JP7744550B2 - System for enhancing NFC communication with a programmable driver in a metal housing - Patent Application 20070122997 - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the field of establishing a communication link with a programmable driver, for example, via Near-Field Communication (NFC). Disclosed herein are various devices, systems, and methods relating to, among other things, enhancing NFC communication for programmable drivers in metal housings.

Programmable drivers are increasingly being adopted to reconfigure electronic components. Control signals can be provided to the programmable driver either via wire/cable or wireless link. Wireless programmable drivers bring greater convenience and flexibility to the system, making them more attractive from an application standpoint.

Currently, most wireless programmable drivers available on the market are built on NFC technology. For example, the control signals for the programmable driver are provided from an external NFC reader to an NFC tag that is integrated into the programmable driver. Since the typical communication distance of an NFC link is only a few centimeters, this can be problematic when the programmable driver must be assembled into a housing that contains many other electronic components. If the housing is a metal housing, the NFC link may even be completely shielded, and the programmable driver can no longer be reached from the outside. Thus, a solution to this problem is needed.

US2019147202A1 relates to a system and method for programming a network transceiver via RFID communication.

In view of the above, the present disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for extending an NFC link to a programmable driver disposed within a metal housing. In particular, the object of the present invention is achieved by a system as set forth in claim 1 and a kit for use as set forth in claim 8.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system. The system includes an electronic device including an electronic component; a programmable driver configured to regulate a voltage or current supply of the electronic component, the programmable driver including an integrated Near-Field Communication (NFC) tag having an antenna, the NFC tag configured to assist an external NFC reader in accessing the programmable driver to configure the electronic component; and a metal housing including an opening for inserting a plug, the programmable driver being positioned within the metal housing with the antenna of the NFC tag facing the opening. The system further includes a passive NFC repeater configured to connect to the NFC tag through the opening to extend the communication range of the NFC tag to establish an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader, the passive NFC repeater being incorporated into an add-on for removable insertion into the opening, the add-on being a tool used to configure electronic components, the passive NFC repeater being disposed on an end of the tool that fits into the opening.

Programmable drivers offer greater flexibility for configuring electronic components. One or more settings of an electronic component can be reconfigured during installation or during use. For example, one or more settings may be tailored to a deployment scene or user preference.

The programmable driver's configuration is set via an NFC communication link. Near Field Communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enables communication between two electronic devices, typically at distances of 4 cm or less. NFC is based on inductive coupling between two antennas on an NFC-enabled device that communicate one-way or two-way. Communication typically occurs in the 13.56 MHz carrier frequency band, which is the globally available unlicensed radio frequency ISM band.

Reconfiguring electronic components via such a wireless link further increases the flexibility of the system. However, due to the limited communication range of NFC and the shielding effect of metal housings on electromagnetic waves, the NFC link can become impaired or even completely blocked in such systems.

An NFC repeater or NFC extender is configured to extend the communication range of an NFC tag and may be implemented as a passive component that relays NFC signals. NFC repeaters are deployed to relay signals through holes on the metal housing of an electronic device and assist in establishing a communication link between a built-in NFC tag and an external NFC reader.

Advantageously, the electronic component is a light source.

The light source or light emitter may be a light-emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), or an edge-emitting laser diode (EELD).

In one example, the electronic device is a lighting fixture and the light source is used for illumination.

NFC is used in the lighting industry to identify, control, or configure components such as drivers. NFC programming of lighting fixture drivers is rapidly gaining popularity as a flexible and easy way to set the operating characteristics of drivers within lighting fixtures.

The programmable driver may be a driver for a light source, such as an LED driver. NFC allows manufacturers to wirelessly set LED driver operating parameters, such as operating current, constant lumen output, and dimming level. This can be done on the production line without the need to apply mains voltage to the driver, reducing the effort on the production line to protect workers from mains voltage. This also allows users to wirelessly adjust settings according to user preferences.

An NFC reader is a hardware device for exchanging data with an NFC tag. The NFC reader can both read from and write to NFC tags. An NFC tag is a chip that can be used as data storage, read by, and potentially written to, an NFC reader. The tag is a passive device that is activated by the energy contained in the signal emitted by the NFC reader. In an NFC programming system, the NFC reader is connected to a host device and may receive instructions from the host device. The NFC reader wirelessly transfers programming data to the NFC tag in the LED driver. Parameters are programmed using the NFC reader in combination with LED driver vendor-specific software. This software typically runs on a standard host device, such as a controller, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or commissioning device. After this programming phase, the LED driver operating parameters are set to the desired settings.

Preferably, the passive NFC repeater includes two coils electrically connected to each other.

The two coils may be connected by a metal wire. One coil picks up electromagnetic waves and converts them into an electric current, while the other coil generates the electromagnetic waves again. One coil may be located near a transmitting antenna, such as the antenna of an NFC reader, and the other coil may be located near a receiving antenna, such as the antenna of an NFC tag.

Advantageously, a passive NFC repeater is configured to passively relay electrical signals between two coils.

In one option, the passive NFC repeater is implemented as a magnetic induction repeater with two coils electrically connected to each other and configured to have the same resonant frequency.

In a preferred setup, the passive NFC repeater is built into an add-on for removable insertion into the opening.

The passive NFC repeater may be built into an add-on that is standalone from the electronic device and can be removably inserted into the opening. In this way, the add-on may be inserted into the opening only during the commissioning procedure and can be removed from the opening immediately after the commissioning procedure is completed.

Advantageously, the passive NFC repeater is built into a housing having an elongated shape for insertion into the opening.

Preferably, the NFC repeater should be placed at least 1 cm away from the metal housing of the electronic device. The housing is made of a non-metallic material, which also creates some space between the NFC repeater and the metal housing of the electronic device.

In one example, the housing is pen-shaped.

In one example, the passive NFC repeater is incorporated into a tool used to configure the electronic component, with the passive NFC repeater placed on the end of the tool that fits into the opening.

The tool may be a commissioning tool used to configure electronic components.

In one option, the external NFC reader is included in a host device, such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, controller, or other commissioning device.

In another option, the external NFC reader is integrated with a passive NFC repeater in the tool.

In a preferred setup, the electronic device further includes a plastic plug secured to the opening with the cavity facing the interior of the electronic device, and the passive NFC repeater is configured for removable insertion into the cavity.

In one example, the passive NFC repeater is built into a plastic plug that fits into an opening in the metal housing of the electronic device. The plastic plug with the passive NFC repeater embedded in it may be removably attached to the opening, or may be permanently attached to the opening.

In another setup, a passive NFC repeater is built into a plastic plug that fits into the opening.

Instead of having an NFC repeater built into the electronic device as an add-on standalone, it is also possible to incorporate the NFC repeater into a plastic plug that is fixed into the opening. With this option, the plastic plug also becomes part of the electronic device. Thus, an external NFC reader needs to be placed near the plastic plug from the outside to establish an NFC link for programming the electronic component.

Since the NFC repeater should preferably be placed at least 1 cm away from the metal housing of the electronic device, it is beneficial for the housing of the add-on to be made of a non-metallic material and have a certain thickness so that such requirements can be met when the add-on is inserted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes: an electronic component; a programmable driver configured to regulate a voltage or current supply of the electronic component, the programmable driver including an embedded near-field communication (NFC) tag having an antenna, the NFC tag configured to assist an external NFC reader in accessing the programmable driver to configure the electronic component; a metal housing including an opening for inserting a plug, the programmable driver being positioned within the metal housing with the antenna of the NFC tag facing the opening; and a plastic plug secured to the opening, the plastic plug including a passive NFC repeater configured to connect to the NFC tag through the opening to extend the communication range of the NFC tag to establish an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader.

Advantageously, the electronic component is a light source.

The light source or light emitter may be a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), or an edge emitting laser diode (EELD).

In one example, the electronic device is a lighting fixture and the light source is used for illumination.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a kit is provided. The kit of use includes an electronic device, the electronic device including an electronic component; a programmable driver configured to regulate a voltage or current supply of the electronic component, the programmable driver including an integrated near-field communication (NFC) tag having an antenna, the NFC tag configured to assist an external NFC reader in accessing the programmable driver to configure the electronic component; a metal housing including an opening for inserting a plug, the programmable driver being positioned within the metal housing with the antenna of the NFC tag facing the opening; and a passive NFC repeater integrated into an add-on for removable insertion into the opening, the passive NFC repeater configured to connect to the NFC tag through the opening to extend the communication range of the NFC tag to assist the NFC tag in establishing an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader; the add-on being a tool used to configure the electronic component, the passive NFC repeater being positioned on an end of the tool that fits into the opening.

In this option, a passive NFC repeater built into the electronic device as a removable add-on may be included in a kit for use and sale with the electronic device.

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
1 shows a basic setup to perform NFC programming of the driver. A block diagram of the system is shown. 1 illustrates an implementation of a passive NFC repeater. 1 illustrates an example of one implementation of the system. 1 illustrates a further example of an implementation of the system. 1 shows a block diagram of an electronic device. A block diagram of the kit used is shown.

The embodiments described below represent information to enable one skilled in the art to practice the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawings, one skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the present disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not specifically addressed herein. It is understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Programmable drivers offer greater flexibility for configuring electronic devices or components. One or more settings of an electronic component can be reconfigured during installation or during use. For example, one or more settings may be adapted to a deployment scenario or user preferences. In commercial products, one or more settings of a programmable driver are typically set via an NFC communication link. Near Field Communication (NFC) is a set of communication protocols that enable communication between two electronic devices, typically within 4 cm or less.

Figure 1 shows a basic setup for NFC programming of a driver. The driver contains an integrated NFC tag. An NFC reader (sometimes called an interface) is connected to a computer. The reader communicates with the NFC tag in the driver. The range of communication with NFC is limited to a few centimeters.

As shown in FIG. 1, a host device, such as a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or controller, may include software that sends instructions, control commands, or programming data to an NFC reader. The NFC reader may be built into the host device or communicatively coupled to the host device. The NFC reader wirelessly transfers the instructions, control commands, or programming data to an NFC tag within the programmable driver over an NFC link.

Reconfiguring electronic components via such a wireless link further increases the flexibility of the system. However, programmable drivers may be assembled into electronic devices with metal housings. Due to the limited communication range of NFC and the shielding effect of metal housings against electromagnetic waves, the NFC link may be impaired or even completely blocked in such scenarios. For example, if the driver is built into a metal lighting fixture, communication may be significantly impaired or even impossible due to the metal's shielding against electromagnetic waves.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a system 100 according to the present invention. As a basic setup, the system 100 includes at least an electronic device 200 and a passive NFC repeater 300. The electronic device 200 further includes an electronic component 210, a programmable driver 220, and a metal housing 230. The programmable driver 220 is configured to regulate the voltage or current supply of the electronic component 210. The programmable driver 220 includes an embedded NFC tag 225 with an antenna 226, which is used to assist an external NFC reader 400 in accessing the programmable driver 220 to configure the electronic component 210. The metal housing 230 includes an opening 231 for inserting a plug. The programmable driver 220 is placed within the metal housing 230 with the antenna 226 of the NFC tag 225 facing the opening 231.

The passive NFC repeater 300 is configured to connect to the NFC tag 225 through the opening 231 to extend the communication range of the NFC tag 225 for establishing an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader 400. The passive NFC repeater 300 is deployed to relay NFC signals through the hole 231 on the metal housing 230 of the electronic device 200 to assist in establishing a communication link between the built-in NFC tag 225 and the external NFC reader 400.

Figure 3 shows one implementation of a passive NFC repeater 300. The passive repeater 300 may consist of two coils connected by a wire. One coil picks up electromagnetic waves and converts them into electrical current, while the other coil generates the electromagnetic waves again. One coil acts as a "transmitting" antenna positioned near the NFC reader, while the other coil may be placed near an NFC antenna embedded in the driver.

In one example, the passive NFC repeater 300 is built into a plastic plug that fits into the opening 231 in the metal housing 230 of the electronic device 200. The plastic plug incorporating the passive NFC repeater may be removably attached to the opening 231 or may be fixedly attached to the opening 231.

Figure 4 shows an example of one implementation of the system 100. In this example, the passive repeater 300 is built into a plug that is secured to an opening 231 in a metal housing 230 of the electronic device 200, such that the plug is part of the electronic device 200. As an example, the electronic device 200 is a lighting fixture, and the electronic component 210 is a light source, such as an LED. A programmable driver 220 inside the lighting fixture 200 directs the antenna 226 of the NFC tag 225 to one coil of the passive repeater 300. An external NFC reader 400 can establish an NFC communication link with the embedded NFC tag via the relay of the passive repeater 300.

Figure 5 shows a further example of one implementation of system 100. This passive repeater 300 can be built into an add-on that fits into an insert assembled to electronic device 200 for removable insertion into opening 231. The add-on is independent of electronic device 200 and may be inserted into the opening only during the commissioning procedure, and can be removed from the opening immediately after the commissioning procedure is completed.

The add-on may be used as a tool for configuring the electronic component 210. The add-on or tool may have a housing with an elongated shape suitable for removable insertion into the opening 231.

As an example, the passive repeater 300 may be built into a pen as a configuration tool. For a lighting fixture 200 with a metal housing 230, external NFC communication to access the programmable driver 220 inside the lighting fixture 200 is not possible due to the metal's repelling of electromagnetic flux. A pen with a passive repeater allows magnetic flux lines into the lighting fixture 200 through the opening 231, provided there is sufficient space, such as 1 cm or more, between the passive repeater and the metal housing of the electronic device or another metal component within the electronic device.

6 shows a block diagram of electronic device 201. Electronic device 201 includes electronic component 210, programmable driver 220, metal housing 230 including opening 231, and plastic plug secured to opening 231. Programmable driver 220 is configured to regulate the voltage or current supply of electronic component 210. Programmable driver 220 includes an embedded near-field communication (NFC) tag 225 having an antenna 226 configured to assist an external NFC reader 400 in accessing programmable driver 220 for configuring electronic component 210. Metal housing 230 includes opening 231 for inserting the plug. Programmable driver 220 is positioned within metal housing 230 with antenna 226 of NFC tag 225 facing opening 231. The plastic plug is secured to opening 231. The plastic plug includes a passive NFC repeater 300 configured to connect to the NFC tag 225 through the opening 231 to extend the communication range of the NFC tag 225 for establishing an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader 400.

7 shows a block diagram of a usage kit 500. The kit 500 includes an electronic device 200 and a passive NFC repeater 300 that is incorporated as an add-on to the electronic device 200. The electronic device 200 includes an electronic component 210, a programmable driver 220, and a metal housing 230. The programmable driver 220 is configured to adjust the voltage or current supply of the electronic component 210, and the programmable driver 220 includes an embedded near-field communication (NFC) tag 225 having an antenna 226 that is configured to assist an external NFC reader 400 in accessing the programmable driver 220 to configure the electronic component 210. The metal housing 230 includes an opening 231 for inserting a plug. The programmable driver 220 is positioned within the housing with the antenna 226 of the NFC tag 225 facing the opening 231. The passive NFC repeater 300 is incorporated into the add-on for removable insertion into the opening 231, and the passive NFC repeater 300 is configured to connect to the NFC tag 225 through the opening 231 to extend the communication range of the NFC tag 225 to assist the NFC tag 225 in establishing an NFC communication link with an external NFC reader 400.

As an example, the two coils of the passive NFC repeater 300 are electrically connected to each other. These coils are built into an add-on, such as a pen. The programmable driver 220 inside the lighting fixture 200 points the antenna 226 of the NFC tag 225 to one coil. The antenna of the NFC reader 400 can be pointed to the second coil of the passive repeater pen 300 outside the lighting fixture 200. The pen 300 can be shifted to the insert when the operator needs to program the driver. Once programming is complete, the pen is removed.

Claims (7)

A system including an electronic device, the electronic device comprising:
an electronic component;
a programmable driver configured to adjust a voltage or current supply of the electronic component, the programmable driver including an embedded near field communication (NFC) tag having an antenna, the NFC tag configured to assist an external NFC reader in accessing the programmable driver to configure the electronic component;
a metal housing including an opening for inserting a plug, the programmable driver being disposed within the metal housing with the antenna of the NFC tag facing the opening;
Including,
The system is
a passive NFC repeater configured to connect to the NFC tag through the opening to extend a communication range of the NFC tag to establish an NFC communication link with the external NFC reader, the passive NFC repeater being incorporated into an add-on for removable insertion into the opening;
Including,
The system wherein the add-on is a tool used to configure the electronic component, and the passive NFC repeater is located on an end of the tool that fits into the opening. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic component is a light source. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passive NFC repeater includes two coils electrically connected to each other. The system of claim 3, wherein the passive NFC repeater is configured to passively relay electrical signals between the two coils. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passive NFC repeater is built into a housing having an elongated shape for insertion into the opening. The system of claim 1 , wherein the external NFC reader is integrated with the passive NFC repeater in the tool. 2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic device includes a plastic plug secured in the opening with a cavity facing the interior of the electronic device, and the passive NFC repeater is configured for removable insertion into the cavity.