Abstract:
The invention concerns a device for remote reading of states, comprising a communication network ( 1 ), a plurality of peripherals ( 31  to  33 ) each of which adopts an instantaneous state (STAT —   1  to STAT —   3 ), and a controller ( 2 ) periodically scanning said peripherals ( 31  to  33 ) to read therefrom the instantaneous state (STAT —   1  to STAT —   3 ). The invention is characterized in that the communication network ( 1 ) electromagnetically connects the peripherals ( 31  to  33 ) to the controller ( 2 ), and said peripherals ( 31  to  33 ) are supplied with electrical energy via said communication network ( 1 ). The invention is useful for managing calls in lifts by means of peripherals not provided with any galvanic connection and with any individual power source.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2003/07129, filed on Jun. 12, 2003. Priority is claimed on that application and on the following application: Country: France, Application No. 02/07295, Filed: Jun. 13, 2002. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates, generally speaking, to the field of information technologies. 
     More precisely, according to one of its first aspects, the invention relates to a device for remote status readings, comprising a communication network, a central controller linked to the communication network, and a plurality of peripheral devices linked to the controller through the intermediary of the network, each peripheral device adopting, at each instant, an instantaneous status belonging to a plurality of possible statuses, and the controller periodically scanning the peripheral devices to read their instantaneous status. 
     Even though many known devices fulfil this definition, these devices usually involve using sophisticated means, leading to a relatively high structural complexity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Within this context, the device according to the invention has the aim of proposing a technique making it possible to offer the same functions as these known devices, but by implementing simple means that are widespread these days. 
     In order to do this, the device according to the invention, moreover complying with the generic definition given in the above preamble, is essentially characterized in that the communication network links the peripheral devices to the controller by electromagnetic means. The peripheral devices are supplied with electrical energy through the intermediary of the communication network. 
     As a result of this layout, all the connector technology problems are significantly reduced. 
     For example, the communication network can simply comprise a series circuit supplied by the controller and including a plurality of electromagnetic induction loops. 
     The device according to the invention can be adapted to localized remote status readings by ensuring that each peripheral device has an identification code of its own, that the controller has a configuration memory in which, for each peripheral device, the identification code of this peripheral device and a localization parameter are stored correlatively, identifying the location of this peripheral device in the network, and that, for each peripheral device, the controller reads the instantaneous status of this peripheral device and its identification code, as a result of which each instantaneous status reading is correlated by the controller with a location on the network. 
     Whatsoever the intended application, each peripheral device can include, apart from a transmitter-receiver circuit, at least one status encoder adopting an instantaneous status constituting or participating in building up the instantaneous status of this peripheral device. The status encoder is linked to the transmitter-receiver circuit to enable the peripheral device to transmit the instantaneous status of the encoder to the controller. 
     In a possible embodiment of the invention, each peripheral device comprises an electronic tag provided with a memory containing the identification code attributed to this peripheral device, a local antenna coupled to an induction loop of the communication network to receive the electrical energy transmitted by this induction loop, and from the transmitter-receiver circuit. The transmitter-receiver circuit is linked to the local antenna at least to receive a transmission order from the controller and for transmitting to the controller, apart from the instantaneous status of the encoder, the identification code of this tag. 
     The electronic tags, still called “radio tags”, “clever tags” or “smart cards”, are widely used these days in many applications for automatic identification, and particularly in anti-theft systems, protection against counterfeiting, the management of handling supports, control of dispatching or reception, etc. 
     By proposing the use of such tags to obtain remote status readings spread over different locations, the invention thus proposes extending the widespread and proven technique of identification by radio-frequency, or RFTD (Radio Frequency Identification) to localization in space, thus avoiding the inherent complexities of addressing techniques. 
     For example, each peripheral device includes, as status encoder, at least one appropriate element such as an electrical contact. 
     However, each peripheral device can also include, as status encoder, at least one sensor sensitive to the influence of a physical parameter to which this peripheral device is subject. 
     The utility of the device according to the invention can further be increased by providing each peripheral device with a tagging element. 
     This device is applicable, in general, to remote control management, each peripheral device forming a command terminal able to transmit a determined order to the controller, coded by the instantaneous status adopted by this peripheral device. 
     When it is adapted to localized remote status readings, this device is applicable to management of remote calls, each peripheral device forming a calling terminal. 
     In particular, each peripheral device can be installed at a specific location, such as a floor of a building, and form a calling terminal for a means of transport, such as an elevator. 
     Finally, in the case where the status encoder for each peripheral device comprises a plurality of appropriate elements, such as electrical contacts, each of these elements can identify a destination assigned to the means of transport from a departure position represented by the specific location. 
     For example, a user of an elevator can not only call the elevator to the floor where the user is situated but can, besides this, indicate which floor he wishes to go to. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description given below, as an indicative and in no way limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view of a peripheral device applied in a device according to the invention, and using an electronic tag as principal component; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view of a central controller able to co-operate with the peripheral device of  FIG. 1  in a device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an overall diagrammatic view of a device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic view in transparent perspective of a building equipped with a an elevator managed by a device according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section of the same building, seen following the incidence defined by the arrows V-V of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As mentioned above, the invention relates to a device ( FIG. 3 ) for remote status readings of the type comprising a communication network  1 , a central controller  2  linked to the communication network  1 , and a plurality of peripheral devices, such as  31  to  33 , linked to the controller  2  through the intermediary of the network  1 . 
     At any instant, each of the peripheral devices  31  to  33  takes, from amongst a group of a priori possible statuses, an instantaneous status respectively named STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  and STAT_ 3  for the different peripheral devices  31  to  33 , the controller  2  periodically scanning these peripheral devices  31  to  33  to read the respective instantaneous statuses. 
     The device according to the invention is distinctive from known devices of this type first of all through the fact that the communication network  1  links the peripheral devices, such as  31  to  33 , to the controller  2  by electromagnetic means, and that the peripheral devices are supplied with electrical energy through the intermediary of this communication network  1 . 
     As a result of this layout, the very presence of the communication network makes it possible to eliminate both the need for providing a separate electrical supply network, and the need for ensuring point to point electrical connection for each of the peripheral devices. 
     For example, the communication network  1  includes a series circuit that itself is supplied by the controller  2  and which includes a plurality of electromagnetic induction loops such as  11 ,  12  and  13  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ), the electric power signal circulating in this, series circuit having a frequency typically lower than 500 kHz, and being modulated, for example, at 125 kHz. 
     Moreover, each peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33  is provided with a status encoder  61 ,  62  or  63 , and a transmitter-receiver circuit  421 ,  422  or  423 . The status encoder  61 ,  62  or  63  is able to produce the instantaneous status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  of the associated peripheral device, and is linked to the transmitter-receiver circuit  421 ,  422  or  423  of the associated peripheral device to allow it to transmit the instantaneous status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  to the controller  2 . 
     In these conditions, each of the peripheral devices  31  to  33  can form a command terminal in the network  1 , able to transmit an order to the controller  2  coded by the instantaneous status adopted by this peripheral device. 
     In an advanced embodiment of the device according to the invention, allowing localized remote reading of statuses, each of the peripheral devices such as  31  to  33  furthermore possesses its own identification code, called KID_ 1 , KID_ 2  or KID_ 3  respectively, for the different peripheral devices  31  to  33 . 
     In order to do this, each peripheral device  31  to  33  preferably includes an electronic tag such as reference  4  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     An electronic tag is typically provided with a memory such as  411 , a local antenna such as  401 , and a transmitter-receiver circuit such as  421 . The circuit  421  in this case is capable of constituting the transmitter-receiver circuit mentioned above of the peripheral device equipped with this tag. 
     The tags of the different peripheral devices  31 ,  32  and  33  thus comprise, respectively, ( FIG. 3 ), memories  411 ,  412  and  413 , local antennae  401 ,  402  and  403 , and transmitter-receiver circuits  421 ,  422  and  423 . 
     Each memory  411 ,  412  or  413  contains the identification code KID_ 1 , KID_ 2  or KID_ 3  attributed to the corresponding peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33 . 
     Each local antenna  401 ,  402  or  403  is coupled to one of the induction loops  11 ,  12  or  13  of the communication network  1  to receive the electrical energy transmitted by the induction loop. 
     Furthermore, each transmitter-receiver circuit  421 ,  422  or  423  is linked to the corresponding local antenna  401 ,  402  or  403  to be able to receive, from the corresponding induction loop, the electrical energy needed to supply the peripheral device concerned, to receive a transmission command from the controller  2 , and to transmit to this controller  2  the instantaneous status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  of the corresponding peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33 , together with the identification code KID_ 1 , KID_ 2  or KID_ 3  of the tag concerned, in the advanced embodiment of the invention. 
       FIGS. 1 and 3  show an embodiment in which each status encoder comprises two appropriate elements formed by electrical contacts activated manually by a user, that is: contacts  611  and  612  for the status encoder  61 ; contacts  621  and  622  for the status encoder  62 ; and contacts  631 ,  632  for the status encoder  63 . 
     Nonetheless, each status encoder can include, as well as or instead of such appropriate elements, one or several sensors sensitive to the influence of one or several physical parameters to which this peripheral device is subject. 
     Each peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33 , is provided with a processing unit  51 ,  52  or  53 , internal or external to the electronic tag equipping this peripheral device, linked to the transmitter-receiver circuit  421 ,  422  or  423  of this peripheral device, and in charge of collecting, coding and/or formatting the instantaneous status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  so that this status is taken into account by the transmitter-receiver circuit. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, essential in the case of a localized remote reading of statuses, the controller  2  is provided with a configuration memory  21  in which, for each peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33 , are stored the identification code KID_ 1 , KID_ 2  or KID_ 3  of this peripheral device, and a localisation parameter such as LOC_ 1 , LOC_ 2  or LOC_ 3 , that identifies the location of this peripheral device in the network  1 , the localisation parameter of each peripheral device being correlated, meaning associated, with the identification code of this same peripheral device. 
     As those skilled in the art will easily understand from reading the present description, the association, in the configuration memory  21  of the controller  2 , of the localization parameter of each peripheral device with the identification code of this same peripheral device, can be produced by implementing known means, during an installation phase of the device according to the invention. 
     As a result of this arrangement, the controller  2  can thus, by reading at the same time both the instantaneous status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  and the identification code KID_ 1 , KID_ 2  or KID_ 3  of each peripheral device  31 ,  32  or  33  it scans, associate each of the read instantaneous statuses to a determined location of the network  1 . 
     In these conditions, each of the peripheral devices  31  to  33  can form a call terminal in the network  1 , the controller  2  itself ensuring the management of remote calls through the intermediary of these peripheral devices or call terminals  31  to  33 . 
       FIGS. 3 to 5  show an application of the device according to the invention for management of an elevator. 
     In this application, the communication network  1  to which the controller  2  is linked includes induction loops such as  11 ,  12  and  13 , set in regular fashion on one side of the vertical partition CL that closes the front face of the elevator column, for example on the right-hand side of each elevator door, PT_ 1 , PT_ 2 , and PT_ 3 . 
     The peripheral devices  31 ,  32  and  33  are set on the other side of the partition CL, on the different corresponding floors ETG_ 1 , ETG_ 2  and ETG_ 3 . 
     Since the different peripheral devices  31 ,  32  and  33  communicate with the controller  2  on the network  1  thanks to the electromagnetic influence that the loops  11 ,  12  and  13  can exert through the partition CL, these peripheral devices can simply, for example, be attached onto the partition CL, close to the corresponding door PT_ 1 , PT_ 2  or PT_ 3   
     In this case, the localization parameters, such as LOC_ 1 , LOC_ 2  and LOC_ 3 , stored in the configuration memory  21  of the controller  2  are representative of the different floors, the identification code KID_ 1  of the peripheral device  31  thus being associated with the localization parameter ETG_ 1 , representing the first floor where this peripheral device is installed, the identification code KID_ 2  of the peripheral device  32  being associated with the localization parameter ETG_ 2 , representing the second floor where this peripheral device is installed, etc. 
     Besides the configuration memory  21 , the controller  2  includes a transmitter-receiver circuit  22  in charge of ensuring electrical energy transmission and information transmission on the network  1 , a processing unit  23  ensuring information processing as a whole in this controller and having a reading and writing access to the configuration memory  21 , and an interface  24  piloted by the processing unit  23  and ensuring the link between the processing unit  23  and a command circuit  8  of the elevator. 
     Each of the peripheral devices  31 ,  32  and  33  possesses an electric contact  611 ,  621  and  631 , that the user can command with a button to indicate that he wishes to go down to a lower floor, and an electric contact  612 ,  622  and  632 , that the user can command with a button to indicate that he wishes to go up to an upper floor. 
     If, for example, a user presses on the contact button  622  of the peripheral device  32  situated on the second floor, referenced ETG_ 2 , the controller  2  will receive the identification code KID_ 2  from this peripheral device, and the status STAT_ 2  of the status encoder  62 , this STAT_ 2  status representing the activation of the contact button  622 . 
     By reading its memory  21 , the controller  2  will thus be informed that a user, situated on floor ETG_ 2 , that is the second floor, has called the elevator and has, more precisely, indicated his wish to go up to an upper floor. 
     This call can thus be transmitted, through the intermediary of the controller interface  24 , to the command circuit  8  of the elevator, which will take over to send the most readily available elevator cabin to the second floor in order to reach an upper floor. 
     It is evident that each of the peripheral devices could have a single button only, whose activation would then be taken into account just like a call for the elevator for any a priori destination, the user not indicating his destination until inside the elevator cabin, by activating the button of the floor required. 
     On the other hand, each of the peripheral devices  31 ,  32  or  33 , instead of having only one single call button for access to an upper floor, and a call button for access to a lower floor, could possess, as status encoder  61 ,  62  or  63 , a keyboard on which the user could specifically indicate the floor of destination, meaning that the status STAT_ 1 , STAT_ 2  or STAT_ 3  of each status encoder can a priori be represented by any number of bits whatsoever. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , each peripheral device such as  31 ,  32  or  33  can furthermore include a display element such as  71 ,  72  or  73 , this element being connected to the processing unit  51 ,  52  or  53 , which in return retransmits the display instructions received from the controller  2  by the transmitter-receiver circuit  421 ,  422  or  423 . 
     This display element  71 ,  72  or  73  thus makes it possible to make available, at the position of each of the peripheral devices, information pertinent for the whole of these peripheral devices, such as the instantaneous movement instruction to the elevator cabin, or the floor number this cabin has reached. 
     As those skilled in the art will have understood by reading the present description, the partition CL of the production mode shown fulfills the function of a support for the peripheral devices  31  to  33  and that of a dielectric separating the induction loops  11  to  13  of the antennae  401  to  403 . 
     These same functions could thus be fulfilled, in other applications of the invention, by materials completely different from those able to constitute a partition of a building. 
     For example, wallpaper covering the walls of a room could both contain or cover a network of induction loops passing through these walls, and acting as support for a plurality of peripheral devices, for example taking the form of simple tags stuck onto its surface and making remote command possible, in selective manner, for lighting or electrical equipment respectively, distributed throughout the whole room. 
     In the same way, a fabric for clothing, such as a jacket, could be passed through by a network of induction loops and act as support for a command element for electric equipment, such as a magnetic tape or CD-ROM reader housed in the collar of this clothing, this command element being, for example, fixed onto the clothing by means of a simple Velcro hook and loop fastener.