EP0871946B1 - Data transmission system with at least one transmitter and at least one receiver and process for initialising the system and for synchronising the transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) - Google Patents

Abstract

A data transmission system with one transmitter or several transmitters having the same design and one receiver or several receivers having the same design is disclosed for transmitting data through a common transmission channel, as well as a process for initialising the system and for synchronising the transmitter(s) and receiver(s). Each transmitter has an address memory in which an identification address may be stored. Each receiver has an address memory in which the addresses of the transmitters may be stored. The data are transmitted in packets. Each transmitter send its data packets within its own characteristic time intervals and each receiver can receive the data packets from one or several transmitters. Transmitters and receivers are provided with corresponding means for initialising a system composed of one or several transmitters and receivers. The initialising means make it possible to initialise the system manually or automatically upon instruction by a user. Thanks to this initialisation the system determines which transmitter(s) are allocated to a receiver, i.e. which transmitters and which receivers belong to a certain system, and what is the length of the characteristic time intervals within which each transmitter transmits data. Each transmitter and each receiver preferably has a control circuit with timing means which activate the transmitters only at their transmission times and which activate the receivers substantially only at the transmission times of one or several transmitters in order to save energy.

Description

The invention relates to a system with at least one transmitter and at least one Receiver for the transmission of data via a common transmission channel, and a method for initializing the system and a method for transmitter-receiver synchronization.

In the earlier application DE 195 36 314 a data transmission system is described that of a receiving / transmitting station, to which sensors are connected, and several Receiving facilities exist. The receiving / transmitting station contains a time signal receiver (Radio clock). The sensors are air pressure, temperature and humidity sensors called, the corresponding measured quantities to the receiving / transmitting station deliver. The receiving / transmitting station transmits, for example, at a frequency of 433 MHz a data signal that contains a time signal from the radio clock and from the Contains sensor-derived sensor signals in a suitable form. The time signal receiver the receiving / transmitting station is not constantly activated, however, only in certain time intervals. This measure serves to meet the energy requirements of the time signal receiver to reduce. In the example mentioned, the radio clock is only used once per day, for example, switched on at 2:00 a.m., by the receiving / transmitting station adjust the displayed time to the time specified by a time signal transmitter.

From DE 42 35 187 a system with several transmitters is known, which in one Time window to transfer data to a recipient. The sender and the receiver are only switched on for the duration of the time window or in a standby mode.

It is an object of the invention to provide a data transmission system that is used in manufacture and operation is particularly inexpensive.

The data transmission system according to the invention has one or more identical structures Transmitter and one or more identical receivers for the transmission of data via a common transmission channel. Identical construction means here in particular that in the manufacture of the transmitter or the receiver not with regard to the Data transfer within a system individualizing code. Therefore, the transmitter and receiver can be inexpensive and in large quantities are manufactured. However, each transmitter has an address memory in which one individualizing address can be saved. Each recipient also points an address memory in which the addresses of the transmitters can be stored. The data transmission takes place in packets, each transmitter sending its data packets in for it sends characteristic time intervals, and each receiver can send the data packets one or more stations received.

Transmitter and receiver are one of one or more for initialization Existing system transmitters and receivers with appropriate facilities provided manual or automatic initialization initiated by an operator allow. This initialization determines which transmitter (s) are assigned to a Is assigned to the recipient, i.e. which transmitters and which receivers form one certain system belong, and how big each the characteristic for each transmitter Time intervals are in which the individual transmitters transmit. For this, the Initialization assigned an individual address to each transmitter, and the length of the characteristic time intervals according to a preferred embodiment of the system based on these addresses.

Each transmitter and receiver preferably contains a control circuit with one timekeeping device that only saves electricity to save electricity Broadcasting time and the recipients essentially only at the broadcasting times of one or more channels activated. This is the power consumption of the transmitter and receiver so low that the transmitters and receivers can be battery operated, and the Batteries have a long lifespan.

There is therefore the further task of specifying a method for synchronization, which is not only suitable for the system according to the invention, but generally for one System in which the transmitter (s) and the receiver (s) are not constantly activated, and through which the transmitter (s) and the associated receiver (s) thus synchronize that the receiver (s) is (are) activated at least if the (the) Transmitter is also activated.

If there is only one transmitter, the necessary synchronization can be achieved generated that a certain period of time is specified, and the transmitter in corresponding time intervals is activated. If the recipient (s) is activated at the same time intervals, the system is synchronized.

The prerequisite is that at a time when the transmitter is activated, the The receiver (s) are also activated, i.e. the system must be synchronized. This can be done, for example, in that when the System initialization manually a simultaneous activation of the transmitter and the recipient. From this first synchronized activation, the further activations then automatically synchronized in time. But even if the Sender gives the recipient an address, which may be an 8-digit binary code, for example can, in the course of a so-called "registration", this registration process can be called Starting point for the time-synchronized transmission can be used. It is advantageous to provide the possibility of manual synchronization in this case too, because, for example, when changing the battery, the information about the Synchronization may be lost.

If there are several transmitters, interference can occur as a result of overlapping the Signals come. This is then the case with the transmission system according to the invention Case when the transmitters transmit (via the common transmission channel) at the same time, so what must be prevented. This is done according to the invention in that the transmitters send their data packets in individual, i.e. different time intervals send. It is not completely ruled out that data packets differ Sender overlap, but with a suitable choice of the length of the data packets and the time intervals such an overlap is rare and only of short duration.

In the transmission method according to the invention, the receiver only receives Data if this data according to the time of transmission for this recipient are determined. Attempts to receive and evaluate information already from The time of transmission are not intended for this recipient, are therefore even not just done. This process is designed to save energy can be, which is an advantage in particular with battery-powered transmitters and Recipients. By switching on the receiver at a certain time it can be ensured that the receiver is already ready to receive, when the transmitter starts transmitting.

In a system according to claim 4 is a "retrieval" of the transmitter by the Recipient guaranteed if - for example as a result of a systematic and / or temperature-dependent deviation of the accuracy of the time measuring devices from Sender and receiver - the switch-on times of the transmitter and receiver no longer lie on top of each other. This can especially occur if over a long period Period there was a reception disturbance and no interim adaptation of the synchronization of sender and receiver was possible.

The system of claim 6 advantageously shows a systematic approach to change the switch-on times of the receiver to the address of the receiver could be found again.

The embodiment of the system according to claim 7 advantageously shows that a "Drifting apart" of the switch-on times of the receiver and this receiver assigned transmitter can be avoided. Assign namely the time measuring devices different systematic errors of sender and receiver, so it can otherwise happen that - for example, in the event that the timing device of the Receiver takes precedence over the transmitter's time measurement device - the receiver turns on earlier. At some point the receiver will switch on so early that it is already at the end of the transmission of the data packet from the transmitter again is deactivated. This data packet cannot then be evaluated. On the other hand comparing these different systematic errors of the time measuring devices will be low, it will then take a correspondingly long time until the switch-on times of receiver and transmitter are so close together that the transmitted data packet can be evaluated by the receiver. For the corresponding one It is, for example, adaptation of the switch-on time of the receiver possible, the specific time advance from one switch-on time to the next adjust accordingly. But it is also possible to set the time by the time measuring device the recipient was determined to correct accordingly. Another Cause for the deviations in the timing devices of the transmitter and receiver can be that these are exposed to different temperatures. While in a system according to claim 4 a "retrieval" of the transmitter by the To the recipient is made possible by the method according to claim 5 ongoing adaptation at every reception. So because these procedures are fixing Deviations due to different causes are also suitable Subject according to a combination of these claims in an overall system.

In the system according to claim 8, only when a transmitter is started up, i.e. not during the manufacture of the transmitter, this for the recipient (s) individualized. For this purpose, the transmitter is assigned a character string (address), which by this is transmitted during a transmission process, in particular at the beginning becomes. Based on this address individually assigned to this sender is then for the or the recipients can see whether the transmitted data comes from the transmitter, which is assigned to them, namely by these recipients evaluating the address and recognize whether it is a corresponding station. So it's through the assignment of transmitters and receivers ensures that the transmitter at least in terms of its nearer environment, in the event of interference due to simultaneous transmission multiple transmitters could occur, has a unique address. If so The length of the time intervals is determined as a function of this address value the length of the time intervals of the transmitters differ at least in one area, in which could cause interference due to the simultaneous transmission of several transmitters. This leads to a constant shift in the relative temporal position of the Start times of broadcasts from the transmitters. This also determines that it's recurring to sending at least two at the same time Stations will come. Due to the different length of the time intervals ensured that between this recurring simultaneous sending of certain Transmitters a certain number of transmissions takes place in which this do not broadcast certain channels at the same time. The probability that during of these transmissions in turn send other stations and thus it for individual stations a longer-lasting disruption has proven to be comparatively minor.

The determination of the time interval according to claim 9 advantageously shows that a good compromise can be found between the transmission security of the individual transmitters and the ability to bring multiple transmitters into the entire area. The The factor can be, for example, on the order of approximately 1.5. For example with a fixed basic length of 30 s and an average telegram length of 100 ms results in a minimum difference in the time intervals between two neighboring transmitters of approx. 150 ms. This means that a maximum of two overlap in two neighboring transmitters successive transfers. This is then followed by approx. 200 again Transmission processes for which there is no superimposition of these two transmitters. If the fixed basic length is greater than 30 s, for example, the Factor must be increased accordingly. On the other hand, this factor can be corresponding be reduced if the fixed basic length is less than 30 s. These numbers understand themselves only as sizes for an example and do not limit the general idea arising from the subject of this claim. For example this factor can also be 1.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method for initialization specify that is not only suitable for the system according to the invention, but generally a method for assigning at least one transmitter to at least one Specify recipient that is suitable for data transmission systems that consist of several Transmitters and / or several receivers, and for which neither the An individualizing code is permanently assigned to the sender (s) and the recipient (s) is.

A method is already known (DE 39 28 142 A1) in which a transmitter is used Receiver is assigned by an identification code in a data telegram is sent, which individualizes the transmitter. This is done in an initialization process this identification code is recorded and stored by the recipient. In the Subsequent transmission of data telegrams becomes the respective identification code evaluated in the data telegram. Does the identification code match? one of the stored identification codes, the receiver recognizes that the data telegram comes from a transmitter assigned to this receiver. The The content of the data telegram is then evaluated accordingly.

The initialization method according to the invention has the advantage that the data transmission system from a plurality of identical transmitters and identical receivers can be formed because the individualizing the individual transmitter addresses be specified during initialization. It also ensures that the recipient (s) only receive data from the transmitter (s) assigned to them are sent out, so that neighboring systems, which also consist of such transmitters and Receivers exist to be operated side by side without mutual interference can.

It is advantageous in the method according to claim 10 that a double award largely avoided using the same identification code to two different transmitters can be. Such a double award may lead to operational disruptions come. If a new to in the initialization process installing transmitter automatically selects an identification code, there is initially no feedback as to whether this identification code is new in the environment installing transmitter is already assigned, i.e. from another transmitter as identification code is used. By the method of claim 10 such feedback can be realized. It is then possible to complete the initialization process to end and the transmitter again automatically another identification code, for example to be selected. The recipient can use the identification codes Record and save transmitters that are not assigned to this receiver. However, it is also possible to have such a list with identification codes of transmitters, that are not assigned to this recipient only during an ongoing initialization process to create. Then there are fewer problems with stations that have been removed in the meantime. When the initialization process ends is without a match of the identification code of the new transmitter a stored identification code of another transmitter has been determined the identification code of the new transmitter stored in the receiver as an identification code of a transmitter assigned to the receiver.

In the method according to claim 11, the identification codes of the transmitter, the are not assigned to this recipient only during the initialization process saved. Only identification codes of the transmitters are saved, which are not participate in the initialization process. It can happen that a transmitter in the Should be assigned to a receiver over time, whereby both transmitter and the receiver is already installed. So if the recipient has the identification codes the transmitter, which is not assigned to this receiver, would then be saved the identification code of this transmitter is already stored in the receiver as Identification code of a transmitter that is not assigned to this receiver. If this identification code of the transmitter then the receiver in the initialization process A comparison with the stored identification code would be sent indicate that this identification code is already in use. The one for this Recipients to be re-initialized would therefore be affected by its previous operation bother yourself. This can advantageously be avoided if the identification codes the transmitter will only be saved during the initialization process. The new too Initializing transmitter then namely has an identifier that it is in the initialization process is involved. The identification code of this transmitter is then not in the List of stations recorded that are already in operation in the area. Thus that is, a fault in a transmitter that is already in operation during further initialization avoided on another recipient. It also proves to be It is advantageous that transmitters that are temporarily out of service do not have any identification codes prove more. In addition, this means that only at certain time intervals Receiving recipients ensure that the list of identification codes is complete. Otherwise it could happen that some identification codes not be accepted by the recipient if the appropriate Send the transmitter just when this receiver is not ready to receive.

In the method according to claim 12, there is a simple procedure, one Initialize transmitters already in operation to a receiver. Doing so exploited that during the initial commissioning of the transmitter from the receiver to the this transmitter was first initialized, checking the identification code of the Transmitter was made. Because the receivers are comparatively close together then it can be assumed that these receivers receive data telegrams received by essentially the same transmitters. The cases where a Receiver still receives data telegrams from a transmitter, from a nearby other recipients set up by this recipient are no longer received, are comparatively rare. According to claim 12, one already has operating transmitter a simple procedure to initialize this Sender to other recipients in that the other recipients communicated is that this transmitter is already in operation and then the identification code this transmitter is saved in the receiver without further checking Identification code of a transmitter assigned to this receiver.

The method according to claim 13 results in a particularly simple procedure, to find an identification code for the transmitter that is in the area a receiver is not used by any other transmitter. Thereby from The recipient transmits an identification code to the sender on request, that is not used by any other transmitter. First of all, the sender gets too transmit a signal to the receiver that this transmitter is initializing to the receiver shall be. The receiver then transmits the identification code to the transmitter. The transmitter records the transmitted identification code and uses it in the following this identification code.

For the handling of communication between the sender and the receiver different transmission paths conceivable. For example, transmitters and Receivers are connected by lines during this initialization process. All communication between sender and receiver can be done through this Lines are handled. It is also possible if the Transmit information from the transmitter to the receiver using radio signals only the information from the recipient during the initialization process to transmit to the transmitter via the lines and the rest of the transmission to be realized by means of the radio signals. Communication can take the place of the lines can also be realized in another way, for example by an inductive or capacitive one Coupling, through an acoustic coupling or through an optical coupling. On An example of an optical coupling would be an infrared transmission. At An acoustic coupling is a conceivable embodiment that the Receiver is a watch with an alarm function. The wake-up signal output can be in appropriate cycles are controlled so that by means of the resulting pulse / pause ratio the wake-up signal output designed an information transmission can be. The transmitter requires a corresponding one for these other types of transmission Receiving device. Another form of implementation is, of course therein also using the information from the receiver to the transmitter To transmit radio signals.

Likewise, the retransmission of the signal of the receiver can also be performed 14 be realized. In the simplest case, this signal is only information that the transmitter's identification code is already in use. It will then, for example a different identification code is selected by the transmitter and a new attempt is made Initialization done. But it is also conceivable that after the first unsuccessful attempt to initialize using one selected by the transmitter Identification codes according to claim 13 an identification code by the Recipient is selected. The signal then does not only contain information that the identification code is already in use, but contains one unused identification code, which is then set by the transmitter.

With the design of the method according to claim 15 there is no direct transmission necessary from the receiver to the transmitter. When communicated to the user the signal is, for example, manually on the transmitter and possibly on the Recipient attempt to initialize again.

The embodiment according to claim 16 shows that transmission errors are also advantageous with regard to other recipients can be avoided. With a transfer by means of radio signals it can happen that between transmitter and receiver Identification code is recognized as unique, but in the reception area of a other receiver is used by a transmitter that is only used by the other receiver is received, but not by the recipient participating in the initialization process is involved. In this comparatively rare case, it could possibly be too Transmission errors occur at the other recipient. To avoid this, it is advantageous to also have the other recipients check whether the identification code of the transmitter to be initialized is also not used on any transmitter that is assigned to one of is assigned to these recipients. The signal output of the other receivers can also a change in the identification code in accordance with claims 14 or 15 of the transmitter.

The design of the method according to claim 17 serves to simplify the System care. If a reset for individual transmitters would not be possible, it would have to a complete reconfiguration is carried out during system maintenance.

The embodiment of the method according to claim 18 relates to a procedure where the information about a transmitter is not in the individual receivers completely lost if this transmitter no longer sends data to this receiver should. However, the identification code of this transmitter can be used for any re-initializations other transmitters and the verification of their identification codes continue to be considered become.

The embodiment of the method according to claim 19 relates to a procedure where the identification codes of individual transmitters in the individual receivers be deleted after a certain time if the corresponding identification codes have not been received in the meantime. For example are taken into account if a transmitter has been removed from the overall configuration or its identification code due to reinitialization to other recipients had to be changed.

Fig. 1

ein Ablaufdiagramm eines erfindungsgemäßen Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 2

einen Sender und einen Empfänger, ausgestaltet zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 3

eine besondere Ausgestaltung des erfindungsgemäßen Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 4

einen anderen Ablauf des Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 5

eine Ausgestaltung von Sender und Empfänger zur Durchführung des erfindungsmäßen Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 6

einen weiteren Ablauf des erfindungsgemäßen Initialisierungs-Verfahrens,

Fig. 7

das Übertragungsverhalten eines Senders S sowie das Ein- und Ausschaltverhalten eines Empfängers E,

Fig. 8

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für die Durchführung einer Resynchronisierung von Empfänger und Sender,

Fig. 9

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel für die Durchführung einer Resynchronisierung von Empfänger und Sender,

Fig. 10

ein Ausführungsbeispiel zur laufenden Adaption der Synchronisierung von Sender und Empfänger,

Fig. 11

ein Ausführungsbeispiel zur Synchronisation von Sender und Empfänger mittels eines Zeitsignales,

Fig. 12

ein Beispiel für eine Synchronisation eines weiteren Senders in einem bereits bestehenden System.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The following show in detail:

Fig. 1

1 shows a flowchart of an initialization method according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a transmitter and a receiver designed to carry out the initialization method according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a special embodiment of the initialization method according to the invention,

Fig. 4

another sequence of the initialization process,

Fig. 5

an embodiment of the transmitter and receiver for carrying out the initialization method according to the invention,

Fig. 6

a further sequence of the initialization method according to the invention,

Fig. 7

the transmission behavior of a transmitter S and the switch-on and switch-off behavior of a receiver E,

Fig. 8

an exemplary embodiment for performing a resynchronization of receiver and transmitter,

Fig. 9

another embodiment for performing a resynchronization of receiver and transmitter,

Fig. 10

an embodiment for the ongoing adaptation of the synchronization of transmitter and receiver,

Fig. 11

an embodiment of the synchronization of transmitter and receiver by means of a time signal,

Fig. 12

an example of a synchronization of another transmitter in an existing system.

The data transmission system according to the invention consists of one or more identical transmitters and one or more identical receivers. The data transfer takes place via a transmission channel common to all transmitters and receivers. The data transmission takes place in packets, each transmitter its data packets sends them at fixed time intervals, and each recipient sends the Can receive data packets from one or more transmitters.

Fig. 2 shows a transmitter 201 and a receiver 203, which are used to carry out the are designed according to the inventive method. The transmitter 201 has one Actuating device 202, for example a button, after which the Transmitter 201 also sends a registration bit in the data telegram. The recipients can recognize from this registration bit that this transmitter 201 is in the initialization process is involved. The data telegram is sent by a transmission device 206 of the Transmitter 201 broadcast. The receiver 203 also has an actuating device 204, which can also be a button. After operating this actuator 204 this recipient is also in the initialization process involved. The receiver 203 then evaluates that by means of the receiving device 207 received data telegrams whether there is a logon bit in them is. If this is the case, the receiver 203 recognizes that the transmitter 201, which this Has sent data telegram to which receiver 203 is to be initialized, i.e. that the transmitter 201 is to be assigned to this receiver 203. The receiver 203 evaluates the initialization code of transmitter 201 contained in the data telegram and saves it if necessary for future data transfer processes. Recipient 203 recognizes that this identification code is already from another Transmitter is used, then a signal is output via the signal output device 205. In the simplest case, the user is informed that this identification code is already in use. The user can then by pressing the Actuators 202, 204 start a re-initialization process.

1 shows a sequence of the initialization method according to the invention. By doing Step 101 are the while receiving data telegrams Identification codes of the individual transmitters are stored in the receiver. there However, only the data telegrams from the sender are evaluated that are assigned to this receiver assigned. So two lists are stored in the receiver. The one The list contains the identification codes of the transmitters assigned to this receiver are. Occurs in the received data telegram one of these identification codes on, the data telegram is evaluated accordingly. Contains the data telegram another identification code, it is checked whether this identification code is included in the other list of identification codes of the transmitters that also send in the vicinity of the recipient, but not this recipient assigned. If this identification code is not included in this list, then this identification code included in this list, if at the same time in the data telegram no login bit was sent.

In step 102 it is checked whether the actuation device 204 has been actuated. If this is not the case, there is no initialization process and normal reception of data telegrams is continued.

When the actuator 204 has been actuated, the Procedure continues with step 103. In an initialization process the transmitter actuator 202 was also actuated. This will in the registration bit is sent with the data telegram of this transmitter. In step 103 the transmitter's identification code is then recorded from the data telegram, that contains the login bit. When this is done, the process will proceed continued with step 104.

In this step 104, it is checked whether the recorded identification code also an identification code of a transmitter that is stored in the receiver is. In this review, both the identification codes of the transmitters included, which are assigned to this recipient as well as the identification codes the sender that are not assigned to this receiver.

If a match is found in step 104, a transition occurs to step 105, in which a signal is output. This signal can inform the user, for example acoustically or optically, that a restart of the initialization process is necessary. This signal can also be used but can also be fed directly to the transmitter.

If no match is found in step 104, then a Transition to step 106, in which the identification code of this transmitter is stored will appear in the list of identification codes of the sender that this receiver assigned. If necessary, this trouble-free recording of the identification code be indicated by a corresponding other signal.

It is also conceivable to include the identification codes of the transmitters are not assigned to this receiver in accordance with step 101 between step 102 and step 103. In this respect, this proves to be advantageous, as a transmitter that is temporarily out of service, no identification codes prove more. In addition, it is then only ready to receive at certain time intervals Recipients ensure that the list of identification codes is complete is.

3 shows part of the sequence of the initialization method according to the invention, which, for example, in the course of the method according to FIG. 1 after step 103 can be inserted. If a station is already broadcasting in a certain environment and only to be initialized to another recipient who is in the environment can also already exist or should be reinstalled in any case, the identification code of this transmitter from at least one other Receiver in the environment has already been checked for uniqueness. But since that Identification code of this transmitter also at the receiver to which the transmitter is sent is to be initialized, the list of initialization codes of the transmitters is contained in the are not assigned to this recipient, it would come to the verification of the identification code this transmitter to be re-initialized for the receiver to determine that the identification code has already been assigned. So the transmitter would when it is initialized to another receiver by its previous operation bother yourself.

So if a transmitter that is already in operation in the area, on another Receiver should be initialized, i.e. assigned to this additional recipient a certain bit can be transmitted in the data telegram, for example with which it is indicated that this transmitter already exists in the environment sends. In step 301 it is then checked whether the transmitted data telegram this transmitter to be initialized contains this information.

If this is the case, the reference number 303 can correspond to FIG. 1, for example proceed to step 106 where the identification code is this Sender is stored in the corresponding recipient as an identification code of a transmitter assigned to this receiver. In this case, the identification code of the transmitter from the list of the identification codes of this receiver is not assigned stations are deleted. The identification code of this transmitter is So without further checking for uniqueness as an identification code of this one Receiver assigned to the stored transmitter.

If the check in step 301 revealed that the data telegram this information does not contain, i.e. so that this station has not yet broadcast in the area, so the method continues accordingly with step 304. In the embodiment 1, the method then continues with step 104, in which a Check of the identification code of the transmitter for its uniqueness becomes.

4 is particularly advantageous in the course of the initialization process used that the identification codes of those in an environment of the recipient Transmitters are stored in the receiver. At this stage of the procedure an uniqueness of the identification code of the transmitter to be initialized achieves that not only an identification code is checked by the recipient, but that the recipient sets the identification code.

Thereby, in the initialization process in a step 401 by the receiver first checked whether there is a data telegram from a sender with a registration bit.

If this is the case, the process continues with step 402. In This step 402 is based on the identification codes stored in the receiver the transmitter sets an identification code that is not in the receiver yet is saved. This then makes the identification code so unique largely ensured.

This identification code is then sent out in step 403, so that the Sender can record this identification code.

In step 404 this identification code is then stored in the transmitter. This identification code is also stored in the recipient in the list of Identification codes of the transmitters assigned to this receiver.

It is also conceivable here, for example steps 402 to 403 in the method 1 instead of step 105. That means that after one unsuccessful attempt by the sender to find a unique identification code, this transmitter relies on an identification code transmitted by the receiver sets.

5 shows a transmitter 501 which is equipped with a transmission device 503. Furthermore, this transmitter 501 is equipped with a receiving device 506. On Receiver 502 has a receiving device 504 and a transmitting device 505. For the handling of communication between the sender and the receiver different transmission paths are conceivable for the transmission of the Sending device 503 to the receiving device 504 and on the other hand from the sending device 505 to the receiving device 506. For example, transmitters and Receivers are connected by lines during this initialization process. All communication between sender and receiver can be done through this Lines are handled. It is also possible if the Transmit information from the transmitter to the receiver using radio signals only the information from the recipient during the initialization process to transmit to the transmitter via the lines and the rest of the transmission to be realized by means of the radio signals. Communication can take the place of the lines can also be realized in another way, for example by an inductive or capacitive one Coupling, through an acoustic coupling or through an optical coupling. On An example of an optical coupling would be an infrared transmission. At An acoustic coupling is a conceivable embodiment that the Receiver is a watch with an alarm function. The wake-up signal output can be in appropriate cycles are controlled so that by means of the resulting pulse / pause ratio the wake-up signal output designed an information transmission can be. Another form of implementation is, of course, also To transmit information from the receiver to the transmitter using radio signals.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 6, the receivers to which the the transmitter to be reinitialized should not be initialized, the identification code this transmitter is checked for uniqueness.

In step 601, it is checked by (each) receiver whether a received one Data telegram of a transmitter contains a registration bit.

If this is not the case, a transition is made to step 602, in which it is checked whether whether the identification code contained in the data telegram is in the receiver stored identification code of a transmitter that corresponds to this receiver assigned. If this is the case, a transition is made to step 603, in which the Data telegram is evaluated. If this is not the case, this process is ended.

On the other hand, the check in step 601 revealed that the data telegram is a registration bit contains, then a transition is made to step 604, in which it is checked whether the Identification code contained in the data telegram with one in the receiver identification code already stored matches. These stored identification codes concern both the identification codes of the transmitters that this Recipients are assigned as well as the identification codes of the transmitters that this Recipients are not assigned. These identification codes of the transmitter that this Recipients not assigned can do so both during ongoing operation be stored as well if the check in step 601 found that a data telegram contains a registration bit.

If such a match is found, a corresponding one is made in step 605 Signal output. This can also be checked if necessary whether it is a completely new transmitter to be installed in the area or is an already operating transmitter that is on another Recipient should be initialized.

The check in step 604 revealed that the identification code in the data telegram not with one of the identification codes stored in the receiver matches, a transition is made to step 606, where it is determined whether the control device of the receiver has been operated, i.e. whether the transmitter is on initialize this recipient.

If this is the case, then in step 608 the identification code is in the receiver stored as an identification code of a transmitter assigned to this receiver. If necessary, this successful receipt of an identification code by this receiver is then displayed to the user by means of a corresponding signal become.

The check in step 606 indicated that the transmitter was not on that receiver is to be initialized, a transition is made to step 607, in which the user for example, by a corresponding signal that the receiver checked the identification code, but did not collide with another Identification code was found.

The identification codes in the transmitters and in the receivers can be advantageous be stored in a non-volatile memory in order to prevent data loss at a Avoid changing batteries. In the receivers, however, only the identification codes are required the transmitter can be stored in non-volatile memories that correspond to these receivers assigned.

It is also possible, by user intervention, at least some of the stored ones Delete identification codes.

Methods for transmitter-receiver synchronization are described below.

FIG. 7 shows the switching behavior of a first transmitter and a receiver E. At time t1, the first transmitter S starts transmitting Data. The transmission of the data is ended at time t2. The first transmitter S will initially not send any data until the start of a new time interval Time t3, at which the transmitter in turn begins to transmit data ended at time t4. The receiver E is at least until the end of the data packets, i.e. ready to receive up to the times t2 and t4 shown in FIG. 7. To at these times, a signal can be transmitted by the transmitter S, for example, which signals the end of the transmission of the data. Alternatively, it is also conceivable the receiver E for a certain period of time beyond the end of the data packets to keep ready to receive. As can be seen from Fig. 7, is in any case Receiver always ready to receive when the transmitter sends data.

Since no data can be transmitted by the first transmitter S in the period from t2 to t3 the recipient will be deactivated during this period. This can be implemented in such a way that the receiver E is switched off. However, the receiver E must then be on time again be activated, i.e. to be on the safe side, it becomes already at time t5 or t6 switched ready to receive again. In addition, it can also be provided switch off the first transmitter S when no data is to be sent. This proves itself because of the energy saving especially with battery operated transmitters and Recipients as useful. In this case, both in the transmitter and in the receiver timekeeping facilities continue to operate at the next switch on time To be able to derive sender and receiver.

A first time interval is thus formed by the first transmitter S, which is in the Embodiment of FIG. 7 has a duration from the time t1 to the time t3. At the beginning of this time interval, the data is sent in one packet. The transmission lasts from time t1 to time t2. Of the Time t2 to time t3 then finds no transmission of data this first transmitter S instead. A new time interval then starts at time t3. The The receiver is then ready to receive and receives from time t1 to time t2 data sent and evaluated. If necessary, the recipient can already be activated at time t5 so as to ensure the start of the transmission of the data to capture with.

If the transmission system has at least one further transmitter, this applies What has been said above in connection with the first transmitter S is corresponding, but is the lengths of the time intervals (t1 to t3) of all transmitters differ from one another. Preferably the lengths differ by a fixed amount that is at least as large like the length of the data packets. In particular, for example, one would have the time interval t1 to t3 of the first transmitter S corresponding time interval of a second transmitter Length from about t1 to t4.

8 shows an embodiment of a resynchronization of receiver and Channel. The switch-on times of the receiver and transmitter are via time measuring devices determined that exist both in the transmitter and in the receiver are. Due to a systematic deviation, it can happen that the Time measuring device of the receiver compared to the time measuring device of the transmitter goes faster or slower. There is an ever greater shift the switch-on times of the transmitter and receiver. Depending on the size This systematic deviation will at some point occur that at least a certain proportion of the data transmitted by the transmitter is no longer received because the receiver is no longer switched on. If, for example, it is now determined that the receiver has been repeated several times has received only a portion of the data transmitted by the transmitter a resynchronization is done by the following switch-on times of the receiver in their relative position in that determined by the time measuring device of the receiver Time interval to be shifted. This shift can be determined in this way be that the next switch-on time of the receiver is determined by moving to the Duration of the time interval the duration is added during which the receiver is switched on is. If from a switch-on the next switch-on time via the so determined sum is determined, the relative position of the duty cycle results Receiver in successive time intervals as shown in Fig. 8. The relative position in a first time interval corresponds to the reference number 21, in the subsequent time interval corresponding to reference number 22, in the following following time interval corresponding to reference numeral 23, in the subsequent time interval corresponding to the reference number 24 and correspondingly in the subsequent time interval the reference number 25. As can be seen in FIG. 8, is then at any time of the time interval t1 to t3 the receiver had been activated at least once. It is then with otherwise interference-free transmission ensures that the recipient could record the sender's address at least once. If this the following switch-on times are recognized from this point Time in turn is determined by the duration of the characteristic of the respective transmitter Time interval taking into account a specific time advance.

It should be pointed out at this point that the representation of Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 only has a fundamental character and does not say anything compelling about the relative duration of the Transfer until the start of the next transfer. As possibly more realistic size be of the order of magnitude of 100 ms for the transmission duration and for the duration of a time interval is of the order of 30 s to 60 s, possibly also a few Minutes. The lead time can be of the order of approx. 20-30 ms an accuracy of the time measuring devices, which is of the order of + -100ppm lies. The response time of the receiver must also be taken into account, i.e. the time, which passes until the receiver is really ready to receive after being switched on. The Leading time therefore generally depends on the accuracy of the time measuring devices as well this start-up period.

9 shows another procedure for determining the relative position of the switch-on time Recipient. 9, the relative Position of the switch-on time in the time interval initially (see reference number 32) moved forward a certain amount compared to the previous relative position (Reference number 31). If the transmitter could not be recognized, the relative Position of the switch-on point in the time interval, for example, by the same determined Amount moved backwards (reference number 33) compared to the previous relative Location (reference number 31). If the transmitter is still not recognized, then the relative position of the switch-on time in the time interval (see reference number 34) moved forward compared to the previous relative position (reference number 31), the relative position then being, for example, twice the specific amount can be moved forward. If the transmitter is not recognized either the relative position of the switch-on time in the time interval is then again moved to the rear (reference number 35) compared to the previous relative position (reference number 31), the relative position then again backwards by the same amount is moved by which it had previously been moved forward. Even if the Transmitter could not be recognized yet, will proceed accordingly with the Advancement and corresponding relocation of the relative location. This is how it is done long until either the transmitter has been recognized or by shifting the relative location the entire time interval has been covered. It is then otherwise interference-free transmission ensures that the receiver at least once could record the identifier (address) of the transmitter. If this happens successfully , the following switch-on times from this recognized point in time determined by the duration of the time interval taking into account a certain Lead time.

The procedure shown in FIG. 9 is opposite to that shown in FIG. 8 Procedure has the advantage that the correct relative position of the switch-on time the receiver initially in the immediate vicinity of the previous switch-on time is sought. Due to the usually very small deviations in the time measuring devices the transmitter and receiver will look at the relative location of the switch on time of the recipient have not changed very much. A systematic search the correct switch-on time in the immediate vicinity of the previous switch-on time will therefore lead to success comparatively faster. Because that goes After the time measuring device of the receiver compared to that of the transmitter, must Finding the transmitter in the procedure of Fig. 8, the relative location of the Switch-on time of the receiver shifted over almost the entire time interval be what, for example, under the orders of magnitude mentioned above for the duration the transmission and the length of a time interval takes a comparatively long time. In contrast, in the procedure according to FIG. 9, the search in the immediate Environment of the previous relative position of the switch-on time in the time interval A faster success occurs both forward and backward.

It is conceivable to shift the relative position of the switch-on time restrict to a certain range by the previous relative position of the switch-on time in the time interval. This can avoid that the recipient Attempts to receive in a range of the time interval in which a transmission from the transmitter is unlikely. The relative shift then does not take place over the entire time interval.

According to the illustration in FIG. 10, a continuous adaptation of the switch-on time can be carried out of the receiver at the beginning of the transmission made by the transmitter become.

In a step 401, the receiver moves ahead with a certain time advance the expected transmission start of the transmitter switched on.

In step 402, it is then checked whether the transmitter is already transmitting has begun. If this is not the case, in step 403 the time becomes a variable determined, which has passed since the receiver was switched on. Then it happens a return to step 402 again.

If, at step 402, it was determined that the transmitter was transmitting has started, it is checked in step 404 whether the value of the variable contained in the Step 403 has been determined to be greater, less than, or equal to the determined time advance is.

The time for the next activation is then derived in step 405 of the recipient, which can be done according to the following description.

If this variable is equal to the specified time, the recipient has to switched on at the right time and there is therefore no shift between the Switch-on time of the receiver and the start of the transmission of the transmitter.

If the value of the variable is greater or less than the specified time, so there is a systematic shift. It is then possible to do this systematic Shift when determining the next switch-on time of the receiver consider.

If the value of the variable was smaller, the time measuring device of the receiver works compared to that of the broadcaster. It is then possible, for example, the time measuring device of the recipient or to increase the specific time. The latter has the advantage of being assigned to this receiver for different ones Stations can each have their own time advance saved. By adjusting the The switch-on time of the receiver to a transmitter then remains the switch-on times of the receiver unaffected in relation to other transmitters.

If the value of the variable was larger, the time measuring device of the receiver goes compared to that of the broadcaster. It is then possible, for example, the time measuring device to introduce the recipient or to reduce the specific lead time. The latter has the advantage of being assigned to this receiver for different ones Stations can each have their own time advance saved. By adjusting the The switch-on time of the receiver to a transmitter then remains the switch-on times of the receiver unaffected in relation to other transmitters.

11 shows an exemplary embodiment for the synchronization of transmitter and receiver by means of a time signal. The switch-on times of transmitter and receiver are determined as absolute times. By then the sender and receiver are the same Have the time, a synchronization of sender and receiver is guaranteed.

The sender and the receiver can have the same time, by the time of the transmitter - for example, to be transmitted together with others Data - sent to the recipient. This time can then be set using a Transmitting antenna 502 of transmitter S to receiving antenna 503 of receiver E. be sent. This time can be the internal time of the transmitter S. To ensure that this is the correct time in absolute terms, this time can be set by the sender can be corrected, for example, by an external time signal sent to the transmitter S fed and received by means of a receiving antenna 501 of the transmitter S.

If the time of the time measuring device of the transmitter S by means of an external time signal is corrected, instead of a direct transmission of the time of the transmitter S the receiver E receives the same external time signal by means of the receiving antenna 503 receive. In this case too, it is ensured that the times of the time measuring devices of sender and receiver are synchronized.

Fig. 12 shows an example in which the time intervals of all in one according to the invention Existing transmitters are selected differently. Here comes then there are permanent shifts in the relative starting times of the transmission times of the individual transmitters to each other. This does occur in certain Intervals overlapping the transmissions of individual transmitters whenever however, according to the orders of magnitude already given above individual transmitters the parts of the time intervals in which no transmission takes place, are significantly longer than transmission times themselves, so there is sufficient transmission security given.

Each transmitter has a specific address during transmission, which consists of a String that is transmitted together with the data to be transferred and gives the receiver information about which transmitter this data is from come. Since this address is unique in a given system, it can be determined a time interval depending on this address the duration of the time interval for the individual transmitters can be unambiguous. This then also ensures that the corresponding shifts of the relative position of the starting times of the transmission of the respective transmitter comes.

According to FIG. 12, the initialization of a further transmitter is first in one step 701 assign an address for the sender. Step 702 then checks whether this address is unique in the given system, i.e. does not yet exist. Is if this is not the case, a new address is assigned in accordance with step 701.

Otherwise, in step 703 a duration of the time interval is dependent on the address of the sender.

This can be done by adding a for a certain basic length of the time interval variable length is added, which in turn is determined depending on the address. For example, this variable length can also depend on the length of the Transmission duration can be determined, so the relative shift of the starting times to be able to determine the transmission so that after simultaneous transmission The transmitters can be transmitted again as quickly as possible without interference. It has proven to be advantageous to determine the variable length by the average transmission time is multiplied by a certain factor. This The factor is advantageously in the order of 1 to 2.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 12, steps 701 and 702 can also omitted. Then the address of the sender is fixed and the zeintinterval is determined immediately depending on this given address.

The exemplary embodiments shown and the method as a whole are suitable for both wireless and wired transmission.

Claims (19)

1. A system having one or several identical transmitters and one or several identical receivers for the transmission of data via a common transmission channel,

   said data transmission taking place in packets and each transmitter being able to transmit its data packets at characteristic time intervals, and each receiver being able to receive the data packets of one or several transmitters,

   each transmitter and each receiver including a control circuitry with a timekeeping device which, to reduce power consumption, activates the transmitters only at the respective transmission instants and the receivers essentially only at the transmission instants of one or several transmitters,

   and each transmitter including an address memory capable of storing an individualizing address, and each receiver including an address memory capable of storing the addresses of transmitters,

      characterized in that each transmitter and each receiver includes an actuating device (202; 204) for initialization (involving the allocation of the transmitters to the receivers), and that on initialization of a new transmitter (201, 501) a corresponding signal is output-table by the receiver (203, 502) when the identification code of the new transmitter (201, 501) matches an identification code already stored in the receiver.
2. The system according to claim 1,
      characterized in that the characteristic time intervals at which the individual transmitters transmit their data packets are determinable by the control circuitries.
3. The system as claimed in claim 2,
      characterized in that the time intervals are determinable in dependence upon the address of the respective transmitter.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3,
      characterized in that the timekeeping devices of the transmitters and/or receivers may keep times of day which can be updated by a receivable time signal at least at intervals, and that each start of a transmission of data packets is determinable as an absolute time of day using at least one received time signal, wherein each reaching of the absolute time of day of the start of a data packet transmission is detectable by referring to the time of day continually kept by the respective timekeeping device.
5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims,
      characterized in that, in the event of the receiver (E) having failed to receive data from its allocated transmitter (S) several times in succession, the control circuitry of the receiver alters the relative position of the activation instant (21, 22, 23, 24, 25; 31, 32, 33, 34, 35) of the receiver (E) in the time interval determined by the transmission instants and established by the time measuring device of the receiver (E) until the receiver (E) is again able to receive data from the transmitter (S), and that future activation instants of the receiver (E) are determined on the basis of this particular instant.
6. The system as claimed in claim 5,
      characterized in that the determination of the altered relative position of the activation instants (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of the receiver (E) takes place in the time interval (t1, t3) in such manner that the sum of the time duration of the data transmission (t1, t2) and the time duration of the predetermined time lead (t5, t1; t6, t3), multiplied by a multiplier, is added to integral multiples of the duration of the time interval,
      wherein the multiplier varies over the value range from 1 to the next higher natural number which results by dividing the duration of the time interval by the sum of the duration of the predetermined time lead and the time duration of the transmission,
      wherein variation of the multiplier continues until data from the transmitter (S) allocated to the receiver is again received by the receiver (E),
      and that the subsequent activation instants of the receiver (E) are then determined again from the instant of time at which data from the allocated transmitter (S) was received, by an activation of the receiver (E) then taking place at intervals of the time interval (tl, t2) with the predetermined time lead (t5, t1; t6, t3).
7. The system as claimed in claim 5 or 6,
      characterized in that the actual time duration from the activation (401) of the at least one receiver (E) to the start of data transmission by the at least one transmitter (S) is detected by the control circuitry of the at least one receiver (E) (402, 403),
      wherein, by comparing this actual time duration to the predetermined time lead (404), the instant of time for the next activation of the at least one receiver is derived (405).
8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7,
      characterized in that various transmitters are not assigned different addresses until system initialization takes place, and that the length of a time interval is determined in dependence on the address (703).
9. The system as claimed in claim 8,
      characterized in that the length of the time interval is determined by adding to a fixed basic time length a variable time length which results from the mean length of a data packet multiplied by the address value and, where applicable, a further factor (703).
10. A process of initializing in particular a system according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, comprising the step of allocating at least one transmitter (201, 501) to a receiver (203, 502), said receiver (203, 502) receiving and evaluating in normal operation data from the at least one transmitter (201, 501) allocated to said receiver (203, 502), said receiver (203, 502) detecting, by means of an identification code transmitted along with the data, whether the data originates from a transmitter allocated to said receiver (step 101, 602), said receiver (203, 502) receiving in an initialization process (102, 601) the identification code from the transmitter (201, 501), and said identification code being stored to detect the transmitter allocated to the receiver during normal operation (106, 608),
       characterized in that said receiver (203, 502) also stores the identification codes of those transmitters (201, 501) that are not allocated to said receiver (203, 502), and that the receiver (203, 502) issues a signal when the identification code transmitted by the transmitter during initialization matches an identification code of a transmitter (201, 501) stored in the receiver (203, 502) (step 105, 605).
11. The process as claimed in claim 10,
       characterized in that only during initialization does the receiver (203, 502) also store the received identification codes of those transmitters (201, 501) that are not allocated to said receiver (203, 502) and are not involved in the initialization process, and that the receiver (203, 502) issues a signal when the identification code transmitted by the transmitter (201, 501) during initialization matches a transmitter's (201, 501) identification code stored in the receiver (203, 502) (step 105, 605).
12. The process as claimed in claim 10 or 11,
       characterized in that in the event of the transmitter's (201, 501) identification code being already received by another receiver (203, 502), this information is communicated to the receiver (203, 502) during initialization, and the transmitter's (201, 501) identification code is adopted by the receiver (203, 502) without any further comparison with other identification codes (301, 303).
13. The process as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12,
       characterized in that the transmitter (201, 501) is able to receive at least during initialization a signal issued by the receiver (203, 502), and that said signal is used by the receiver (203, 502) to transmit an identification code to the transmitter (201, 501) (step 403).
14. The process as claimed in claim 10 or 11,
       characterized in that said signal is fed to the transmitter performing the initialization process, and that the transmitter alters the identification code upon receipt of said signal (step 505, 506).
15. The process as claimed in claim 10 or 11,
       characterized in that an audible and/or visual indication of said signal is provided to the user (205).
16. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 10, 11, 13, 14 or 15,
       characterized in that a receiver not involved in the initialization process issues a signal when the identification code of the transmitter taking part in initialization matches a transmitter's identification code stored in said receiver (step 605).
17. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 10 to 16,
       characterized in that a reset function to be released by the user is capable of deleting in the receivers at least individual ones of the identification codes of transmitters allocated to a receiver.
18. The process as claimed in claim 17,
       characterized in that the deletion operation comprises the step of re-storing in the receiver the transmitters' identification codes from the condition as "allocated to this receiver" to the condition as "not allocated to this receiver".
19. The process as claimed in any one of the claims 10 to 18,
       characterized in that the transmitters' identification codes which are not allocated to a particular receiver are permanently stored in the receiver and deleted when they are not received by this receiver during a predetermined time duration.

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