FI91922C - A data transmission system - Google Patents

Description

91922 COMMUNICATION & SYSTEM

The invention relates to a data transmission system for remote control of, for example, lighting, air conditioning, security and AV equipment.

5 Remote control systems have been commonly used e.g. entertainment electronics. In the past, these were based on the use of ultrasound (UÅ), but today infrared (IR) -based technology is the most commonly used. The disadvantage of ultrasound was e.g. quite narrow access to control and address codes io. IR systems suitable for lighting control are manufactured by e.g. Siemens AG, Germany and Philips, The Netherlands. The disadvantage of the infrared method is the required light path between the transmitter and receiver.

It is therefore expected that radio control will take over more and more areas in the control of lighting, air conditioning, AV and safety equipment. The radio waves propagate through normal silencer walls and this results in a sufficiently wide address code being included in the communication signal between the devices. However, in large systems 20, multiple actuators must be controlled simultaneously. However, if only one communication channel is used in the control system, it is not possible to transmit several control commands simultaneously within one range. On the other hand, the limited number of radio channels available 25 in larger systems precludes the use of a separate channel for each transmitter or receiver.

The above-mentioned problem has been solved in radiotelephones in such a way that the central unit operating in the range of the telephone selects the currently unused channel for communication. In remote control systems, this solution is only possible if the system includes a central unit. Even then, the disadvantage of solution 2 91922 is slowness; often remote control requires the operation corresponding to the control command to be performed with the shortest possible delay, whereby the back-and-forth communication between the control device and the control panel causes too long a delay for control and operation. Second, in many cases, it is advantageous to decentralize the control system, whereby the division of the central unit reduces costs and the control system is not tied to the operating distance or capacity of the central unit.

io In so-called cordless telephones, the problem has been solved in more advanced models by the telephone alternately measuring the interference level of the channels in use and selecting the channel with the lowest interference level. However, the measurement of the interference level directly from the channels in use must be performed in channel 15 one channel at a time, because otherwise the receiver circuits become complicated and expensive. In addition, measuring the level of a signal of a random nature takes a relatively long time per channel before it can be reliably decided whether channel 20 already has traffic. Thus, it takes too long to select a channel for remote control applications.

The communication system according to the invention consists of two or more equipments, the information of which is transmitted so that in addition to the normal information signal containing the information, another signal is transmitted, an additional signal, the content of which depends on which channel the message is transmitted. By monitoring the additional signals, the sending device is able to quickly detect which channels are busy and which channels are free from the transmission of the message signal. Correspondingly, the equipment receiving the message signal is able to quickly switch to the correct channel.

These additional signals, in turn, can be transmitted on their own channel 35, so that even several additional signals transmitted on this channel for 3,91922 times can be quickly determined by the receiver means of the controller or receiver device which channels are occupied. Another alternative is that the additional signal is transmitted on the same channel as the corresponding message signal, in which case the broadband receiver can monitor the additional signals occurring on several channels simultaneously.

The system according to the invention combines the versatile use possibilities of the radio frequency signal and, on the other hand, the fast response time of the control commands even in large systems.

For more detailed means of implementing the system according to the invention, reference is made to the claims and to the various systems according to the invention presented below.

The following describes a remote control system according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1.

Markings of FIG. 1:

LA Hardware A

20 OR Equipment A transmitters for sending a signal signal TA2 Equipment A transmitters for sending an additional signal RA1 Equipment A receivers for receiving a signal signal RA2 Equipment A receivers for receiving an additional signal GA System A logic circuits

LB Hardware B

30 TBI Equipment B transmitters for sending a signal signal TB2 Equipment B transmitters for transmitting an additional signal RB1 Equipment B receivers for receiving a message signal ---—-------- 'TT-91922 4 RB2 Equipment B receivers for receiving an additional signal GB System B logic circuits

5 DAi Input message DA

DAo LåhtOviesti DA

DBi Input message DB

DBo OutboxSend DB

SA1 Message signal A

10 SA2 Additional signal A

SB1 Message signal A

SB2 Additional signal B

SX2 Additional signals sent from other equipment

The example system includes hardware A and hardware 15 B. However, the number of devices can be arbitrary.

To transmit the message DA, the apparatus A has transmitter means TA1 and the apparatus B has receiver means RB1. The signal contained in the message DA, in the following the message signal, SA1, is transmitted, for example, using radio waves and frequency channels 20. The frequency channel selection is performed in hardware A by logic unit GA and in hardware B by logic unit GB.

The second transmitter means TA2 of the apparatus A send an additional signal SA2 together with the message signal. The content of the additional signal depends on which frequency channel is used in the transmission of the message signal 25.

Before transmitting the message signal and the additional signal, the equipment A can check which channel is free from the transmission of the message signal. For this purpose, the gate controller has receiver means RA2 for receiving additional signals.

By receiving the additional signals SX2 from the other equipment, the logic unit GA of the equipment A can select a free channel based on the information or strength contained in the received additional signals.

91922

Accordingly, the apparatus B can take advantage of the information or strength contained in the additional signals SX2 received from the other apparatus when selecting the reception channel of the message signals. For this purpose, the apparatus B 5 has means for receiving additional signals.

The transfer of the message DA from the hardware A to the hardware B has been described above. Correspondingly, the messages can be transmitted in two directions. Then, for example, the message DB

In order to transmit the rayos, the means TB1 for transmitting the signal signal as well as the means TB2 for transmitting the additional signal are required in the apparatus 3, and the means RA1 for receiving the signal signals are required in the apparatus A.

The means used for transmitting or receiving the message and the additional signal are not necessarily separate, but e.g. when transmitting radio waves, it is often advantageous to use at least a common amplifier and antenna for transmitting both signals. Correspondingly, it may be advantageous in the receiver means to use a common antenna and a preamplifier for receiving both signals I t <*.

The invention is described in more detail below; remote control system according to FIG. 2.

25 Markings in FIG. 2: C Controller U User UI User Interface LC Controller logic unit 30 TC Controller transmitters TC1

FC Controller bandpassFilter unitO

DC Controller level detection unitO

RC1 Controller feedback Signal receiver devices 5 V Receiver device RV1 Receiver device receiver devices for receiving signal signal RV2 Receiver device receiver devices for additional signal reception for io FV

LV Receiver unit logic unit

P Actuator TV1 Receiver device return message signal transmitters TV2 Receiver device return signal signal transmitters SCI Message signal sent by the controller SC2 Additional signal sent by the controller SVI Return message signal sent by the receiver device 20 SV2 Additional signal sent by the receiver S2 Additional signal sent by the receiver S2

An example system includes a controller (C) and a receiver (V), each of which may be an arbitrary number.

In order to achieve the desired function, the control means, e.g., buttons, of the user interface UI of the controller 25 are activated. In addition to humans, activation can take place by myOs, e.g. by a computer or a sensor.

The first transmitter TC1 of the controller C transmits a message signal SCI, which is transmitted as radio waves, for example on channels in the vicinity of the frequency 433.92 MHz. These channels can be used, for example, N songs. A control command is encoded in the message signal, which could be, for example, controlling the receiver actuator P to the off state.

7 91922

The second transmitter means TC2 of the controller C simultaneously transmit an additional signal SC2, which is transmitted, for example, on a channel reserved for additional signals.

A low frequency signal 5m is modulated on the carrier of the additional signal, which contains the frequency component fm. When the response signal is transmitted, for example, on channel 1, the frequency fm of the frequency component fm contained in the signal Sm is.

Before sending the message signal and the additional signal, the controller can check which channel is free after sending the message signal. For this purpose, the controller has receiver amplifiers RC2, which are tuned to the channel on which the additional signals are transmitted. The receiver receivers RC2 of the controller have a detector, the low frequency signal of which is routed to 15 bandpass filters FC set to the frequencies fl ... fn. In the case of band-pass filters, there are level detectors DC, which compare the intensities of the signals Sm present at the frequencies fl ... fn with respect to an alternatively set level or with respect to each other. Em.

Based on the comparison results, the controller logic unit LC selects the channel on which the response signal is transmitted.

The channel with the lowest measured intensity level of the corresponding frequency component fm can be selected. Alternatively, any channel whose measured level of the corresponding frequency component fm is below the set value can be selected. If none of the strength values of the frequency components fm corresponding to the channels falls below the set value, the transmission of the message signal can be delayed until one channel is released, i.e. the strength level of the frequency component fm corresponding to channel 30 falls below the set value.

Receiver V follows the channel reserved for the transmission of additional signals. The receiver has bandpass filters for the frequencies corresponding to the signals Sm. There are level detectors in the band of the bandpaste filters that compare the intensities of the signals Sm 3 91922 with respect to the set dew. If the level set at a frequency, e.g. fl, is exceeded, the means for receiving the message signal from the receiver are switched on. to the channel corresponding to the frequency 1. If the set reference level 5 is exceeded on several channels, the means for receiving the message signal of the receiver are switched alternately to the above-mentioned channels, for example at set intervals. The time interval from channel to channel is so long that the receiver device has time to identify it. whether the control commands to be sent on the channel are addressed to it. If control commands are assigned to the to the receiving device, the receiving device receives the commands before switching to another channel.

Upon receipt of the control command, the control circuits of the receiver 15, which may belong to the LV of the logic unit, control the actuator P according to the control command, for example to the on state of the luminaire. The actuator may be an integral part of the receiver device or it may be a physically separate part, such as a detachable spotlight on a luminaire rail 20.

When transmitting the additional signal, it is advantageous to use amplitude modulation, because when the additional signal is received, it is easily obtained after detection from all the transmitter means transmitting the additional signal to the receiver means 25, the frequency of the frequency components fm When using amplitude modulation, an inexpensive and low power consumption superregenerative receiver 30 can be used as the additional signal receiver means.

For example, amplitude-phase or frequency modulation can be used to transmit the message signal. However, when using phase and frequency modulation methods, a better quality communication link 35 is generally achieved compared to amplitude modulation.

9 91922

The means used for transmitting or receiving the message and the additional signal are not necessarily separate, but e.g. e.g. in transmitting means it is often advantageous to use at least a common amplifier and antenna for transmitting both signals. Accordingly, it may be advantageous in the receiver means to use a common antenna and a preamplifier to receive both signals.

In the remote control system according to the invention, a rnyOs return message can be used, by means of which the controller receives information about the implementation of the control command 10. In this case, the receiver must have transmitter TV1 and TV2 to send the return message signal SVI and the additional signal SV2. Correspondingly, the controller has receiver means RC1 for receiving the return message signal. The return message signal received in the user interface UI 15 of the controller, for example, lights up an indicator light describing the performed function. From the point of view of efficient use of the channels and in order to obtain a fast response, it is often advantageous to transmit a return message signal on the same channel as the message signal whose implementation of the control command 20 is indicated by the return signal.

Relatively high dynamics are required to receive additional signals from the receiver means if the system has a large number of controllers and actuators and channels are multiple and, in addition, the mutual distances of the devices vary widely. In order to reduce the dynamic requirement, it may be advantageous to send the additional signals to each other at partially different times. In use, the additional signals can be transmitted as repetitive pulses, thereby reducing the probability of transmitting multiple simultaneous additional signals. Then the level detectors DC and DV measure the signal level of the channels for at least the length of the repetition interval of the pulses before the selection of the transmission channel.

In time, the message signal and the auxiliary signal may be simultaneous, but they may be myds partially or 35 completely different in time, and one of them may be 10,91922 longer duration golts. For example, it is advantageous to transmit the message and auxiliary signals alternately, in which case only one radio frequency oscillator can be used in the transmitters, the frequency of which is alternately controlled on the channel of the message signal and the auxiliary signal.

The additional signal can also be transmitted on the same channel as the message signal, in which case a separate channel is not required for additional signals. The additional signal can then be lShettSS

alternately with the message signal or, depending on the modulation mode of the message signal io, myOs simultaneously with the message signal. Use the same channel

It is preferable for the vMlines receiving the additional signals to be a wideband, e.g. super-regenerative receiver, in order to be able to receive the additional signals present on all channels simultaneously. Another option is to take turns monitoring the channels in the system.

The system according to the invention can also be applied to infrared control when it is desired to build a complex control system in the common space 20.

Examples of such facilities are open-plan offices and factory halls, where there may be even large mSSra remote-controlled actuators in the infrared & tea range. Likewise, the system can be used in IR 25 systems in rooms where infrared plastic or glass is used as the external material.

The system according to the invention can also be used when the information transmission path is used in 30 electronic networks, because it is also used in large-scale control and other systems.

In communication systems, several frequency channels have to be used in the plant.

The system according to the invention can also be used in data acquisition systems in which, for example, the measurement results are transmitted from the sensors 11 91922 wirelessly or via the electricity network esixn. sååtcSystem system actuators or data acquisition device. The JSr system can also be used, for example, for the transmission of messages in personal search systems.

Only some applications according to the invention have been described above.

Claims (26)

1. Data monitoring is, if used, in one system down two or more apparatus, Ia, L5), of which at least one apparatus exhibits a number of means TA1, TBI; for sanding of signals and at least one device has one or more devices in RI1, RB1) receiving signals, and whether the system is e.g. a remote control system is at least one apparatus (C): a control unit and at least one apparatus a receiver which converts or adds to the co-op. maneuvering device?: - such as e.g. an illumination luminaire, and information transmitted in the system between the apparatus said that an understanding signal iSAl.SBL1, hair hereinafter referred to as "" message design ", was transmitted from one apparatus to another by using electromagnetic faults such as radio waves, or light waves, electrical conductivity or inductive or capacitive coupling, and when transmitting the message signals, one or more channels are used, e.g. one or more frequency channels, and requested information, such as a control instruction, has been coded using the modulation techniques per se known in the message signal, characterized in that substantially in temporal connection to said message signals is transmitted using one of the above signals. said Transfer Scales a second signal (SA2, SB2), hair below "supplemental signal", the content of the spring is dependent on the channel used in sanding the message signal. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that before the message signaling transmitting apparatus in LA, the channel for the message signal saturates there. from other apparatus, such additional signals (SX2); and the selection of the channel the message signal occurs approximately because of the information contained in the received additional signals or their strength or both. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the message signaling receiving devices (LA, LB) receive from other devices such additional signals (3X2) and the channel for receiving message signals because of the received signaling signals. are the information or the information or the 91922's strength or both. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary signal consists of a stretcher which is modulated with the signal, which in itself is a somewhat modulation method. 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the signal with which the transmitter wave carrier is modulated contains a frequency component fm in which the frequency fm is every year depending on which channel is used for transmitting the message signal. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the selection of the channel for transmitting the message signal frequency components of the frequency components is measured and the channel of the message signal is chosen so that the strength of the frequency component corresponding to the selected channel falls below the set gray level. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the choice of the channel for transmitting the message signal frequency components of the frequency components is measured and the channel of the message design channel is chosen so that the frequency component corresponding to the selected channel has the minimum strength. Method according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that the device for receiving a message signal is installed on such a channel that the strength of this corresponding frequency component fm exceeds the set threshold value. 9. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that when two or more received frequency components' f power exceeds the set threshold value, the device means for receiving a message signal is alternately installed on channels corresponding to the above frequency components. 10. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that when two or more received frequency components' fm strengths exceed the scaled limit value and the receiving means for receiving a message signal on curvis on channels corresponding to the above-mentioned frequency components, channel switching takes place with a channel changeover. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the add-on signal is transmitted in the form of repeated pulses. 12. A method according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that the channel for the message signal of the apparatus so selected is measured after the frequency of the frequency components has been measured at least for a time equal to the repetition interval of the pulsed auxiliary signal. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when (transmitting the add signal) a channel is not used when transmitting message signals. Method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that the message signal and and the associated add signal are transmitted on the same channel. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the message and add-on signal are transmitted in turns. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receiver of the remote control system; V) then transmits to the control unit a return message signal; svl) when the receiving agent has received the control instruction or the receiver or a control device belonging to the recipient or according to the function operated according to the control device (P). control instruction. 17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the return message signal (SV2) is transmitted on the same channel as the message signal (SCI) containing the control instruction about which the return message breath signal indicates that it has been received or the function accordingly has been performed. Il 91922 18. Data transmission system with two or more devices; 1a, LB) between which information is transmitted so that you. understand sianal (SA1, SB1; hair below "message design") is transmitted from one device to another by transmitting wave electromagnetic fields, sound or light waves, electrical conductivity or inductive or capacitive coupling, and during transmission of the message signals, one or more channels are used, e.g., one or more frequency channels, and other information, such as, for example, a control instruction by using and transmitting known modulation techniques encoded in the message signal, and at least one apparatus (LA, LB) has means (Tal, TBI) for transmitting a message signature (SA1, SB1) and at least one apparatus in LA, LB) has means (RA1, RB1) for receiving a message signature, characterized by: the system comprises one or more apparatus with means (TA2, TB2) for transmitting a second signal (SA2, SB2), hair below "supplemental signal", by using any of the above-mentioned transfer scales and in temporal connection with said message signal nai and in said apparatus, means (TA2, TB2) for transmitting an additional signal have been coupled means (GA, GB) with the aid of which the content of the additional signal is made depending on which channel is used for transmitting the message signal, and thereafter the system comprises a or more apparatus (bn, LB) with means (RA2, RB2) for receiving an additional signal iSX2) sown from other apparatus's seeding medium. The system of claim 18, characterized in that the apparatus (LA, LB) comprising transmitting a mediating signal (SA1, SB1) has devices for transmitting iTA2, TB2) and receiving (RA2, RB2 'of an additional signal; SA2,3B2 :. 20. A system according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the apparatus (LA, LB) exhibiting co. (RA1, RB1; for receiving a message signal has means; RA2, RBZ i for receiving an additional signal. J 21. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 10, characterized in that in the media (RA1, RB2) for receiving ar. additional signal 91922 uses a broadband receiver circuit, e.g. a super-regenerative receiver, which receives signals from two or more channels simultaneously. The system according to any of claims IS - 20, characterized in that the apparatus (C, V) comprising: (RC2, RV2) for receiving an add-on signal exhibits means (FC, DC, FV, DV) coupled to these means for identifying the strengths of the frequency components contained in the indicated signal. A system according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that upon receiving the message signal, a tunable receiver circuit is used which receives the signal substantially from one channel at a time. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that electromagnetic fields such as radio waves are used as the transmission wave for message signal and additional signal. 25. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the auxiliary signal receiving means comprise means for indicating an amplitude modulated signal and the message signal receiving means comprise means for indicating a phase or frequency modulated signal. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one apparatus in the system is a control unit (C) and at least one apparatus is a receiver (V) and the message signal (SCI) said from control unit to receive a control instruction which provides a control instruction. to the receiver or a poorly connected control device (?), such as you. auxiliary armature, Damaged function. II