FI91922C - A data transmission system - Google Patents

Description

91922 COMMUNICATION & SYSTEM

The invention relates to a data transmission system for remote control of, for example, lighting, air conditioning, security and AV equipment.

5 Remote control systems have been commonly used e.g. entertainment electronics. In the past, these were based on the use of ultrasound (UÅ), but today infrared (IR) -based technology is the most commonly used. The disadvantage of ultrasound was e.g. quite narrow access to control and address codes io. IR systems suitable for lighting control are manufactured by e.g. Siemens AG, Germany and Philips, The Netherlands. The disadvantage of the infrared method is the required light path between the transmitter and receiver.

It is therefore expected that radio control will take over more and more areas in the control of lighting, air conditioning, AV and safety equipment. The radio waves propagate through normal silencer walls and this results in a sufficiently wide address code being included in the communication signal between the devices. However, in large systems 20, multiple actuators must be controlled simultaneously. However, if only one communication channel is used in the control system, it is not possible to transmit several control commands simultaneously within one range. On the other hand, the limited number of radio channels available 25 in larger systems precludes the use of a separate channel for each transmitter or receiver.

The above-mentioned problem has been solved in radiotelephones in such a way that the central unit operating in the range of the telephone selects the currently unused channel for communication. In remote control systems, this solution is only possible if the system includes a central unit. Even then, the disadvantage of solution 2 91922 is slowness; often remote control requires the operation corresponding to the control command to be performed with the shortest possible delay, whereby the back-and-forth communication between the control device and the control panel causes too long a delay for control and operation. Second, in many cases, it is advantageous to decentralize the control system, whereby the division of the central unit reduces costs and the control system is not tied to the operating distance or capacity of the central unit.

io In so-called cordless telephones, the problem has been solved in more advanced models by the telephone alternately measuring the interference level of the channels in use and selecting the channel with the lowest interference level. However, the measurement of the interference level directly from the channels in use must be performed in channel 15 one channel at a time, because otherwise the receiver circuits become complicated and expensive. In addition, measuring the level of a signal of a random nature takes a relatively long time per channel before it can be reliably decided whether channel 20 already has traffic. Thus, it takes too long to select a channel for remote control applications.

The communication system according to the invention consists of two or more equipments, the information of which is transmitted so that in addition to the normal information signal containing the information, another signal is transmitted, an additional signal, the content of which depends on which channel the message is transmitted. By monitoring the additional signals, the sending device is able to quickly detect which channels are busy and which channels are free from the transmission of the message signal. Correspondingly, the equipment receiving the message signal is able to quickly switch to the correct channel.

These additional signals, in turn, can be transmitted on their own channel 35, so that even several additional signals transmitted on this channel for 3,91922 times can be quickly determined by the receiver means of the controller or receiver device which channels are occupied. Another alternative is that the additional signal is transmitted on the same channel as the corresponding message signal, in which case the broadband receiver can monitor the additional signals occurring on several channels simultaneously.

The system according to the invention combines the versatile use possibilities of the radio frequency signal and, on the other hand, the fast response time of the control commands even in large systems.

For more detailed means of implementing the system according to the invention, reference is made to the claims and to the various systems according to the invention presented below.

The following describes a remote control system according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1.

Markings of FIG. 1:

LA Hardware A

20 OR Equipment A transmitters for sending a signal signal TA2 Equipment A transmitters for sending an additional signal RA1 Equipment A receivers for receiving a signal signal RA2 Equipment A receivers for receiving an additional signal GA System A logic circuits

LB Hardware B

30 TBI Equipment B transmitters for sending a signal signal TB2 Equipment B transmitters for transmitting an additional signal RB1 Equipment B receivers for receiving a message signal ---—-------- 'TT-91922 4 RB2 Equipment B receivers for receiving an additional signal GB System B logic circuits

5 DAi Input message DA

DAo LåhtOviesti DA

DBi Input message DB

DBo OutboxSend DB

SA1 Message signal A

10 SA2 Additional signal A

SB1 Message signal A

SB2 Additional signal B

SX2 Additional signals sent from other equipment

The example system includes hardware A and hardware 15 B. However, the number of devices can be arbitrary.

To transmit the message DA, the apparatus A has transmitter means TA1 and the apparatus B has receiver means RB1. The signal contained in the message DA, in the following the message signal, SA1, is transmitted, for example, using radio waves and frequency channels 20. The frequency channel selection is performed in hardware A by logic unit GA and in hardware B by logic unit GB.

The second transmitter means TA2 of the apparatus A send an additional signal SA2 together with the message signal. The content of the additional signal depends on which frequency channel is used in the transmission of the message signal 25.

Before transmitting the message signal and the additional signal, the equipment A can check which channel is free from the transmission of the message signal. For this purpose, the gate controller has receiver means RA2 for receiving additional signals.

By receiving the additional signals SX2 from the other equipment, the logic unit GA of the equipment A can select a free channel based on the information or strength contained in the received additional signals.

91922

Accordingly, the apparatus B can take advantage of the information or strength contained in the additional signals SX2 received from the other apparatus when selecting the reception channel of the message signals. For this purpose, the apparatus B 5 has means for receiving additional signals.

The transfer of the message DA from the hardware A to the hardware B has been described above. Correspondingly, the messages can be transmitted in two directions. Then, for example, the message DB

In order to transmit the rayos, the means TB1 for transmitting the signal signal as well as the means TB2 for transmitting the additional signal are required in the apparatus 3, and the means RA1 for receiving the signal signals are required in the apparatus A.

The means used for transmitting or receiving the message and the additional signal are not necessarily separate, but e.g. when transmitting radio waves, it is often advantageous to use at least a common amplifier and antenna for transmitting both signals. Correspondingly, it may be advantageous in the receiver means to use a common antenna and a preamplifier for receiving both signals I t <*.

The invention is described in more detail below; remote control system according to FIG. 2.

25 Markings in FIG. 2: C Controller U User UI User Interface LC Controller logic unit 30 TC Controller transmitters TC1

FC Controller bandpassFilter unitO

DC Controller level detection unitO

RC1 Controller feedback Signal receiver devices 5 V Receiver device RV1 Receiver device receiver devices for receiving signal signal RV2 Receiver device receiver devices for additional signal reception for io FV

LV Receiver unit logic unit

P Actuator TV1 Receiver device return message signal transmitters TV2 Receiver device return signal signal transmitters SCI Message signal sent by the controller SC2 Additional signal sent by the controller SVI Return message signal sent by the receiver device 20 SV2 Additional signal sent by the receiver S2 Additional signal sent by the receiver S2

An example system includes a controller (C) and a receiver (V), each of which may be an arbitrary number.

In order to achieve the desired function, the control means, e.g., buttons, of the user interface UI of the controller 25 are activated. In addition to humans, activation can take place by myOs, e.g. by a computer or a sensor.

The first transmitter TC1 of the controller C transmits a message signal SCI, which is transmitted as radio waves, for example on channels in the vicinity of the frequency 433.92 MHz. These channels can be used, for example, N songs. A control command is encoded in the message signal, which could be, for example, controlling the receiver actuator P to the off state.

7 91922

The second transmitter means TC2 of the controller C simultaneously transmit an additional signal SC2, which is transmitted, for example, on a channel reserved for additional signals.

A low frequency signal 5m is modulated on the carrier of the additional signal, which contains the frequency component fm. When the response signal is transmitted, for example, on channel 1, the frequency fm of the frequency component fm contained in the signal Sm is.

Before sending the message signal and the additional signal, the controller can check which channel is free after sending the message signal. For this purpose, the controller has receiver amplifiers RC2, which are tuned to the channel on which the additional signals are transmitted. The receiver receivers RC2 of the controller have a detector, the low frequency signal of which is routed to 15 bandpass filters FC set to the frequencies fl ... fn. In the case of band-pass filters, there are level detectors DC, which compare the intensities of the signals Sm present at the frequencies fl ... fn with respect to an alternatively set level or with respect to each other. Em.

Based on the comparison results, the controller logic unit LC selects the channel on which the response signal is transmitted.

The channel with the lowest measured intensity level of the corresponding frequency component fm can be selected. Alternatively, any channel whose measured level of the corresponding frequency component fm is below the set value can be selected. If none of the strength values of the frequency components fm corresponding to the channels falls below the set value, the transmission of the message signal can be delayed until one channel is released, i.e. the strength level of the frequency component fm corresponding to channel 30 falls below the set value.

Receiver V follows the channel reserved for the transmission of additional signals. The receiver has bandpass filters for the frequencies corresponding to the signals Sm. There are level detectors in the band of the bandpaste filters that compare the intensities of the signals Sm 3 91922 with respect to the set dew. If the level set at a frequency, e.g. fl, is exceeded, the means for receiving the message signal from the receiver are switched on. to the channel corresponding to the frequency 1. If the set reference level 5 is exceeded on several channels, the means for receiving the message signal of the receiver are switched alternately to the above-mentioned channels, for example at set intervals. The time interval from channel to channel is so long that the receiver device has time to identify it. whether the control commands to be sent on the channel are addressed to it. If control commands are assigned to the to the receiving device, the receiving device receives the commands before switching to another channel.

Upon receipt of the control command, the control circuits of the receiver 15, which may belong to the LV of the logic unit, control the actuator P according to the control command, for example to the on state of the luminaire. The actuator may be an integral part of the receiver device or it may be a physically separate part, such as a detachable spotlight on a luminaire rail 20.

When transmitting the additional signal, it is advantageous to use amplitude modulation, because when the additional signal is received, it is easily obtained after detection from all the transmitter means transmitting the additional signal to the receiver means 25, the frequency of the frequency components fm When using amplitude modulation, an inexpensive and low power consumption superregenerative receiver 30 can be used as the additional signal receiver means.

For example, amplitude-phase or frequency modulation can be used to transmit the message signal. However, when using phase and frequency modulation methods, a better quality communication link 35 is generally achieved compared to amplitude modulation.

9 91922

The means used for transmitting or receiving the message and the additional signal are not necessarily separate, but e.g. e.g. in transmitting means it is often advantageous to use at least a common amplifier and antenna for transmitting both signals. Accordingly, it may be advantageous in the receiver means to use a common antenna and a preamplifier to receive both signals.

In the remote control system according to the invention, a rnyOs return message can be used, by means of which the controller receives information about the implementation of the control command 10. In this case, the receiver must have transmitter TV1 and TV2 to send the return message signal SVI and the additional signal SV2. Correspondingly, the controller has receiver means RC1 for receiving the return message signal. The return message signal received in the user interface UI 15 of the controller, for example, lights up an indicator light describing the performed function. From the point of view of efficient use of the channels and in order to obtain a fast response, it is often advantageous to transmit a return message signal on the same channel as the message signal whose implementation of the control command 20 is indicated by the return signal.

Relatively high dynamics are required to receive additional signals from the receiver means if the system has a large number of controllers and actuators and channels are multiple and, in addition, the mutual distances of the devices vary widely. In order to reduce the dynamic requirement, it may be advantageous to send the additional signals to each other at partially different times. In use, the additional signals can be transmitted as repetitive pulses, thereby reducing the probability of transmitting multiple simultaneous additional signals. Then the level detectors DC and DV measure the signal level of the channels for at least the length of the repetition interval of the pulses before the selection of the transmission channel.

In time, the message signal and the auxiliary signal may be simultaneous, but they may be myds partially or 35 completely different in time, and one of them may be 10,91922 longer duration golts. For example, it is advantageous to transmit the message and auxiliary signals alternately, in which case only one radio frequency oscillator can be used in the transmitters, the frequency of which is alternately controlled on the channel of the message signal and the auxiliary signal.

The additional signal can also be transmitted on the same channel as the message signal, in which case a separate channel is not required for additional signals. The additional signal can then be lShettSS

alternately with the message signal or, depending on the modulation mode of the message signal io, myOs simultaneously with the message signal. Use the same channel

It is preferable for the vMlines receiving the additional signals to be a wideband, e.g. super-regenerative receiver, in order to be able to receive the additional signals present on all channels simultaneously. Another option is to take turns monitoring the channels in the system.

The system according to the invention can also be applied to infrared control when it is desired to build a complex control system in the common space 20.

Examples of such facilities are open-plan offices and factory halls, where there may be even large mSSra remote-controlled actuators in the infrared & tea range. Likewise, the system can be used in IR 25 systems in rooms where infrared plastic or glass is used as the external material.

The system according to the invention can also be used when the information transmission path is used in 30 electronic networks, because it is also used in large-scale control and other systems.

In communication systems, several frequency channels have to be used in the plant.

The system according to the invention can also be used in data acquisition systems in which, for example, the measurement results are transmitted from the sensors 11 91922 wirelessly or via the electricity network esixn. sååtcSystem system actuators or data acquisition device. The JSr system can also be used, for example, for the transmission of messages in personal search systems.

Only some applications according to the invention have been described above.

Claims (26)

12 91 922 A communication method used in systems with two or more devices (LA, LB), in which at least one device has one or more means (OR, TBI) for transmitting signals and in at least one device has one or more means (RA1, RB1) ) to receive signals, and if the system is, for example, a remote control system, there is at least one apparatus (C) as a controller and at least one apparatus (V) 10 is a receiver device comprising or connected to an actuator (P) such as a luminaire, and systems information is transmitted in such a way that the first signal (SA1, SB1), hereinafter "message signal", is transmitted from one apparatus 15 to another using electromagnetic fields such as radio waves, sound or light waves, multiple signals or inductive or capacitive switching as transmission paths. channels, esime for example, one or more 20 frequency channels, and the message signal is encoded with the desired information, such as a control command, using modulation techniques known per se, from the fact that substantially one of said 25 signals is transmitted in connection with said SB signal2 in time; , hereinafter "additional signal", the content of which depends on which channel is used for transmitting the message signal. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that before the equipment (LA, LB) transmitting the message signals (SA1, SB1) selects the channel of the message signal, it receives additional signals transmitted from other equipment (SX2) and the channel of the message signal is selected according to the received additional signals. on-the-spot information or intensity, or both. 91922 A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the message receiving equipment (LA, LB) receives additional signals transmitted from other equipment (SX2) and selects a message signal receiving channel based on the information or strength contained in the received additional signals or both. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional signal consists of a carrier modulated by a signal using a modulation method known per se. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal with which the carrier of the additional signal is modulated comprises a hair component fm, wherein the value of the frequency is fm depends on which channel is used for transmitting the message signal. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that before the transmission channel of the message signal is selected, the intensities of the frequency components fm are measured and the channel of the message signal is selected such that the intensity of the frequency component fm corresponding to the selected channel falls below a set limit value. A method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that before the transmission channel of the message signal 25 is selected, the intensities of the frequency components fm are measured and the channel of the message signal is selected so that the intensity of the frequency component fm corresponding to the selected channel is the smallest. Method according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the devices for receiving the message signal are set on a channel whose strength of the corresponding frequency component fm exceeds a set limit value. 91922 A method according to claim 8, characterized in that when the butter strength fm of the two or more received frequency components exceeds a set limit value, the means vS means for receiving the message signal 5 are alternately set on the channels corresponding to the aforementioned frequency components. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that when the intensity fm of the two or more received frequency components exceeds a set limit value and the receiver means for receiving the message signal are alternately set for the channels corresponding to said frequency components, the channel is changed with a set time delay. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional signal is transmitted as repetitive pulses. A method according to claim 6 or 7 and claim 11, characterized in that the channel of the message signal transmitted by the apparatus is selected for its yoke when the intensities fm of the frequency components 20 are measured for at least a time which is the repetition phase of the pulsed additional signal. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a channel is used for the transmission of additional signals which is not used for the transmission of message signals. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the message signal and the associated additional signal are transmitted on the same channel. 91922 Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the message and the additional signal are transmitted alternately. Method 5 according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver device (V) of the remote control system sends a return message (SVI) signal to the controller when the receiver device has received a control command or the tax actuator (P) connected to the receiver device has performed the control command. . A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the return message signal (SV2) is transmitted on the same channel as the message signal (SCI) contained in the return message signal indicating the receipt of a control command or the execution of a function according to the control command. 18. A communication system with two or more devices (LA, LB) whose information is transmitted so that the first signal (SA1, SB1), hereinafter "message signal", is transmitted from one device to another using the transmission path electromagnetic fields, sound or light waves, electrical conduction or. inductive or capacitive switching, and one or more channels, for example one or more frequency channels, are used to transmit the message signals, and the desired signal, such as a control command, is encoded in the message signal using known modulation techniques, and at least one device (LA) , TBI) for transmitting a message signal (SA1, SB1) and at least one device (LA, LB) has selected (RA1, RB1) for receiving a message signal, characterized in that the system comprises one or more devices with options (TA2, TB2) for another signal (SA2, SB2),: 35 for transmitting an "additional signal" using one of said six-way channels and substantially temporally related to said message signal, and the apparatus in question has means (GA, GB) connected to the additional signal transmission means (TA2, TB2) having 5 makes the content of the additional signal dependent on m this channel is used for transmitting the message signal, and in addition the system comprises one tax more equipment (LA, LB) with selections (RA2, RB2) for receiving an additional signal (SX2) transmitted from the transmitter lines of the other equipment. A system according to claim 18, characterized in that in the apparatus (LA, LB) having means for sending the message signal (SA1, SB1), means for sending (TA2, TB2) an additional signal (SA2, SB2) as well as receiving (RA2, RB2). A system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the apparatus (LA, LB) having means (RA1, RB1) for receiving the message signal has means (RA2, RB2) for receiving the additional signal. System according to one of Claims 18 to 20, characterized in that a broadband receiver circuit, for example a superregenerative receiver, which receives 25 signals from two or more channels simultaneously, is used in the stacks (RA2, RB2) to receive the additional signal. System according to one of Claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the device (C, V) with means (RC2, RV2) for receiving the additional signal has means (FC, DC, FV, DV) connected to these means for determining the frequency components contained in the signal. to identify strengths. 91922 System according to one of Claims 18 to 22, characterized in that a narrowband receiver circuit is used for receiving the message signal, which receives the signal from substantially one channel 5 at a time. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electromagnetic fields, such as radio waves, are used in the transmission path of the message signal and the additional signal. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amplifiers receiving the additional signal comprise attenuators for detecting an amplitude modulated signal and the attenuators receiving the message signal comprising attenuators for detecting a phase or frequency modulated signal. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the system at least one device is a controller (C) and at least one device is a receiver device (V) and a message signal (SCI) to be sent from the controller to the receiver device contains a control command. an actuator (P) such as the desired function of the lamp. »91922