DE10127585A1 - System for displaying room assignments e.g. for hotels and large buildings, has electronic nameplates connected via RF interface to data processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for displaying room assignments based on several electronic nameplates, where a nameplate is connected wirelessly via a Bluetooth RF interface to a data processing unit and the data processing unit provides a textural and/or graphical display on the electronic nameplate An Independent claim is given for a method for operating the electronic nameplates.

Description

In the prior art, electronic displays that act as door signs, information signs or signposts are known (see e.g. DE 39 19 689 A1, US 5007190).

The invention relates to the wireless control of such electronic Ads and their integration into a network.

In one version, the radio connection is implemented according to the Bluetooth standard. It however, many other radio connections are also possible, e.g. B. the transfer in ISM bands, the use of the DECT or GSM standard, or even a boring Transmission in the kHz range.

Because the displays can be operated remotely, the display can be easily and at any time change quickly and saves having to walk around with an input device or that Collect and distribute displays.

The wireless connection reduces the installation effort and enables at any time Changes and extensions.

The integration into a network allows all electronic in large buildings Manage ads. By taking advantage of existing PCs and their Networking can be a widespread electronic in large buildings Display system can be set up with minimal effort.

The text and / or graphics to be displayed can be created with standard software programs become. A radio interface in the form of a network card or an external one Interface is installed on the PC and serves as a connection to the removed signs.

drawings

Fig. 1 Spatial distribution of the electronic ads

Fig. 2 embodiment of an electronic shield

Fig. 3a-c central signpost

Fig. 4 connecting a plurality of electronic displays with a computer through a wireless local area network (Private Area Network)

Fig. 5a, b networking multiple computers to a central "server" through a LAN (Local Area Network)

Fig. 6 embodiment of an electronic display

Fig. 7a, b flow chart of the control of a shield

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows a mounting preferably of the electronic displays. These electronic displays replace the mechanical signs with engraved lettering. Every time the room occupancy changes, signs have to be replaced. Due to the more flexible working environment, it is often not possible to keep the signs up to date, on the other hand, enormous costs arise over a longer period of time.

In contrast, an electronic system is always up-to-date, essential fewer possible sources of error and the costs of exchanging signs are eliminated completely. In addition, an electronic system offers the option of assigning a Conference room, the absence of an employee, general information such as B. Cleaning, or displaying company logos at rental offices and many more things.

Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of a sign with an integrated display.

Fig. 3 shows a sign with a large display as a guide as z. B. can be set up in hotel lobbies or conference areas.

Fig. 4 shows the wireless connection of electronic signs with a computer. In one embodiment, this network is implemented according to the Bluetooth standard. Up to 256 signs can be connected as so-called "slaves" with a computer as "master" in a piconet (PAN). The protocol regulates the control of individual displays via a unique display identifier. The displays can ask at certain intervals whether new data is available. If there is no new data, the displays can be switched to energy-saving operation.

A commercially available PC can already be equipped with a Bluetooth card or external interface ( 3 ). The displays can be controlled with the appropriate driver software. From the point of view of the PC user, the control of a display is like the output on a printer.

Fig. 5a, b shows the networking of multiple computers with associated displays a "local area network" with a central "server". In order to enable the control of displays in a large office building, a computer must not only be able to control its own assigned displays, but also the displays of another computer. The user selects the displays to be controlled from a selection list. Each display is assigned a display ID number and an IP number for the associated computer. With these numbers, the computer makes a request to the central "server". This accepts the print / display order and manages the further procedure independently. First, the computer checks whether the requesting computer is authorized to control the desired displays. Is the computer If the authorization is successful, the request is placed in a list with current requests. The "server" processes the requests and distributes them to the corresponding computers If the computer does not respond or gives an error message, the request is put back in the list.

Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of an electronic display. The electronic display works with a self-sufficient power supply to be independent of the network.

As a result, the installation effort is low and can also be used in existing Building stock take place. The self-sufficient power supply can typically be operated with a Battery, rechargeable battery or solar cell. To ensure long-term operation, the power requirement must therefore be as low as possible.

LCDs are therefore particularly suitable as displays. Because of the rarely changing Content is particularly suitable for bistable LCDs that only change energy consume.

A microcontroller takes over all control tasks, such as B. Control of an LCD Module, energy-saving operation, control of the HF transceiver,. , ,

In order to further reduce the power requirement, a sensor can also be used Brightness measurement and motion detection can be attached. The display needs can only be controlled when there is light or when a movement occurs approaching person was detected.

Fig. 7 shows a possible flowchart. A text / graphic is created using commercially available software ( 70 ). Similar to a print job, a display job is triggered. Select the desired one from a list of displays. This selection results in a computer's IP address and a display ID. With this information, the information to be displayed can be transferred to a display driver ( 71 ). This display driver in turn makes a request to a network driver via operating system "calls". This can be, for example, a network driver ( 72 ) for an Ethernet network card with TCP / IP protocol. The network driver takes over the request and establishes a connection to the network driver ( 73 ) of a central "server". This can e.g. B. with the program Telnet, which is based on the TCP / IP protocol. The "server" behaves like a printer / display towards the requesting PC and takes over the job. The "server" takes over the job management and uses a database ( 74 ) such as. B. SQL or MS-Access. The server also checks the authorization ( 75 ). If the requesting PC is not authorized to change the desired display, an error message is returned. If the authorization was successful, the job is processed with a "scheduler" ( 76 ). Again via the network driver ( 77 ), the "server" tries to reach the desired PC network driver ( 78 ). If this is not successful, the order is entered in a list of orders to be processed. After a predetermined period of time, this order is repeatedly tried to be placed. If this is not possible after several attempts, a system error message is generated. If a connection can be established, the print / display job is forwarded to the Bluetooth driver (link manager) ( 80 ) of the respective PC, which then connects to the display ( 81 ). Each computer manages the connected displays independently. If a local error occurs (eg "display does not respond"), this error is displayed on the local computer and also forwarded to the server. The "server" PC is assigned a service PC that records and monitors all system error messages. In the event of malfunctions, you could automatically inform a technician and ensure safe operation.

Claims (11)

1. System for displaying a room occupancy, consisting of one or more signs ( 1 ) with an integrated display, characterized in that a sign ( 1 ) is connected wirelessly via a radio interface ( 3 ) to a data processing unit ( 4 ), and that the data processing unit displays text and / or graphics on the display of this sign. 2. System according to claim 1, wherein the radio interface ( 3 ) is designed according to the Bluetooth standard. 3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of data processing units ( 4 ) are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) to a central "server" ( 5 ) which accepts the requests for display and to the data processing units ( 4 ) distributed. 4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shield is self-sufficient Has power supply. 5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display only when brightness and / or is controlled for a certain time after motion detection. 6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signs associated doors are. 7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a sign ( 2 ) is placed in a central area and serves as a guide. 8. The method for controlling a sign according to claim 1, characterized in that the text and / or graphics to be displayed is forwarded to a display driver ( 71 ), the text and / or graphics via the radio protocol of the radio interface ( 3 ) to a display. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the text and / or graphic to be displayed is forwarded ( 72 , 73 ) to a central “server” which forwards the text and / or graphic to be displayed to the corresponding data processing unit with associated display ( 78 ). 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the "server" checks whether the requesting Data processing unit is entitled to the text / graphic on the selected Bring sign to the display. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the "server" manages the jobs for display and in a specific order, depending on the availability of the Processed data processing units.