DE202018101057U1 - Paging unit and paging system, as well as workstation and charging station for a paging system - Google Patents

Abstract

Paging unit (1) for a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or production environment, with a transmitting and / or receiving unit (26), a control unit, at least one acoustic and one optical output unit, which in at least two housing parts ( 3) comprising a housing (2), characterized in that the at least one acoustic output unit (21) comprises a piezoelectric transducer (39) and the connection (30) between the at least two housing parts (3) and the connection (30) between a membrane (23) of the acoustic output unit (21) and the housing (2) waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof, is formed.

Description

The present invention relates to a paging unit according to the preamble of claim 1 with a transmitting and / or receiving unit, a control unit, at least one acoustic and one optical output unit, which are arranged in a housing comprising at least two housing parts and which for the use of a workshop and / or manufacturing environment is suitable.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a charging station for a paging unit of a radio system according to the preamble of claim 27, which is also suitable for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment and at least one receiving unit for a paging unit, wherein the receiving unit guide means for the spatial guidance of a having substantially cylindrical paging unit and at least two contacting means for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts of the radio paging unit.

Moreover, the present invention relates to a workstation according to the preamble of claim 32, wherein the workstation is provided for a paging unit of a paging system for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment and by means of the workstation an energy transfer to the paging unit and a, in particular wireless programming a Control unit of a radio paging unit can be carried out, wherein the workstation has at least one receiving unit for a paging unit, which has guide means for the spatial guidance of a substantially cylindrical radio paging unit and at least two contacting means for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts of the radio paging unit.

Finally, the present invention relates to a paging system according to the preamble of claim 38, which is suitable for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment and has a wireless transmitting unit for transmitting at least calling signals to at least one paging unit.

Paging systems and their components, in particular paging units, workstations and charging stations are known in principle from the prior art. For example, from paging applications corresponding paging systems are known, which inform a guest in a self-service and / or fast food restaurant about the completion or the provision of his order. For this purpose, the respective guest receives in the context of his order a paging unit, which has at least one acoustic or one optical output unit. The paging unit also has at least one receiving unit with which radio signals of a calling unit can be received. Generically, it is provided that upon receipt of appropriate call signals by the receiving unit of the radio paging unit, a control unit activates the acoustic or optical output unit. Once the customer's order is completed or deployed, then, automatically or by a user, a signal may be sent from the calling unit to the paging unit, thus informing the customer of the completion of the order through the issuing unit.

A disadvantage of generic paging systems and paging units is that they are not suitable for environments in which a high ambient noise level or ambient noise level prevails.

For the known radio paging units have acoustic output units based on electromagnetic buzzers, which only allow an acoustic output with a very limited volume with high power and energy consumption and thus not or poorly used for an environment with a large background or ambient volume can be. In addition, the known paging systems, in particular the known paging units are not suitable for use in environments in which media are used, which can exert a harmful influence on the electrical or electronic components of the paging system, in particular the paging unit. In particular, the known paging units are not suitable for use in environments in which water, solvents or dust are used or occur. It follows as a whole that the known paging systems and paging units are not suitable for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, as a called or activated paging unit can not be reliably located due to an insufficient acoustic signal of the acoustic output unit and beyond the Environmental influences, in particular the effects of water, solvents and dust lead to premature failure or premature wear of the paging units.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a paging unit for a paging system, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and is particularly suitable for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment.

Furthermore, the object is a correspondingly improved paging system, a correspondingly improved workstation for a Specify a paging system and a correspondingly improved charging station for a paging system.

This object is achieved in terms of paging unit having the features of claim 1, i. in a generic paging unit characterized in that the at least one acoustic output unit comprises a piezoelectric transducer and the connection between the at least two housing parts and the connection between a membrane of the acoustic output unit and the housing is waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof.

The basic idea of the invention is thus to further develop the paging unit in such a way that it becomes resistant or at least largely resistant to the influences in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment and, moreover, that the output units, in particular the acoustic output unit, are developed in such a way that they also sound correspondingly loud acoustic output signals can be realized that are easily and safely perceptible in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment. For by means of the waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferred dust-tight embodiment of the connection between the at least two housing parts of the housing of the paging unit and the connection between a membrane of the acoustic output unit and the housing is achieved particularly advantageous that the essential parts of the paging unit at which the said media can penetrate into the interior of the housing of the radio paging unit and can exert a damaging influence on the interior of the radio paging unit, be closed so that the penetration of the media, in particular penetration of water, solvents and dust is excluded. This significantly increases the robustness of the paging unit relative to the aforementioned media and thus improves the durability and longevity of the paging unit in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment in previously unknown ways. At the same time, the use of an output unit comprising a piezoelectric transducer ensures that secure and reliable location or capture of the paging unit is ensured even in environments with a high level of background and / or ambient noise, since acoustic output units based on piezoelectric transducers in the Able to realize a significantly louder acoustic output with comparable requirements in terms of installation space and comparable frequency ranges of the acoustic output signals. Thus, the radio paging unit according to the invention is suitable in a special and hitherto unknown extent for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment as well as in environments with comparable environmental conditions.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the radio paging unit it can be provided that the connection between the at least two housing parts has an adhesive connection and / or a welded connection, in particular an ultrasonic welded connection. Alternatively or additionally, a screw or screw connection can be provided, wherein preferably a sealing means, in particular a sealing bead between the housing parts is arranged, which are connected to one another via the screw. The housing parts may for example consist of plastic materials. Other materials, such as carbon fiber composites, which have a suitability for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, can basically be used for the housing. However, largely independent of the material of the housing or the housing parts, adhesive joints and welded joints are particularly suitable for sealing the connection between the housing parts and for preventing ingress of water, solvents, dust or the like, because the corresponding connections enable a substantially cohesive connection and simultaneously an intrinsic resistance of the compounds themselves to the environmental influences, in particular to water, solvents and dust.

A further particularly preferred embodiment of the radio paging unit provides that the connection of the membrane of the acoustic output unit with the housing has an adhesive bond, in particular a silicone adhesive bond. The membrane of the acoustic output unit may preferably be formed from a metallic material, in particular from a thin metal plate. The connection to the housing, in particular the connection to one of the at least two housing parts is preferably made via an adhesive connection, because the adhesive connection allows a material connection with the housing or the housing part and can also be designed so that the compound resistant or resistant Water, solvents and dust. In addition, an adhesive bond is particularly useful when the housing or the housing part to which the membrane is connected, consists of a different material, such as the membrane itself, since in this case other compounds for producing a material connection are not used can.

A particular requirement of the paging unit according to the invention is that, on the one hand, the acoustic output unit preferably comprises a resonator body which controls the output of loud acoustic output signals supported advantageous. For a corresponding resonant body, however, a sound outlet opening is provided, but at the same time represents a possible entry point or a possible inlet opening for aggressive media, such as water, solvents, dust or the like. Accordingly, on the one hand, it must be ensured that the paging unit has a corresponding resonant body and, on the other hand, it must be ensured that no harmful or aggressive media penetrate into the interior of the paging unit through the sound outlet opening of the resonator body. To ensure this, a particularly advantageous embodiment of the paging unit according to the invention provides that the housing has a sound outlet opening for emitting the acoustic signals generated by the acoustic output unit, inside the housing adjacent the sound outlet opening a resonator structure is formed with the membrane of the acoustic output unit is connected and forms a resonant body, so that the housing interior beyond the resonator body waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, preferably dust-tight from the sound box is delimited. The resonator body structure may, for example, be formed in one piece with at least one housing part. Alternatively, however, the resonant structure can be connected to a housing parts in a watertight, solvent-tight and / or dust-tight manner, in particular adhesively bonded or welded. The present embodiment ensures that even in the event that water, solvent or dust penetrates into the resonator body, but this can not penetrate beyond the resonator body into the housing interior, since the membrane of the acoustic output unit waterproof, solvent-tight and / or dustproof with the Resonanzköperstruktur is connected. The membrane may for example consist of metal and thus also be sufficiently resistant to water, solvents and / or dust.

A further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the radio paging unit can provide that in the interior of the resonance body, in particular adjacent to the resonance body structure, placing means are arranged which influence the acoustic properties of the resonance body, in particular the resonance frequency of the resonance body structure. This makes it possible that the frequency of the acoustic output unit, which is determined in terms of the volume of the acoustic output unit substantially on the resonant frequency of the resonator, can be customized in certain range, without other parts of the paging unit, in particular no parts of the housing or Resonance structure must be adjusted. In other words, this means that the paging unit, in particular the acoustic output unit, can be tuned or tuned within a certain range within the scope of its production. The insert means may for example consist of plastic or foam and glued or welded into the sound box. Particularly preferably, the insert means can be attached or arranged and fastened to the resonator structure.

A further particularly advantageous variant of the pager unit provides that the resonator body structure has surface enlarging means on a contact surface for engaging and fastening the membrane of the acoustic output unit in order to increase the area available for connection to the membrane of the acoustic output unit. This advantageously achieves that the connection between the membrane of the acoustic output unit and the housing, in particular the connection between the membrane and the resonator structure formed inside by at least one housing part can be made correspondingly more solid and thus more stable and thus at the same time more aggressive or penetrating At the same time the longevity or durability of the connection between the membrane and the resonator structure is ensured, since this compound is exposed to considerable force effects due to the vibrations of the membrane in the case of an output of acoustic signals.

According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment, it may be provided that the housing or that at least one of the at least two housing parts comprises housing-internal positioning aids, which facilitates the positioning of the membrane of the acoustic output unit in the housing and / or the positioning of the membrane relative to the resonance body structure. This has the advantage that in the context of the production of paging units safe and easy positioning of the membrane and thus a safe and easy connection of the membrane with the housing or the resonator structure of the housing can be made and thus the paging units quickly and safely and therefore also cheap can be produced. The positioning aids may for example be integrally formed with one of the at least two housing parts.

Possibly. can be provided that an operation of the paging unit is necessary or desired. For example, it may be provided or desired that the radio paging unit can be put into different operating states or operating modes by a corresponding mechanical or haptic interaction. In particular, can provided or desirable that the radio paging unit via an operating unit is switched on and / or off. However, in order to protect the paging unit, in particular the housing interior of the radio paging unit from the harmful influence of water, solvents and / or dust, in this case as well, it can be provided according to a particularly advantageous embodiment that the housing has a button opening, which with a flexible, waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof cover layer is closed. This makes it possible on the one hand, that with a arranged under the button opening the operation of the paging unit can be done and on the other hand is particularly preferably realized that no water, solvent and / or dust can penetrate into the housing via the corresponding button opening. Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the radio paging unit has only one button and, accordingly, only one button opening with a corresponding cover layer. Because the provision of only one button, the operation of the paging unit is advantageously facilitated. At the same time, the minimization of corresponding housing openings or probe openings further reduces the risk of ingress of water, solvents or dust.

Overall, to pay particular attention to the use of paging unit in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment to minimize the number of housing openings of the housing or at least to make sure accordingly against the ingress of water, solvents and / or dust. Accordingly, a further advantageous embodiment provides that the optical output unit comprises at least one light guide, which extends from a housing interior into a housing opening, wherein the at least one light guide is waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof connected to the housing opening. This embodiment is therefore particularly suitable because the known light guide can be connected in a known manner advantageously waterproof, solvent-tight and / or dustproof with the housing and thus the chance or risk of ingress of water, solvents and / or Dust can be minimized in the housing via the optical output unit. Below the light guide, a light source, in particular an LED can be arranged in the interior of the housing, wherein the majority of the radiated light is coupled into the light guide by means of the light guide and emitted in the region of the housing opening from the light guide in the vicinity of the paging unit.

According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the radio paging unit can be provided that it has a battery or equivalent electrical energy storage, which is at least partially received by a guide means forming housing inner structure, wherein in the accommodated state of the accumulator a game between the guide means and the accumulator is formed , This has the advantage in the production or manufacture of the radio paging unit that the rechargeable battery or the energy store can be arranged in the housing in a particularly simple and secure manner by the housing internal structure forming the guide means serving to guide the rechargeable battery. The game between the guide means and the accumulator, in the at least partially recorded in the housing inner structure state of the accumulator simultaneously leads to the accumulator largely decoupled from the vibrations, in particular from the vibrations of the acoustic output unit and thus protected from harmful effects.

A further embodiment can also contribute to protecting the accumulator or the energy store from possibly damaging or disadvantageous oscillation or vibration entries. This advantageous embodiment of the paging unit provides that attachment of the accumulator to a housing inner structure is at least also by means of an at least partially elastically deformable adhesion promoter, wherein the accumulator is arranged in the housing, that a bonding agent at least partially compressing clamping force acts on the accumulator. As a result, the advantage is achieved that on the one hand an improved attachment of the accumulator in the housing or inside the housing is achieved and that at the same time less or no vibration or vibrations are coupled into the accumulator, which protects the accumulator from damage and wear.

As already mentioned, the acoustic output units based on piezoelectric transducers are basically able to generate relatively loud acoustic signals. To achieve this, however, a high operating voltage is required for the piezoelectric transducers. Accordingly, a further, particularly desirable embodiment of the radio paging unit provides that it comprises at least one amplifying device, in particular a driver module, which effects a voltage amplification of an input voltage and whose output is connected at least indirectly to the piezoelectric transducer. Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the amplifying device is a variable, particularly preferred stepwise or stepless adjustment of the gain effect allows. As a result, the advantage can be realized that the acoustic output unit is operated with correspondingly different volume levels, which is advantageous, for example, to realize an acoustic output with an increasing volume.

In the workshop and / or production use the paging system and the paging unit may be particularly preferably used to retrieve non-schematically or chaotically deposited items in a warehouse or work environment. Accordingly, a particularly preferred embodiment of the paging unit provides that the housing has a receptacle for attachment means for attaching the paging unit to an object. This makes it possible that, for example, in a workshop, the objects to be machined or repaired are connected via corresponding fastening means with a radio paging unit. By the corresponding generation of a call signal by a call unit, the paging unit uniquely assigned to the object can be activated and activate a visual and / or acoustic output via the output units so that workshop and / or warehouse employees can quickly and reliably identify and locate the object.

According to a further, particularly desirable embodiment of the radio paging unit it can be provided that the housing has an at least partially cylindrical shape, wherein on two outer surfaces of the cylindrical housing two flat electrical band contacts are arranged. The cylindrical shape of the housing allows in a particularly advantageous manner easy handling of the radio paging unit, as a high degree of symmetry is thus achieved and thereby an easy-to-use form of paging unit is provided. The formation of two flat, electrical tape contacts on an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical housing has further advantages. For example, as will be explained in more detail in the following description, a particularly simple and effective establishing an electrical connection to the radio paging unit can be achieved. In addition, it is also possible in a particularly advantageous manner by the band contacts that the housing interior is sealed against harmful environmental influences, in particular by water, solvents and / or dust, because compared to electrical contacts in the form of a plug connection or the like, the flat band contacts can be particularly simply connect to or attach to the housing in a manner that ensures that water, solvents and / or dust can not penetrate into the housing interior. For example, a corresponding adhesive connection may be formed on one of the outer lateral surface of the cylindrical housing facing side of the band contacts, so that even with a arranged on this side of the band contacts contacting, in particular electrical contacting inside the housing, the adhesive bond or an equivalent compound the ingress of water , Solvent and / or dust in the housing interior effectively prevented.

Particularly advantageously, it can be provided that the band contacts extend angularly over a range of up to 140 °, preferably up to 150 °, particularly preferably up to 160 ° of the lateral surface. This has, together with the overall rotationally symmetrical design of a substantially cylindrical housing or an at least partially substantially cylindrical housing the advantage that over a correspondingly large angular range, an electrical contacting of the band contacts is made possible. This means that the paging unit can be contacted not only in a single position, but in a variety of positions, in particular over an angular range of up to 160 ° with external electrical contacts. As a result, the handling of the paging unit, in particular for charging the energy store or the accumulator and / or for programming the paging unit is particularly facilitated because the user or operator can make the electrical contact with the band contacts particularly easy.

Likewise, it can advantageously be provided that the strip contacts are set back in relation to a two-sided edge section of the lateral surface of a substantially cylindrical housing. On the one hand, the edge sections can protect the strip contacts against mechanical or other damage. At the same time, as will be explained in detail later with respect to the workstation and charging station according to the invention, the edge portions are used to ensure a secure recording or holding the paging unit in the context of making an electrical contact with the ribbon contacts.

In addition, it can be provided particularly advantageous that the edge portions form a groove bounded by holding portions for receiving the band contacts. The holding sections and the groove for receiving the band contacts have several advantages. On the one hand, the penetration of harmful media, in particular water, solvents and / or dust is further impeded or prevented by the holding sections and the groove. In addition, this is the attachment of the band contacts facilitates and simplifies the installation of the band contacts.

Furthermore, a particularly preferred embodiment of the paging unit provides that the band contacts, in particular the externally accessible part of the band contacts, extend over a quarter to a third of the height of the lateral surface of a substantially or at least partially cylindrical housing of the paging unit. This also allows a simple and secure contact the tape contacts. At the same time, the formation of sufficiently strongly dimensioned edge sections is ensured that these in turn also contribute to the secure holding or fastening of the paging unit, in particular in the context of contacting the electrical strip contacts.

In order to be able to unambiguously identify individual objects in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment by a user, identification means are known which can be attached to the article and permit identification. These include, for example, optical identification means and / or electronic identification means, such as RFID transponders or NFC transponders. Since in a paging system the connection or the attachment of a paging unit is necessarily provided on an object for expenditure or localization of the object, in a particularly advantageous manner, a pager functionality and a further identification possibility of the object connected to the paging unit can be combined. For this purpose, it can be provided according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the paging unit that the housing has on a housing outer surface a recess in which at least one radio transponder, in particular an RFID transponder or an NFC transponder is arranged. As a result, a workshop and / or production employee can identify both the paging unit and the item connected to the paging unit by reading out the radio transponder and possibly retrieve further information regarding the item. Particularly preferably, the recess formed on a housing outer surface is not formed in a housing as a housing opening or housing opening. As a result, the penetration of harmful or dangerous media can furthermore advantageously be prevented or prevented. The radio transponder can for example be glued into the recess in the housing or welded into the recess in the housing.

Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the housing of the radio paging unit comprises an optical identification means, in particular a machine-readable identification means, on a housing outer surface. Also, it can be identified by a worker or engineer the paging unit and the object to which the radio paging unit is attached. According to a particularly preferred embodiment it can be provided that the optical, in particular machine-readable identification means is arranged on the housing outer surface in the region of the housing recess and thus in the region of the radio transponder, in particular above the radio transponder. This can also prevent the penetration of water, solvents, dust or the like.

In contrast to the paging systems, as used for example in the gastronomic field or in comparable areas, the claim of the paging system according to the invention and the paging unit according to the invention, that in a workshop and / or production-related context, the objects that are marked with a pager or at which a paging unit is attached over a longer period of time, possibly over several days or weeks at any time to be found and / or localized. However, this makes special demands on the energy consumption and the power supply of the paging unit. Accordingly, a very particularly advantageous embodiment of the paging unit according to the invention provides that the control unit has switching means which are adapted in particular to periodically switch between an inactive, energy-saving operating mode and an active energy-intensive operating mode of the paging unit, the inactive operating mode for a first operating phase and the active operating mode for a second phase of operation takes place or is activated and the first operating phase is longer than the second operating phase. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that the optical and acoustic output unit of the paging unit is deactivated in the inactive operating mode. Other components of the radio paging unit can be largely switched off or turned off in the inactive operating mode. For example, the transmitting and / or receiving unit of the paging unit of an inactive operating mode can be switched off or inactivated. As a result, the energy consumption of the radio paging unit is minimized in an advantageous manner since only very little energy is consumed in the respectively first operating phase and the associated inactive operating mode and, moreover, more energy is consumed in the second operating phase, but the second operating phase is activated only extremely briefly becomes. Although this means that the paging unit can only receive a polling signal of a polling unit and activate the optical and acoustic output units in the active operating mode, the proposed switching means of the control unit is a particularly effective Energy Management achieved while still a relatively short reaction time between the issuing of a call signal and the activation of the output units of the paging realized.

Particularly preferably, it can be provided that the operating phase is ten times to one hundred times as long as the second operating phase. This allows a particularly energy-efficient operation of the paging unit.

In addition to an active operating mode and an inactive operating mode, it may be particularly advantageous for the operation of a paging system according to the invention, in particular for the operation of a paging unit according to the invention, if even further operating modes could be activated. For example, a programming mode of operation or a writing mode of operation may be advantageously provided by programming or describing the paging unit's control unit. Since the various modes of operation coincide in a special way with special handling steps in the context of the operation of a paging system, it may be particularly desirable if the paging unit independently and largely automatically changes the operating modes, but this requires that the paging unit recognizes the particular situation in the Changing the operating mode is displayed or makes sense. For example, it may be desirable for the paging unit to automatically detect that it is in a charging station or in a workstation and accordingly load the energy store or accumulator or program or write the control unit.

Since a contacting of the tape contacts of the radio paging unit is necessarily provided or at least desirable in these cases, provides a special development of the paging unit according to the invention that the control unit has switching means which are adapted to switch the operating mode of the radio paging unit in response to a voltage applied to the tape contacts , As a result, it can be realized that when a characteristic voltage is applied to the strip contacts that corresponds to a charging voltage in a charging station of the paging system, the paging unit is automatically switched or switched to a charging operating mode. Accordingly, it may be provided that at a characteristic voltage applied to the ribbon contacts, when the paging unit is at or in a workstation, the paging unit is automatically switched over the switching means of the control unit in a programming mode or a write mode of operation. As a characteristic voltage for a charging process, for example, an AC voltage applied to the ribbon contacts. Accordingly, when positioning the paging unit in a workstation, it may be provided that a DC voltage is applied to the tape contacts and the switching means of the control unit automatically switch the paging unit to a programming operating mode via such a characteristic voltage at the tape contacts.

According to a further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the radio paging unit it can be provided that the radio paging unit has an electrical contacting and fastening unit, in particular a printed circuit board, which serves at least for fastening and contacting the control unit and / or the transmitting and / or receiving unit. This advantageously makes it possible to subdivide the production of the paging unit into individual components, as a result of which the production area and also the production time can be reduced.

Very particularly preferably, it can also be provided that the energy store or accumulator is arranged in the housing between the resonant body and the contacting and fastening unit, wherein the control unit and / or transmitting and / or receiving unit on a side facing away from the energy storage or accumulator side of contacting - And fastening unit is arranged. In such an arrangement of resonant body, accumulator and contacting and mounting units, a particularly space-saving structure inside the housing of the radio pager can be realized so that the radio paging unit can be made very compact, and therefore requires only a relatively small space.

In this context, it can be provided very particularly advantageously that at least partially an elastically deformable adhesion promoter is arranged between the energy store or accumulator and the contacting and fastening unit, wherein the accumulator or energy store is arranged to the contacting and fastening unit such that one of the adhesion promoter at least partially compressing compressive force is generated. As a result, on the one hand, the components of the radio paging unit are securely fastened and supported or supported by one another, without, however, possibly causing harmful or unwanted vibrations or vibrations to be coupled into the individual components, in particular in the case of activation of the acoustic output unit.

The invention also leads to a charging station for a paging unit of a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or production environment, comprising at least one recording unit, for a paging unit, wherein the receiving unit comprises guide means for spatially guiding a substantially cylindrical paging unit and at least two contacting means for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts of the paging unit and is additionally characterized in that the contacting means are arranged facing each other on mutually opposite inner sides of the guide means such that a contacting in the area the cylinder jacket of the substantially cylindrical paging unit is made possible. This ensures in a particularly advantageous manner that the paging unit of the charging station according to the invention in a manner on the outer surface of the paging unit can be contacted, which ensures that the paging unit for charging a battery or energy storage must have no adverse contacts or Kontakierungsmittel, the could cause water, solvents or dust to enter the pager unit. In particular, a plug connection or a plug connection between the charging station and the paging unit can be avoided by the charging station according to the invention, which potentially carries the risk that penetrates in particular in the connector area on the part of paging water, solvents and / or dust in the paging unit. In addition, the charging station according to the invention ensures a fast and secure recording of the paging unit and thus easy handling and a simple loading the paging unit and the entire paging system.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the charging station can be provided that the charging station has at least one elastic element, which at least one contact means of the charging station in each of the opposite contacting contacting end position kraftbeaufschlagt, wherein the contacting means and the at least one elastic element are formed so that a recording of the radio pager in the receiving unit under an at least temporarily elastic deformation of the at least one elastic element and a corresponding movement of the contacting means away from each other takes place. As a result, several advantageous effects are achieved. On the one hand, in the embodiment of the charging station described above, the contacting means of the charging station exert a certain force on the corresponding contacts, in particular the band contacts of the paging unit, when establishing an electrical connection or a contact with the paging unit. However, this advantageously leads to the fact that the force between the contacting means and the contacts of the paging unit, in particular the band contacts a cleaning or cleaning action of the contacting and the contacts or tape contacts is already achieved by the corresponding friction between the contacting and the tape contact , As a result, the contact is facilitated, since the electrically conductive connection between the contacting means and the contacts or tape contacts are not hindered or worsened by any contamination. On the other hand, it is made possible, in particular via the temporary elastic deformation of the elastic element, to generate a particularly intuitive haptic feedback for the user, which accompanies or supports the contacting process between the contacting means of the charging station of the paging system and the paging unit, because the user can apply the corresponding elastic deformation the elastic element haptically perceive and thus assess or ensure the progress or success of the contacting process between the charging station and the radio paging unit.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the charging station of the paging system provides that the guide means of the charging station in a receiving direction have a stop for receiving the paging unit, wherein the distance between the contacting means and the stop in the receiving direction is greater than the radius of the substantially cylindrical Housing the paging unit, so that the contact means when applying the radio paging unit to the stop of the radio paging unit via the elastic element against the stop of the guide means force. As a result, a particularly good and easy fit of the paging unit is made in the charging station, which can be resolved or overcome only by a corresponding force. This facilitates the loading of the paging unit. In addition, the handling of the charging station, in particular in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment is facilitated since the paging unit, in particular also largely independent of the orientation or orientation of the charging station is held securely in the charging station during the charging process.

A further, particularly advantageous embodiment of the charging station of the paging system provides that the charging station comprises a plurality of receiving units, which are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner to each other. As a result, a compact charging station with a small size is also made possible for a paging system with a plurality of paging units.

In addition, it can be provided particularly advantageously that the charging station has a charging electronics, which is adapted to the contacting means, in particular in an existing electrical contact with the contacts, in particular ribbon contacts, a paging unit with to apply an alternating voltage. As a result, on the one hand, the charging process of the paging unit can be carried out particularly quickly and effectively in an advantageous manner. On the other hand, as already described above, by applying a characteristic voltage from the charging means of the charging station, an automatic transfer of the radio paging unit into a correspondingly preferred operating mode, for example into a charging operating mode, can be made possible.

The invention also leads to a workstation for a paging unit of a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, wherein by means of the workstation, in particular an energy transfer to the paging unit, and a, in particular wireless programming a control unit of the paging unit can take place, comprising at least one receiving unit for a radio paging unit, wherein the receiving unit has guide means for spatially guiding a substantially cylindrical housing of a paging unit and at least two contacting means for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts, in particular band contacts, the paging unit, wherein the workstation is also characterized in that the Contacting means facing each other at opposite inner sides of the guide means are arranged so that a contact in the region of the cylinder jacket of a in w a cylindrical housing of a paging unit is made possible. By the work station according to the invention, in particular by the configuration of the contacting means substantially the same advantages are achieved, as in the charging station already described above, to which reference is hereby made.

An advantageous embodiment of the workstation provides that at least one elastic element, which is at least one force in a force acting on the respective opposite contacting end position kraftbeaufschlagt provided, wherein the contacting means and the at least one elastic element are formed so that a recording of a paging unit in the Receiving means under an at least temporarily elastic deformation of the at least one elastic element and a corresponding movement of the contact means away from each other. Also with regard to the present embodiment of the contacting means and the at least one elastic element, reference may be made to the analog configuration of the charging station and its advantages. It should be noted, however, that the at least one elastic element and the contacting means may be formed so that a recording of the radio pager in the receiving unit of the workstation next to an at least temporary movement of the contacting means away from each other even under a subsequent temporary movement of the contacting each other to take place under a corresponding elastic deformation, in particular relaxation of the elastic element. The same applies to the design of the contacting and the elastic element of the charging station.

A further, particularly preferred embodiment of the workstation also provides that the guide means in a first receiving direction have a first stop for receiving the paging unit, wherein the distance between the contacting means and the first stop in the first receiving direction is greater than the radius the substantially cylindrical housing of the paging unit, so that the contacting means in a system of paging unit at the stop the paging unit via the elastic element against the stopper force. This ensures that a recording of the radio pager in the workstation leads to a safe end position in which the radio paging unit is secured by the contacting means and the first stop in the direction of the first receiving direction or in the plane of the first receiving direction. As a result, it can be advantageously ensured, for example, that the receiving unit of a paging unit is arranged and secured in the best possible and uniquely defined state, in particular in the most precisely defined position with respect to the workstation, in particular with respect to a transmitting unit or a programming unit of the workstation.

Furthermore, it can be provided in a particularly advantageous manner that the guide means have a second stop for receiving the paging unit in a second receiving direction, wherein the distance between the contacting means and the second stop in the second receiving direction is greater than an edge portion of the paging unit protruding from the contacts Mantle surface of the substantially cylindrical housing of the paging unit, so that the contact means secure the radio paging unit via the elastic element in the second receiving direction at a contact with the radio paging unit at the second stop. This ensures in a particularly advantageous manner that the recording of the radio paging unit in the workstation in basically two spatial directions or in two picking directions is possible. However, the formation of the guide means and their abutments also makes it possible for a receptacle in one direction, which is vector-wise composed as the sum of two sub-vectors in the direction of the recording direction, to be possible. In other words, this means that high flexibility is achieved in the paging unit to fix the workstation or to achieve a recording of the pager on or in the workstation. At the same time, the backup of the paging unit in the workstation is further improved following a recording.

According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment of the workstation can be provided that it has an input unit, in particular a combined input and output unit. For example, the input unit or the combined input and output unit may be in the form of a touch-sensitive display unit, in particular in the form of a touch display. By means of a corresponding input or input and output unit, for example, an operation or an acknowledgment for the workstation or for operations by the workstation can be made. Alternatively or additionally, verification or recognition of an operator can also take place via an input or input and output unit.

Particularly desirable for the workstation according to the invention may also be provided that this has a contact electronics, which is adapted to apply the contacting means, in particular in an existing electrical contact with contacts, in particular band contacts a pager, with a DC voltage. As already explained above, a selective and characteristic application of a voltage, a voltage signal or a voltage curve can be used in a particularly advantageous manner in order to put the paging station into different operating modes. According to the present embodiment, it can be provided, for example, that the paging unit is put into a special programming operating mode or write operating mode via the proposed design of the contact electronics of the workstation and the corresponding DC power supply of the paging unit in the case of a contact by the workstation by programming the paging unit can be done.

The present invention additionally leads to a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or production environment, with a wireless transmitting unit for transmitting at least call signals to at least one paging unit, wherein the paging system by a paging unit described above and / or by a previously described Charging station and / or characterized by a workstation described above. An inventive paging system is achieved in that paging units, charging station and / or workstation can be used, each of which allow their special designs and features in a particularly advantageous manner, a use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment. Thus, the paging system, in particular the paging unit can also be used when the environment of use is characterized by a high ambient volume or the use of aggressive or harmful media, such as water, solvents and dust. With regard to the detailed advantages of the paging unit, the charging station and / or the workstation, reference is made to the preceding embodiments.

A first particularly advantageous embodiment of the radio paging system also provides that the transmission unit of the paging system can be connected to a data management system in terms of data. This allows in a particularly advantageous manner, a high degree of integration of the paging system according to the invention in processes and processes, as incurred or required in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment. In addition, thereby the use of the paging system or the operation of the paging system can be further automated, since, for example, call signals of the transmitting unit of the paging system automatically generated or triggered by the merchandise management system or automatically data for programming or other identification of the paging units are provided.

According to a further, particularly preferred embodiment, it can also be provided that the transmitting unit of the paging system has a range of 30 m, preferably 50 m, particularly preferably 100 m. As a result, it is also possible to ensure in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment and possibly in a position assigned to such an environment that the objects which are connected or marked with a paging unit can be found and identified safely and reliably.

It may also be particularly preferred that the transmitting unit of the paging system for sending programming instructions for programming the at least one paging device is set up. As a result, it can be made possible, for example, that programming of the paging unit is achieved in addition to programming by means of the workstation of the paging system. The programming of the paging unit by means of programming statements of a unit of meaning of the paging system can be provided in addition to or instead of programming by means of a workstation. This further makes the use of the paging system more flexible. In particular, thereby working with the paging system or the use of the paging system is further decentralized, as possibly a programming of the Paging unit also off the one or more workstation (s) is possible or possible.

Another particularly desirable embodiment of the paging system also provides that the transmitting unit of the paging system is set up to send diagnostic requests to at least one paging unit. This is particularly useful and advantageous if the paging systems in turn are equipped with a transmitting unit, so that they can not only activate the output units in response to a call signal, but in turn are also able to send information, in particular to send wirelessly. In this case, the charge state of an energy store or accumulator of the paging unit can be queried or checked, for example, via a diagnosis request from the transmitting unit of the paging system.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße Funkrufeinheit in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht einer Funkrufeinheit;
• 3 eine zweite Seitenansicht einer Funkrufeinheit;
• 4 ein Gehäuseteil einer erfindungsgemäßen Funkrufeinheit;
• 5 eine Funkrufeinheit in einem ersten, teilmontiertem Zustand;
• 6 eine Funkrufeinheit in einem zweiten, teilmontiertem Zustand;
• 7 ein Schnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäße Funkrufeinheit;
• 8 ein Schnitt durch eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Funkrufeinheit;
• 9 eine erfindungsgemäße Arbeitsstation mit einer aufgenommenen Funkrufeinheit;
• 10 ein Ausschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Arbeitsstation in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 11 ein Schnitt durch eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Arbeitsstation mit einem aufgenommenen Gehäuse einer Funkrufeinheit;
• 12 eine perspektivische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Ladestation;
• 13 ein Ausschnitt aus einer perspektivischen Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Ladestation mit aufgenommener Funkrufeinheit;
• 14 ein Ausschnitt einer erfindungsgemäßen Ladestation ohne aufgenommenen Funkrufeinheit; und
• 15 eine schematische Darstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Funkrufsystems.

The paging unit according to the invention, the charging station according to the invention, the workstation according to the invention and the paging system according to the invention will be described below on the basis of merely schematic drawings showing the exemplary embodiment. Show:

• 1 a paging unit according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 2 a side view of a paging unit;
• 3 a second side view of a paging unit;
• 4 a housing part of a radio paging unit according to the invention;
• 5 a paging unit in a first, partially assembled state;
• 6 a paging unit in a second, partially assembled state;
• 7 a section through a paging unit according to the invention;
• 8th a section through a perspective view of a radio paging unit according to the invention;
• 9 a workstation according to the invention with a recorded paging unit;
• 10 a detail of a workstation according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 11 a section through a perspective view of a workstation according to the invention with a recorded housing a paging unit;
• 12 a perspective view of a charging station according to the invention;
• 13 a detail of a perspective view of a charging station according to the invention with recorded paging unit;
• 14 a section of a charging station according to the invention without recorded paging unit; and
• 15 a schematic representation of a paging system according to the invention.

The 1 shows a paging unit according to the invention 1 with a housing 2 , which consists of two housing parts 3 is formed. The housing 2 the paging unit 1 has a substantially circular cylindrical shape. On one of the housing parts 3 the paging unit 1 are several optical output units 4 arranged. The optical output units 4 For example, light guides or light guide elements may comprise light from within the housing 2 arranged light source or a plurality of light sources to the housing surface passes and outputs there. As light sources for the optical output units 4 for example, inside the case 2 arranged, in the representation of 1 not shown, LEDs or comparable light sources are used.

Also is on one of the housing parts 3 , in particular on the housing outer surface 5 a recess 6 trained to receive one in the 1 Funktrasponders not shown, in particular an RFID or NFC transponder is used. In the delivery state of the paging unit 1 can also be provided that above the recess 6 and the radio transponder therein a cover layer or a covering means is arranged, which also comprises an optical identification means, in particular a machine-readable optical identification means. Alternatively, however, it may also be provided that the optical identification means at another location of the housing outer surface 5 is arranged.

In the presentation of the 1 is also a recording 58 formed for fastening means for fixing the paging unit to an object. The recording 58 For example, it can be done to receive a cable tie or a comparable fastener, which is also shown in the illustrative 1 but not shown. In addition, in the perspective view of 1 clearly that the paging unit 1 a lateral surface 7 having, wherein the outer circumferential surface 7 the substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 two flat electrical band contacts 8th of which, due to the perspective view of the 1 just a ribbon contact 8th is visible. The second band contact 8th closes on the outside lateral surface 7 of the housing 2 to the recording 58 which also on or in the outer surface 7 is trained.

Although in the presentation of the 1 the case exterior surface 5 one of the housing parts 3 mounting holes 9 for receiving fastening means, in particular screws for fastening the two housing parts 3 the fastening holes serve 9 and the fastening means optionally arranged therein either only for pre-assembly or can in the inventive design of the radio paging unit 1 completely eliminated, because the connections between the housing parts 3 According to the invention waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, is particularly preferably formed dustproof. Particularly preferably, the connection can be made via a welded connection, in particular an ultrasonic welded connection or an adhesive connection, so that the fastening openings 9 and arranged therein fasteners can be omitted, since the housing parts 3 connected by a corresponding connection. The in the 1 shown recess 6 and the center in the recess 6 arranged opening can also be used as a button opening 10 of the housing 3 serve, in which case below the button opening 10 a button is arranged and the recess 6 a flexible, waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, preferably dustproof cover layer and thus receives the button opening 10 closes. Both the cover layer and the button are in the exemplary representation of 1 not shown. Such an embodiment or such use of the recess 6 may be an embodiment of the paging unit 1 enable one-button operation or one-button operation. In this case, in addition to the recess 6 another recess 6 in the case exterior surface 5 be provided, in which a as already described above radio transponder is recorded.

The 2 shows a first side view of the paging unit 1 , The side view is on the lateral surface 7 the substantially cylindrical housing 3 the paging unit 1 directed. In addition to the recording 58 for receiving a fastener are in the 2 the two band contacts 8th shown which in the direction of height H the paging unit 1 on both sides of edge sections 11 the lateral surface 7 of the housing 3 be limited. Also the recording 58 for receiving as a fastener is in the direction of height H on both sides of the edge sections 11 limited. As in the presentation of 2 is recognizable, are the band contacts 8th opposite the edge sections 11 the lateral surface 7 are set back. This serves on the one hand to protect the band contacts 8th from damage or contamination. On the other hand, this serves, as will be explained below in more detail and in more detail for a safe and comfortable recording of the paging unit 1 in a workstation and / or charging station.

The 3 shows a side view of the paging unit 1 in a substantially opposite presentation direction for the representation of 2 , In the presentation of the 3 are also the edge sections 11 the lateral surface 7 as well as between the edge sections 11 set back arranged ribbon contacts 8th shown. By comparing the 1 to 3 Accordingly, it can be seen that the band contacts 8th angularly over a range of 140 °, preferably up to 150 °, more preferably up to 160 ° of the lateral surface 7 the exterior of the housing 5 of the housing 3 the paging unit 1 extend. The band contacts are, as in the 2 shown, on the one hand only by the size and dimensions of the recording 58 for receiving a fastener and on the other hand, as in the 3 shown, only by the extension of the divider 12 limited. The angular extent of the extensively extending strip contacts along the lateral surface 7 offers the possibility of a particularly advantageous contacting of the band contacts 8th with a charging station or a workstation, as will be explained.

4 shows a housing part 3 a housing 2 a paging unit in a perspective view. The housing part 3 has a sound outlet opening 13 on. The sound outlet 13 serves to deliver the acoustic signals generated by an acoustic output unit. The sound outlet can have a diameter of 4.5mm. Housing inside to the sound outlet 13 is adjacent to the sound outlet 13 a resonator structure 14 educated. The resonator structure 14 includes parts of a floor 15 of the housing part 3 as well as one perpendicular to the ground 15 running edge structure 16 , Which on a side facing away from the bottom side of a contact surface 17 for installation and attachment of a membrane of the acoustic output unit has. The diameter of the resonator structure 14 can be 21 mm, for example. The height of the edge structure 16 For example, it can be 3.75mm. The acoustic output unit and its membrane is in the representation of 4 Not shown. However, one is shown at the edge structure of the resonator structure 14 trained area enlarging means 18 which has a plurality of teeth, and thus together with the edge structure 16 forms a gear-like structure. The area enlargement means 18 or the individual elements of the area enlarging means 18 serve the connection between the resonator structure 14 , in particular the edge structure 16 the resonator structure 14 to improve with a membrane of an acoustic output unit by the area available for the compound by the area enlarging means 18 is enlarged. Also inside the housing is in the housing part 3 a positioning aid 19 educated. The positioning aid 19 is in the exemplary representation of 4 formed by an annular structure. The positioning aid 19 serves to position the diaphragm of an acoustic output unit in the housing and to position the diaphragm with respect to the resonator body structure 14 , In the example of 4 can be provided that both the resonator structure 14 with the area enlargement means 18 , as well as the positioning aid 19 integral with the housing part 3 is trained.

Moreover, in the 4 a connection surface 20 of the housing part 3 shown. The interface 20 can be used to form a connection with a second housing part 3 , which in the representation of the 4 not shown, are used, with the on the interface 20 arranged or using the connection surface 20 made connection with at least one other housing part waterproof, in particular solvent-tight, in particular dustproof, which ensures that the paging units well and easily mounted and still sealed or sealed after assembly so that in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment prevailing environmental influences and media little or no access to the inside of the housing 2 the paging unit 1 so that the paging unit can be safely used in an appropriate environment.

In the presentation of the 5 is a plan view of the housing part 3 the 4 shown, but in the housing part 3 as it is in the presentation of 5 is shown, both an acoustic output unit 21 , as well as an accumulator 22 arranged or attached. It can be seen that the acoustic output unit 21 through the positioning aid 19 or by which it has been positioned to help. From the 5 also shows that almost completely below the accumulator 22 arranged membrane 23 the acoustic output unit 21 with the resonator structure 14 is connected to form a resonance body, wherein the connection between the membrane 23 and the resonator structure 14 According to the invention waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof is formed. For this example, an adhesive bond between the resonator structure 14 and the membrane 23 the acoustic output unit 21 be prepared, in particular before the accumulator 22 in the housing part 3 is placed. Further details on the arrangement of the accumulator 22 in the case 2 or in the housing part 3 and for positioning the acoustic output unit 21 as well as the connection between the membrane 23 and the resonator structure 14 will be related to the 7 be explained.

The 5 also shows the outside of the housing inaccessible mounting holes 9 which serve to fix an electrical contacting and fastening unit, in particular a printed circuit board with corresponding fastening means, for example screws. A corresponding view or top view of the housing part 3 with a contacting and fastening unit arranged and fastened therein 24 is in the representation of 6 to recognize. It is on the contacting and fastening unit 24 which is above the accumulator 23 is arranged, a variety of light sources 25 arranged. The light sources 25 can form one or more optical output units together with light guides or light guide elements arranged above it. On the contacting and fastening unit 24 is also a transmitting and / or receiving unit 26 the paging unit 1 arranged, as well as the light sources 25 and a possibly still to be arranged on the contacting and fastening unit control unit of paging unit on a side facing away from the accumulator side of the contacting and fastening unit 24 is arranged. This can also serve as a fastening unit. For example, the block SP1 ML- 868 or SP1 ML 915 the company STMicroelectronics are used. The contacting and fastening unit 24 can with the fasteners 27 on the housing part 3 be attached. The contacting and fastening unit 24 may be formed, for example, as a printed circuit board. Accordingly, it can be provided that the above-described elements and units not only on the contacting and fastening unit 24 are arranged or attached, but that also a corresponding electrical contact takes place. In addition, it can be provided that a contact with the battery arranged underneath 22 is trained. On the contacting and fastening unit 24 can also have a in the 6 Not shown amplifying means are arranged and contacted, which causes a stepwise voltage amplification of an input voltage and whose output is connected to a piezoelectric transducer of the acoustic output unit of the radio paging unit. For example, the driver chip TI DRV8662 Texas Instruments can be used.

In the picture of the 7 is a paging unit 1 shown, which is essentially the embodiment of the representation of 1 to 6 equivalent. The housing 2 essentially has a lateral surface 7 , a floor area 28 and a lid surface 29 on. Together, this essentially forms a cylindrical body from the housing, so that the paging unit, in particular the housing 2 a substantially cylindrical shape. Between a first housing part 3 and a second housing part 3 there is a connection 30 , which is designed according to the invention as a waterproof, solvent-tight and / or dustproof connection. For example, the connection 30 be formed by an ultrasonic weld or an adhesive bond. In the lower housing part 3 is in the bottom area 28 the sound outlet 13 educated. Integral with the housing part 3 Moreover, the resonator structure is formed 14 as well as the positioning aid 19 which is used for positioning and fixing the membrane 23 the acoustic output unit 21 serve. The resonator structure 14 and the membrane 23 form a resonance body 31 out. In the sound box 31 can, as in the 7 indicated, the deposit means 32 be arranged, showing the acoustic properties of the sound box 31 , in particular the resonant frequency of the resonator body structure 14 to change. In the 7 is beyond the connection 30 between the membrane, the acoustic output unit 21 and the housing 2 , in particular the resonator structure 14 of the lower housing part 3 shown. According to the invention, the compound 30 likewise formed as a water-tight, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferred dustproof compound. For example, the connection 30 be configured in the form of a silicone adhesive bond.

Above the resonator 31 is inside the case 2 the accumulator 22 arranged. The accumulator 22 is at least partially a guide 33 forming housing internal structure 34 recorded, in which in the 7 illustrated recorded state of the accumulator 22 a game 35 between the management tools 33 and the accumulator 22 is trained. Besides, the accumulator is 22 on the housing inner structure 34 also by means of an at least partially elastically deformable adhesion promoter 36 attached, the accumulator 22 so in the case 3 arranged is that the bonding agent 36 at least partially compressing clamping force on the accumulator 22 acts.

In the presentation of the 7 are band contacts for the sake of clarity 8th not shown. Nevertheless, the edge sections 11 the lateral surface 7 clearly recognize which on both sides of the band contacts 8th adjoin. The band contacts 8th are set back relative to the two-sided edge sections 11 arranged. To form the edge section 11 one of holding sections 37 limited groove 38 for receiving the band contacts, not shown 8th out.

Through the holding sections 37 and the through the holding sections 37 limited groove 38 is advantageously a holder and attachment of the band contacts 8th allows, on the one hand is particularly easy to seal, especially against water, solvents and / or dust. In addition, the holding sections allow 37 and the groove a particularly simple and secure contacting the tape contacts when recording the pager 1 in a charging station or workstation. These advantages will be described in more detail below with reference to the other figures. As based on the section of the 7 is also recognizable, are the edge sections 11 , the holding sections 37 and the groove 38 designed so that the band contacts 8th , In particular, the externally accessible part of the band contacts 8th over a quarter to a third of the height H the lateral surface 7 extend. This also makes it easy to contact the ribbon contacts 8th allows.

Housing inside is above the accumulator 22 the electrical contacting and fastening unit 24 arranged. Also between the contacting and fastening unit 24 and the accumulator 22 can at least partially at least partially elastically deformable adhesion promoter 36 be arranged, the accumulator 22 so to the contacting and fastening unit 24 arranged is that the bonding agent 36 at least partially compressing compressive force is generated. The floating storage of the accumulator in the housing 2 with the help of the two-sided adhesion promoter 36 allows in a particularly advantageous manner that no or only a few oscillations of the acoustic output unit 21 on the accumulator 22 be transmitted. In other words, that means the accumulator 22 vibration technology largely from the sound box 31 is decoupled.

In the perspective sectional view of 8th is again the groove 38 for receiving the band contacts 8th shown. The in the upper housing part 3 arranged recording 58 can accommodate a radio transponder or for receiving a flexible cover for one below the button opening 10 arranged in the 8th be provided button not shown. The mounting holes 9 and the fasteners arranged therein may optionally in addition to the compound 30 the two housing parts 3 be provided. Particularly advantageous, however, can be provided that the attachment openings 9 to avoid additional penetration of media, such as water, solvents and / or or to generate dust. It is also schematized in the 8th the central on the membrane 23 arranged piezoelectric transducer 39 shown. The as openings in the housing 2 illustrated optical output units 4 are each light sources 25 assigned inside the housing. For closing the housing openings of the optical output units 4 can be provided that in the 8th not shown light guide from the light sources 25 extend to the openings and seal the openings sealingly, in particular waterproof, solvent-tight and / or dust-tight or seal, at the same time light radiation of the light sources can be coupled out by the light guide.

The 9 shows a plan view of a workstation according to the invention 40 for a pager 1 a paging system. By means of the workstation 40 is possibly an energy transfer to the paging unit 1 possible. By means of the workstation 40 is a, in particular wireless programming a control unit of a paging unit 1 possible. The workstation 40 has a receiving unit 41 for a pager 1 on, the receiving unit 41 guide means 42 for the spatial guidance of a substantially cylindrical housing 2 a paging unit 1 having. It also includes the workstation 40 , in particular the guide means 42 two contacting agents 43 for electrical contacting of corresponding electrical contacts, in particular band contacts 8th the paging unit 1 , According to the invention, it is provided that the contacting means 43 facing each other on opposite inner sides 44 the guide 42 are arranged so that a contacting the paging unit 1 in the area of the cylinder jacket or the lateral surface 7 the substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 is possible. This ensures that, in particular without the use of a plug connection, an electrical contacting of the paging unit is possible. This allows the workstation in a particularly advantageous manner, the paging units 1 which in turn are just equipped to prevent the ingress of harmful media, especially water, solvents and / or dust. This also serve the work stations according to the invention, as they are in 9 are exemplified, the purpose of the paging unit 1 and, moreover, to optimize or further develop the entire paging system for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment.

The presentation of the 9 further shows that the workstation is an input unit 45 , in particular a combined input and output unit. In the example of 9 can be the input unit 45 to verify programming of the paging unit 1 by means of the workstation 40 be used. In addition, the workstation includes 40 also optical output interfaces 46 , which make the operating state of the workstation visually recognizable.

In the perspective view of 10 is a part of the workstation, especially the part of the workstation that houses the recording unit 41 has, enlarged and without one in the receiving unit 41 recorded paging unit 1 shown. This causes the contacting agents 43 are more clearly perceptible. The mutually facing ends of the contacting means 43 may have a curved surface, in particular a shape of a partial sphere. The workstation 40 also includes display means 47 which indicate a first recording direction. Next includes the workstation 40 several data-technical interfaces, which can be designed, for example, as USB ports or as mini-USB ports and which are both the data technology connection of the workstation 40 to the paging system. On the other hand, the interfaces 48 but also serve as a port replicator or as a hub. In the presentation of the 10 is also a first stop 49 the guide 42 and a second stop 50 the guide 42 shown. On the function of the first stop 49 as well as the second stop 50 will be related to the 11 be discussed in more detail.

Because as from the consideration of the sectional representation of the 11 indicates the workstation includes 40 two elastic elements 51 , which in each case the associated contacting agent 43 in a respective opposite contacting means 43 facing end position. In the example of 11 are the elastic elements by clasps or straps 52 formed, which the contacting agents 43 force each other in the said end position kraftbeaufschlagen. In the presentation of the 11 in which the paging unit 1 or at least the housing 2 the paging unit 1 is shown is about the elastic elements 51 a force by means of the contacting means 43 on the in the 11 not shown band contacts 8th exercised. Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the workstation 40 is characterized by the synopsis of 9 . 10 and 11 clear. Because when looking at the 9 it is noticeable that the contacting means in the recording state of the radio paging unit 1 in which the paging unit 1 to the first stop 49 comes to rest, the contacting slightly above the center M of the radius r the substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 come to the plant. However, this also means that the guiding means 42 in the shooting direction, which by the display means 47 clarifies a first stop 49 have, whose distance from the contacting means 43 is configured in the recording direction so that the Distance between first stop 49 and contacting agents 43 is greater than the radius substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 so that the contacting agents 43 in a system of radio paging unit 1 at the first stop 49 the paging unit 1 over the elastic elements 51 against the first stop 49 kraftbeaufschlagen. This ensures that in the position, such as in the 9 is shown, the contacting means 43 the paging unit 1 against the first stop 49 kraftbeaufschlagen and thus to secure the pager 1 in the workstation 40 will lead. In addition, the design of the contacting leads 43 using the elastic elements 51 to that to reach the position between workstation 40 and paging unit 1 as they are in the 9 is shown, a force must be applied, at least the elastic deformation of the elastic elements 51 achieved and a corresponding frictional force between the contacting means and the band contacts 8th overcomes. This friction force, which also depends on the elasticity of the elastic elements 51 Dependent may be beneficial for cleaning the ribbon contacts 8th be used.

From the synopsis of 9 to 11 is also a further advantageous embodiment, which also relates to the backup of the paging unit in the workstation, because according to this embodiment, it is provided that the guide means 42 a second stop 50 Provide, with the distance B between the contacting agents 43 and the second stop 50 , in particular perpendicular to the surface of the second stop 50 is greater than one with respect to the contacts, in particular ribbon contacts 8th the paging unit protruding edge portion 11 the lateral surface 7 the substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 , The distance B between the second stop 50 and the contacting agent 43 the guide 42 for example, from the middle of the contacting 43 until the second stop 50 be measured, as for example in the 11 is indicated. This ensures that when inserting or inserting the paging unit 1 in the receiving unit 41 the workstation 40 in the second or at least in the second recording direction again the contacting means 43 to overcome the edge sections 11 against the elastic elements 51 have to be moved, taking after overcoming the edge sections 11 the lateral surface 7 the contacting agents 43 from the elastic elements 51 be moved back to each other and a contact force on the band contacts the paging unit 1 exercise. It follows that about the elastic elements 51 also in the second receiving direction, in particular perpendicular to the formation of the second stop 50 , in the position of the paging unit 1 or the pager unit housing 1 as they are in the 9 and 11 is shown, a backup of the paging unit 1 through the contacting means 43 he follows.

The 12 shows a charging station 53 for pagers 1 , As from the representation of 12 indicates the charging station includes 53 a variety of recording units 41 , wherein the recording units 41 guide means 42 for the spatial guidance of a substantially cylindrical housing 2 a paging unit 1 and wherein the charging station 53 for each recording unit 41 at least two contacting means for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts, in particular band contacts of the radio paging unit 1 having. The contacting agents are in the representation of 12 not recognizable.

The charging station is characterized in its embodiment according to the invention in that the contacting means 43 , as in the example 14 are shown by way of example, facing each other on opposite inner sides 44 the guide 42 are arranged so that an electrical contact of a radio pager 1 in the area of a lateral surface 7 the substantially cylindrical housing 2 the paging unit 1 is possible.

Like in the 12 As shown, the charging station can accommodate a variety of recording units 41 include, which are arranged in rows and columns, so in a matrix-like manner to each other.

In the 13 is a recording unit 41 and a paging unit received therein 1 the charging station 53 shown enlarged. The function of the guide means 42 as well as the function of the first stop, not shown 49 and the interaction with in the 12 also not shown elastic elements, which force the contacting means, essentially corresponds to the operation, as they have been described in detail with respect to the charging station. Accordingly, in this regard, especially for those in the 11 to 14 not shown elastic elements, to the detailed comments on the 9 to 11 directed. The recording units 41 the charging station 53 differ from the recording units of the workstation in that only one recording of the paging unit 1 is possible in a first recording direction, wherein the 12 , as well as the 11 a corresponding recording of paging units 1 represent. In addition, the recording units have 41 the charging station 53 recesses 54 on, on the one hand, the insertion and removal of the paging units in the receiving units 41 and from the recording units 41 relieved out. In addition, the recesses allow 54 access to a possibly and the button opening 10 provided button for operating the paging unit 1 ,

By the contacting agent 43 as well as the elastic elements is achieved that the contacting means in a respective opposite contacting means 43 facing end position are subjected to force, wherein the contacting agent 43 and the at least one elastic element are configured such that a reception of the paging unit in the receiving unit 41 the charging station 53 and an at least temporarily elastic deformation of the at least one elastic element and a corresponding movement of the contacting means away from each other. This means that the same functions and advantageous effects as in the recording of the paging units in the workstation when recording in the first recording direction are realized and implemented. For this purpose, for example, be provided that the guide means 42 the recording unit 41 a stop for recording the paging unit 1 have, wherein the distance between the contacting means 43 and the stop in the receiving unit is greater than the radius of the substantially cylindrical housing of the paging unit 1 so that the contacting agents 43 in a system of radio paging unit 1 at the stop the paging unit 1 Apply force to the stop via the at least one elastic element.

The 15 finally shows a paging system according to the invention 55 for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment. The paging system 55 includes a transmitting unit 56 for transmitting at least call signals to a plurality, but at least to a paging unit 1 , In addition, it can be provided that the transmitting unit 56 directly or indirectly with a merchandise management system 57 connected is. In addition, it can be provided that the paging system 55 a workstation 40 and a charging station 53 having.

It can be provided that the transmitting unit 56 the paging system 55 has a range of 30m, preferably 50m, more preferably 100m. For this purpose, the transmission power of the transmitting unit 56 be increased to the maximum permissible value according to the regulations and standards of the country in which the paging system is to be used, for example with a range extender. For example, a transmission power of 2-5 watts. If necessary, the transmitting unit can generate and transmit every 5 ms transmission signals, in particular call signals. In addition, it can be provided that the transmitting unit 56 for sending programming instructions for programming the paging units 1 is set up. Finally, it can be provided that the transmitting unit for sending diagnostic requests to the paging units 1 is set up.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

pager

2

casing

3

housing part

4

optical output unit

5

Housing outer surface

6

recess

7

lateral surface

8th

tape contact

9

fastening opening

10

button opening

11

edge section

12

divider

13

Sound outlet

14

Sound structure

15

ground

16

edge structure

17

contact surface

18

Area enlargement means

19

Positionierungshilfe

20

interface

21

acoustic output unit

22

accumulator

23

membrane

24

Contacting and fastening unit

25

light source

26

Transmitting and / or receiving unit

27

fastener

28

floor area

29

cover surface

30

connection

31

sound

32

insert means

33

guide means

34

Housing inner structure

35

game

36

bonding agent

37

holding section

38

groove

39

converter

40

workstation

41

recording unit

42

guide means

43

contacting

44

inside

45

input unit

46

optical output interfaces

47

display means

48

interface

49

first stop

50

second stop

51

elastic element

52

hanger

53

charging station

54

recess

55

paging system

56

transmission unit

57

Inventory management system

58

admission

H

height

M

Focus

r

radius

A, B

distance

Claims (42)

Paging unit (1) for a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or production environment, with a transmitting and / or receiving unit (26), a control unit, at least one acoustic and one optical output unit, which in at least two housing parts ( 3) comprising a housing (2), characterized in that the at least one acoustic output unit (21) comprises a piezoelectric transducer (39) and the connection (30) between the at least two housing parts (3) and the connection (30) between a membrane (23) of the acoustic output unit (21) and the housing (2) waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof, is formed. Paging unit (1) to Claim 1 , characterized in that the connection (30) between the at least two housing parts (3) has an adhesive connection and / or a welded connection, in particular an ultrasonic welded connection, and / or a screw connection. Paging unit (1) to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the connection (30) of the membrane (23) of the acoustic output unit (21) with the housing (2) has an adhesive bond, in particular a silicone adhesive bond. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the housing (2) has a sound outlet opening (13) for emitting with the acoustic output unit (21) generated acoustic signals, inside the housing adjacent the sound outlet opening (13) a resonator structure (14) is formed, with the Membrane (23) of the acoustic output unit (21) is connected and a resonant body (31) is formed, so that the housing interior beyond the resonator (31) waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof, from the resonator (31) is delimited. Paging unit (1) to Claim 4 , characterized in that inside the resonance body (31), in particular adjacent to the resonance body structure (14), insertion means (32) are arranged, which influence the acoustic properties of the resonance body (31), in particular the resonance frequency of the resonance body structure (14). Paging unit (1) to Claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the resonator body structure (14) on a contact surface (17) for engaging and fixing the membrane (23) area enlarging means (18) to the for the connection (30) with the membrane (23) available area enlarge. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that inside the housing positioning aids (19) are formed, which facilitate the positioning of the membrane (23) in the housing (2) and / or with respect to the resonator body structure (14). Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that the housing (2) has a button opening (10), which is closed with a flexible waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof, cover layer. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 8th , characterized in that the optical output unit (4) comprises at least one light guide extending from one Housing interior extends into a housing opening, wherein the at least one light guide waterproof, preferably solvent-tight, particularly preferably dustproof, is connected to the housing opening. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 characterized by an accumulator (22) which is at least partially housed by a guide means (33) housing internal structure (34), wherein in the accommodated state of the accumulator (22) a game (35) between the guide means (33) and the accumulator (22) is formed. Paging unit (1) to Claim 10 , characterized in that an attachment of the accumulator (22) on the housing inner structure (34) also takes place by means of an at least partially elastic deformable adhesion promoter, wherein the accumulator (22) is arranged in the housing (2), that at least partially compressing the adhesion promoter Clamping force on the accumulator (22) acts. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 11 , characterized by at least one amplifying device, in particular a driver module, which causes a voltage amplification of an input voltage and the output of which is at least indirectly connected to the piezoelectric transducer (39). Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the housing (2) has a receptacle (6) for fastening means (27) for fastening the radio paging unit (1) to an object. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that the housing (2) has an at least partially cylindrical shape, wherein on an outer circumferential surface (7) of the cylindrical housing (2) two flat, formed electrical strip contacts (8) are arranged. Paging unit (1) to Claim 14 , characterized in that the band contacts (8) extend angularly over a range of up to 140 °, preferably up to 150 °, particularly preferably up to 160 ° or lateral surface (7). Paging unit (1) to Claim 14 or 15 , characterized in that the band contacts (8) set back relative to a double-sided edge portion (11) of the lateral surface (7) are arranged. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 14 to 16 , characterized in that the edge portions (11) of a holding portions (37) limited groove (38) for receiving (6) of the band contacts (8) form. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 14 to 17 , characterized in that the band contacts (8), in particular the externally accessible part of the band contacts (8), over a quarter to a third of the height (H) of the lateral surface (7) extend. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 18 , characterized in that the housing (2) has a, in particular on a housing outer surface (5) formed recess (54) in which at least one radio transponder, in particular an RFID or NFC transponder, is arranged. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 19 , characterized in that the housing (2) on an outer housing surface (5) comprises an optical identification means, in particular a machine-readable identification means. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 20 Characterized in that the control unit switching means which are adapted, in particular periodically, to switch between an inactive energy-saving operating mode and an active energy-intensive operation mode of the pager (1), wherein said inactive mode of operation for a first operating phase and the active operating mode for a second operating phase takes place and the first phase of operation longer than the second phase of operation. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 21 , characterized in that the control unit comprises switching means which are adapted to switch the operating mode of the paging unit (1) in response to a voltage applied to the ribbon contacts (8). Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 22 , characterized in that the first phase of operation is ten times to one hundred times the second phase of operation. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 23 , characterized by an electrical contacting and fastening unit (24), in particular a printed circuit board, which serves at least for fastening and contacting the control unit and / or the transmitting and / or receiving unit (26). Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 24 , characterized in that the accumulator (22) in the housing (2) between the resonator (31) and the contacting and fixing unit (24) is arranged, wherein the Control unit and / or the transmitting and / or receiving unit (26) on one of the accumulator (22) facing away from the contacting and fastening unit (24) is arranged. Paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 25 , characterized in that between the accumulator (22) and the contacting and fastening unit (24) at least partially at least partially elastically deformable adhesion promoter are arranged, wherein the accumulator (22) is arranged to the contacting and fastening unit (24), a compression force which at least partially compresses the adhesion promoter is generated. Charging station (53) for a paging unit (1) of a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, comprising at least one receiving unit (41) for a paging unit (1) wherein the receiving unit (41) guiding means (42) for spatial Guiding a substantially cylindrical paging unit (1) and at least two contacting means (43) for electrically contacting corresponding electrical contacts of the radio paging unit (1), characterized in that the contacting means (43) facing each other on opposite inner sides (44) of the guide means ( 42) are arranged so that a contacting in the region of the lateral surface (7) of a substantially cylindrical housing (2) of a radio paging unit (1) is made possible. Charging station (53) to Claim 27 characterized by at least one elastic element (51) which applies force to at least one contacting means (43) in an end position facing the respectively opposite contacting means (43), wherein the contacting means (43) and the at least one elastic element (51) are formed in that a receptacle (6) of the paging unit (1) into the receiving unit (41) takes place under an at least temporary elastic deformation of the at least one elastic element (51) and a corresponding movement of the contacting means (43) away from one another. Charging station (53) to Claim 27 or 28 , characterized in that the guide means (33, 42) in a receiving direction a stop (49) for receiving (6) of the radio paging unit (1), wherein the distance (A) between the contacting means (43) and the stop (49 ) in the receiving direction is greater than the radius (r) of the substantially cylindrical housing (2) of the paging unit (1), so that the contacting means (43) at a contact of the radio paging unit (1) on the stop (49) the paging unit (1 ) Apply force to the stop (49) via the elastic element (51). Charging station (53) according to one of Claims 27 to 29 , characterized in that the charging station (53) comprises a plurality of receiving unit (41), which are preferably arranged in a matrix-like manner to each other. Charging station (53) according to one of Claims 27 to 30 , characterized by a charging electronics, which is adapted to act on the contacting means (43), in particular in an existing electrical contact with contacts of a radio paging unit (1), with an AC voltage. Workstation (40) for a paging unit (1) of a paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, wherein by means of the workstation (40) an energy transfer to the paging unit (1) and a, in particular wireless, programming a control unit of a Paging unit (1) can be carried out, comprising at least one receiving unit (41) for a paging unit (1) wherein the receiving unit (41) guide means (42) for spatially guiding a substantially cylindrical paging unit (1) and at least two contacting means (43) for electrical Contacting corresponding electrical contacts of the radio paging unit (1), characterized in that the contacting means (43) facing each other on opposite inner sides of the guide means (33, 42) are arranged so that a contact in the region of the lateral surface (7) of the substantially cylindrical housing (2) of the paging unit (1) erm is glicht. Workstation (40) to Claim 32 characterized by at least one elastic element (51) which applies force to at least one contacting means (43) in an end position facing the respectively opposite contacting means (43), wherein the contacting means (43) and the at least one elastic element (51) are formed in that a receptacle (6) of the paging unit (1) into the receiving unit (41) takes place under an at least temporary elastic deformation of the at least one elastic element (51) and a corresponding movement of the contacting means (43) away from one another. Workstation (40) to Claim 32 or 33 , characterized in that the guide means (42) in a first receiving direction a first stop (49) for receiving (6) of the radio paging unit (1), wherein the distance (A) between the contacting means (43) and the first stop ( 49) in the first recording direction is greater than the radius (r) of the substantially cylindrical housing (2) of the radio pager unit (1), so that the Contacting means (43) at a contact of the radio paging unit (1) on the stop (49) the paging unit (1) via the elastic element (51) against the first stop (49) force. Workstation (40) after one of the Claims 32 to 34 , characterized in that the guide means (42) in a second receiving direction a second stop (50) for receiving (6) of the radio paging unit (1), wherein the distance (B) between the contacting means (43) and the second stop ( 50) in the second receiving direction is greater than a relation to the contacts of the paging unit (1) projecting edge portion (11) of the lateral surface (7) of the substantially cylindrical housing (2) of the radio paging unit (1), so that the contacting means (43) at a Installation of the radio paging unit (1) on the second stop (50) secure the paging unit (1) via the elastic element (51) in the second receiving direction. Workstation (40) after one of the Claims 32 to 35 characterized by an input unit (45), in particular a combined input and output unit (45). Workstation (40) after one of the Claims 32 to 36 , characterized by a contact electronics, which is adapted to act on the contacting means (43), in particular in an existing electrical contact with contacts of a radio paging unit (1), with a DC voltage. Paging system, in particular for use in a workshop and / or manufacturing environment, with a wireless transmitting unit (56) for transmitting at least call signals to at least one paging unit (1) and characterized by a paging unit (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 26 and / or a charging station (53) according to one of Claims 27 to 31 and / or a workstation (40) according to one of Claims 32 to 37 , Paging system after Claim 38 , characterized in that the transmitting unit (56) is technically connectable to a merchandise management system (57). Paging system after Claim 38 or 39 , characterized in that the transmitting unit (56) has a range 30m, preferably 50m, more preferably 100m. Paging system according to one of the Claims 38 to 40 , characterized in that the transmitting unit (56) is arranged to transmit programming instructions for programming the at least one paging unit (1). Paging system according to one of the Claims 38 to 41 , characterized in that the transmitting unit (56) is set up to send diagnostic requests to at least one paging unit (1).

Images