WO2023068957A1 - Device for dispensing audio badges - Google Patents

Abstract

The proposed technical solution relates in general to the field of electrical engineering, and more particularly to a device for downloading data, recharging, temporarily storing and managing the dispensing of portable Smart Badge devices for recording conversations, and can be used in the form of a docking station (cradle). The technical result achieved in the solution to this technical problem is that of providing greater reliability in the process of dispensing an audio badge to an identified user. This technical result is achieved by means of a device for dispensing audio badges which contains the following, arranged in a single housing: a data reading module; a receiver port for receiving an audio badge; a mechanism for fastening an audio badge in the receiver port; and a control module, wherein the control module is designed to be capable of: receiving user identification data read by the reading module; determining, on the basis of the user identification data, marking data to be displayed on a display of an audio badge; generating and sending a command for the display of marking data on the display of an audio badge disposed in the receiver port; and sending a command to the fastening mechanism to release the lock of the receiver port in which said audio badge is disposed.

Description

DEVICE FOR ISSUING AUDIO BADGES.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The presented technical solution relates, in general, to the field of electrical engineering, and in particular to a device for downloading data, charging, temporarily storing and managing the issuance of portable devices for fixing audio recordings of Smart-Badge dialogues (smart badge) and can be made in the form of a dock - stations (cradle).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The purpose of the docking station, as a separate entity in the software and hardware complex (HSC), is to prepare portable devices for fixing audio recordings of dialogues (audio badges) for work (downloading audio data from the internal memory of devices, freeing the internal memory of devices, charging batteries , loading the user ID into the internal memory of devices) and managing the process of issuing them to operators (users).

[0003] A docking station for downloading data and charging the batteries of audio badges (digital voice recorders "Gnome City STC-H788") from the STC company is known from the prior art (see, for example, the specification "Gnome City Digital Stereo Voice Recorder", posted on the Internet at: https://www.speechpro.ru/upload/productspecificationdocument/file/rHOM City 2018.pdf). A well-known document discloses the transfer of data from the memory of the audio badge and charging the battery through an interface made in the form of a set of lamellas on the surface of the audio badge. The installation of an audio badge into the docking station is carried out by inserting the audio badge into the slot of the receiver port until it stops, and when it is inserted into the receiver port, the audio badge is located horizontally. In this position, the spring-loaded contacts of the interface (from the side of the docking station) are aligned with the contacts of the audio badge blade. The audio badge is held in this position by pressing and friction between the surfaces of the audio badge and the receiving port of the docking station. An audio badge is marked with an employee ID by using some additional element with an employee ID, for example, by means of a sticker placed on the the surface of the audio badge, and the sticker does not interfere with placing the audio badge in the receiving port of the docking station and is present on the audio badge during charging. A specialized case with an employee ID can also be used, into which the audio badge is inserted after being removed.

[0004] A similar device (docking station) is used in the audio badge solution (PAC) from Transcript Group. The appearance of the device and an example of its use can be found in the video presentation on the Internet link: https://www.voutube.com/watch?v=IHiyPwkiiKI. A distinctive feature of this solution is the layout of the docking station, which involves vertical input of the audio badge into the receiving port of the docking station, which is made with a significant gap in relation to the body of the audio badge. The contact group of the charging and data transfer interface is made on the end surface of the audio badge in the form of flat contacts, and the counterpart located on the docking station is equipped with spring-loaded contacts (pogopins). To align the contacts of the contact group, the audio badge and the receiver port are equipped with magnets that provide centering of the audio badge and hold the contact group in the contact state during data transfer from the internal memory of the audio badge and charging the built-in battery.

[0005] The disadvantage of the presented technical solutions is the absence of a mechanism that prevents an unpredictable interruption of the data transfer process or the charging process in case of untimely removal of the audio badge by the user from the docking station receiver port.

[0006] Another disadvantage of the presented solutions is the possibility of an employee erroneously removing an audio badge marked with a false name (in the case of using the option with personalized, for example, by means of a sticker with an identifier, audio recording devices). [0007] Another disadvantage of the presented solutions is, when preparing several audio badges for operation at the same time, the possibility for an employee to withdraw such an audio badge, the degree of readiness of which will be insufficient for functioning in accordance with the scenario of using the device during the working session, while the degree of readiness other devices will be sufficient to function according to the application scenario.

[0008] A well-known consequence of the latter disadvantage is also a reduction in the service life of portable sound recording devices due to a critical decrease in battery capacity as a result of regular premature completion of the charging process or periodic cases of work to a state of deep battery discharge.

ESSENCE OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0009] The technical problem or challenge posed in this technical solution is to provide a docking station design that can provide an easy for the employee using the system and a reliable way to issue audio badges in a ready-to-use state by the appropriate employee.

[0010] The technical result achieved by solving the above technical problem or technical problem is to increase the reliability in the process of issuing an audio badge to an identified user.

[0011] The specified technical result is achieved due to the implementation of the device for issuing audio badges, containing placed in a single housing: a data reader module; receiver port for placing an audio badge; mechanism for fixing the audio badge in the receiver port; and a control module, wherein the control module is configured to:

- obtaining user identification data readable by the reader module;

- determining the marking data to be displayed on the audio badge, based on the user's identity;

- formation and direction of the command to display the marking data on the display of the audio badge placed in the receiver port;

- sending a command to the locking mechanism to unlock the lock of the receiver port, in which the said audio badge is installed.

[0012] In one particular implementation, the mechanism for fixing the audio badge in the receiver port is configured to push the audio badge out of the receiver port.

[0013] In another particular embodiment, the case further comprises an indicator that is activated after the lock is unlocked and signals to the user that he can pick up the audio badge.

[0014] In another particular implementation example, the device further comprises a second receiver port for placing an audio badge. [0015] In another particular implementation example, the control module is configured to send a command to output marking data to the audio badge display to the audio badge inserted into the receiver port having the minimum sequence number.

[0016] In another particular implementation example, the control module is configured to determine the battery charge of the audio badges placed in the receiver ports, and the command to display the marking data on the display is sent to the audio badge with the maximum battery charge.

[0017] In another particular implementation example, the control module is configured to determine the amount of free space in the internal memory of the audio badges, and the command to display marking data on the display is sent to the audio badge with the maximum amount of free space.

[0018] In another particular implementation, the data reader module is configured to read RFID tag data.

[0019] In another particular implementation, the data reader is configured to read barcode data.

[0020] In another particular implementation, the data reader is configured to read QR code data.

[0021] In another particular implementation, the data reader is configured to receive passwords.

[0022] In another particular embodiment, the data reader module is configured to read the user's biometric features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The features and advantages of the present technical solution will become apparent from the following detailed description of the technical solution and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] In FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an audio badge dispenser. [0025] In FIG. 2 - an example of a general view of a computing device is substituted.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0026] The concepts and terms necessary for understanding this technical solution will be described below. [0027] In this technical solution, the system means, including a computer system, a computer (electronic computer), CNC (numerical control), PLC (programmable logic controller), computerized control systems and any other devices capable of performing a given , a well-defined sequence of operations (actions, instructions).

[0028] A command processing device is an electronic unit, a computing device, or an integrated circuit (microprocessor) that executes machine instructions (programs).

[0029] The command processor reads and executes machine instructions (programs) from one or more data storage devices. The role of a storage device can be, but not limited to, hard drives (HDD), flash memory, ROM (read only memory), solid state drives (SSD), optical drives.

[0030] A program is a sequence of instructions intended to be executed by a computer control device or command processing device.

[0031] A data block is a sequence of bits having a fixed length and used to represent data in memory or to transfer it.

[0032] A signal is a material embodiment of a message for use in the transmission, processing and storage of information.

[0033] A module is a part of a device, a mechanism, a device that performs certain functions (“The Big Explanatory Dictionary of the Russian Language”, S.A. Kuznetsov, St. Petersburg, Norint Publishing House, 2000, p. 550), that is a structurally designed part of the device, mechanism, device (“New Polytechnic Dictionary”, A.Yu. Ishlinsky, Moscow, publishing house “Great Russian Encyclopedia”, 2000, p. 305).

[0034] According to the diagram shown in FIG. 1, the audio badge dispenser (docking station) 100 includes: a data reader 101; control module 102; buffer 103; at least one mechanism 104 for fixing the audio badge 10. The mentioned elements of the device 100 are placed in a single housing and connected by constructive connections, for example, by placing them on a single printed circuit board, each element of the device 100 being modified in the hardware in such a way as to provide the ability to receive and /or transmission of signals by means of which information is transmitted. [0035] The data reading module 101 may be configured to read the user's personal identifier data, for example, by reading personal RFID tags, barcodes or QR codes of biometric features. For example, to read RFID tag data, module 101 can be equipped with an RFID tag data reader based on a receiving printed antenna and an MFRC522 chip, or a device similar in functionality. If the user's personal identifier is a password, then the module 101 can be equipped with an interface for connecting a password input device or a password input device built into the case, made in the form of a symbolic keyboard or in the form of a touch panel for entering other types of passwords, including graphic .

[0036] The control module 102 may be implemented on the basis of a computing device modified in hardware in such a way as to perform the functions assigned to it. A detailed construction of the computing device is described later in the description with reference to FIG. 2.

[0037] Buffer 103 may be any commonly known memory device used for permanent or temporary storage of data. Buffer 3 is designed to store the identification data of users and the marking data corresponding to them, which will later be displayed on the audio badge display/screen. Said data may be pre-loaded, for example, by an operator of the device 100, or obtained by methods known in the art by exchanging data via wired or wireless communication with at least one server.

[0038] The locking mechanism 104 of the audio badge 10 may be a lock that mechanically locks and securely holds the audio badge installed in the receiver port of the audio badge dispenser 100, including in the process of preparing it for issuance. To control the state of the locks, the mechanism 104 can be implemented with a controller or microprocessor for controlling the position of the locks (in the case of, for example, an implementation using servo drives) or using power transistor switches to control solenoids in the case of using electromagnetic locks. Additionally, the locking mechanism 104 can be configured to push the audio badge 10 out of the receiver port, for example, by using a pusher solenoid or a mechanical spring pusher, providing ejection of the audio badge from the receiver port when the locks of the locking mechanism are open.

[0039] The procedure for issuing an audio badge to a user is carried out in accordance with the following algorithm. The audio badge dispenser 100, with the audio badges placed therein, is installed indoors. If it becomes necessary to receive an audio badge to start an audio recording session, the user employee must go through the identification process in the device 100. To do this, the user applies his personal identifier (ID) to the data reading module 101, for example, an RFID tag containing the user's identification data. User identification data may be the user's name, personnel number, or other information that uniquely identifies the user.

[0040] Alternatively, the user identity may be read by said module 101 from a user-supplied barcode or QR code by a method known in the art, or the user identity may be a user's biometric data read by a commonly known method. Also, the user identification data may be a password entered by the user in said module 101.

[0041] The user identification data received by the data reading module 101 is sent to the control module 102, which, based on the received data, determines the marking data to be displayed on the audio badge display. The tag data may be, for example, full name, job title, company name, etc. Determining the tag data can be done by accessing the buffer 103 of the module 102 and extracting the tag data corresponding to the user's identity. [0042] After the tag data has been determined, the control module 102 generates a command to output the tag data to the display, which is sent along with the tag data (or the command may include the tag data) to the audio badge 10 to output the tag data to the display . Further, after loading the marking data into the audio badge, the control module 102 sends a command to the locking mechanism 104 to unlock the lock of the receiver port in which the mentioned audio badge 10 is installed. After Once the audio badge is unlocked, the user can remove it from the receiver port of the audio badge dispenser 100 .

[0043] This prevents the user from removing the unmarked audio badge, i. e. increased reliability in the process of issuing an audio badge to an identified user.

[0044] Additionally, the latch mechanism 104 may eject the audio badge 10 from the receiver port, and the audio badge 10 or the body of the audio badge dispenser may be equipped with an indicator in the form of an LED, which is activated after the lock is unlocked and signals to the user that he can pick up the audio badge. The command to activate the indicator can be sent by both the mechanism 104 and the control module 102 just before the corresponding mechanism 104 is commanded to unlock the lock of the receiver port.

[0045] If two or more audio badges 10 are placed in the audio badge dispenser 100, then the tag data and the command to output the tag data to the display are sent by the control module 102 to the audio badge 10 inserted in the receiver port having the minimum ordinal number. Additionally, the control module 102 may be configured to determine the battery charge of the audio badges 10, wherein the tag data and a command to display the tag data are sent to the audio badge 10 having the maximum battery power. If the charge level of several devices is the same (in the most likely case, the maximum), the marking data and the command to display the marking data on the display will be sent to audio badge 10 with the minimum serial number of the receiver port available.

[0046] In addition, the control module 102 can be configured to determine the amount of free space in the internal memory of the audio badges 10. After the said amount of free space is determined, the tagging data and the command to display the tagging data on the display are sent to the audio badge 10 having the maximum amount of free space or into audio badge 10 with the minimum serial number of the receiving port available, if the amount of free space of several audio badges is the same or exceeds the calculated value required for a typical recording session (for example, 12 hours). [0047] After the recording session, the user returns the audio badge to any free receiver port of the audio badge dispenser 100, the audio badge retention locks are automatically closed and the audio badge provisioning process begins. During the stage of preparing the audio badge for operation, the audio data recorded during the working session is transmitted through the interface, and the battery of the audio badge is being charged.

[0048] In general terms (see Fig. 2), the computing device (200) contains one or more processors (201), memory means, such as RAM (202) and ROM (203), and input / output (204).

[0049] The processor (201) (or multiple processors, multi-core processor, etc.) can be selected from a range of devices currently widely used, for example, manufacturers such as: Intel™, AMD™, Apple™, Samsung Exynos ™, MediaTEK™, Qualcomm Snapdragon™, etc. Under the processor or one of the processors used in the system (200), it is also necessary to take into account the graphics processor, for example, NVIDIA GPU with a CUDA-compatible software model, or Graphcore, the type of which is also suitable for full or partial execution of the method, and can also be used to training and application of machine learning models in various information systems.

[0050] RAM (202) is a random access memory and is designed to store machine-readable instructions executable by the processor (201) to perform the necessary data logical processing operations. The RAM (202) typically contains the executable instructions of the operating system and associated software components (applications, program modules, etc.). In this case, the RAM (202) may be the available memory of the graphics card or graphics processor.

[0051] A ROM (203) is one or more persistent storage devices, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), flash memory (EEPROM, NAND, etc.), optical storage media ( CD-R/RW, DVD-R/RW, BlueRay Disc, MD), etc.

[0052] Various types of I/O interfaces (204) are used to organize the operation of device components (200) and organize the operation of external connected devices. The choice of the appropriate interfaces depends on the specific execution of the computing device, which may represent but not limited to: PCI, AGP, PS/2, IrDa, FireWire, LPT, COM, SATA, IDE, Lightning, USB (2.0, 3.0, 3.1 , micro, mini, type C), TRS/Audio jack (2.5, 3.5, 6.35), HDMI, DVI, VGA, Display Port, RJ45, RS232, etc.

[0053] The specific choice of elements of the device (200) for the implementation of various software and hardware architectural solutions may vary while maintaining the required functionality provided.

[0054] Modifications and improvements to the above embodiments of the present technical solution will be clear to experts in the art. The foregoing description is provided by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. Thus, the scope of this technical solution is limited only by the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

UTILITY MODEL FORMULA 1. The device for issuing audio badges, containing placed in a single housing: a data reading module; receiver port for placing an audio badge; mechanism for fixing the audio badge in the receiver port; and a control module, wherein the control module is configured to: - obtaining user identification data readable by the reader module; - determining the marking data to be displayed on the audio badge, based on the user's identity; - formation and direction of the command to display the marking data on the display of the audio badge placed in the receiver port; - sending a command to the locking mechanism to unlock the lock of the receiver port, in which the said audio badge is installed. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mechanism for fixing the audio badge in the receiver port is configured to push the audio badge out of the receiver port. 3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing additionally contains an indicator that is activated after unlocking the lock and signals to the user that he can pick up the audio badge. 4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it additionally contains a second receiver port for placing an audio badge. 5. The device according to claim. 4, characterized in that the control module is configured to send a command to output marking data on the audio badge display to the audio badge inserted into the receiver port having the minimum serial number. 6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control module is configured to determine the battery charge of the audio badges placed in the receiver ports, and the command to display the marking data on the display is sent to the audio badge with the maximum battery charge. 7. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control module is configured to determine the amount of free space in the internal memory of the audio badges, and the command to display the marking data on the display is sent to the audio badge with the maximum amount of free space. 8. The device according to claim. 1, characterized in that the data reading module is configured to read RFID tag data. 9. The device according to claim. 1, characterized in that the data reading module is configured to read barcode data. 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data reading module is configured to read data from QR codes. 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data reading module is configured to receive passwords. 12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data reading module is configured to read the user's biometric features.