FI98328C - COUPLING - Google Patents

Description

98328

CLUTCH SYSTEM KOPPLINGSANORDNING

The present invention relates to a remote control system for activating a switch of electrical devices or the like to provide a desired function. The invention relates, for example, to a switch system for switching electrical current to a device by remote control or for activating mechanical, pneumatic or other similar operation by remote control.

Switching on the electric light, opening the radio or television, opening the 10 doors, calling for help with an alarm device, etc. are difficult functions for a person with a limb disability. Remote control devices also require a manual remote control device with which the above-mentioned functions can be achieved. If the hands are inoperable, 15 devices that have to be controlled in some other way, e.g. the mouth or the foot, have to be used, which is inconvenient.

Alarm devices which give an alarm, for example when unauthorized persons are moving in a protected interior, can be switched off by means of a key or switch. ···; However, the switch or key-operated device is often: placed in as inconspicuous a part of the room as possible, • · · • 1. · so that it is not immediately noticed by an unauthorized person.

• · · · 1 In this case, the device is often also difficult to reach when 25 relevant persons should turn off the alarm. · 1 · ': It would be desirable for the alarm to be switched off • a simpler than it is now.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for reducing the above-mentioned disadvantages. It is a particular object of the invention to provide a system and method by which a human can remotely activate devices or, respectively, 2 98326 close an activated device.

To achieve the objects of the invention, a remote control method and system is characterized in that the system 5 comprises: - a measuring sensor for measuring pressure pulses in a room where a pressure pulse or pressure pulse train of <1.3 Pa is generated to activate the switch, - a processor comprising a programming unit and a processor unit , and programmatically comparing the signals from the measuring sensor to predetermined values to eliminate signals from irrelevant pressure pulses and to accept signals generated by the generated pressure pulse or pressure pulse train, and means for controlling the accepted signals to a desired switch to activate the switch.

The pressure pulse required for remote control can be provided by the diaphragm muscle movement. With the tension movement 20 of the diaphragm, a very small but still recordable characteristic: change, pressure pulse, which according to the invention is used to activate or deactivate the switch, can be produced in the room air pressure. According to the invention, it is thus possible, for example, to produce different remote control commands with one pressure pulse provided by the diaphragm and with several successive pressure pulses.

• · ·

The pressure pulse * * · ϊ · ’produced by a human diaphragm on the barometric pressure curve is relatively constant, about 0.1 Pa to 1.3 Pa, most commonly 0.5 to • · · V · 30 1 Pa. The pressure pulse has a characteristic sine wave shape. The pulse starts, for example, with a vacuum pulse and continues immediately thereafter with a smaller overpressure pulse. The total duration of the pulses is about 300 to 600 milliseconds, more generally about 400 to 500 milliseconds.

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Despite their small size, human-induced pulses on the diaphragm are easily distinguishable from background noise due to their characteristic shape. The variations in the background, which are normally no more than a few Pasca-5s indoors, are due to various changes in the environment, such as air conditioning and wind.

According to the invention, the above-mentioned pressure pulses produced by the human diaphragm can be easily detected with a suitable measuring sensor, an electronic filter and a software processor from a normal pressure background.

The measuring sensor, which is capable of distinguishing about 0.1 Pa to 1.3 Pa of pressure pulses and has an accuracy of 1%, is suitable for detecting pressure pulses produced by a diaphragm movement. As the pressure pulse measuring sensor, for example, a measuring sensor can be used which measures the absolute pressure of the room space and which is connected to a pressure reference connection connected to a closed space, such as a closed tank or equalizing vessel at one end. If desired, a small 0.1 mm hole can be formed in the tank or vessel, which acts as a compensating path for slow pressure changes, e.g., pressure changes caused by temperature changes in the vessel.

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The measuring sensor can be equipped with a voltage output which • · · produces a voltage signal proportional to the pressure difference, which. is measured with a digital oscilloscope connected to a measuring sensor.

: 30 9: * · · A filter can advantageously be connected between the measuring sensor and the processor, which prevents pulses larger or smaller than predetermined values from entering the processor.

35 The filter can thus eliminate from the signals from the measuring sensor 4 98328 those relating to pressure pulses, - which are higher or lower than the predetermined pressure pulses and those pulses, - whose length is greater or less than the length of the predetermined pressure pulses.

For example, the filter may comprise a pulse height separator which separates pulses whose height is higher or lower than a predetermined threshold height, which eliminated pulses form a so-called background noise. In this way, for example, pressure pulses> 1.3 Pa and <0.3 Pa can be eliminated.

Preferably, the filter further comprises a pulse length separator that separates pulses having a length greater than or less than 15 predetermined threshold lengths. In this way, for example, pressure pulses> 600 ms and <300 ms can be eliminated.

The signals received from the measuring sensor or filter are routed to a processor, where they are compared programmatically, the so-called 20 artificial intelligence, to predefined acceptable pressure pulse signals in the processor memory.

The processor is programmed to recognize acceptable pressure: pulse signals according to their shape and to distinguish them • · «·; ·. ·. 25 other measuring sensor registrations pressure pulse signal- * ..! signals. The processor can be programmed to detect pulses • »· 'within predetermined tolerance values, so that small allowable throws in the signals do not prevent them •« ·; · 'Approval.

A: 30: The system of the invention thus comprises a processor which can be used to accept only predetermined pressure pulses or pulse trains and which ignores other pressure pulses or pulse trains occurring simultaneously.

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The system according to the invention preferably further comprises coding means for identifying and controlling the accepted pressure pulse signals as commands for the desired switching devices, e.g. a power switch for an electrical device or the like.

5

By using the device according to the invention, e.g. a small diaphragm movement, a person can produce one or more pressure pulses, with which the number or time interval of the pressure pulses can be varied to perform several different functions, without manually touching the remote control devices.

The invention can, for example, be used to generate an alarm by remote control. One or more diaphragm movements can be used to activate the desired alarm system. The system according to the invention can even be programmed in such a way that it can give alarms of different degrees by using different pulse trains, i.e. by remote control it informs the recipient of the alarm what kind of alarm it is in each case.

20

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a diagram of a system according to the invention; • · · '• · · ·; Fig. 2 shows a plotter plot printed in the measurements, # ·; · # with three consecutive pressure pulses produced by the diaphragm muscles • · · repeated rapidly; ... Fig. 3 shows a curve according to Fig. 2 with three consecutive pressure pulses • · · • · * repeated slowly; Fig. 4 shows a curve according to Fig. 2 with three: * ·, · single pressure pulses;

Figure 5 shows the curve of Figure 2 with three consecutive pressure pulses in a rapidly changing background; Fig. 6 shows a curve according to Fig. 2, which does not show the small pressure pulses produced by the diaphragm muscles 90 7 0 0 ΟοΖϋ 6, but shows the pressure pulses caused by closing the door and partially opening the door. Fig. 7 shows a curve according to Fig. 2 with several individual pressure pulses produced in a larger room space, and

Fig. 8 shows a curve according to Fig. 7 with pressure pulses produced in a larger room space with the room doors open to the aisle.

Figure 1 shows a diagram of a system according to the invention. The system comprises a measuring sensor, i.e. an air pressure sensor 10, e.g. a Micromanometer MP6KSR manufactured by Alnor Oy s based on a capacitive differential pressure sensor 15. The basic accuracy of the meter is 1% and it can reliably measure pressure differences below 0.1 Pa. In experiments performed to measure the absolute pressure in the test room space, a small sealed tank or vessel was connected to the pressure reference connection of the meter.

A filter, not shown, may be connected to the air pressure sensor 10. The filter eliminates them:. pressure pulse signals whose height or length does not correspond to • · · ·· * · ’25 acceptable pressure pulse lengths or heights.

The barometric pressure sensor 10 is preferably provided with a voltage output which produces a voltage signal proportional to the pressure difference. • · ·: *. * Iin (10mV / PA), which is measured by a digital oscilloscope. la.

• · • · · «

Pressure, preferably filtered, obtained from an air pressure sensor. the pulse signals are fed to a processor 12, where the signals are compared by the program of the programming unit 14 to the data of the memory 16 35 to identify the signals and to accept or reject the signals. In the experiments, a plotter, not shown in the figure, can be connected to the processor to illustrate the pressure pulses.

The accepted pressure pulse signals are fed to the encoder 18 and from there to the switch central unit 20. By means of the encoder and the switch central unit, the signal codes from the processor are read binary, for example, and controlled to activate the desired switch 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30. different signal types, such as single signals, fast sequentially given 2 or 3 signals, or slowly sequentially given 2 or 3 signals. The different signal types are led via the switch central unit 20 to activate the desired switch 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30 in each case. Thus, with the system according to the invention, one single pressure pulse can activate a different switch than e.g. three successive pressure pulses within a certain time interval.

20

In experiments performed in a room of about 50 m3 and 200 m3 with mechanical air conditioning, doors and windows in some of the experiments closed, it was observed that in the human diaphragm muscles t ’. the pressure pulses produced are characteristically shaped and • · · ·. ·. 25 easily distinguishable from other pressure variations. Testitu- ·; ·. the results were recorded on a recorder. Scale of the plotter curve> · · vertically 1.2 seconds / cm. Time axis from right to left.

1 «· • · · • · • · • · · 30 In the experiments shown in Figures 2-6, about 50 m3 of room space was used and the air conditioning was switched off. In the experiments shown in Figures 7-8, about 200 m3 of room space was used with the air conditioning switched on. In the experiments according to Figures 7-8, a better and * <·· '35 higher pressure reference tank was used in the measuring sensor than in the experiments of Figures 2-6 98328 8, which partly explains the reduction of background noise. The pressure scale in Figures 2-6 is 0.5 Pa / cm and in Figures 7-8 0.2 Pa / cm.

Figure 2 shows a plotter plot printed in the measurements, showing three consecutive, rapidly reproducing pressure pulses 32 produced by the diaphragm muscles. The pressure pulses are clearly visible and begin with a negative pressure and continue with a small overpressure pulse. Three rapid successive 10 pulses can hold for a period of about 1.5 seconds.

Figure 3 shows the curve of Figure 2, which also has three consecutive pressure pulses 34, but more slowly than before. These pressure pulses are also easily recognizable due to their shape.

Figure 4 shows the curve of Figure 2 with three consecutive individual pressure pulses 36, 38 and 40. The pressure pulses, although individual, are clearly distinguishable from the curve.

Figure 5 shows a graph according to Figure 2 with three consecutive pressure pulses 42, 44 and 46 in a rapidly changing background. The pressure pulse 42 coincides with a relatively sharp pressure change phase, but still stands out from the background in a clearly decreasing pressure change curve.

• «* '' In the processor, a slow pressure change curve like the previous one can be eliminated, whereby the pressure pulses, especially the • · t I. * Pulse 42 are even more clearly distinguished.

• · · V: 30. Figure 6 shows, for comparison, the pressure pulses 48 and

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50, which arise when the door is opened or closed. It can be seen from Figure 6 that such pressure pulses are of a completely different order of magnitude than, for example, the pressure pulses caused by human diaphragm muscles 35 and can therefore be easily eliminated.

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Fig. 7 shows a graph according to Fig. 2 of experiments performed in a larger room space of about 200 m3, with normal office-level air conditioning on and the doors closed. The pressure pulses 52 register clearly-5 ti. The shape of the pressure pulses is very similar in different pulses.

Fig. 8 shows a graph according to Fig. 7 of experiments carried out in the same room but with two doors open to a very wide corridor space. The connection of the room space to the corridor attenuates the pressure pulses 54 clearly, but the pulses are still clearly identifiable.

The system according to the invention thus comprises a measuring sensor 15 10 and a processor 12 which can be used to detect and identify only predetermined pressure pulses or pulse trains and which is programmed to ignore other pulses or pulse trains occurring simultaneously. The system according to the invention further comprises a coding device 18 and 20 for switching the controlled pressure pulses or pressure pulse sequences of the switching central unit 20 as commands to the desired switching device 22, 24, 26, 28 or 30.

: The system according to the invention operates, for example, in the following way: • · · · ··, ·. 25 that a pressure sensor, a processor and the necessary switch circuits are fitted to a room where remote control functions are required. The processor is programmed to compare the pressure pulse signals from the pressure sensor with the • · · • · 'input signals to be eliminated and the acceptable signals • · · V * 30 data. Accepted signals are routed to the switchboard. *. ί to the unit which, on the basis of the signals, switches the desired switch. The switch can, for example, activate the desired alarm in a bank or similar mode. Or the switch may be an electrical switch for switching on a lamp, opening a radio or connecting an electric current to an actuator which, for example, opens a window or door. The switch can be arranged to activate ventilation or heating. The switch can be used to activate, for example, a transfer mechanism to move an object to the desired location. The switch can also be used to activate hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical devices.

The invention is not intended to be limited only to the embodiments described above, but is intended to be applicable in a wide variety of applications within the scope of the inventive idea defined by the following 10 claims. For example, the processor of the system according to the invention can be used, in addition to detecting small pressure pulses, to detect larger pressure pulses, such as to detect pressure pulses caused by opening a door or window or breaking a window.

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Claims (17)

1. Remote control system for activating the coupling of electrical or equivalent devices to obtain the desired function, characterized by it. the system comprises: - a measurement detector for measuring pressure pulses in a room, in which a <1.3 Pa pressure pulse or a series of <1.3 Pa pressure pulses for activating the coupling is obtained, - a processor having a programming unit and a processor unit, in which programmatically compares the signals obtained from the measurement detector with predetermined values, for eliminating signals derived from non-essential pressure pulses, and for approving the signals from the generated pressure pulse or series of pressure pulses, and means; which conveys the approved signals to the desired couplings for activating the couplings. 2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. that the measuring detector is a capacitive pressure difference detector, with an accuracy of 1% and with which one can measure pressure differences below 0.5 Pa, advantageously below 0.1 Pa. «.'1 3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. a filter is provided between the measurement detector and the processor, for filtering out background noise-related pressure pulses. · ,; 4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that. The filter can eliminate the signals coming from the measurement detector • The signals relating to pressure pulses - which are higher or lower than the predetermined pressure pulses and the pulses, - whose length is greater or less than at the predetermined: pressure pulses length. 98328 System according to claim 3, characterized in that. that the filter has a pulse height identifier, which can eliminate pulses whose height is greater, e.g. > 1.3 Pa, or less, e.g. <0.3 Pa, than a predetermined threshold height, which eliminated pulses constitute so-called. background noise. System according to claim 3, characterized in that. the filter has a pulse length identifier, which can eliminate pulses whose length is greater, e.g. > 600 ms, or 10 shorter, e.g. <300 ms, than a predetermined threshold length. 7. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. that the measuring detector measures the absolute pressure in the room and is connected to a pressure reference connection connected to a closed room, such as one from its other end closed equalization vessel1. System according to claim 1, characterized in that. that, as a measurement detector, one uses a measurement detector which is sufficiently sensitive to measure by means of the human body; by means of diaphragms, induced pressure pulses or series of successive pulses, which are approx. 0.1 - 1.3 Pa .; advantageously 0.5 - 1 Pa, and that the · · · [· // 25 processor is programmed to distinguish one in this: · * produce small pressure pulse or in this way called small pressure pulses, according to its ( their) shape, from other pressure pulses recorded by the measurement detector. • · · • «· ♦? 30 9. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. that. - the measuring detector has a voltage output which gives a voltage signal proportional to the pressure difference, and - the measuring detector is connected to a digital oscilloscope for measuring the voltage signal, which signal is compared progammatically with predetermined approved pressure pulse signals 1! 96328 in the processor memory unit. System according to claim 1, characterized in that. that the system has means for conducting approved pressure pulse signals as an order to a coupling selected by the processor. 11. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. the system comprises a processor which can be used so that it only accepts pulses or series of pulses in a predetermined form and simultaneously leaves other pulses or series of pulses unattended. 12. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that. that the processor has means which can be used to provide commands which activate desired electrical appliances or electricity. dyl., e.g. switches on the power in electrical appliances. 13. A method for activating couplings in electrical appliances or the like by remote control to achieve a desired function, characterized by it. according to the method: - with a measuring detector, measuring pulses in a room are measured, in which room, advantageously by a movement or contraction of the diaphragm muscle, an approx. <1.3 Pa pressure pulse • · · ··· · 25 or series of pressure pulses for activating the clutch; • · ·: - programmatically compares, by means of a processor, which has a «· · · programming unit and a process unit, the signals that the measurement detector gives with predetermined values, for eli-1. . Mining of non-essential pressure pulses resulting from signatures and for approval of the pressure pulse generated -. the signal or series of pressure pulses is obtained, and that the approved signals are routed to the desired coupling for activating the coupling. . ••• 35 98328 Method according to claim 13, characterized in that. identifying with the processor an approximately sinusoidal 0.1 Pa - 1.3 Pa pressure pulse produced by the diaphragm muscle, the duration of which is 300 ms - 600 ms. 5 Use of the system according to claim 1, characterized therein. that the system is used to activate electrical or other appliances by means of a remote control by means of a movement of the body e.g. diaphragm, generating a clutch activating pressure pulse. Use of the system according to claim 1, characterized therein. that the system is used to switch on & power in electrical appliances. 15 Use of the system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system is utilized to provide an alarm by remote control. • «• ♦ ♦ • ♦ ♦ • ·« · · · · ♦ · · • 1 1 · · · · • 1 1 • · · · · I I • · «· · a» · • · · • I I ·