Contactless arrangement for controlling the temperature of an on-chip sensor device

Abstract

Contactless device (100, 300), featuring: • a first sensor (102, 302) for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device (100, 300); • a second sensor (104) for determining a temperature (412) prevailing at the first sensor (102, 302); • a processor (106) coupled with the first sensor (102, 302) and the second sensor (104); • an antenna (108) coupled to the processor (106) for supplying power to the processor (106), wherein the power is supplied by a contactless reader (200); and • a heating element (110) which converts part of the supplied energy into heat (422), wherein the heating element (110) is arranged relative to a predetermined area of ​​the contactless device (100) such that a temperature (412) prevailing in the predetermined area can be adjusted by means of the heating element (110) such that a processor (202) of the contactless reader (200) is configured to receive information about the temperature (412) determined by the second sensor (104) and to adjust the energy supplied to the contactless device (100) depending on a temperature setpoint (410) and the received information about the temperature (412) determined by the second sensor (104).

Description

[0001] In various embodiments, a contactless arrangement for controlling a temperature of an on-chip sensor device is provided, wherein the contactless arrangement comprises a contactless device, for example a contactless chip card, and an associated contactless reader.

[0002] Measurement processes, for example in biochemical applications such as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) replication, are usually carried out under constant conditions. In the commonly used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) systems, for example, it may be necessary to repeatedly raise and lower the temperature according to a predetermined pattern to enable DNA replication. The subsequent measurement process, however, should be carried out at a constant temperature. By always maintaining the same and constant temperature during the measurement, the influence of the temperature coefficient can be minimized. Setting and maintaining the temperature is accomplished with a so-called thermal cycler. Thermal cyclers are large machines equipped with heating elements.The heat energy is usually applied to the measurement object through contact, but a lot of heat energy is unnecessarily lost into the large-volume surrounding material. Furthermore, the temperature changes on the measurement object are achieved by a temperature change in the large-volume surrounding material. This places a limit on the rate of temperature change achievable with such devices.

[0003] DE 10 2008 020 549 A1 discloses a sensor arrangement having a controller unit that can control a thermal source unit. DE 29 717 395 U1 discloses a chip card that can have at least one sensor that can provide a sensor signal from at least one external physical measurement variable. DE 102 34 811 C1 discloses a respiratory gas humidifier system for a patient.

[0004] DE 100 07 285 A1 discloses a chip card with a chip card body and a contact and / or contactless interface for a card reader arranged thereon. US 2008 / 0 006 099 A1 discloses a system for controlling the temperature of liquid samples. WO 2012 / 178 210 A1 discloses a chip-based device for amplifying nucleic acids, a cartridge housing the device, and a method for using the device for amplifying nucleic acids.

[0005] WO 2014 / 144548 A2 discloses a portable system for extracting nucleic acids or proteins using a compact integrated chip combined with a mobile device system for analyzing the detected signals. CN 1 03 308 502 A discloses a portable device for real-time detection of microfluids. DE 10 2013 222 518 A1 discloses a method for mitigating unsafe temperature conditions in an inductive charging system within a vehicle.

[0006] A contactless device according to claim 1, a contactless reader according to claim 9, a contactless arrangement according to claim 11, and a method for operating a contactless arrangement according to claim 12 are provided. Further embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] In various embodiments, a contactless device is provided, which comprises: a first sensor for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device; a second sensor for determining a temperature prevailing at the first sensor; a processor coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor; an antenna coupled to the processor for providing energy to the processor; and a heating element which converts a portion of the provided energy into heat, wherein the heating element is arranged relative to a predetermined region of the contactless device such that a temperature prevailing in the predetermined region can be adjusted by means of the heating element.

[0008] The contactless device according to various embodiments can be a passive device that can draw its operating power from a corresponding coupling field via the antenna. If necessary, however, the contactless device can be active and have its own power source in the form of a battery or a capacitor. The antenna can be configured for contactless transmission of data via an air interface using an electromagnetic field, for example, in accordance with the ISO 14443 standard and / or the ISO 15693 standard. The functional principle of the contactless device according to various embodiments is not limited to the inductive transmission of data and energy, since the data and / or energy can also be transmitted capacitively.

[0009] The length of the cable forming the antenna can be adapted to wireless communication at a specific frequency, for example, at 13.56 MHz, which corresponds to the most commonly used RFID frequency band (RFID: radio frequency identification). The contactless device according to various embodiments can be implemented as an integrated circuit, for example, using eWLB technology (eWLB: Embedded Wafer Level Ball Grid Array). The antenna can be implemented as a loop antenna or coil with multiple turns, wherein the conductive traces forming it can be part of an RDL (RDL: redistribution layer).The conductor tracks of the antenna can, for example, be arranged around the sensors and / or around the processor, so that the contactless device can be designed very compactly according to various embodiments.

[0010] The processor can be in the form of a microchip and can be configured to control wireless communication and can thus function as an RFID chip. Furthermore, the processor can be configured to control the operation of the first sensor and / or the second sensor. The processor can be configured, upon request from a reader, to have a temperature measurement carried out by the second sensor and to have the sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device determined by the first sensor. In addition, the processor can be configured to wirelessly transmit the parameter values ​​determined by the two sensors to the reader via the communication field. The first sensor can be a diagnostic biosensor or, more generally, a sensor for detecting specific measured variables in a wide variety of measurement applications, such as - for measuring cell and / or substance concentrations (pathogens, glucose, potassium, lactate etc...) in blood, saliva, tears or urine; - for measuring ingredients or pH value of drinking water, water in swimming pools or soil for agriculture; - for measuring pollutants, (putrefactive) bacteria, mold, chemical changes, etc. in food or pharmaceuticals that have been stored for too long or incorrectly; and / or - for measuring gas concentrations (COx, SOx, Nx ...) or particulate matter concentration in the air.

[0011] In alternative embodiments, the processor can be configured to perform calculations based on the determined temperature and / or the sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device in order to derive further information from the data determined by the sensors. In other words, the processor can be configured to execute specific analysis or evaluation algorithms, which can be executed prior to transmission to the contactless reader. Thus, according to various embodiments, the contactless device can, for example, comprise display means such as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and / or OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) for displaying results based on the analysis or evaluation algorithms performed by the processor.For example, according to various embodiments, a lighting device on / at the contactless device can be used as a status indicator to indicate that a detection process using the first sensor is currently taking place, has been completed, or that, for example, the temperature determined by the second sensor is not yet within the target range and is therefore currently being adjusted. From such a preliminary evaluation of the measurement parameters of the two sensors, information can be derived that can be directly displayed on the contactless device, the location where a medium is measured. Furthermore, by means of a preliminary evaluation / processing of the measurement parameters, the data volume transmitted from the contactless device to a contactless reader can be reduced.For example, a temperature change rate can be calculated by the processor of the contactless device from several temperature values ​​determined by the second sensor and transmitted to a contactless reader instead of the many individual temperature values.

[0012] The heating element, which converts part of the provided energy into heat, is arranged relative to a predetermined area of ​​the contactless device in such a way that a temperature prevailing in the predetermined area can be adjusted using the heating element. The predetermined area can, for example, be at least a partial area of ​​the first sensor, for example a detection area or sensor area of ​​the first sensor. The sensor area refers to the active area of ​​the sensor, which comes into contact with the medium to be analyzed during a measurement process and with which the medium can interact during the measurement. The heating element can be used to adjust the temperature at which the sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device is detected by the first sensor.The receiving surface can, for example, be arranged on the heating element or be in contact with it, so that the heating element acts as a kind of heatable base for the sensor surface. It can be advantageous if the heating element can heat the specified area evenly. This can be achieved, for example, by the heating element being flat, for example, having a surface that is approximately the same size as or half the size of the specified area, so that the specified area can be heated as evenly as possible.

[0013] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the heating element can have at least one electrical resistor provided in the contactless device.

[0014] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the electrical resistor can comprise a shunt resistor, preferably a regulated shunt resistor. The regulated shunt resistor can be, for example, a regulated transistor that converts the excess energy from the magnetic coupling field into heat by adjusting its resistance accordingly.

[0015] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the heating element can be at least partially formed by the processor. The predetermined region can, for example, be arranged on the processor surface and thus be heated by its waste heat. The heating element can be configured as a regulated shunt resistor or implemented by the processor, which operates at a specific clock frequency. In such a case, a clock control can be used in the processor to control the heat dissipation by the heating element.

[0016] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the contactless device can be a contactless card, preferably a contactless chip card.

[0017] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the first sensor can comprise a physical sensor and / or a chemical sensor and / or a sensor for detecting biopolymers, for example, macromolecular biopolymers. The sensor can be configured, for example, as a biosensor and have a biological detection system for detecting target substances, which can comprise, for example, antibodies, enzymes, organelles, or microorganisms. During detection, the biological detection system of the biosensor interacts with the target substance to be analyzed, and a physicochemical change in state can occur, such as a change in layer thickness, refractive indices, light absorption, or electrical charge.A change in state that has occurred can then be converted into an electrical signal by means of a signal converter set up to detect it and thus analyzed / evaluated.

[0018] According to further embodiments, the contactless device can further comprise a supply structure for supplying a medium to be analyzed by means of the first sensor, preferably a liquid, to the first sensor. The supply structure can be a cavity with an inlet opening through which the medium to be analyzed can be introduced into the cavity. At least one surface of the cavity, for example the bottom surface, can be the sensor surface. Furthermore, the supply structure can be inflow channels or a channel system configured to introduce and distribute the medium over the sensor surface. In the supply structure, capillary forces, for example, can be used to guide / conduct the medium from the introduction point to the sensor surface.

[0019] According to further embodiments of the contactless device, the second sensor can be configured to detect a temperature representing the temperature of the medium. The second sensor can, for example, be formed integrally in or on the first sensor, for example in the form of an intermediate layer, or can also be arranged as a separate component on the first sensor.

[0020] In various embodiments, a contactless reader is provided, comprising a processor; an antenna coupled to the processor for providing energy to a contactless device according to one of claims 1 to 8; wherein the processor is configured to receive information representing a sensor parameter determined by the contactless device and to determine an energy setting variable for adjusting the energy provided to the contactless device depending on the received information.

[0021] According to further embodiments, the contactless reader can be configured as a communication device, preferably a mobile communication device, more preferably a mobile radio communication device, such as a cell phone. The contactless reader can be configured both to communicate wirelessly with a contactless device according to various embodiments and to provide it with a correspondingly required amount of energy via the coupling field. The contactless reader can be configured to compare the sensor parameter determined by the contactless device with a target value of the sensor parameter and to determine the energy setting variable based thereon.

[0022] According to further embodiments of the contactless reader, the sensor parameter determined by the contactless device may be a temperature.

[0023] According to further embodiments, a contactless arrangement is provided, comprising a contactless device according to various embodiments and a contactless reader according to various embodiments, wherein the processor is configured to receive information about the temperature determined by the second sensor and to adjust the energy provided to the contactless device depending on the received information about the temperature determined by the second sensor.

[0024] Using the contactless arrangement according to various embodiments, the temperature of the predetermined area of ​​the contactless device can be specifically adjusted and / or monitored and regulated. By adjusting the field strength of the coupling field, the energy available to the contactless device can be adjusted. This allows the amount of energy available to the heating element and convertible into heat to be adjusted. Using the contactless arrangement according to various embodiments, not only can the temperature be determined (measured) when a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device is detected, but the temperature of the environment of the first sensor can also be specifically adjusted during the detection or measuring process using the first sensor.This property can be further used, for example, to change the temperature of the medium to be analyzed according to a predefined pattern in terms of value and time and to monitor whether the desired intermediate products have been formed within the temperature sequence.

[0025] The contactless arrangement according to various embodiments enables measurement processes with very low overall energy consumption, as it is a small-scale (miniaturized) measuring system. The contactless arrangement according to various embodiments can be viewed as a highly miniaturized implementation of a thermal cycler. However, the low energy available from an NFC-compatible (NFC: near field communication) mobile phone, typically a smartphone, may be sufficient to implement a mobile measuring system in conjunction with a contactless device according to various embodiments.The contactless arrangement makes it possible to create very handy and user-friendly measuring systems, with which a user could, for example, determine his / her blood sugar level or test a food for possible substances to which he / she is allergic.

[0026] As already mentioned, the contactless arrangement, in particular the contactless device according to various embodiments, can be designed on a very small scale. Measurements can be performed with very small volumes (e.g., liquid volumes) of the medium to be analyzed. Since there are no large (active and passive) masses or volumes to be heated, thus avoiding high heat capacities, very precise and rapid measurement and / or temperature adjustment can be achieved. Furthermore, individual temperature adjustment can be performed for each individual measurement object if multiple measurement objects are to be measured simultaneously.

[0027] Due to the compactness of the contactless device according to various embodiments, the required heat can be generated by the heating element and applied locally. This minimizes the risk of burns, which can occur, for example, with improper handling of conventional thermal cyclers, which have large parts that are heated to high temperatures during operation. The contactless arrangement according to various embodiments thus enables safe application and operation even by untrained persons.

[0028] In various embodiments, a method for operating the contactless arrangement is provided, the method comprising: determining the temperature prevailing at the first sensor by means of the second sensor; transmitting the determined temperature to the contactless reader; comparing the determined temperature with a setpoint temperature; and adjusting the energy supplied to the contactless device depending on the result of the comparison.

[0029] In further embodiments, the method may further comprise starting a measuring process for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device by means of the first sensor if the determined temperature corresponds to the setpoint temperature.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0031] It shows Fig. 1 a contactless device according to various embodiments; Fig. 2 a contactless reader according to various embodiments; Fig. 3 a contactless device according to various embodiments; Fig. 4 a contactless arrangement according to various embodiments; and Fig. 5 shows a method for operating a contactless arrangement according to various embodiments.

[0032] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "fore," "rear," etc., will be used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise. The following detailed description is therefore not to be construed in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0033] Throughout this description, the terms "connected," "attached," and "coupled" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, a direct or indirect connection, and a direct or indirect coupling. In the figures, identical or similar elements are provided with identical reference numerals where appropriate.

[0034] In Fig. 1 shows a contactless device 100 according to various embodiments. It comprises a first sensor 102 for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device 100, a second sensor 104 for determining a temperature prevailing at the first sensor 102, a processor 106 coupled to the first sensor 102 and the second sensor 104, an antenna 108 coupled to the processor 106 for providing energy to the processor 106, and a heating element 110 that converts a portion of the provided energy into heat. The heating element 110 is arranged relative to a predetermined region of the contactless device 100 such that a temperature prevailing in the predetermined region can be adjusted by means of the heating element 110.The contactless device 100 according to various embodiments makes it possible to measure the temperature very close to the first sensor 102 and additionally to influence the temperature very close to this sensor or to regulate it by means of a corresponding current supply to the heating element 110.

[0035] In Fig. 2 illustrates a contactless reader 200 according to various embodiments, which includes a processor 202 and an antenna 204 coupled to the processor 202 for providing energy to a contactless device 100 according to various embodiments. The processor 202 is configured to receive information representing a sensor parameter determined by the contactless device 100 and to determine an energy setting value for adjusting the energy provided to the contactless device 100 depending on the received information.

[0036] Another embodiment of the contactless device is shown in Fig. 3. The contactless device 300 has the first sensor 302 in the form of a sensor chip, which has a sensor or recording surface 304 for a medium to be examined. The processor 306 is arranged below the sensor chip 302 and can be, for example, an RF chip (RF: radio frequency), such as an appropriately designed ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). In this exemplary contactless device 300, the processor 306 is arranged below the first sensor 302. An adhesive layer can be arranged between the processor 306 and the first sensor 302, which can additionally ensure improved thermal connection between the two electronic components. The heating element is not explicitly shown here, since it is integrated within the processor 306 or is formed by the processor 306.The upper surface of the processor 306 serves as a heating element, which can heat the first sensor 302 and its sensor surface 304 in a controlled manner. In this exemplary embodiment, the predetermined area corresponds to the sensor surface 304; however, with sufficiently high miniaturization of the device 300, the temperature of the sensor surface 304 can be approximately equal to the temperature of the underside of the first sensor 302, for example. The second sensor is shown in FIG. Fig. 3 is not explicitly shown, it can be arranged, for example, as a flat or point-shaped temperature sensor based on a PTC thermistor between the processor 306 and the first sensor 302 or on the receiving surface 304 itself.

[0037] The antenna 308 is arranged around the first sensor 302 and the processor 306 and is designed in this embodiment as a coil or loop antenna with a number of turns. The conductor track forming the antenna 308 can be part of a first rewiring level. The antenna 308 and the processor 306 can be arranged on a common carrier. The antenna 308 is electrically coupled to the processor 306 by means of a second rewiring level 310. The second rewiring level 310 also serves for the electrical contact between the processor 306 and the first sensor 302. In the Fig. 3, the encapsulation material surrounding the device or the material of the chip card body, in which the contactless device 300 can be embedded according to various embodiments, is not shown. In the finished product, vias 314 are formed in the surrounding encapsulation material, which establish an electrical connection between the first rewiring level and the second rewiring level 310. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 3, connection contacts 312 (also referred to as connection pads 312) are provided for electrically contacting the processor 306 and / or the first sensor 302. The connection contacts 312 can have different functions. For example, one or more of the connection contacts 312 can be provided for power supply and, for example, for applying the supply voltage (V DD ) or to apply a reference voltage (V SS). Furthermore, one or more of the connection contacts 312 can be provided for (data) communication and / or for (control) communication and can form, for example, a predefined communication interface, for example, a serial-parallel interface (SPI interface). This can be provided, for example, for debugging control programs of the processor 306 and / or the first sensor 302. Furthermore, one or more of the connection contacts 312 can be provided as connection contacts 312 that are essentially (i.e., for example, during operation) functionless (also referred to as dummy connection contacts 312).

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the contactless device 300, it can be configured for PCR measurement processes. For this purpose, the sensor surface 304 can be coated with a TMR (tunnel magnetoresistance) coating to selectively address target molecules under analysis that are already present in the medium or that are still being formed in the medium during the measurement process.

[0039] An overall system 400, which comprises a contactless device 100 according to various embodiments and a contactless reader 200 according to various embodiments, is shown in Fig. 4. Elements which are already in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, bear the same reference numerals and will not be described again. In the contactless arrangement 400 according to various embodiments, the temperature measurement directly at the first sensor of the contactless device 100 influences the output power of the contactless reader 200 and thus the field strength of the electromagnetic coupling field generated by the contactless reader 200 via a control algorithm executed by logic in the contactless reader 200.

[0040] In Fig. Figure 4 shows in greater detail the control mechanism implemented by processor 202 of contactless reader 200 according to various embodiments. Processor 202 is configured to compare the information representing a sensor parameter determined by contactless device 100 according to various embodiments, for example, a temperature value 412 prevailing in a predetermined range, with a temperature setpoint 410. The temperature setpoint 410 can be understood as a time-variable setpoint, i.e., for example, a setpoint that models a time-specified temperature profile to which the medium to be examined is to be exposed.From the comparison, a temperature control value 416 can be determined using an actuator 414, for example, a P controller, a PI controller, or a PID controller, which can be used to adjust the output power of the contactless reader 200. In other words, the contactless reader can be configured to adjust the field strength of the magnetic field 430 it generates according to the temperature control value 416.

[0041] The contactless device 100 according to various embodiments is configured to couple to the field generated by the contactless reader 200, for example, to couple inductively to the magnetic field 430 generated by the contactless reader 200. The heating element 110 is configured to convert a portion of the energy obtained from the coupling field 430 into heat 422 and to supply it to the predetermined area, so that the temperature of the predetermined area can be adjusted. The heating element 110 can be, for example, a shunt transistor of the processor 106, which is provided for adjusting the energy provided to the processor 110 from the coupling field 430. The temperature of the predetermined area can be measured by the second sensor (not in Fig. 4) and corresponding information can be reported to the contactless reader 200 as a temperature measurement value 412 via the coupling field 430.

[0042] The contactless arrangement 400 according to various embodiments forms a closed control loop in which the information about the temperature of the specified area of ​​the contactless device 100 is used as a controlled variable for adjusting the temperature control value 416 and thus ultimately the field strength of the coupling field 430. In other words, the output power of the contactless reader 200 can be influenced by a control algorithm using a temperature measurement in the immediate vicinity of the first sensor chip. The heat generated by the heating element 110 can be proportional to the field strength of the coupling field 430 generated by the contactless reader 200.The power of the coupling field 430 can be adjusted in real time by the contactless reader 200 (ignoring the computing time of the processor 202 when executing the control algorithm) and, for example, compensate for fluctuating energy requirements of the processor 110 and / or the sensors of the contactless device 100 according to various embodiments. Furthermore, fluctuations in the strength of the coupling field at the location of the contactless device 100 can also be compensated, which can be caused, for example, by a relative movement between the contactless device 100 and the contactless reader 200.

[0043] Depending on the application, a passive heating structure can also be provided in addition to the heating element, which, for example, converts a certain portion of the energy drawn from the coupling field 430 by the contactless device 100 according to various embodiments into heat. For this purpose, resistance structures can be formed on and / or around the first sensor, by means of which energy can be specifically dissipated in the form of heat to heat the predetermined area. In such embodiments, the heating element can then, in turn, be designed for lower (heating) power levels.

[0044] In Fig. 5 shows a flowchart 500 illustrating an exemplary method for operating a contactless arrangement according to various embodiments.

[0045] In a first step 502, an initialization process can take place to prepare for a temperature measurement. This step is optional and can, for example, involve establishing a connection between a contactless device according to various embodiments, such as a diagnostic chip card, and a contactless reader and / or checking the diagnostic chip card, in particular the second sensor, for its functionality.

[0046] If the initialization process has been successfully completed, the temperature prevailing in the specified area, for example, at the first sensor, can be determined in a next step 504 using the second sensor of the contactless device according to various embodiments. After the measurement is completed, information regarding the temperature determined by the second sensor, for example, the temperature value itself, can be wirelessly transmitted from the contactless device according to various embodiments to the contactless reader.

[0047] In a subsequent step 506, the transmitted information regarding the temperature determined by the second sensor can be compared by the contactless reader with a temperature setpoint. As already mentioned, the setpoint can be a time-variable setpoint. For example, the test medium applied to the second sensor may first have to be brought to a certain temperature or remain at a certain temperature for a certain time before the actual measurement process begins. Furthermore, scenarios can arise, for example, in which the medium to be analyzed, after remaining at a certain temperature for a certain time, must be exposed to a predetermined temperature profile before the actual measurement is started.The specific temperature profile can, for example, require the medium to be heated to different temperatures several times and cooled to different temperatures in between, as is typically the case with PCR processes. The temperature setpoint can thus be variable over time and correspond to a temperature value according to the predetermined temperature profile.

[0048] Returns the result of the temperature comparison, which for example is carried out by the processor 202 of the Fig.If it can be calculated using the contactless reader 200 shown in Figure 2 that the determined temperature 412 is lower than the temperature setpoint 410, the energy setting value is adjusted in step 508 such that the field strength of the coupling field 430 is increased, thus providing more energy to the contactless device. The excess energy can be at least partially converted into heat by the heating element 110 and supplied to the specified area, for example, the receiving surface of the first sensor, in order to ultimately heat the test environment of the medium and thus the medium itself.

[0049] If, however, the result of the temperature comparison shows that the measured temperature 412 is greater than the temperature setpoint 410, the energy setting value is adjusted in step 510 such that the field strength of the coupling field 430 is reduced, thus providing less energy to the contactless device. This leaves the heating element 110 with less energy available, which it can at least partially convert into heat to supply to the specified area. As a result, the specified area cools down and its temperature is lowered, so that this measure can reduce the temperature of the medium itself, at least through passive cooling. The cooling process can be controlled by determining the heating rate of the specified area. If the heating rate is lower than the passive cooling rate, the temperature drops.The temperature drop can be controlled within the specified range by the ratio of the heating rate to the cooling rate, which can be adjusted using the heating element.

[0050] In further embodiments, the contactless device can have a cooling element to accelerate the cooling process of the predetermined area. The cooling element is arranged relative to the predetermined area of ​​the contactless device in such a way that the temperature prevailing in the predetermined area can be adjusted by means of the cooling element. In other words, the cooling element can accelerate the passive cooling rate of the predetermined area. The cooling element can be an electrothermal converter structure, such as a Peltier element.In further embodiments, the electrothermal converter structure can take over the function of the heating element, since depending on the current intensity and direction, heat can be pumped from one sub-area to another sub-area of ​​the Peltier element and thereby a temperature difference can be generated between these areas, which can be used to heat or cool the predetermined area of ​​the contactless device according to various embodiments.

[0051] In cases where the measured temperature 412 does not match the temperature setpoint 410, which leads to an adjustment of the energy setting variable, i.e., after execution of step 508 or 510, step 504 is executed again after a predetermined time, in which the temperature prevailing at the first sensor is determined again using the second sensor of the contactless device according to various embodiments. This allows the influence of the previous adjustment of the energy setting variable to be checked. The predetermined time after which a new temperature measurement is iteratively performed can be adapted to the needs of the application and can range from a few milliseconds to several seconds or minutes.

[0052] If the result of the temperature comparison indicates that the measured temperature 412 corresponds to the temperature setpoint 410, the initialization of the actual measurement or detection process by the first sensor can begin in step 512. Analogous to the initialization of the temperature measurement in step 502, preparatory measures can be taken here that focus on verifying the functionality of the measuring system, including the first sensor. For the purposes of this description, the actual measurement process refers to the measurement process based on the interaction between the medium to be analyzed and the sensor surface of the first sensor.

[0053] Step 512, in which the measurement process is initialized, need not be executed after the first occurrence of a match between the temperature prevailing at the first sensor and the temperature setpoint 410. Rather, step 512 can also be executed only after a specific progression of the temperature prevailing at the first sensor has been completed, i.e., after a temperature control sequence in which the temperature measurement process (step 504), the comparison process (step 506), and the adjustment process of the energy setting variable (steps 508 and 510) have been iterated.

Claims

[1] Contactless device (100, 300), comprising: • a first sensor (102, 302) for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device (100, 300); • a second sensor (104) for determining a temperature (412) prevailing at the first sensor (102, 302); • a processor (106) coupled to the first sensor (102, 302) and the second sensor (104); • an antenna (108) coupled to the processor (106) for providing power to the processor (106), the power being provided by a contactless reader (200); and • a heating element (110) which converts part of the provided energy into heat (422), wherein the heating element (110) is arranged relative to a predetermined area of ​​the contactless device (100) such that a temperature (412) prevailing in the predetermined area can be adjusted by means of the heating element (110) such that a processor (202) of the contactless reader (200) is configured to receive information about the temperature (412) determined by the second sensor (104) and to adjust the energy provided to the contactless device (100) depending on a temperature setpoint (410) and the received information about the temperature (412) determined by the second sensor (104). [2] Contactless device (100, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the heating element (110) has at least one electrical resistor provided in the contactless device. [3] Contactless device (100, 300) according to claim 2, wherein the electrical resistance comprises a shunt resistance. [4] Contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating element (110) is at least partially formed by the processor (106). [5] Contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contactless device (100, 300) is a contactless card. [6] Contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first sensor (102, 302) comprises a physical sensor and / or a chemical sensor and / or a sensor for detecting biopolymers. [7] Contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a supply structure for supplying a medium to be analyzed by means of the first sensor (102, 302) to the first sensor (102, 302). [8] Contactless device (100, 300) according to claim 7, wherein the second sensor (104) is configured to detect a temperature representing the temperature of the medium. [9] Contactless reader (200), comprising: • a processor (202); • an antenna (204) coupled to the processor (202) for providing energy to a contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Contactless reader (200) according to claim 9, configured as a communication device. [11] Contactless arrangement (400), comprising: • a contactless device (100, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 8, and • a contactless reader (200) according to one of claims 9 or 10. [12] A method for operating a contactless device (400) according to claim 11, the method comprising: • Determining the temperature prevailing at the first sensor (102) by means of the second sensor (104); • Transmitting the determined temperature (412) to the contactless reader (200); • Comparing the determined temperature (412) with a setpoint temperature (410); • Adjusting the energy supplied to the contactless device (100, 300) depending on the result of the comparison. [13] The method of claim 12, further comprising: Starting a measuring process for detecting a sensor parameter occurring outside the contactless device (100, 300) by means of the first sensor (102) if the determined temperature (412) corresponds to the setpoint temperature (410).

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