WO2018158429A1

WO2018158429A1 - Virtual beacons

Info

Publication number: WO2018158429A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/055174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christoph Peitz; Andrej WALLWITZ; Karl-Heinz OBERKOXHOLT; Michel Stutz
Original assignee: Osram Gmbh
Priority date: 2017-03-03
Filing date: 2018-03-02
Publication date: 2018-09-07
Also published as: DE102017104527A1

Abstract

The scope of performance of a beacon shall be better exploited. In order to achieve said aim, it is provided that the beacon comprises a management device (4), by which a first virtual device (51) and at least a second virtual device (52) can be generated. Both devices (51, 52) can be addressed individually.

Description

VIRTUAL BOOKS

DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a real beacon having a communication unit and an integrated one

Management device. In addition, the concerns

The present invention provides a method of operating such a real beacon.

A beacon or beacon, derived from the term beacon, is usually used to send

Signals at fixed time intervals for the

Positioning. For example, a receiver that receives the transmission signal may have the signal strength for

Use position determination. Are several beacons in one

Distributed area, so the position can also be determined by trilateration. Meanwhile, various beacons are on the market and there are already established several communication standards. For example, Apple works with so-called iBeacons. These use the eponymous iBeacon protocol and

transmit a so-called UUID (Universal Unique

Identifier). By contrast, Google is the so-called

Eddystone beacon protocol known. This format also makes it possible to send an identification, but also, for example, a URL, i. a website link. Also known for beacons is the Open Source protocol AltBeacon from Radius Networks. This protocol is with numerous

Mobile platforms compatible. The intended

Configurations of the beacons provide that a beacon sends the beacon signal for a certain relatively short period of time - for example, a beacon sends a beacon signal once every 100 milliseconds according to the iBeacon specifications. The actual transmission usually takes between 0, 5 and 5 milliseconds. This results in that

(economic) problem that the potential scope of services the beacon is not fully exploited. This circumstance makes it questionable that several beacons (whose potential scope is not exhausted) are installed in one place to support different applications.

The applicant herself offers under the name "EINSTONE"

Building blocks in lighting technology for linking to the

digital world. The system is based on the infrastructure of light installations. EINSTONE generates a kind of local GPS signal and enables site-specific services similar to a navigation system.

Now there is the problem that often in areas where beacons are typically needed or

be installed, a variety of applications are desired. Some of these applications are: navigation, promotional push messages, smartphone wake up, local

Information from an object (e.g., painting), sending out sensor information, receiving sensor information, and the like. In addition, often becomes a passive

Tracking of goods, people, sensors and the like required. The applications result in individual requirements for a beacon or a beacon. As a result, several physical beacons are sometimes installed for different applications. These then send out different beacon signals, are configured differently and must also be individually installed and managed.

The object of the present invention is thus, a high scope of application of beacons or a

Bluetooth transceiver unit to ensure a simple design. In particular, reference is made to the fact that the energy consumption and the place of installation are a problem. Therefore, if necessary, the light installation will play a role. According to the invention this object is achieved by a real beacon according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 20. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, therefore, a beacon is provided and in special cases a

Lighting device with a light source as an energy source and mechanical attachment point and a real beacon. Such a beacon (possibly in a lighting device) is typically in a building in a facility or in

Street area installed. The light source can be of any kind. In many cases, one or more LEDs

including ballast used. The real beacon is a transmitter for sending out

Identification information. If necessary, too

Reception functionality provided. The hardware of the beacon is preferably on or in the vicinity of the bulbs

arranged or integrated into this.

Optionally, therefore, both have a common housing, a common mechanical attachment or a common support system. The beacon preferably sends out Bluetooth signals according to the BLE standard. Furthermore, the beacon has a communication unit (transmitting and optionally receiving unit) and a management device, which is adapted to from the communication unit and / or itself a first virtual device and

at least one second virtual device, ie at least one other device to generate. For example, parts of the management device may also be split up into a configurator. In addition to the addressing, the management device preferably also has the functions of configuring and / or optimizing (see below) the virtual devices. By dividing the communication unit into several individual virtual devices, the functionality of the beacon can be increased. For example, the virtual devices share a common communication unit, creating a real beacon, which generally has only one communication unit, can be used to generate the virtual devices. For outsiders, this may result in two independent devices. It is of particular advantage that both devices are individually addressable and optionally also individually configurable. By addressing individually, the two virtual devices can be addressed separately. Through this separate

Addressing is also the prerequisite

created that they can be configured individually. This means that the first virtual device is different

can be configured as the second virtual device, which realizes the improved functionality of the real beacon. So that the battery-operated real beacons do not have to greatly reduce their service life / maintenance cycle due to the increased energy consumption due to battery replacement, integration of the real beacon with their virtual devices into the light installation is sensible, in order to tap the energy there and

To eliminate dependence on the battery.

For example, from the management device the

Communication unit can be used as an interface to the outside to output or receive information. Thus, the communication unit receives the communication functionality for the management device in addition to the beacon functionality.

The management facility can also be a to the

Communication unit separate interface to a

have external communication unit. This gives greater flexibility.

The management device may or may be controllable or configurable by an external device via the communication unit or interface

Information from the external device to control,

Configure or optimize the virtual devices to process. For example, the sending makes a brief

Resource. The virtual devices compete for it. An optimization can lie in resource allocation. The goal may be, for example, a limitation to five devices or the use of as many devices as possible. Similarly, a prioritization among the devices with the same weights can be sought.

In the management facility, one or more

Virtual device configurations are stored.

A virtual device is then created by activating the stored configuration. The configurations may be stored in arrays activated via a Boolean variable in the management device.

Furthermore, a virtual device can be controlled by its own sub-management device, the

Management device is subordinate and controlled by the latter. Preferably, each of the virtual devices for addressing is individually a unique one

Identification identifier, also referred to herein as a communication address, assignable, which is the same or preferably unequal to a beacon ID. A virtual device preferably has a fixed one

Communication address. A beacon ID containing the beacon e.g. for location purposes should be able to be configured and changed and therefore usually has a changeable UUID, a changeable main identifier (Major) and a

has variable (minor) secondary identifier. By a preferably unique and established

Communication address of the virtual devices, each of them is very individual responsive. Addressing by means of a beacon ID alone is not preferable, since this is a variable or rewritable storage on the part of

Configuring due to possible change of UUID, Major, Minor is necessary. A fixed address only needs a one-time storage. By the labeling system with multiple orders (first order: UUID, second order: main identifier and third

Order: secondary identification) it is possible, for example, in a large building a virtual beacon clearly

detect. For example, a UUID can be assigned to a building, the main identifier to a floor, and the secondary identifier to a room in which the real beacon is located. In this way, a single device is specifically addressed in a networking.

For addressing, one of the virtual devices can be individually assigned a unique communication address, the communication address preferably being an identifier according to a beacon standard or one using the

Management device generated for this separate address.

Furthermore, at least one of the virtual devices may be a beacon with a UUID, Major and Minor, or a

Be configured as a communication partner in a communication network with at least one other communication partner or as a communication partner in a communication network with at least one other beacon or as a configuration device of another device or as a configuration device of another beacon. It can the

Communication partner also a pure Information sink such as a Bluetooth receiver, e.g. an electronic one

Be a price tag.

Furthermore, a type of one of the virtual devices may be reconfigurable with the management device by:

in particular from a virtual beacon another virtual device is unlike a beacon configurable. For example, transmit power may remain unchanged when an iBeacon device is reconfigured into an Eddystone device.

The management device may also be capable of customizing the virtual beacon without another of the virtual devices being changed.

In addition, each of the virtual devices can be individually customized due to their individual addressability

in terms of a broadcast interval, a content of a

Data packets, a calibration signal power, a

Transmission power and / or another parameter

be configurable. The virtual device can thus receive very individual communication parameters. So it acts to the outside as a separate communication device. For example, a beacon signal from a virtual device may transmit with a low transmit power and another virtual device may send another beacon signal with a high transmit power.

In a further embodiment of the beacon it can be provided that at least one of the virtual devices can be reversibly connected or disconnected by the management device as a function of a trigger (for example a signal). This means that the virtual device is not off

Addressability and reception reasons in full

Function range must run constantly, as conventional devices do. Rather, the virtual device can be woken up when needed. It is of particular interest that not both or all virtual devices

simultaneously with the trigger (e.g., signal) can be turned on or off. Rather, it is also possible to wake up a single one of the virtual devices with the trigger (e.g., a signal), for example, if it is made of e.g. was issued for business reasons.

According to a further development, the first virtual device can correspond to a predetermined first data format

addressable and configurable and the second virtual device according to a predetermined, from the first

Data format various second data format addressable and configurable. This has the advantage that not only the individual parameters of the virtual devices

different values, but that different types of virtual devices can be created.

At least one of the virtual devices can be configured as a beacon or beacon. But not everyone has to

each configured as a beacon.

In particular, different types of beacons can each be realized as a virtual device. So can

For example, a virtual device as a beacon according to the iBeacon standard and another virtual device of the

Lighting device configured as a beacon according to the Eddystone standard. This would be a real beacon or a lighting device equipped with two types of poker, although it has only a single real beacon.

Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one of the virtual devices is configured as a node of a data network. In this way it is possible that one

Communication interface for one or more real beacons is provided, the

Communication interface, so the node of the data network, individually tailored to the associated virtual devices can be.

Specifically, the virtual device configured as a node may have the function of detecting a new real and / or virtual beacon in the vicinity of the lighting device. This can be used for commissioning and configuring a system with several lighting devices or beacons

Be an advantage. By the possibility of automatic

However, a system can also be easily expanded or defective devices can be replaced more easily and integrated back into the system. Advantageously, the search or detection of virtual devices can be restricted to a given type. Furthermore, the virtual device configured as a node may have the function of communicating with one

maintain predetermined external beacon. Thus, the network node can constantly check its environment

or even be checked.

Furthermore, it can be provided that with the

Management device transmission and / or reception times of the virtual devices or the availability of

Communication unit for the virtual devices are coordinated or with the management device for each virtual device in a transmission cycle of the real beacon each one

Time slot for sending is reservable. In this way, it is possible for each virtual device to be given the opportunity to send itself at least once in the broadcast cycle. Optionally, the distribution of time slots for

Send but also done after a different prioritization.

Furthermore, the management device may be configured to generate a new virtual device

Redistributing communication unit resources among all virtual devices according to one or more predetermined criteria. Was the broadcasting cycle of the real beacon

for example, by five virtual beacons completely

exploited and it is supposed to be a sixth virtual beacon

can be installed, so the transmission cycle among the

virtual beacons are redistributed so all beacons can send. Furthermore, the beacon can be configured so that with the management device another virtual device with

Send function can be created and a transmission cycle of the real beacon is divisible to all virtual devices. This means that also later in the lighting device

virtual device can be created and this virtual device also gets the ability to send itself. In retrospect, it also gets a time slot in the transmission cycle of the real beacon. So for example at Existing two virtual devices implemented a third virtual device in the lighting device, so the transmission cycle is no longer divided only on the first two virtual devices, but now on the current three virtual devices.

In addition, with the management device, an operation of the first virtual device can be maintained while the second virtual device is being configured. This means that configuring a virtual device will not interfere with the operation of another virtual device, or vice versa. The resources of the real beacon are thus simultaneously used for the operation of the one virtual device and the configuration of the other virtual device. It may well be that during the configuration of the second virtual device, the operation of the first virtual device is somewhat limited but still maintained.

Furthermore, the management device can provide individual access management for each virtual device

be executable. For example, each individual device can receive its own password. In general, the access rights for each virtual device can be handled separately.

In a further embodiment, a light installation can be provided with an above real beacon, wherein the real beacon on a lighting device of the light installation

is mechanically attached and / or energy from the

Light installation or a peripheral energy infrastructure of the light installation relates. For example, a light installation is a complex system of one or more lighting fixtures or luminaires including the

Wiring or communication and if necessary

Power supply. Even a simple lighting device can be equipped with an above real beacon, wherein one of the virtual devices takes over a partial function for light control. Another particular embodiment is that the lighting means and the real beacon of the lighting device have a common power supply unit. For example, the ballast of a bulb for

Supplying the real beacon can be used. It can thus be used also for the beacons supply infrastructure for lights. The above object is achieved by a

Procedure for operating a real beacon solved. In this case, a first virtual device and a second virtual device are generated by a management device of the real beacon from the communication unit and / or the management device and addressing both devices

individually each with its own communication address.

The variations and advantages mentioned above in connection with the beacon according to the invention apply

mutatis mutandis, for the inventive method. The respective functional features are to be seen as process features.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic diagram of a

Lighting device with multiple virtual devices shows.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention

It should be noted that the individual features not only in the described

Characteristic combinations, but also in isolation or in other technically meaningful combinations can be realized.

In one example, a lighting device with a beacon according to the invention may be used in a light installation. Specifically, this can be done with a device that The module is used to link the lighting technology with the digital world and in particular the realization of location-related services., However, the invention is not based on the use of

Lighting devices limited.

A luminaire or a lighting device is therefore equipped with a real beacon or a beacon transmitter. The beacon usually complies with the Bluetooth standard and in particular with the Bluetooth Low Energy Standard (BLE). The efficiency or the

Scope of such a beacon is usually

however, by far not exhausted for the pure beacon function.

Mostly the beacon is bidirectional

Communication unit equipped. The main purpose of the beacon is to send out an identification signal, which is used for the

Position determination can be used. However, the device is usually able to over the actual

To provide more functionality than it would have to deliver for the actual purpose.

As mentioned earlier, in certain areas where beacons are typically installed, there is a need for a variety of other applications such as navigation, promotional push messages, smartphone wake-up, local

Information in front of an object (e.g., painting), transmission of sensor information, and the like. Each application usually makes an individual request to a beacon.

The idea according to the invention is now based on the

To make better use of the performance and / or performance of a transmitter (e.g., BLE chip). This requires

if necessary, more energy, but this is included

Light installations usually readily available. In particular, the energy is not like at

battery-powered beacons heavily limited.

In the attached Fig. Is a schematic diagram of a

Illuminated device shown. The lighting device has, for example, a housing 1 in or on which a lighting means 2 is arranged. The lighting means may be of any type and in particular as the entire lighting device for

Building installation be suitable. Especially that

Bulbs have one or more LEDs.

The lighting device further comprises a real beacon 3 according to the invention, which is symbolized in the figure as an antenna. With it, for example, is a bidirectional

Communication according to the BLE standard possible. The beacon 3 is also arranged here in or on the housing 1 of the lighting device.

Furthermore, the lighting device also has a

Management device 4 on, with the real beacon 3

preferably also controllable. Anyway, that is

Management device suitable for subdividing the real beacon 3 including its control electronics into virtual devices 5i, 52, 5n. In particular, the real beacon 3 can be split at least into a first virtual device 5i and a second virtual device 52. Both or all devices 5i, 52, 5 _n are individually addressable and

configurable. This means that each virtual device is unique and independent of another

virtual device can be addressed and configured. However, the virtual devices all run together on one physical device, the real beacon.

The scope of services or the performance of the real beacon is thus divided 5i multiple virtual devices, 52, 5 _n. In particular, the virtual

Devices themselves be configured as beacons. After they are independently configurable, the virtual devices can be configured as different types of beacons. But not every virtual device needs to be configured as a beacon. In particular, one or more of the virtual devices may also be configured as nodes of a data network.

Here are some examples of how a real beacon 3 can be split into two virtual devices. It can be left open whether additional virtual devices are configured with each.

In a first example, the first virtual device is configured as a beacon with the iBeacon format. For identification, a UUID, a main identifier (Major) and a

Subrecognition (minor) used. The transmission interval becomes, for example, 100 ms, the transmission power to -10 dBm ("3 meters") and the calibration signal power to -60 dBm

(Decibel milliwatts). The second virtual device 52 is also configured as a beacon, but according to the Eddystone format. For example, for the second

virtual device also has an individual identification with UUID / main ID / sub-ID and a transmission interval of 500 ms, a transmission power of +4 dBm ("40 meters") and a calibration signal power of -52 dBm.

In a second example, the first virtual device 5i is configured as well as defined in the first example, namely as a beacon with the iBeacon format

UUID / main identifier / secondary identifier, transmission interval 100 ms,

Transmission power -10 dBm ("3 meters") and

Calibration signal power -60 dBm. The second virtual device 52 is configured here as a network node or mesh node. For example, it may be arranged to have the functionality of detecting beacons in the environment and / or the functionality of maintaining a beacon

Data communication with a neighboring lighting device "owns. In a third example, again, the first virtual device 5i is the same as the beacon with the iBeacon format, the defined UUID / main identifier / sub-identifier, the

Transmission interval is 100 ms, the transmission power is -10 dBm ("3 meters") and the calibration signal power is -60 dBm, and the second virtual device 52 is again one

Network node with the functionality "Detecting a

Sensorbake in the environment "as well as the functionality" Detecting and reading sensor data ". If necessary, also the

Realized functionality "maintaining the data communication with adjacent lighting devices." The second virtual device is in this example so on

specializes in gaining and transmitting sensor data. For example, a temperature sensor on a door

be arranged to monitor the temperature there. The sensor sends, for example, by means of BLE technology to the second virtual device 52, which acts as a network node. The network node can transmit the temperature data in short or long intervals.

Alternatively or additionally, the lighting devices or their virtual devices may have further individual functions. Thus, a virtual device usually has its own access management to allow it to be individualized by different users or user groups

can be configured. In addition, a variety of parameters can optionally be set individually. In the examples, it has already been indicated that the transmission strength and the transmission interval can be set specifically. If necessary, the content of a data packet

be determined. Thus, the type of content, e.g.

Temperature data, time data and so on, defined

or set as standard. In addition, for example, could be provided that the

Network function is activated or deactivated. In principle, however, other functions can be activated or deactivated. For example, a

automatic switching on of signals (eg by various triggers, possibly clock) may be provided. For example, if the clock is used as a trigger, so it can be sent out on Saturdays and Sundays, for example, a specific signal or daily from

8 o'clock. Optionally, the temperature signal of a

Temperature sensor can be used as a trigger, and signals are emitted only if the temperature is e.g. over 25 degrees Celsius. Another adjustable functionality can be

be automatic shutdown after a virtual life has ended. For example, it is provided that a certain service only for a predetermined period of time

Available. Thereafter, the transmission of corresponding signals is terminated.

In addition, the access rights and the

Password for the use of the lighting device

or the virtual devices are configured individually for each device. Further

Configuration options may be that the virtual devices have different mesh topologies

such as "Routing Mesh" or "Connected Mesh" (participants specifically target others) or "Flooding Mesh" (participants communicate without an answer).

The configuration of the lighting device and in particular the sharing of the real beacon in multiple virtual devices can be done for example by a smartphone. A smartphone can detect a corresponding lighting device under the premise of the resource division. For the

To configure, the smartphone or an alternative configuration device must clearly identify the physical device, namely the real beacon, in order then to be able to set up the virtual device as desired. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 housing

2 bulbs

3 communication unit

4 management facility

5i, 52 ... 5n virtual devices

Claims

claims

1. Real beacon with

a communication unit,

- an integrated management facility (4)

characterized in that

- The management device (4) is adapted to generate from the communication unit and / or itself a first virtual device (5i) and at least one second virtual device (52), wherein

- The virtual devices (5i, 52) are each individually addressable with its own communication address.

2. Real beacon according to claim 1, wherein with the

Management device (4) Transmission and / or reception times of the virtual devices or the availability of the

Can be coordinated communication unit for the virtual devices and in particular with the management device (4) for each virtual device (5i, 52, 5 _n ) in a transmission cycle of the real beacon (3) one or more timeslots for transmission are vergebbar.

3. Real beacon according to claim 1 or 2, wherein of the

Management device (4) the communication unit is used as an interface to the outside, in order to output or receive information.

4. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the virtual devices (5i, 52, 5 _n ) as a beacon with a UUID, Major and Minor or as a

Communication partner is configured in a communication network with at least one other communication partner or as a communication partner in a communication network with at least one other beacon or as a configuration device of another device or as a configuration device of another beacon. iy

5. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the management device (4) a type of the virtual devices is reconfigurable by a virtual device other than a beacon is in particular from a virtual beacon configurable.

The real beacon of any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the virtual devices is configured as a node for a network.

7. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the management device (4) one to the

Communication unit separate interface to a

having external communication unit.

The real beacon according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the management device (4) is capable of

individual configuration of the virtual beacon

without another of the virtual devices (5i, 52, 5n) undergoing a change.

9. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein of the management device (4) at least one of the virtual devices (5i, 52, 5 _n ) due to the individual addressability individually with respect to a

Send interval, a content of a data packet, the beacon format, a calibration signal power, a

Transmission power and / or another parameter

is configurable.

10. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for addressing one of the virtual devices individually a unique communication address can be assigned, wherein the communication address is an identifier according to a beacon standard or other communication standard or a separate address generated using the management device ,

11. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the management device (4) at least one of the virtual devices (5i, 52, 5 _n ) in response to an external trigger reversibly connectable or can be disabled.

12. Real beacon according to one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the management device via the communication device or the interface according to claim 7 controllable or configurable by an external device or information from the external device for controlling, configuring or optimizing the virtual devices are processed.

The real beacon of any one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the virtual device configured as a node performs the function

owns a new beacon of the given type around the real beacon.

The real beacon of any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the virtual device configured as a node performs the function

owns to maintain communication with a given external beacon.

15. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein by the management device (4) for each virtual device (5i, 52, ..., 5n) an individual access management is executable.

16. Real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the management device (4) is adapted to generate a new virtual device, the resources of the

Redistribute communication unit (3) among all virtual devices according to one or more predetermined criteria.

17. Light installation with a real beacon according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the real beacon on a

Lighting device of the light installation is mechanically attached and / or energy from the light installation or a peripheral energy infrastructure of the light installation relates.

18. Lighting device with a real beacon after the

Claims 1 to 14, wherein a lighting means (2) of the

Lighting device and the real beacon (3) have a common power supply unit.

19. A lighting device with a real beacon according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein one of the virtual devices a

Partial function for light control takes over.

20. Method of operating a real beacon

marked by

Generate a first virtual device (5i) and at least one other virtual device by a

Management device (4) the real beacon from the

Communication unit and / or the management device (4) and

- Addressing all devices (5i, 52, 5 _n ) individually

each with its own communication address.