ES2222987T3

ES2222987T3 - SECURITY DEVICE WITH BIDIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION.

Info

Publication number: ES2222987T3
Application number: ES01919697T
Authority: ES
Inventors: Cristiano Zambon
Original assignee: Pittway Corp
Current assignee: Pittway Corp
Priority date: 2000-04-11
Filing date: 2001-04-10
Publication date: 2005-02-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-10
Also published as: EP1272990A1; NO20024895D0; CZ20023375A3; CA2405018A1; IT1315418B1; EP1272990B1; NO20024895L; DE60103749D1; DE60103749T2; ATE268930T1; ITPD20000084A1; AU2001246756A1; RU2002129507A; WO2001078026A1; DK1272990T3

Abstract

A security device with bidirectional communication capability comprising logic control means which are adapted to control at least one LED for indicating the operating status of a peripheral unit in which the security device is accommodated. The device comprises at least one resistor which is connected in parallel to the at least one LED, for converting into voltage light energy received from the at least one LED, the LED being connected to means for evaluating the voltage generated thereby, the means being in turn connected to the logic control means.

Description

Dispositivo de seguridad con comunicación bidireccional.Security device with communication bidirectional

Technical field

La presente invención se refiere a un dispositivo de seguridad con comunicación bidireccional.The present invention relates to a device Security with bidirectional communication.

Más en particular, la invención se refiere a un dispositivo de seguridad capaz de comunicarse con una unidad de control, así como, directamente, con un usuario.More particularly, the invention relates to a security device capable of communicating with a unit of control, as well as, directly, with a user.

Prior art

Se sabe que la mayor parte de los sistemas de seguridad disponibles comercialmente en la actualidad siguen generalmente los siguientes criterios de funcionamiento.It is known that most of the systems of commercially available security currently follow Generally the following operating criteria.

Una unidad de control gestiona unidades periféricas (normalmente sensores o actuadores) por medio de una línea de dos conductores o por medio de sistemas de radio.A control unit manages units peripherals (usually sensors or actuators) by means of a two-conductor line or through radio systems.

De hecho, los sistemas de seguridad más recientes permiten dirigir (por medio de equipo físico o de programas lógicos) las unidades periféricas. En este caso, la unidad de control determina si, de acuerdo con el programa de control, los parámetros ambientales detectados por los sensores se corresponden, o no, a una condición de alarma, y, de esta manera, la unidad de control activa, en caso apropiado, los procedimientos de alarma correspondientes, tales como señales visuales o acústicas o similares.In fact, the latest security systems allow directing (through physical equipment or logical programs) peripheral units. In this case, the control unit determines whether, according to the control program, the parameters environmental senses detected by the sensors correspond, or not, to a alarm condition, and, in this way, the active control unit, if appropriate, the corresponding alarm procedures, such as visual or acoustic signals or the like.

Normalmente, la comunicación entre las unidades de control y las unidades periféricas se confían a protocolos de propietarios que son compatibles con los requisitos de suministro de energía, si existen, de los sensores y en la mayoría con los requisitos de robustez e inmunidad al ruido que son típicos de un sistema de seguridad.Normally, communication between units control and peripheral units are entrusted to protocols of owners that are compatible with the supply requirements of energy, if they exist, of the sensors and in the majority with robustness and noise immunity requirements that are typical of a security system.

Claramente, la posibilidad de comunicación entre la unidad de control y las unidades periféricas permite una flexibilidad y una capacidad de mantenimiento más elevadas del sistema de seguridad, y por último, proporcionan un valor añadido al sistema en su conjunto.Clearly, the possibility of communication between the control unit and peripheral units allow a higher flexibility and maintenance capacity than security system, and finally, provide added value to the whole system.

Sin embargo, la comunicación entre la unidad de control y las unidades periféricas se confía exclusivamente, como se ha mencionado, a una línea de dos conductores tal como, por ejemplo, un bus o a sistemas de radio.However, communication between the unit of control and peripheral units are entrusted exclusively, as has mentioned, to a line of two conductors such as, for example, a bus or radio systems.

En la práctica, la única opción es actuar desde la unidad de control hacia las unidades periféricas y no es posible actuar directamente sobre las citadas unidades periféricas, puenteando o derivando de esta manera la unidad de control.In practice, the only option is to act from the control unit towards the peripheral units and it is not possible act directly on the aforementioned peripheral units, bypassing or deriving the control unit in this way.

Exhibition of the invention

La finalidad de la presente invención es proporcionar un dispositivo de seguridad con capacidad de comunicación bidireccional, que permita a los usuarios actuar directamente sobre las unidades periféricas, además de actuar sobre las mismas desde la unidad de control.The purpose of the present invention is provide a security device capable of bidirectional communication, which allows users to act directly on peripheral units, in addition to acting on the same from the control unit.

Con esta finalidad, un objeto de la presente invención es proporcionar un dispositivo de seguridad con capacidad de comunicación bidireccional, que permita utilizar el dispositivo de indicación visual normal de una unidad periférica, para interactuar con la citada unidad periférica.For this purpose, an object of this invention is to provide a security device with capacity bidirectional communication, which allows the device to be used normal visual indication of a peripheral unit, for interact with said peripheral unit.

Otro objeto de la presente invención es proporcionar un dispositivo de seguridad con capacidad de comunicación bidireccional, que permita interactuar con una unidad periférica directamente en el lugar en el cual se instala la citada unidad periférica.Another object of the present invention is provide a security device capable of bidirectional communication, which allows interacting with a unit peripheral directly at the place where the aforementioned is installed peripheral unit.

Otro objeto de la presente invención es proporcionar un dispositivo de seguridad con capacidad de comunicación bidireccional, que sea altamente fiable, relativamente simple de fabricar y a unos costos competitivos.Another object of the present invention is provide a security device capable of bidirectional communication, which is highly reliable, relatively Simple to manufacture and at competitive costs.

Estas finalidades y estos y otros objetos, que serán más evidentes a continuación, se alcanzan por medio de un dispositivo de seguridad con capacidad de comunicación bidireccional, que comprende medios de control lógico que están adaptados para controlar al menos un LED para indicar el estado de funcionamiento de una unidad periférica en la cual se encuentra acomodado el citado dispositivo de seguridad, que se caracteriza porque comprende al menos una resistencia que está conectada en paralelo al citado al menos un LED, para convertir en voltaje la energía de luz recibida del citado al menos un LED, estando conectado el citado LED a medios para evaluar el citado voltaje generado, estando a su vez conectados los citados medios a los citados medios de control lógico.These purposes and these and other objects, which they will be more evident then they are achieved by means of a security device with communication capability bidirectional, which comprises logical control means that are adapted to control at least one LED to indicate the status of operation of a peripheral unit in which it is located accommodated the aforementioned safety device, which is characterized because it comprises at least one resistor that is connected in parallel to the aforementioned at least one LED, to convert the voltage into light energy received from said at least one LED, being connected said LED to means to evaluate said voltage generated, while the aforementioned means are connected to the cited logical control means.

Brief description of the drawings

Características y ventajas adicionales de la invención serán más evidentes de la descripción de realizaciones preferidas, pero no exclusivas, del dispositivo de acuerdo con la presente invención, ilustrado solamente a título de ejemplo no limitativo en los dibujos que se acompañan, en los cuales:Additional features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of embodiments preferred, but not exclusive, of the device according to the present invention, illustrated by way of example only limiting in the accompanying drawings, in which:

la figura 1 es un diagrama de circuito del dispositivo de seguridad de acuerdo con la presente invención;Figure 1 is a circuit diagram of the safety device according to the present invention;

la figura 2 es un diagrama de bloques de la interacción entre una unidad periférica que acomoda al dispositivo de seguridad de acuerdo con la presente invención, y una unidad externa;Figure 2 is a block diagram of the interaction between a peripheral unit that accommodates the device safety according to the present invention, and a unit external;

la figura 3 es un diagrama de bloques de una segunda realización de la interacción entre una unidad periférica, en la cual se incorpora el dispositivo de acuerdo con la invención, y una unidad externa.Figure 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the interaction between a peripheral unit, in which the device according to the invention is incorporated, and an external unit.

Ways to carry out the invention

Con referencia a las figuras, e inicialmente con referencia a la figura 1, el dispositivo de seguridad de acuerdo con la presente invención, que en general está designado por el número de referencia 10, comprende medios de control lógico 12, que están conectados a medios de memoria 13 y a medios de gestión 14 que están adaptados para gestionar el funcionamiento de al menos un LED.With reference to the figures, and initially with reference to figure 1, the safety device according to the present invention, which in general is designated by the number reference 10, comprises logical control means 12, which are connected to memory media 13 and management media 14 that are adapted to manage the operation of at least one LED.

Los medios de control lógico 12 están conectados a una puerta seguidora 15 de energía, que está adaptada para accionar al menos un LED 16, que proporciona una indicación del estado de funcionamiento de la unidad periférica en la cual se encuentra acomodado el dispositivo de seguridad.The logic control means 12 are connected to a power follower door 15, which is adapted to drive at least one LED 16, which provides an indication of the operating status of the peripheral unit in which it The safety device is accommodated.

La unidad periférica puede ser, por ejemplo, un sensor o un actuador.The peripheral unit can be, for example, a sensor or actuator

Se interpone una resistencia 17 entre la salida de la puerta seguidora 15 de energía y el LED 16 y permite reducir la corriente en la salida de la puerta seguidora 15 de energía, para suministrar energía al LED 16.A resistor 17 is interposed between the output of the power follower door 15 and LED 16 and allows to reduce the current at the exit of the energy follower door 15, for supply power to LED 16.

La particularidad de la invención es que el LED 16 se utiliza no solamente como un dispositivo para señalizar el estado de funcionamiento de la unidad periférica, sino también en sentido inverso, como se explicará en detalle en la presente memoria a continuación.The particularity of the invention is that the LED 16 is used not only as a device to signal the operating status of the peripheral unit, but also in inverse sense, as will be explained in detail herein then.

De hecho, el LED es normalmente un dispositivo diseñado para convertir energía eléctrica en energía luminosa, con un efecto fotoeléctrico, con el fin de proporcionar en este caso una indicación del estado de funcionamiento de la unidad periférica.In fact, the LED is normally a device designed to convert electrical energy into light energy, with a photoelectric effect, in order to provide in this case a indication of the operating status of the peripheral unit.

En el dispositivo de acuerdo con la invención, el LED también funciona como un fotodiodo, es decir, efectúa la conversión opuesta de energía luminosa a energía eléctrica.In the device according to the invention, the LED also functions as a photodiode, that is, it effects the opposite conversion of light energy to electrical energy.

Es un hecho conocido que una unión p-n, si es atravesada por una corriente, pueden emitir fotones cuya energía está ligada al tipo de dopaje de la unión. De manera similar, si una unión p-n es iluminada por fotones de energía apropiada, se producen parejas de electrones - huecos, las cuales, circulando a través de la unión, generan una corriente que es proporcional a la intensidad de la luz incidente.It is a known fact that a union p-n, if it is crossed by a current, they can emit photons whose energy is linked to the type of doping of the Union. Similarly, if a p-n junction is illuminated by photons of appropriate energy, pairs of electrons - holes, which, circulating through the junction, generate a current that is proportional to the intensity of the light incident.

Obviamente, la eficiencia de la conversión de cuantos, es decir, la cantidad de corriente que puede ser generada en relación con una energía luminosa incidente dada, es muy baja para un LED, puesto que el LED es un dispositivo optoelectrónico diseñado y optimizado para la conversión opuesta, es decir, de energía eléctrica a energía luminosa.Obviously, the conversion efficiency of how many, that is, the amount of current that can be generated in relation to a given incident light energy, it is very low for an LED, since the LED is an optoelectronic device designed and optimized for the opposite conversion, that is, of Electricity to light energy.

Sin embargo, la fotocorriente que se obtiene del LED, si el mismo es iluminado apropiadamente con una fuente luminosa sintonizada con la misma longitud que el LED, puede proporcionar una señal cuya amplitud es suficiente para permitir el tratamiento por un bloque amplificador-comparador.However, the photocurrent that is obtained from LED, if it is properly illuminated with a light source tuned to the same length as the LED, it can provide a signal whose amplitude is sufficient to allow treatment by an amplifier-comparator block.

Por lo tanto, modulando la señal de la fuente de iluminación con un tren de impulsos, es posible reconstruir la citada señal en la salida del sistema de tratamiento de señales.Therefore, modulating the signal from the source of lighting with a pulse train, it is possible to reconstruct the said signal at the output of the signal processing system.

De esta manera, habrá disponible un canal de comunicaciones semiduplex adicional, el cual, además de la línea de dos conductores convencional que conecta la unidad periférica a una unidad de control, permite la comunicación con la citada unidad de control.In this way, a channel of additional semiduplex communications, which, in addition to the line of Two conventional conductors connecting the peripheral unit to a control unit, allows communication with said unit of control.

En la práctica, por lo tanto, el dispositivo de seguridad 10 de acuerdo con la invención comprende una resistencia adicional 18 que se conecta en paralelo con el LED 16 para convertir en voltaje la corriente generada cuando el LED 16 actúa como
receptor.In practice, therefore, the safety device 10 according to the invention comprises an additional resistor 18 that is connected in parallel with the LED 16 to convert the current generated into voltage when the LED 16 acts as
receiver.

Por supuesto, el número de resistencias 18 es igual al número de LEDS 16 previstos en la salida a la unidad periférica que acomoda el dispositivo de seguridad 10.Of course, the number of resistors 18 is equal to the number of LEDS 16 provided at the output to the unit peripheral that accommodates the safety device 10.

Además, se proporcionan medios de conmutación 19 con el fin de conectar la señal de voltaje producida por el LED 16, cuando se enciende, a medios comparadores 20 que están adaptados para comparar la citada señal de voltaje con un voltaje 21 de comparación, de manera que se genere una señal 22 que representa la diferencia entre el voltaje detectado por el LED 16 y el voltaje de referencia 21 enviado por los medios de control lógico 12.In addition, switching means 19 are provided. in order to connect the voltage signal produced by LED 16, when turned on, to comparator means 20 that are adapted to compare said voltage signal with a voltage 21 of comparison, so that a signal 22 representing the difference between the voltage detected by LED 16 and the voltage of reference 21 sent by the logic control means 12.

El amplificador - comparador 20 permite, además, amplificar la citada señal de diferencia de voltaje.The amplifier - comparator 20 also allows amplify the said voltage difference signal.

Por lo tanto, los medios de conmutación 19 son operativamente abiertos normalmente cuando el LED 16 actúa como un dispositivo optoelectrónico para indicar el estado de funcionamiento de la unidad periférica, es decir, cuando proporciona una indicación externa del funcionamiento de la citada unidad periférica.Therefore, the switching means 19 are Operatively normally open when LED 16 acts as a optoelectronic device to indicate the operating status of the peripheral unit, that is, when it provides an indication external operation of said peripheral unit.

Viceversa, cuando el LED 16 actúa como un elemento receptor, los medios de conmutación 19 se cierran, activando el trayecto que conecta el LED 16 a los medios amplificador-comparador 20, desplazando la puerta seguidora 15 de energía a un estado de alta impedancia.Vice versa, when LED 16 acts as a receiver element, the switching means 19 are closed, activating the path that connects LED 16 to the media amplifier-comparator 20, moving the door 15 energy follower at a high impedance state.

Sustancialmente, se crea un segundo canal de comunicación, esta vez de tipo óptico, a lo largo del canal de comunicación normal de dos conductores o de radio, que conecta la unidad periférica a la unidad de control (que no se muestra en las figuras).Substantially, a second channel of communication, this time of optical type, along the channel of normal two-conductor or radio communication, which connects the peripheral unit to the control unit (not shown in the figures).

La figura 2 es una vista esquemática de una unidad periférica 30 que acomoda internamente el dispositivo de seguridad 10, de acuerdo con la presente invención.Figure 2 is a schematic view of a peripheral unit 30 that internally accommodates the device security 10, in accordance with the present invention.

El número de referencia 16 designa, en este caso, de nuevo al LED para la indicación externa del estado de funcionamiento de la citada unidad periférica.Reference number 16 designates, in this case, back to the LED for external indication of the status of operation of said peripheral unit.

Con el fin de iluminar el LED 16 desde el exterior y por lo tanto, hacer que actúe como un elemento receptor, una primera realización proporciona una unidad externa 31 que está provista apropiadamente de un dispositivo óptico de entrada y salida.In order to illuminate LED 16 from the outside and therefore, make it act as a receiving element, a first embodiment provides an external unit 31 that is properly provided with an optical input device and exit.

En la primera realización que se muestra en la figura 2, el dispositivo óptico de entrada y salida proporciona al menos un LED 32 ultrabrillante, que está dispuesto al lado de un fotodiodo o fototransistor 33, de manera que el LED 32 pueda iluminar al LED 16 de la unidad periférica 30 y por lo tanto, hacer que actúe como un elemento receptor.In the first embodiment shown in the Figure 2, the optical input and output device provides the minus an ultra bright LED 32, which is arranged next to a photodiode or phototransistor 33, so that LED 32 can illuminate the LED 16 of the peripheral unit 30 and therefore do that acts as a receiving element.

Al mismo tiempo, el fotodiodo 33 de la unidad externa 31 permite recibir información luminosa del LED 16 de la unidad periférica 30.At the same time, photodiode 33 of the unit external 31 allows to receive luminous information from LED 16 of the peripheral unit 30.

La unidad externa 31 se encuentra apropiadamente en interfaz mecánica con la unidad periférica 30, para mantener el dispositivo óptico de entrada y salida 32, 33 a una corta distancia del LED 16.External unit 31 is properly located in mechanical interface with peripheral unit 30, to maintain the optical input and output device 32, 33 at a short distance of LED 16.

En una segunda realización, que se muestra en la figura 3, la unidad periférica 30 se encuentra de nuevo en interfaz con la unidad externa 31, pero en este caso, el dispositivo óptico de entrada-salida está constituido por al menos una fibra óptica 34.In a second embodiment, shown in the Figure 3, peripheral unit 30 is again in interface with external unit 31, but in this case, the optical device input-output consists of at least one fiber optic 34.

Esta última solución permite que el operador programe, pruebe y obtenga datos desde las unidades periféricas, incluso si las mismas se encuentran situadas en posiciones dificultosas y complicadas, sin tener que retirar la unidad periférica de su soporte.This last solution allows the operator program, test and obtain data from peripheral units, even if they are located in positions difficult and complicated, without having to remove the unit peripheral of its support.

En la práctica, se ha observado que el dispositivo de seguridad de acuerdo con la invención permite obtener un canal de comunicación bidireccional adicional que se añade a lo largo del canal de comunicación normal, dispuesto entre una unidad periférica y unos medios de unidad de control, para controlar el funcionamiento de la citada unidad periférica.In practice, it has been observed that the safety device according to the invention allows to obtain an additional bidirectional communication channel that is added to the normal communication channel length, arranged between a unit peripheral and control unit means, to control the operation of said peripheral unit.

Además, el canal "óptico" creado de esta manera permite que el operador actúe directamente sobre las unidades periféricas en el ambiente de funcionamiento, es decir, en el lugar de la instalación, con las ventajas consecuentes en términos de funcionamiento y en términos de mantenimiento.In addition, the "optical" channel created from this way allows the operator to act directly on the units peripherals in the operating environment, that is, in place of the installation, with the consequent advantages in terms of operation and in terms of maintenance.

Además, el dispositivo de seguridad de acuerdo con la invención puede integrarse fácilmente en una unidad de control de un tipo conocido comercialmente, con un incremento mínimo de sus
dimensiones.Furthermore, the safety device according to the invention can easily be integrated into a control unit of a commercially known type, with a minimum increase in its
dimensions.

El dispositivo concebido de esta manera es susceptible de varias modificaciones y variaciones, todas las cuales se encuentran dentro del alcance del concepto de la invención; todos los detalles se pueden reemplazar además por otros elementos equivalentes técnicamente.The device conceived in this way is susceptible of various modifications and variations, all of which they are within the scope of the concept of the invention; everybody the details can also be replaced by other elements technically equivalent.

En la práctica, los materiales utilizados, siempre que sean compatibles con el uso específico, así como con las dimensiones, pueden ser cualesquiera, de acuerdo con los requisitos y con el estado de la técnica.In practice, the materials used, provided they are compatible with the specific use, as well as with the dimensions, can be any, according to the requirements and with the state of the art.

Claims

1. A security device with bi-directional communication capability, comprising logical control means that are adapted to control at least one LED to indicate the operating status of a peripheral unit in which said security device is accommodated, which It is characterized in that it comprises at least one resistor that is connected in parallel with said at least one LED, to convert the light energy received from said at least one LED into voltage, said LED being connected to means for evaluating said generated voltage of in this way, the said means being connected to the said logical control means, the said voltage of the response of said security device being indicative to a signal sent from an external unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for evaluating said voltage generated by said at least one LED comprise amplifier and comparator means adapted to compare said voltage generated by said LED with the reference voltage generated by said logical control means, in order to obtain a signal of the voltage difference that is adapted to be sent to said logical control means.

3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said amplifier and comparator means are connected to said at least one LED by means of switching means.

The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said logical control means actuate said at least one LED by means of an energy follower door.

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one resistor is interposed between said power follower door and said at least one LED, and is connected in series with said at least an LED

The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an external unit that is adapted to be applied in interface with said peripheral unit that accommodates said security device, said external unit being provided with an optical input and output device, adapted to communicate with said at least one LED.

The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said optical input and output device of said external unit comprises at least one ultra-bright LED and at least one photodiode or phototransistor.

The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said optical input and output device of said external unit comprises at least one optical fiber.

The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said logical control means are connected to memory means and means for managing said at least one LED.

An external unit for transmitting an optical signal to an LED of a peripheral unit provided with a safety device, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an optical input and output device that is adapted to communicate bidirectionally with said at least one LED of said peripheral unit.

11. The external unit according to claim 10, characterized in that said optical input and output device comprises at least one ultra-bright LED and at least one photodiode or phototransistor.

12. The external unit according to claim 10, characterized in that said optical input and output device comprises at least one optical fiber.

13. The external unit according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that it is in mechanical interface with said peripheral unit, to maintain said optical input and output device in a position in which it is oriented towards said at least one LED of said peripheral unit.

14. A method for providing an optical communication channel between a security device of a peripheral unit and an external control unit, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

use at least one LED of said device security of said peripheral unit to receive a signal optics sent by the said external unit, indicating said LED the operating status of said peripheral unit;

convert the said optical signal received by the cited at least one LED in a voltage signal, using a resistance connected in parallel with said at least one LED;

evaluate said voltage signal by means of evaluation means that are connected to logical control means adapted to control the aforementioned at least one LED, the cited method in the environment in which the cited is installed peripheral unit.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of evaluating said voltage signal comprises the amplification and comparison of said voltage signal with a reference voltage sent by said logical control means.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the step of connecting said at least one LED with means to evaluate said voltage signal by means of switching means.