmental conditions is low.
Un sistema electrónico que permita al menos descargar tanto el elemento de capacidad de detección como el elemento de capacidad de referencia posicionándolos en un estado inicial y que posteriormente permita alternativamente, desconectar entre sí el elemento de capacidad de detección y el elemento de capacidad de referencia, conectar el elemento de capacidad de detección a una primera fuente de voltaje cargándose dicho elemento de capacidad con una carga en función de su capacitancia en ese momento, desconectar el elemento de capacidad de detección de Ia fuente del primer voltaje predefinido, conectar entre si el elemento de capacidad de detección cargado y el elemento de capacidad de referencia de forma que Ia carga del elemento de capacidad de detección pasa al elemento de capacidad de referencia descargándose el elemento de capacidad de detección, generándose de esta forma un ciclo de carga y descarga. Un sistema electrónico que contabilice el número de ciclos de carga y descarga necesarios para que el elemento de capacidad de referencia alcance una carga tal que genere un segundo voltaje de referencia y compare este número de ciclos con respecto a un número de ciclos de referencia.An electronic system that allows at least to discharge both the detection capacity element and the reference capacity element positioning them in an initial state and which subsequently alternately allows disconnecting the detection capacity element and the reference capacity element from each other, connecting the detection capacity element to a first voltage source, said capacity element being charged with a load depending on its capacitance at that time, disconnecting the detection capacity element from the source of the first predefined voltage, connecting the element to each other of detection capacity loaded and the reference capacity element so that the load of the detection capacity element passes to the reference capacity element, discharging the detection capacity element, thus generating a charge and discharge cycle. An electronic system that counts the number of charge and discharge cycles required for the reference capacity element to reach a charge such that it generates a second reference voltage and compares this number of cycles to a number of reference cycles.
Un sistema electrónico que una vez detectada Ia presencia de un cuerpo u objeto en Ia proximidad de Ia placa de detección active un sistema electrónico de comunicaciones para reconocer si el cuerpo u objeto es un objeto llave y en su caso iniciar y mantener un intercambio de datos con el mismo que conlleve a Ia realización de las acciones correspondientes a Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados.An electronic system that once the presence of a body or object in the vicinity of the detection plate is detected activates an electronic communications system to recognize if the body or object is a key object and, if necessary, initiate and maintain it an exchange of data with the same that leads to the performance of the actions corresponding to the nature of the exchanged data.
5. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 4, caracterizada porque comprende un método de reajuste del número de ciclos de referencia tras cada proceso completo de descarga y posterior carga del elemento de capacidad a través de ciclos de carga y descarga del elemento de capacidad de detección hasta que Ia carga almacenada en el elemento de capacidad de referencia genere el segundo voltaje de referencia de forma que el nuevo número de ciclos de referencia es función del número de ciclos de obtenido en el proceso completo de descarga del elemento de capacidad y posterior carga del mismo recién finalizado.5. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a method of readjustment of the number of reference cycles after each complete process of unloading and subsequent loading of the capacity element through cycles of loading and unloading of the element of detection capacity until the charge stored in the reference capacity element generates the second reference voltage so that the new number of reference cycles is a function of the number of cycles obtained in the complete discharge process of the capacity element and subsequent loading of the same just finished.
6. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 4, caracterizada porque comprende un método de determinación de presencia de un cuerpo u objeto en Ia proximidad de Ia placa de detección en función de un valor positivo de sensibilidad predeterminado de forma que si Ia diferencia entre el número de ciclos de referencia y el número de ciclos recién contabilizado es superior a dicha sensibilidad, se procede a Ia repetición consecutiva de procesos completos de descarga y posterior carga del elemento de capacidad de referencia, a través de ciclos de carga y descarga del elemento de capacidad de detección hasta que Ia carga almacenada en el elemento de capacidad de referencia genere el segundo voltaje de referencia, hasta que el número de repeticiones alcance un primer número de repeticiones de referencia predeterminado o hasta que en un segundo número de repeticiones de referencia predeterminado dicha diferencia no supere dicho valor positivo de sensibilidad.6. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a method for determining the presence of a body or object in the proximity of the detection plate as a function of a predetermined positive sensitivity value so that if the difference between the number of reference cycles and the number of cycles just counted is greater than said sensitivity, the consecutive repetition of complete discharge processes and subsequent loading of the reference capacity element is carried out, through charge and discharge cycles of the detection capacity element until the charge stored in the reference capacity element generates the second reference voltage, until the number of repetitions reaches a first predetermined number of repetitions of reference or until a second number of repetitions of predetermined reference said difference does not exceed said positive sensitivity value.
7. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 4, caracterizada porque comprende un método de determinación de presencia de un cuerpo u objeto en Ia proximidad de Ia placa de detección en función de un valor negativo de sensibilidad predeterminado de forma que si Ia diferencia entre el número de ciclos de referencia y el número de ciclos recién contabilizado es negativo y superior en valor absoluto al valor absoluto de dicha sensibilidad se procede a Ia repetición consecutiva de procesos completos de descarga y posterior carga del elemento de capacidad de referencia, a través de ciclos de carga y descarga del elemento de capacidad de detección hasta que Ia carga almacenada en el elemento de capacidad de referencia genere el segundo voltaje de referencia, hasta que el número de repeticiones alcance un primer número de repeticiones de referencia predeterminado o hasta que en un segundo número de repeticiones de referencia predeterminado dicha diferencia no sea negativa o su valor absoluto no supere el valor absoluto de dicho valor negativo de sensibilidad.7. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a method for determining the presence of a body or object in the proximity of the detection plate as a function of a predetermined negative sensitivity value so that if the difference between the number of reference cycles and the number of cycles just counted is negative and greater in absolute value than the absolute value of said sensitivity, the consecutive repetition of complete discharge and subsequent loading processes of the reference capacity element is carried out, at through charge and discharge cycles of the detection capacity element until the charge stored in the reference capacity element generates the second reference voltage, until the number of repetitions reaches a first predetermined number of repetitions of reference or until in a second predetermined number of repetitions of reference said difference does not is negative or its absolute value does not exceed the absolute value of said negative sensitivity value.
8. Cerradura electrónica operada por proximidad de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 4, caracterizada porque comprende una placa de detección ubicada dentro del área efectiva de comunicaciones de Ia antena, teniendo Ia placa de detección una geometría que evita Ia aparición de corrientes parásitas en su seno siendo de esta manera permeable a las señales de comunicaciones emitidas por Ia antena, consiguiendo así que Ia distorsión producida sobre dichas señales de comunicaciones no evite una comunicación efectiva con el objeto llave.8. Proximity operated electronic lock according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises a detection plate located within the effective area of communications of the antenna, the detection plate having a geometry that prevents the appearance of eddy currents within it, thus being permeable to the communication signals emitted by the antenna, thus achieving that the distortion produced on said communication signals does not avoid effective communication with the key object.
9. Unidad de autodespierte y comunicaciones sin contacto de bajo consumo energético integrable en dispositivos eléctricos o electrónicos autónomos alimentados mediante baterías operadas por proximidad de un objeto llave que contiene, los medios adecuados para establecer y mantener un intercambio de datos sin contacto con dicha unidad de autodespierte y comunicaciones, los medios adecuados para almacenar los datos necesarios para dicho intercambio y los datos a intercambiar, de forma que dicha unidad de autodespierte y comunicaciones sea capaz de transmitir al dispositivo en el que está integrado señales o información adecuada para que dicho dispositivo ejecute las acciones consecuentes de dicho intercambio de datos en función de Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados, caracterizada porque comprende:9. Self-awakening and non-contact communications unit with low energy consumption that can be integrated into autonomous electrical or electronic devices powered by batteries operated by proximity to a key object that contains the appropriate means to establish and maintain a contactless data exchange with said unit. self-awakening and communications, the appropriate means to store the data necessary for said exchange and the data to be exchanged, so that said self-awakening and communications unit is capable of transmitting to the device in which it is integrated signals or adequate information for said device to execute the consequent actions of said data exchange depending on the nature of the data exchanged, characterized in that it comprises:
Un sistema electrónico de detección de proximidad, capaz de detectar Ia proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto a una placa de detección, mediante Ia detección de Ia variación de Ia capacitancia que se genera por esta proximidad en un elemento capacitivo de detección formado por Ia placa de detección y su entorno próximo. Dicha detección se produce a través de Ia contabilización iterativa del número de ciclos de carga y descarga necesarios para generar un primer voltaje predeterminado entre los terminales de un elemento capacitivo de referencia, comprendiendo dichos ciclos de carga y descarga al menos un primer paso de carga de Ia placa de detección conectándola a un segundo voltaje predeterminado y un segundo paso de descarga de Ia placa de detección transfiriendo Ia carga adquirida por esta placa en el paso 1 al elemento capacitivo de referencia, de forma que Ia carga del elemento capacitivo de referencia se incrementa en cada ciclo de carga y descarga, incrementándose por Io tanto el voltaje entre los terminales del elemento capacitivo de referencia.An electronic proximity detection system, capable of detecting the proximity of a body or object to a detection plate, by detecting the variation in capacitance that is generated by this proximity in a capacitive detection element formed by the detection plate. detection and its immediate environment. Said detection occurs through the iterative accounting of the number of charge and discharge cycles necessary to generate a first predetermined voltage between the terminals of a reference capacitive element, said charge and discharge cycles comprising at least a first charge step of The detection plate connecting it to a second predetermined voltage and a second discharge step of the detection plate transferring the charge acquired by this plate in step 1 to the reference capacitive element, so that the load of the reference capacitive element increases in each charge and discharge cycle, increasing by Io both the voltage between the terminals of the reference capacitive element.
Un sistema electrónico de comunicaciones que comprende una antena y su circuito asociado capaz de emitir y recibir señales de comunicaciones, de determinar si en esta proximidad se encuentra algún objeto llave y en su caso iniciar y mantener un intercambio de datos con el mismo que conlleve a Ia realización de las acciones correspondientes a Ia naturaleza de los datos intercambiados.An electronic communications system that includes an antenna and its associated circuit capable of emitting and receiving communication signals, of determining if a key object is in this proximity and, if necessary, initiating and maintaining a data exchange with it that leads to The performance of the actions corresponding to the nature of the data exchanged.
Un sistema electrónico de activación o despierte que comprende un circuito que conecta el sistema de comunicaciones a una fuente de alimentación eléctrica, incorporada en Ia unidad o ajena a Ia misma, en caso de que el sistema de detección de proximidad haya detectado proximidad de un cuerpo u objeto cualquiera a Ia placa de detección permitiendo así que el sistema de comunicaciones se active y detecte si el cuerpo u objeto en cuestión es un objeto llave.An electronic activation or wake-up system that comprises a circuit that connects the communications system to an electrical power source, incorporated in or outside the unit, in the event that the proximity detection system has detected proximity to a body or any object to the detection plate thus allowing the communications system to activate and detect if the body or object in question is a key object.
10. Unidad de autodespierte y comunicaciones sin contacto de bajo consumo energético de acuerdo a Ia reivindicación 9, caracterizada porque comprende una placa de detección ubicada dentro del área efectiva de comunicaciones de Ia antena, teniendo Ia placa de detección una geometría que evita Ia aparición de corrientes parásitas en su seno siendo de esta manera permeable a las señales de comunicaciones emitidas por Ia antena, consiguiendo así que Ia distorsión producida sobre dichas señales de comunicaciones no evite una comunicación efectiva con el objeto llave. 10. Self-awakening and non-contact communications unit with low energy consumption according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a detection plate located within the effective communications area of the antenna, the detection plate having a geometry that prevents the appearance of eddy currents within it thus being permeable to the communication signals emitted by the antenna, thus achieving that the distortion produced on said communication signals does not prevent effective communication with the key object.
PCT/ES2004/000341 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 Electronic lock comprising an automatic actuation system which uses a capacitive proximity sensor WO2006021592A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT04742069T ATE498876T1 (en) 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 ELECTRONIC LOCK WITH AN AUTOMATIC ACTUATION SYSTEM WITH A CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR
DE602004031469T DE602004031469D1 (en) 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 ELECTRONIC LOCK WITH AN AUTOMATIC OPERATING SYSTEM WITH A CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSOR
EP04742069A EP1783694B1 (en) 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 Electronic lock comprising an automatic actuation system which uses a capacitive proximity sensor
ES04742069T ES2360857T3 (en) 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 ELECTRONIC LOCK THAT INCLUDES AN AUTOMATIC ACTUATION SYSTEM THAT USES A CAPACITY PROXIMITY SENSOR.
PCT/ES2004/000341 WO2006021592A1 (en) 2004-07-21 2004-07-21 Electronic lock comprising an automatic actuation system which uses a capacitive proximity sensor

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AT (1) ATE498876T1 (en)
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ES2360857T3 (en) 2011-06-09
EP1783694A1 (en) 2007-05-09
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EP1783694B1 (en) 2011-02-16
ATE498876T1 (en) 2011-03-15

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