time lapse communication system

专利摘要:
TIME LAPSE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. The present invention relates to a system comprising a communication station for communicating with a number of Radio Tags with the aid of a time interval communication method, in which, in a repeated repetition, a number of intervals is made available of time per cycle of time slots for communication purposes, and each time slot is characterized by an unambiguous time slot symbol, the communication station being configured to transmit a data signal to the momentarily present time slot synchronization symbol containing the time interval symbol, a Radio Tag is configured to switch from an inactive state to an active state at the moment of activation, and to receive the synchronization data signal in the active state, and when the time interval received indicate a time interval assigned to it, aiming to define a new activation point corresponding to the next appearance of the interval d and time allocated to it in a time slot cycle sequential to the present time slot cycle.
公开号:BR112016018902B1
申请号:R112016018902-7
申请日:2014-02-20
公开日:2021-01-26
发明作者:Andreas Rossl；Andreas HECHENBLAICKNER；Christian FRIEßNEGG
申请人:Ses-Imagotag Gmbh；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present invention relates to a system for communication with a Tag-Radio. BACKGROUND
[002] A system initially mentioned came to be known, for example, in document DE 44 39 074 A1. According to this document, when a preamble is issued, all Radio Tags must be in their active state in order to enable a synchronous transfer of data to the Radio Tags in the time windows allocated to them. This measure is of low energy efficiency, that is, of system. In addition, from WO 2010/004349 A1 a system has become known in which Radio Tags are allocated at individual time intervals. For synchronization with the communication station, it sends a preamble. This preamble contains several data packages that indicate a deviation from a reference time point to the synchronous state between the communication station and the Radio Tag. Radio tags pass at a time - defined by their internal time base and within the time frame of the introduction of the preamble - from an inactive state to an active state, when they receive one of the data packets. In the Radio Tags, using the respective data packet received and the deviation there encoded from the reference time point, the internal time base will be corrected in order to readjust the new activation point and, therefore, preserving a synchronous state. with the communication station. The preamble used, however, proved to be disadvantageous, because it causes relatively high data to emerge.
[003] The objective of the present invention is to provide a system so that the problems initially mentioned are avoided. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] This task will be solved by a system according to the present invention.
[005] The object of the invention therefore constitutes a system that features a communication station to communicate with a variety of Radio Tags with the aid of a time interval communication method, in which, in a repeated sequence, a number of time slots are provided for each time slot cycle for the purpose of communication and each time slot is characterized by a characteristic time slot symbol, the communication station being configured to transmit to the time slot at the time present, a synchronization data signal with the time interval symbol, a Radio Tag being formed to go from an inactive state to an active state at a moment of activation and to receive the synchronization data signal in the active state and , when the received time slot symbol indicates a time slot for it, to define a new activation point for the next activation of the time interval p for it, in a time interval cycle sequential to the momentarily present time interval cycle.
[006] With the measures recommended by the invention, there is the advantage that a synchronism between the communication station and a Tag-Radio is recognized in the simplest possible way and yet extremely robust, being preserved and ensured during the operation of the system. Different with respect to known measures, now not all Radio Tags need to be at the same time and in a certain moment in their active state in order to be synchronized with the time frame of the time interval communication method defined by communication station. In the same way, the reception and evaluation of data may be dispensed with, indicating a deviation from a reference time point, which proved to be very complex in relation to the processing of these data as well as in relation to the emergence of data in communication with the station. of communication. According to the invention, it is sufficient that each Tag-Radio participating in the communication with the communication station is informed by the time interval symbol that indicates the time interval destined for it. Each of the Radio Tags, therefore, is guided individually, in the appearance of a time interval symbol for it relevant, identifies the time interval symbol for it relevant and defines its next activation moment in relation to the timing of the method. communication time interval predetermined by the communication station. In this case, it is entirely sufficient that the time slot symbol uniquely identifies the respective time slot, for example, with an individual time slot recognition for each time slot. Other information encoded in the synchronization data signal, such as the known and already mentioned measures, are not necessary in order to operate a Tag-Radio in synchronism with the communication station. The Tag-Radio determines its synchronism with the communication station exclusively by the circumstance of the recognition of the time interval symbol, which, at the moment it expects, that is, in a waiting time window, appears, indicating the interval of time allotted to him.
[007] After the Tag-Radio has determined its timing as explained above, it will be basically sufficient when it goes back to the inactive state because the next activation point is automatically known by the time frame of the time interval communication method to he known. The definition of the new activation point can, therefore, be restricted to the fact that, for example, an interval control stage (for example, a timer) of the Tag-Radio is reactivated with the timing parameter previously used to pass from the inactive state to the active state. Then, the Radio Tag can go back to the inactive state, remaining there until, activated by the temporal control, an activation is carried out again and switching from the inactive state to the active state in the next moment of activation in the next cycle of interval time. The Radio Tag, however, does not necessarily have to remain in the idle state for the remainder of the time slot intended for it, but it can also process other tasks in a state during the time interval, or also during the time interval cycle. active. The aforementioned time control will then operate in the background, regardless of its other activities. The definition of the new activation moment can be made by determining an absolute or relative time indication, for example, regarding the moment when a synchronization data signal appears or when after an active state, a new indication is made. transition to the inactive state or also in relation to the moment when the synchronization data signal ends. The definition of the new activation point can, however, also be understood in such a way that the duration of the state after activation, in which the time interval symbol was received, the sequential inactive state or also the sum of the duration of the inactive state and active state or also the sum of the duration of several of these state sequences determines the new activation point. As Tag-Radio operates its own time control stage, and it is not possible to exclude exemplified diffusions of the behavior of the respective electronic components, the definition of the new activation moment can also include a compensation for an individual deviation present from its time base for each Tag -Radio. For this purpose, a time differential between the expected appearance of the synchronization data signal with the time interval symbol that indicates the time interval determined for the respective Radio Tag can be measured, for example, on the Tag-Radio. , and the effective appearance, being considered in the temporal control stage to correct its timing. The compensation is applied, however, only in the verified synchronism. If, however, in place of the expected time interval symbol, another time interval symbol is received, there will be no synchronism and the Tag-Radio would have to perform a new synchronization, which will be addressed later.
[008] In the time interval communication method, for example, within n seconds, for example, 15 seconds, m time intervals, for example, 255 time intervals have been used. The n seconds are a time interval cycle. In this time interval communication method, therefore, m time intervals within a time interval cycle are available for communication with Radio Tags. Each of the Radio Tags can be allocated to one of the time slots, and within a certain time interval, several Radio Tags can also be allocated.
[009] A Tag-Radio essentially presents a Communication-Radio stage, also called a transceiver and a logical stage that cooperates with it, offering the logical function of a Tag. The logical stage can, for example, be achieved entirely by means of hardware or it may have a microprocessor and memory modules or a microcontroller with integrated memory modules, so that the memory modules can be processed with stored software. A Tag can receive, with the aid of its Radio communication stage, a Radio signal, processing data received by the Radio signal with the aid of the logical stage and eventually with the aid of the logical stage it can generate response data, transmitting them through of the Radio communication stage again in the form of a Radio signal. The Radio-communication stage has means for radio communication and for converting analog signals into digital signals and vice versa.
[0010] A Tag-Radio of this type, for its power supply, may have an energy accumulator such as, for example, a battery or a solar panel coupled with a rechargeable battery. In order to provide a job with the greatest possible energy efficiency, Radio Tags have different operational stages. A radio tag has a relatively high energy consumption in the active state. The active state will be present, for example, when sending or receiving data, updating displays, measuring battery voltage, etc. In the idle state, in turn, there is a relatively low energy consumption. Preferably, the largest possible number of electronic components will be separated, that is, disconnected from the power supply, or at least operated in a mode with the least possible power requirement. The active state will be present predominantly in the time interval determined for the Radio Tag for communication with the communication station. In the active state, the Tag-Radio presents, for example, a reception arrangement in order to receive commands and possibly also reception data from the communication station, processing them with the aid of the logical stage. In the active state, also with the aid of the logic stage, transmission data can be generated and communicated to the communication station. Outside the time interval determined for the Tag-Radio, the Tag-Radio will be predominantly operated in the inactive state with energy saving. In the inactive state, the logical stage, that is, the time control stage, performs only those activities that are necessary for the timing for activation in a timely manner so that the Tag-Radio, in the next time interval intended for it, be prepared for receiving the synchronization data signal and / or for communication with the communication station. For an energy efficient operation and, therefore, to achieve the most extensive durability of the Tag-Radio, the basic operational strategy is to keep the Tag-Radio synchronous as long as possible in the idle state and only when absolutely necessary, for the purpose of data transmission with the communication station, make its operation in the active state for the shortest possible time.
[0011] The communication station can be a specific stand-alone set with server functionality. Preferably, the communication station will form an interface between a cable-connected communication, for example, with a data processing set (for example, a server) and a wireless Radio-based communication with the Radio Tags.
[0012] To be available for communication with the communication station, Radio Tags can initially be registered or allocated at the communication station.
[0013] Other particularly advantageous embodiments and extensions of the invention will result from the embodiments, as well as from the following description.
[0014] With the measures recommended by the invention, not only can the synchronism between the communication station and a Tag-Radio be ensured in a simple way, but also, a Tag-Radio that started to occupy an asynchronous state can be returned no problems again for the time scheme of the time interval communication method, ie to be synchronized again. For this purpose, an asynchronous Tag-Radio of this type does not change periodically as this would be the case in the synchronous case, however, for example, at a given time, only once from its inactive state to its active state, remaining in this active state. reception readiness. When within a certain time interval, for example, a time interval duration, nothing has been received, it will go back to the inactive state and repeat the reception attempt at another time. As soon as a synchronization data signal is received, the time interval symbol will be evaluated. The time interval symbol then received will most likely indicate a time interval not intended for it, which will be automatically verified by the Radio Tag. The Tag-Radio knows the systematics of the appearance of the time interval symbols and after evaluating the received time interval symbol, it can decide independently whether it can still count in the present time interval cycle (first case) or only in the interval cycle time (second case) with the time interval allocated to it. For the first case, the Tag-Radio is configured to define a new activation point within the momentarily present time interval cycle, corresponding to the next appearance of the time interval destined for it. By evaluating the received time interval symbol and knowing the systematic appearance of the time interval symbols, Tag-Radio verified that the time interval destined for it will still be present in the momentarily present time interval cycle. For the second case, the Radio Tag is configured to define a new activation point in the sequential time interval cycle to the time interval cycle that is momentarily present at the next appearance of the corresponding time interval. By evaluating the received time interval symbol and knowing the systematic appearance of the time interval symbols, Tag-Radio verified that the time interval destined to it will no longer appear in the momentarily present cycle interval because in this cycle time interval has already appeared in the past. As was initially explained in relation to the synchronous state, also for this type of definition of the new activation point, the mentioned time control will be used, and the time control will now be operated with that timing parameter with which the appearance will be reached. in the synchronous state. The timing parameter to be chosen will result for the Tag-Radio of the inherent knowledge of the time interval communication method being used, therefore, being determined by the logical stage.
[0015] The definition of the right activation time for the respective Tag-Radio will be verified on the Tag-Radio upon knowledge of the parameters of the time interval communication method. These parameters can be consulted by the Tag-Radio in its registration at the communication station, that is, they can be transmitted to it or they can already be previously programmed in the Tag-Radio. In both cases, it will be convenient that the Tag-Radio has a memory stage to memorize the parameters of the time interval communication method, with the Tag-Radio being configured to access and to consider these parameters, in order to define the new moment of activation. The parameters can represent all the details of the timing of the time interval communication method, such as possibly parameters related to time sequences for communication between the communication station and the Tag-Radio, parameters related to predefined moments or time spaces, such as also, parameters referring to the basic structure of the time interval communication method, for example, number of time intervals, the duration of a time interval, the duration of the time interval cycle or also as parameters the interval symbols - time it explicitly indicated to identify the different time intervals or also algorithms to calculate the time interval symbols. With the help of these parameters, an asynchronous Tag-Radio can easily clarify in an autonomous and automatic way if, on the basis of the time interval symbol that has just been received, the time interval destined for it must still be expected within the interval cycle of present momentary time or if the time interval allotted to it in the present time interval cycle is already part of the past and, therefore, the next time interval allocated to it will only appear in the next time interval cycle. The Radio Tag in question will calculate the new activation moment in the active state, will pass into the inactive state and pass in the calculated moment of activation to the active state, will receive the symbol of the time interval of the time interval destined to it and it will then find itself again in the synchronous state. As long as no other activities are expected in his current time slot, he will only move on to the next time slot cycle to the active state in order to receive the synchronization data signal in the time slot intended for him.
[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, the Tag-Radio can have a memory stage for memorizing a representation of the time interval symbol, covering the time interval destined to it.
[0017] The two memorization stages (parameter memorization stage and representation memorization stage) can be accomplished by a single memorization chip or by different chips. This memory chip may be provided in different memory areas and may be subject to different access rights. However, for example, based on technical security considerations, they can also be implemented with differentiated memory modules.
[0018] It proved to be advantageous that the representation of the time interval symbol was formed with the aid of a Tag-Radio hardware address for unambiguous identification of the Tag-Radio, with the second memorization stage being integrated in the program in a way unalterable. In this way, unwanted manipulations can be safely avoided, possibly also criminal manipulations of Radio Tags. As each Tag-Radio has an unequivocal hardware address, this way, therefore, also, an allocation can be created at a defined time interval and following a scheme that cannot be influenced.
[0019] Particularly preferred, the multiplied representation of the time interval symbol is made up of bits of the lowest possible value or by the lowest possible byte of the hardware address, and with this group of the bits used it must be possible to be reproduced by the minus the number of time slots in the time slot cycle. So, for example, in the case of 256 time slots, only the 8 bits of the lowest value or one byte and in the case of 128 time slots, only the 7 bits of the lowest value of the hardware address will be needed. In this context, too, it should be mentioned that it is advantageous that the number of time intervals corresponds to a power of 2.
[0020] It should be mentioned that the representation of the time interval symbol, that is, the time interval symbol itself, can also be formed from a combination of the hardware address mentioned above and another pre-programmed value.
[0021] The Tag-Radio is configured to test whether a known time interval symbol matches that which will be present in the reception of the synchronization data signal. This test can, for example, be done with the aid of an algorithm, which in the processing of software that describes the algorithm, provides an exam result in a Tag-Radio processor. The algorithm can, for example, recalculate the known representation of the Tag-Radio from the received time interval symbol and then perform a comparison. However, the Tag-Radio can also inversely make a calculation starting from the representation known by the Tag-Radio to arrive at a time interval symbol to be expected and then compare the received time interval symbol with the expected time interval symbol. . However, it will be advantageous to carry out a simple comparison between two symbols, for example, binary encoded ones, because this can be done on the processor plane in a very fast way by a simple comparison of registers and with relatively reduced power consumption.
[0022] Basically, for each time interval, an identification previously defined in the system and of an unambiguous character may be used. However, it also proved to be quite advantageous that the communication station to generate the time slot symbol as the current number ("also Slot ID") of the respective time slot, correspondingly to the incidence following the time intervals in the cycle of time intervals. Therefore, in each time slot cycle the number 1 is allocated to the first time slot, the number 2 to the second time slot, and so on. In this way, avoiding complex algorithms, a time interval symbol can be generated in the simplest possible way, which also includes a minimum data traffic when transferring data from the communication station to the Tag-Radio. You will only need to send a single data packet that is used for synchronization. In this way, also the entire volume of data available by time interval or also by time interval cycle, will practically not be influenced by the transmission of the time interval symbol. Therefore, the occupation of channels will be optimized, because the number of data packets per time interval, that is, also, per time interval cycle, necessary for synchronization, is the lowest possible. The number of time slots that occur within the time slot cycle ultimately determines the number of bits that are required to generate the respective time slot number (that is, for its numbering), constituting the packet of data needed for synchronization. As each bit can indicate two states, it will be advantageous that the number of time slots per time slot cycle is a power of 2. Therefore, the duration for receiving the time slot symbol can also be correspondingly reduced, which will have a positive effect on the energy balance of the Tag-Radio. Especially when portions of the hardware address are used on the Tag-Radio side as a representation of the known Tag-Radio time interval symbol, also the test for the coincidence of the received time interval symbol with the memorized one can be done in a quick and simple. Radio tags synchronize with the communication station, that is, by the time frame defined by them of the time interval communication method in the simplest possible way, based on the number of time intervals.
[0023] Basically, the synchronization data signal could be formed exclusively by the time interval symbol, excluding other communication parameters necessary for communication between a communication station and a Radio Tag, such as, for example, address data for addressing a tag or command data for transmitting commands of the synchronization data signal. Bearing in mind that - as explained above - the time interval symbol is an extremely compact indicator for the communication synchronization in the system, it will be indicated to embed - in addition to the time interval symbol - other information in the synchronization data signal, what will still be covered next.
[0024] Therefore, according to another aspect of the invention, the communication station is configured for the integration of address data in the synchronization data signal with the help of which a number of Radio Tags will be determined for each time interval, for specific Radio Tags, which can be individually addressed and the Radio Tag, when the received time slot symbol indicates a time slot for it, will be configured to evaluate the synchronization data signal in relation to the received address data and to examine whether an individual address has not been made.
[0025] Similarly to the use of the hardwa re address of a Tag-Radio in connection with the time interval symbol, it will also be advantageous if the communication station is configured to generate the address data using one or more bits or bytes of a Tag-Radio hardware address that unequivocally identifies a Tag-Radio, especially by abandoning bits of lesser value or bytes of lesser value. In the present system, therefore, the hardware address of the Tag-Radio will be used for the unambiguous addressing of each Tag-Radio. On the one hand, it will be defined with the bits of lesser value or with the byte of lesser value which time interval is determined for the Radio Tag. Therefore, a relatively large number of Radio Tags can be allocated precisely to a single time slot in order to maintain a synchronism with this time slot, and can also be individually addressed in this time slot. The individual addressing of a special Radio Tag will now be verified with other bits or bytes of the individual hardware address of this Radio Tag. This measure represents, in addition, a considerable contribution to the efficiency of the system because the Tag-Radio in question that is now in the active state to receive the symbol of the time interval does not need in the intermediary period to go to the inactive state to change in a later time in the present time interval back to the active state in order to test whether address data is present. In contrast, for all Radio Tags that are simultaneously waiting for the synchronization data signal, it can be verified in this relatively short phase of the active state whether they have been addressed or not.
[0026] In a similar way to the above about address data integration, another considerable contribution will be present for systemic efficiency when the communication station is configured for the integration of command data in the synchronization data signal, through the which a command can be transmitted to a Radio Tag at a given time interval for the Radio Tag in question and when the Radio Tag, when the received time slot symbol indicates a time slot for it to be configured for evaluate the synchronization data signal in relation to the contained command data and for the execution of the command. Thus, for example, without an individual address, a command can be released to all Radio Tags allocated to a certain time interval, which will then be executed by a relatively large group of Radio Tags.
[0027] Basically, Tag-Radio could already perform a standardized (predefined) task by recognizing its individual address without having to receive an explicit command. However, it proved to be especially advantageous that data for addressing an individual Radio Tag and command data for transmitting a command are transferred to this individual Radio Tag, the Radio Tag being configured to evaluate the command data and to execute the command when it is individually addressed with the aid of the addressing data. In this way, with a relatively large group of Radio Tags, a command can be transmitted to a single Radio Tag.
[0028] According to another aspect of the system, it is advantageous that the Tag-Radio is configured to execute a command as a simple time interval command and the end of a command executed within a single time interval within which it was received the command. This allows for quick and compact processing of orders that are transmitted by the communication station to the Radio Tag. Such simple time interval commands can be constituted, for example, in the form of a so-called PING command with which it will only be tested if there is a specific Radio Tag or an internal processing command that causes the least possible traffic from the outside. data, such as a command to switch from one memory page to another memory page. A memory page is a logical area (an address area) within memory in which, for example, data is stored, for example, for an image. With the simple time interval command, no data will be transmitted for processing (for example, data used for indication with the aid of a display, etc.) by Tag-Radio to Tag-Radio, however, only commands that eventually result internal data processing or that urge the Tag-Radio to carry out an information transmission to the communication station.
[0029] In this context it also proved to be advantageous that the Tag-Radio at the end of the executed command is configured to generate confirmation data and to provide confirmation data in that time interval within which a command was received. In this way, a data traffic conditioned by the confirmation, will be restricted to that time interval in which the command was transmitted. Sequential time intervals are not requested with data, which will have a positive effect on system performance.
[0030] In addition, a Radio Tag can be configured to provide the confirmation data in a first part (for example, the first half or the first third part) of the time interval that is temporally sequential to the synchronization data signal, not affecting a second sequential portion of the time slot before the subsequent time slot data signal appears. This structural, ie temporal, division of the time interval takes into account the fact that confirmation data often requires only a short transmission time and therefore the remaining second part (for example, the second half or the second and third segments) of the respective time slot will be freely available for other data traffic.
[0031] In general, it should be noted at this point that the duration of the respective portion of the time interval does not need to be defined by a fixed fixed value, but it can result in a dynamic form of the respective configuration, that is, use of the time interval .
[0032] In a system in which, for example, during a cycle of time intervals of 15 seconds there are 256 time intervals for every 58.6 milliseconds, 2 to 5 Radio Tags can be addressed without problem for each interval of time with individual tasks being delegated with a simple time slot command. If, therefore, several Radio Tags per time slot are occupied with an order, therefore, all these Radio Tags are expected to communicate in the present time slot with the confirmation data in question, then it will be advantageous that each Radio Tag accompanies an ordering principle. For this purpose, the Radio Tag is configured to evaluate beyond its own address, when with the help of the address data, several Radio Tags are addressed, also that of one or other addressed Radio Tags, providing its confirmation data within a time window, foreseen for the provision of confirmation data, at that moment that corresponds to the sequence determined for it by the addresses fixed within the group of addressed Radio Tags. As the communication station, as master of the tasks, has knowledge of the addressed Radio Tags, it will be necessary to transmit the confirmation data with only minimal data traffic because these are communication, according to the ordering principle, you know exactly in which sequence and, therefore, it is also the same moment or for what length of time the Tag-Radio in question transmits its confirmation data.
[0033] In order to also transmit larger volumes of data between the communication station and a Radio Tag for which the transmission of a time interval would be insufficient, the Radio Tag is configured to execute a command as a time interval command. multiple time over several time intervals. The processing of these commands can be done at borderline time intervals or at times not immediately borderline. Thus, for example, a component of the command may represent the number of time slots to be used or also the identification of the time slots to be used or also groups of time slots. The time intervals used can be restricted to one cycle of time intervals or can be located over several time interval cycles. Such commands of multiple time intervals, based on the Tag-Radio, may refer, for example, to the download of a larger volume of data from the communication station, but they can also constitute an upload of these data volumes to the communication station. Analogous to the simple time interval command, processing data (for example, data used for indication with the aid of a display etc.) is not transmitted via the Tag-Radio to Tag-Radio, however, only commands that eventually result in internal data processing and / or that cause Tag-Radio to later start receiving data, that is, data transmission. Upon receipt of the multiple time interval command, the Tag-Radio can again switch to its inactive state of energy saving and then move in an autonomous form, with temporal control, at that moment to the active state in which the transfer will take place. of data. In the context of data transmission, a new command communication will not be necessary, especially, also, a new addressing of the Tag-Radio will not be necessary because the communication station had previously defined by the transmission of the command from multiple time interval to systematic transmission of data to the Tag-Radio. In the case of a Tag-Radio, for example, with a display, therefore, the time of addressing the Tag-Radio to receive data to be shown is temporarily decoupled completely from the actual moment of transmission of the data to be indicated. The transmission of data to be indicated can be started in the current time interval or in another time interval at a certain moment. The transmission of the data to be shown can span different time slots in a time slot cycle or can also span multiple time slot cycles.
[0034] In case the multiple time interval command covers a data transmission from the communication station to the Radio Tag, it will be advantageous that the communication station for the transmission of global data is configured divided into several time intervals, being that in each time interval one or more data packets will be transmitted as part of the global data and from the respective time interval a second part of the time interval, bordering on a first part of the time interval, will be used for the end of the data transmission. In the present case, analogous to the explanations of a simple time interval command, only the second part (for example, the second half) of the time interval will be used to leave the other, ie the first part of the interval, released. time for other activities. The same also applies for data transmission from Tag-Radio to the communication station.
[0035] To show the communication partner that in a series of time intervals, necessary for the processing of the multiple time interval command, the processing of a partial task is verified in the respective time interval, it will be advantageous that the Tag -Radio is configured to generate and to provide partial confirmation data for each time interval within which the multiple time interval command is being executed.
[0036] In an especially preferred mode of the system, the Tag-Radio is configured to release partial confirmation data in said second part in sequence to the received data packet and before the end of the respective time interval. In this way, in the second part of the time interval, all data traffic conditioned by the command of the multiple time interval will be conditioned.
[0037] Corresponding to the configuration of the Radio Tags participating in the system, the communication station will also be configured to receive and process the confirmation data in a reception time window for this purpose. Therefore, confirmation data about the simple time slot command will be received in the reception window corresponding to the first part of the respective time interval, and confirmation data about the multiple time slot command will be received in the reception window corresponding to the second one. part of the respective time interval.
[0038] According to a preferred system configuration, the above described possibilities of command processing are combined and, therefore, the communication station is configured to rush to a time interval, foreseen for the processing of an interval command. multiple times for a first Radio Tag, addressing a second Radio Tag with the help of the address data, transmitting a simple time interval command, with the aid of the command data, to the second Radio Tag. In addition to the transmission of larger volumes of data between the communication station and the first Tag-Radio, this also makes it possible to process a second Tag-Radio with activities, that is, tasks, which cause only a reduced volume of data in the Radio traffic with the communication set. In this case, the data transmission will be processed with the respective Radio Tag in different parts of the respective time interval.
[0039] According to another aspect of the system, the communication station is configured to instruct a Radio Tag in the time interval destined to it with the aid of a command, through another activation moment that does not correspond to a time interval normally assigned to it, so that the Tag-Radio will be available in another time slot, not common in its time slot communication method, for data transmission with the communication station. As a complement, the Tag-Radio is also configured to process this command, changing to the active state at the moment of forced activation by the communication station. This measure will be important when the communication is forced with a certain Radio Tag from the communication station with high (highest) priority. The Radio Tag in question will now synchronize with the aid of the time interval symbol that characterizes a time interval that is not commonly intended for it. After the processing of this command contained in this unusual time interval for this Tag, the Radio Tag in question will orient itself again in the time interval for it common and after having synchronized again it will be prepared in the synchronized state for communication with the station of communication.
[0040] To enable an automatic search for a communication station, the Tag-Radio is configured to scan several times for a period of time corresponding to the duration of the cycle of the time interval, especially extended by a portion of the duration in question, if a synchronization data signal can be received and in the absence of the synchronization data signal, change the Radio Channel and perform the reception test again. As each communication station occupies another Radio Channel, it will result for a Tag to be searched, in the absence of a synchronization data signal, the consequence that either for the Radio Channel in question there is no communication station or such a station communication is out of reach and, therefore, another communication station should be sought. This procedure can be continued until a possibility of communication with a communication station has been found and the Tag-Radio has been registered there to later be available on the system.
[0041] This search for a communication station can be simplified, the Tag-Radio being configured to restrict a search for a synchronization data signal to a group of predetermined Radio channels, especially those Radio Channels that were previously transmitted from a communication station like Tag-Radio that was in communication with this communication station. This measure will be useful for a new Radio Tag to be integrated into the system, but preferably for an already integrated Radio Tag, which has been moved and as a consequence of the movement there has been a break in communication with its communication station. Restriction to known Radio Channels is an energy saving method and it also helps to avoid collisions with Radio Channels that are occupied mainly by other devices, such as a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network - Wireless LAN Area).
[0042] In order to carry out the simplest possible and automatic installation of a new communication station in an existing system, it will be advantageous that the communication station is configured to examine, at its startup, all available pre-programmed Radio channels for its operation, if the respective Radio-Radio is being used by another communication station or if the Radio-Radio in question is not being used and in the presence of a Radio-Radio thus not used, this Radio-Radio can be used to communication with Radio Tags allocated to them, that is, to be allocated to it. A radio channel that is already occupied will be recognized by the fact that the synchronization data signal from another communication set is present on the radio channel.
[0043] A system according to the invention can have a variety of communication stations that are located, for example, spatially in different locations, and for each communication station you can allocate a group of Radio-Tags by choosing the Radio-Channel allocated to the communication station. In this way, in a simple and robust way, groups of Radio Tags can be administered in the system and for each Radio Tag group the same time interval communication method is used, however in different channels from group to group .
[0044] According to a preferred modality of the system, the Tag-Radio has an indicator unit to reproduce an image, the image being structured in image planes and each image plan is represented by data from the image plan, with the Radio Tag configured for the individual reception of image plan data and for the joining of the image by superimposing the image planes and the communication station for the transmission of the respective image plan data is configured in a communication that exceeds time intervals with the Radio Tag. With this measure, the advantage is presented that selectively only that image plane is transmitted from the communication station to a Tag-Radio in which changes occur. This measure constitutes a considerable contribution to system and energy efficiency, because the volume of data to be transmitted is relatively small compared to the volume of data that would have to be transmitted for the entire content of the image. In addition, the compression of the image data for each image plane to be transmitted can be optimized and, therefore, the volume of data transmitted can be minimized. This is possible because in an image plane to be transmitted commonly, large "white", that is, "transparent" areas are present, for which a very high compression rate is obtained. As, therefore, the volume of data to be transmitted is reduced to the absolute minimum in order to update an image, this measure is extremely advantageous for the durability of the Tag-Radio because its need, that is, the energy consumption , will be kept low due to the least possible activity.
[0045] In this context, the Tag-Radio can be configured to alter an existing image by receiving at least a single new image plane and generating the new aspect of the image by exchanging an existing image plane for the plane image that has just been received. In this case, the commands mentioned above may be used. Thus, for example, the download of image data from an image plane can be processed from the communication station to the Radio Tag with the aid of a multiple time interval command, in which the data of the respective image plane are stored in a new memory page on the Tag-Radio. As soon as the download is finished, with a simple time interval command, a switch can be made from another page of memory previously used to form the respective image plane, to the new memory page in order to use the aforementioned image plane. to compose the image with your other image planes.
[0046] According to a preferred exemplary modality, the Tag-Radio is configured to process images, in which the following meanings are attributed to the image planes: first or second frequency of alteration of image contents; first or second color of image content; first or second category of image content information. In this way, implementations appropriate to the respective area of use of the system can be carried out, and combinations of the meanings of the plans are also possible. More than two image planes are also possible, for example, three, four or five image planes.
[0047] According to a preferred exemplary modality of this nature, the system produces an electronic price indication system and a Tag-Radio indication unit serves to indicate product information, that is, price information etc.
[0048] In all cases in which an indication unit is being used, the indication unit can be realized, for example, with the aid of LCD technology, but preferably also by Elektronic-Ink technology (also called E-Ink as a synonym for electronic paper).
[0049] According to another aspect of the system, the Tag-Radio is configured to switch from the inactive state to the active state in an activation moment with a precursor time duration before the appearance of the synchronization data signal. This measure ensures that the Tag-Radio as a whole or, in another formulation, all the necessary components for the reception and processing of the synchronization data signal are fully operational and, therefore, partial reception of the synchronization data signal will be avoided. which then with high probability cannot be evaluated in a useful way.
[0050] In this case, the length of the precursor time may be selected in such a way that it is a first fraction of the length of a time interval. It can, for example, be between 0.1% and 10% of the duration of the time interval.
[0051] According to another aspect of the system, the Tag-Radio is configured to occupy the active state during a reception duration that is greater than the duration and transmission of the synchronization data signal. This measure is accompanied by the advantage of ensuring that the entire synchronization data signal can be received reliably. The effective reception time to be used can be fixedly adjusted for all reception processes in synchronous state. However, also the duration of the active state, on the basis of the derivation of the Tag-Radio temporal base verified with the aid of the incidence of the synchronization data signal, may be dynamically appropriate to the respective derivation, possibly including the precursor time mentioned above. The reception duration may also be limited by detecting the disappearance of the synchronization data signal.
[0052] To ensure optimal reception conditions, in a system of this nature the Tag-Radio can also be configured to preserve the active, busy state for receiving the synchronization data signal, with a sequential time after receiving the signal. synchronization data. The sequential time may be suitable, for example, by the predefined duration of the active state or by the bypass states, that is, of reception, which are current correspondingly even with dynamic adjustment.
[0053] In this case, the duration of the sequential time can be selected in such a way that this sequential time is a second fraction of the duration of a time interval. It could be, for example, between 0.1% and 10% of the duration of the time interval. The duration of the sequential time can be identical to the duration of the precursor time or it can also be differentiated from this time.
[0054] It has been shown to be especially advantageous that the communication station is configured to transmit the synchronization data signal at the beginning of each time interval. This measure ensures that the beginning of a time interval can be identified very precisely for the Tag-Radio, being able to check if the offset of the derivation of the internal time base of the Tag-Radio already at the beginning of the time interval and, therefore, all other Tag-Radio activities can be sequenced within the respective time interval with the least possible synchronization with the communication station's time base and the remaining duration of the time interval is available for the other mentioned activities.
[0055] In view of a more structured form of communication, which is possible, but still flexible, of communication between the communication station and a Tag-Radio, it proved to be advantageous that the communication station be configured for embedding time data. confirmation in the synchronization data signal by means of which a confirmation point can be determined within the time interval in which confirmation data is expected from the Tag-Radio, the Tag-Radio being configured to provide confirmation data at the time indicated. This will be especially advantageous when several Radio Tags have been addressed in a time interval, with an individual confirmation time point being communicated to all. Each of the Radio Tags can then, for example, after receiving the synchronization data signal, perform a command, switch to the inactive state with energy saving to switch only to the active state at the confirmation time point for it individually fixed, transmitting its confirmation data and then switching back to the idle state as quickly as possible. The fixation of the time of confirmation that has already occurred in the synchronization data signal is, therefore, a measure that improves the energy efficiency of the Tag-Radio, as well as a measure to avoid collisions acting, therefore, in a way of preserving its durability. The confirmation time data can be an absolute time measured in the time interval to be indicated since its departure or a period of permanence in the inactive state, for example, referring to a previous occurrence, for example, the end of the signal synchronization data that can be recognized on the Radio Tag, or the end of the active state.
[0056] Another aspect of the invention concerns the allocation of a variety of Radio Tags to a variety of communication stations. In order to obtain a more balanced distribution of allocations between the Tags-Radio and the communication stations, it proved to be advantageous that a set of data processing, for example, a server, be configured to decide also which of the Tags-Radio can be connected with which communication station. The basis for this decision could be an existing distribution of connections in the system that should be optimized from the point of view of new additional Radio Tags. But it may also be foreseen for a predetermined fixed connection scheme that was immediately defined and that should be implemented.
[0057] In order to make a more dynamic system possible, it may be advantageous that a set of data processing, for example, a server, is configured to urge a Tag-Radio to terminate an existing connection with one of the communication stations and perform a connection with another communication station. The server will then be able to react to an unbalanced distribution of Radio Tags and to achieve an optimal load distribution (load balance) and proactively influence and change the allocation of Radio Tags to communication stations.
[0058] These and other aspects of the invention will result from the figures explained below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0059] Next, the invention will again be explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures and based on exemplary modalities, to which, however, the invention is not restricted. In this case, in the different figures, identical components have the same identical reference numbers. The figures show in schematic form:
[0060] Figure 1 - a system according to the invention;
[0061] Figure 2 - a distribution of radio channels for the system;
[0062] Figure 3 - a block diagram of an electronic price indicator board;
[0063] Figure 4 - a set of an image;
[0064] Figure 5 - a first state diagram;
[0065] Figure 6A - a second state diagram;
[0066] Figure 6B - a first data structure;
[0067] Figure 7A - a second state diagram;
[0068] Figure 7B - a second data structure;
[0069] Figure 8 - a third state diagram;
[0070] Figure 8B-8C - a third and fourth data structures. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE MODALITIES
[0071] In Figure 1 it is presented as a system 1 according to the invention for communication according to a time interval communication method, a price indicator system integrated in the premises of a retail company. For reasons of better visibility, the indications in the figures of the premises and of their facilities were not required. System 1 has a server 2, a first and a second communication station 3 and 4 (hereinafter referred to as the station), as well as a number of eight Radio Tags 7 - 14 (hereinafter referred to as ESL for short), representing the English expression Electronic Shelf Label). The server is integrated in the company's offices and through a cable communication line (LAN) L is connected with stations 3 and 4. Stations 3 and 4 are in contact with ESL 7 - 14 via Radio signals. Stations 3 and 4 are integrated in a sales compartment in different positions on the ceiling. ESL 7 - 14 are mounted on shelves corresponding to products for which, with the help of ESL 7 - 14, prices and product information are indicated. The product information will be transmitted by server 2 to stations 3, 4, and from there it will be individually communicated to the different ESL 7 - 14.
[0072] Each station 3, 4 covers a Radio area, a first limit of Radio 5 area of station 3 and a second limit of Radio 6 area of station 4 are indicated by sectors. The Radio areas have a superposition area within which the ESL 9 - 11 are integrated.
[0073] At system 1 startup, stations 3, 4 were initially activated sequentially. Each station 3, 4 knows the preferred Radio channels for the operation of system 1 with channel numbers 3, 5, 8, 9 and 10 This is shown in figure 2, where different frequency bands 15 - 22 are displayed over K channel numbers. For the operation of a conventional WLAN, frequency bands 15, 16 and 17. Frequency bands 18, 19, 20 - 22 preferred for the operation of system 1 correspond to the numbers of channels 3, 5, 8 - 10 and do not overlap with the WLAN frequency bands 15 - 17. Station 3 automatically selected the Radio-Channel with the number channel 3 because it was tested first to see if it was already occupied by another station. Station 4 automatically selected the Radio-Channel with the channel number 5, because in its examination for free Radio channels it found that the Radio-Channel with the channel number 3 was already occupied and with the next free Radio-Channel was identified the one with the channel number 5. The allocation of the Radio channels can, however, also be fixed.
[0074] As soon as ESL 7 - 14 are integrated in the respective Radio area of station 3, 4 verify that on one or more Radio channels there are Radio signals from the respective stations 3, 4. ESL 7 and 8 make a connection with the first station 3. ESL 12 - 14 produces a connection to the second station 4. At ESL 9-11 it will be verified that they are available for all two stations 3 and 4. Each of the ESL 9 - 10 will now examine the quality of the reception of the Radio signals received from the respective station 3, 4 and decides that station 3 or 4 for which the best reception quality was verified in order to produce a connection with it on the respective Radio-Channel (channel number 3 or 5). This decision-making procedure can, however, also be carried out by stations 3 and 4, with the stations examining the respective quality of the reception and a communication with the ESL 9 - 11 and in addition communicating with each other as to which one of them it will make a connection with ESL 9 - 11 because for the respective ESL 9 - 11 there are more advantageous communication conditions. The decision to allocate between ESL 9 - 11 and stations 3, 4 can, however, also be transferred to server 2, because it is in contact with stations 3, 4. In the context of forming connections between the respective ESL 7 - 14, therefore, Radio Channels (also known as channel scan) will be initially selected, and eventually an assessment of the quality of the reception on the respective Radio Channel will be carried out and then unambiguous hardware addresses will be transferred from ESL 7 - 14 to the station 3, 4 selected for communication. In this way, each station 3, 4 knows the ESL 7 - 14 allocated to it. This first allocation between station 3 and 4 and ESL 7 - 14 will be transferred to server 2.
[0075] In an additional sequence, a second allocation will be produced between each ESL 7 - 14 and precisely a product. Finally, the server will receive knowledge of where in the sales room, on which shelf and in which position of the shelf the respective ESL 7 - 14 is located (or where it should be), because it also knows the corresponding position of the products represented with the help of a planogram.
[0076] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of ESL 7 representing the ESL 7 - 14 used in the system, which are all of identical constitution. ESL 7 has a functional module 24, a processor 25 to process data, to control operational states and to provide functions, a memory 26 to memorize data and programs, as well as an indication 27 produced in energy-saving electronic-Ink technology for indicating product information. The Radio 24 module is used for radio communication with stations 3, 4, and from the received Radio signals, reception data will be generated and transmitted to processor 25 or transmission data transferred by processor 25 will be transformed into Radio signals. The data stored in memory 26 can be allocated both to processor 25 and also to indication 27. Also in the selected presentation, there will be no differentiation as to which type of server it is dealing with (ROM, EEPROM, RAM etc.) or in which way it is allocated. memory 26 in logical or physical form for processor 25 and / or for indication 27. In the chosen presentation, the indication of connections such as signal and / or data lines between function blocks 24 - 27, as well as a presentation of the energy accumulator (in this case, a battery).
[0077] With the aid of memory 26, BD image data will be indicated for the generation of an image with the aid of indication 27, with the BD image data reproducing a first image plane with the first data of plane DI1 and a background of the image with second data from plane DI2, hardware address data HAD, to indicate the hardware address of the ESL, as well as parameter data BD relating to the parameterization of the time slot communication method. It should be mentioned at this point that other image planes may also be present.
[0078] The data of the hardware address HAD comprises 4 bytes B3, B2, B1, B0, with B0 being the lowest value byte of the hardware address.
[0079] With the aid of processor 25, the different data from planes DI1 and DI2 will be joined in ESL 7 to compose the global image. Both the first as well as the second data in the DI1, DI2 plane, represent image information in relation to each image point. However, a certain image information is defined for both image planes as "transparent", "background", that is, "background color". Therefore, the different image planes can be superimposed point by point on the image, forming the global image, therefore, by superimposing the image contents in identical coordinates of the image points of different image planes. The images are present in the Bitmap format, however, they can also be present in other formats, such as JPG.
[0080] This image formation is shown schematically in figure 4. A first image plane 28 represented by the first data of plane DI1 essentially contains static information from image 29 referring to a product, and this static image information will only be modified when ESL 7 is allocated to another product. The static information in the image 29 refers, for example, to the text describing a product. All other areas of the image are defined as "transparent". A second image plane 30 represented by the second data of plane DI2 essentially contains dynamic information from the image 31 which in comparison with static image information changes frequently, for example, daily or also several times a day, or also weekly. The dynamic information in the image 31 refers, for example, to the price of the product or also to indications about the validity of an offer such as, for example, start date and end date or also times and other conditions which are linked to offer. All other areas of the image are defined as "transparent". An overall image 32 represented by the BD image data that was produced by an overlay of each image point of the first image plane 28 and an image point of the second image plane 30 exactly corresponding to the previous one, shows both static and static information. also the dynamics of the image 29, 32 and the remaining intermediate areas, marked as "transparent".
[0081] In ESL 7, all BD image data can be received in one compressed form, being decompressed and stored in memory 26. This can occur, for example, in a first transmission of the global image. The follow-up, however, is relatively long and therefore causes relatively high energy consumption. Since the image exists once in ESL 7, a partial update of the image is more efficient because this can be done with greater protection and energy terms. For this purpose, ESL 7 can receive the respective image plane to be updated (for example, the second image plane 30) separately from the other image plane already deposited already stored in memory 26 (for example, the first image plane 28) decompressing and memorizing it in memory 26. Then, an internal access will be made on the new data plan DI2 applied (switching from one memory page to another memory page) in order to recompose the image again global 32.
[0082] ESL 7 also features a time control stage 33 that can be realized as a specific hardware component or, at least partially, with the aid of processor 25. It produces a typical time base for ESL and uses this time base to control the timing (occupation and abandonment) of the ESL 7 states. Timing control is verified, for example, with the aid of timing parameters, inherently known to the time control stage and / or made available by the processor .
[0083] Then, with the aid of figures 5 - 8, a time interval communication method that has been used in system 1 will be addressed. In this case, ESL 7 - 9 allocated to the first stage 3 will be addressed, with analogous explanations also apply to the ESL 11 - 14 allocated to the second station 4. In the state diagrams shown in figures 5 - 8, the time t is recorded on the abscissa axis. The Z states are recorded on the ordinate axis in relation to the explanation of the components of system 1. The diagrams therefore show the temporal state.
[0084] In all figures 5 - 8, the highest state sequence shows the states of stage 3 characterized by ST. For the duration of a DC time interval cycle (for example, 15 seconds) N time intervals Z1 ... ZN (for example, 256) with identical DS time interval duration (for example, about 58 milliseconds) are available ). During the duration of the DC time interval cycle, stage 3 changes between a transmission state T and an inactive state R. The transmission state T will always be occupied at the beginning of a time interval Z1 ... ZN, being preserved during a DSD synchronization data signal duration (or DSD transmission time duration of the SD synchronization data signal) in order to transmit with the respective SD synchronization data signal the respective applicable time interval symbol ZS1, ZS2. .. ZSN. As the respective symbol of the time interval cycle ZS1 ... ZSN, the current number of the respective time interval Z1 ... ZN has been used following the incidence of the time interval Z1 ... ZN. Therefore, the first time slot Z1 is marked with hexadecimal annotation (marked by "Hex") with the time slot symbol Hex 00, and the last time slot ZN (in the present example, the twenty-fifty-sixth time slot Z256 with the Hex FF time slot symbol.
[0085] Next, the hardware addresses of ESL 7 - 9 which are indicated in hexadecimal notation (highest byte on the left = fourth byte B3: third byte B2: second byte B1: byte of the lowest value on the right = first byte B0). The hardware addresses of ESL 7 - 9 would be unalterable in a real operation of system 1. However, to explain with a predictable number of ESL different aspects of system 1, the ESL of system 1 will be allocated, figure by figure, sometimes addresses differentiated hardware or also some or several ESL will not be included in the explanation.
[0086] For figure 5, the hardware address of the first ESL 7 will be Hex B2: 00: 01: 00, for the second ESL 8, Hex B2: 00: 01: 01 and for the third ESL 9, Hex B2: 00 : 02: 00. The fourth ESL 10 will not be considered.
[0087] For figure 6, the hardware addresses of the first ESL 7 will be Hex B2: 00: 01: 00, for the second ESL 8, Hex B2: 00: 02: 00 and for the third ESL 9, Hex B2: 00 : 03: 00. The fourth ESL 10 is not considered.
[0088] For figure 7, the hardware address of the first ESL 7 will be Hex B2: 00: 01: 00, the remaining three ESL 8 - 10 are not considered.
[0089] For figure 8, the hardware addresses of the first ESL 7 will be Hex B2: 00: 01: 00, for the second ESL 8, Hex B2: 00: 01: 01, for the third ESL, Hex B2: 00: 02:01 and to the fourth ESL 10, Hex B2: 00: 03: 01.
[0090] In system 1, with the aid of the lower value B0 byte, in the respective ESL 7 - 10, an identification of an incident time interval in the context of the time interval communication method that is determined for the respective one is verified ESL 7 - 10. With the exception of the lowest value byte B0, the remaining 3 bytes B1 - B3 of the hardware address will be used in order to individually address an ESL 7-10 in the time interval Z1 ... ZN determined for the respective ESL .
[0091] It is shown in figure 5, that the first ESL 7 is in synchronized state. It is activated in the first moment of activation TA1 from its inactive state S and passes with a relatively short precursor DV time before an expected appearance of a sync SD data signal to its active state AND ready for reception, receiving the signal of synchronization data SD for a duration of the reception time DE with the first time slot symbol ZS1 (Hex 00), by comparing the lowest value byte B0 of its hardware address (Hex 00) checks with the time interval symbol time ZS1 received which indicates the first time interval Z1 determined for the first ESL 7 (coincidence of the bytes to be compared: B0 of the hardware address and first time interval symbol ZS1), containing the parameters of the time control stage 33 required for controlling the activation in the subsequent time interval cycle in order to define the new activation moment and returns with a relatively short DN sequential time until the inactive state S a so that after the time of permanence of the predicted DR inactive state has elapsed as planned for the new (second) activation moment TA2 with the aforementioned VD precursor time, waking up before the new beginning of the first cycle of the Z1 time interval. The same applies in a similar way for the second ESL 8 which is in synchronous state in the same way as the first ESL 7.
[0092] The third ESL 9, before a TSY synchronization point is in an asynchronous state which is indicated by the arrow 34 parallel to the time axis, with a broken line. It switches to the active state at a first randomly chosen activation point TA1 and changes from its inactive state S to the active state E ready for reception and remains in this state until it receives the next incidence of the SD synchronization data signal, and in the present case the second time interval cycle ZS2 (Hex 01) will be received. The third ESL 9 recognizes based on the B0 byte (Hex 00) of the lower value of its hardware address that the time interval determined in the present cycle of time interval already belongs to the past and therefore the following time interval with the interval symbol Hex 00 will only be predicted for the next time interval cycle, calculating that the momentarily recognized time interval Z2 is situated in the ratio of a time interval next to its applied time interval Z1, which will be designated as time interval differential. In the third ESL 9, the time control stage 33 will be programmed in such a way that the activation point TA2 is located as in an ESL in the synchronous state, with the precursor DV time indicated, given the appearance of the first time interval Z1 of the cycle. sequential time interval. The DSA dwell time to be waited in the inactive state S will be calculated as follows: dwell time in the inactive state DR (in synchronous state) minus duration of the DS time interval multiplied with the time intern differential (in the present case, value 1). In this way, the third ESL 9 is again in synchronous state, which is indicated by the arrow 35 with a continuous line and changes from the active state E to the inactive state S so that after the DAS dwell time has elapsed, in the new TA2 hotspot, switch back to its active E state.
[0093] With the aid of figure 6A an individualized addressing of the ESL 7 - 9 will be explained, as well as an individual order of this ESL 7 - 9 with the aid of simple time interval commands. Only the first time slot Z1 embedded between two SD sync data signals is shown. In the SD synchronization data signal of the first time slot Z1, addressing data AD, command data CD and confirmation time data ZD will be embedded by station 3. With the help of AD Hex B2: 00: 01 address data, the first ESL 7 will be addressed individually, with the help of AD Hex B2: 00: 02 address data and the second ESL 8 and with the help of AD address data Hex B2: 00: 03 the third ESL 9 will be individually addressed. Using the CD command data, a "PING" command will be transmitted to the first ESL 7, a "PING" command will also be transmitted to the second ESL 7 and to the second ESL. the third ESL 9 will also be transmitted a "SWPAG2" command. These commands are simple time-lapse commands that are processed immediately after decoding within ESL 7 - 9 with negligible time expenditure. With the help of the two "PING" commands, it will be tested whether the addressed ESL 7, 8 returns a message with ACD confirmation data, that is, whether it exists or reacts and whether it is synchronized. With the help of the command "SWAPG2", the third ESL 9 will cause a switch from a first (current page of memory) to a second page of memory in order, for example, to change the image to be displayed with the help of indication 27 as explained in connection with figure 4. In addition, a confirmation moment will be transmitted with the SD synchronization data signal to the first ESL 7 by the indication of a first inactive period DR1, to the second ESL 8 by the indication of a second DR2 inactive period and for the third ESL 9, by indicating a third DR3 inactive period. The reference point for the three inactive periods DR1 - DR3 will always be the end of the DE reception time duration. The data structure transmitted using the SD synchronization data signal at the beginning of the first time interval Z1 is shown in figure 6B.
[0094] In place of the individual DR1 - DR3 inactive periods, maximum time periods for responses resulting from the sum of the respective DR1 - DR3 inactive period and the time period for providing ACD confirmation data can also be indicated.
[0095] According to figure 6A, all three ESL 7 - 9 recognize one hundred that are synchronous because the first time interval symbol Z1 shows the time interval allocated to them (byte B0 of the lowest value of the hardware address Hex 00 in all three ESL 7 - 9). The test of the AD address data shows that each ESL 7 - 9 is individually addressed (existence of the remaining three bytes B1 - B3 of the respective hardware address in the AD address data), with immediate decoding and execution of the commands determined for the respective address. ESL 7 - 9, as well as the individual ACD confirmation data after the individual inactive periods DR1 ... DR3 have elapsed after the end of the reception time DE will be transmitted to station 3 which during the reception period of a station SDE is ready to receive the ACD confirmation data. The complete processing of the simple time slot commands, including the communication of the ACD confirmation data, takes place in a first part 36 of the Z1 time slot, so that a second part 37 will be available for another task, for example, the processing of commands of multiple time intervals, which is mentioned in detail in figures 7 to 8.
[0096] Figure 7A shows the processing of a command of a multiple time slot, in which the first ESL 7, through three adjacent time slots Z1 - Z3 receives global data (for example, relating to a total image to be presented or just a plane of an image) being received in three DAT1 - DAT3 packets from station 3. The first ESL 7 recognizes with the aid of the SD sync data signal its synchronous state that is individually addressed (numbers addressed Hex B2: 00: 01), receiving and decoding a "DATA-INIT" command with which it is recommended to receive the three DAT1 - DAT3 data packets in the referred time intervals Z1 - Z3 and at the end of the DE reception duration. for a first waiting period DW1 goes to the inactive state S, and the first waiting period DW1 elapses with the end of the first half of the duration of the DS time interval. At the beginning of the second part T37 of the first time slot Z1, station 3 changes to its transmission state T and the first ESL 7 changes to its active state E ready for reception, so that during a DT data transfer duration receives the first DAT1 data packet. Then, it confirms the successful reception with the aid of partial confirmation data ACD1 for a duration of the DA confirmation time, during which also the station 3 is in the reception state E. The duration of the DA confirmation time ends before the end of the first time interval Z1. After the duration of the DA confirmation time has elapsed, the first ESL 7 remains in the inactive state S for a second waiting period DW2 which extends until the end of the first part 36 of the second (subsequent) time interval Z2. At the beginning of the second part 37 of the second time slot Z2, station 3 changes to its transmission state D and the first ESL 7 changes to its active state E ready for reception, so that during a data transfer duration DT receives the second DAT2 data packet. The same is valid for the third time slot Z3 with the end of which the data transmission will end. Each DAT1 - DAT3 data packet successfully transmitted will be confirmed with the aid of partial confirmation data ACD1 - ACD3. The data structure transmitted using the SD synchronization data signal at the beginning of the first time interval Z1 is shown in figure 7B.
[0097] With the aid of figure 8A, a transfer of data will be explained using a combination of a multiple time interval command of three simple time interval commands. The first ESL 7 recognizes its synchronous state with the aid of the SD synchronization data signal (byte B0 with the lowest hardware address value is Hex 00) and the fact that it is individually addressed (address data B2 B2: 00: 01) receives and decodes a "DATA-INIT" command with which it is recommended to receive three data packets DAT 1 - DAT3 in the time intervals Z1 - Z3. Figure 8B shows the data structure transmitted with the aid of the SD synchronization data signal and the beginning of the first time interval Z1. Data transmission from station 3 to the first ESL takes place in a manner similar to the explanation in figure 7A.
[0098] The remaining three ESL 8 - 10 recognize at the beginning of the second time slot that they are synchronous because the second time slot symbol Z2 shows the time slot allocated to it (byte B0 of the lowest value of the hardware address in all three ESL 8 - 10 Hex 01). The test of the AD address data shows that each ESL 8 - 10 is individually addressed (existence of the remaining three bytes B1 - B3 of the respective hardware address in the AD address data), the commands destined to the respective ESL 8 - 10 will be decoded (at present case, three "PING" commands) being executed immediately, as well as the individual ACD confirmation data after passing the individual inactive periods DR1 - DR3 being transmitted to station 3, as explained in figure 6A. Figure 8C shows the data structure transmitted with the aid of the SD synchronization data signal at the beginning of the second time interval Z2.
[0099] As can be seen clearly, the three simple time interval commands, as well as a multiple time interval command, will be treated almost simultaneously in the second time interval T2 referred to the "time interval" time unit. since for the first time slot commands the first part 36 is reserved for the multiple time slot command the second part 37 of the second time slot Z2 is reserved for the respective necessary data communication. The allocation of the respective control type to the three time control parts 36-37 may, however, also be reversed.
[00100] Finally, still, reference is made to the fact that the figures described in detail above are only exemplary modalities that can be modified in the most diverse way possible, especially without abandoning the scope of the invention. For completeness purposes it is also indicated that the use of the indefinite articles "one", that is, "one", does not exclude that the respective characteristics may also be provided for several times.

权利要求:
Claims (15)
[0001]
1. System (1), featuring - a communication station (3, 4) for communication with a number of Radio Tags (7 - 14) with the aid of a time interval communication method, in which, in a repeated sequence, a number of time slots (Z1 - ZN) are available per time slot cycle for communication and each time slot (Z1 - ZN) is characterized by an unambiguous time slot symbol (ZS1 - ZSN), the communication station (3, 4) is executed to emit a synchronization data signal (SD) that shows the time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) at the beginning of the respective time interval (Z1 - ZN) for the time interval (Z1 - ZN) momentarily present, and - a Radio Tag (7 - 14) + is executed to switch from an inactive state (S) to an active state (E) at an activation moment ( TA1), and + to receive the synchronization data signal (SD) in the active state (E), and + to determine its timing with the communication station communication (3, 4) only because it recognizes the time interval symbol (ZS1-ZSN) that appears at the time expected by him or in an expectation time window, and displays the time interval (Z1-ZN) for determined, and + if the received time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) indicates a time interval (Z1 - ZN) determined for it, to define a new activation time (TA2) corresponding to the next appearance of the time interval (Z1 - ZN) for it determined in a time interval cycle sequential to the time interval cycle momentarily present, and + after the Tag-Radio (7 - 14) has determined its timing, to switch back to the inactive state and remain there until an activation and a change from the inactive state to the active state are performed again at the new activation time (TA2) in the next time interval cycle.
[0002]
2. System (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the Radio Tag (7 - 14), if the received time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) indicates a time interval (Z1 - ZN) not intended for him, it is configured to define a new activation moment (TA2) in the momentarily present time interval cycle, which corresponds to the next appearance of the time interval (Z1 - ZN) determined for him, when the interval time interval (Z1 - ZN) for it determined to still occur in the momentarily present time interval cycle or in the time interval cycle subsequent to the momentarily present time interval cycle, when the time interval (Z1 - ZN) determined for it no longer occur in the momentarily present time interval cycle.
[0003]
3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the Tag-Radio (7 - 14) has a memorization stage (26) to memorize parameters of the interval communication method time, and the Radio Tag (7 - 14) is executed to access and consider these parameters in order to define the new activation point (TA2).
[0004]
4. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that the Tag-Radio (7 -14) has a memorization stage (26) to memorize a representation of the symbol of the interval of time (ZS1 - ZSN) that indicates the time interval (Z1 - ZN) for it determined.
[0005]
5. System (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the representation of the time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) is formed with the aid of a hardware address of the Tag-Radio (7 - 14), which unequivocally identifies the Radio Tag (7 - 14), and is programmed in an unalterable way in the memorization stage (26).
[0006]
6. System (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said representation of the time interval symbol is performed by the bits with the lowest value or byte with the lowest value of the hardware address.
[0007]
7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the Radio Tag (7 - 14) is configured to test whether a time interval symbol known to it coincides with that which is present in the reception of the synchronization data signal.
[0008]
System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the communication station (3, 4) is executed to generate the time interval symbol as the current number of the respective time interval which corresponds to the appearance in the sequence of time intervals in the time interval cycle.
[0009]
System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that - the communication station (3, 4) is designed to embed address data (AD) in the synchronization data signal (SD ), with the help of which a number of Radio Tags (7 - 14) can be individually addressed per time interval (Z1 - ZN), which is determined for the respective Radio Tags (7 - 14), and - the Radio (7 - 14), when the received time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) indicates a time interval (Z1 - ZN) determined for it, it is executed to evaluate the synchronization data signal (SD) in relation to the address data (AD) contained, and to verify that it is addressed individually.
[0010]
10. System (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the communication station (3, 4) is executed to generate the address data (AD) using one or more bits or bytes (B3 , B2, B1) of a Tag-Radio hardware address (7 - 14), which uniquely identifies a Tag-Radio (7 - 14), especially by abandoning the bits with the least value or the byte with the least value (B0) .
[0011]
System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that - the communication station (3, 4) is designed to embed command data (CD) in the synchronization data signal (SD ), with the help of which a command can be transmitted to a Radio Tag (7 - 14) in a time interval (Z1 - ZN), which is determined for the respective Radio Tag (7 - 14), and - the Tag -Radio (7 - 15), if the received time interval symbol (ZS1 - ZSN) indicates a time interval (Z1 - ZN) determined for it, it is executed to evaluate the synchronization data (SD) signal in relation to the command data (CD) contained and for executing the command.
[0012]
12. System (1) according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the Radio Tag (7 - 14) is executed to evaluate the command data (CD) and execute the command when it is individually addressed with the aid address data (AD).
[0013]
13. System (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by the fact that - the Radio Tag (7 - 14) is executed to execute a command as a simple time interval command and to end the command executed within of a single time interval (Z1 - ZN), in which a command was received.
[0014]
14. System (1) according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that - the Tag-Radio (7 - 14), during the closing of the executed command, is executed to generate confirmation data (ACD) and to release the confirmation data (ACD) in that time interval (Z1 - ZN) in which the command was received.
[0015]
15. System (1) according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that - the Tag-Radio (7 - 14) is executed to release the confirmation data (ACD) in a first part (36) of the time interval (Z1 - ZN), which is chronologically located after the synchronization data signal (SD) and leaves a second (37) sequential part of the time interval (Z1 - ZN) untouched before the synchronization data signal (SD) appears ) of the subsequent time interval (Z1 - ZN).

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法律状态:
2018-05-08| B25D| Requested change of name of applicant approved|Owner name: SES-IMAGOTAG GMBH (AT) |

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2020-02-04| B25G| Requested change of headquarter approved|Owner name: SES-IMAGOTAG GMBH (AT) |

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2020-04-07| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|

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2020-12-08| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

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2021-01-26| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 20/02/2014, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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PCT/EP2014/053376|WO2015124197A1|2014-02-20|2014-02-20|Time slot communication system|

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