SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING POSITION-DEPARATE DATA FROM SENSOR TRANSMITTERS WITH RESPECT TO A RECEIVING STATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system device for determining position-dependent data of at least one transmitter which wirelessly transmits user data and location-dependent position data as information data, in relation to a respective receiving station, according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a corresponding method according to the preamble of claim 5.

[0002] Receiving stations are known that receive payload data wirelessly from one or more transmitters and either evaluate the payload data themselves or forward it in its entirety to an end receiver or an end receiver evaluation application. Transmitters can be understood to be transmitters that are connected to or include one or more sensors, for example. Such transmitters can be telematics devices known as M2M or machine-to-machine interfaces. Such transmitters can be installed, for example, in coffee machines, printers, buildings, and construction cranes in order to monitor them. The payload data can be forwarded from receiving stations to the end receiver either wirelessly, for example via a radio module, or wired, for example via a LAN and / or internet connection.

[0003] When setting up receiving stations around one or more transmitters, it is important to ensure a sufficiently good connection between each receiving station and the respective transmitter. When installing additional new transmitters, a quick analysis is usually performed to determine whether any of the existing receiving stations are receiving the new transmitter. If necessary, an additional receiving station is added to the transmission network to the final receiver. In a large reception area, for example, covering several city blocks, and with numerous transmitters, numerous additional receiving stations may be necessary to establish the transmission network to the final receiver, with the network system costs increasing accordingly.

[0004] US 2016 / 165566 A1 discloses a method for generating a database with reception field strengths of two or more receivers from a plurality of transmitters, each of which is in contact with at least two of the receivers and whose GPS location data is known. Thus, even if the respective transmitter is not receiving GPS location data, it can be located using the reception field strengths of at least two, and preferably three, receivers located at different locations, for example, even in rooms where no GPS signal can be received.

[0005] DE 10 2015 225388 A1 discloses a method and system for analyzing the environment of a mobile device. Various light sources in the environment each emit a modulated code signal associated with it, and the mobile device has an optical sensor, such as an integrated camera, that receives the respective code signal in the area of ​​which it is located. This allows the mobile device to determine its location even without GPS signals.

[0006] KR 102 078 156 B1 discloses a method and a device for determining the location of a terminal device in relation to various locally predetermined transmitting antennas by evaluating the received field strengths of transmitting signals from the various transmitting antennas.

[0007] The object of the invention, in order to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art, is to provide a system device and a method with which additional transmitters can be connected to a transmission network to an end receiver with the least possible effort and cost.

[0008] The above object is achieved by a device according to the features of independent claim 1 and a method according to the features of independent claim 5. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, a system device is provided for determining position-dependent data of at least one transmitter which wirelessly transmits user data and location-dependent position data as information data, wherein the position-dependent data are determined in relation to a respective receiving station in a reception area, and wherein the system device comprises the following: a) the at least one receiving station, each having a receiver that receives the information data with a respective signal field strength value from the respective transmitter, characterized in that b) the respective receiving station has a data separator that extracts the location-dependent position data of the transmitter from the respective information data and forwards it, together with the respective signal field strength value, as the position-dependent data to an external position data evaluation unit, and which additionally forwards the respective information data or at least the user data therefrom to an end receiver; c) wherein the system device has the position data evaluation unit, which is designed to store the position-dependent data in relation to the respective receiving station over a period of time and to generate and display a signal field strength map around the respective receiving stations in the reception area therefrom;d) wherein the receiving station is configured to automatically determine receiving station location data as location data of the receiving station itself and to forward it, together with the position-dependent data from the transmitter, to the position data evaluation unit; and e) wherein the position data evaluation unit is configured both to map the position-dependent data around the associated receiving station and to take into account a displacement of the associated receiving station according to the transmitted receiving station location data.

[0010] A significant advantage of the present invention is, for example, that by storing the position-dependent data in the position data evaluation unit, the change in the signal field strength can be mapped over time, whereby environmental influences can be identified which can be taken into account in the positioning of further transmitters.

[0011] A significant advantage of the present invention, for example, is that a pre-existing transmission system between pre-existing transmitters that do not transmit location-dependent position data, pre-existing receiving stations that do not have the data separator, and the final receiver can be configured to initially install the receiving stations according to the invention, and then gradually replace the pre-existing transmitters with transmitters that transmit location-dependent position data. This allows the pre-existing transmission system to be expanded step by step.

[0012] Preferably, the previously existing transmitters can also continue to be used. These transmitters do not receive location-dependent position data, but transmit a transmitter identifier or transmitter ID in the information data in addition to the payload data, with the transmitter identifier / ID representing the location-dependent position data. A predetermined location can be assigned to the transmitter identifier / ID through data mapping, so that the previously existing transmitters can also be easily integrated into the system device according to the invention.

[0013] Another significant advantage of the present invention is that, preferably using portable transmitters that can be carried or moved through the reception area, the signal field strength map is generated with a higher resolution than if the transmitters were not moved. This allows a user or a microprocessor system application to better evaluate where and how many of the receiving stations should ideally be positioned within the reception area to reliably receive all transmitters. In this way, both the number of receiving stations can be reduced to a minimum and a respective minimum signal strength can be ensured.

[0014] Another significant advantage of the present invention is that the location of each transmitter is continuously determined, allowing any spatial shift to be detected. A corresponding application evaluation with an alarm output makes it very easy to create an anti-theft device.

[0015] The signal field strength map is preferably displayed on a monitor or as a printer plot. It is also preferred that it be displayed as a superposition on a building or site plan. The microprocessor system application also preferably determines the optimal locations of the receiving stations.

[0016] Preferably, the system device additionally comprises at least one transmitter, which determines the payload data and the location-dependent position data and transmits them wirelessly as the respective information data. The transmitter can also determine the location-dependent position data, for example, by reading permanently stored data, for example, as a device ID. The transmitter is preferably a radio transmitter.

[0017] The transmitter can, for example, have one or more sensors or be connected to the sensor(s), wherein the payload data is essentially the sensor data. The payload data and the information data are preferably transmitted serially. For example, the transmitter can be mounted in a building, a machine, such as in a coffee machine, or on a crane. The transmitter is preferably designed such that it determines the location data from received signal strengths of other surrounding transmitters and, in doing so, preferably receives their identifiers. The location data can also preferably be determined using optical or acoustic data, such as camera images. The location data is preferably determined from GNSS data, such as GPS or Galileo signals. However, the location data can also preferably be entered manually or by voice.

[0018] Preferably, the receiving station wirelessly forwards both the position-dependent data and the receiving station location data to the position data evaluation unit, as well as the information data or at least the payload data to the end receiver. It should be noted here that some of the location-dependent position data, such as the transmitter identifier, can be forwarded to the end receiver.

[0019] The position data evaluation unit can preferably also be designed in such a way that, from different field strength values ​​which have been determined and forwarded by at least two different receiving stations to the same transmitter, further location data are determined according to a triangulation principle, which are also taken into account for determining the location of the respective transmitter.

[0020] The respective receiving station is preferably designed to forward the same basic data from user data and sensor identification without the position-dependent data to the end receiver, so that for a user data transmission to the end receiver, both the transmitters can be used which transmit the location-dependent position data in the information data, and also those transmitters can be used which do not transmit location-dependent position data, such as the previously existing transmitters of the previously existing transmission system.

[0021] Preferably, the receiving station is designed similarly to a repeater or a proxy.

[0022] Preferably, the location-dependent position data contains at least one or more of the following data: data from which a position can be determined, absolute position data, relative position data, manually entered position data, GPS data, Galileo data, beacon data in the vicinity of WIFI stations, position data determined via camera recognition, location data determined via triangulation of received data from different transmitters, a current time, a transmitter identifier, or position data determined via voice recognition.

[0023] Preferably, the receiving station transmits a current timestamp along with the current position-dependent data. Preferably, the receiving station can also forward only modified location-dependent position data to the position data evaluation unit.

[0024] Preferably, the respective transmitter sends the information data via a wireless system bus or M-Bus.

[0025] A corresponding method according to the invention for transmitting and determining the position-dependent data of the at least one transmitter, which wirelessly transmits the user data and the location-dependent position data as information data, in relation to at least one receiving station in the reception area comprises the following steps: a) Receiving the respective information data by the respective receiving station and additionally determining the respective signal field strength value; characterized by b) determining the position-dependent data of the respective transmitter by the respective receiving station, wherein the location-dependent position data is extracted from the respective information data and the respective signal field strength value is added; c) forwarding the position-dependent data to the external position data evaluation unit, and forwarding the respective information data or at least the user data therefrom to an end receiver; d) storing the position-dependent data for the respective receiving station in the position data evaluation unit and determining and displaying signal field strengths in the reception area, which are generated from the stored respective signal field strength values;and e) spatially moving the at least one receiving station, determining its receiving station location data, and forwarding the receiving station location data together with the position-dependent data to the position data evaluation unit.

[0026] The advantages of the method according to the invention are the same as those of the system device.

[0027] Preferably, the respective information data including the user data and the location-dependent position data of the respective transmitter are additionally determined and transmitted by the respective transmitter.

[0028] When the at least one receiving station is moved locally, its receiving station location data is determined, and the receiving station location data is forwarded together with the position-dependent data to the position data evaluation unit, the signal field strengths of the transmitters at the respective location of the receiving station are preferably recorded and displayed or evaluated.

[0029] Preferably, the receiving station filters out the location-dependent position data from the information data and forwards it to the final recipient without the location-dependent position data.

[0030] Preferably alternatively, the information data or the position-dependent data or parts thereof can also be sent from the receiving station to the final receiver.

[0031] Preferably, the information data is transmitted wirelessly by the respective transmitter via a signal and received accordingly by the respective receiving station.

[0032] Preferably, the position data evaluation unit determines at least one signal field strength contour line in the reception area around the respective receiving station from the signal field strengths. The signal field strengths in the reception area around the respective receiving station can also be displayed in color. Preferably, the at least one signal field strength contour line in the reception area is displayed on a monitor or as a printout. Other representations of the signal field strengths in the reception area are also conceivable, as are known in the prior art. For example, the signal field strengths in the reception area can also be displayed over a map or over an architectural building floor plan, for example by means of contour lines or contour line ranges for a respective predetermined signal field strength around the respective receiving stations, which are preferably displayed in color therein.

[0033] Preferably, position data and signal field strengths are displayed three-dimensionally (3D) in order to represent the field strengths in a building or other three-dimensional structure.

[0034] Preferably, the position data evaluation unit can determine temporal changes in the signal field strengths from the position-dependent data.

[0035] Further preferred embodiments according to the present invention are illustrated in the following drawings and in a detailed description, but they are not intended to limit the present invention exclusively thereto.

[0036] It shows Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a preferred system device for determining position-dependent data from three transmitters, each of which receives user data and location-dependent position data, preferably processes it, and transmits it wirelessly as information data to a respective receiving station, each of which receives the information data with a respective signal field strength and forwards the position-dependent data to a position data evaluation unit, and which forwards the user data to an end receiver; the second transmitter from the top does not receive any location-dependent position data; and Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a rectangular reception area with five different receiving stations arranged therein, around each of which corresponding contour lines are drawn, which allow a predetermined field strength value that can still be received from a same transmitter. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0037] In Fig. 1a possible embodiment of a system device is shown which serves to determine position-dependent data LxSx of at least one transmitter SE1 - SE4, which wirelessly transmits user data D1 - D4 and location-dependent position data L1 - L4 as information data I1-I4, specifically in relation to a respective receiving station GW1, GW2 and in a reception area 1. The system device comprises the following: a) the at least one receiving station GW1, GW2, each having a receiver RE1 which receives the information data I1 - I4 with a respective signal field strength value S1 - S4 from the respective transmitter SE1 - SE4; wherein according to the invention b) the respective receiving station GW1, GW2 has a data separator DS1 which extracts the location-dependent position data L1 - L4 of the transmitter SE1 - SE4 from the respective information data I1 - I4 and forwards them together with the respective signal field strength value S1 - S4 as the position-dependent data LxSx to an external position data evaluation unit DMU1, and which additionally forwards the respective information data I1 - I4 or at least the user data D1 - D4 therefrom to an end receiver ER1;and c) wherein the system device comprises the position data evaluation unit DMU1, which is designed to store the position-dependent data LxSx in relation to the respective receiving station GW1, GW2 over a period of time and to generate and display therefrom a signal field strength map around the respective receiving stations GW1, GW2 in the reception area 1. ;

[0038] In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1a first transmitter SE1 receives first payload data D1, for example from one or more sensors, and first position data L1, for example as GPS data, and forwards these as first information data I1 to a first receiver station GW1 via a first transmission channel T1. The first receiver station GW1 determines a first signal field strength value S1 for the received first information data I1. The first receiver station GW1 then extracts the first position data L1 from the first information data I1 and forwards these together with the first signal field strength value S1 as the position-dependent data LxSx via a third transmission channel T3 to the position data evaluation unit DMU1. The first information data I1 or a part thereof, or at least the first payload data D1, are forwarded to the end receiver ER1 via a second transmission channel T2.

[0039] A second transmitter SE2 receives second payload data D2 without receiving external position data, although it can use its transmitter identifier as second position data. It transmits the second payload data D2 together with the second position data as second information data I2 via a further first transmission channel T1 to the first receiver station GW1. The first receiver station GW1 also determines a second signal field strength value S2 for the received second information data I2. The first receiver station GW1 then extracts the second position data L2 from the second information data I2 and transmits this together with the second signal field strength value S2 as associated position-dependent data LxSx via the third transmission channel T3 to the position data evaluation unit DMU1.

[0040] Preferably, the first transmission channel T1 is or comprises a system bus or M-Bus, a field bus, a Zigbee or Bluetooth radio signal or any other radio signal.

[0041] Preferably, the second transmission channel T2 is or comprises a system bus or M-Bus, a field bus, a Zigbee or Bluetooth radio signal, any other radio signal or a LAN channel and / or an Internet channel.

[0042] Preferably, the third transmission channel T3 is or comprises a system bus or M-Bus, a field bus, a Zigbee or Bluetooth radio signal, any other radio signal or a LAN channel and / or an Internet channel.

[0043] It is also conceivable that the second T2 and third transmission channel T3 share a common channel for some sections, such as the Internet channel or a radio channel based on GPRS, LTE or UMTS, for example.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 a third transmitter SE3 receives third payload data D3, for example from one or more sensors, and third position data L3, for example as GPS data, and forwards these as third information data I3 to a second receiver station GW2 via a further first transmission channel T1. The second receiver station GW2 determines a third signal field strength value S3 for the received third information data I3. The second receiver station GW2 then extracts the third position data L3 from the third information data I3 and forwards these together with the third signal field strength value S3 as the respective position-dependent data LxSx via a further third transmission channel T3 to the position data evaluation unit DMU1. The third information data I3 or a part thereof, or at least the third payload data D3, are forwarded via a further second transmission channel T2 to the end receiver ER1.

[0045] A fourth transmitter SE4 receives fourth payload data D4 and fourth position data L4, or uses the respective transmitter identifier as the fourth position data L4, and transmits the fourth payload data D4 together with the fourth position data L4 as fourth information data I4 via the further first transmission channel T1 to the second receiver station GW2. The second receiver station GW2 also determines a fourth signal field strength value S4 for the received fourth information data I4. The second receiver station GW2 then extracts the fourth position data L4 from the fourth information data I4 and transmits this together with the fourth signal field strength value S4 as associated position-dependent data LxSx via the further third transmission channel T3 to the position data evaluation unit DMU1.

[0046] Preferably, the first GW1 and / or the second receiving station GW2 are mobile and preferably one or both receiving stations GW1, GW2 receive respective receiving station location data L5, L6, which are forwarded by the respective receiving station GW1, GW2 together with the position-dependent data LxSx to the position data evaluation unit DMU1.

[0047] Fig. 2shows a schematic of the reception area 1, which is rectangular in the exemplary form shown. Any other shape is also possible. Architectural floor plans could also be drawn in the representation of the reception area 1. In the reception area 1 shown, a first reception station GW1, a second reception station GW2, a third reception station GW3, a fourth reception station GW4 and a fifth reception station GW5 are drawn, around which reception areas 2 are each entered, each with a contour line of a predetermined signal field strength. The respective contour lines of the predetermined signal field strength each have a different dashed line. Areas without sufficient reception 3 are also entered, which show in which direction the corresponding reception stations GW1 - GW5 would have to be moved in order to exclude such areas, or in which areas another reception station GW1 - GW5 could be arranged.

[0048] For clarity, it should be noted that indefinite articles in connection with an object or numerical expressions, such as "ein" Objekt, do not limit the object numerically to exactly one object, but rather mean that at least "one" object is involved. This applies to all indefinite articles such as "ein," "eine," etc.

[0049] It is understood that when an element is described as being "on" another element, "connected," "coupled," or "in contact," the element may be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element, or there may also be intervening elements that either merely interpose or connect, couple, or maintain the element in contact with the other element. On the other hand, when an element is described as being "directly on" another element, "directly connected," "directly coupled," or "directly in contact," it is understood that no intervening elements are present.

[0050] Although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to refer to various elements, components, regions, and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, and / or sections are not limited by these terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, or section from another element, component, region, or section. Therefore, a first element, component, region, or section discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0051] Regarding the term "comprise", for the sake of clarity, when a first device part comprises a second device part, this means that the first device part "has" the second device part and does not necessarily enclose it in terms of arrangement, unless, for example, it is a description of a positional and shape-related arrangement; the same applies to a method, which may comprise one or more method steps.

[0052] Further possible embodiments are described in the following claims. In particular, the various features of the above-described embodiments can also be combined with one another, provided they are not technically mutually exclusive.

[0053] The reference symbols mentioned in the claims are for convenience only and do not limit the claims in any way to the forms shown in the figures. List of reference symbols

[0054] 1Reception area 2Reception range 3Area without sufficient reception D1, D2, D3, D4First, second, third, fourth payload data DM U 1Position data evaluation unit DS1Data separator DxOutput data of the receiving station ER1End receiver GW1 - GW5First - fifth receiving station (gateway) I1, I2First, second information data L1, L3, L4First, third, fourth position data L5, L6Receiving station location data LxSxPosition-dependent data RE1Receiver S1, S2First, second signal field strength SE1 - SE4First - fourth transmitter T1First transmission channel T2Second transmission channel T3Third transmission channel

Claims

1. System apparatus for determining position-dependent data (LxSx) of at least one transmitter (SE1-SE4) which wirelessly transmits user data (D1-D4) and location-dependent position data (L1-L4) as information data (11-14) relative to a respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) in a receiving area (1); comprising: a) the at least one receiving station (GW1, GW2) which contains at least one receiver (RE1) that receives the information data (I1-I4) with a respective signal area strength value (S1-S4) from the respective transmitter (SE1-SE4); b) the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) containing a data separator (DS1) which extracts the location-dependent position data (L1-L4) of the transmitter (SE1-SE4) from the respective information data (11-14) and forwards them, together with the respective signal area strength value (S1-S4), as position-dependent data (LxSx) to an external position data evaluation unit (DMU1), and which additionally forwards the respective information data (11-14), or at least the user data (D1-D4) thereof, to a final receiver (ER1); c) the system apparatus containing the position data evaluation unit (DMU1) which is adapted to store the position-dependent data (LxSx) in relation to the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) over a time period and to generate and display therefrom a signal area strength chart around the respective receiving stations (GW1, GW2) in the receiving area (1); d) the receiving station (GW1, GW2) being adapted to automatically determine its receiving station location data (L5-L6) and forward them, together with the position-dependent data (LxSx), to the position data evaluation unit (DMU1); and characterized in that e) the position data evaluation unit (DMU1) is adapted both to map the position-dependent data (LxSx) around the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) and to take into account, during this process, a displacement of the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) in accordance with the transmitted receiving station location data (L5-L6).

2. The system apparatus according to Claim 1, additionally comprising the at least one transmitter (SE1-SE4) which determines the user data (D1-D4) and the location-dependent position data (L1-L4), respectively, and wirelessly transmits them as the respective information data (11-14).

3. The system apparatus according to one or more of the above Claims, the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) being adapted to forward to the final receiver (ER1) equal base data, respectively, consisting of user data (D1-D4) and sensor ID without the position-dependent data (LxSx), so that for a transmission of user data to the final receiver (ER1), the transmitters (SE1-SE4) which include position-dependent data (LxSx) in their transmission can be used as well as those transmitters with which no position-dependent data (LxSx) can be determined.

4. The system apparatus according to one or more of the above Claims, the position data evaluation unit being configured such that from different area strength values which have been determined and forwarded to a same transmitter from at least two different receiving stations, additional location data are determined according to a triangulation principle which are taken into account for determining the location of the respective transmitter.

5. Method of transmitting and determining position-dependent data (LxSx) of at least one transmitter (SE1-SE4) which wirelessly transmits user data (D1-D4) and location-dependent position data (L1-L4) as information data (11-14) in relation to at least one receiving station (GW1, GW2) in a receiving area (1), comprising the following steps: a) receiving the respective information data (11-14) by the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) and additionally determining a respective signal area strength value (S1-S4); b) determining the position-dependent data (LxSx) of the respective transmitter (SE1-SE4) by means of the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2), with the location-dependent position data (L1-L4) being extracted from the respective information data (11-14) and the respective signal area strength value (S1-S4) being added; c) forwarding the position-dependent data (LxSx) to an external position data evaluation unit (DMU1) and forwarding the respective information data (11-14) or at least the user data (D1-D4) thereof to a final receiver (ER1); d) storing the position-dependent data (LxSx) for the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) in the position data evaluation unit (DMU1) and determining and displaying signal area strengths in the receiving area (1) which are generated from the respective stored signal area strength values (S1-S4); characterized by e) local displacement of the at least one receiving station (GW1, GW2), determining of its receiving station location data (L5-L6) and forwarding the receiving station location data (L5-L6) to the position data evaluation unit (DMU1) together with the position-dependent data (LxSx).

6. The method according to Claim 5, where the location-dependent position data (L1-L4) are filtered out from the information data (11-14) by the receiving station (GW1, GW2) and are accordingly forwarded to the final receiver (ER1) without the location-dependent position data (L1-L4).

7. Method according to one of the above Claims 5 or 6, where by means of the position data evaluation unit (DMU1), at least one signal area strength contour line around the respective receiving station (GW1, GW2) is determined in the receiving area (1) from the signal area strengths.

8. Method according to one of the above Claims 5-7, where by means of the position data evaluation unit (DMU1), changes over time of the signal area strengths can be determined from the position-dependent data (LxSx).