WO2000011872A1

WO2000011872A1 - Method for transmitting conferences, the surveillance of buildings, facilities and the like and means for implementing said method

Info

Publication number: WO2000011872A1
Application number: PCT/DE1999/002552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lothar Strolo
Original assignee: Lothar Strolo
Priority date: 1998-08-21
Filing date: 1999-08-17
Publication date: 2000-03-02
Also published as: AU6464399A; DE19981653D2

Abstract

In order to provide a method for the transmission of conferences, for quality control and the like that can be used in as many applications as possible and especially in a mobile manner, a predetermined image and/or sound sample is converted into electrical signals by a recording device (1, 2), the electrical signals are transmitted by cable to a transmitter (7) and converted and transmitted wireless by the transmitter (7) to a receiver (9) and converted once again into electrical signals and transmitted by cable by the receiver (9) to a computer for further processing. The invention also relates to means for implementing said method, especially a device used for transmission.

Description

Procedures for the transmission of conferences, for the surveillance of buildings and facilities and the like, and aids for carrying out the procedure

Description:

The invention relates to a method for the transmission of conferences, for monitoring buildings and systems, for quality control, for monitoring production processes and the like, and aids for carrying out the method.

The implementation of telephone conferences through suitable interconnections of the telephone lines is known. In the course of the modernization of telephone networks and the introduction of video telephones, video conference circuits are also known in which audio and video signals are digitally implemented via

Telephone lines are transmitted. When monitoring buildings, systems, busy squares or the like, video cameras are also used, via which the current events can be monitored by a monitor in a central office and / or stored on video tapes by means of video recorders.

From television technology it is known, for example at sporting events, to use mobile cameras whose signals are transmitted by radio, if necessary. also via relay stations, to the control room in a broadcast vehicle or similar. These methods and devices for carrying out the methods have in common that they are designed for a special purpose. In particular, they are usually only suitable for being used within an existing communication network.

Against this technical background, there is the task of creating a process that is as versatile as possible for the transmission of conferences, for the monitoring of buildings and systems, for quality control, for a

Monitoring of production processes and the like, as well as indicating aids for carrying out the method in such a way that, in particular in the case of monitoring tasks, a human observer is relieved and resources are used sparingly.

This technical problem is solved by the method according to the invention, wherein claim 1 is based on the fact that in a method for the transmission of conferences, for the monitoring of buildings and systems, for quality control, for monitoring production processes and the like Image and / or sound pattern is converted into electrical signals by a recording device, the electrical signals are transmitted to a transmitter in a wired manner, are transmitted wirelessly to a receiver by the transmitter and are transmitted to a computer in a wired manner converted into electrical signals by the receiver for further processing . The implementation of the given image and / or sound patterns, i.e. the optical and / or acoustic

A given situation is stimulated in a proven manner by suitable cameras, in particular video cameras and corresponding microphones, which are part of the recording devices. Image and sound patterns can be converted into a common signal, for example by a video camera with an integrated microphone, which signal is then transmitted to a transmitter by cable. This electrical signal is then implemented by the transmitter and transmitted wirelessly to a receiver. The wireless transmission means that the recording device, combined with the transmitter, can be used very mobile. For example, it is possible for an operator to carry the receiving device and transmitter, which are then, for example, battery-operated.

Implemented by the receiver, electrical signals are then transmitted to a computer in a wired manner. It should already be noted here that the term wired or over

Cable to differentiate it from the term wireless is used. These are not necessarily to be understood as separate cables, but can also represent conductor tracks of a circuit board such cables, for example, if corresponding components are combined, here e.g. the computer would be designed with an integrated receiver.

In particular, the last step of the further processing of the electrical signals is of considerable importance for the invention. A computer, for example also a personal computer, is suitable, after being equipped with appropriate programs, for further processing the electrical signals corresponding to the image and / or sound pattern for almost any purpose. It is initially thought that the electrical signals for data transfer via data lines are digitized accordingly and made capable of being recorded.

Additionally or alternatively, such further processed signals can be stored very compressed in suitable mass storage devices, for example on hard disks, streamers or the like. In particular, it can also be considered to merely store signals corresponding to a change in image and / or sound patterns. That is, as long as an image and / or sound pattern remains unchanged, this pattern is saved once and only when there is a change, for example also with an overlay Time, saved. If the picture and / or sound pattern then remains constant, the recording is ended and only started again when the change is made again. Corresponding routines are comparatively easy to program, since the working frequency of modern computers is regularly much higher than, for example, the clock frequency of production devices.

A particularly preferred method is by a sound card assigned to the computer for the generation of

Sound signals characterized, further by a second transmitter assigned to the receiver, to which the generated sound signals are transmitted in a wired manner, by a second receiver assigned to the transmitter, to which the sound signals are transmitted wirelessly by the second transmitter, and by a reaction device that transmits the sound signals from the second transmitter are transmitted by cable. This creates a two-way audio connection, for example, between the observer already mentioned and the operator if the reaction device is designed as a loudspeaker, for example.

The transmitter and the assigned second receiver or the receiver and the assigned second transmitter can be designed in such a way that they use common assemblies. As a result, only one audio or sound signal can be sent or received.

If the functions of the transmitter and assigned second receiver or of the receiver and assigned second transmitter are completely separated from one another, unrestricted duplex operation is possible, which is preferred.

Although the recording device can also consist of a video camera with an integrated microphone, it is preferred that the image and sound pattern be converted and transmitted separately into a video signal and an audio signal. This has the advantage that the signal-to-noise ratio is comparatively large can be held. The bandwidth can also be kept low, in particular in the case of wireless transmission. In addition, however, this measure has the great advantage that the audio signal can carry control signals, for example for the recording device. With suitable servos it is then possible, for example, to pivot, zoom or the like of a permanently installed video camera, which can be particularly useful in monitoring tasks.

In the method according to the invention, a preferred variant provides that the recording device has a speech-hearing device for sound recording and sound reproduction, which is operated in particular in a duplex mode. With the features of the method characterized at the beginning, remote monitoring of a production is then possible, for example, in which an operator, equipped with a camera and the speech-hearing device, monitors a production process. A far-away observer, for example a manager or engineer, can receive the information sent from the computer over a data network with his own computer and make it visible or audible again. In particular, he is able to give instructions to the operator via the speech-hearing device, or the operator is also able to acoustically inform the observer of special features. The acoustic correspondence is expediently carried out in duplex mode, which allows simultaneous speaking and listening.

The computer can be combined with the transmission / reception devices assigned to it to form a unit. There is therefore an extremely flexible device for carrying out the method according to the invention

Available, since such a computer only has a connection to a remote data transmission network, for example an ISDN Network, required, if necessary. further a mains connection for a power supply.

In addition to the data transfer or the storage of data, a computer is preferably designed such that it compares the further processed video and / or audio signal as an actual pattern with stored, predefinable patterns. The computer can be the computer sending the data or it can also be the remote computer receiving the data. Such stored patterns can characterize a multiplicity of situations which the computer then recognizes and to which it can react in each case with a predetermined routine. In particular, he can react with an alarm signal if the actual pattern does not match a predefined, stored pattern. Here, in particular for a

Monitoring or the like can be specifically provided so that the computer reacts to changes in the further processed video and / or audio signal, for example by an alarm signal or else according to another programming. In particular, it can be provided in automated production devices that the computer compares the signals or signals with stored error patterns in the event of a deviation of the further processed video and / or audio signal from a target pattern, and that if the actual pattern matches the error pattern reacts with a program routine corresponding to the error pattern. Typical errors, for example in a production process, can thus be counteracted automatically.

In the case of short distances, wireless transmission can take place in a very interference-free manner in an infrared band. A radio transmission is expedient over greater distances, with frequencies less than or equal to 2.3 GHz. The upper limit of the frequency band is generally approved for the operation of radio systems. However, it has been shown in practice that lower frequencies are more expedient, particularly in industrial companies, since they are more reliable. In a device for the transmission of conferences, for the surveillance of buildings and plants, for a quality control, for a surveillance of production processes and the like, in particular with one or more of the above process features, according to claim 11 is aimed at that a

Recording device for image and / or sound for converting a predetermined picture and / or sound pattern into electrical signals is provided and further a transmitter to which the electrical signals are transmitted by the recording device via cable, a receiver to which the electrical signals are transmitted wirelessly by the transmitter and a computer to which the electrical signals from the receiver are transmitted via cable for further processing. With simple, usually commercially available components, a device can be created, in particular for carrying out the method explained in more detail at the outset, which can be used extremely flexibly for a wide variety of uses.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention has a sound card assigned to the computer for generating sound signals, further a second transmitter assigned to the receiver, to which the generated sound signals are transmitted by cable, and a second receiver assigned to the transmitter, to which the sound signals are transmitted wirelessly by the second transmitter, and ultimately a reaction device to which the sound signals are transmitted by the second transmitter via cable. If the reaction device is, for example, a sound reproduction device, for example a loudspeaker, headphones or the like, an acoustic two-way connection can be established without restriction between, for example, a far-away observer and an operator, for example a video camera, for converting image signals. Alternatively, the reaction device can include, for example, servos, which by suitable Tone signals the control signals are controlled according to the desires of the observer. This can also be adjusting means for the video camera or the video camera itself, which, for example, adjusts the focal length, image brightness or the like in a manner controlled by such audio signals.

In practice, it has proven to be expedient for the device to be designed at least in two channels for separate conversion and transmission of image and audio signals. If the transmission of sound signals to a reaction device is ultimately intended, the device is to be designed in three channels. Also preferred is the possibility of still transmitting a second video signal and / or audio signal from the recording device.

In order to increase the utility value of the device, it is provided that the receiving device is mobile. For this purpose, the recording device, reaction device and transmitter with if necessary. second receiver operated independently of the network. Batteries or come regularly for the energy supply

Accumulators for use. In this case, an embodiment is further preferred in which the recording device has a video camera and a specially designed combined speech-hearing device. Such a speech-hearing device, for example in the form of headphones and a microphone attached to these headphones on a snake neck or in the form of a larynx microphone, allows simple communication between the observer and, for example, the person operating the camera, who then has both hands available for this operation . The

Peripheral devices transmitters, receivers, accumulators, antennas and the like are expediently accommodated in a belt or backpack.

Ultimately, it is provided according to the invention that the transmission means and / or the computer is protected against electromagnetic influences. Especially when used in industrial electrical engineering and metal processing industry, in which large electrical currents regularly flow, it has been shown that even wired transmissions are often disturbed when they are exposed to strong magnetic fields. In particular, strong magnetic fields also influence the magnetically working storage media of computers, so that there is a risk that information may be lost. In addition, it is known under the keyword EMC that electronic devices can be damaged by, in particular, short-wave radiation. This is excluded by appropriate shielding of the devices, for example by metallic housings or the like.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The only Figure 1 of the drawing shows the schematic

Transmission path of audio and video signals between a computer and a recording device.

The recording device consists here, for example, of a video camera 1 and a microphone 2, which is arranged on a headphone 4 by means of a gooseneck 3 or the like. Both the video signal from the video camera 1 and the audio signal from the microphone 2 are transmitted to a transmitter 7 via cables 5, 6. Another input 8 for the conversion and transmission of video signals is not assigned here. The number of transmission channels, which is limited to three here, can be further increased, for example, for the implementation and transmission, for example, of data that can be called up from a computer.

Here too it can be considered to provide the video camera with an integrated transmitter, for example. Cable connections are then taken over from conductor tracks, for example on a circuit board. In this sense, the term cable should primarily be seen to differentiate it from wireless transmission between the transmitter / receiver. The electrical signals of the video camera 1 and the microphone 2 are converted and transmitted wirelessly from the transmitter 7 to a receiver 9, which takes place in an infrared band or preferably by means of radio waves, frequencies below or equal to 2.3 GHz being preferred. The receiver 9 converts the wireless signals again and supplies electrical signals to a computer 10 for further processing. In the exemplary embodiment, the video input VIN2 of a video card 11 of the computer 10 is connected to an output VOUT of the receiver 9 via a cable 12. The audio signal is applied from an output LO of the receiver 9 via a cable 13 to an audio input LI of the video card 11.

The computer is able to process these input signals in almost any manner, for example in such a way that they can be fed into the ISDN network of Deutsche Telekom via a suitable network card 14 via a suitable, conventional connection. According to the design of such a network card 14

Feeding into other networks, with other protocols etc. is also possible. A far-away observer is thus enabled to use a further computer, in particular also a personal computer, to determine the predetermined image and / or sound patterns which are generated by the

Video camera 1 and / or the microphone 2 are recorded without significant loss of time to receive and track.

For a two-way connection, the computer 10 is further provided with a sound card 15 which is capable of generating sound signals according to a digital code. Such a digital code can also come from a network and can thus give a far-away observer, for example, acoustic instructions, which can then also be called up again in acoustic form via the computer 10. Here is the

Sound card hardware and / or software connected to the video card 11, and an electrical sound signal is present at its output LO. From the output LO of the video card 11 is about a cable 16 transmits the sound signal to an input LI of a second transmitter 17 assigned to the receiver 9. The audio signal is transmitted wirelessly to a second receiver 18, which is assigned to the transmitter 7.

With a suitable design of the transmitting and receiving devices, there is also the possibility of direct digital transmission without going through the sound card.

Converted by the second receiver 18, the sound signal is transmitted via a cable 19 to a reaction device, here a loudspeaker 20 of the headphone 4. Alternatively, with a suitable design of the reaction device with servos or the like and sound signals as control signals

Control device for the video camera 1 can also be operated, for example.

If the second transmitter 17 or the second receiver 18 is designed independently of the receiver 9 or the transmitter 7, unrestricted duplex operation is possible, i.e. can be spoken or heard on the audio channels at the same time, indicated by the double arrow 21.

In many cases, particularly in the vicinity of strong magnetic fields, it has proven to be expedient to shield the computer 10 against electromagnetic interference in particular. If necessary. the usual shielding of the pre-assembled cables 5,6,12,13,16 has to be improved. Likewise, the receivers or transmitters can be shielded in order to also ensure their electronic function.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method for the transmission of conferences, for monitoring buildings and systems, for quality control, for monitoring production processes and the like, in which a predetermined image and / or sound pattern by a recording device (1,2) in electrical signals is converted, the electrical signals are transmitted to a transmitter (7) in a wired manner, wirelessly transmitted by the transmitter (7) to a receiver (9) and converted by the receiver (9) to a computer (10) for a wired conversion into electrical signals Further processing will be transmitted.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by a computer (10) assigned sound card (15) for the

Generation of audio signals by a second transmitter (17) assigned to the receiver (9), to which the generated audio signals are transmitted in a wired manner, by a second receiver (18) assigned to the transmitter (7), which receives the audio signals wirelessly from the second transmitter (17 ) are transmitted, and by a reaction device (20) which the Sound signals from the second transmitter (18) are transmitted in a wired manner.

3. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that image and

Sound patterns are converted and transmitted separately in a video signal and an audio signal.

4. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sound signal

Carrier of control signals.

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device (1,2) is a speech-hearing device

(4) for a sound recording and a sound reproduction, which is operated in particular in duplex mode.

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a computer (10) compares the processed video and / or audio signal as an actual pattern with stored, predefinable patterns.

Method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a computer (10) reacts to changes in the further processed video and / or audio signal.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a computer (10) in the event of a deviation of the processed video and / or audio signal from a target pattern compares the signal or signals with error patterns and that

If the actual pattern matches an error pattern, the computer (10) reacts with a program routine corresponding to the error pattern.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless transmission takes place in the IR band.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless transmission takes place at frequencies less than or equal to 2.3 GHz.

11. Device for the transmission of conferences, for monitoring buildings and systems, for quality control, for monitoring production processes and the like, in particular according to one or more features of the foregoing

Method, characterized by a recording device (1, 2) for picture and / or sound for converting a predetermined picture and / or sound pattern into electrical signals, by a transmitter (7) to which the electrical signals from the

Receiving device (1,2) are transmitted via a cable (5,6), by a receiver (9), to which the electrical signals are transmitted wirelessly by the transmitter (7), and by a computer (10), which is transmitted via cable (12 , 13) the electrical signals are transmitted by the receiver (9) for further processing.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by a computer (10) assigned sound card (15) for the generation of sound signals, by a receiver (9) assigned to a second transmitter (17), which transmits the generated sound signals via cable (16) by a second receiver (18) assigned to the transmitter (7), to which the

Sound signals are transmitted wirelessly by the second transmitter, and by a reaction device (20) which receives the sound signals from the second transmitter (18) via cable (19) are transmitted.

13. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device is designed at least two channels for a separate implementation and transmission of image and audio signals.

14. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiving device (1,2) is mobile.

15. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recording device has a video camera (1) and a specially designed combined speech-hearing device (4).

16. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (5-7,9,12,13,16-19) and / or the computer (10) are protected against electromagnetic influences.