WO2010015249A1

WO2010015249A1 - System for the remote controlled numbering of chairs

Info

Publication number: WO2010015249A1
Application number: PCT/DE2009/001106
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Brunner
Original assignee: Brunner Gmbh
Priority date: 2008-08-08
Filing date: 2009-08-07
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: EP2311015A1; DE102008036961B4; DE102008036961A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for the remote controlled numbering of chairs placed in a two-dimensional field by means of a remote control. The field is made up of rows of chairs that are at least approximately placed one row behind another. The chairs that are arranged next to one another in the individual rows of chairs each have at least one electric display device and at least one interface on each side of the chair, said interface being influenced by the remote control. An end-of-row module is releasably disposed on at least one chair located at the end of each row of chairs. In the disclosed remote controlled numbering system for chairs of a field of chairs, each chair and each module for displaying the row number has approximately the same electronic equipment.

Description

SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY NUMBERING CHAIRS

Description:

The invention relates to a system for the remote-controlled numbering of set up in a two-dimensional field

Chairs by means of a remote control, wherein the field consists of at least approximately one behind the other rows of chairs and wherein the chairs arranged side by side chairs each have at least one electrical display device and at least one controllable via the remote control interface per chair page.

From DE 10 2005 054 398 A1, such a system for numbering chairs or seats is known. All chairs arranged side by side are electrically coupled to each other. The first or last chair in each row carries a master unit, which is programmed wirelessly by means of a computer or remote control for the numbering process.

The present invention is based on the problem of providing a system for the remote-controlled numbering of chairs arranged next to and behind one another in a chair field. in which each chair and module for row number display has approximately the same electronic equipment, and wherein the individual standing chairs in a row and the row number presentation modules are wirelessly interconnected.

This problem is solved with the features of claim 1. Each chair has an arithmetic unit and at least one power supply. The interface is a wireless transmitting and receiving unit per chair side. On at least one row chair a row end module is detachably arranged at the end of each row of chairs. The series end module is equipped with a display device for the respective row number, with a computing unit, with at least one power supply, with at least two signal receivers and with at least one sig- nalsender. The row end module is connected to the nearest transmitting and receiving unit of the respective module-carrying row chair via a signal exchange in connection.

The electronic seat and chair row numbering makes it possible for the user with the help of a relatively small remote control, a complete set of chairs composed of hall seating u.a. identical chairs numbering in ascending or descending order. As a rule, many of these rows of chairs are arranged one behind the other in hall-style seating. The first or last seat number of each chair row can be chosen individually.

The hall layout represents a two-dimensional stool field, whereby despite the designation "two-dimensional" the stool field does not necessarily have to be installed only on a level hall floor.

All chairs have the same electronic equipment. On at least one row of chair each row of chairs a row end module is arranged, which communicates wirelessly during the brief Benum- annungsvorganges with the chair's electronics. To use the seat and chair row numbering, the chairs in series can be linked. But it is also possible to place the chairs separately next to each other, as long as they - at least during the numbering - contact directly or they are positioned at least a short distance forward or backward without too much offset. A short distance is understood here as 5 to 10 centimeters.

For the wireless remote control of electronic numbering electromagnetic waves are used, which are in the wavelength ranges from 800 nm to 2000 nm or 0.1 m to 2000 m.

With this invention, the remote control is used only as a transmitter. The remote control transmits, for example in the case of a hall-style seat, an inputted or counted number of seats and rows of chairs at the location of the number transfer - ie next to the nearest chair of the row of seats to be numbered. The seat number is transmitted wirelessly from chair to chair and is increased or decreased by the number "1" per chair. When the last chair in the row is reached, ie the chair farthest from the place where the number is handed over, all the chairs start for several Seconds flashing, for example, to indicate the number of this last chair before it always occupy their own seat slot number assigned by counting.

Of course, it is also possible to represent the assigned seat number already when counting and then briefly display the seat number of the last chair at the end of the numbering.

Further details of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of a schematically illustrated embodiment.

Figure 1: Stuhlfeld at the moment of programming the first row of chairs; Figure 2: Arrangement of the chair side system modules of a

Row chair; FIG. 3: top view of the remote control;

FIG. 4: series end module with the carrying chair-side transmitting and receiving unit and a disassembly pin;

FIG. 5: as in FIG. 4, but from the rear side with the housing open;

FIG. 6: partial section of the row end module housing with the

Representation of the fastening lock; Figure 7: Transmitting and receiving unit of Figure 4 with split housing.

In Figure 1, two rows of chairs (10, 210), for example, four chairs (11-14, 211-214) are shown. All chairs (11-14, 211-214) are equally spaced next to each other. neighboring Chairs in this case, for example, in each case by means of a releasable mechanical coupling (27, 28) locked together so that none of the chairs from the linked series when back and forth of the chair row can be solved. Even with a brief lifting of individual chairs opens the

Chair row not. Also the row end chairs (11, 14; (211, 214) do not disconnect.) The connections between the chairs do not dissolve even if the individual rows of chairs (10, 210) are thrown forward or backward, eg in a mass panic becomes.

Despite the mechanical coupling (27), whose coupling elements (28, 29) are arranged, for example, at the level of the seat height, they are in the chair installation plane or surfaces, e.g. by ± 5 degrees against each other swiveled.

The single chair (11-14, 211-214), shown only schematically here, has e.g. resting on four chair legs (23) resting seat (21), to the back of a backrest (22) connects. In the embodiment, a readable from above display device (40) is arranged in the seat (21). She sits, for example centrally on the rear edge of the seat (21). Of course, the display device (40) can also be fastened or integrated on the chair back (22) or on the chair frame or chair frame.

Below the seat (21) per chair side (31, 32) each have a transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60) are arranged. Each transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60) has an optical transmitter (51, 61) and an optical receiver (52, 62), cf.

In the exemplary embodiment, the main optical axes of the transmitters (51, 61) and the receivers (52, 62) lie alternately on two parallel straight lines which, according to FIG. 2, emit the signal light beams (65) and / or outgoing from the location (1) of the programming represent the signal light rays (55) returning to the location (1). The transmitting and receiving units (50, 60) of the adjacent chairs (11-14) are facing each other almost directly opposite.

In FIG. 2, the chair-side elements of the electronic seat numbering are shown on a seat surface (21) shown in simplified form as a flat plate. The e.g. The central unit here is the display device (40) to which a power supply (90) and the two transmitting and receiving units (50, 60) are electrically connected.

The display device (40) has e.g. a with a cover plate (42) partially closable housing (41) in which a part of the chair-side electronics - in the form of a computing and evaluation unit - and a display (45) are arranged. At the bottom of the housing (41) is e.g. on each side a laterally projecting flange plate (43) over which the in a recess (25) seated housing (41), e.g. by tapping, to the seat (21) is attached. The housing (41) has a slot-like opening (44) in the front region, from which an eight-core flat cable (49) leads out. In each case three wires of the partially separated flat cable (49) lead to the transmitting and receiving units (50, 60), while e.g. the middle two wires are electrically connected to the power supply (90).

Directly below the cover plate (42) sits the example two- or three-digit LCD display (45) in the housing (41). Behind the transparent display (45) a fluorescent film is arranged. The self-luminous film, which is not shown in the figures, can also be replaced by a fluorescent coating on the back of the display. The film is irradiated by daylight or over the Light charged a corresponding hall lighting. In the dark, the film then serves as the backlight of the display, so that the seat numbering - despite dim lighting in the hall - can still be clearly recognized for many hours without additional power consumption.

When mounting the display device (40), the cover panel (42) after the application of the seat cushion with the housing (41) is locked. The edge of the cover (42) thus covers the pad attachment points.

Of course, the display (45) also as a separate, flat-building item, possibly with a backlight, e.g. be incorporated or sewn into the upholstery of the seat, the backrest, or an armrest, for example, in highly visible places.

The individual transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60) consists of e.g. horizontally split housing (71, 72) and arranged therein the optical transmitter (51, 61) and receiver (52, 62), see. also FIGS. 4 and 7. Ggf. For example, the transmitter and the receiver of a transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60) can be combined in one electronic component.

The housing consists of an upper housing part (71) and a lower housing part (72). In the area of the assembly joint between these parts, there is in each side wall (74) of the housing (71, 72) a mounting bead (75), each of which is e.g. from the front (73) to the rear.

In the housing interior of the housing lower part (72) is located behind the opening, behind which the receiver (52) is arranged in the form of a receiving diode, a ca 6 to 10 millimeters long light entry channel (77). The light entry channel (77), which represents a 2.5 mm wide tunnel for example, has a zigzag-profiled, eg black surface in longitudinal section - ie parallel to the signal light beams (55, 65) whose maximum amplitude is approximately 0.5 Millimeters. This light entry channel (77) prevents the wanted signal from being disturbed by obliquely incident stray light.

In addition, according to FIG. 7, between the front wall (73) and the light entry channel (77) sits a spectral filter (79) which allows only light above the wavelength of 800 nanometers.

The power supply (90), cf. Figure 2 comprises a coverable housing containing a battery, e.g. of type Mignon AA, or a corresponding accumulator absorbs. Possibly. the power supply (90) is also housed in the display device (40).

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 each show a row end module (150). The row end module (150) is stored in an e.g. two-part housing (171, 172) has a display device (154) with a display (155), a computing unit, an optical receiver (153) arranged in the front of the housing (172), an optical transmitter (151) positioned on the rear side of the housing, an adjacently arranged further optical receiver (152) and an integrated power supply in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery.

The housing consists of a front housing part (171) and a rear housing part (173). The front of the housing (172), a trough-shaped lid in which the display (155) and the Receiver (153) are arranged, is inclined relative to the vertical by eg 30 degrees. This inclination facilitates the readability of the display (155). The latter is designed, for example, identical to the chair-side display (45). This also applies to the backlight.

The back of the housing (173) in addition to the protection of the integrated components has the task of serving as an adapter relative to the transmitting and receiving units (50, 60). For this purpose, it has a large-area recess (174) in the upper area with which it engages around the underside of the corresponding transmitting and receiving unit (50) in a form-fitting manner. The recess (174) has for this purpose two mutually opposite rear handles (175) which engage in the complementarily shaped beads (75) of the transmitting and receiving unit (50), cf. FIG. 4.

For attaching the row end module this is on the corresponding side of the chair (31), see. Figure 1, pushed with manual force. Postponing is completed as soon as a loud clacking sound is heard. The clicking sound is produced when a latching hook (181) integrally formed on the rear part of the housing (173) engages in a locking manner on the profiled lower side of the transmitting and receiving unit (50). After snapping in place, the row end module (150) can not be released again from the transmitting and receiving unit (50) without the use of a disassembling pin (189).

In Figure 6, the housing (171, 173) is shown cut away to show the parts of the locking catch. At the molded, elastic latching hook (181) is arranged downwardly angled Entsicherungslasche (185). The safety catch (185) ends with clearance in front of a guide element (187) positioned horizontally, for example, in the housing (171, 173). To release the row end module (150), the disassembly pin (189) is inserted into a lateral bore (177) at least approximately horizontally in order to be pressed against the armature latch (185). In this case, the release tab (185) deviates to the right. In doing so, it pulls down the releasing strap (185), which deforms as a bending beam, so far that the blocking leading edge of the ramp (182) reaches below the plane of the bottom surface (176). In this position of the release tab (185), the row end module (150) can be removed from the sending and receiving unit (50).

The arithmetic unit of the row end module (150, 160) corresponds to the arithmetic module of the chair-side display device (40). Thus, the essential difference between the row end module (150, 160) and the chair side display device (40) is to display a row number (4) instead of a seat number (5). Also, the chair-side electronics have two receivers (52, 62) and two transmitters (51, 61), while the row end module (150, 160) on the front of the transmitters is missing.

The housing of the display device (40), the power supply (90), the two transmitting and receiving units (50, 60) and the row end modules (150, 160) are made of plastic. All housings except for the row end modules (150, 160) are shown here at the bottom of the seating surface (21), e.g. by screwing or - as already mentioned - fastened by tacking.

FIG. 3 shows an infrared remote control (100) in plan view. On the upper side of the housing (101), as an a display (110) and as input unit a keypad with six buttons (121-126) arranged.

The first button (121) is a button for turning on the remote control (100). Turning off the remote control (100) controls a timer that turns off the device when e.g. more than 120 seconds no new input takes place.

The pushbutton (122) arranged below the push-button (121) is used to select one of three programming modes, which are displayed on the display (110) as text information in a rolling manner. For example, the three textual information are: "chair number:", "row number:", and "delete:" The first programming mode "chair number:" is for making the seat numbering, while the second programming mode is "row number:" for entering the respective one The third programming mode "Delete:" is used to clear the entered entry.

If the seat numbering mode is selected, the first or last seat number (6, 7) is entered via the up-counting key (123) or the down-counting key (124), e.g. determined by a grope up or down counting. This also applies to the row numbering mode.

In addition to the up-counter key (123) and the down-counter key (124), the so-called arrow keys (125) and (126) are arranged. By pressing the upper arrow key (125), an ascending numbering within the row of chairs (10) is achieved. If, on the other hand, the lower arrow key (126) is pressed, the number will be numbered in descending order. To make an electronic numbering of a row of chairs (10), first many chairs (11-14) are placed side by side. In this case, the chairs (11-14) are mechanically coupled to one another via the chair-specific couplings (27), for example. The chair row (10) can form a straight, curved or a curvy line. The smallest radius of curvature is about three meters.

As soon as the chairs (11-14) are in their final position, the remote control (100) is switched on, the seat numbering mode is selected and the seat number (6, 7) of the first chair is activated by pressing the keys (123, 124 ). After switching to the row numbering mode, the row number (4) is input.

Finally, the remote control (100) at a short distance in place (1), see. Figure 1, e.g. positioned in front of the optical receiver (153) of the row end module (150) on the front row chair (18) of the chair row (10) at the seat height and the button (125) is actuated.

The optical transmitter (131) of the remote control (100), cf. FIG. 3 shows the optical receiver (153), cf. FIG. 1. The information provided in the remote control (100) is transmitted to the series end module (150). The local processing unit takes over the row number (4) for display in its own display (155). At the same time, the row number (4) together with the starting seat number is transmitted optically from the row end module (150) to the transmitting and receiving unit (50) of the row end chair (11), cf. Figure 2. Ggf. the transmission of the information from the row end module (150) to the adjacent transmitting and receiving unit (50) can also be realized via electrical contacts. The distance between the remote control (100) and the row end module (150) is approximately 15 to 30 centimeters. The range of the remote control (100) is shorter than a chair width. The chair width is here the clear distance between the left coupling part (27) and the right coupling part (28) of a chair (11-14, 211-214).

Pressing one of the arrow keys (125, 126) increases or decreases the seat number from chair to chair from the set start seat number. For example, if a "1" was entered as the first seat number - it corresponds here to the lowest seat number (6) - and the arrow key (125) is pressed, one wants to reach that in the displays (45-48) of the chairs (11, 12, 13 , 14) the seat numbers "1", "2", "3" and "4" are displayed, in which case the "4" represents the highest seat number (7).

For this purpose, the chair (11) transmits its number "1" via its transmitter (61) to the neighboring chair (12) whose electronics reads in the optical signal via the chair-own receiver (52), converts it into an electrical signal and increases the electrical signal received number by one on "2". The chair's electronics convert this result back into an optical signal to pass it on to the next chair (13). This optical information transfer takes place until the last

Chair (14) of the chair row (10), unless it carries a row end module (160), on its emitted optical signal, within a short period of time, e.g. 200 to 400 milliseconds, no response received.

This takes the local electronics as an occasion, the seat number "4", ie the highest seat number (7), which at the same time furthest from the place (1) of the start number assignment is remote, via the chair row (10) back to the display device (40) of the first chair (11) to transmit.

The time span of e.g. 200 to 400 milliseconds is omitted if a row end module (160) is attached to the row chair (14). The latter acknowledges the reaching of the chair row end immediately.

If the seat number (7) of the row chair (14) is determined, the displays (45-48) of all chairs (11-14) show the

Chair row (10) the last seat number (7), so here the "4" for a short period of time, eg a few seconds on flashing in all chairs (11-14) the highest seat number shown (7) for example three seconds If this is the case, the seat number (7) is displayed for 0.5 ± 0.2 seconds and then faded out for 0.5 ± 0.2 seconds, which is repeated three times, for example.

Alternatively, the seat number (7) can be displayed for 1 to 5 seconds without flashing.

After the temporary display of the seat number (7), the displays (45-47) of the chairs (11-13) switch over to their assigned seat numbers "1", "2" and "3." The display (48) of the row chair ( 14) keeps his "4". The seat numbering of the chair row (10) is finished.

The chairs (11-14) can also be numbered downwards from the starting seat number "4" by pressing the arrow key (126). As a result, for the chairs (11, 12, 13, 13),

14) the seat numbers "4", "3", "2", "1" are displayed individually. In the meantime, the front and / or the rear row end module (150, 160) indicate the row number (4) entered into the remote control (100), for example the "1" according to FIG.

The programming of the seat and row end numbers of each further row of chairs of a chair panel (9), e.g. the row (210) of Figure 1, takes place in the same way.

The displayed seat number as well as the row end number remain - irrespective of the changeover of the chairs - up to a specific reprogramming. Without reprogramming and without changing the battery, the LCD display of the individual display (45, 155) goes off after about five years. In spite of the number display, the infrared receivers remain ready to receive, due to the particularly low power consumption of the electronic components.

The transmitting and receiving units (51, 52, 61, 62, 131, 151-153) here are partly pairwise combined infrared transceivers, e.g. serially transmit data according to an IrDA standard in the infrared range. The serial port uses an RS-232 interface. The infrared transceiver comprises an infrared transmitting diode (51, 61, 131, 151) with driver electronics and an infrared receiver (52, 62, 152, 153) with a

Filter circuit. The diodes used here use e.g. a wavelength of 950 nm, which is far above the wavelength of visible light. As a result, the susceptibility to interference is significantly reduced by unwanted stray light interference compared to conventional infrared transceivers.

The chair-side optical transmitter (51, 61) have in the variant according to Figures 1 and 2, a range of a maximum of half a chair width. In the system according to FIGS. 4 and 5 the maximum range increases to 1.5 chair widths. The emission angle of the optical transmitters (51, 61, 131, 151) is approximately 30 degrees, cf. n / A. FIG. 3.

In this invention, a chair is similar to a seat. Thus, e.g. a plurality of seat shells are fastened next to one another on a long subframe, wherein each seat shell has the display device, the power supply, the evaluation unit and transmitting and receiving devices.

The description of the figures deals only with a chair numbering. Of course, the system can also be transferred to numberable tables to be arranged in series. For this purpose, the transmission ranges of the optical transmitters are then adjusted accordingly.

List of reference numbers:

1 place of programming

4 rownunner 5 place number, seat number

6 lowest number

7 highest seat number 9 field, chair field

10 row of chairs, first

11 first chair, first seat, row chair

12 second chair, second seat

13 third chair, third seat 14 fourth chair, fourth seat, row chair

18 chair row ends, front

19 chair row ends, rear

21 seat area

22 backrest

23 chair legs

25 recess

26 Bearing 27 Coupling, purely mechanical

28, 29 coupling elements; Left Right

31 left side of the chair

32 right side of the chair

35 undercladding

36 recess to (35)

37 padding 40 display device

41 housing

42 cover panel

43 flange plates

44 opening

45-48 display

49 flat cables

50, 60 chair sending and receiving unit, infrared

transceiver

51, 61 optical transmitters 52, 62 optical receiver

55, 65 signal light beams, dot-dashed

71 Housing top

72 housing base 73 front wall

74 side wall

75 mounting thickness

77 Intake light channel 79 Filter disc, spectral filter

90 power supply

100 remote control, remote control

101 housing

110 display 121 power switch

122 Mode switch: Chair no. / Row no. /Clear

123 Up-counter key 124 Down-counter key

125 Arrow key: number / delete in ascending order

126 Arrow key: numbering / deleting in descending order

131 optical transmitter 132 optical receiver

135 transmitted light rays from (131), dot-dashed

150 160 Row end module, row transmit and receive unit

151 optical transmitter, signal transmitter, on back

152 optical receiver, signal receiver, on back

153 optical receiver, signal receiver, front

154 display device

155 Display

156 received light beams from (100), dot-dashed

171 Housing front part

172 front of housing

173 Housing backbone1

174 recess

175 rear attacks

176 floor area of (174)

177 bore

181 snap hook, elastic

182 ramp

185 release tab

187 guide element, guide plate 189 Disassembly pin

210 row of chairs, second

211 first chair, first seat, row chair

212 second chair, second seat

213 third chair, third seat

214 fourth chair, fourth seat, row chair

Claims

claims:

A system for the remote numbering of chairs (11-14, 211-214) set up in a two-dimensional field (9) by means of a remote control (100),

- wherein the field (9) consists of at least approximately one behind the other established rows of chairs (10, 210),

- wherein in the individual rows of chairs (10, 210) juxtaposed chairs (11-14, 211-214) each have at least one electrical display device (40) and at least one via the remote control (100) modifiable interface per chair side (18, 19) exhibit,

- wherein each chair (11-14) has a computing unit and at least one power supply (90), - wherein the interface per chair side (18, 19) is in each case a wireless transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60),

- wherein at least one row of chairs (11, 14, 211, 214) at the end of each row of chairs (10, 210) a Reihenendmodul (150, 160) is detachably arranged, - said end module (150, 160) with a display device (154) for the respective row number (4), with one arithmetic unit, with at least one power supply, with at least two signal receivers (152, 153) and with at least one signal transmitter (151) and - the row end module (150, 160) with the nearest transmitter - And receiving unit (50, 60) of each modultragenden row chair (11, 14, 211, 214) is connected via a signal exchange.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the series end module (150, 160) communicates with the nearest transmitting and receiving unit (50, 60) via an optical signal exchange during the number assignment phase.

A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the single row of chairs (10, 210) is programmed by the remote control (100) with the interposition of a row end module (150, 160).

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that in a row of chairs (10, 210) with two row end modules (150, 160) from the programming location (1) located remote end module (150, 160) programming the last row chair directly by a return signal acknowledged.

5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the series end module (150, 160) and each chair (11-14, 211-214) has the same design signal processing board, wherein the affiliation of the board to the end module or chair by means of setting a Soldering or Steckjumbers is determined.

6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the individual in the remote control (100), in the chairs (11-14) and in the series end modules (150, 160) built-in transmitting and / or receiving units (51, 52, 61 , 62, 131, 151-153) are frared transceivers that are designed for serial data transfer.

A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the range of the optical transmitter (135) of the remote control (100) is shorter than a chair width.

8. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the range of the chair-side optical transmitter (51, 61) is shorter than half a chair width.

9. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical transmitters (51, 61, 131, 151) and the optical receivers (52, 62, 152, 153) operate with a wavelength which is between 950 nm and 1000 nm.