WO1998038607A1

WO1998038607A1 - Contact person search device

Info

Publication number: WO1998038607A1
Application number: PCT/DE1998/000558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcus Gebhard
Original assignee: Marcus Gebhard
Priority date: 1997-02-25
Filing date: 1998-02-25
Publication date: 1998-09-03
Also published as: DE19880214D2; DE29703365U1; EP0965113A1; AU6820098A

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact person search device for seeking and identifying people who are ready to make contact, and to a control method for such a device. The portable search device comprises a signal generator (9), a search signal transmitter (1), a receiver (2), a display device (4) with a plurality of display elements (41,42,43) enabling in each case an external search signal (F) to be displayed with the receiver (2), and a control device (3). The control device is configured in such a way that it performs the following control method: initially, a first operational mode is activated in which the search signal transmitter (1) sends out its own search signal (E), a first display element (41) of the display device (4) is activated on reception of an external search signal (F) and a second operational mode is activated, whereupon the search signal transmitter (1) sends out its own second search signal (E), said signal (E) being modified in comparison with the first search signal (E) of its own in terms of output, phase, amplitude and/or frequency, and a second display element (42) of the display device (4) is activated on reception of an external search signal (F) in a second operational mode.

Description

Contact person search device

The invention relates to a contact person search device for searching and identification of people ready to make contact and a control method for such a contact person search device.

People interested in establishing contact with other people, in particular a partnership, often meet people who are also willing to make contact in everyday situations. In this way people often meet who find each other attractive, and everyone would like to get to know each other. A contact usually fails because one person does not know the other's interest, and addressing another person, for whom there is no corresponding interest, usually leads to an embarrassing situation.

From DE 44 31 707 AI is an infrared transmitter and receiver system for making contact between people over short

Known distances. Information about the wearer, such as e.g. Name, telephone, age, profession, sent by the carrier to a person who is perceived as attractive by aiming at them with the device, and the data is sent at the push of a button. If the targeted person is also the bearer of a suitable device, this device receives the sent data and signals the reception to the targeted person. The recipient can then take action by targeting someone who they consider attractive, hoping that it is the sender. The contact is made either via transmitted telephone numbers or via immediate personal contact after the first successful data transfer.

Such devices have the disadvantage that they require constant vigilance by the user. The user must first select a person and then become active by using them Target person and send his data. Since it is generally the case that the targeted person is not the bearer of a corresponding device, numerous attempts are required until a first success is achieved.

In addition, the actual contact cannot be made easily. When a message is received, it cannot be determined on the spot who sent it. When contacting us later on the phone, there is therefore a risk of meeting someone whose appearance makes them unattractive.

Immediate contact with the device according to DE 44 31 707 AI is only possible if a person who

Has received a message and this is signaled by the device, looks around to see whether a person nearby is behaving abnormally, e.g. executes the aiming movements. In this case, there is the disadvantage that the surroundings also become aware of the process and are therefore embarrassing

Situation arises. In addition, it is not guaranteed that there is an interest in contact between the people that is mutual.

From DE 295 11 077 U1 a signal transmission system for short ranges is known which consists of at least two mobile transceivers with a limited range, each device continuously transmitting signals and being switched to receive signals. The transmitted code signal contains in coded form an ordered pair of numbers, the first number of which corresponds to the properties of the person wearing the device and the second number of properties of a person sought. When receiving an inverse signal, i.e. of a pair of numbers in which the first and second numbers are interchanged, the carrier is informed that a suitable contact person is nearby.

An immediate contact is with the device according to the DE 295 11 077 Ul is only possible if there is only one person within the transmission range of the transceiver who, from the outside, comes into question that the contact person is suitable. It is not possible to locate or individualize this contact person in crowds.

The invention has for its object to provide a contact person search device and a control method for a contact person search device, the use of which only takes the user's attention when a contact is actually available, and with which the person who can be found provides recognized contact options.

According to the invention, the contact person device is achieved with a contact person search device according to claim 1.

It will be a portable search and find contact person

Identification of persons ready to make contact is created, which has a signal generator for generating its own search signal E, a search signal transmitter connected to the signal generator, a receiver, a display device with a plurality of display elements and a control device. The display elements of the display device can each be used to display the reception of an external search signal F with the receiver. The control device is connected to the search signal transmitter, to the receiver and to the display device and is designed in such a way that it first activates a first operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits a first own search signal E, then upon receiving an external search signal F in the first Operating state towards a first display element of the display device activated and activated a second operating state in which the search signal transmitter emits a second own search signal E, the second own search signal E compared to the first own Search signal E is changed with regard to phase, amplitude and / or frequency, and activated upon receipt of an external search signal F in the second operating state, a second display element of the display device.

Because the search signal transmitter is activated to send its own search signal, the initiative for establishing contact takes place at regular intervals without the user having to worry about it. He can deal with completely different things and at first forget his desire to contact. Only when an external search signal is received, that is to say that there is a possibility of contact because a corresponding person who is willing to make contact is nearby, is the user's attention woken up by displaying via the first display element of the display device.

The fact that a second operating state is then activated initiates a process for finding the person who offers the recognized contact possibility. Characterized in that in the second operating state of the search signal transmitter a second own

Transmits search signal E, the second own search signal E compared to the first own search signal E in terms of power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency changed, the range of reception between the device of the wearer and the device of the contact person, of which the foreign search signal F was received in the first operating state is reduced.

The wearer who knows, as a result of the display on the first display element of the display device, that the

Contact person is within range, which corresponds to the first operating state, can now determine the location of the contact person in more detail. Either the contact person is already within range, which corresponds to the second operating state. Then a display takes place immediately via the second display element of the display device. If the contact person is not yet within range, the second Corresponds to the operating state, the wearer can try to approach the contact person by inconspicuously walking around in order to get them into the range of the second operating state. As soon as this is successful, the second display element is used for the display.

It is possible according to the invention that the plurality of display elements as a plurality of components, i.e. are designed as a hardware solution. For example, there may be several lights. It is also possible for the plurality of display elements to be implemented as a software solution, e.g. a single display component is provided, on which different displays can be executed by means of display software. For example, digits can be output or optical outputs with different colors or acoustic outputs with different tone sequences or pitches.

The readiness for transmission and reception of the device can be designed so that it can be switched on and off.

It is possible that the invention

Contact person search device has only two display elements and the control device is designed such that only two operating states are provided. However, the control device is preferably designed such that, upon receiving an external search signal F in the second operating state, it activates the second display element of the display device and activates a third operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits a third own search signal E, the third own search signal E compared to the first own search signal E and compared to the second own search signal E with regard to power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency is changed, and upon receipt of an external search signal F in the third operating state, a third display element of the display device is activated .

This makes it possible to further refine the search for the contact person. After the distance of the wearer from the Contact person has been reduced to a level that is within the range of the second operating state, a third operating state is switched on, in which the range is reduced again. When a signal is received in the third operating state, that is to say if the contact person remains within the range of the third operating state, the third display element of the display device displays the signal. In this way, the search for the contact person can be restricted to an even smaller radius.

For example, operating states can be provided which correspond to ranges of 15, 8 and 2 m, so that after a first indication of a contact, the range is reduced from 15 to 8 m. This opens up the possibility of carrying out a rough localization of the carrier of the other contact person search device. After a contact has been made even with a range of 8 m, e.g. the other person is localized very precisely by displaying the third display element when contact has been made even at a distance reduced to a distance of 2 m. In many cases, this very precise localization already corresponds to individualization.

Further operating states with further display elements can further refine the search.

According to a preferred embodiment of the contact person search device according to the invention, the first own search signal has a larger amplitude than the second own search signal and the second own search signal may have a larger amplitude than the third own search signal.

By reducing the amplitude when switching from the first own search signal to the second own search signal and from the second own search signal to the third own search signal, it is achieved in a simple manner that the range of reception between the contact person search device of the carrier and the contact person search device of a possible contact person is reduced. With increasing distance from a transmitter, the locally available amplitude starts from the

Output amplitude of the signal sent on the transmitter. At a distance from the transmitter, the locally available amplitude falls below a threshold value below which the signal no longer stands out from the background noise and can therefore no longer be received. The reduction in the output amplitude means that the distance at which this threshold value is undershot is shortened, and the range is thus reduced.

According to another preferred embodiment, the first own search signal has a first frequency band, and the second own search signal has a second frequency band that is shifted in comparison to the first frequency band, and the third own search signal optionally has a third frequency band that is in comparison to that first frequency band and in

Compared to the second frequency band is shifted. It is also possible that the frequency band is a single frequency. The frequency shift is preferably a very slight frequency shift in relation to the absolute value of the frequency.

The frequency shift means that the signal can be received less accurately or less completely by a receiver that is set to receive a specific frequency band. The greater the distance, the more

Inaccuracies or incompleteness in reception are added due to the background noise or general interference. From a certain level of total inaccuracies or incompleteness in reception, the signal can no longer be identified. A successful

The signal is therefore no longer transmitted. The inaccuracy or incompleteness caused by the frequency shift leads to a shortened distance the transmitter has exceeded the said amount of total inaccuracies or incompleteness in reception and the signal can no longer be identified. The range is thus shortened by shifting the frequency band.

Since a shift in the frequency band is technically much easier to accomplish than e.g. a change in performance, a simplified structure of the contact person search device is achieved. In particular, the required size of the contact person search device can be significantly reduced. This is the only way to enable the contact person search device e.g. to be realized in the form of a wristwatch.

According to the invention it is e.g. possible to shift the frequency band to lower frequencies from the first operating state to the second operating state. From the second operating state to the third operating state, a shift of the

Frequency band to be made even smaller frequencies. Alternatively, the frequency band can also be shifted from the second operating state to the third operating state to higher frequencies than in the first operating state. According to the invention, it is also possible to shift the frequency band to higher frequencies from the first operating state to the second operating state. In any case, the frequency shift takes place in such a way that the range is reduced from the first to the second operating state and is further reduced from the second to the third operating state.

The contact person device, the object is achieved according to another embodiment of the invention with a contact person search device according to claim 5.

It will be a portable search and find contact person Identification of persons ready to make contact is created, which has a signal generator for generating its own search signal E, a search signal transmitter connected to the signal generator, a receiver, a display device with a plurality of display elements and a control device. The display elements of the display device can each be used to display the reception of an external search signal F with the receiver. The control device is connected to the search signal transmitter, to the receiver and to the display device and is designed such that it first activates a first operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits its own search signal E and the receiver for receiving foreign signals with a first reception sensitivity and is set up in a first frequency band, upon receiving an external search signal F in the first operating state, activates a first display element of the display device and activates a second operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits its own search signal E and the receiver for receiving external signals with a second

Reception sensitivity and is set up in a second frequency band, wherein the second reception sensitivity is less than the first reception sensitivity and / or the second frequency band is shifted compared to the first frequency band, and upon receiving a foreign search signal F in the second operating state, a second display element the display device activated.

The frequency band can also consist of a single frequency.

The contact person search device according to this embodiment is designed such that in principle the same range reduction is realized as with a contact person search device according to claim 1. Only in this embodiment the range is shortened by a modification at the receiver instead of a modification at the search signal transmitter. It is possible that the invention

Contact person search device has only two display elements and the control device is designed such that only two operating states are provided. However, the control device is preferably designed in such a way that, upon receiving an external search signal F in the second operating state, it activates a second display element of the display device and activates a third operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits its own search signal and the receiver for receiving external signals is set up with a third reception sensitivity and in a third frequency band, the third reception sensitivity being less than the second reception sensitivity and / or the third frequency band being shifted in comparison to the first frequency band and in comparison to the second frequency band, and for receiving a stranger Search signal F activated in the third operating state towards a third display element of the display device.

This in turn will refine your search

Contact person achieved. Further refinements can be provided via further display elements and further operating states.

The contact person search device is preferably designed such that in the first operating state the receiver is set up to receive foreign signals in a first frequency band, and in the second operating state is set up to receive foreign signals in a second frequency band, the second frequency band compared to is shifted to the first frequency band, and is set up in the third operating state for receiving foreign signals in a third frequency band, the third frequency band being shifted in comparison to the first frequency band and in comparison to the second frequency band.

This enables a small size of the contact person search device, in particular in the form of a Wristwatch is enabled.

According to the invention, the search signal transmitter can be designed such that a search signal of its own can essentially only be transmitted in one direction by the search signal transmitter. The

Search signal transmitter can also be designed such that its own search signal can be transmitted by the search signal transmitter in a directional sector with a certain horizontal solid angle, e.g. 60 degrees or 120 degrees or 240 degrees. Because a separate search signal can be transmitted in a directional sector with a larger solid angle, the probability is considerably increased that a separate search signal will reach a carrier of another corresponding device.

The search signal transmitter can be designed so that it can be carried on the body in such a way that the directional sector is aligned with the bisector of the angle when the head is in a straight position or even independently of the head position to the line of symmetry of the human field of vision. This ensures that the direction of transmission and thus the direction of

Searching for contact persons via the contact person search device corresponds to the direction of natural contact, whereby natural contact refers to the processes that usually take place when people contact one another, i.e. optical contact, unobtrusive

Patterns, eye contact, approaching each other, etc. With this orientation of the directional sector of the search signal transmitter, an interaction can be established between contacting the device, if any, and natural contact. The user is using a

Advertisement alerted and can immediately check in his field of vision whether there is a person who also arouses his interest based on his appearance.

The horizontal solid angle preferably corresponds to

Search signal transmitter directional sector at least one third of the horizontal solid angle of a human field of view, but at most the entire human Field of vision.

For example, the horizontal solid angle of the search signal transmitter directional sector can correspond to a third of the horizontal solid angle of a human field of view. The search signal transmitter thus covers the area of the field of vision in which detailed perceptions are usually possible for a person, that is to say the corresponding attributes of the appearance of a possible contact person can be recorded. The search signal transmitter can also be designed so that it can be attached to the head so that it can be pivoted.

It is also e.g. possible that the horizontal solid angle of the search signal transmitter direction sector corresponds to the entire human field of vision. This ensures that the interaction with the natural contact can also take place when the head is pivoted and the search signal transmitter is not designed to be pivotable with the head. Contact is then made with the contact person search device at a high rate

Probability of the potential contact persons clearly visible in the middle visual field, but not regarding potential contact persons who are no longer visible. The directional sector can, for example, have a solid angle greater than 60 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

According to another preferred embodiment, the search signal transmitter is designed and attachable such that a separate search signal from the search signal transmitter is in one

Direction spectrum of 360 degrees can be sent. This has the advantage of maximizing the likelihood of successful contact. It is also possible, for example, to make contact using the contact person search device if corresponding contact persons are behind the user. This makes it possible, for example, to make contact when the person is in a restaurant and is sitting at a table facing the wall. According to the search signal transmitter, the receiver can also be designed in such a way that only signals from a directional sector with a certain horizontal solid angle can be received and this receiver directional sector can be aligned with the viewing direction of the person. Others for that

Embodiments described search signal transmitter can also be provided accordingly for the receiver.

According to the invention, it is possible for the contact person search device between the signal generator and the search signal transmitter to have no device for coding the own search signal to be emitted by the search signal transmitter. A simple search signal is then only sent, which says that a contact search is desired. According to a preferred embodiment, however, the contact person search device has an encoder interposed between the signal generator and the search signal transmitter, by which the own search signal can be coded with information to be transmitted, and a decoder connected to the receiver, from which the external search signal received by the receiver can be decoded and it can then be checked whether it is an external search signal with the desired information. The fact that the encoder and the decoder are provided makes it possible to transmit information with the search signal and to evaluate the transmitted information.

In this way e.g. sent own search signals are provided with an identifier and received external search signals are then recognized as to whether there are signals from devices at all by means of which contact is desired. This prevents confusion with other radio signals.

It is possible, for example, that the decoder is designed in such a way that the signals determined are checked to determine whether they contain certain information and in this way among the potential contact persons, that is to say the contact seekers with whom a transmission connection is established, on the basis of certain criteria a selection can be made. The result is that the need for attention that is given to the user is further reduced. Only the contact options that are particularly promising according to certain criteria or the contact options that are particularly in their interest are signaled to the user. In this way, the risk of an unsuccessful natural attempt to contact the signaling of a possibility of contact by the contact person search device is further reduced. This can avoid embarrassing situations.

According to the invention, the encoder and the decoder can work without an attached memory. For example, you can pre-program the search signal generated by the signal generator and received by the receiver. However, the contact person search device preferably has a memory connected to the encoder and the decoder with two memory areas, of which the first memory area is assigned to the encoder and the second memory area is assigned to the decoder, and an input device connected to the memory. Information to be transmitted with the own search signal, e.g. Carrier personal data are stored. In the second memory area, comparison information, on the basis of which it can be decided whether desired information is contained in a received external search signal, e.g. Desired contact person data can be saved. Just as well e.g. Desired contact person data form the information to be transmitted and carrier person data the

Comparative information. The search signal can then be modulated via the encoder in accordance with the information to be transmitted stored in the first memory area. Using the comparison information stored in the second memory area, the decoder can check a received foreign search signal for desired information. Suitably, carrier data of a carrier of the device, such as age, Gender, profession, type of contact request or desired contact person data of a desired contact person are saved.

There can also be two separate memories.

According to the invention, only the first memory area can be assigned to the encoder and only the second memory area to the decoder. However, both the encoder and the decoder are preferably assigned to both memory areas and in the foreign one

Search signal contained information, insofar as it has been encoded by an encoder of another device with two memory areas, can be sorted by the decoder according to whether it is stored in the other device in the first or the second memory area and is information contained in the foreign search signal can be checked for the desired information by the decoder by comparing the information stored in the other device in the first memory area with the content of the second memory area and the information stored in the other device in the second memory area with the content of the first memory area.

The contact person search device according to the invention then works as follows: when sending out a search signal not only

Carrier data or only desired contact person data are retrieved and transmitted from the memory, but carrier person data which are stored in the first storage area and desired contact person data which are stored in the second storage area. That from

Own search signal generated by the signal generator is encoded by the encoder with the information from both memory areas and sent by the search signal transmitter upon activation by the control device. The foreign information received upon receipt of an external search signal is checked with the decoder to determine whether it contains carrier person data which are compatible with the desired contact person data stored in the memory and at the same time contain desired contact person data which are compatible with the carrier person data stored in the memory. If a simultaneous compatibility is determined, a display is made by the display device. Because both carrier data and

Desired contact person data are transmitted and when a transmission connection is established between two devices in each of the devices, the decoder checks whether the carrier person data of one carrier corresponds to the desired contact person data of the other carrier and vice versa, in each of the devices it is determined whether a contact attempt is promising is. The corresponding display is then triggered in each of the devices. The fact that the complete data check is carried out in each device before an announcement is made, means that a person is brought to the attention by means of an announcement without being able to make contact. The people are therefore only made aware and distracted from their current employment if there are actually chances of success for a contact.

The fact that both people are made aware creates the necessary information to initiate natural contact.

The memory is programmable in the contact person search device, i.e. e.g. Carrier data and / or desired contact person data can be programmed. This has the advantage that the device can be used by different carriers. It is also possible to adapt the device to the current contact requests, e.g. if the age of a carrier or the desired group of contacts has changed.

According to the invention, the search signal transmitter can have a maximum range, i.e. a reach in the first

Operating state that extends far beyond distances in which natural contact is possible. However, the search signal transmitter preferably has one with respect to the receiver )) t to HM

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successful signal transmissions between people who are within a natural range of one another can be made distinguishable from those signal transmissions which are actually not within a natural range of each other. It can e.g. the display of a one-time signal transmission when two cars drive past in opposite directions can be excluded.

According to the invention, the display device can operate thermally, via odorous substances or via a pressure transmitter. However, the display device is preferably an acoustic and / or an optical display device, e.g. a piezo speaker or a light emitting diode. The display can e.g. can be maintained for a certain period of time or a reset button can be provided and the display can be maintained until this reset button is pressed.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the display device is designed in such a way that the reception of an external search signal by the receiver can only be displayed by the person wearing the device. In this way it is ensured that no third person notices that a contact person search device is present or that a signaling of a contact possibility has taken place. Embarrassing situations for the wearer are avoided. The display device can be, for example, an acoustic display device with a volume with which a display can only be displayed to the wearer in the case of normal ambient noise. For this purpose, the display device can preferably be integrated in an earring. The display device can

Example can also be an optical display device which is designed and arranged in such a way that it is covered in the normal state and can be seen by the wearer by means of a body movement that is not unusual in public. Such a display device can, for example, be integrated in a wristwatch.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the Display device designed and arranged in such a way that reception of an external search signal by the receiver can only be displayed by the wearer and by persons in the immediate vicinity of the wearer. The immediate surroundings are understood to be the surroundings of a person up to the distance that is usually observed when people talk to the public. If the reception can only be displayed in the immediate vicinity, the risk of third parties noticing the presence of a contact person search device is relatively low. However, there is a possibility that persons who have been signaled a contact option and who subsequently intend to make natural contact and who are approaching each other for this purpose can use a display on the display device of the other person's device to determine which person is wearing the Contact person search device is. Usually, the behavior of a person to whom a contact option has been signaled will already give the other person an indication of which person it is with regard to the contact option, but in some cases it is not possible to unequivocally recognize the other person. For example, it may be that two friends who are friends with each other are traveling together and are in the immediate vicinity of one another, but only one of these two people is carrying a contact person search device or is a possible contact option. If the other carrier of the contact person search device approaches this person, he will not be able to easily distinguish which of the two friends is the one determined by the contact person search device. This problem can be clarified by the fact that the reception of the search signal is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the wearer.

According to a third embodiment of the invention

Display device designed such that a search signal reception can be displayed within a display range that extends beyond the immediate surroundings of a wearer. On in this way the display device can serve to support the natural establishment of contact after a contact possibility has been signaled. If the display range is greater than or equal to the range of the search signal transmitter, the display of the determined

Help the contact person find the contact person immediately after a contact option has been displayed. If the display range is less than the range of the search signal transmitter, the search for the determined contact person can be carried out in stages. The wearer of the contact person search device tries to approach the person in question in his area and makes sure that he perceives a display from a display device of the other person. He can then perceive this display as soon as he approaches a distance below the display range.

The display device is preferably an optical display device which is integrated, for example, in a piece of clothing or jewelry on the upper body or head, so that it is possible for another person to carry out a reading of the display device without carrying out particularly conspicuous movements.

According to the invention, a contact person search device can also have a plurality of display devices. For example, there may be an acoustic indicator in an earring that operates at a volume so that it can only be heard by the wearer himself. At the same time, an optical display device can be present, which is recognizable when one is directly in front of the person.

The contact person search device preferably has a distance display device from which the distance of a transmission source of a foreign one received by the receiver

Search signal and / or the change in distance can be displayed. In this way, the initiation of the natural Contact is supported by showing the searcher how far the person is from him or at least whether he is approaching the person or rather moving away from him. The distance display device can have, for example, a signal field strength pickup, from which the strength of an external search signal received by the receiver can be picked up, and a field strength display device.

The entire contact person search device is preferably in one

Wrist watch integrated or designed in a shape identical or similar to a wrist watch as a partnership watch.

The control device is preferably designed such that the own search signal transmitted via the search signal transmitter contains its own identity information about the identity of the sending contact person search device and an external search signal received via the receiver can be checked by checking an external identity information contained therein whether it is from another transmitter from which signals have previously been received.

This makes it possible to enable a gradual approach between two devices and to separate signals from third devices. The response to the signals from third-party devices can be blocked for a certain period of time.

More preferably, the control device is designed in such a way that its own when a foreign search signal is received

Is sent out by the search signal transmitter, which in addition to its own identity information contains the foreign identity information contained in the received foreign search signal as receipt information and a foreign search signal received via the receiver by comparing the receipt information contained therein with its own identity information can be checked to determine whether it is from comes from the other transmitter, from which signals have already been received υo U> to to H Π o Lπ o σι O LΠ

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Proposed: First, a first operating state is activated, in which the search signal transmitter transmits its own search signal and the receiver is set up to receive foreign signals with a first reception sensitivity and in a first frequency band; upon receiving an external search signal in the first operating state, a activated the first display element of the display device and activated a second operating state in which the receiver is set up to receive foreign signals with a second reception sensitivity and in a second frequency band, the second reception sensitivity being less than the first reception sensitivity and / or the second frequency band in comparison is shifted to the first frequency band, and upon receiving a foreign search signal in the second operating state, a second display element of the display device is activated.

In the control method for a contact person search device, a second one is preferred upon receiving an external search signal in the second operating state

Display element of the display device is activated and a third operating state is activated, in which the receiver is set up to receive foreign signals with a third reception sensitivity and in a third frequency band, the third reception sensitivity being less than the second reception sensitivity and / or the third frequency band compared to the first frequency band and in comparison to the second frequency band, and a third display element of the display device is activated upon receipt of an external search signal in the third operating state.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a contact person search device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the control device a contact person search device according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is an illustration of a contact person search device according to the invention, which is designed in the form of a wristwatch.

FIGS. 4A to 4E illustrate the mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the contact person search device according to the invention and of the control method according to the invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the mode of operation of a preferred embodiment of the contact person search device according to the invention and of the control method according to the invention.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, an encoder 5 is connected to a signal generator 9. A search signal transmitter 1 is connected to the encoder 5. The search signal transmitter 1 is set up for sending its own search signals E and is also connected to the control device 3.

A decoder 6 is connected to a receiver 2 which is set up for sending external search signals E. The receiver 2 is also connected to the control device 3.

A display device 4, a memory 7 and an input device 10 are also connected to the control device 3.

The display device has a first display element 41, which is designed as a red light, a second display element 42, which is designed as a yellow light, and a third display element 41, which is designed as a green light.

The memory 7 has a first memory area 71 and a second memory area 72. At the memory 7 is one U) u> to to ¹

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of 15 m, was sent. This restriction is limited to a maximum range R of 15 m for a search signal transmitter of the same type as the search signal transmitter 1 that transmits an external search signal. The received external search signal is passed on by the receiver 2 to the decoder 6 and is called up in the memory 7 in the first memory area 71 and the desired contact person data or carrier person data stored in the second memory area 72 are checked to determine whether there is a possibility of contact. This is the case when the received foreign search signal F has been sent, for example, by a carrier of a suitable contact person search device and the carrier person data retrieved from the first memory area 71 are compatible with the desired contact person data contained in the foreign search signal F, and those from the second memory area 72 retrieved

Desired contact person data are compatible with the carrier person data contained in the external search signal F. In the event that the data comparison carried out after decrypting the data in the decoder 6 actually results in a compatibility of the data and thus there is a possibility of contact, the control device 3 activates the display device 4, whereupon a display takes place. In the event that no corresponding compatibility is recognized, the display device 4 is not activated.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the control device 3. A box with three columns can be seen, each of the columns corresponding to one of the operating states. The left column corresponds to the first operating state UC1, the second column corresponds to the second operating state UC2 and the third column corresponds to the third operating state UC3.

The ranges of the contact person search device set in the respective operating state are also drawn in the respective columns. The range corresponding to the first operating state is that of FIG. 2 apparent embodiment 15 m, corresponds to the maximum range. The range corresponding to the second operating state is 8 m and the range corresponding to the third operating state is 2 m.

In addition, the display element which is displayed when the operating state is ended is shown for all three operating states. The first display element, a green lamp, is shown in the left column. The second display element 42, a yellow lamp, is shown in the second column and the third display element, a red lamp, is shown in the third column.

The sequence that can be controlled by the control device is shown with arrows. First of all there is

Device in the first operating state UCl with a range of 15 m.

As soon as a reception is established and if necessary a successful data synchronization takes place, the green lamp lights up and at the same time the first operating state is ended. That is, after the green lamp lights up or the green lamp also lights up, the sequence follows the obliquely drawn arrow from the green lamp to the designation UC2, i.e. it is switched to the second operating state UC2. In this operating state, the range is reduced to 8 m.

As soon as a signal is received from a contact person search device in this second operating state and the corresponding data comparison has possibly been successfully carried out again, the yellow lamp is displayed and the operating state changes from the second operating state UC2 to the third operating state UC3. The range is reduced to 2 m.

If, in turn, the corresponding reception or data comparison has been carried out with another contact person search device the red lamp finally lights up. The lighting up of the red lamp means that two contact person search devices are located at a distance of less than 2 m from one another and, if appropriate, the corresponding data comparison has been carried out successfully. In this situation it is relatively easy to determine who is the bearer of the other contact person search device and to make personal contact.

The structural design of a contact person search device designed as a wristwatch can be seen from FIG. The contact person search device has a display part 40 which carries the display device 4 and has a plurality of bracelet parts 30. The search signal transmitter 1, the signal generator 9, the receiver 2, and the control device 3 are accommodated in the display part 40 and in the bracelet parts 30.

The bracelet parts 30 are designed as circuit-carrying circuit boards which are provided with a protective jacket. Since all components of the contact person search device occupy a large space or occupy a large area of printed circuit board components, training as a wristwatch is only possible because parts of the necessary circuits are accommodated in the bracelet.

The range is reduced when changing from the first operating state UCl to the second operating state UC2 from 15 m to 8 m and when changing from the second operating state UC2 to the third operating state UC3 from 8 m to 2 m in each case by shifting the frequency band. In this way it is possible to make the devices for changing the range of the contact person search device so small that it can be designed as a wristwatch of conventional design. The frequency band is shifted via a suitable integrated circuit (not shown).

FIGS. 4A to 4E show the mode of operation a preferred embodiment of the contact person search device according to the invention and the control method according to the invention. The process of establishing contact between two contact person search devices designed according to the invention or according to the control method according to the invention is shown in a flow chart. Along the "Yes" decisions in the flow chart, the path to successful contact must be followed. "No" decisions in the flow chart regularly cause the flow to jump back to a position in the flow that is further away from the final successful contact. An identity code of a device with which there has been contact in some form is preferably stored (not shown in the figure) and only one contact with this device is permitted for a certain time.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show a function of another preferred embodiment of the contact person search device according to the invention or of the control method according to the invention. The process is the

Establishing contact between two contact person search devices designed according to the invention or according to the control method according to the invention is shown in a flow chart. The embodiment according to FIGS. 5A to 5C differs from the embodiment according to FIGS. 4A to 4E in that when contact is made between the two

Contact person search devices are sent three instead of two signals at each of the operating levels. It is first sent from the first device to the second device, the second device sends back to the first device, then the first device sends again to

Second device immediately before it switches up to the next operating state BS2 or BS3. The second device switches over when it has received the third signal. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 4A to 4E, the second device switches over immediately after it has sent out the response signal.

In both processes, it is equally possible that once the first, once the second contact person search device first sends a signal (differently than shown). This depends on the rhythm of the transmitters and whether transmission interference, reflections etc. play a role.

Claims

Expectations

1. Portable contact person search device for searching and identifying people who are ready to make contact, with a signal generator (9) for generating its own search signal (E); a search signal transmitter (1) connected to the signal generator (9); a receiver (2); a display device (4) with a plurality of

Display elements (41, 42, 43), of which reception of an external search signal (F) can be indicated by the receiver (2); and one connected to the search signal transmitter (1), to the receiver (2) and to the display device (4)

Control device (3), which is designed such that it first activates a first operating state in which the search signal transmitter (1) transmits a first own search signal (E), upon receiving a foreign search signal (F) in the first operating state Display element

(41) of the display device (4) is activated and a second operating state is activated, in which the search signal transmitter (1) transmits a second own search signal (E), the second own search signal (E) in

Compared to the first own search signal (E) with regard to power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency is changed, a second display element upon receiving an external search signal (F) in the second operating state

(42) of the display device (4) activated.

2. Contact person search device according to claim 1, wherein the control device (3) is designed such that it receives a second display element (42) of the display device (4) and receives a third operating state upon receiving an external search signal (F) in the second operating state , in which the search signal transmitter (1) transmits third own search signal (E), the third own search signal (E) compared to the first own search signal (E) and compared to the second own search signal (E) being changed with regard to power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency, and upon receipt of an external search signal (F) in the third operating state, a third display element (43) of the display device (4) is activated.

3. Contact person search device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first own search signal has a larger amplitude than the second own search signal and possibly the second own search signal has a larger amplitude than the third own search signal.

4. Contact person search device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first own search signal has a first frequency band, and the second own search signal has a second frequency band shifted in comparison to the first frequency band and possibly the third own search signal has a third frequency band, which is compared is shifted to the first frequency band and compared to the second frequency band.

5. Portable contact person search device for searching and identifying people who are ready to make contact, with a signal generator (9) for generating its own search signal (E); a search signal transmitter (1) connected to the signal generator (9); a receiver (2); a display device (4) with a plurality of display elements (41, 42, 43), each of which a reception of an external search signal (F) can be displayed with the receiver (2); and a control device (3) connected to the search signal transmitter (1), to the receiver (2) and to the display device (4), which is designed such that it first activates a first operating state, in which the search signal transmitter (1) sends out its own search signal (E) and the receiver (2) is set up to receive foreign signals with a first reception sensitivity and in a first frequency band upon receiving an external search signal (F) in the first operating state a first display element

(41) of the display device (4) is activated and a second operating state is activated, in which the search signal transmitter (1) emits its own search signal (E) and the receiver (2) is set up for receiving foreign signals with a second reception sensitivity and in a second frequency band is, wherein the second reception sensitivity is less than the first reception sensitivity and / or the second frequency band is shifted in comparison to the first frequency band, upon receiving a foreign search signal (F) in the second operating state, a second display element

(42) of the display device (4) activated.

6. Contact person search device according to claim 5, wherein the

Control device (3) is designed such that upon receiving a foreign search signal (F) in the second operating state it activates a second display element (42) of the display device (4) and activates a third operating state in which the search signal transmitter (1) is on sends its own search signal (E) and the receiver (2) is set up to receive foreign signals with a third reception sensitivity and in a third frequency band, the third reception sensitivity being less than the second reception sensitivity and / or the third frequency band compared to the first Frequency band and is shifted in comparison to the second frequency band, and upon receiving an external search signal (F) in the third operating state, a third display element (43) of the display device (4) is activated.

7. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the search signal transmitter (1) can be carried on the body of the person such that the

Search signal transmitter direction sector is aligned with the bisector of the angle with a straight head posture or regardless of the head posture of the person to the line of symmetry of the human field of view, and the horizontal solid angle of the search signal transmitter direction sector corresponds to at least one third of the horizontal solid angle of a human field of view and at most the entire human field of view.

8. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the search signal transmitter (1) is designed such that its own search signal (E) from the search signal transmitter (1) can be transmitted in a directional spectrum of 360 degrees.

9. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 8, with an interposed between the signal generator (9) and the search signal transmitter (1) encoder (5), of which the own search signal (E) can be coded with information to be transmitted, one to the receiver (2) connected decoder (6), from which the external search signal (F) received by the receiver (2) can be decoded and checked for the desired information.

10. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 9, which is connected to the encoder (5) and to the decoder (6) memory (7) with two memory areas (71, 72), of which the first memory area (71) the encoder (5) and the second memory area (72) is assigned to the decoder (6) and has an input device (10) connected to the memory.

11. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein both the encoder (5) and the decoder (6) are assigned to both memory areas (71, 72), and contained in the foreign search signal (F) by the decoder (6)

Information, insofar as it has been encoded by an encoder of another device with two memory areas, can be sorted according to whether it is stored in the other device in the first (71) or the second (72) memory area and in the foreign search signal (F ) contained information by comparing the information stored in the other device in the first storage area with the content of the second storage area (72) and the information stored in the other device in the second storage area with the content of the first storage area (71) for the desired information are verifiable.

12. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the search signal transmitter (1) with respect to the receiver (2) has a range (R) which corresponds to a distance above which a natural contact between people is no longer possible.

13. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the search signal transmitter (1) from the control device (3) can be activated in such time intervals that the interval duration in seconds is less than the quotient of the current range in meters to the usual walking speed

Person in meters per second.

14. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the display device (4) is designed such that the reception of an external search signal (F) on the part of the receiver (2) can only be displayed to the wearer of the device.

15. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 13, J u> t to H

LΠ o LΠ o LΠ o LΠ

s:

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Φ μ

Φ a

CQ

Φ a

Pi φ μ

CQ rr

P>

3

3 rt

-

<

O a pi

Φ

3

<! o μ tr φ μ er

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have been received.

20. Contact person search device according to one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the first own search signal (E) with a first subcode (UCl) emitted in the first operating state by the search signal transmitter (1) contains information about the transmission as the first own search signal (E) , which in the second operating state of the search signal transmitter (1) sent its own second search signal (E) with a second subcode (UC2) contains information about the transmission as a second own search signal (E), and possibly in the third operating state of the Search signal transmitter (1) sent third own search signal (E) with a third subcode (UC3) contains information about the transmission as a third own search signal (E).

21. A control method for a contact person searching device having a search signal transmitter, a receiver and a display device having a plurality of display elements, with the following

Steps: first, a first operating state is activated, in which the search signal transmitter transmits a first own search signal, upon receiving a foreign search signal in the first operating state, a first display element of the display device is activated and a second operating state is activated, in which the search signal transmitter has a second own Transmits search signal, the second own search signal compared to the first own

Search signal in terms of power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency is changed, upon receiving a foreign search signal in the second operating state, a second display element of the display device is activated.

22. The control method according to claim 21, wherein upon receiving a foreign search signal in the second operating state activating a second display element of the display device and activating a third operating state in which the search signal transmitter transmits a third own search signal, the third own search signal compared to the first own search signal and compared to the second own

Search signal is changed in terms of power, phase, amplitude and / or frequency, and a third display element of the display device is activated upon receiving an external search signal in the third operating state.

23. The control method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein as the first own search signal, a signal with a larger amplitude than the amplitude of the second own search signal and as the second own search signal, a signal with a larger amplitude than the amplitude of the third own search signal is possibly transmitted .

24. Control method according to claim 21 to 23, wherein a signal with a first frequency is transmitted as the first own search signal and a signal with a second frequency different from the first frequency is sent out as the second own search signal and optionally as the third own search signal a signal is transmitted at a third frequency, which is different from the first frequency and from the second frequency.

25. Control method for a contact person search device, which has a search signal transmitter, a receiver and a display device with a plurality of display elements, with the following steps: first, a first operating state is activated in which the search signal transmitter transmits its own search signal and the receiver for receiving external signals a first reception sensitivity and is set up in a first frequency band, upon receiving a foreign search signal in the first operating state, a first display element the display device is activated and a second operating state is activated in which the receiver for receiving foreign signals with a second

Reception sensitivity and is set up in a second frequency band, wherein the second reception sensitivity is less than the first reception sensitivity and / or the second frequency band is shifted in comparison to the first frequency band, upon receiving an external search signal in the second operating state, a second

Display element of the display device activated.

26. Control method for a contact person search device according to claim 25, wherein upon receiving a foreign search signal in the second operating state a second display element of the display device is activated and a third operating state is activated in which the receiver for receiving foreign signals with a third reception sensitivity and is set up in a third frequency band, the third reception sensitivity being less than the second reception sensitivity and / or the third frequency band being shifted in comparison to the first frequency band and in comparison to the second frequency band, and upon receiving an external search signal in the third operating state a third display element of the display device is activated.

27. Control method for a contact person search device according to one of claims 21 to 26, the own search signal (E) emitted via the search signal transmitter is provided with its own identity information about the identity of the sending contact person search device and an external search signal (F) received by the receiver by checking one external identity information contained therein is then checked to determine whether it originates from another transmitter from which signals have previously been received.

28. A control method for a contact person search device according to claim 27, wherein upon receiving a foreign search signal

(F) a separate search signal (E) is sent out by the search signal transmitter which, in addition to its own identity information, contains the external identity information contained in the received external search signal (F) as acknowledgment information and an external search signal (F) received via the receiver by comparing the Receipt information contained therein is checked with its own identity information to determine whether it comes from the further transmitter from which signals have previously been received.

29. Control method for a contact person search device according to one of claims 21 to 28, wherein s 19, wherein the first own search signal (E) emitted in the first operating state by the search signal transmitter (1) with a first subcode (UCl) with information about the dispatch is provided as the first own search signal (E) which, in the second operating state, is sent from the search signal transmitter (1), the second own search signal (E) with a second subcode (UC2) with information about the transmission as a second own search signal (E) , and if necessary. the third own search signal (E) emitted by the search signal transmitter (1) in the third operating state is provided with a third subcode (UC3) with information about the transmission as a third own search signal (E).