DE102016200314A1 - Panel for portable devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel (10) is proposed for a number N of portable devices (1, 2, 3) of a user, which has a receiving device (20) with N receiving units (21, 22, 23) for receiving the N portable devices (1, 2, 3), a loading device (30) for loading each of the portable devices (1, 2, 3) received in the receiving device (20), and a personalization unit (40) for personalizing each of the devices in the receiving device (20). recorded portable devices (1, 2, 3) for the user. The panel provides a unified storage solution, a single loading solution, and a single personalization solution for a user's portable devices.

Description

The present invention relates to a panel for a number of portable devices of a user.

Technicians or workers are increasingly using various types of wearable electronic devices (so-called wearables), such as smartphones, tablets, data gloves, data glasses, and the like.

However, there is no uniform charging solution for electrically charging the various portable devices, so that it is not ensured that the portable devices can be operated on the one to a shift start of the technician and in particular over the entire shift time. Another aspect is that, due to the lack of a single charging solution, the likelihood that the technician forgets to recharge at least one of the portable devices he is using via the dedicated charging solution for that portable device is high.

Furthermore, a disadvantageous aspect is that there is no suitable solution for mutual synchronization for such conventional portable devices with electronic equipment.

In addition, it is disadvantageous that each technician has his own portable devices. For a company with a large number of technicians, this results in high costs for the acquisition of the portable devices for each of the technicians and their maintenance.

Against this background, an object of the present invention is to improve the utilization of portable devices of a user.

Accordingly, there is proposed a panel for a number of portable devices of a user comprising a receptacle having receptacles for housing the portable devices, a charging device for charging each of the portable devices accommodated in the receptacle, and a personalization unit for personalizing each of the portable devices Recording device recorded portable devices for the user.

The panel provides a unified storage solution, a single loading solution, and a unified personalization solution for all user's portable devices.

In this case, the charging device of the panel, the uniform charging solution for all portable devices of the user, such as a technician or a worker created. This ensures that all those portable devices that the user removes from the panel, for example, at the beginning of their shift, are sufficiently charged.

Furthermore, it is ensured by the personalization unit of the panel that the portable devices that the user takes, for example, at the beginning of his shift the panel are personalized to him. Personalization can sometimes be understood to mean that the respective device has been set or parameterized for the specific user. For example, certain user interfaces may be user-specific. Furthermore personalization means that the rights regarding the use of the portable devices of the panel and / or that rights regarding the use of further devices or machines are assigned user-specifically. Rights relating to the use of additional equipment or machines may be stored and managed on the portable devices and retrieved, for example, via Near Field Communication (NFC). Personalization can further be understood as meaning that data taken by a portable device, for example sensor data, is assigned to the user. The associated data may, for example, be further processed by the portable device and / or transmitted to an external device, such as a server.

Recording is understood here to mean that the portable device in the panel is mechanically and preferably electrically coupled to the power supply and electronically to the data transmission. The receiving unit is designed, for example, as a charging tray for storing and charging the portable device.

The panel can also be called a structural element.

In one embodiment, the panel includes an output device configured to output availability information for each portable device received in the receptacle.

In this case, the output device can output the availability information visually, acoustically and / or haptically. The availability information indicates the availability of the portable device, for example, for a certain period of time. For example, if the availability information is visually output, the color green may indicate that the device is available, whereas the color red may indicate that the device is unavailable.

According to a further embodiment, the output device for each of the N recording units comprises a first output unit for outputting a visual signal for displaying the availability information.

The visual signal is output, for example, by one or more colored luminous bodies. The colored luminaries include, for example, green (device ready) and red (device not ready).

According to a further embodiment, the first output unit comprises a plurality of luminous bodies for indicating different availability status of the portable device accommodated in the recording unit assigned to the first output unit. For example, the luminous bodies are designed as different LEDs.

According to a further embodiment, the first output unit comprises a screen for outputting a symbol or a symbol sequence for indicating different availability status of the portable device accommodated in the recording unit assigned to the first output unit.

The different availability statuses in this embodiment are formed, for example, by different availability periods.

According to a further embodiment, the output device for each of the N recording units comprises a second output unit for outputting an acoustic signal for displaying the availability information.

The acoustic signal is designed, for example, as a single tone or as a specific tone sequence.

According to a further embodiment, the output device for each of the N recording units comprises a third output unit for outputting a haptic signal for displaying the availability information.

The haptic signal may be formed by a vibration, for example.

According to a further embodiment, the output device for each of the N recording units comprises a transmission unit for transmitting an electrical or an electromagnetic signal to an external device for displaying the availability information.

By means of the transmission unit, preferably all availability information of all devices recorded in the reception device can be transmitted. However, it is also possible that the transmission unit transmits only the availability information of a specific subset of the portable devices to the external device.

According to a further embodiment, the N receiving units are formed as N modular, coupled with each other receiving elements.

Depending on the application and user request, the user can freely select the number N and couple a corresponding number of recording elements with each other. In this case, a central receiving element can be provided which integrates at least the charging device, the personalization unit and possibly a control device.

According to a further embodiment, the panel comprises a bus system, which is set up to couple the N modular receptacles for power supply and for data communication.

The modular receiving elements can therefore be coupled as desired and have corresponding coupling elements, by means of which the modular receiving elements can be coupled mechanically, electrically for energy transfer and electronically for data transmission.

According to a further embodiment, the N receiving units comprise N charging shells.

According to a further embodiment, the charging device has N loading units. In this case, each of the N loading units is assigned to one of the N receiving units. For example, each of the N load units includes a USB port for charging the portable device received in the associated recording unit. Alternatively or additionally, the respective charging unit may comprise a number of metal contacts for charging the portable device received in the associated receiving unit. The metal contacts are preferably made of gold.

According to a further embodiment, the personalization unit is set up to enable or disable certain functionalities with regard to the use of the N portable devices, depending on the identity information of the user.

Thus, the portable devices of a panel are also suitable for stratified operation, since different users or technicians can use these portable devices sequentially, sequentially, especially in a sequence of different layers of a Shift operation. Depending on the identification information or identification of the user, certain functionalities are enabled or disabled. The personalization unit thus forms a rights management for the portable devices of the panel.

According to a further embodiment, the personalization unit is set up to load a working instruction on one of the portable devices in dependence on the identity information of the user. For example, other information useful to the user may be loaded onto the respective portable device. Examples include manuals, whitelists of barcodes, blacklists of barcodes, access keys or the like. In this case, these other useful information can be loaded user-specifically by means of the personalization unit.

For example, at the beginning of the shift, after the user identifies himself to the panel via his identity information, one or more work instructions for that specific user may be loaded onto one or more of the portable devices of the panel. Alternatively or additionally, the user may be identified by another access control, for example, access control to the company premises. The identification information may be transmitted to the panel, for example, by the user wirelessly coupling a carried portable device, such as a smartwatch, to the panel. Alternatively or additionally, the user can effect an activation by means of an input of a PIN code or by means of a mechanical or digital key.

According to a further embodiment, the personalization unit is configured to load an interaction aid on one or more of the portable devices depending on the identity information of the user.

The interaction aids, as well as the work instructions, may be tag-specific, in particular after the user has identified himself to the panel by means of his identification information, loaded on the portable devices by means of the panel and by means of a server connected to the panel via a network.

According to another embodiment, the N portable devices include at least one sensor for receiving sensor data.

The sensor may, for example, be a camera which records image data, such as photos or videos.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the personalization unit is set up to assign the sensor data recorded by the at least one sensor to the user as a function of identification information of the user and to store the assigned sensor data on a memory device and / or to transmit it to an external device.

For example, recorded image data can thus be assigned to a specific user and a specific time and transmitted to the external device, for example to a server.

According to another embodiment, the N portable devices comprise at least one actuator. The actuator can be designed, for example, as a motor, for example as a vibration motor, as a light source, for example as an LED, or as an antenna, for example as an NFC antenna.

According to another embodiment, the panel comprises a synchronization unit for synchronizing M portable devices received in the receiving device with each other, with M ≤ N.

This makes it possible to synchronize all or a subset of the recorded in the receiving device portable devices. This synchronization can also be user-specific depending on the identification information of the user.

According to another embodiment, the synchronization unit is configured to synchronize the M portable devices received in the receptacle with an external device.

This makes it possible to synchronize the portable devices recorded in the recording device or a subset of those with an external device, such as a server.

According to a further embodiment, the panel comprises a fastening device, by means of which the panel can be fastened to a wall. The fastening device may for example comprise mounting holes through which screws can be passed, by means of which the panel can be mounted on a wall. According to a further embodiment, the panel is installed in a locker.

According to another embodiment, the panel is part of a drawer system.

According to a further embodiment, the panel is part of a fan system, a tiered multi-layered rack, a revolver magazine or an automatic dispenser, e.g. a robot warehouse.

According to a further embodiment, the portable device comprises a power supply device and at least one actuator and / or at least one sensor. The power supply device preferably comprises an accumulator or a battery.

According to a further embodiment, the N portable devices comprise at least one data glove, at least one wristband with at least one sensor, at least one smart watch, at least one actuator and / or at least one screen, a central control device, at least one data goggles, at least one earmuff, at least a helmet, in particular a protective helmet, at least one work clothing, such as a work coat, and / or work shoes.

The data glove is an input device in the form of a glove. By moving the hand and fingers, there is an orientation in the virtual space that is interpretable by a connected control device as a command or sequence of commands.

In particular, the personalization unit and the synchronization unit may be part of a central control computer or a central control device of the panel.

The respective unit, for example the personalization unit or the synchronization unit, can be implemented in terms of hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the respective unit can be designed as a device or as part of a device, for example as a computer or as a microprocessor or as a control computer. In a software implementation, the respective unit may be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code or as an executable object.

Further possible implementations of the invention also include not explicitly mentioned combinations of features or embodiments described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. The skilled person will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the invention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and the embodiments of the invention described below. Furthermore, the invention will be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the attached figures.

1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a panel for portable devices;

2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a panel for portable devices;

3 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of an output unit for outputting a visual signal for displaying availability information;

4 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of an output unit for outputting a visual signal for displaying availability information; and

5 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of a panel for portable devices.

In the figures, the same or functionally identical elements have been given the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

In 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of a panel 10 for portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 shown.

The respective portable device 1 . 2 . 3 comprises in particular a power supply device and at least one actuator and / or at least one sensor. The power supply device is for example an accumulator or a battery.

The portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 For example, a data glove, an integrated sensor wristband, an integrated actuator and / or integrated screen, a central control device such as a horn, data glasses, earmuffs, a helmet such as a hard hat, or workwear with an integrated sensor. The integrated in the workwear sensor can detect, for example, the curvature of the back of the user or technician.

The panel 10 of the 1 includes a fastening device 101 - 104 , by means of which the panel 10 attachable to a wall. In the embodiment of the 1 is the fastening device 101 - 104 as four mounting holes 101 - 104 formed by which screws are feasible, by means of which the panel 10 can be screwed to the wall.

The panel 10 of the 1 includes a receiving device 20 with N recording units 21 . 22 . 23 to record the N portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 , Without limiting the generality, the embodiment of the 1 three portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 (N = 3).

Furthermore, the panel includes 10 a charging device 30 , which for electrically charging the in the receiving device 20 recorded devices 1 . 2 . 3 is set up. In particular, the charging device comprises 30 N load units 31 . 32 . 33 , In this case, each of the N loading units 31 . 32 . 33 each one of the N recording units 21 . 22 . 23 assigned. The respective charging unit 31 . 32 . 33 includes, for example, a USB port or metal contacts for charging in the associated recording unit 21 . 22 . 23 recorded portable device 1 . 2 . 3 , The coupling or electrical connection of the charging device 30 with the loading units 31 . 32 . 33 in 1 is purely exemplary. For example, the recording units 21 . 22 . 23 Charging trays for charging portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 include.

Furthermore, the panel includes 10 a personalization unit 40 , which is adapted to, in the receiving device 10 recorded portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 to personalize for the user. For example, the personalization unit 40 adapted to depending on an identity information of the user certain functionalities regarding the use of N portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 unlock or lock. For example, a portable device passes 1 . 2 . 3 , which in an associated recording unit 21 . 22 . 23 is inserted, the identity information to the panel 10 , in particular to the personalization unit 40 ,

The identity information of the user may, for example, be embodied as a code identifying the user as a particular employee of a company. For example, this code may represent an employee ID of the user in the company. This is the personalization unit 40 for rights management for the portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 suitable.

Furthermore, the personalization unit 40 Be set up a work instruction on a specific device 1 . 2 . 3 , on a specific subset of devices 1 . 2 . 3 or on all devices 1 . 2 . 3 to load. Also, additionally or alternatively, an interaction help for the user by means of the personalization unit 40 getting charged. Especially in operations where a portable device 1 . 2 . 3 while the user is not able to be permanently online, it is beneficial to have the workbooks or interaction aids then on the portable device 1 . 2 . 3 to load if this with the panel 10 is connected and thus a stable communication connection to an external device 4 (please refer 2 ) can be produced.

Furthermore, the panel includes 10 of the 1 an output device 51 . 52 . 53 , which is adapted to availability information for each in the receiving device 20 recorded portable device 1 . 2 . 3 issue. In the embodiment of the 1 is the output device 51 . 52 . 53 through three output units 51 . 52 . 53 formed, each output unit 51 . 52 . 53 one of the recording units 21 . 22 . 23 assigned. In the embodiment of the 1 , which is purely exemplary, is a first output unit 51 a first receiving unit 21 assigned, a second output unit 52 is a second recording unit 22 assigned and a third output unit 53 is a third recording unit 23 assigned. The output units 51 . 52 . 53 can technically be the same or technically different. For clarity, the output units are 51 . 52 . 53 of the 1 designed differently.

For example, the first output unit 51 , which is the first recording unit 21 is assigned, configured to provide a visual signal for displaying the availability information of the portable device 1 issue.

In contrast, the second output unit 52 , which the second recording unit 22 is assigned, configured to an audible signal for displaying the availability information of the portable device 2 issue.

Further, the third output unit 52 adapted to provide a haptic signal for displaying the availability information of the portable device 3 issue.

The visual signal can be formed for example by the illumination of a filament or a lamp. The acoustic signal can be formed for example by the output of a tone or a tone sequence. The haptic signal may be formed by a vibration, for example.

2 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a panel 10 for portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 ,

The second embodiment of the 2 is based on the first embodiment of the 1 and includes all the features of the first embodiment of 1 ,

In addition, the panel includes 10 of the 2 a transmission unit 54 for transmitting an electrical or an electromagnetic signal to an external device 4 to display the availability information. The transmission unit 54 forms a data communication DK with the external device 4 out. The transmission unit 54 can preferably all the availability information of the devices 1 . 2 . 3 of all recording units 21 . 22 . 23 specify. It is also possible that the transmission unit 54 only the availability information of a specific subset of the portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 to the external device 4 by means of the data communication DK transmits.

Furthermore, the panel has 10 of the 2 a bus system 70 which the recording units 21 . 22 . 23 , in the 2 not shown in detail loading units 31 . 32 . 33 , the charging device 30 , the personalization unit 40 , the transmission unit 54 and a controller 60 coupled. The control device 60 can be used as the central control unit of the panel 10 be educated. The control device 60 can also be designed as a bus controller.

Furthermore, the control device comprises 60 of the 2 a synchronization unit 61 , The synchronization unit 61 can be set up to all those portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 to synchronize with each other, which in the receiving device 20 are recorded or inserted. It is also possible that the synchronization unit 61 only a subset of the in the receiving device 20 recorded portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 synchronized. The setting of which portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 belonging to this subgroup, a user can by means of the control device 60 to adjust.

As stated above, the portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 also include a sensor for receiving sensor data. The personalization unit can do this 40 be configured to assign the sensor data recorded by the sensor to the user and the associated sensor data on a storage device (not shown) of the panel depending on the identification information of the user 10 to save and / or to the external device 4 to transmit by means of data communication DK.

3 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of an output unit 51 for outputting a visual signal for displaying availability information of one of the portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 , In the example of 3 includes the output unit 51 a plurality of luminous bodies 81 . 82 , For example, different colored LEDs, indicating different availability status of the in the output unit 51 associated recording unit 21 recorded portable device 1 , For example, the LED 81 a red LED, which indicates that the device 1 not ready for use, whereas the LED 82 there is a green LED which indicates that the device 1 is ready for use.

4 shows a second alternative embodiment of the output unit 51 for outputting a visual signal for displaying the availability information of the portable device 1 , The output unit 51 of the 4 has a display element or a screen 83 which is a symbol string for indicating the availability status of the in the output unit 51 associated recording unit 21 recorded portable device 1 outputs. The availability status is in the example of 4 formed as a period of time, in 4 2:46 h exemplifies the availability time of the device 1 indicates. In other words, the device 1 2 hours and 46 minutes ready for use.

5 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of a panel 10 for portable devices 1 . 2 . 3 , The third embodiment of 5 is based on the second embodiment of the 2 , The third embodiment of 5 differs from the second embodiment of the 2 in that the receiving device 20 of the 5 by three modular, coupled with each other receiving elements 91 . 92 . 93 is trained. Depending on the application and user request, the user can freely choose the number N according to the third embodiment and correspondingly many receiving elements 91 . 92 . 93 pair with each other. For this example, each receiving element 91 . 92 . 93 male coupling elements in its upper area 111 on, which with at the bottom of the receiving elements 91 . 92 . 93 arranged female coupling elements 112 can be coupled.

The male coupling elements 111 and the female coupling elements 112 are so coordinated that they are the receiving elements 91 . 92 . 93 mechanically, electrically and couple for data transmission. In particular, the bus system 70 through the coupling elements 111 . 112 connected or guided. In the embodiment of the 5 are the charging device 30 , the personalization unit 40 , the control device 60 with the optionally integrated synchronization unit 61 (not shown) and the transmission unit 54 in one of the receiving elements 91 . 92 . 93 integrated. In the example of 5 this is the receiving element 91 , Here, this receiving element 91 Also referred to as a central receiving element and the other N-1 receiving elements can be any with this central receiving element 91 be coupled.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments, it is variously modifiable.

Claims (15)

Panel ( 10 ) for a number N of portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) of a user, comprising: a recording device ( 20 ) with N recording units ( 21 . 22 . 23 ) to record the N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ), a charging device ( 30 ) for loading each one in the receiving device ( 20 ) portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ), and a personalization unit ( 40 ) for personalizing each of the in the receiving device ( 20 ) portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) for the user. Panel according to claim 1, characterized by an output device ( 51 - 54 ) arranged to provide availability information for each in the receiving device ( 20 ) portable device ( 1 . 2 . 3 ). Panel according to claim 2, characterized in that the output device ( 51 - 54 ) for each of the N receiving units ( 21 . 22 . 23 ) comprises: a first output unit ( 51 ) for outputting a visual signal for displaying the availability information, a second output unit ( 52 ) for outputting an acoustic signal for displaying the availability information, a third output unit ( 53 ) for outputting a haptic signal for displaying the availability information, and / or a transmission unit ( 54 ) for transmitting an electrical or an electromagnetic signal to an external device ( 4 ) for displaying the availability information. Panel according to claim 3, characterized in that the first output unit ( 51 ) a plurality of luminous bodies ( 81 . 82 ) for indicating different availability status of the in the first output unit ( 51 ) associated recording unit ( 21 ) portable device ( 1 ) and / or a screen ( 83 ) for outputting a symbol or a symbol sequence for indicating different availability status of the in the first output unit ( 51 ) associated recording unit ( 21 ) portable device ( 1 ). Panel according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by N modular, mutually coupled receiving elements ( 91 . 92 . 93 ), wherein the respective receiving element ( 91 . 92 . 93 ) one of the N receiving units ( 21 . 22 . 23 ). Panel according to claim 5, characterized by a bus system ( 70 ), which is adapted to the N modular receiving elements ( 91 . 92 . 93 ) for power supply and for data communication with each other. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the N receiving units ( 21 . 22 . 23 ) Include N charging cradles. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the charging device ( 30 ) N load units ( 31 . 32 . 33 ), wherein each of the N loading units ( 31 . 32 . 33 ) each one of the N receiving units ( 21 . 22 . 23 ) and a USB port and / or metal contacts for charging in the associated recording unit ( 21 . 22 . 23 ) portable device ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) having. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the personalization unit ( 40 ) is adapted, depending on the identity information of the user certain functionalities regarding the use of N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) to unlock or lock a working manual on one of the N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) and / or an interaction help on one of the N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) to load. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) comprise at least one sensor for receiving sensor data. Panel according to claim 10, characterized in that the personalization unit ( 40 ) is arranged to assign the sensor data recorded by the at least one sensor to the user and to store the assigned sensor data on a memory device and / or to an external device (depending on an identification information of the user). 4 ) transferred to. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by a synchronization unit ( 61 ) for synchronizing M in the recording device ( 20 ) portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) with each other, with M ≤ N, and / or for synchronizing the M in the receiving device ( 20 ) portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) with an external device ( 4 ). Panel according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by a fastening device ( 101 - 104 ), by means of which the panel ( 10 ) is attachable to a wall. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the portable device ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) comprises a power supply device and at least one actuator and / or at least one sensor. Panel according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the N portable devices ( 1 . 2 . 3 ) comprise at least one data glove, at least one bracelet with at least one sensor, at least one actuator and / or at least one screen, a central control device, at least one data goggles, at least one earmuffs, at least one helmet, in particular a protective helmet, and / or at least one workwear ,

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