Communication system

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication system comprising a control device (12) that can be connected to communication devices, wherein the control device (12) is programmable such that communication functions can be triggered by means of the communication devices (14, 16, 18, 20), wherein the control device (12) is coupled by signal technology to a separately arranged control unit (22) which comprises at least one detection point (40) with a near-field communication unit for selecting at least one programmed communication function, further comprising at least one selection card (44) which has at least two near-field communication chips (42a, 42b) each with an encoding that is each correlated with a communication function, wherein, depending on the placement of the selection card in the area of ​​the detection point, the encoding of one of the near-field communication chips (42a, 42b) can be read in order to trigger the respective communication function.and the selection card (44) has a frame (46) around a central steel plate (58), on both sides of which a ferrite layer (56, 60) and above it a near-field communication chip (42a, 42b) are applied. The invention enables the operation of communication devices such as televisions, mobile phones, and computers by people with physical and / or mental impairments.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a communication system comprising a control device that can be connected to communication devices comprising at least one camera and at least one screen, at least one audio output device and at least one microphone, wherein the control device is programmable such that communication functions, in particular telephone calls, video calls, television programs, video programs, computer applications and / or mobile device applications, can be triggered by means of the communication devices. The communication functions include telephone calls, video calls, television, videos, computer applications and / or mobile device applications such as social media applications.

[0002] As people age, their ability to operate more complex technical devices steadily declines. While using conventional telephones or switching televisions on and off and changing channels is usually still possible in old age, operating other devices often becomes increasingly difficult. This is compounded by the gradual decline in eyesight, making it harder to read text and symbols on the typically small displays of such devices. Furthermore, motor impairments can make the controls of devices difficult or impossible to use, leading to accidental activations such as calling the wrong person. This can be embarrassing for the caller and discourage them from using such devices in the future.

[0003] The object of the invention is to control the operation of communication devices such as televisions, mobile phones, and computers in such a way that this can still be carried out by physically or mentally impaired persons.

[0004] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous further developments and embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further features, applications, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention illustrated in the figures.

[0005] The problem is solved according to claim 1 by a communication system comprising a control device that is connectable to communication devices comprising at least one screen, a video camera, a sound output device and at least one microphone, wherein the control device is programmable such that communication functions can be triggered by means of the communication devices, wherein the control device is coupled signal-wise to a separately arranged control unit, which comprises at least one detection point with a near-field communication unit for selecting at least one programmed communication function, further comprising at least one selection card, which has on each side a near-field communication chip, each with a different encoding, each of which is correlated with a communication function programmed in the control device.wherein the surface of the selection card has an optically perceptible marking and the encoding of the near-field communication chip facing the detection point can be detected by means of the detection point and triggers the communication function correlated in the control device, and the selection card has a frame around a central steel plate, on both sides of which a ferrite layer and above it a near-field communication chip are applied.

[0006] Within the scope of this invention, the term "communication functions" encompasses various functions that can be performed using communication devices. These include, in particular, switching a television, CD player, video player, or cassette player on or off; starting or ending telephone calls; and running applications on a communication device, such as video calls or accessing multimedia websites like YouTube, Netflix, or media libraries. This also includes further functions after the invocation of communication functions, such as "fast forward" or "rewind," or starting a subsequent or previous video.

[0007] The invention allows a user to select the desired communication function from an available set of selection cards and bring it near the detection point of the control unit. Ideally, the detection point will be an inclined surface onto which the selection card can be placed, so that the visually perceptible identifier of the associated communication function is simultaneously visible. In the simplest case, the identifier can be a color, color combination, or color pattern, but ideally, it will include a written description of the function in conjunction with an illustration. For example, for activating a television program, an illustration of a television would be displayed. In this example, the communication function can also be further subdivided; for example, to activate the television program on channel 1, the logo of the associated program could be displayed.If a phone call is to be initiated, a picture of the person in question may be displayed.

[0008] The selection card has a near-field communication chip on each side, each with different encodings that correlate with a communication function. Depending on the selection card's position within the detection area, the encoding of one of the near-field communication chips can be read to trigger the respective communication function. In this way, one selection card can trigger two functions. The three-layer barrier layer according to the invention makes it possible to isolate the two near-field communication chips from each other without completely blocking them, so that only the near-field communication chip facing the detection area is read.

[0009] To decouple the near-field communication chips, the selection card has a frame around a central steel plate on which ferrite layers are applied on both sides, preventing crosstalk of the electromagnetic radiation from the near-field communication chip to the back of the selection card, so that only one near-field communication chip is read.

[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the steel plate of the selection card has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ferrite layer of the selection card has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first or second ferrite layer of the selection card consists of a soft magnetic ferrite.

[0013] According to an advantageous further development of the invention, the surfaces of the selection card have the correlated communication function in Braille in order to make the functionalities of the invention available to blind persons as well.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises an alarm button, the actuation of which executes at least one alarm function programmed in the control unit. The alarm function can trigger the dialing of an emergency telephone number or emergency call services provided by corresponding service providers.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit can be connected to a joystick or a trackball. Such handling devices, preferably connectable via Bluetooth, can often still be operated by people with very limited motor skills, especially when, for example, a cursor on a screen is controlled. For instance, a television function can be activated using a selection card, and a channel change can be performed by moving the joystick.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screen and the sound output device are components of a television set, which is present in virtually every household and is used extensively by elderly people and those with limited mobility. Using the television set minimizes the installation and cost effort required to utilize the invention.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame of the selection card has an eyelet at at least one corner for the insertion of a retaining strap, by means of which a number of selection cards can be held together. This ensures that all available selection cards remain together and that none can be accidentally lost from the user's view, for example, by being covered by magazines or falling to the floor.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a handle knob protruding from the surface can be attached to the selection card. In this way, a selection card can be handled even with significant manual limitations, because gripping a knob is easier than gripping a card.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it comprises a speech recognition system wherein communication functions can be triggered by means of voice commands. The communication functions can be the same as the functions triggered by the selection cards. In the example of a television program, the television function can be triggered (the television can be started) by means of the selection card, and a different television program can be switched to or a specific program can be selected by means of a voice command.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control unit comprises means for detecting the physical state of a manual movement of the selection card in the area of ​​the storage location, so that properties of the correlated communication function can be activated. Such gesture control can also be used to trigger sub-functions. In the example of a television program, placing the corresponding selection card can trigger the television function, and briefly lifting the selection card from the detection location and placing it again can trigger a program change. Alternatively, moving the selection card past the detection location in one direction can trigger a program change to the next program slot, and moving it past in the opposite direction triggers a program change to the previous program slot.

[0021] Preferably, the following physical states can be detected alternatively or cumulatively: - a removal and re-approach of the selection map to the recording point within a specified period of time; - a removal and re-approach of the selection map to the recording point with a different orientation; - Moving the selection card past the recording point in one direction of the manual removal of the selection card from the storage point.

[0022] Further advantages, features, and details will become apparent from the following description, in which – possibly with reference to the drawings – at least one embodiment is described in detail. Identical, similar, and / or functionally equivalent parts are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0023] They show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of the communication system; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a selection map; Fig. 3: a perspective view of another selection map; Fig. 4: a perspective view of a control unit; Fig. 5: the layer structure of a selection map.

[0024] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the communication system 10 according to the invention, which comprises a central control unit 12 that controls all functions of the system 10. A screen 14 is connected to this control unit; this screen can be a television, a computer monitor, or another device with an optical display, such as 3D glasses. A sound output device 16 is also connected; this can be one or more loudspeakers or headphones / earphones. The sound output device 16 can also be integrated as a loudspeaker into the screen 14. A microphone 18 is also connected to the control unit; this microphone can also be integrated into headphones / earphones. Furthermore, a video camera 20 is connected to the control unit 12. Several such devices can also be provided within the scope of the invention. Finally, a control unit 22 is connected to the control unit 12. All of the above-mentioned data connections can be implemented using cables or wirelessly.Additional devices can be connected, in particular a mobile device 24, such as a smartphone or tablet, and / or a conventional corded telephone 26, an electronic front door lock 28, an alarm system 30, etc. The control device 12 is preferably equipped with a WLAN device to enable communication via the internet or to be programmed or controlled. The control device 12 can also have an infrared interface 32 to control, for example, a conventional television set as a screen 14 as an alternative to a remote control.

[0025] The control unit 22 comprises a detection point 40 with a near-field communication unit. The detection point 40 serves to detect the encoding of a near-field communication chip 42a, 42b on a selection card 44 when the selection card 44 is positioned in close proximity to the detection point 40. For this purpose, the detection point 40 is preferably designed as an inclined storage surface so that a selection card 44 can be placed on it and, at the same time, a marking on the surface of the selection card 44 for the associated communication function can be visually detected by a user in the vicinity.

[0026] To put the communication system 10 according to the invention into operation, the control device 12 is first programmed by placing a selection card 44 on the detection point 40 and assigning the code read by it to a communication function. It is, of course, necessary to have corresponding programmable functions available for the devices to be controlled. It is advantageous to mark the corresponding side of the surface of the selection card 44 with the two near-field communication chips 42a, 42b with a sticker indicating the relevant programmed function.

[0027] Once the programming is complete, the programmed communication functions can be triggered by placing the corresponding selection card 44 with the desired side facing up, whereby only one of the two near-field communication chips 42a, 42b is detected by the detection point 40 of the control unit 22 and its function is triggered.

[0028] For example, if a selection card 44 is encoded with the telephone numbers of a close person (e.g., a landline number on one side, a mobile number on the other), a call to this person can be initiated by placing the selection card 44 with the corresponding side against the input point 40 of the control unit 22, either via the mobile device 24 as a mobile phone or a corresponding communication application on the mobile device such as WhatsApp, or the landline telephone 26. If the person cannot be reached, the call can be terminated by removing the selection card 44 and / or by placing the other telephone number of the person against the input point with the other side facing up.

[0029] When someone rings the doorbell at a front door equipped with an electronic front door lock 28, the door can be opened by placing a corresponding selection card 44 on it, which makes particular sense if the front door is equipped with a surveillance camera that can be displayed on the screen 14.

[0030] For example, to activate the television function, the corresponding selection card 44 can be placed on the sensor. Briefly lifting the selection card 44 from the sensor 40 will change the television channel. If gesture control is implemented, moving the selection card 44 near the sensor 40 will, for example, change the television channel or adjust the volume.

[0031] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a selection card 44 in perspective, which has a frame 46 and a central field 48 on which markings such as colors, color combinations, images, symbols, labels, or Braille elements, or combinations thereof, can be applied to indicate the associated function. One or more near-field communication chips 42 can be arranged under the surface of the central field 48. Preferably, an eyelet 50 is also provided in a corner of the frame 46 for the passage of a strap or chain to hold several selection cards 44 together and to prevent the loss of a selection card 44 by dropping, etc.

[0032] In Fig. 3 is the same selection card 44 as in Fig. 2 can be seen, except that a spherical handle knob 52 is firmly inserted (or screwed) into the eyelet 50 to make it easier for people with motor impairments of the hands to handle the selection card 44.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a configuration of the control unit 22 with an inclined storage support 54 for a resting selection card 44.

[0034] Fig.Figure 5 shows the layer structure of a selection card 44. This card consists of a frame 46, on one side of which a first near-field communication chip 42a is mounted. On the other side of the selection card 44, stacked one on top of the other, are a first ferrite layer 56 of 0.1–0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm, a steel plate 58 of 0.1–0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm, a second ferrite layer 60 of 0.1–0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm, and a second near-field communication chip 42b. This layer structure ensures that only one of the two near-field communication chips 42a, 42b can establish a communication connection with the detection point 40. The near-field communication chips 42a, 42b are each provided with plastic surface layers (not shown). Preferably, the first ferrite layer 56 is a soft magnetic layer. According to another theory, the second ferrite layer 60 is a soft magnetic layer.

[0035] Although the invention has been further illustrated and explained in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples, and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that the embodiments mentioned as examples are truly only examples and are not to be understood in any way as limiting, for example, the scope of protection, the possible applications, or the configuration of the invention.Rather, the preceding description and the description of the figures enable the person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, whereby the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed inventive concept, can make various changes, for example with regard to the function or the arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without leaving the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description. Reference symbol list 10 Communication system 12 Control device 14-inch screen 16 Sound output device 18 microphones 20 video cameras 22 Control unit 24 mobile devices 26 Telephone 28 electronic front door lock 30 alarm systems 32 Infrared interface 40 Registration point 42a,b Near field communication chips 44 selection card 46 frames 48 Midfield 50 eyelets 52 Handle knob 54 Storage support 56 Ferrite layer 58 steel plates 60 Ferrite layer

Claims

[1] Communication system comprising a control device (12) that is connectable to communication devices comprising at least one screen (14), a video camera (20), a sound output device (16) and at least one microphone (18), wherein the control device (12) is programmable such that communication functions can be triggered by means of the communication devices (14, 16, 18, 20), wherein the control device (12) is coupled by signal technology to a separately arranged control unit (22) comprising at least one detection point (40) with a near-field communication unit for selecting at least one programmed communication function, further comprising at least one selection card (44) which has on each side a near-field communication chip (42a, 42b) each with different encodings, each of which is correlated with a communication function programmed in the control device (12),wherein the surface of the selection card (44) has an optically perceptible marking and the encoding of the near-field communication chip (42a, 42b) facing the detection point (40) can be detected by means of the detection point (40) and triggers the communication function correlated in the control device (12), and the selection card (44) has a frame (46) around a central steel plate (58), on both sides of which a ferrite layer (56, 60) and above which a near-field communication chip (42a, 42b) is applied. [2] Communication system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the steel plate (58) of the selection card (44) has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm. [3] Communication system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the ferrite layer (56, 60) of the selection card (44) each has a thickness of 0.1 - 0.3 mm, preferably 0.2 mm. [4] Communication system according to claim 3, characterized by, that the first or second ferrite layer (56, 60) of the selection card (44) consists of a soft magnetic ferrite. [5] Communication system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control unit (22) includes an alarm button, the actuation of which performs at least one alarm function programmed in the control unit (12). [6] Communication system according to claim 5, characterized by , that the frame (46) of the selection card (44) has an eyelet (50) at at least one corner for the insertion of a retaining strap by means of which a number of selection cards (44) can be held together. [7] Communication system according to claim 6, characterized by , that a handle knob (52) protruding from the surface can be attached to the selection card (44). [8] Communication system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that this includes a speech recognition system, whereby communication functions can be triggered by means of voice commands entered via the microphone (18). [9] Communication system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the control unit (22) includes means for detecting physical states of a manual movement of the selection card (44) in the area of ​​the storage location, and thus properties of the correlated communication function can be activated. [10] Communication system according to claim 9, characterized by The following physical states can be detected alternatively or cumulatively: - Removal and re-approach of the selection map (44) to the recording point (40) within a specified period of time; - Removal and re-approach of the selection map (44) to the recording point (40) with a different orientation; - Moving the selection card past the recording point in one direction of the manual removal of the selection card (44) from the storage point.

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