EP1511684B1 - State remote reading device, and uses thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to the information technology sector.

More specifically, the invention relates, according to a first of its aspects, a remote metering device, comprising a communication network, a central controller connected to the communication network, and a plurality of peripherals connected to the controller via of the network, each device adopting instantaneously an instantaneous state belonging to a plurality of possible states, and the controller periodically scanning the devices to record their instantaneous state.

Although many known devices meet this definition, these devices generally implement sophisticated means, leading to a relatively high structural complexity.

In this context, the invention aims to provide a technique for providing the same functionality as these known devices, but by the implementation of simple means and widespread today.

To this end, the device of the invention, which moreover conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that the communication network connects the peripherals to the controller by electromagnetic means, and in that the peripherals are supplied with electrical energy via the communication network.

With this arrangement, all connectivity problems are significantly reduced.

For example, the communication network may simply comprise a serial circuit powered by the controller and including a plurality of electromagnetic induction loops.

The device of the invention can be adapted to localized read-only reports by providing that each device has an identification code of its own, that the controller has a configuration memory in which are stored correlatively, for each device, the identification code of this device and a location parameter identifying the location of this device in the network, and that the controller notes, for each device, the instantaneous state of this device and its identification code from which it follows that each instantaneous state recorded is correlated, by the controller, to a location of the network.

Whatever the intended application, each device may comprise, in addition to a transmission and reception circuit, at least one state encoder adopting an instantaneous state constituting or participating in constructing the instantaneous state of this peripheral, this encoder of state being connected to the transmit and receive circuitry to enable this device to transmit to the controller the instantaneous state of the encoder.

In a possible embodiment of the invention, each device comprises an electronic tag having a memory containing the identification code assigned to this device, a local antenna coupled to an induction loop of the communication network for receiving the electrical energy transmitted by this induction loop, and the transmitting and receiving circuit, this transmitting and receiving circuit being connected to the local antenna to at least receive from the controller a transmission order and for transmit to the controller, in addition to the instantaneous state of the encoder, the identification code of this label.

Electronic tags, also called "radio tags", "smart tags", or "smart cards", equivalent to "smart tags", are now widely used in many automatic identification applications, and particularly in anti-theft systems, protection against counterfeiting, management of handling materials, control of shipments or receptions, etc.

By proposing the use of such tags to obtain a remote reading of states distributed in different locations, the invention proposes in fact to extend to localization in space the widespread and proven technique of radio frequency identification known under the English acronym RFID (for "Radio Frequency Identification"), bypassing the complexities inherent in addressing techniques.

For example, each device comprises, as a state encoder, at least one set member such as an electrical contact.

However, each device can also include, as a state encoder, at least one sensor sensitive to the influence of a physical parameter to which this device is subjected.

The utility of the device of the invention can be further strengthened by providing each device with a display member.

This device is generally applicable to the management of remote commands, each device forming a control terminal adapted to transmit to the controller a determined order, encoded by the instantaneous state that adopts this device.

When it is adapted to the localized remote reading of states, this device is applicable to the management of remote calls, each device forming a terminal of call.

In particular, each device can be installed in a specific location, such as a floor of a building, and form a terminal for a means of transport, such as an elevator.

Finally, in the case where the state encoder of each device comprises a plurality of set members, such as electrical contacts, each of these devices can identify a destination assigned to the transport means from a position of departure represented by the specific location.

For example, the user of an elevator can not only call the elevator to the floor where the user is, but he can also, by his call, indicate which floor he wants to go to.

An example of the prior art is the US 4,872,532 .

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un périphérique mis en oeuvre dans un dispositif conforme à l'invention, et utilisant une étiquette électronique en tant que composant principal;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique d'un contrôleur central propre à coopérer avec le périphérique de la figure 1 dans un dispositif conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique globale d'un dispositif conforme à l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en perspective transparente d'un immeuble doté d'un ascenseur géré par un dispositif conforme à l'invention; et
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe du même immeuble, observé suivant l'incidence définie par les flèches V-V de la figure 4.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge clearly from the description which is given hereinafter, by way of indication and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of a device implemented in a device according to the invention, and using an electronic tag as a main component;
• the figure 2 is a schematic view of a central controller adapted to cooperate with the peripheral of the figure 1 in a device according to the invention;
• the figure 3 is an overall schematic view of a device according to the invention;
• the figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a building with an elevator managed by a device according to the invention; and
• the figure 5 is a sectional view of the same building, observed according to the incidence defined by the VV arrows of the figure 4 .

As previously announced, the invention relates to figure 3 ) a remote reading device of the type of those which comprise a communication network 1, a central controller 2 connected to the network of communication 1, and a plurality of peripherals, such as 31 to 33, connected to the controller 2 via the network 1.

At each instant, each of the peripherals 31 to 33 takes, from among a set of states that are a priori possible, an instantaneous state STAT_1, STAT_2, and STAT_3, respectively, for the various devices 31 to 33, the controller 2 periodically scanning these peripherals 31 to 33. 33 to find the respective instantaneous states.

The device of the invention differs first of all from known devices of this type in that the communication network 1 connects the peripherals, such as 31 to 33, to the controller 2 by electromagnetic means, and that the peripherals are powered. in electrical energy through this communication network 1.

With this arrangement, the mere presence of the communication network eliminates both the need to provide a separate power supply network, and the need to ensure the point-to-point electrical connection of each device.

For example, the communication network 1 comprises a series circuit which is itself powered by the controller 2 and which includes a plurality of electromagnetic induction loops such as 11, 12, and 13 ( figures 2 and 3 ), the electrical power signal flowing in this series circuit having a frequency typically less than 500 kHz, and being for example modulated at 125 kHz.

Each device 31, 32, or 33 is furthermore equipped with a state encoder 61, 62, or 63 and a transmission and reception circuit 421, 422, or 423, the state encoder 61 , 62, or 63 being able to produce the instantaneous state STAT_1, STAT_2, or STAT_3 of this peripheral, and being connected to the transmission and reception circuit 421, 422, or 423 of this peripheral so as to enable it to transmit this state STAT_1, STAT_2, or STAT_3 to controller 2.

Under these conditions, each of the peripherals 31 to 33 can form a control terminal in the network 1, able to transmit to the controller 2 an order coded by the instantaneous state that adopts this device.

In an advanced embodiment of the device of the invention, allowing a localized remote reading of states, each of the peripherals such as 31 to 33 also has an identification code of its own, and which is respectively noted KID_1 , KID_2, and KID_3 for the different devices 31 to 33.

To do this, each device 31 to 33 preferably comprises an electronic tag such as 4 ( figure 1 ).

An electronic tag is typically provided with a memory such as 411, a local antenna such as 401, and a transmission and reception circuit, such as 421, the latter being in this case likely to constitute the above-mentioned transmitting and receiving circuit of the device equipped with this tag.

The labels of the different peripherals 31, 32 and 33 thus comprise, respectively, figure 3 ) memories 411, 412, and 413, local antennas 401, 402, and 403, and transmit and receive circuits 421, 422, and 423.

Each memory 411, 412, or 413 contains the identification code KID_1, KID_2, or KID_3 assigned to the corresponding device, 31, 32, or 33.

Each local antenna 401, 402, or 403 is coupled to one of the induction loops 11, 12, or 13 of the communication network 1 to receive the electrical energy transmitted by this induction loop.

Furthermore, each transmission and reception circuit 421, 422, or 423 is connected to the corresponding local antenna 401, 402, or 403 to be able to receive from the corresponding induction loop the electrical energy required for power supply. of the device concerned, receive from the controller 2 a transmission order, and transmit to this controller 2 the instantaneous state STAT_1, STAT_2, or STAT_3 of the corresponding device, 31, 32, or 33, and the identification code KID_1, KID_2 , or KID_3 of the relevant label, in the advanced embodiment of the invention.

The figures 1 and 3 illustrate an embodiment in which each state encoder comprises two set members formed by manually operated electrical contacts by a user, namely the contacts 611 and 612 for the state encoder 61, 621 and 622 for the state encoder 62, and 631, 632 for state encoder 63.
Nevertheless, each state encoder could comprise, in addition to or instead of such deposit devices, a or more sensors that are sensitive to the influence of one or more physical parameters to which that device is subjected.

Each device 31, 32, or 33, is provided with a processing unit 51, 52, or 53, external or internal to the electronic tag equipping this device, connected to the transmission and reception circuit 421, 422, or 423 of this device, and responsible for collecting, encoding and / or formatting the instantaneous state STAT_1, STAT_2, or STAT_3 for the consideration of this state by the transmitting and receiving circuit.

According to another aspect of the invention, which is essential in the case of a localized remote reading of states, the controller 2 is provided with a configuration memory 21 in which are stored, for each peripheral 31, 32, or 33, the identification code KID_1, KID_2, or KID_3 of this device, and a location parameter, such as LOC_1, LOC_2, or LOC_3, which identifies the location of this device in the network 1, the location parameter of each device being correlated, that is to say, associated with the identification code of the same device.

As will be readily understood by those skilled in the art on reading this description, the association, in the configuration memory 21 of the controller 2, of the location parameter of each device with the identification code of the same device can be achieved, by the implementation of means known per se, during a phase of installation of the device of the invention.

Thanks to this arrangement, the controller 2 can therefore, by noting both the instant state STAT_1, STAT_2, or STAT_3 and the identification code KID_1, KID_2, or KID_3 of each peripheral 31, 32, or 33 that it scans, associating each of the instantaneous states recorded at a determined location of the network 1.

Under these conditions, each of the peripherals 31 to 33 can form a call terminal in the network 1, the controller 2 assuring the management of calls launched remotely via these devices or terminals 31 to 33.

The Figures 3 to 5 illustrate an application of the device of the invention to the management of an elevator.

In this application, the communication network 1 to which the controller 2 is connected comprises induction loops such as 11, 12 and 13 regularly arranged on one side of the vertical partition CL which closes the front face of the column. elevator, for example on the right side of each elevator door, PT_1, PT_2, and PT_3.

The peripherals 31, 32, and 33 are arranged on the other side of the partition CL, at the corresponding different stages, ETG_1, ETG_2, and ETG_3.

As the different devices 31, 32, and 33 communicate with the controller 2 on the network 1 thanks to the electromagnetic influence that the loops 11, 12, and 13 can exert through the partition CL, these devices can for example be simply glued to the CL bulkhead near the corresponding PT_1, PT_2, or PT_3 door.

In this case, the location parameters, such as LOC_1, LOC_2, and LOC_3 stored in the configuration memory 21 of the controller 2 are representative of the different stages, the identification code KID_1 of the device 31 being thus associated with the location parameter ETG_1 , representative of the first stage where this device is installed, the identification code KID_2 of the device 32 being associated with the location parameter ETG_2, representative of the second stage where this device is installed, etc.

Apart from the configuration memory 21, the controller 2 comprises a transmission and reception circuit 22 responsible for ensuring the transmission of electrical energy and the transmission of information on the network 1, a processing unit 23 ensuring set of information processing in this controller and having read and write access to the configuration memory 21, and an interface 24 driven by the processing unit 23 and ensuring the connection between the processing unit 23 and a control circuit 8 of the elevator.

Each of the peripherals 31, 32, and 33 has an electrical contact 611, 621, and 631, which the user can control by a button to indicate his desire to descend to a lower stage, and an electrical contact 612, 622, and 632, that the user can command by a button to indicate his desire to go upstairs.

If for example a user presses the contact button 622 of the device 32 located at the second floor referenced ETG_2, the controller 2 will receive from this device the identification code KID_2, and the state STAT_2 of the state encoder 62, this state STAT_2 being representative of the actuation of the button of the contact 622.

By reading its memory 21, the controller 2 will be informed that a user, located on the floor ETG_2, that is to say on the second floor, called the elevator, expressing more precisely his wish to access to an upper floor.

This call can therefore be transmitted, via the interface 24 of the controller, to the control circuit 8 of the elevator, which will be responsible for bringing to the second floor the most accessible elevator car to get to an upper floor.

Of course, each of the peripherals could have only one button, whose actuation would then be taken into account as a lift call for a destination a priori any, the user indicating its destination only one once installed in the elevator car, by pressing the button of the desired floor.

Conversely, each of the peripherals 31, 32, or 33, instead of having only one call button for access to an upper floor, and a call button for access to a lower floor, could having, as a state encoder 61, 62, or 63, a keyboard on which the user could specifically indicate his destination stage, which is to say that the state STAT_1, STAT_2 or STAT_3 of each The state encoder may be represented by any number of bits.

As shown by figures 1 and 3 , each device such as 31, 32, or 33 may further comprise a display member such as 71, 72 or 73, this member being connected to the processing unit 51, 52, or 53, which retransmits the instructions display received from the controller 2 by the transmitting and receiving circuit 421, 422, or 423.

This display member 71, 72 or 73 makes it possible to make available, at the location of each of the peripherals, relevant information for all of these peripherals, such as the instantaneous direction of movement of the elevator car, or the number of the floor reached by this cabin.

As those skilled in the art will have understood from the present description, the partition CL of the illustrated embodiment serves the function of a support for the peripherals 31 to 33 and that of a dielectric separating the loops. induction 11 to 13 antennas 401 to 403.

These same functions could therefore be fulfilled, in other applications of the invention, by materials quite different from those which can constitute a building wall.

For example, the wallpaper lining the walls of a room could both contain or cover a network of induction loops running through these walls, and serve as a support for a plurality of peripherals, taking for example the form of simple glued labels on its surface and making it possible to remotely control, selectively, lighting or respective electrical equipment distributed throughout the room.

Similarly, the fabric of a garment, such as a jacket, could be traversed by a network of induction loops and serve as a support for a control member for electrical equipment, such as a magnetic tape drive or CD-ROM housed in the collar of this garment, this control member being for example applied to the garment by means of a simple velcro.

Claims (12)

1. State remote reading system, comprising a communications network (1), a central controller (2) connected to the communications network (1), and several peripherals (31 to 33) connected to the controller (2) by way of the network (1), each peripheral (31 to 33) adopting at each instant an instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) belonging to several possible states, the controller (2) periodically scanning the peripherals (31 to 33) to read their instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3), the communications network (1) connecting the peripherals (31 to 33) to the controller (2) electromagnetically, and the peripherals (31 to 33) being supplied with electrical energy by way of this communications network (1), characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) comprises a local antenna (401, 402, 403) coupled to an induction loop (11, 12, 13) of the communications network (1), that the peripheral (31 to 33) is supplied with electrical energy by way of this loop (11, 12, 13) and that the induction loop (11 to 13) and the antenna (401, 402, 403) are separated by a support and that the peripherals are supplied with electrical energy through the support, this support being formed by a partition (CL).
2. State remote reading system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the communications network (1) comprises a series circuit supplied by the controller (2) and including several electromagnetic induction loops (11, 12, 13).
3. State remote reading system according to Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) has its own identification code (KID_1 to KID_3), in that the controller (2) has a configuration memory (21) in which are correlatively stored, for a peripheral (31 to 33), the identification code (KID_1 to KID_3) of this peripheral and a localization parameter (LOC_1 to LOC_3) identifying the place of this peripheral (31 to 33) in the network (1), and in that the controller (2) reads, for each peripheral (31 to 33), the instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) of this peripheral (31 to 33) and its identification code (KID_1 to KID_3), the result of which is that each instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) read is correlated, by the controller (2), with a place in the network (1).
4. State remote reading system according to Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) comprises, in addition to a transmission and reception circuit (421,422,423), at least one state encoder (61, 62, 63) adopting an instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) constituting or participating in the construction of the instantaneous state of this peripheral, this state encoder (61, 62, 63) being connected to the transmission and reception circuit (421, 422, 423) to enable this peripheral (31 to 33) to transmit to the controller (2) the instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) of the encoder (61, 62, 63).
5. State remote reading system according to Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) comprises an electronic tag (4) endowed with a memory (411, 412, 413) containing the identification code (KID_1 to KID_3) allocated to this peripheral (31 to 33), with a local antenna (401, 402, 403) coupled to an induction loop (11,12,13) of the communications network (1) to receive the electrical energy transmitted by this induction loop, and with the transmission and reception circuit (421, 422, 423), this transmission and reception circuit being connected to the local antenna (401, 402, 403) to at least receive from the controller (2) a transmission order and to transmit to the controller (2), in addition to the instantaneous state (STAT_1 to STAT_3) of the encoder (61,62,63), the identification code (KID_1 to KID_3) of this tag.
6. State remote reading system according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) comprises, as state encoder (61,62,63), at least one control element (611, 621, 631) such as an electrical contact.
7. State remote reading system according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) comprises, as state encoder, at least one sensor sensitive to the influence of a physical parameter to which this peripheral is subjected.
8. State remote reading system according to Claims 4 to 7, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) furthermore comprises a display element (71, 72, 73).
9. State remote reading system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) forms a control terminal for remote control handling.
10. State remote reading system according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) forms a call terminal for remote call handling.
11. State remote reading system according to Claim 10, characterized in that each peripheral (31 to 33) is installed at a specific place, such as a floor (ETG_1 to ETG_3) of an apartment block, and forms a call terminal for a means of transport, such as a lift.
12. State remote reading system according to Claim 11, characterized in that the state encoder of each peripheral (31 to 33) contains several control elements (611, 612; 621, 622; 631, 632), such as electrical contacts, of which each identifies a destination assigned to the means of transport based on a departure position represented by the specific place.

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