EP3871338A1 - Radio base station for combined radio communication - Google Patents

Abstract

Radio base station, having a first radio module for radio communication with first radio communication devices, and a connection for connecting an ESL radio module for radio communication with electronic display panels, wherein the radio base station has a first, in particular software-based, control stage for controlling the radio communication of the first radio module according to a first communication protocol, and a second, in particular software-based, control stage for controlling the radio communication of the ESL radio module connectable to the connection according to a second communication protocol, and a, in particular software-based, third control stage for predictively changing a time sequence, defined for a future period, of radio activities of the first radio module on the basis of radio activities of the ESL radio module that are defined for said future period.

Description

 TITLE

 Radio base station for combined radio communication

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

 The invention relates to a radio base station for combined radio communication.

 The invention further relates to a system with said radio base station.

BACKGROUND

 A radio base station mentioned at the beginning (also called radio access point or simply called access point) for combined WLAN and ESL

Communication is known for example from W02016 / 045707. The known radio base station has a separate WLAN radio module for WLAN communication and a separate ESL radio module for ESL communication. The two radio modules are connected to a control line. With the help of the control line, a radio module can

Influence the radio activity of the other radio module in order to handle its radio activities without interference.

 Mutual interference with the aid of the control line is basically a very robust solution. However, it requires a relatively complex hardware adaptation for the radio base station.

 The object of the invention is to provide an improved radio base station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

 This object is achieved by a radio base station according to claim 1. The object of the invention is therefore a radio base station,

comprising a first radio module for radio communication with first radio communication devices and a connection for connecting an ESL radio module for radio communication with electronic display signs, wherein the radio base station has a first, in particular software-based, control stage for controlling the radio communication of the first radio module in accordance with a first communication protocol, and a second, in particular software-based, control stage for controlling the radio communication of the ESL radio module which can be connected to the connection in accordance with a second Communication protocol, and a, in particular software-based, third control stage for

has predictive changes in a temporal sequence of radio activities of the first radio module defined for a future time period as a function of radio activities of the ESL radio module defined for said future time period.

 The object is further achieved by a system according to claim 10. The subject of the invention is therefore also a system having a radio base station according to the invention and an ESL radio module connected to the connection.

 The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 12. The object of the invention is therefore a method for controlling radio communication of a radio base station, the radio base station having a first radio module for radio communication with first radio communication devices and a connection for connecting one

ESL radio module for radio communication with electronic display signs, wherein according to the method, a first, in particular software-based, control stage controls the radio communication of the first radio module in accordance with a first communication protocol, and a second, in particular

software-based, control stage the radio communication of an ESL radio module connected to the connection according to a second one

 Communication protocol controls, and a third, in particular software-based, control stage looks ahead and changes a temporal sequence of radio activities of the first radio module defined for a future time period depending on radio activities of the ESL radio module defined for said future time period.

 The advantage of the measures according to the invention is that the radio activity of the first radio module is no longer only for one

certain time range, which relates to a radio activity to be carried out at the moment, can be activated or muted, but for a future one

Time span over a time sequence of planned radio activities Decisions regarding the availability of the respective radio activities can be made. This corresponds to a forward-looking planning or coordination of the time ranges available for the first radio module within the future time period, around the radio activities of the first radio module within the future time period in a selection of free time ranges

to accommodate. Thereby, the time ranges for the radio activities of the first radio module, which are anticipated or probable to be occupied by the ESL radio module for the said time period, are omitted, so that the future radio activities of the ESL radio module can run without interference within the future time period. A future time period generally extends after the radio activity currently taking place, in particular with respect to the radio activity of the ESL radio module currently taking place, wherein it covers a number of several radio activities in terms of time. Further, particularly advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description. Features of one claim category can be developed further in accordance with the features of the other claim category, so that the effects and advantages mentioned in connection with one claim category are also available for the other claim categories.

 Radio activities are understood to mean both transmit and receive radio activities.

 The first radio module can fundamentally support any radio standard that differs from the ESL radio module. So z. B.

ZigBee or BlueTooth are used. However, the invention finds its particularly preferred use in a configuration of the radio base station in which the first radio module is WLAN-capable - here WLAN stands for "Wireless Local Area Network" - or is Wi-Fi certified (eg IEEE-802.11). The same applies to the first radio communication devices

Radio modules cause hardly predictable radio traffic, the influence of which on time-critical radio activities of the ESL radio module can be serious if the measures according to the invention are not used.

ESL radio module is a radio module designed to communicate with electronic display signs, in particular price and or product information display signs. Such electronic display signs are referred to in technical jargon as "Electronic Shelf Label" and abbreviated to ESL.

 The connection can be any connection designed for parallel or serial data transmission. The design of the connection can relate to both the electromechanical connections and possibly also electronic (circuit) components or protocol aspects. Furthermore, the connection can be made according to the specification of a

Standardization organization or a consortium. For example, the connection can be a proprietary connector that is used for

Earth communication is used. It can also be one

act known "Universal Serial Bus" connection, which can be available in various versions (USB 1, 2, 3) or designs (such as Micro, Mini etc. or also Type-C). The ESL can be connected to the USB connection The module can be connected outside the device housing of the radio base station or can also be housed inside the device housing, In particular when both radio modules are housed in a single device housing, the (at least two) two antennas of the two radio modules are attached to the device housing relatively close to one another. However, this can also be the case with an ESL radio module located outside the device housing of the radio base station.

 The aforementioned electronic display signs can be used for their energy supply, an energy storage device, e.g. have a battery or a solar panel coupled with a rechargeable battery (or accumulator). A display unit of such display signs can e.g. using LCD technology, but preferably using electronic ink technology (also known as e-ink as a synonym for electronic paper).

 In order to work as energy-efficiently as possible, the

Various operating states. In an active state, a display sign has a relatively high energy consumption. The active state is e.g. in the case of transmitting radio activities for transmitting data or receiving radio activities for receiving data, in the internal processing of received data, for example when updating the content of the display (the so-called display update) or also when measuring battery voltage etc. In contrast, in a sleeping state there is a relatively low one

Energy consumption before. So many are preferred for the sleep state electronic components as possible separated from the power supply or switched off or at least in a mode with the lowest possible

Operated energy demand.

 As a result, the active state is predominantly in that determined for the display plate for communication with the ESL radio module

Time ranges before. In the active state, the display sign shows a

Readiness to receive in order to receive commands and possibly also receive data from the ESL radio module and to process them with the aid of its logic level. In the active state, send data can also be generated using the logic level and communicated to the ESL radio module. In order to work in an energy-efficient manner and therefore to have the longest possible battery life

However, to reach the display sign, the basic operating strategy is to keep the display sign asleep for as long as possible and only then, if absolutely necessary, for data transmission with the ESL radio module or to determine the synchronism for as short a time as possible in the active Condition to operate.

 With such display signs there is therefore always one

Communication with the ESL radio module given a relatively high energy consumption. Therefore, interference of this radio activity caused by another, namely the first radio module, which necessarily leads to an undesired extension of the communication duration of the relevant display plate with the associated ESL radio module, has an extremely disadvantageous effect on the radio module

Battery life of the electronic display plate. The invention now enables, for the first time within a defined future time period, the anticipatory preference for the ESL radio module used for communication with the electronic display signs and consequently the reliable predictive avoidance of interference with radio communication with the

electronic display signs.

In other words, the measures according to the invention, in other words, ensure planning or coordination of the future use of the common radio medium, care being taken to ensure that only mutually compatible radio activities of the two radio modules are present which do not lead to any mutual negative influence. Such a simultaneous simultaneous use of the radio medium is given, for example, if both radio modules simultaneously receive radio activity have, but this in different radio channels. Apart from this special case, the future planning of the use of the radio medium will typically always have an exclusive use of the radio medium due to the radio activity of one or the other radio module. This is important because the two radio antennas of the two radio modules are positioned relatively close to one another and therefore a negative mutual influence is always to be expected if both radio modules are used simultaneously

Have radio activities, regardless of whether the two

Radio modules use different radio channels.

 Said coordination is necessarily preferred if both radio communications are carried out in the same frequency band, e.g. B. in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Typically in a frequency band

different channels are used (2.4 GHz defines a total of 79 channels, so multiple channels on different frequencies are possible;

different systems can have different channel widths - the WLAN has a channel width of 20 MHz, the ESL radio system has only 1 MHz channel width).

 In the simplest case, one could use different channels with non-overlapping frequencies for the first radio module and the ESL radio module and the two systems would theoretically not interfere with each other. In reality, however, no transceiver is perfect and interference signals outside the selected frequency of the channel are always generated when transmitting. So there are disturbances at lower or higher frequencies which decrease the further the frequencies are apart (sideband disturbances). The interference signal mainly interferes with the reception of data (= receive radio activity) because these arrive at the radio base station with very little power. The power decreases quadratically with the distance. Signals transmitted by the radio base station itself are hardly affected, since these transmit the side band interference of the other radio module with a strong transmission power. This effect is called "blocking". With very expensive hardware filters, it would be possible to filter the interference signal onto the

To greatly reduce sidebands, but for cost reasons this is not done in practice.

Especially when channels are on the same or overlapping frequencies for the first radio module and the ESL radio module are used, it is also imperative to protect transmission radio activities of the ESL radio module (eg for sending the synchronization data signal or also data packets) against signal interference caused by the first radio module. In practice, however, this case can be avoided by suitable channel selection without overlapping the frequencies, which contributes to an increased performance of the overall system because of the temporal

Transmission restrictions are reduced or avoided entirely.

 If channels are now used for both radio modules that have no overlapping frequencies, the focus is on

forward-looking planning or coordination less on that of the

Base station (especially the ESL radio module)

(Transmit radio activity), but especially on those signals sent by the ESL itself that are expected from the ESL radio module at fixed time windows. It can e.g. are confirmation data or partial confirmation data that are generated by the ESL as a result of the execution of the commands previously received from the ESL radio module. In this case, transmission radio activities of the first radio module can even occur simultaneously with these ESL radio module reception radio activities.

 When using different channels without overlapping frequencies, however, it is advisable to deal with those situations in which simultaneous transmission of the first radio module and reception of the ESL radio module or vice versa occur.

 According to a preferred aspect of the invention, a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol is used for the communication with the electronic display signs. In particular, it is a proprietary

Time slot communication method or protocol, in which

Repeating sequence, a number of time slots per time slot cycle are available for communication, each time slot in particular being identified by a unique time slot symbol. As part of this

Time slot communication methods can be customized electronic

Display signs are addressed and / or supplied with (command or display) data, and data are also received from the display signs.

In the time slot communication method, for example, within n seconds, for example 15 seconds, m time slots, for example 256 time slots, are used Commitment. The n seconds form a time slot cycle that is repeated continuously. In this time slot communication method there are m

Time slots are available within a time slot cycle for communication with the display signs. Each of the display signs can be assigned to one of the time slots, and a plurality of electronic display signs can also be assigned to a specific time slot. In a system in which e.g. During a time slot cycle of 15 seconds there are 256 time slots of 58.5 milliseconds each, two to five display tags per time slot can be easily addressed and individual tasks delegated to them with one command. Any electronic display sign can complete the process

Acknowledge (execute) the executed command with confirmation data, which are preferably sent out in the time slot in which the command was received. Outside the time slot determined for the respective electronic display sign, the electronic display sign is predominantly in the

energy-saving sleep state operated.

 In order to ensure synchronism in the ESL radio system (ESL radio module and a number of radio-associated electronic display signs), the ESL radio module is designed to transmit a synchronization data signal having the time slot symbol for the currently available time slot, preferably at the beginning of each time slot.

 In the sleep state, the logic level or one leads

Time control level of the electronic display plate only through those activities that are necessary for the timing to wake up in time so that the

Price display plate for the next time slot intended for him to receive the synchronization data signal, determine its synchronous state (synchronism with the ESL radio module) and / or is ready for communication with the radio module. Each display plate knows which time slot symbol indicates the time slot intended for it. Each display sign is based on the appearance of something relevant to it

Timeslot symbol, identifies the timeslot symbol relevant to him and defines his next wake-up time with the timing of the timeslot communication method specified by the radio base station. The

The display plate thus determines its synchronism with the ESL radio module solely by the fact that the time slot symbol is recognized, which occurs at the point in time expected in it or in an expected time window, and that time slot intended for him. Such a time slot symbol can be given, for example, by the least significant byte of the individual and unique device address on the display label. Insofar as there is no individual addressing for the display plate which determines its synchronism, it immediately changes back to the one after recognition of its synchronism

Energy-saving sleep state and remains in this sleep state until the next time you wake up. A synchronous display plate is therefore operated as long as possible in its sleep state with the lowest possible energy consumption in order to extend the battery life as long as possible. In the event that the synchronism is not determined because e.g. If the radio activity of the ESL radio module was disrupted, the electronic display plate would assume a state of increased energy consumption in order to bring about an automatic, in particular autonomous (without bi-directional communication with the radio base station), re-synchronization.

 Since, as can be seen from the preceding discussions, the second is preferably used in the ESL radio module

Communication protocol a very strict temporal behavior of the

Due to radio activities or at least some specific radio activities, such as the transmission of the time slot symbol, it has proven to be particularly efficient that the interference which can occur due to radio activities of the first radio module and which can lead to an alleged loss of synchronism is not as is customary in known systems, for the moment of communication of the ESL radio module, but rather foresightedly for future radio activities in the common radio medium through a

systematically exclude automatic planning of these radio activities. This goes hand in hand with a much more efficient radio activity of the two radio modules.

 For example, in the case of a second communication protocol, which provides 256 time slots of approximately 58.5 milliseconds each over a time slot cycle of 15 seconds, the future time period to be taken into account had a duration of 0.5-15 seconds. The future preferably shows

Time span however a duration of approx. 0.5 - 3, in particular 0.75 - 1.5,

Seconds on. The times given here are based on experiments by the applicant. They depend on the communication with a server (see below), the memory requirement or the response time. In general, it should be noted that a reasonable future time span is a multiple of the time for which the individual "radio activities" of both radio systems prove the radio medium. Typical values for the ESL system are 2-54 milliseconds. For WLAN, this can also be several hundred

Be milliseconds. A longer period of time makes planning ahead

more complicated, but also opens up more possibilities when coordinating. So the ideal time span is a compromise between complexity in planning ahead and effectiveness in coordinating.

 The above-mentioned exemplary time values contribute to a good balance between a stable ESL radio system, in which the synchronism in the respective display signs can be reliably determined, and sufficient flexibility for the consideration of radio activities to be carried out over time, without doing so to cause unnecessarily high processing or planning effort for the future period. This also leads to a long-term view, i.e. via the z. B. total operating time of the ESL radio system, to an energy-optimized operating scenario.

 According to a further aspect of the invention, the radio base station has an electronic circuit, said USB connection and a programmable circuit component for processing software, with the aid of which said first control stage and / or said second control stage and / or said third control stage is implemented, on. The realization of the

Control stages can be achieved by (e.g. also exclusively) hardware components of the circuit. Here, for. B. an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) can be used. Likewise, a single chip processor or a microprocessor with its typical peripheral components (input / output, memory components etc.) can be used, on which a software

which is the functionality of the respective control level

provides software-based. In this software-based solution, the first control stage is e.g. B. a WiFi device driver (WiFi device driver) for controlling the first radio module, which is implemented in this case as a WiFi radio module, and for the ESL control stage by an ESL device driver (ESL device driver) Control of the ESL radio module, which is connected to the electronic circuit via said USB connection.

The third control stage can be called or implemented as a software-based radio coordinator, because this software plans or coordinates, which radio activities should take place within which time ranges within the future time period. It can be part of the software of the

Device driver be designed for the first or for the second radio module or are also present and executed as a separate software component.

 According to a further aspect of the invention, the radio base station can have a storage stage for storing a first queue data structure representing the future chronological sequence of radio activities of the first radio module and a second queue data structure representing the future chronological sequence of radio activities of the ESL radio module. These queue data structures are in the

Technical jargon called "queue" and serve to temporarily store data objects in a sequence before they are processed further by the respective device driver. The third control stage for reading out (the data objects) the second queue data structure and taking into account the data there is preferred defined temporal sequence of radio activities

(represented by said data objects) for changing the temporal sequence of radio activities (represented by said data objects) stored in the first queue data structure for said future time period. This ensures the priority of the ESL radio activities over that of the first radio module.

 According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be advantageous if the third control stage for predictively changing the temporal sequence of radio activities of the ESL radio module defined by the second control stage for said period of time as a function of the radio activities of the ESL radio module defined by the first control stage for said period of time first

Radio module is formed. This enables a balanced consideration of the radio activities of both radio modules when using the common radio medium.

 In order to implement this functionality, I have found it advantageous if the third control stage also reads out the first

Queue data structure and taking into account the there

defined time sequence of the radio activities for changing the time sequence of the radio activities stored in the second queue data structure for said future time period. This also allows an intervention in the data objects - in particular their temporal occurrence at the radio processing - the second queue data structure.

 The third control stage has the role of a software-based co-existence coordinator.

 In general, it can be stated that the entirety of the sequence of radio activities stored in the first queue data structure represents a first future total communication duration and the entirety of the sequence of radio activities stored in the second queue data structure represents a second future total communication duration and the first Total communication time can be different from the second total communication time, such as 3 seconds for the first and 5 seconds for the second total communication duration. The actual duration of the respective future total communication duration is de facto derived from the respective future communication requirement. The respective maximum permissible total communication duration can also be limited, in particular matched to the communication protocol used.

 The future time span for which the change in the sequence of future radio activities has to take place can now be limited to the shorter of the two total communication durations or can be dynamically adapted to it - that is to the respective situation. Said future time period may also deviate from the aforementioned two total communication periods, and e.g. a substantially constant duration of e.g. B. concern about 1 second.

 Regardless of whether only the radio activities of the first radio module or also the radio activities of the second radio module are to be changed, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the third control stage is designed to change the respective queue data structure in such a way that with regard to the occurrence of time and / or with regard to the sequence of the occurrence in time, radio activities defined as absolutely necessary are retained in the time ranges provided for this or the sequence of such time ranges provided for, and that other radio activities are defined or planned in intermediate time ranges or subsequent time ranges. This measure ensures that those radio activities that are necessary to maintain the stability of the respective radio system can actually take place in the correct time context. In addition, with this

Training should also be provided that ultimately those radio activities of the ESL radio modules, which are absolutely necessary to maintain synchronism, are treated with the highest priority in order to keep the energy consumption of the display signs to a minimum and to optimize their service life.

 To the previously discussed need for radio activity

A code can be stored in the respective queue data structure that makes the respective radio activity uniquely identifiable. The third control stage can then be designed in such a way that it interprets the code and draws conclusions about the necessity of the respective radio activity. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the third control stage is designed to take metadata into account, the metadata being stored in the respective queue data structure and indicating (directly) the need for the time-related occurrence of the respective radio activity or the type of the respective radio activity .

 The metadata can be the respective radio activities in the

Categorize queue data structure, such as :

 - type of radio activity (e.g. synchronization, data exchange, status query, etc.),

 - temporal flexibility of radio activity,

 + provides information about the possibility of re-sorting in the respective queue data structure (e.g. re-sorting allowed, re-sorting prohibited (because real-time transmission is required at the originally defined point in time, i.e. a change in the time of occurrence is prohibited) or

 + which makes it possible to decide whether the temporal context in relation to other radio activities must be preserved or can be resolved (e.g. order and / or time interval must be preserved), or

 + which makes it possible to decide whether the respective radio activity may be divided into different, in particular non-contiguous, time periods (e.g. splitting allowed, splitting prohibited),

 - Duration of the radio activity, which allows the duration for the time range or the time ranges for the respective radio activity to be defined (e.g. duration of the radio activity specified in absolute time units such as milliseconds,

Amount of data evaluated with transmission speed, etc.), - Priority of the radio activity to identify the importance of the respective radio activity in the context of the respective communication protocol (e.g.

indicated with the indicators "high", "medium", "low").

 according to a further aspect of the invention, the third

Control stage should be designed for iterative changing in such a way that first the radio activities defined as mandatory and only then the other radio activities are taken into account for the said period of time. In the

In order to change the sequence of radio activities, the radio activities defined for said future time period are first analyzed and then those radio activities that are absolutely necessary and for which are identified

associated time range within the future time period and only then defines the other radio activities for still free or unoccupied time ranges within the considered future time period. This process of defining radio activities may require two or more passes. This is especially true if e.g. Both for the ESL radio module and for the first radio module, radio activities defined as absolutely necessary for one and the same time range are identified or for at least overlapping time ranges are identified. In this case it would be another

Change process necessary to give priority to the radio activities of the ESL communication module to ensure the stability and efficiency of the ESL radio system. The radio activities of the first radio module identified as colliding, but classified as absolutely necessary, would then have to be defined in a further run in the free time periods and the time periods still free afterwards were to be assigned those radio activities that were not identified as mandatory. Here too, a double or multiple pass can take place, in which the ESL radio activities, which are classified as not absolutely necessary, and only last, the radio activities of the first radio module, which are classified as not absolutely necessary, are defined in the future period.

 In order to ensure continued optimal use of the common radio medium, it has proven to be particularly advantageous that the third control stage for the continuous or gradual adjustment of the change by the respective control stage for said future

Time period defined time sequence of radio activities is formed as time progresses and / or new radio activities are added. So can For example, for each new radio activity that is added, the sequence of radio activities is changed, which corresponds to a (quasi) continuous adaptation of the change. Likewise, but preferably, a number of new radio activities can be added as an occasion for adapting the change in the temporal sequence of the

Radio activities can be taken for a future period of time. This corresponds to a blocked, gradual adjustment of the change. So z. B. 5, 10 or 15 new radio activities as

Occasion for an adjustment of the change in the temporal sequence of the

Radio activities can be taken for a future period of time.

 Ultimately, the future time span that is actually to be taken into account cannot be a constant, but rather a function of the radio activities contained or to be taken into account. In this

However, the third control stage can also be designed to keep the actual duration of the time span within predefined limits.

 The invention can preferably be used to implement a system having (at least) a radio base station according to the invention and having an ESL radio module connected to the USB connection. The system that e.g. installed in a store, can also have a number of electronic signs, the ESL radio module

are assigned by radio technology, e.g. by initial registration (also as

Registration).

 Furthermore, a server (service) coupled to the radio base station can be provided for the provision and / or processing of data relating to radio communication with the first radio communication devices and / or the electronic display signs. The coupling can be based on LAN or cloud, for example.

 These and other aspects of the invention result from the figures discussed below.

FIGURE SHORT DESCRIPTION

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures using exemplary embodiments, to which the invention is, however, not restricted. Here are in the different figures with the same components with identical reference numerals. They show in a schematic way:

 1 shows a system according to the invention for WiFi and ESL communication;

2 shows a first state diagram relating to ESL communication;

3 shows a second state diagram relating to the ESL communication;

4 shows a third state diagram relating to ESL communication;

5 shows a first radio activity diagram;

 6 shows a second radio activity diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

 In FIG. 1, a system 1 according to the invention installed on the premises of a supermarket is visualized that a first

Radio network for WiFi radio communication according to a first, WiFi communication protocol with different WiFi-enabled radio communication devices, such as one or more portable electronic stick code readers 11, which are part of an electronic merchandise management system of the supermarket, or also e.g. Mobile phones or mobile computers from customers, hereinafter referred to as user devices 16, which e.g. can access online services via a WiFi guest access of the first radio network.

 The system 1 also provides a second radio network for radio communication according to a second, namely proprietary

Communication protocol with a number of electronic

Price display signs 2 - 10, hereinafter referred to as ESL 2- 10 for short, which are also part of the electronic merchandise management system of the supermarket. Each ESL 2-10 has a display unit 100 and is attached to shelves 12-14 of a shelf 15 corresponding to products (not shown) positioned on the shelf, with the help of which price and / or product information for the information of customers or from Supermarket staff are displayed.

 The two different communication protocols have different temporal behavior as well as different priorities.

To implement these radio networks, the system 1 has a radio base station 17, hereinafter abbreviated to station 17, and a server 18, which communicate with one another via a local, wired network (LAN) 19 are connected. Via this LAN 19, the server 18 communicates with the station 17 with the aid of the TCP / IP protocol, embedded in

Communication data KD raw data RD are interchangeable with the respective devices 2-10, 11 and 16.

 The station 17 has a first electronic circuit 20, a first radio module 21 for radio communication with the bar code reading devices 11 and a USB connection 29, to which a second radio module 22, which is referred to below as the ESL radio module 22, for the Communication with the ESLs 2 - 10 is connected.

 The circuit 20 has a micro controller 24 with a

Memory 25, which has a non-volatile memory area (eg ROM - Read Only Memory - or E ^/ 2PROM - Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory) and a volatile memory area (eg RAM - Random Access Memory), both of which are not shown. With the help of software modules that are stored in the non-volatile memory area and that are processed on the microcontroller 24, a first control stage 26 is used as a WiFi device driver for controlling the WiFi radio communication, and a second control stage 27 is used as an ESL device driver to control the ESL radio communication and a third

Control stage 28 for the forward-looking change by the first

Control stage 26 for a future time period defines a temporal sequence of WiFi radio activities of the first radio module 21 as a function of ESL radio activities of the ESL radio module 22 defined by the second control stage 27 for said future time period, which will be discussed in more detail below.

 The first radio module 21 has a second programmable electronic circuit 30 that has a first firmware 31 of the first

Radio module 21 processed. The first radio module 21 and the first electronic circuit 24 are installed in the device housing (not shown) of the radio base station 17 and are electronically connected to one another. One with the second

First antenna 32 connected to electronic circuit 30 is mechanically attached to the device housing. However, the antenna 32 can also be used internally in the

Device housing must be localized or installed.

 The ESL radio module 22 has a third programmable

electronic circuit 33, which processes a second firmware 34 of the ESL radio module 22. The ESL radio module 22 is outside the Device housing of the radio base station 17 located and has its own device housing (not shown). One with the third electronic

Circuit 33 electronically connected second antenna 35 is mechanically attached to the device housing of the ESL radio module 22. The ESL radio module 22 has a USB plug 36 which connects the third circuit 33 to the USB port 29 via a USB cable 37.

 The server 18 has a data storage stage 40, e.g. for the

Storage of a database for storing all information relates to the ERP system and / or the communication with the individual participants in the radio network. A software that is based on a

Data processing stage 41 of the server 18 is processed, the ERP system realizes

 In the communication between the ESLs 2-10 and the ESL radio module 22, which they e.g. are assigned logically or radio-technically by prior registration, a proprietary time slot communication protocol or communication method is used, the principle of which is visualized in FIGS. 2-4 and with the aid of which the functioning of the system 1 is illustrated. The time t is entered on the abscissa axis. States Z of the respective components or signals of system 1 considered in the discussion are on the ordinate axis

registered. The diagrams therefore show the temporal course of the state.

 2-4, the uppermost sequence of states shows the states of the ESL radio module 22 identified by ST. During a time slot cycle duration DC (e.g. 15 seconds), N time slots ZI ... ZN (e.g. 256) with an identical time slot duration DS (e.g. approx. 58 milliseconds) are available. During the time slot cycle duration DC, the ESL radio module 22 changes between a transmission state T and an idle state R. The transmission state T is always at the beginning of a time slot ZI ... ZN

ingested and maintained for a synchronization data signal duration DSD (or transmission duration DSD of the synchronization data signal SD) in order to match the respective synchronization data signal SD

Timeslot symbol ZS1, ZS2, ... ZSN to send. As the applicable time slot cycle symbol ZS1 ... ZSN comes the sequential number of the respective time slot ZI ... ZN in the order in which the time slots ZI ... occur.

ZN used. 2 shows that the first ESL 2 is in the more synchronous state. It wakes up from its extremely energy-saving sleep state S at a first wake-up time TAI and changes with a relatively short lead time DV before an expected occurrence

Synchronization data signal SD in its ready-to-receive active state E, receives the synchronization data signal SD during one

Reception period DE with the first time slot symbol ZS1 passes through

Comparison of the least significant byte B0 of its hardware address with the received time slot symbol ZS1 determines that the one for the first ESL 2

certain first time slot ZI is displayed (agreement of to

comparative bytes: B0 of the hardware address and first time slot symbol ZS1), maintains the parameters used to control the wake up in the subsequent time slot cycle for the purpose of defining the new wake up time and changes back to the sleep state S with a relatively short follow-up time DN, in order to wake up at the new (second) wake-up time TA2 with said lead time DV before the fresh start of the first time slot cycle ZI after the planned sleep-state dwell time DR has expired. The same applies in an analogous manner to the second ESL 3 and all other ESL 4 - 10 insofar as they, like the first ESL 1, are in the synchronous state. All ESL 2 - 10 are designed to recognize a non-synchronous state and to re-synchronize, which goes hand in hand with an energy requirement that is considerably higher than the energy requirement of the sleep state.

 With the help of FIG. 3, an individual addressing of the ESL 2-4 is discussed as well as an individual assignment of this ESL 2-4 with the aid of simple time slot commands. Only the first time slot ZI is shown

embedded between two synchronization data signals SD. By doing

Synchronization data signal SD of the first time slot ZI are embedded by the ESL radio module 22 address data AD, command data CD and confirmation time data ZD. With the help of the address data AD (e.g. Hex B2: 00: 01) the first ESL 2 becomes, with the help of the address data AD (e.g. Hex B2: 00: 02) the second ESL 3 and with the help of the address data AD (e.g. Hex B2: 00 : 03) the third ESL 4

individually addressed. With the aid of the command data CD, a "PING" command is transmitted to the first ESL 2, a "PING" command to the second ESL 3 and a "SWPAG2" command to the third ESL 4. These commands are single time slot commands , which immediately after their decoding in the relevant ESL 2 - 4 are processed with negligible expenditure of time. With the help of the two “PING” commands, it is tested whether the addressed ESL 2, 3 reports back with confirmation data ACD, that is, whether it exists or even reacts and is synchronized. With the help of the “SWAPG2” command, the third ESL 4 switching from a (first) current memory page (or memory page) to a second memory page (or memory page) causes, for example, to change the image to be displayed using its display. In addition, the synchronization data signal SD transmits a confirmation time for the first ESL 2 by specifying a first idle period DR1, for the second ESL 3 by specifying a second idle period DR2 and for the third ESL 4 by specifying a third idle period DR3. The reference point for the three rest periods DR1 - DR3 is always the end of the reception period DE. Instead of the individual rest periods DR1-DR3, maximum periods for answering can also be specified, which result from the sum of the respective rest periods DR1-DR3 and the period for delivering the confirmation data ACD. According to FIG. 3, all three ESL 2-4 recognize that they are synchronous because the first time slot symbol ZI indicates the time slot intended for them (least significant byte B0 of the hardware address is 00 for all three ESL 2-4). The check of the address data AD indicates that each ESL 2-4 is individually addressed (existence of the remaining three bytes B1-3 of the respective hardware address in the address data AD), the commands intended for the respective ESL 2-4 are decoded and executed immediately, and the individual confirmation data ACD after the end of the individual idle periods DR1 ... DR3 after the end of the reception period DE is transmitted to the ESL radio module 22, which is ready to receive the confirmation data ACD during a station reception period SDE. The complete processing of the single time slot commands, including the communication of the confirmation data ACD, takes place in a first part 42 of the time slot ZI, so that a second part 43 is available for other tasks, such as the processing of multiple time slot commands, which will be described in detail below has been received.

FIG. 4 shows the processing of a multiple time slot command, in which the first ESL 2 splits total data over three adjacent time slots ZI - Z3 (for example relating to an entire image to be displayed or only one image plane of the image) into three data packets DAT1 - DAT3 from the ESL radio module 22 receives. The first ESL 2 recognizes with the help of the

Synchronization data signal SD its synchronous state and that it is individually addressed (addressees Hex B2: 00: 01), receives and decodes a "DATA_I NIT" command with which it receives the three data packets DAT1 - DAT3 in said time slots ZI - Z3 is commanded, and at the end of the reception period DE goes into the sleep state S for a first waiting period DW1, the first waiting period DW1 expiring at the end of the first half of the time slot period DS. At the beginning of the second part 43 of the first time slot ZI, the ESL radio module 22 goes into its transmission state T and the first ESL 2 into its active state E ready to receive, so that it is active during a

Data transmission duration DT receives the first data packet DAT1. Then it confirms with the help of partial confirmation data ACD1 during a

Confirmation period DA, during which the ESL radio module 22 in the

Reception state E is successful reception. The confirmation period DA ends before the end of the first time slot ZI. After the expiry of the

Confirmation period DA lingers the first ESL 2 for a second waiting period DW2, which lasts until the end of the first part 42 of the second (subsequent)

Time slot Z2 is sufficient, in the sleep state S. At the beginning of the second part 43 of the second time slot Z2, the ESL radio module 22 goes into its transmission state T and the first ESL 2 into its ready-to-receive active state E, so that it does this during a data transmission period DT receives second data packet DAT2. The same applies to the third time slot Z3, at the end of which the data transmission is ended. Each successfully transmitted data packet DAT1 - DAT3 is confirmed with the aid of the partial confirmation data ACD1 - ACD3.

 The data transmissions to be carried out by the two radio modules 21 and 22 are forwarded to theirs by the server 18

communicated the actual occurrence of time to the station 17 and there, on the one hand, in the volatile memory area of the storage stage 25 in a first

Queue data structure 38 as a result of future radio activities for the WiFi radio module 21 and on the other hand stored in a second queue data structure 39 as a result of future radio activities for the ESL radio module 22. The first queue data structure 38 is accessed by the first control stage 26 in order to control the WiFi radio activity of the WiFi radio module 21 in accordance with the stored entries in accordance with the WiFi communication protocol used Taxes. The second queue data structure 38 is accessed by the second control stage 27 in order to control the ESL radio activity of the ESL radio module 22 in accordance with the stored entries in accordance with the time slot communication protocol discussed. The two control stages 26 and 27 work synchronously, whereby they have a common electronic time base

Use circuit 20. You always read the one stored in the respective queue data structure 38 or 39 for the current time

Description of the respective radio activity and enforce it

Control of the assigned radio module 21 or 22 um.

 In addition, the station 17 has a third, separately designed, software-based control stage 28, which likewise uses the common time base and the sequence of WiFi radio activities stored in the first queue data structure 38 as a function of the sequences stored in the second queue data structure 39 ESL radio activities changed. The third control stage 28 ignores those for the current moment

existing radio activity (s) and only takes into account that sequence of

Radio activities that follow in time and occur within a maximum future time span of approximately one second. Beyond this time horizon, radio activities that may occur later, which may be defined in the respective queue data structure 38 or 39, are only taken into account in the progressive course of time as soon as they are within said future time period.

 The functional principles or designs of the third control stage 28 are discussed below with the aid of FIGS. 5-6.

 In the present case it is now according to a first

Application example assumed that for the radio activities of the two radio modules 21 and 22 channels with (at least partially) overlapping

Frequencies are used, which has the consequence that, in addition to radio reception activities (such as receiving the confirmation data ACD or partial confirmation data ACD1 - ACD3), transmission radio activities of the ESL radio module (in particular for transmitting the synchronization data signal SD) to be coordinated or taken into account in forward-looking planning.

In FIG. 5, the ESL radio activities F1 (N) are in the lower area and the WiFi radio activities F2 (M) in the middle area Time axis t shown, the letters N and M between brackets each a whole, positive number as the sequential number of the concerned

Specify radio activity Fl (l) - Fl (5) or F2 (l) - F2 (4). The radio activity F2 (1) present at the time t = 0 (present) is being implemented by the Wi-Fi radio module 22 and consequently is no longer taken into account by the third control stage 28 because it was already taken into account at an earlier time. The third control stage 28 only takes into account the future ESL radio activities Fl (l) - Fl (7) and the future WiFi radio activities F2 (l) - F2 (4), which occur within the future time period TD and in the respective one

Queue data structure 38 and 39 are stored. About this

Entries in the respective queue data structure 38 or 39 going beyond the time horizon only become apparent as time progresses, i.e. when the time stamp t = 0 (present) shifts to the right and these other entries enter the time horizon (right end) of the future time period TD , considered.

 In the present case, the radio activities Fl (l) to Fl (5) relate to the transmission of the synchronization data signal SD comprising the respective time slot symbol ZS1-ZS6, which is essential for maintaining synchronism in the ESL radio system. They occupy essentially the same length

Time ranges. The radio activities Fl (6) and Fl (7) relate to communication in the ESL radio system according to the description of FIGS. 3 or 4. Depending on the actual data content or data volume, they can occupy time periods of different durations.

 In the present case, the third control stage 28 knows the temporal behavior of the ESL communication protocol and prioritizes the ESL radio activities Fl (l) - Fl (7) over the WiFi radio activities F2 (l) - F2 (4).

Accordingly, it intervenes in the time sequence of the WiFi radio activities F2 (1) - F2 (4) and changes them according to the uppermost section of FIG. 5, where the sequence of the WiFi radio activities F2 (M) ^' modified with regard to their time occurrence for the future time span TD is shown so that the ESL radio activities Fl (l) - Fl (7) can be implemented without interference. The WiFi radio activity is:

 - F2 (2), which would start in the time domain of the ESL radio activity Fl (1),

shifted slightly into the future (see F2 (2) ^' ) so that it begins after the ESL radio activity Fl (l). - F2 (3), which would end in the time domain of the ESL radio activity Fl (2), is brought forward slightly (see F2 (3) ^' ), so that it ends before the ESL radio activity Fl (2), the after WiFi Radio activity F2 (2) ^' remaining time range before the occurrence of the ESL radio activity Fl (2) is optimally used.

- F2 (4), which would overlap with the ESL radio activities Fl (6) and Fl (3), for later free time ranges between the ESL radio activities Fl (3), Fl (7), Fl (4) and Fl ( 5) divided (see three radio activities F2 (4) ^' ).

According to a development of the previously discussed design of the station 17, metadata Ml-M5 are now used for the respective radio activities F1 (N) and F2 (M), reference being made to FIG. 6. Furthermore, the third control stage 28 is designed to change the chronological sequence of the WiFi radio activities F2 (M) and the ESL radio activities F1 (N) taking into account the metadata Ml-M5. The change is visualized for the chronological sequence of the ESL radio activities F1 (N) in the diagram section F1 (N) ^' and for the chronological sequence of the WiFi radio activities F2 (M) in the diagram section F2 (M) ^' .

Furthermore, it is assumed that the preservation of the synchronism of the ESL radio system is assigned the highest priority. First metadata Ml thus define the highest priority for the radio activities Fl (l) - Fl (5), as well as a ban on changing their temporal distance from one another or letting them occur in a different order than they occur in the sequence of the radio activities F1 (N ) are listed. The third control stage 28 thus leaves them in their original time ranges, as can be seen in the comparison between the diagrams F1 (N) and F1 (N) ^' .

For the two WiFi radio activities F2 (2) and F2 (3), second metadata M2 define the lowest priority and that their occurrence in time as well as the time interval to neighboring radio activities is uncritical, that is to say variable. The third control stage 28 consequently relocates it between the two ESL radio activities Fl (l) ^' and Fl (2) ^' .

 In addition, third metadata M3 define that the radio activity F2 (4) has the second highest priority, but its temporal relationship is not critical, which means that it can be divided into different time ranges. Fourth metadata M4, which the ESL radio activity Fl (6)

characterize, define a lower priority than for the WiFi radio activity F2 (4) and allow the ESL radio activity Fl (6) in another, however continuous time range. In addition, fifth metadata M5 define that the ESL radio activity Fl (7) is also to be carried out with the highest priority and immovable and cannot be divided. On this

Building up information, the third control stage 28 divides the WiFi radio activity F2 (4) in such a way that a longer part before the ESL radio activity Fl (3) 'and a shorter part after it, but before the ESL radio activity Fl (7)' , which is planned as the time of radio activity Fl (7), occurs (see two

Radio activities F2 (4) ^' ). Furthermore, the ESL radio activity Fl (7) is left in its originally defined time range (see Fl (7) ^' ). Finally, the ESL radio activity Fl (6) is shifted to the next time range available with regard to its required duration, that is to say the time range between the ESL radio activity Fl (4) ^' and Fl (5) ^' (see there Fl (6) ^' ) .

 The result of each change is in the

Diagram sections F1 (N) ^' and F2 (M) ^{' are} shown, where it can be seen that there is no temporal overlap of the radio activities in the overview of the diagram sections Fl (N) ^' and F2 (M) ^' .

 In the further episode it is now according to a second

Application example assumes that 21 and 22 channels without overlapping frequencies are used for the radio activities of the two radio modules. This has the advantageous consequence that the focus in predictive planning or coordination is now on signals from the ESL 2-10

be sent out. Although not exhaustively listed, these are e.g. the confirmation data ADC or partial confirmation data ACD1-ACD3, for which it is foresightedly ensured according to the functional principles discussed above that no interference can occur in the common radio medium.

 Finally, it is pointed out once again that the figures described in detail above are only

Embodiments are concerned, which can be modified in many different ways by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of the invention. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the indefinite articles “a” or “an” does not preclude the fact that the relevant features can also be present more than once.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. radio base station (17), having

 - A first radio module (21, 23) for radio communication with first radio communication devices (11, 16), and

 - A connection (29) for connecting a

ESL radio module (22) for radio communication with electronic

Display signs (2-10), the radio base station (17) having:

 - a first, in particular software-based, control stage (26) for controlling the radio communication of the first radio module (21, 23) according to a first communication protocol, and

 - a second, in particular software-based, control stage (27) for controlling the radio communication of the ESL radio module (22) which can be connected to the connection (29) in accordance with a second communication protocol, and

 - One, in particular software-based, third control stage (28) for

predictive changes in a time sequence of radio activities (F1 (N)) of the first radio module (21) defined for a future time period (TD) as a function of radio activities (F2 (M)) of the ESL radio module defined for said future time period (TD) ( 22).

2. Radio base station (17) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising

 - A storage stage (25) for storing

 + a first queue data structure (38) representing the future chronological sequence of radio activities of the first radio module (21) and

+ a second queue data structure (39) representing the

future temporal sequence of radio activities of the ESL radio module (22), whereby

- The third control stage (28) for reading out the second queue data structure (39) and taking into account the temporal sequence of radio activities (F2 (M)) defined there for changing the one in the first

Queue data structure (38) stored temporal sequence of the

Radio activities (F1 (N)) for said future time period (TD) is formed.

3. radio base station (17) according to claim 2, wherein the third

Control stage (28) for the forward-looking change by the second Control stage (27) for said period of time (TD) defined chronological sequence of radio activities (F2 (M)) of the ESL radio module (22) depending on the radio activities (F1 (N. Defined by the first control stage (26) for said period of time (TD) )) of the first radio module (22).

4. radio base station (17) according to claim 3, wherein the third

Control stage (28) for reading out the first queue data structure (38) and taking into account the temporal sequence defined there

Radio activities (F1 (N)) for changing the temporal sequence of radio activities (F2 (M)) stored in the second queue data structure (39) is designed for said future time period (TD).

5. radio base station (17) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third control stage (28) for changing the respective

Queue data structure (38, 39) is formed,

 + that

 - with regard to the time occurrence

and or

 - with regard to the sequence of the time occurrence

radio activities defined as mandatory (F1 (N), F2 (M)) in

 - the designated time periods

respectively.

 - the intended sequence of such time periods is retained

+ and that

other radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) can be defined in intermediate time periods or subsequent time periods.

6. radio base station (17) according to claim 5, wherein the third

Control stage (28) is designed to take into account metadata (Ml - M5), the metadata (Ml - M5) being stored in the respective queue data structure (38, 39) and the need for the temporal occurrence of the respective radio activity (F1 (N ), F2 (M)) or the type of radio activity (F1 (N), F2 (M)).

7. radio base station (17) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the third control stage (28) is designed for iterative changing that first the radio activities defined as mandatory (F1 (N), F2 (M)) and only then the other radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) for said

Time span (TD) are taken into account.

8. radio base station (17) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the third control stage (28) for continuous or stepwise

Adapting the change in the time sequence of radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) to be initiated by the respective control stage (26, 27) for said future time period (TD) as time (t) and new progress

additional radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) is formed.

9. radio base station (17) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an electronic circuit (20) having said connection (29) and a programmable circuit component (24) for executing software, with the aid of said first control stage (26) and / or said second control stage (27) and / or said third control stage (28) is realized.

10. System (1), having

 - A radio base station (17) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-9 and

 - An ESL radio module (22) connected to the connection (29).

11. System (1) according to claim 10, comprising

a server (18) coupled to the radio base station (17) for providing and / or processing data (RD) relating to radio communication with the first radio communication devices (11, 16) and / or the electronic display signs (2 - 10).

12. A method for controlling radio communication of a radio base station (17), the radio base station (17) having

- A first radio module (21) for radio communication with first radio communication devices (11, 16) and - A connection (29) for connecting a

ESL radio module (22) for radio communication with electronic

Display signs (2 - 10),

being according to the procedure

 + a first, in particular software-based, control stage (26) for radio communication of the first radio module (21) according to a first

Communication protocol controls, and

 + a second, in particular software-based, control stage (27) controls the radio communication of an ESL radio module (22) connected to the connection (29) in accordance with a second communication protocol, and

+ a third, in particular software-based, control stage (28) anticipating a time sequence of defined for a future time period (TD)

Radio activities (F1 (N)) of the first radio module (21) change as a function of radio activities F2 (M) of the ESL radio module (22) defined for said future time period (TD).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the third control stage (28) also predictively the time sequence of radio activities (F1 (N)) of the ESL radio module (22) defined by the second control stage (27) for said time period (TD) by the first control stage (26) for said

Time period (TD) of defined radio activities (F2 (M)) of the first radio module (21) changed.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims 12 to 13, wherein the third control stage (28) makes the respective change in such a way

+ that

 - with regard to the time occurrence

and or

 - with regard to the sequence of the time occurrence

radio activities defined as mandatory (F1 (N), F2 (M)) in

 - the designated time periods

respectively.

 - the intended sequence of such time periods is retained

+ and that other radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) can be defined in intermediate or subsequent time ranges within the time period (TD).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the change brought about by the third control stage (28) is carried out iteratively in such a way that first the radio activities (F1 (N), F2 (M)) defined as mandatory and only then the other radio activities (F1 ( N), F2 (M)) for said time period (TD)

be taken into account.