DE1919972A1 - Device for remote control of a device - Google Patents

Description

Device for remote control of a device The invention relates to a device for remote control of a device, in particular an acoustic one Switch that is closed by a predetermined sequence of acoustic signals or can be opened. The invention is particularly useful for remote control of electrical Appliances such as household appliances are suitable that can be controlled by switches or the like are.

Remote controls for electrically operated devices can be used in the Generally divided into two classes, namely wired and wireless Systems. The wired systems have the obvious disadvantage that they with respect to a change in the location of both the controlled device and the source of the control signals are not flexible. Hence a number of wireless Systems for household use have been developed. These include the Radio frequency systems used for remote control of garage doors of automobiles are used, as well as the acoustic systems used to operate television receivers be used.

The known devices have two main drawbacks. First, they are relatively expensive. They also require a special transmitter, the must be carried by the person who wishes to control the system. This Transmitter, while portable, is often bulky and quite expensive. The costs for the transmitter will be increased when independent control by two or more people is desired. However, a simplification of the transmitter is not yet possible has been considered because signals must be used that are distinctly different from scattered signals differentiate that may be present in the environment and therefore an undesirable control of the system.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a wireless remote control indicate that is relatively cheap. For this purpose the remote control should Use a relatively simple transmitter and still not respond to stray signals. Furthermore, the transmitter should be small and manage without a power supply, so that It is conveniently portable as, after all, such a remote control should not be included suffer from the transmitter being lost or misplaced. The invention makes Use of acoustic control signals that are picked up by a suitable transducer and amplified by a frequency selective amplifier. The reinforced Signals are then counted. and upon receipt of a predetermined number of signals b @ the counter activates a relay circuit to switch a mouse holding device on or off or another device controlled by the remote control. The counter is constructed in such a way that it automatically resets itself when through sur 'to be counted successive signals are not received within a predetermined interval will. This feature of counting discrete signals along with the automatic Reset to prevent control if the signals are not correct Distance prevents activation of the remote control by acoustic signals from the surrounding area in most cases.

The amplifier is constructed in such a way that it can selectively receive signals in one Band near or above the limit of the human hearing range. This will reduce the number of acoustic signals from the environment caused by the Receiver and processed together with it by the meter, greatly reduced, so that practically no accidental actuation the remote control can take place. In particular, this is the frequency band chosen for these signals provide that sequences of scatter signals that could operate the counter come in handy do not occur.

A simple transmitter to operate the switch is a high frequency whistle, that emits a signal near the upper limit of the audible range. Such pipes, often used to call dogs, are cheap, easy to deliver, can easily carried and are easy to use. During practical tests the remote control is a switch by all parts of a usual apartment such a whistle has been operated. At the same time, the use of the pipe is a nuisance not others within range of the signals and thus allows unobserved actuation of the switch.

In any case, if a whistle or other similar facility is not available, the switch at a shorter distance by quickly knocking it hands or by hitting two small metallic objects such as two keys are operated. Although that is the emission of sound within the Hearing area, there will also be greater sound energy within the passband generated by the amplifier.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It 1 shows a circuit diagram of a wireless remote control according to the invention; and FIG. 2 shows a similar circuit diagram of a modified exemplary embodiment.

From the drawing it can be seen that the remote control device or switch according to the invention has a receiver 10 with a relay 12, the Contacts 12a and 12b closed by signals from an acoustic transmitter 14 or be opened. The receiver 10 has an acoustic receiving transducer 16, the Output signal amplified by a frequency-selective amplifier 18 and then through a rectifier 20 before feeding into a cell circuit 22 is rectified.

The amplifier 18 has three transistor stages connected together Emitters that use transistors 24, with load resistors 26 between the collectors 24c and a power supply in the form of a battery 28 are located.

The emitters 24e are grounded and bias resistors 30 are connected between the collectors 24c and the bases 24b. The input signal for each stage is received by a coupling capacitor 32. If the converter 16 is a piezoelectric capacitive transducer, the capacitor 32 at the input the first amplifier stage can be omitted. In a typical amplifier are transistors 24, resistors 26 and 30, and coupling capacitors 32 the same for all three stages, so that the structure and the position of the parts are simplified will.

The first stage of the amplifier 20 also has a frequency selective Negative feedback network with a capacitor 34 and a coil 36, which run in parallel are connected to the bias resistor 30 and the collector 24 of this stage. Another capacitor 38 is connected in parallel with resistor 30. The condenser 34 and the coil 36 show a resonance together with the other capacitances in FIG of the coil and in the transistor 34 at the frequency at which the responsiveness of the Amplifier has its peak value. This is preferably at the top of the Listening area or in its vicinity, and practical tests have shown that a Frequency of 13.5 kHz is very suitable. The negative feedback is at this frequency in the first stage of the amplifier 18 is negligible. At other frequencies it is on the other hand, the impedance of the parallel resonance circuit is significantly lower, so that a substantial negative feedback signal is fed back to base 24b via capacitor 38 so that the gain of the stage is reduced at these frequencies. One further reducing the amplifier response for frequencies below the The peak frequency is caused by the coupling capacitors 32, their capacitances are small enough to accommodate the Coupling of signals in the individual Considerably reduce amplifier stages at these lower frequencies.

For example, an amplifier 18 constructed in the above manner have a peak gain at 13.5 kHz and with a gain attenuation of 10 db (the voltage) at 12.8 and 16.1 kHz. The -20db points can at 11.4 and 27.5 kHz, the -30db points at 9.2 and 62.0 kHz and the -35db points (mainly due to the noise level) are 7.7 and 100 kflz. The quick waste the gain at the lower frequencies virtually eliminates any response the remote control through any interference signals in normal speech and Broadcast program area. Most other acoustic disturbances are also eliminated kept away, practically anyone well within the audible frequency range.

The amplifier 20 is preferably in the form of a voltage doubler with a coupling capacitor 40, a series diode 42, a shunt diode 44 and a shunt capacitor 46.

A series resistor 48 connects to these components, the is connected to the counting circuit 22.

The counting circuit 22 has two univibrators 50 and 52 and a coincidence circuit 54, which send a signal when the unstable states of the two univibrators coincide gives away. The univibrators 50 and 52 are essentially the same except for their time constants, the univibrator 52 preferably having the larger time constant. Hence everyone has Univibrator two transistors 56 and 58 with a grounded emitter, with a coupling capacitor 60 between the collector 56c and the base 58b and a coupling resistor 62 between the collector 58c and the base 56b is connected. Every circuit also has collector load resistors 64 and 66 and bias resistors 68, 70 and 72. The collector 58c of the univibrator 50 is coupled to the base 58b of the univibrator 52 through a capacitor 74, which is followed by a shunt diode 78 and a serialoid 76.

The coincidence circuit 54 has two transistors 80 and 82, whose Collector-emitter current paths are in series with a coil 84c of a relay 84, which has normally open contacts 84a and 84b. The base 80b is connected so that they the signal from the collector 58c of the univibrator 50 through a voltage divider, consisting of resistors 86 and 88,, received.

Similarly, base 82b receives a signal from univibrator 52 through a Voltage divider, which consists of resistors 90 and 92. If both transistors 80 and 82 conduct, they form a conduction path from battery 28 to ground the relay coil 84c, so that the contacts 84a and 84b are closed.

The counting circuit 22 operates as follows. Initially there are the Univibrators 50 and 52 in their steady state with transistors 58 conducting and the transistors 56 are blocked. Therefore, the collectors 58c are essentially lying to ground potential, while the collectors 56c have the potential of the battery 28. Both transistors 80 and 82 in the no-incidence circuit 54 are therefore because of the Ground potential of their bases blocked.

Then if a signal is within the pass band of the amplifier 18 is received by transducer 16, performs the resulting rectification the signal through the rectifier 20 to a positive rectifier output signal, which is routed to the base 56b of the univibrator via resistor 48. This triggers the univibrator, so that its transistor 56 is rendered conductive and transistor 58 is blocked. The collector 58c in the univibrator 50 therefore takes the potential of Battery 28 on.

This makes a positive at the base 80b in the coincidence circuit 54 Voltage is applied without the transistor 82 conducting at the same time, so that the coincidence circuit relay coil 84 is not energized.

At the same time, the diode 78 conducts, so that the voltage across the capacitor 74 can assume the potential at the collector 58c in the univibrator 50. The diode 76 prevents positive rising signals like this from being fed in. into the base 58b of the univibrator 52.

If the incoming signal is then interrupted, the univibrator reverses 50 finally returns to its stable state, and the resulting negative rising Signal at its collector 58c is via the capacitor 74 and the diode 76 to the Triggering the univibrator 52 forwarded. There is a positive potential at the base 82b of the coincidence circuit 54, while the univibrator 50 is now has returned to its steady state, and wander base 80b is not that Potential that is necessary to operate the coincidence circuit.

If another signal is within the pass band of the amplifier 18 is then received while the univibrator 52 is still in its unstable state State, it causes the univibrator 50 in its unstable state as previously switched. At both bases 80b and 82b of the coincidence circuit 54 are then positive potentials, and both transistors 80 and 82 become conductive made to allow conduction through relay coil 84c. That closes contacts 84a and 84b to energize relay coil 12c, which connects contacts 12a and 12b is assigned.

The relay 12 is a pulse relay. Every time a current pulse flows through the coil 12c when the contacts 84a and 84b are closed, the state becomes of contacts 12a and 12b changed. That is, when the contacts are closed, the current impulse causes them to open and, when they are open, to close. Therefore causes the reception of two properly separated signals within the passband of the amplifier 18, in the first case, the counting circuit 22 for closing the contacts 12a and 12b to connect a device 34 to a power source 96, for example. The reception of two signals with a greater distance then causes the counting circuit 22 to again energize relay 12 to open contacts 12a and 12b, so that device 94 is switched off.

In a small container that holds both the transducer 16 and the Contains relay 12 and 82, the sound that is generated when the relay is operating erroneously signal the receiver to operate in the manner described above and thus make an undesired restart of the system. For this reason, a sensitivity-reducing arrangement is provided, the one diode 98 connected between the contact 84a and the base 'i6b in the univibrator 52 is connected, and has a capacitor loo connected between the base and earth is switched.

When contacts 84a and 84b close, base 56b is the UnivilJrators 52 grounded through this. This causes the univibrator to remain stable 52 so that a line through the transistor 82 in the coincidence circuit 54 is prevented.

When contacts 84a and 84b move as a result of the return of the univibrator 52 open to the steady state, the base 5E> b remains im. Univibrator 52 to earth potential or close to it, until the capacitor loo moves across the resistor 62 charges in this univibrator. This time delay ensures a reduction the sensitivity of the counter 22 until the acoustic interfering signals from the relay stop. The diode 98 separates the capacitor 100 and the base connected to it 56b of the conduction path to the battery 28, which is formed by the relay coil 12 will.

A diode 1C) 2 parallel to the relay coil 12 prevents electrical Arcing at contacts 84a and 84b. A capacitor 104 in parallel with the Transistors 80 and 82 is connected, protects these transistors from damage, this could otherwise occur when these transistors are blocked.

From the preceding description of the counting circuit 22 it can be seen that that this circuit is insensitive to a continuous acoustic signal is in the pass band of amplifier 18. Such a signal triggers the univibrator 50, but prevents the univibrator 52 from returning to its steady state to trigger. Therefore, there is no coincidence of the unstable states of the two univibrators on how it is required for actuation of the relay coil 12.

The counting circuit also does not respond to a sequence acoustically Signals that are too far apart. The first of these signals triggers the univibrator 50, then the. Univibrator 52 triggers after returning to its stable state. However, the univibrator 52 returns to its steady state before the second Signal triggers the univibrator 50. Therefore there is no coincidence of the unstable states of the two univibrators instead. Finally, two also press Signals whose distance is too small, not the relay 12, since the second signal occurs before the univibrator 50 has returned to its stable state, so that it cannot trigger this univibrator a second time like the Counting circuit 22 is required.

For example, the time constants of the two univibrators be dimensioned so that the univibrator 50 in its unstable state 0.2 sec after Triggering and the univibrator 52 in its unstable state 0.5 sec after triggering remain.

Fig. 2 shows a modified embodiment according to the invention, which only requires one relay and has greater flexibility. To the greatest Part is the embodiment of Figo. 2 is identical to that of FIG the description of the components of FIG. 1 also includes those with similar reference numerals provided components of Fsgo2 applies.

The embodiment of Figure 2 differs in that it uses a sensitivity adjustment in the form of a variable resistor 27, the connected between the load resistors 26 in the amplifier 18 and the battery 28 is. The adjustment of the variable resistor 27 changes the voltage across the transistors 24 and thus the gain of amplifier 18.

Therefore, by correctly setting the resistor 27, the switch can be set so that it only responds to a selected sound level.

The other differences between the embodiments of Fig.l and 2 relate to the counting circuit 22. More precisely, ges2gt; a variable resistor 75 is located between ground and diode 78 to improve the operation of the switch. They are too Collector-emitter current paths of transistors 80 and 82 in series with the coil 12c of the locking relay 12 and the battery 28 switched. When both transistors 80 and 82 conduct, they form a current path from battery 28 to earth via relay coil 12c so that contacts 12a and 12b can be opened or closed as described above for Fig.l. A current limiter diode is connected in parallel with the relay coil 12c to protect it. Furthermore is a Capacitor 102 is connected in parallel with transistors 80 and 82 and protects them from current pulses that could otherwise damage them. That allows use relatively cheap transistors in coincidence circuit 54.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 2 is largely that same as that of the embodiment of Fig.1.

That is, if two signals are within the pass band of the amplifier 18 can be received by the counter 22 within a predetermined time interval. Both univibrators 50 and 52 are in their unstable state at the same time Time. If so, both transistors 80 and 82 will be in the coincidence circuit 5 @ le @ tend made to energize the relay coil 12c. @@ desmal when a stream flows through the coil 12c, the position of the contacts 12a and 12b is changed, as has already been explained in detail for FIG. So if the contacts 12a and 12b are initially open so that the device 94 is switched off, the closes next current pulse through the coil 12c contacts 12a and 12b and switches with it device 94 on; while the following current pulse through the coil 12c the device turns off again.

As for the embodiment of Figure 1 is an arrangement for Sensitivity reduction provided to prevent an undesired restart of the system as a result of noise caused by the opening of the relay contacts 12 and 12b, to avoid.

More specifically, two capacitors 104 and 106 are between the base 56b in the univibrator 52 and the connection point of the relay coil 12c and the transistor 80 connected. Furthermore, a variable resistor 108 is connected between earth and the connection point of the capacitors 104 and 106 switched and is used to reset, through the the time interval during which the counter 22 in its sensitivity is reduced, is controllable.

When transistors 80 and 82 are both conductive, the base becomes 56b brought to ground potential in the univibrator 52.

This sets the stable state in the univibrator 52, so that even when the relay 12 or other source emits sound passing through the Amplifier 18 is running and would normally trigger the counter 22, the counter does not respond to these control signals. As soon as the univibrator 52 is stable Assumes state, the transistor 82 in the coincidence circuit 54 is blocked. However, the base 56b in the univibrator 52 remains at ground potential or near ground potential, until the capacitors 104 and 106 are charged via the variable resistor 108. This charging time can be changed by adjusting the variable resistor 108, so that the user has the optimal length of time for the sensitivity degradation of the counter 22 can be set to prevent the switch from being switched on again to avoid.

It can be seen that through the exemplary embodiments described can easily be counted by three input signals instead of two signals simply adding a third univibrator which is returned by Qes Univibrators 52 is triggered in its steady state and by going to the coincidence circuit another Trarisistor is added, which is biased so that it conducts, when the third univibrator is in its unstable state. The same Logical arrangement can also: i for an even larger number of input signals be used.

The above-described embodiments are easily implemented by a Whistle or by clapping hands or similar signals, but are practical insensitive to acoustic stray signals from the environment. These beneficial Features of the remote control according to the invention are achieved with a circuit which can be manufactured relatively cheaply.

Claims

Claims (16)

Claims device for remote control of a device such as one Household appliance, indicated by A) an acoustic transducer (16) for converting acoustic signals into electrical signals, B) a filter (18), 1) which is connected to filter the output signal of the converter and 2) only the Signals of the upper part of the audible area passes, C) a counter (22) for counting of the signals passed through the filter and to provide an output signal if the number of signals reaches a predetermined number, and D) a power supply switching device (12), which can be actuated by the output signals. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z ei c h n e t that the filter (18) only signals substantially immediately below of 13 kHz passes. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the counter (22) emits the output signal only when the interval between successive counted signals within a predetermined range lies. 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the counter A) has a first monostable circuit (50), which by the The output signal of the filter (18) can be triggered, B) a second monostable circuit (50) by returning the first monostable circuit to its stable state can be triggered, and C) has a coincidence circuit (54) through which the coincidence the unstable states of the monostable circuits can be determined. 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -drawn, A) that the coincidence circuit (54) in each case one of each monostable circuit (50,52) assigned transistor (80, 82), each through the associated monostable Circuit can be biased to conduct when the one-shot circuit is in its unstable state, and B) a second switch (84a, b) with a control element (84c), the transistors energizing the control element when all the transistors are biased for a line. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that through the second switch (84a, b) the power supply switching device can be actuated, which is a pulse relay (12). 7. The device according to claim 6, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t through A) two connections (84a, b) of the second switch, which are activated when the control element is energized (84c) are connected, B) a device which one terminal (84b) with a Reference point with a predetermined potential connects, C) a device that the other connection (84a) with a point in the one monostable circuit (52) connects so that the application of the potential creates the unstable state in the circuit brings about, D) so that when the control element is energized, the connections are connected are to bring about the unstable state in the one monostable circuit. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t through a capacitor (100) between the connecting device (98) and the reference point, so that the stable state for a long time after de-energizing the control (84c) is maintained. 9. The device according to claim 4, g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t through a sensitivity reduction circuit (98,100), A) associated with the counter (22) is and B) by the coincidence circuit (54) is controllable to the counter for a predetermined time after each actuation of the power supply switching device (12) to separate. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -drawn, A) that the coincidence circuit (54) has additional switches (80,82) each monostable circuit (50,52) are assigned and conduct when the associated monostable Circuit is in its unstable state, and B) that the sensitivity reduction circuit 1) has two terminals (84a, b) in the coincidence circuit that are connected to each other are, if all additional switches conduct in it, 2) a device for connection of the one terminal (84b) having a reference point with a predetermined potential and 3) means (98) for connecting the other port (84a) to one Point in the one monostable circuit (52) t has, in which the application of the potential brings about the unstable state in the circuit, 4) so that when all Switch the stable state in which a monostable circuit is brought about. 11. The device according to claim 10, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the sensitivity reduction circuit A) is a capacitor - (100) between the reference point and the connecting device (98) and B) a Has variable resistor, which is assigned to the capacitor, so that through the resistor-capacitor circuit the duration of the disconnection of the counter (22) according to dr Actuation of the Power supply switching device (12) is adjustable. 12. The device according to claim 4, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -drawn, A) that the power supply switching device (12) responds to pulses so that it switches the device (34) on and off with successive impulses, and B) that the coincidence circuit (54) the pulses for the power supply switching device supplies. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, g e k e n n n z ei c h n e t through a sensitivity reduction circuit, A) associated with the counter (22) and B) by the coincidence circuit (54) is controllable to the counter for a predetermined Disconnect the time after each injection of pulses from the power supply switching device. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the sensitivity reduction circuit A) comprises a device (102) for generating a pulse when a coincidence is detected by the coincidence circuit (54) and B) a device (104, 106, 108) for the optional feeding in of pulses from the pulse generating device (102) to a point in at least the one monostable circuit (52), so that the injection of the pulse has the stable Brings about the state of the circuit. 15. The device according to claim 13, d a d u r c h g e k e n n -z e i c h n e t that the sensitivity reduction circuit A) has a first capacitor (102), which is connected in such a way that, if a coincidence is detected by the Coincidence circuit (54) is quickly discharged to generate a pulse, and B) has at least one first coupling capacitor (104) interposed between the first Capacitor and a point connected in at least one monostable circuit (52) in which the injection of the pulse brings about the stable state of the circuit. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, g e k e n n n z e i c h n e t through A) a second coupling capacitor (106) in series with the first coupling capacitor (104), and B) a resistor (108) between the connection of the coupling capacitors and a common return point for currents in the coupling capacitors.