Wireless status indicator system with signal transmitter, autonomous optical display unit and optional terminal monitoring

Abstract

Wireless status indicator system with signal transmitter, autonomous optical display unit and optional terminal monitoring. - a signal transmitter with at least one microcontroller, a manual input unit and a local control display unit, as well as a wireless transmitting unit, - an optical display unit comprising a microcontroller, an energy storage device, an optical display element and a wireless receiver unit, characterized in that the signal transmitter generates at least one multi-level status value from the manual input unit, displays this status value via the local control display unit and transmits it as a radio telegram via the wireless transmitter unit, and the optical display unit evaluates the received status value and visualizes it by means of the optical display element, wherein the optical display unit optionally additionally comprises a ZigBee module which, in parallel to the wireless receiver unit of the signal transmitter, can receive status values ​​from a ZigBee-based network and process them for display.

Description

1. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic system for displaying the availability, focus, or presence status of a person or a workplace. The system comprises a signal transmitter with a manual input unit, a local control display unit, and a wireless transmitting unit, as well as a battery-powered optical display unit with a wireless receiving unit.

[0002] In preferred embodiments, a connection to electronic end devices such as personal computers, notebooks, tablets, or mobile phones is also provided to integrate their usage states into the status display. The invention falls within the fields of embedded systems, short-range wireless communication (especially Bluetooth Low Energy), optional ZigBee communication, user interaction devices, and energy management for LiPo batteries. The optional ZigBee functionality also enables integration into smart home ecosystems based on ZigBee-enabled hubs or mobile devices. 2. State of the art

[0003] Various solutions for indicating availability or focus status are known in the prior art: • Mechanical or purely manual solutions, such as door signs, displays, or simple switch-light combinations where users change their status manually. Such solutions are often not used consistently in everyday life and lack integration with technical devices. • Software-based status indicators within communication programs or operating systems that display a person's status (e.g., "busy," "do not disturb"). These indicators are usually only visible on the screen and are only partially perceptible to people in the room. • Electronic status lights that are connected to a computer via cable or controlled via specific programming interfaces of conference software. These solutions are often tied to specific applications or platforms, require drivers or integrations, and their placement is limited by the cable connection.

[0004] Conventional systems either only display manually set states or only software-based states of a single device. A universal, wireless, application-independent, and manually overridable status display with autonomous power supply, which functions even without software integration and can optionally be extended to include end-device monitoring, is not adequately implemented in the current state of the art.

[0005] Furthermore, existing systems often do not allow integration into smart home infrastructures. In particular, solutions are lacking that can function both using BLE and simultaneously process ZigBee signals to receive status information from mobile applications or smart home control centers.

[0006] A universal, wireless status indicator unit that can process both BLE and ZigBee-based signals is not known in the prior art. 3. Technical Problem

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a status indicator system that: • is suitable for different groups of people who want to make their focus or availability status visible to their environment (for example, in home offices, shared offices, shared apartments, educational institutions or practice and consulting environments), • is fully functional even in a basic version without any software connection, as the status is set manually and displayed wirelessly, • can optionally be extended to include end-device integration, where usage states of an electronic end device (e.g., camera and microphone activity, user activity) are automatically recorded and included in the status display, • uses a wireless, freely positionable optical display unit, • uses an energy-efficient, battery-powered receiver module and • can be put into operation without complex wireless pairing between transmitter and receiver.

[0008] Additionally, the system should be able to • to receive ZigBee signals in addition to BLE signals, • to enable integration into smart home control centers, mobile devices or automation systems, • and to be able to use both transmission paths (BLE and ZigBee) in parallel or redundantly.

[0009] In addition, the system should allow the user to directly check whether the currently valid status is correctly recorded and sent, for which purpose a local control indicator is provided on the signal transmitter. 4. Solution to the problem (Summary of the invention)

[0010] To solve this problem, a wireless status indicator system is proposed, which essentially comprises the following components: 1. Signal transmitter (dongle) with • a power supply, preferably via a USB interface, • at least one manual input unit in the form of a button, • a local control display unit in the form of at least one multi-colored status LED, • a wireless transmitting unit, in particular a radio module for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and • an optional terminal interface for connecting to electronic terminals, in particular via a virtual serial USB interface. 2. Optical display unit (dot) with • a microcontroller with BLE receiver unit, • a ZigBee module, • a digitally addressable LED ring, • an energy storage device, in particular a LiPo battery with charging and protection circuitry, • a power management system with power path architecture and • an energy monitoring system to detect a low charge level.

[0011] In preferred embodiments, the Dot can receive status values ​​via two parallel radio protocols: 1. BLE advertising packages of the dongle, 2. ZigBee signals from a smart home controller, gateway, or mobile device.

[0012] The firmware is designed so that: • both transmission paths can deliver valid status values, • Optional prioritization rules can be defined (e.g., BLE before ZigBee, ZigBee before BLE, or time-dependent priorities) • Status conflicts can be resolved or aggregated, • the optical display unit converts the received value into light signals.

[0013] This makes the system integrable into smart home ecosystems in addition to its traditional operation.

[0014] The optical display unit features a magnetic mounting module that allows for quick, tool-free and flexible positioning on metallic surfaces or on counterparts made of magnetically adhesive material.

[0015] The mounting module can consist in particular of a permanent magnet integrated into the housing or a magnetic system with increased holding force, which allows the display unit to be mounted stably, with low vibration and at the same time easily removable.

[0016] This magnetic module allows the display unit to be attached to doors, monitor backs, metal surfaces, desk edges, or flat counterparts that can be mounted on the workstation. This provides a high degree of flexibility in positioning and alignment without the need for adhesives, drilling, or device modifications. Interaction of the components

[0017] The signal transmitter receives manual input via the button and generates a multi-level status value from it, for example: • Level 0: neutral / no color, • Level 1: green, • Level 2: yellow, • Level 3: red.

[0018] This status value is displayed locally via the control display unit and simultaneously sent as a BLE advertising signal to the optical display unit.

[0019] In preferred embodiments, the signal transmitter additionally receives status information from an electronic terminal, such as a personal computer, via the terminal interface. Monitoring software running on the terminal can read camera usage, microphone activity, and user inactivity from system-level sources and transmit this information to the signal transmitter in the form of a terminal status.

[0020] The signal transmitter's firmware combines the manual status with the terminal status to create an aggregated status value. This aggregated status is then displayed locally and sent to the display unit via BLE advertising. The optical display unit translates the received status value into a corresponding light indicator on the LED ring.

[0021] The display unit also monitors its battery level and can send a low-battery signal to the signal transmitter if a threshold is reached. This signal can be visualized via the local control display unit, for example, by a defined flashing pattern or a specific LED color.

[0022] Wireless transmission preferably takes place in BLE advertising mode without pairing, which simplifies commissioning and allows multiple display units within the reception range to be addressed simultaneously. 5. Advantages of the invention

[0023] The invention has the following advantages in particular: 1. Universal range of applications The system is fully functional in its basic configuration without any software integration. Users can set and display their focus or availability status exclusively via the manual input unit. 2. Optional expandability through endpoint monitoring Connection to electronic devices is optional. In versions with monitoring software on a personal computer, camera and microphone activity as well as user inactivity are determined via system-level information and transmitted as status data to the signal transmitter. 3. Combination of manual and automatic control The aggregated status value is derived from a combination of the device status and the manually set button status. Manually set priority states can override automatic states, allowing users to flexibly control their focus status. 4. Wireless, pair-free communication Using BLE advertising eliminates the need for binding or coupling processes. This reduces complexity, setup effort, and the potential for errors, especially when multiple display units are operating in the same area. 5. Self-contained and freely positionable display unit The optical display unit is battery-powered and equipped with a power management system. It can be freely positioned in the room, for example on a desk, on a door or on a monitor, and remains operational even while charging thanks to its power path architecture. 6. High energy efficiency The display unit's microcontroller utilizes deep sleep modes, and the power management system controls charging processes and energy supply. This results in a long operating time despite the compact design. 7. Secure processing of status data In implementations with end-device integration, only status information such as usage times and activity states is processed. Access to the content of audio or video signals is not required. 8. Local status feedback at the signal transmitter The integrated control display unit reflects the currently valid status value. Users can immediately see which status is being sent, even if the remote display unit is not in their field of vision. 9. Feedback on the status of the display unit The display unit can report system states, particularly a low battery level, back to the signal transmitter. The control display unit can visualize these states using defined signal patterns, thereby increasing ease of use and operational reliability. 10. Future-proof smart home integration via ZigBee The system can be integrated into smart home ecosystems. ZigBee allows status changes via mobile devices, automation rules, or central control units. ZigBee reception operates in parallel with BLE, providing redundancy and expanded control options. BLE can take precedence when the dongle is actively transmitting. ZigBee can be prioritized when the system is integrated into the home automation network. 11. Flexible magnetic fastening In an advantageous embodiment, the display unit includes a magnetic mounting module. This enables quick, tool-free and repeatable mounting on any magnetically adhesive surface or on special counterparts. This allows the display unit to: • slightly repositioned, • aligned at an optimal viewing angle, • can be attached temporarily or permanently. The magnetic module simplifies use in changing locations, increases ease of use and expands the application possibilities in smart homes and everyday office life. 6. Examples of Implementation

[0024] The following exemplary embodiments explain the invention in more detail without limiting it to these examples. The structure of the claims remains unaffected and may contain generalized or further developed features that will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description. 6.1 Basic design: purely manual status display system

[0025] In a first embodiment, the system comprises a signal transmitter and an optical display unit without end device integration.

[0026] The signal transmitter is powered via a USB interface, for example by a USB power supply or any USB port. An integrated voltage regulator (LDO or step-down converter) provides the operating voltages for the microcontroller and LEDs.

[0027] The signal transmitter's microcontroller is connected to one or more pushbuttons. The firmware detects button presses and evaluates multiple clicks. Depending on the detected button pattern, a manual status value is assigned, for example: • Single button press → Level 2 (yellow), • Double button press → Level 3 (red), • Triple button press → Return to level 1 (green) or to a neutral basic level.

[0028] The selected status value is displayed on the control unit by a multi-colored LED showing the respective status color. The control display always reflects the status transmitted as a BLE signal.

[0029] Simultaneously, the signal transmitter sends the status value at regular intervals as a BLE advertising packet. The payload contains a manufacturer-specific data area that encodes the status value.

[0030] The optical display unit consists of an energy-efficient microcontroller with BLE capability, a digitally addressable LED ring, a LiPo battery, and a power management system. The power management system includes a charging IC, protection circuits against overcharging and deep discharging, and a power path architecture that enables simultaneous charging and operation.

[0031] The firmware of the display unit: • periodically activates the radio receiver, • scans for BLE advertising packets from the signal transmitter, • filters based on a manufacturer-specific identifier and extracts the status value, • sets the LED ring to display according to the received level (e.g., all LEDs in the status color or animated transitions) and • Switches between active phases and standby phases to minimize energy consumption.

[0032] The display unit measures the battery voltage using a voltage divider and an analog-to-digital converter. If the voltage falls below a threshold, a low-battery condition is detected. This condition is indicated by a flashing display on the LED ring. Optionally, the display unit also sends a low-battery signal to the signal transmitter, which can then display this signal on the control display unit.

[0033] In this basic configuration, no end-device monitoring is required, resulting in a universally applicable, purely manually operated status display system. 6.2 Preferred embodiment: System with terminal monitoring of a personal computer

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the signal transmitter is connected to a personal computer via USB. The microcontroller appears to the computer as a virtual serial device (USB-CDC).

[0035] The personal computer runs monitoring software that regularly evaluates system-related information, such as the last usage entries for the camera and microphone, as well as the time of the last user input (e.g., keyboard or mouse activity).

[0036] From this information, an endpoint status with multiple states is created, for example: • Camera and microphone active, • camera only active, • only microphone active, • Device active, without camera / microphone use, • Device inactive.

[0037] This device status is transmitted to the signal transmitter via the serial interface. The transmitter's firmware combines the device status with the manual button status according to predefined priority rules to create an aggregated status value. This allows the manual status to override certain device states, for example, if the user activates a manually set red focus state.

[0038] The aggregated status value is transmitted to the control display unit, which shows the corresponding color, and simultaneously sent as a BLE advertising signal to the optical display unit. The display unit interprets the value as in the previous example and displays it via the LED ring.

[0039] In this embodiment as well, the display unit monitors its battery level and can transmit a feedback signal to the signal transmitter when the charge level is low, which is visualized via the control display unit. 6.3 Extended version: Optical display unit with additional ZigBee module

[0040] In another embodiment, the optical display unit additionally includes an integrated ZigBee module that operates independently of the BLE receiver. With this extension, the Dot can: • Receive ZigBee-based control commands, • Receive status changes from a smart home controller, • controlled via mobile apps or automation routines.

[0041] The Dot's firmware: • Monitors both BLE and ZigBee input channels, • can process both signals in parallel • can prioritize which value is visibly implemented, • maintains full compatibility with the BLE dongle, • will enable app- or cloud-based remote control in the future.

[0042] This embodiment extends the system to include functions typically required in smart home ecosystems without altering or restricting the basic functions of the invention. 6.4 Other embodiments with other terminal devices

[0043] In other embodiments, end-device monitoring can be performed by other electronic devices instead of a personal computer. Examples include: • Mobile phones or tablets that report activity or notification states via an application or operating system functions, • other control or communication devices that provide status information via serial, network or wireless interfaces.

[0044] These terminal devices transmit status information to the signal transmitter, which—analogous to the PC version—linkes it with the manual button status and sends the resulting aggregated status to the display unit. The basic structure of the invention, comprising a signal transmitter, control display unit, manual input unit, optional terminal device integration, and autonomous optical display unit, remains unchanged. 6.5 Example of implementation - Magnetic mounting of the display unit

[0045] In another embodiment, the housing of the optical display unit includes an integrated magnetic system. This can consist of a single permanent magnet, several magnetic points, or a ring-shaped magnetic structure that enables stable attachment to magnetic surfaces or surfaces coated with ferromagnetic material.

[0046] The magnetic system can be designed such that: the display unit can be freely rotated and positioned positioning can be done with one hand the unit does not unintentionally detach during daily use, The display unit can be easily removed at any time and attached or recharged in a different location.

[0047] The magnetic attachment does not interfere with radio communication or power management and can be used in both BLE and ZigBee-based operating modes. 7. Commercial Applicability

[0048] The invention can be used in particular for: • in companies with office workplaces, call centers, consulting environments, laboratories and workshops, • in home offices, co-working spaces and shared offices, • in educational institutions, therapy practices, medical facilities, • in private households for smart home integration via ZigBee, • as well as in all scenarios where a visual presence, availability or focus status is to be displayed.

[0049] The system can be mass-produced, distributed, and integrated into existing digital infrastructures (PC, smart home, IoT). Manufacturing is feasible using established electronics manufacturing methods; operation requires no specialized equipment.

Claims

[1] Wireless status indicator system including signal transmitter, autonomous optical display unit and optional terminal monitoring - a signal transmitter with at least one microcontroller, a manual input unit and a local control display unit, as well as a wireless transmitting unit, - an optical display unit with a microcontroller, an energy storage device, an optical display element and a wireless receiver unit, characterized by, that the signal transmitter generates at least one multi-level status value from the manual input unit, displays this status value via the local control display unit and transmits it as a radio telegram via the wireless transmitting unit, and the optical display unit evaluates the received status value and visualizes it by means of the optical display element, wherein the optical display unit optionally includes an additional ZigBee module that can receive status values ​​from a ZigBee-based network in parallel to the wireless receiving unit of the signal transmitter and process them for display. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by , that the manual input unit is designed as a button with multi-click detection, through which different status levels can be selected. [3] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the local control display unit of the signal transmitter consists of at least one multi-colored LED that color-codes the currently active status value. [4] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the wireless transmitting unit of the signal transmitter uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in advertising mode. [5] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the optical display element of the display unit consists of a digitally addressable LED array or LED ring. [6] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the optical display unit includes a LiPo battery with charging and protection circuitry and a power management system with power path architecture. [7] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the optical display unit monitors its energy storage using voltage dividers and ADC query and generates a low-battery signal when a defined threshold is undershot. [8] System according to claim 7, characterized by , that the low battery signal is transmitted wirelessly to the signal transmitter and displayed there via the local control display unit. [9] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signal transmitter has an interface for communication with an electronic terminal device, through which status values ​​regarding camera activity, microphone activity or user activity can be received. [10] System according to claim 9, characterized by that the interface is designed as a USB-CDC interface. [11] System according to claim 9 or 10, characterized by, that the signal transmitter forms an aggregated status value from the terminal status value and the manual status value, which is both displayed via the control display unit and transmitted wirelessly. [12] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that manually set status values ​​can override the automatically recorded device status value. [13] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the optical display unit includes a ZigBee communication module that operates independently of BLE reception. [14] System according to claim 13, characterized by that the firmware of the display unit can process BLE status values ​​and ZigBee status values ​​in parallel. [15] System according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by , that the display unit defines prioritization rules to resolve conflicts between BLE and ZigBee status values. [16] System according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized by that the display unit is integrated into a smart home system via ZigBee and can receive status values ​​through external control devices, mobile applications or automation rules. [17] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the optical display unit visually displays the prioritized status value when BLE and ZigBee status values ​​are received simultaneously. [18] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the display unit switches between active operating phases and deep sleep phases to save energy. [19] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the energy storage of the display unit can be charged during operation. [20] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the signal transmitter can additionally reflect the status value on other devices or display devices. [21] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the optical display unit indicates system states such as charging status, coupling status or functional errors via defined blinking patterns. [22] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the firmware of the display unit can receive updates (over-the-air updates) via ZigBee or BLE. [23] System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the optical display unit includes a magnetic mounting module which enables tool-free, detachable and repositionable attachment to magnetic or magnetically adhesive surfaces. [24] System according to claim 23, characterized by that the fastening module has one or more permanent magnets arranged in the housing in such a way as to ensure a stable and low-vibration holding force. [25] System according to one of claims 23 and 24, characterized by, that the magnetic mounting module is designed for attachment to a specially provided counterpart, which can be attached to freely selectable surfaces.