CN1346483A - Modular paging receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a paging receiver system (FES) for decoding a radio signal (fsg) received via a pager service of a telecommunications network and for controlling units (ELG) on the basis of control information retrieved from the radio signal. The system comprises a receiver module (EMM) and a control module (STM) which are configured such that they can be separated from each other and can be temporarily joined via interface devices (STS, STS'). The receiver module (EMM) comprises a receiver device (REC) for receiving the radio signal, a first interface device (STS) and a decoding device (DEC) for decoding the radio signal into a paging signal (rsg), for detecting an intermediate signal (ssg) from the paging signal in accordance with a set specification and for outputting the intermediate signal (ssg) via the first interface device (STS). The control module (STM) comprises a second interface device (STS') and a conversion device (UMR) for converting the intermediate signal (ssg) received via the interface device into defined control states of at least one controlling element (S1-S3, R1-R3) which is provided for on the control-module side and to which the units (ELG) can be connected.

Description

Modular Wireless Paging Receiver

The invention relates to a radio call receiver system for decoding radio signals received via a radio call service via a telecommunication network into call signals and for controlling at least one device on the basis of control information determined from the call signals.

This form of radio call receiver is described in applicant's WO 98/12679, the disclosure of which is made part of this application.

A radio calling service, also indicated as a paging service, enables the one-way transmission of messages to radio calling receivers, wherein the messages may include sounds or information formed by numeric or alphanumeric characters. A radio call receiver is used as a terminal for a radio call service, also called a pager or pager (Piepser), which is designed to receive and decode a radio call signal. In WO 98/12679 a radio call receiver is disclosed which, in addition to the unit for decoding the call signal, has a unit connected to the decoding unit for generating a control signal from the control part of the call signal, Wherein the control signal for controlling the electronic equipment is placed at the interface of the wireless calling receiver. This radio receiver is based on a conventional pager and can be selected in a known manner by selecting the associated call number, for example from a telephone system, and receives the information, for example in the form of a series. Instead of being depicted on a display, an electronic circuit breaks down the by-selected codes into blocks and evaluates the by-selected codes, wherein one of the code blocks is used as a password and the other part of the sequence determines the control state of the outputs that must be controlled. This known solution makes it possible to control electrical or electronic devices over large distances via the radio call service, which results in lower costs for acquisition and operation. However, there is often a need to control different types of equipment with one radio calling receiver. According to the many possible fields of application of the wireless call receiver disclosed in WO 98/12679 (for example control of heating or air conditioning equipment of buildings or vehicles, control of irrigation equipment, anti-theft security, control of household appliances like ovens or similar device) provides a specific type for each known application controlled by a particular radio call receiver. This can lead to considerable costs, especially on the part of the manufacturer.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a radio call receiver for controlling electrical appliances, in particular electronic appliances, which can cover a wide variety of possible applications in the simplest possible manner.

This task is solved by a radio call receiver system of the type mentioned at the beginning, in which system according to the invention

- the receiving module has a receiver device for receiving radio signals, has a first interface device and has a decoding device, which is set up to decode the radio signal into a call signal, for receiving from a radio signal according to a predetermined criterion determining an intermediate signal in the call signal, and for outputting the intermediate signal via the first interface device, and

- The control module has a second interface device, by means of which a releasable interface connection can be established with the first interface device of the receiving module, and has a device for converting the intermediate signal received via the interface connection into at least one adjustment a switchover device for a predetermined adjustment state of an element, which is predetermined from the control module and to which the device or one of these devices can be connected,

Wherein the receiving module and the control module are realized as devices which can be separated from each other.

Due to the modular structure of the radio call receiver system according to the invention, a plurality of different applications can be controlled via the radio call service with a simple set of components, for example adequate electronics with a low current supply up to a high current supply. By dividing into modules, the radio call receiver control is divided into simple, easily buildable components, which can be combined easily and without special knowledge for a layman to form a radio call receiver system that is adapted to the respective required application. This is particularly advantageous in that a true wireless call receiver designed according to the invention as a receiving module is now produced in only one single design.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an electrical contact is predetermined for the current/voltage supply of the receiving module in the first interface device, which corresponds to the supply contact from the side of the second interface device, which corresponds to the control module's Current/voltage device connection. The structure of this modular voltage supply additionally simplifies user handling.

This is also advantageous in the sense that it is easy for the user to input the signal, for example by telephone, and if the call signal has a string of characters, simply evaluate the call signal and set up decoding means for generating intermediate Signal.

This is particularly advantageous if the intermediate signal has a character string and the conversion device is set up to deduce the first segment from the character string and determine therefrom which one or those of the regulating elements should be controlled and from the character string The second segment is deduced from the string and the actuating state of the actuating element selected on the basis of the first segment is determined therefrom.

The wireless call receiving module according to the present invention is suitable for solving the above-mentioned tasks, the module is used for decoding the wireless signal received by the wireless call service via the telecommunication network into a call signal, the module has a receiving device for receiving the call signal, has An interface device, by means of which a releasable interface connection to the control module can be established, with a decoding device for decoding the radio signal into a call signal, for determining the intermediate signal from the call signal according to predetermined criteria signal and for outputting intermediate signals via the interface device.

In the context of a modular voltage supply, an advantageous embodiment of the receiving module has, according to the above description, electrical contacts provided for the current/voltage supply in the interface device.

The receiving module advantageously has an authorization check unit which is designed to determine the authentication code from the call signal and check that this code corresponds to the preset access code and, depending on the result of the check, allow or suppress the intermediate signal via the interface device Output. In this way, false or misuse triggers due to unauthorized control functions can be eliminated.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the call signal has a string of characters and the decoding device is designed to generate the intermediate signal from predetermined sections of the string.

Furthermore, the above object is solved by means of a control module according to the invention for controlling at least one device, the control module having an interface device by means of which a releasable interface connection to the receiving module can be established and a switchover device which The intermediate signal received via the interface connection is converted into a predetermined setting state of at least one adjusting element predetermined on the part of the control module, to which the device or one of these devices is connected.

In the sense of a modular voltage supply, according to what has been said above, a preferred embodiment of the control module according to the invention has a current/voltage device and is connected to this device for the current/voltage supply of the receiving module in the interface device. Pre-specified feed contacts.

Furthermore, in the sense of ease of use by the user, who enters the signal, for example via a telephone, and easily evaluates the call signal, the intermediate signal has a character string and the conversion device is set up to deduce the first segment from the character string and determine therefrom Which one or several of the actuating elements are to be actuated and the second segment is deduced from the string and the actuating state of the actuating element selected according to the first segment is determined therefrom.

In a further suitable embodiment, the switching device from the control module is implemented as a remote control converter, for example as a device bus converter, for controlling the control elements assigned to the control module via a remote control interface, for example a device bus interface.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control module is releasably connected to the sequence module, wherein in the connected state the adjusting element, at least one, is connected to a control input of the sequence module and at least one device can be connected to a control output of the sequence module. This allows the control of very different types of devices, in each case a suitable sequence module being additionally connected to the control module.

For this purpose, a sequence module is expediently used to solve the above-mentioned task, which is releasably connected to a control module, which sequence module has a control input, which in the connected state is connected to at least one regulating element of the control module, and has a control output , one or more devices can be connected to the control output and have one or more sequential control elements controllable via the control input, which are connected to the control output.

All further advantages of the invention are explained in detail below on the basis of an exemplary radio receiver system with interchangeable description modules depicted in the drawings. Graphic:

Figure 1 indicates in a block diagram the elements of a radio call receiver system with a control module realized as a switch module;

Figure 2 indicates in diagrammatic form the structure of the call signal and the intermediate signals derived therefrom;

FIG. 3 the switch module of FIG. 1 with an attached sequence module;

Fig. 4 has a level control module of an attached sequence module;

Figure 5 has a control module with a device bus interface.

Referring to Fig. 1, the radio call receiver system FES comprises modules - these modules are depicted separately from each other in Fig. 1 - namely a receiving module EMM and a control module STM to which the electronic equipment ELG, ELG' can be connected.

The basic components of the radio call receiver system FES are the receiving module EMM with receiving means REC and decoding means DEC of known type for receiving the radio signal fsg of the radio call service. The decoding device DEC is subdivided into a call signal decoding unit PAG, which decodes the call signal rsg contained therein from the radio signal fsg, a password element PSK, which checks the radio call information as a verification code password, and an evaluation unit ASW , which determines the intermediate signals ssg from the radio call information and forwards these intermediate signals via the interface STS to a control module STM connected to the receiving module EMM.

Figure 2 shows the structure of an exemplary radio call message. This message consists of a string of numeric or alphanumeric characters, such as a string of characters used by the DTMF method (that is to say the digits 0 to 9, and the asterisk and hash characters *, #). In the character string, contain the radio call receiver's call number rfn, access password psw, and control code stc in consecutive segments; subsequent characters may be ignored. In the call signal decoding unit PAG, the received radio call information is evaluated in a known form and the characters after the call number rfn are forwarded as call signal rsg (which is displayed on a display in the case of normal paging) Give the password element PSK. The password element checks the consistency of the password segment psw, which includes, for example, the first four digits of the call signal rsg, with the access code, which can be adjusted, for example, via a DIP switch connected to the password element PSK. The call signal rsg is forwarded to the evaluation unit ASW only if the password segment psw corresponds to the adjusted access code. The evaluation unit ASW determines the intermediate signal ssg from the control code segment stc following the password segment psw. A code conversion is possible for this, for example character-wise from a 4-digit code for DTMF characters to an 8-digit code for alphanumeric characters. For example, the intermediate signal ssg generated in this way contains two 8-bit characters sel, stz, ie a total of 16 bits.

No further evaluation of the intermediate signal ssg or the characters sel, stz contained therein is carried out in the receiving module EMM; rather the intermediate signal is transmitted to the interface terminal, for example in the form of the bus socket STB of the parallel bus, via the parallel bus The 16-bit signal of the intermediate signal ssg can be exchanged. The interface terminal STB - again referring to Fig. 1 - is part of the interface means STS by means of which a releasable connection can be established with a corresponding interface means STS' of the control module STM. The mechanical protection of the interface device STS, STS' for the interface connection has fastening elements BEF, BEF', for example in the form of an engaged plug connection, which protects the interconnection of the modules EMM, STM.

A voltage supply SPV is specified for the current supply of the receiver module EMM, which is supplied, for example, with a regulated 5 V DC voltage GSV. (For the sake of clarity, the supply lines of the elements of the receiving module like the control module are not depicted in the figure.) The connection contacts for the direct voltage supply are integrated in the interface device STS, the control module STM providing the voltage supply.

The control module STM has an interface device STS' with corresponding elements with respect to the interface device STS of the receiving module EMM. In this way, the receiving module EMM and the control module STM in the connected state, that is to say if there is an interface connection between them, form a mechanical unit as a radio call receiver system FES. An interface terminal, for example in the form of a bus plug, is predetermined as part of the interface device STS', in particular on the basis of the bus socket of the receiving module EMM.

Via the bus plug STB, the intermediate signal ssg is transmitted to the control module STM, more precisely to the switching device UMR. In the indicated example, the conversion device is implemented as a microprocessor device which receives, evaluates the 16-bit intermediate signal received via the interface STS' and derives therefrom the regulating state of the regulating element predetermined by the control module STM. The control module STM is equipped with a power supply part NTZ according to known manner, the current supply of which is formed as a mains connection of the common power network and which supplies the DC voltage (5V or 12V) required by the conversion means UMR as feed voltage. In addition, the feed voltage is supplied to the receiving module EMM via the feed contacts in the interface device STS'. The power supply section NTZ can advantageously be formed with an overall power supply operable with DC voltage or AC voltage. Such devices are well known and can be adjusted to the required feed voltage.

The control module STM indicated in FIG. 1 is formed as a switching module in which, for example, three switches S1 , S2 , S3 are predetermined as regulating elements. A radio call receiver system with such a switching module can be used, for example, in standard heating, air conditioning systems or burglar alarm systems for direct use in the voltage range of 12-48 V in traffic systems (PKW, LKW, motorhomes, boats) on/off. Further applications are considered in the range of indoor installations (240 V) for electrical consumers operated by means of solar installations and for applications with low switching power. These electrical or electronic devices ELG, ELG' which can be connected to the adjustment elements S1-S3 are mentioned symbolically in FIG. 1 .

From the intermediate signal ssg (see FIG. 2 ) in the conversion device UMR, the first segment - in the indicated example the first character - is deduced as the selection code sel and determined therefrom, which one or those of the regulating elements should be controlled . From the second segment, referred to here as the control state code stz—the second character in the example—the state of the control element selected according to the selection code sel is determined.

In the example considered here, in which case a DTMF signal is used as a starting point, the content of the selection code sel is a number. This can be estimated as follows:

11. Adjusting element, that is to say switch S1;

22. Adjusting element, that is to say switch S2;

33. Adjusting element, that is to say switch S3;

41. and 2. adjustment elements;

51. and 3. adjustment elements;

6 all adjustment elements;

An additional value of the selection code sel is ignored. The following control states can be selected, for example, via the control status code stz:

0 off;

1 open;

2 pulses - eg 1 second on;

3 double pulses - for example two 1 second on, separated from 1 second off;

Pulse modulation states can be used, for example, in keying applications.

As described in FIG. 3, in an extension of the invention the control module STM can be extended by a sequential module. The sequence module FOM is releasably connected to the control module STM by means of fasteners BFM, BFM', and in the connected state the adjusting elements S1, S2, S3 are respectively connected to the string adjusting elements L1, L2, L3 via the control inputs of the sequence module connect. The sequential control elements L1-L3 can be controlled via the control output and implemented via the control output from the sequential module FOM, the device to be controlled can be connected to that sequential element. In general, the voltage supply of the sequence regulating elements is necessary, which is advantageously realized by means of a sequence voltage section FST predetermined in the sequence module FOM, which - similar to the voltage supply of the receiving module EMM - is provided by The power supply part NTZ of the control module STM is fed through the feed contacts. (As in FIG. 1, the power supply lines of the individual elements of the modules STM, FOM are not depicted in FIGS. 3-5.)

The switching module STM of FIG. 1 together with a power switching module FOM is indicated in FIG. 3 by way of example. The power switching module FOM has distribution relays L1-L3 as sequence control elements via which, for example, circuit breakers (eg 240/16A) are actuated in order thus to be able to switch on devices or groups of devices with greater power consumption. As an example, an irrigation plant for garden irrigation is given here, with a permanently installed submersible pump or a domestic water supply system, through the wireless call receiver system according to the invention with the switch module STM and the power switch module FOM. According to specific weather conditions, the irrigation equipment can be controlled remotely. Further examples are eg feeding plants or pre-processing plants in agriculture.

FIG. 4 shows a control module STM', which is formed as a step control module in which the adjustment elements are implemented as digitally adjustable resistors R1, R2, R3. The selection code sel and the regulation state code stz are also deduced from the intermediate signal ssg in the conversion means UMR' of the stage control module STM'. The selection of one of the resistance setting elements R1-R3 is carried out according to the selection code sel in the same way as the switching setting elements S1-S3 are selected in the switching module of FIG. 3 . Different resistance values of the adjustment elements R1-R3 are selected as the adjustment status by the adjustment status code stz, for example:

0 off;

11. Resistance value;

22. Resistance value;

88. Resistance value;

9 open;

Here, "open" and "closed" correspond to the respective switching states (short-circuited connection or disconnection).

Possible applications of a wireless call receiving system with such a step control module STM' are, for example, the remote control of heating installations in holiday homes or in larger building complexes, or the control of production plants, in which special Laying of lines.

FIG. 4 also indicates a sequence module FOM' suitable for a step control module STM', which can be used as a power control module, for example, in an indoor installation for controlling a device or a group of devices. The power control module FOM' has a power regulator as a sequential adjustment element, such as thyristor control T1, T2, T3, and the thyristor control is realized depending on the adjustment status of the corresponding adjustment elements R1, R2, R3 of the level control module STM'.

Fig. 5 points out a further beneficial variant of the control module STM "according to the invention. This remote control module STM" has an interface device with a remote control interface, such as a device bus, through which control can be assigned to the control module STM" control element. The control element is spatially separated from the control module and connected to the system bus as a bus element.

With an equipment bus, such as the standardized EIB bus of the 'European Equipment Bus Association' (EIBA), elements of electrical equipment (lighting, blinds, heating, ventilation systems, etc.) Or control the process of all operating techniques. In the case of the EBI bus, the bus has two lines via which the components on the one hand can exchange information and on the other hand receive a voltage supply. The assignment of the elements to the switching blocks and switching functions is determined not by the arrangement of the connecting wires as in conventional electrical cabling, but by the programming of the elements connected as bus subscribers. The new configuration is generally limited to the reprogramming of the bus elements.

The switching device UMR" of the remote control module STM" is designed as a remote control converter, for example as a system bus converter, to evaluate the intermediate signal ssg and to select and control it as a function of the intermediate signal of one of the switch groups. The components connected to this are combined in a plurality of switch groups, so-called scenarios, wherein each scenario is assigned a plurality of possible control values; each component is assigned a control state to a possible control value. For example, the selection code sel can be used to select a scenario from a predetermined group of scenarios, for which the control status code stz specifies the desired control value for the selected scenario.

The modular radio call receiver system according to the invention is distinguished by its compact size and low acquisition costs, which is due on the one hand to the low size of the individual components—paging, for example, which is known to be traceable on the one hand in modularization. By subdividing modules that can be combined in a "box" manner, a suitable receiver system can be organized uniquely for each field of application. This is of particular significance in that it is particularly advantageous to divide the function into a receiving module on the one hand and a control module (possibly with additionally arranged sequence modules) on the other hand. It is therefore sufficient, for example, to simply replace the receiving module in the event of a change or switchover of the radio calling network, and the installation of the control module and the rear elements remain unchanged. For this purpose, for example, the receiving modules can be exchanged as required between different controllers, so that the receiving modules can be used for controlling different devices and/or devices on demand via the same radio call-call number.

Furthermore, the modularity has an advantageous effect on the quick and simple installation of the radio call receiver system according to the invention, since the individual modules can be assembled and adjusted independently of one another. This determines the simple operability for users. Furthermore, modules of different producers can be connected to each other via a uniformly defined interface.

Claims (14)

1. be used for the wireless signal (fsg) that the wireless call traffic through telecommunications network receives being decoded as call signal (rsg) and being used for according to the wireless calling receiver system that controls at least one equipment (ELG) from the definite control information of call signal,

It is characterized in that

-one receiver module (EMM), it has the receiving trap (REC) that is used to receive wireless signal, have a first interface device (STS) and have a code translator (DEC), this code translator is established for wireless signal is decoded as call signal (rsg), is used for determining M signal (ssg) and being used for process first interface device (STS) output M signal (ssg) from call signal according to given criterion, and

-one control module (STM); It has second interface arrangement (STS '); Can set up releasable interface with the first interface device of receiver module (EMM) by means of this interface arrangement is connected; And has a conversion equipment (UMR); This interface of its process connects the predetermined adjustment state that the M signal (ssg) that receives is converted at least one regulating element (S1-S3, R1-R3); Predesignate this regulating element from the control module aspect; And one can be connected on this regulating element in equipment (ELG) or the equipment

Wherein receiver module (EMM) and control module (STM) are as separable device each other.

2. according to the receiver system of claim 1, it is characterized in that, electric contact (GSV) is predesignated in the current/voltage supply of receiver module in first interface device (STS), it is consistent with the feed contact from second interface arrangement (STS) aspect, and this feed contact is connected with the current/voltage equipment (NTZ) of control module.

3. according to the receiver system of claim 1 or 2, it is characterized in that call signal (rsg) has a string character, and code translator is established for formation M signal (ssg) from the predetermined section (stc) of this character string.

4. according to the receiver system of claim 3, it is characterized in that, M signal (ssg) has a character string, and conversion equipment (UMR) is established for, from this character string, infer first section (sel) and therefrom determine in should regulating and controlling element (S1-S3, R1-R3) that, and from this character string, infer second section (stz) and therefrom determine adjustment state according to first section regulating element of selecting.

5. the wireless signal (fsg) that the wireless call traffic through telecommunications network is received is decoded as the wireless calling receiver module (ETM) of call signal (rsg),

It is characterized in that,

The receiving trap of receiving calling signal (REC),

An interface arrangement (STS), the releasable interface that can be established to control module (STM) by means of this interface arrangement connect and

Code translator (DEC), it is used for wireless signal is decoded as call signal (rsg), is used for determining M signal (ssg) and being used for process interface arrangement (STS) output M signal (ssg) from call signal according to predetermined criterion.

6. according to the receiver module of claim 5, it is characterized in that, in interface arrangement (STS), predesignate electric contact (GSV) for the current/voltage supply.

7. according to the receiver module of claim 5 or 6, it is characterized in that, scope check unit (PSK), it is established for, determine a Validation Code (psw) and check the consistance of the fetcher code of this code and preset from call signal, the result who depends on inspection allows or suppresses to export M signal (ssg) through interface arrangement.

8. according to the receiver module of one of claim 5 to 7, it is characterized in that call signal (rsg) has a string character, and code translator is established for, from the predetermined section of this character string (stc), forms M signal.

9. control the control module (STM) of at least one equipment,

It is characterized in that,

Interface arrangement (STS '), by means of this interface, this device can be established to receiver module (EMM) releasable connection and

A conversion equipment (UMR), it is used for connecting the predetermined adjustment state that the M signal (ssg) that receives is converted at least one regulating element of predesignating from the control module aspect (S1-S3, R1-R3) through interface, and one in equipment (ELG) or the equipment can be connected on this regulating element.

10. according to the control module of claim 9, it is characterized in that current/voltage equipment (NTZ) and the feed contact that is connected with this equipment, in interface arrangement (STS), predesignate for the current/voltage supply of receiver module (EMM).

11. control module according to claim 9 or 10, it is characterized in that, M signal (ssg) has a character string and conversion equipment (UMR) is established for, infer that from character string first section (sel) also therefrom determines, in should regulating and controlling element (S1-S3, R1-R3) that or some, and from character string, infer second section (stz) and therefrom determine adjustment state according to first section regulating element of selecting.

12. control module according to one of claim 9 to 11, it is characterized in that, from control module (STM ") aspect conversion equipment (UMR ") as control converter far away, for example the device bus transducer is realized, it is used for giving the regulating element of control module through control interface far away (INB), for example device bus interface Control Allocation.

13. control module according to one of claim 9 to 12, it is characterized in that, it is connected releasedly with a sequent modular (FOM), wherein in connection status regulating element, at least one, be connected with the control input end of sequent modular, and at least one equipment (ELG) can be connected the control output end of sequent modular.

14. sequent modular (FOM), it is connected releasedly with control module (STM) according to claim 13, have the control input end, it is connected with at least one regulating element of control module in connection status, has the control output end, one or more equipment (ELG) can connect on this control output end, have one or more, through the controllable sequential adjustment element in control input end (L1-L3, T1-T3), it is connected with the control output end.

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