DE20006680U1 - Telemetry module, arrangement for radio remote control of an electrical device - Google Patents

Description

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Telemetry module, arrangement for radio remote control of an electrical device

The invention relates, from a first perspective, to a telemetry module.

Telemetry modules allow control commands to be received from a remote command point, particularly by radio, and converted into corresponding control processes for electrical devices connected to the telemetry module. Telemetry modules can also be used as detectors, with which status, alarm or monitoring messages relating to electrical devices connected to the telemetry module can be transmitted to a remote receiver, particularly by radio.

Telemetry modules can be particularly useful in everyday life. For example, it can be important to know immediately when electrical devices in your home fail or the alarm system goes off while on vacation or traveling. A traveler may also want to remotely activate electrical devices in their home so that they can find a warm home, a preheated sauna or fresh coffee when they return.

The object of the invention according to the first point of view is to provide a telemetry module that is also suitable for everyday use.

According to the invention, a telemetry module is provided to solve this problem, which is designed as a terminal capable of bidirectional communication for a communication network, comprising: - at least one electrical signal input for coupling to a signal-generating component,

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- at least one electrical control output for coupling with a component to be controlled,

- a memory arrangement for storing a message identifier in association with a predetermined status change of the electrical status of the signal input and for storing a control identifier in association with a predetermined status change of the electrical status of the control output and

- an electronic control unit connected to the signal input and the control output, which is designed to, depending on a

&iacgr;&ogr; status change of the electrical status of the signal input to cause the sending of a message containing the respectively assigned message identifier via the communication network to a predetermined recipient, and which is further designed, upon receipt of a message via the communication network, to compare its content with each stored control identifier and, if there is a match, to cause the status change of the electrical status of the control output associated with the respectively matching control identifier.

In the solution according to the invention, the telemetry module can be designed as a mobile radio terminal for a mobile radio network, but also as a terminal for a fixed network. In principle, it can communicate with any other participants in the communication network, for example mobile stations or Internet participants (via an Internet bridge).

The bidirectional communication capability allows the telemetry module according to the invention to be used both as a detector and as a control device. Accordingly, it has at least one signal input and at least one control output. Any electrical devices that the user wants to monitor for their status can be connected to the signal input and that emit a signal that can be detected by the telemetry module when there is a change in status, for example in the form of a voltage change. This change in status of the respective connected

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connected device (e.g. the activation of an alarm or the failure of a home device) is reflected in a corresponding change in the electrical status of the signal input and is reported by the telemetry module to a predetermined receiver. An event-specific message identifier is sent to the receiver so that the receiver knows which connected device is affected by the message and what type of change in the status of this device is underlying the message. The user can define this himself by storing it in the memory arrangement. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the message identifier is already defined by the manufacturer and cannot be changed by the purchaser of the telemetry module, for example in the case of a dedicated telemetry module that is only offered for a specific purpose and is optimized for this purpose.

Each message identifier is assigned to a predetermined status change in the electrical status of the signal input. For example, the message identifier "device defective" can be stored for a potential change of the signal input from a high level to a low level. For a potential change in the opposite direction, however, the message identifier "device functioning" can be stored. Whenever one of these potential changes occurs, the telemetry module then sends the corresponding message identifier to the recipient intended to receive the message.

Similarly, the user (or the manufacturer) can pre-store control identifiers in the memory array, each associated with a predetermined change in the control output status. For example, for a change in the control output potential from a low level to a high level, the associated control identifier may be "turn device on", while for the reverse change in potential, the associated control identifier may be "turn device off". When a message is then received by the telemetry module, the control unit compares the content of the received message with the stored control identifiers.

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If the control unit determines that the received message contains a control command that matches one of the stored control identifiers, it initiates the corresponding status change of the electrical status of the control output.

Possible areas of application for the telemetry module according to the invention include, for example, alarm systems, vending machines, meters, home control systems and remote controls in general. Of course, the applications mentioned are not to be understood as limiting.

A preferred development of the telemetry module according to the invention provides that it is designed to send each message containing a message identifier in the form of a short message using a short message service of the communication network that serves to transmit alphanumeric character strings, for example the SMS service of a GSM network, and to compare the content of a short message with each stored control identifier when it is received. This development enables very simple and convenient communication with the telemetry module using short written texts. Short message services are supported by common communication networks today. If the short message service uses packet-oriented message transmission with intermediate storage, it is ensured that important messages that cannot be delivered temporarily, for example because the recipient's receiving device is switched off, are not lost. However, it is also conceivable within the scope of the invention to use connection-oriented short message services that can transmit messages in real time.

For details regarding GSM networks ("Global System for Mobile Communication") and SMS services ("Short-Message Service"), reference is made to "Handbuch für die Telekommunikation", Volker Jung, Hans-Jürgen Warnecke, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 1998, and "GSM and

Personal Communications Handbook", Siegmund M. Redl, Matthias K. Weber, Malcolm W. Oliphant, Artech House Publishers Boston London, 1998. It should be noted that the term GSM network is to be understood here in its most general sense and is not only intended to include the GSM 900 system, but also the DCS 1800 and PCN 1900 systems. The telemetry module according to the invention can also be used in conjunction with other mobile radio communication networks, for example according to the UMTS standard. For a definition and details of these systems, reference is again made to the literature cited above.

The telemetry module is preferably operated with a subscriber identification card, for example a SIM card for a GSM network, and is designed to store at least the reporting and control identifiers in a memory of the subscriber identification card, in particular in a telephone book memory area of the card memory. If it is left to the user to store the reporting and control identifiers and, if desired, other data themselves, this can be done by inserting the subscriber identification card of the telemetry module into another terminal that allows data to be written into such subscriber identification cards. This can be a conventional mobile phone, for example, with which any entries can be made in the telephone book memory area of the card memory using the phone's keypad. Complex programming measures to store the desired data are therefore not required.

For a definition and details of a SIM card ("Subscriber Identification Module"), reference is again made to the literature cited above. It is understood that, in addition to the SIM cards standardized for GSM networks, any other subscriber identification cards issued by a network operator or a service provider of the network that allow the user to store data can also be considered within the scope of the invention.

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It may be desirable to communicate different electrical status changes of one and the same signal input to the user by means of different messages. For example, with a digital signal input, the user will usually be interested in knowing whether the electrical potential of the signal input has changed from a high level to a low level or vice versa. Likewise, in many cases it will be desirable to give the user the option of commanding different electrical status changes of one and the same control output in order to control different processes of the signal connected to this control output.

&iacgr;&ogr; connected device. For example, in many cases the applicant will be interested in being able to not only switch a device connected to the control output on but also switch it off. In accordance with the above, a preferred development of the telemetry module provides that it is designed to store in the memory arrangement, in association with each signal input, at least two different message identifiers for at least two different, in particular opposing, status changes in the electrical status of this signal input. Likewise, it is preferably provided that it is designed to store in the memory arrangement, in association with each control output, at least two different control identifiers for at least two different, in particular opposing, status changes in the electrical status of this control output.

The range of applications of the telemetry module can be increased by having several signal inputs for coupling to a signal-generating component each and/or by having several control outputs for coupling to a component to be controlled each.

In order to give the user the opportunity to freely determine to whom the notification of an electrical status change of the signal input should be sent, a preferred embodiment provides that in the memory arrangement in association with each message identifier at least

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at least one recipient telephone number is stored or can be stored and that the control unit is designed to cause a message containing a reporting identifier to be sent to the network subscriber identified by the associated recipient telephone number.

It may be desirable to ensure that a device connected to the control output can only be controlled by one (or more than one) person who has been authorized in advance. To ensure this, it may be provided that in the memory arrangement, in association with each

&iacgr;&ogr; control identifier, at least one authorization telephone number is stored or can be stored, and that the control unit is designed, upon receipt of a message coinciding with a stored control identifier, to bring about the associated status change of the electrical status of the relevant control output only if at least part of the telephone number of the sender of the message matches the authorization telephone number. This naturally assumes that the communications network supports the transmission of the sender's telephone number.

In order for the user to know that the control commands he has sent to the telemetry module have actually been carried out, it is expedient for the control unit to be designed, after the status change of the electrical status of the control output has been effected, to send a confirmation message confirming this status change to the network subscriber identified by the authorization telephone number.

It is conceivable that a user may wish to keep the option open of being able to send control commands from various stations participating in the communications network to the telemetry module. Storing authorization numbers may then be inappropriate, for example if the user intends to send control commands via the Internet, among other places. In order not to have to wait for confirmation of the execution of the commands sent to the telemetry module in such cases,

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In order to avoid having to forego the control commands sent, it is preferably provided that a predetermined reference pointer and a recipient telephone number can be stored in the memory arrangement in association with each control identifier and that the control unit is designed to cause the confirmation message to be sent to the network subscriber identified by the recipient telephone number assigned to this reference pointer when a reference pointer is present. Storing a reference pointer in association with a control identifier is equivalent to a general authorization of any sender

γ of control commands. If the control unit determines, upon receipt of a control command, that such a reference pointer exists for the corresponding stored control identifier, it executes the control command and reads the recipient's telephone number for the confirmation message from the memory area to which the reference pointer refers. In the simplest case, the reference pointer can be a digit (for example the number 0) which the control unit interprets as a reference to a predetermined memory area of the memory arrangement in which the recipient's telephone number for the confirmation message can be stored.

A further development of the invention provides that a receiver telephone number for an operational readiness message is stored or can be stored in the memory arrangement and that the control unit is designed to cause the operational readiness message to be sent, in particular in the form of a short message, to the network subscriber identified by the associated receiver telephone number after the telemetry module has been made operational. In this way, the operational readiness and functionality of the telemetry module can be signaled to the user remotely in a simple and reliable manner. In particular, at least part of the operational readiness message can be stored by the user in the memory arrangement.

The telemetry module can have a serial interface for data communication with an external device. On the one hand, this serial interface can be used to load a control program written by the user into the control unit from an external computer. In this way, the user can individually program the telemetry module and implement individual functions of the telemetry module. For example, the user could write a program that queries a room temperature sensor connected to an analog signal input of the telemetry module and switches a heater on or off when it falls below or exceeds a predetermined threshold. If certain limit values are exceeded, an alarm message could then be sent as a short message to a mobile phone owner, for example.

In addition to programming new software, the interface could also be used to read out data for subsequent data analysis or processing, for example error logs from a faulty machine connected to the telemetry module.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement for the radio remote control of an electrical device, comprising a radio receiver that can be brought into control connection with the electrical device and a radio transmitter that sends radio control signals for controlling the device to the radio receiver.

Such radio remote control arrangements allow an electrical device, such as a household appliance, to be switched on or off from the radio transmitter. However, conventional radio transmitters used for remote control purposes only have a limited range, which, for example, allows a maximum distance between the radio transmitter and the radio receiver of only about 30 meters. This is sufficient for many applications in the home. However, the short range is no longer sufficient if

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the desire exists to control electrical devices in one's own home from a great distance, for example from a holiday destination.

The object of the invention according to the further consideration is therefore to provide a radio remote control arrangement which allows the control of an electrical device even over greater distances.

According to the invention, the radio transmitter is assigned a telemetry module designed as a callable terminal of a bidirectional telecommunications network, in particular of the type described above, with at least one electrical control output that can be connected to an electrical control input of the radio transmitter, the electrical status of which can be influenced by transmitting a predetermined message sent to the telemetry module by another participant in the communications network, and that the radio transmitter is designed to send a radio control signal for controlling the electrical device in response to an electrical status change of its control input.

The inclusion of the telecommunications network results in an almost unlimited range of the radio remote control arrangement, which allows the electrical device to be controlled from any distance at home and abroad. It is sufficient to dial the number of the telemetry module and send it a predetermined message via the telecommunications network, the content of which is interpreted by the telemetry module as a command to change the electrical status of its control output. Control electronics in the radio transmitter detect this potential change, which also occurs at the control input of the radio transmitter, and initiate the transmission of a radio command. The message transmission to the telemetry module can take place in particular in the form of alphanumeric short messages.

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The radio transmitter and the telemetry module can be assembled or can be assembled into a single unit. It is conceivable that the radio transmitter and the telemetry module are housed in a common housing. Alternatively, the telemetry module and the radio transmitter can be manufactured as structurally separate modules, which can be attached to one another in particular by means of a plug connection.

A further development of the invention according to the further consideration provides that the radio transmitter has a manually operable push button arrangement

&iacgr;&ogr;, by means of which the transmission of radio control signals for controlling the electrical device can be effected regardless of an electrical status change of the control input of the radio transmitter. This makes it possible to control the electrical device alternatively either by calling the telemetry module or by operating the push button arrangement of the radio transmitter.

To control several electrical devices independently of one another, several radio receivers that can be addressed individually by the radio transmitter can be provided. The telemetry module will then have an individually controllable control output associated with each of the radio receivers, which can be connected to a control input of the radio transmitter.

The telemetry module can be designed as a terminal device of a mobile network, in particular a GSM network. However, it is not excluded that the telemetry module can be designed as a terminal device of a fixed network.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the telemetry module according to the invention,

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Figure 2 shows an example of the card memory of a subscriber identification card to explain a standard operating mode of the telemetry module and

Figure 3 shows a schematic of an arrangement for radio remote control of several electrical devices.

The telemetry module shown in Figure 1 is generally designated 1. It is designed to operate as a GSM mobile station which can communicate with other network participants via a schematically indicated GSM network 3, for example a GSM mobile phone 5 or a home computer 7 which is connected to the GSM network 3 via the Internet and an Internet bridge. The telemetry module 1, which is preferably designed in pocket format as a housed unit, has a GSM transmitting/receiving unit 9 which is responsible for sending and receiving mobile radio messages under the control of an electronic control unit 11. The transmitting/receiving unit 9 comprises, for example, a GSM modem from Siemens AG with the type designation "GSM - Cellular Engine M20". The control unit 11 is expediently formed by a microprocessor whose control program is stored in a memory 13. At least a part of the memory 13 is preferably designed as a programmable read-only memory in order to be able to load new program software, which a user can write according to individual requirements, for example on a schematically indicated home computer 17, into the memory 13 via a serial interface 15 of the telemetry module 1.

To operate the telemetry module 1 as a GSM mobile station, a subscriber identification card 19 in the form of a SIM card is required, which is issued by the network operator or a service provider and is to be inserted into a SIM card reader 21 of the telemetry module 1. A conventional card reader can be used for the SIM card reader 21, such as is known from common mobile phones. It is conceivable that

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that the telemetry module 1 is offered for sale together with the SIM card 19 as a commercial unit. It is also conceivable to offer the telemetry module 1 without a SIM card 19 in the trade and leave it to the buyer of the telemetry module 1 to obtain a SIM card 19 themselves.

In order to be able to connect devices to be controlled to the telemetry module 1, the latter has a plurality of, for example, four, in particular digital control outputs 23. Likewise, the telemetry module 1 has several

&iacgr;&ogr; analog signal inputs 25 and several digital signal inputs 27, again for example four each. The digital signal inputs 27 are suitable for connecting devices via which yes/no information is to be obtained, while the analog signal inputs 25 can be used, for example, for connecting analog measuring sensors. The control unit 11 is designed to detect and evaluate the signals received at the signal inputs 25, 27 and, depending on the criteria specified in the program of the control unit 11, to compose messages as required about the status of the devices connected to the inputs 27 and possibly 25, which are sent via the mobile radio network 3 to a recipient specified in advance.

In the described embodiment, the communication of the telemetry module 1 via the GSM network 3 with other network participants always takes place using the SMS service. All messages from the telemetry module 1 are therefore sent as short messages. Control commands that are sent to the telemetry module 1 must also be sent as SMS short messages via the GSM network 3.

With reference to Figure 2, a mode of operation of the telemetry module 1 is now described, which can be implemented as standard in the telemetry modules offered on the market (and can be modified if necessary by loading new program software via the interface 15).

This standard configuration only takes into account the digital signal inputs 27 and the control outputs 23; the analog signal inputs 25 are not taken into account. For each occupied digital signal input 27 and each occupied control output 23, the user must store various information in the SIM card 19 in the standard configuration, namely in a memory area of the SIM card 19 provided for telephone book entries. Such a telephone book memory area is usually present in common SIM cards. The telephone book memory area is usually used to enter names and associated telephone numbers; it is divided into a name field and a number field, each of which can be addressed by a memory location number. This structure can be clearly seen in Figure 2. The SIM card 19 can be easily programmed using any conventional GSM mobile phone. For this purpose, the SIM card 19 is inserted into such a mobile phone and programmed using the keypad of the mobile phone in the same way as names and associated phone numbers are stored in the phone book memory area. The SIM card 19 is then removed from the mobile phone and inserted into the card reader 21 of the telemetry module 1.

In the standard configuration, the first eight memory locations of the phone book memory area of the SIM card 19 are assigned to the digital signal inputs 27, the number of which is assumed to be four in the exemplary embodiment explained here. Memory locations 1 and 5 are assigned to a signal input 27-1, memory locations 2 and 6 to a signal input 27-2, memory locations 3 and 7 to a signal input 27-3 and memory locations 4 and 8 to a signal input 27-4. Memory locations 1 to 4 are reserved for potential changes of the relevant signal input from a low level to a high level (for example from 0 V to +5 V), while memory locations 5 to 8 are reserved for potential changes of the relevant signal input in the opposite direction.

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Similarly, memory locations 9 to 16 of the phone book memory area of the SIM card 19 are assigned to the digital control outputs 23. Memory locations 9 and 13 are assigned to a control output 23-1, memory locations 10 and 14 to a control output 23-2, memory locations 11 and 15 to a control output 23-3 and memory locations 12 and 16 to a control output 23-4. Memory locations 9 to 12 are reserved for potential changes of the respective control output from a low level to a high level (again, for example, from 0 V to +5 V), while memory locations 13 to 16 are reserved for potential changes in the opposite direction.

&iacgr;&ogr; of the respective control output are reserved.

In the standard configuration, the control unit 11 is designed to use entries in the name fields of the memory locations 1 to 8 assigned to the digital signal inputs 27 as message identifiers, which are sent by the telemetry module 1 in the form of SMS short messages when the respective potential changes occur at the signal inputs 27. Where these SMS short messages are sent to is determined from the entries in the number fields of the memory locations 1 to 8. The user can store recipient phone numbers there to which the SMS short messages are sent. In the example case in Figure 2, it is assumed that a signal generator is connected to the digital signal input 27-1, which indicates whether an alarm is switched on or off. In the associated memory locations 1 and 5, the user has accordingly entered the message identifiers "Alarm switched on" and "Alarm switched off". If the potential at signal input 27-1 goes to the high level, the control unit 11 accesses the name field of the memory location 1 reserved for this potential change and causes an SMS short message to be sent with the content "Alarm activated". This SMS short message is sent to the network subscriber with the phone number "1234567" that the user has entered in the associated number field of memory location 1.

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When the potential at signal input 27-1 drops to the low level, control unit 11 accesses the name field of memory location 5 reserved for this case and causes an SMS short message to be sent with the content "Alarm deactivated". The entry in the number field of memory location 5 shows that the recipient of this short message is again the network subscriber with the telephone number "1234567".

When the status of the devices connected to the signal inputs 27-2 and 27-3 (light, refrigerator) changes, corresponding processes take place. In the example in Figure 2, the signal input 27-4 is not used, which is why the memory locations 4 and 8 are blank.

In order to be able to control devices connected to the control outputs 23, for example to switch them on or off, the user must enter control identifiers in the name fields of the memory locations assigned to the respective occupied control outputs as part of the previous programming of the phone book memory area of the SIM card 19. In the standard configuration, the control unit 11 is designed to check incoming SMS short messages to see whether the content matches one of the control identifiers stored in the phone book memory area. Depending on the memory location in which it finds the matching control identifier, it initiates the corresponding potential change of the relevant control output. In the specific example in Figure 2, it is assumed that a heater is connected to the control output 23-2. If the user wants to switch on this heating, he sends an SMS short message from a mobile phone with the content "Switch on heating" to the telemetry module 1. The control unit 11 compares the received short message with the control identifiers stored on the SIM card 19 in the name fields of memory locations 9 to 16 and determines a match at memory location 10. As already stated above, memory location 10 is reserved for a potential change of the control output 23-2 from the low level to the high level. The

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Control unit 11 then causes this potential change, which leads to the heating being switched on as desired by the user.

If, however, the user wants to switch off the heating, he sends an SMS short message with the content "Switch off heating" to the telemetry module 1. In this case, the control unit 11 determines a match at memory location 14, in whose name field the user previously stored the control identifier "Switch off heating". The potential drop of the control output 23-2 to low potential γγ assigned to memory location 14 then leads to the desired switching off of the heating.

The remaining control outputs 23-1, 23-3 and 23-4, which are not used in the example in Figure 2, can be controlled in a corresponding manner.

Occasionally, you want to restrict access to the devices connected to the control outputs 23 to certain people. To prevent unauthorized access, in the standard configuration, authorization numbers can be entered in the number fields of the memory locations 9 to 16 assigned to the control outputs. When receiving a control command, the control unit 11 compares the sender's phone number with the entered authorization number and only executes the command if they match. In the example in Fig. 2, the heating is only switched on if the corresponding command is sent by the subscriber with the phone number "1234567" (see memory location 10).

After a control command has been successfully executed, the control unit 11, in a preferred further development of the standard configuration, sends a confirmation message to the subscriber with the telephone number in the number field of the respective control identifier. The authorization telephone number is therefore also used as the address for the confirmation message. In the example in Fig. 2, the confirmation message is therefore sent to the subscriber with the telephone number "1234567".

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The confirmation message is created, for example, by taking the text of the respective tax identification in the phone book and supplementing it with "has been executed".

If no authorization of specific persons is to be carried out, but a confirmation message is still desired, the standard configuration can offer the option of entering a predetermined character, in this case the number 0, in the number field of the respective control ID. This character is interpreted as a reference pointer that points to a specially reserved memory area of the telephone book, in this case memory location 17. There the user can enter a telephone number in the number field to which the confirmation message is to be sent. In the example case in Fig. 2, after the command "Switch off heating" (see memory location 14) has been successfully executed, a confirmation message with the content "Switch off heating was executed" is sent to the subscriber with the telephone number "9876543" (see memory location 17). There can be the additional option of entering a default value (e.g. the number 0) in the number field of memory location 17 instead of a telephone number. The confirmation message is then sent back to the sender of the control command, whoever that was.

After successful start of operation, the telemetry module also sends an operational readiness message to a recipient whose telephone number can be entered in the number field of another memory area of the telephone book reserved specifically for this purpose (in this case, memory location 18). The operational readiness message can include a predefined text block, for example "System started and functional", and can be supplemented by a text block that the user can freely choose and which he can enter in the name field of memory location 18. In the example case in Fig. 2, the operational readiness message is then: "System started and functional holiday home"; it is sent to the subscriber with the telephone number "9876543". Can be found in the number field

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If there is no valid phone number or a 0 in memory location 18, the operational readiness message will not be sent.

It should be added that it is conceivable not only to use the memory of the SIM card (or generally of a subscriber identification card) for entering the registration and tax identifications and possibly various telephone numbers, but also to use the property of the SIM card as a smart card and to implement parts of the control program or even the entire control program for the telemetry module on the SIM card (keyword &iacgr;&ogr; "SIM Application Toolkit"; see e.g. the literature cited at the beginning).

In Figure 3, the telemetry module 1 is used as part of a radio remote control arrangement, by means of which several electrical devices 29 can be remotely controlled. The telemetry module 1 is connected to a short-range radio transmitter 31, which transmits in the 433 MHz range, for example, via a plug connection 33 to form a structural unit. The plug connection 33 not only establishes a mechanical connection between the telemetry module 1 and the radio transmitter 31, but also ensures an electrical connection between the control outputs 23 of the telemetry module 1 (not shown in detail in Figure 3) and the control inputs of the radio transmitter 31 (also not shown in detail in Figure 3). Each control output 23 of the telemetry module 1 is assigned such a control input of the radio transmitter 31. The radio transmitter 31 can use radio control signals to individually control several short-range radio receivers 35 to which the electrical devices 29 can be connected. If one of the radio receivers 35 receives a radio command addressed to it from the radio transmitter 31, it switches the electrical device 29 connected to it on or off. For this purpose, the radio receivers 35 are expediently connected between the electrical devices 29 and a power supply network (not shown in detail). It is also understood that

Thus, not only a single device 29 can be controlled via a radio receiver 35, but also a group of devices, which is indicated in Figure 3 by a dashed line at the upper radio receiver 35 by an additional device 29.

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The radio transmitter 31 has a pushbutton switch arrangement 37, by the actuation of which the radio transmitter 31 can be caused to send radio commands to the radio receivers 35. The pushbutton switch arrangement 37 enables individual control of the radio receivers 35. For this purpose, the pushbutton switch arrangement 37 has a pair of buttons 39, 41 assigned to each radio receiver 35, one of which enables the device 29 connected to the respective radio receiver 35 to be switched on and the other of which enables this device to be switched off.

&iacgr;&ogr; When the radio transmitter 31 is connected to the telemetry module 1, it interprets electrical status changes of its control inputs as a request to send radio commands to the radio receivers 35, by means of which the devices 29 can be activated or deactivated. For this purpose, the radio transmitter 31 is equipped with control electronics which detect electrical status changes, in particular in the form of rising or falling pulse edges, at the control inputs of the radio transmitter 31 and cause the corresponding radio control signals to be sent. Depending on the control input at which an electrical status change was detected or on the button pair 39, 41 pressed, this control electronics will encode the radio control signals to be sent in such a way that only the radio receiver 35 assigned to the relevant control input or button pair 39, 41 responds to the radio control signals.

Accordingly, in the remote control arrangement according to Figure 3, activation or deactivation of the electrical devices 29 is possible when the radio transmitter 31 is plugged in by transmitting a control message to the telemetry module 1, without pressing the buttons 39, 41 of the radio transmitter 31. Alternatively, the electrical devices 29 can be remotely controlled by actuating the pushbutton switch arrangement 37, for which purpose the radio transmitter 31 can be removed from the telemetry module 1.

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The telemetry module 1 can be supplied with power via a power cable 43. The power supply of the radio transmitter 31 can be provided, for example, via a battery inserted into it.

Claims (24)

1. Telemetry module ( 1 ) which is designed as a terminal capable of bidirectional communication for a communication network ( 3 ), comprising: - at least one electrical signal input ( 25 , 27 ) for coupling to a signal-generating component, - at least one electrical control output ( 23 ) for coupling to a component to be controlled, - a memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) for storing a message identifier in association with a predetermined status change of the electrical status of the signal input ( 25 , 27 ) and for storing a control identifier in association with a predetermined status change of the electrical status of the control output ( 23 ) and - an electronic control unit ( 11 ) connected to the signal input ( 25 , 27 ) and the control output ( 23 ), which is designed to cause a message containing the respectively assigned message identifier to be sent via the communication network ( 3 ) to a predetermined recipient ( 5 , 7 ) as a function of a status change in the electrical status of the signal input ( 25 , 27 ), and which is further designed, upon receipt of a message via the communication network ( 3 ), to compare its content with each stored control identifier and, if there is a match, to cause the status change in the electrical status of the control output ( 23 ) associated with the respectively matching control identifier. 2. Telemetry module according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed to send each message containing a reporting identifier in the form of a short message by means of a short message service of the communication network serving to transmit alphanumeric character strings, for example the SMS service of a GSM network, and to compare the content of a short message with each stored control identifier upon receipt. 3. Telemetry module according to claim 2, characterized in that it is to be operated with a subscriber identification card ( 19 ), for example a SIM card for a GSM network, and is designed to store at least the reporting and control identifiers in a memory of the subscriber identification card ( 19 ), in particular in a telephone book memory area of the card memory. 4. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is designed to store in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) in association with a respective signal input ( 25 , 27 ) at least two different message identifiers for at least two different, in particular opposing, status changes of the electrical status of this signal input ( 25 , 27 ). 5. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is designed to store in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) in association with a respective control output ( 23 ) at least two different control identifiers for at least two different, in particular opposing, status changes of the electrical status of this control output ( 23 ). 6. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it has several signal inputs ( 27-1 to 27-4 ) for coupling to a signal-emitting component each. 7. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has several control outputs ( 23-1 to 23-4 ) for coupling to a component to be controlled. 8. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one recipient telephone number is stored or can be stored in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) in association with each message identifier and that the control unit ( 11 ) is designed to cause a message containing a message identifier to be sent to the network subscriber identified by the associated recipient telephone number. 9. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one authorization telephone number is stored or can be stored in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) in association with each control identifier and that the control unit ( 11 ) is designed, upon receipt of a message coinciding with a stored control identifier, to effect the associated status change of the electrical status of the relevant control output ( 23 ) only if at least part of the telephone number of the sender of the message matches the authorization telephone number. 10. Telemetry module according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit ( 11 ) is designed, after effecting the status change of the electrical status of the control output ( 23 ), to cause the sending of a confirmation message confirming this status change, in particular in the form of a short message, to the network subscriber identified by the authorization telephone number. 11. Telemetry module according to claim 10, characterized in that a predetermined reference pointer can be stored in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) in association with each control message and a recipient telephone number can be stored in association with this reference pointer and that the control unit ( 11 ) is designed, in the presence of a reference pointer, to cause the confirmation message to be sent to the network subscriber who is identified by the recipient telephone number associated with this reference pointer. 12. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a receiver telephone number for an operational readiness message is stored or can be stored in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ) and that the control unit ( 11 ) is designed to cause the operational readiness message, in particular in the form of a short message, to be sent to the network subscriber who is identified by the associated receiver telephone number after the operational readiness of the telemetry module ( 1 ) has been established. 13. Telemetry module according to claim 12, characterized in that at least part of the content of the operational readiness message can be stored by the user in the memory arrangement ( 13 , 19 ). 14. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it has a particularly serial interface ( 15 ) for data communication with an external device ( 17 ). 15. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is designed as a mobile radio terminal for a mobile radio network. 16. Telemetry module according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it is designed as a terminal for a fixed network. 17. Arrangement for the radio remote control of an electrical device ( 29 ), comprising a radio receiver ( 35 ) that can be brought into control connection with the electrical device ( 29 ) and a radio transmitter ( 31 ) that sends radio control signals for controlling the device ( 29 ) to the radio receiver ( 35 ), characterized in that the radio transmitter ( 31 ) is assigned a telemetry module ( 1 ) designed as a callable terminal of a telecommunications network ( 3 ), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 16, with at least one electrical control output ( 23 ) that can be connected to an electrical control input of the radio transmitter ( 31 ), the electrical status of which can be influenced by transmitting a predetermined message sent by another subscriber ( 5 , 7 ) of the communications network ( 3 ) to the telemetry module ( 1 ), and that the radio transmitter ( 31 ) is designed to, in response to an electrical status change of its control input to send a radio control signal to control the device ( 29 ). 18. Arrangement according to claim 17, characterized in that the radio transmitter ( 31 ) and the telemetry module ( 1 ) are or can be assembled into a structural unit. 19. Arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the radio transmitter and the telemetry module are accommodated in a common housing. 20. Arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the telemetry module ( 1 ) and the radio transmitter ( 31 ) are manufactured as structurally separate modules which can be attached to one another in particular by means of a plug connection ( 33 ). 21. Arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the radio transmitter ( 31 ) carries a manually operable pushbutton switch arrangement ( 37 ) by means of which the transmission of radio control signals for controlling the electrical device ( 29 ) can be effected independently of an electrical status change of the control input of the radio transmitter ( 31 ). 22. Arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that for the independent control of several electrical devices ( 29 ) several radio receivers ( 35 ) which can be addressed individually by the radio transmitter ( 31 ) are provided and that the telemetry module ( 1 ) has an individually controllable control output ( 23-1 to 23-4 ) associated with each of the radio receivers ( 35 ), which can be connected to a control input of the radio transmitter ( 31 ). 23. Arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the telemetry module ( 1 ) is designed as a terminal of a mobile radio network, in particular a GSM network. 24. Arrangement according to one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the telemetry module ( 1 ) has at least one further feature of at least one of claims 1 to 16.