Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~096/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
TITLE OF THE lNV~ ~lON: A CONTROL AND REGISTRATION SY~-~M
~~CnNlCAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a control and/or registra-
tion system of the kind which includes at least one system
monitoring host computer and a plurality of system equipment
or system objects that are capable of being monitored.
The present invention is based on the presumption that the
host computer and each of said pieces of equipment or objects
shall be supplied with voltage taken from one and the same
mains voltage system.
The invention is also based on the assumption that said
monitoring host computer shall be capable of communicating
with each of the monitorable and monitored pieces of equip-
ment, either directly or indirectly, while each of said
monitored pieces of equipment is able to communicate with the
host computer, either directly or indirectly, through the
medium of information-carrying signals which are adapted to
a carrier frequency or the like such as to enable said
signals to be transmitted and perceived by transmission on
the electrical conductors of said mains voltage supply
system.
More particularly, the present invention is intended to
provide a control and/or registration system which can be
readily supplemented in a manner to provide a relevant
- 30 inventory register over all of the monitorable and/or
monitored pieces of equipment.
Thus, the inventive system enables the presence of monitored
equipment to be monitored continuously, by connecting-up said
equipment.
WO96109613 2 1 9 q 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
The inventive system also enables in addition (or solely)
monitoring of a piece of equipment, an object, apparatus, or
the like, whose function does not require the availability
of a mains voltage supply system, and therewith create
conditions for constructing an alarm-activating system which
will activate an alarm should the monitored equipment be
stolen or be removed with no criminal intent.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART
Several different types of control and/or registration
systems that include a monitoring unit or host computer and
a plurality of pieces of equipment or objects that can be
and/or are monitored by the host computer are known to the
art.
For instance, it is known to use in fire-monitoring systems
a central unit or host computer which senses sequentially a
plurality of measuring points and activates an alarm system
immediately upon detecting that one of the measuring points
has been switched from a non-fire-indicating position to a
fire-indicating position.
Similar systems int~n~e~ for other monitoring purposes are
also known to the art, such as a burglary alarm systems, a
security alarm systems, monitoring systems and the like.
With regard to the fundamental qualifications of the present
invention, it can be mentioned that there are known to the
art different systems for transmitting information-carrying
signals over a mains voltage supply system with the aid of
a carrier frequency.
Reference is made to U.S. Patent Specification 4,513,382 as
an example of the present standpoints of techniques in this
regard.
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
With regard to the present standpoint of techniques concern-
ing different inventory registers, it is previously known to
store in a computer unit significant information relating to
respective inventory objects as one item and to insert
manually into the register each new inventory item and/or
remove an earlier stored inventory item manually from the
register. The inventory list stored in the computer unit can
thus be read and/or printed-out, by activating circuits
adapted therefore.
Reference is also made to the subject matter of the following
publications, with regard to the earlier standpoint of
techniques.
W O-A193/11515
This publication describes a security system in which diverse
security units are used to monitor electronic equipment which
may be connected to a common mains voltage supply.
One type of security unit (10) may be connected to the
equipment to be monitored. This security unit includes an
individual identity code which is unique to the security unit
and therewith also to the equipment to which it is connected.
A further security unit (20) is fitted into the wall socket
(14) to which the monitored equipment is connected to the
mains supply voltage. This security unit (20) also has its
own identity code.
A central computer (30) is connected to the same voltage
supply and "polls" the monitored equipment via the voltage
network. The security unit 10 responds to the security unit
20, which in turn responds to the central computer. The
central computer is thus not only able to ascertain that a
given piece of equipment is connected but also to ascertain
to which wall-socket the equipment is connected. The common
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE9~/01037 ~
voltage supply network is used for transmitting the communi-
cation.
EP-A2 O 456 395
This publication describes a security system for monitoring
a number of personal computers, computer terminals or other
computer systems which are supplied with voltage from a
common voltage supply network.
The security units provided in respective computers are
comprised of a modem which functions to transmit and receive
information over the voltage supply network. Remaining
functions are embodied in the computer software and the
internal processors and memories used.
Communication between respective computers is effected in a
manner similar to that normally used in so-called LAN
networks (Local Area Networks), with the difference that
transmission takes place over the standard voltage supply
network instead of over a dedicated communication network.
US-A 5,034,723
This publication describes a monitoring system in which
monitored equipment (4) is connected to the general voltage
supply network, via a special cable (1) and an alarm unit
(3). The alarm unit (3) is in contact with a control station
(11), via communication over the general voltage supply
network.
The special cable (1) is constructed so that the alarm unit
is able to detect when the cable is disconnected from the
equipment (4) or if the cable has been cut. When such an
event occurs, the alarm unit alarms the control station via
the voltage network.
-WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
US-A 4,410,883
This publication describes a multiple signal system in which
a number of remote units are in contact with a main unit via
a voltage supply network located in a building.
The system is different to any of the aforedescribed systems
and to the present invention, since the system is intended
to transmit signals from a number of different types of
remote units. These units can be intended for sound transmis-
sion, the transmission of alarm signals for different types
of alarms, such as a fire alarm, smoke detection, water level
alarm, or a call for medical help, or the transmission of
control signals for different control systems, such as
control systems for heating systems or air-conditioning
systems.
Each control unit communicates with the main unit over a
unique frequency band, which is the modulation frequency used
in the communication process. A total of ninety-nine differ-
ent frequency bands are used.
The system can be configured so that one remote unit will
transmit a signal continuously and so that an interruption
in the signal will be noticed by the main unit, which will
then activate an alarm of one kind or another. Alternatively,
a remote unit begins to transmit only when wishing to draw
attention to the fact that an alarm situation has risen,
instead of transmitting a signal continuously.
- 30
Each remote unit is identified by a unique transmission
frequency and a unique identity number. A remote unit may,
for instance, be a portable unit carried by a cleaner who
after having cleaned a room ro~n~rts his/her portable unit
to the mains and keys-in the specific number of the room on
a number selector pad on the remote unit, therewith sen~; ng
to the main unit a signal to the effect that the room has
WO96/09613 P~ h9S/~1037
21 99630
been cleaned. In this regard, one control unit can be used
with several different identity numbers (room numbers),
wherein the main unit identifies the transmitting remote
unit, through the medium of the transmission frequency, and
the room from the signal is sent, by the room number.
It is obvious that each remote unit must be allocated a
specific transmission frequency before being able to estab-
lish communication between the remote unit and the main unit.
It is also evident that the various units are allocated a
respective transmission frequency and identity number, with
the aid of a hardware selector, such as dip switches or
rotary switches, which is done manually for each individual
control unit.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~lON
~ CAL PROBLEMS
When considering the present standpoint of techniques as
described above, it will be evident that a technical problem
resides in the ability to create an automatically controlling
and/or registering system with the aid of simple means, and
to provide such a system which can be readily supplemented
to include a temporarily relevant inventory register via
monitorable and/or monitored objects, apparatus or pieces of
equipment.
Another technical problem is one of being able to monitor
mains-connected equipment in a simple manner.
It will also be evident that a further technical problem is
one of enabling objects that do not need to be connected to
a mains supply to be functional, but which are placed close
to a mains outlet, for instance such as pieces of furniture
and the like.
~096/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCTISE95/01037
Another t~çhnical problem is one of providing a controlling
and/or registering system which can be readily adapted and
used for chosen inventory items that are located physically
within an area covered by the physical conductors of an
existing mains voltage supply system, and to use this mains
voltage supply system for the purpose of transmitting
information-carrying signals.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the signifi-
cance of using a master unit which can be connected readily
between the host computer and a mains connection.
A further techn;cal problem is one of realizing the signifi-
cance of being able to use a satellite unit which can be
readily connected between equipment, to an object, apparatus
or the like, and a mains connection.
It is also evident that a technical problem resides in
realizing the potential advantages of an inventory system
when it is possible to transmit information-carrying signals
between a host computer and/or a master unit connected to
said host computer, and each of the monitorable and/or
monitored pieces of equipment or objects in order to allocate
an identification code thereto.
It will also be seen that another t~rhn;cal problem is one
of creating conditions wherein the construction of the
inventive system requires solely the use of one master unit
belonging to the host computer, and at least one satellite
- 30 unit corresponding to the number of monitored pieces of
equipment or objects, wherein one single satellite unit is
allocated to one piece of equipment or one object.
In addition to the aforesaid problems, another technical
problem is one of realizing other conditions for creating an
inventory system of the kind defined in the introduction
solely by using one simple co~neçtable master unit and one
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 ~ s~l037 -
or more simple connectable satellite units.
A further t~chn;cal problem resides in the realization of
those conditions that are required to permit the master unit
to include solely one electric contact device (female
contact) adapted to mains voltage, and an electric contact
device (male contact device) adapted to the computer unit.
It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in
realizing those advantages that are afforded when a satellite
unit belonging to the monitorable or monitored equipment can
be connected between a mains voltage-related (male) contact
device ACCO~ Ated with each piece of equipment and a (female)
electric contact device associated with the mains voltage
system assigned to a piece of equipment, and to permit one
such satellite unit to be comprised of a discrete unit which
initially does not have the identity of the equipment or
object being monitored.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the advantages
that are afforded when the satellite unit is not allocated
a system-related and/or equipment-related identity by the
master unit until said equipment or object is connected to
said master unit.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the conditions
that are necessAry in order to enable each satellite unit to
be loaded with two mains-voltage adapted electric contact
devices, a male electric contact device and a female electric
contact device, and therewith also realize the conditions
that are required to indicate when a piece of equipment is
connected or that an object is intact, or vice versa.
Another t~chn~cAl problem is one of realizing the advantages
that are afforded by allowing the master unit belonging to
the host computer to be connected between a host-computer
communication port and a mains-voltage system outlet, wherein
-~VO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCTISE95/01037
the master unit has the form of a discrete component.
Still another tPchnical problem resides in the ability to
re~li 7P- the signif;c~ce of permitting a readily r-o~ertable
master unit to be constructed so as to be able to check
through an internal circuit arrangement and/or via the host
computer that an a~e~ed connection of each monitored piece
of equipment or the like has been effected, by adapting the
master unit to transmit information-carrying signals to and
receive information-carrying signals from each of the
monitored pieces of equipment so as to establish the status
of said equipment, by waiting for and registering response
signals from each of said pieces of equipment subsequent to
activation in an ordered manner, and to activate an alarm
signal in the absence of any such response.
Another technical problem is one of realizing the signifi-
cance of registering the absence of any response immediately,
and recording this absence in an inventory list.
Still another tPchnical problem is one of realizing the
significance of constructing the master unit to register all
monitorable and/or monitored equipment or objects and/or to
cause the host computer to effect such registration.
Because the inventive ~y~elll is able to use solely one single
master unit and preferably a relatively large number of
satellite units, where each of said units can be readily
~ol~,ec~ed to the mains voltage supply system and to the host
computer and to respective monitored equipment or objects,
it will be seen that a te-chn;cal problem resides in realizing
those advantages that are afforded when it is possible to
allocate a satellite unit and/or a monitored piece of
equipment a system-related equipment-significant identifying
code by the master unit, when the satellite unit and the
piece of equipment are connected.
WO96/09613 2 1 q 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95101037 ~
It will also be seen that a technical problem is one of
creating in a simple way conditions such that immediately an
information-carrying connection between the master unit
and/or the host computer and one of the satellite units
and/or the monitored piece of equipment and/or the object
and/or the current supply is broken for a longer or shorter
period of time, that this happening can be indicated quickly
within the master unit and that the broken connection can be
shown on a host-computer display screen.
It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in
creating with the aid of simple means conditions and satel-
lite-unit construction directives which will enable the
satellite unit to include, among other things, a communica-
tion part which when transmitting information-carrying
signals in response to an enquiry from the master unit is
also able to transmit its identification code allocated by
the master unit.
It will also be seen that a technical problem is one of
realizing the advantages that are afforded when allowing the
host computer to include an inventory system in which each
monitorable and/or monitored unit is included as an item
together with the identification code of said unit and
information relating to the connection or disconnection
thereof, and where a selected satellite unit and/or monitored
piece of equipment or object can be indicated as temporarily
or definitely disconnectable, via the host computer.
It will also be evident that a technical problem is one of
realizing the significance of permitting one main host
computer to be co~nected to one or more host computers,
wherein the main host computer is able to store all satellite
units and/or monitorable and/or monitored pieces of equipment
or objects related to respective host computers, and particu-
larly such pieces of equipment, objects and/or items which
have once been connected but not removed from the inventory
~WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCTISE95/01037
register of the main host computer.
SOLUTION
With the intention of solving one or more of the aforesaid
technical problems, the present invention takes as its
starting point a control and/or registration system which
comprises at least one system-monitoring host computer and
a plurality of pieces of equipment or objects which can be
monitored and/or which are monitored by the host computer,
wherein the host computer, and preferably each of the pieces
of equipment or objects, is supplied with voltage from one
and the same mains voltage supply system, wherein said
monitoring host computer is able to communicate with each of
said monitorable pieces of equipment or objects via informa-
tion-carrying signals, and wherein each of said monitorable
pieces of equipment or objects is able to communicate with
said host computer via information-carrying signals, said
signals being adapted for transmission on electric conductors
within said mains voltage supply system.
In such a system, a master unit belonging to the host
computer can be connected and is connected between the host
computer and a (female) electric contact device or outlet
belonging to the mains voltage supply system, and a satellite
unit ~-soc;ated with a monitored piece of equipment or object
can be con~ected and is ~on~ected to a (female) electric
contact device or outlet belonging to the mains voltage
supply system, wherein the master unit functions to control
the connection of each monitored piece of equipment or object
by sending information-carrying signals to and receiving
information-carrying signals from said monitored equipment
or objects, and wherein said master unit functions to
register at least all monitored equipment and/or causes the
-- 35 host computer to register at least all monitored pieces of
equipment.
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCTISE95/01037
According to the present invention, the master unit functions
to assign an identification code to the satellite unit and/or
to the piece of equipment or objects when connecting-up a
satellite unit associated with a monitored piece of equipment
or object.
Pursuant to further developments of the invention that lie
within the scope of the inventive concept, it is proposed
that when the connection between the master unit and a
satellite unit and/or a monitored piece of equipment or
object is broken, this will be indicated within the master
unit.
It is also proposed within the scope of the invention that
a broken connection to a satellite unit and/or a monitored
piece of equipment is indicated on the display screen of the
host computer, and that this information will include data
relating to the location of the satellite unit and/or the
monitored piece of equipment or object, and also the time at
which the connection was broken.
When it is establ;che~ that a connection has been broken, an
alarm device can be activated, wherein the alarm device may
be related to the master unit and/or to the satellite unit.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the
satellite unit also includes a communication part which when
transmitting information-carrying signals to the master unit
also sends an identification code previously allocated to the
satellite unit by the master unit.
The host computer and/or the master unit may include an
inventory system in which each monitorable and/or monitored
satellite unit with allocated identification code is insert-
ed, and also such information as time data relating toactivation or deactivation of the satellite unit.
-~096/09613 PCT/SE95/01037
21 99630
13
A chosen satellite unit and/or a monitorable or monitored
piece of equipment may be registered via the host computer
as being temporarily disconnected or definitely ~;sco~nected.
According to another embodiment of the invention, one or more
of the aforesaid host computers is/are connected to a main
host computer in which all satellite units and/or all
monitorable and/or all monitored pieces of equipment are
stored, and particularly those which have been connected at
one time but have not been ~e,..oved from an inventory regis-
ter.
ADVANTAGES
Those advantages primarily afforded by an inventive control-
ling and/or registering system reside in the creation of
conditions which enable the master unit to allocate an
identification code to a satellite unit when connecting-up
said unit through the medium of discrete components, and by
creating conditions through a master unit connected to the
host computer and through a satellite unit connected to each
piece of monitored equipment such that an alarm signal will
be generated immediately at least one satellite unit or at
least one monitored piece of equipment or at least one object
is disconnected from the mains voltage supply system, unless
this disconnection has earlier been accepted by the host
computer.
In addition, the identity of pieces of equipment and objects
that have earlier been inserted into an inventory register
can be readily removed therefrom and other pieces of equip-
ment and objects inserted therein in a simple fashion. This
provides for a simple and positive instantaneous inventory
of each piece of monitored equipment or each monitored object
in operation, and also enables monitorable pieces of equip-
ment or objects to be temporarily disconnected.
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE9~/01037
The primary characteristic features of an inventive control
and/or registration system are set forth in the characteriz-
ing clause of the following Claim l.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of an inventive control and/or
registration system having features significant of the
invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which
Figure l is an overview of an inventive system;
Figure 2 illustrates two different embodiments of a master
unit connectable to the host computer;
Figure 3 illustrates two different embodiments of a satel-
lite unit that can be connected to monitored
equipment;
Figure 4 illustrates a principle construction of the sys-
tem;
Figure 5 is a block schematic illustrating a master unit;
Figure 6 is a block schematic illustrating a satellite
unit;
Figure 7 is a block schematic illustrating a control unit
included in the master unit;
Figure 8 is a block schematic illustrating a control unit
included in the satellite unit;
21 99630
'~WO96/09613 PCT/SE95/01037
Figure 9 illustrates a satellite unit according to Figure
3B in more detail, and
Figure lO illustrates part of a (female) electric contact
device according to Figure 9 belong to the satel-
lite unit.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED EMBODIMENTS
Figure l thus illustrates a control and/or registration
system which includes the characteristics of the invention
and which comprises a host computer VD and a number of pieces
of equipment and/or object SN monitored by the host computer.
By "pieces of equipment" is meant electrical or electronic
equipment whose function requires the supply of voltage from
a mains voltage supply system.
By "object" is meant a piece of equipment or some other
element whose function does not require the supply of
voltage.
The system may include monitorable and monitored pieces of
equipment and/or objects, i.e. equipment and objects that
have been monitored and equipment and objects that are able
to be monitored, and monitored pieces of equipment and/or
objects that are monitored at that point in time.
The host computer VD is connected to a mains voltage supply
- 30 system through the medium of a connection line provided with
a (male) electric contact device, not shown.
One significant feature of the present invention is that the
host computer VD is connected to or joined with a master unit
2 by a conductor 2a, said master unit being provided with the
requisite voltage supply from a mains voltage supply system
lO, through a cable connector 2b.
WO96/09613 PCTISE95/01037
2 1 99630
The mains supply system 10 is illustrated as a system with
220 VAC, although other voltages may be used without depart-
ing from the principle construction and function of the
invention.
The host computer VD is supplied with voltage from a mains
voltage supply system, through a cable ~o~nector, not shown.
This mains voltage supply system may be separate from the
mains voltage supply ~ys~l" 10, although it is assumed in the
present case that the host computer VD is supplied from the
system 10.
As the present invention can be explained effectively with
the aid of one single monitored piece of equipment or one
single monitored object, only one of the illustrated monitor-
able pieces of equipment SN has been identified with the
reference numeral 11, this monitored piece of equipment 11
being connected to a satellite unit 3 which is provided with
a cable or equivalent conductor 3a that connects the piece
of equipment 11, and a cable or equivalent conductor 3b which
connects the satellite unit to the mains voltage supply
system 10.
The satellite unit 3 is comprised of a discrete unit (Fig.
9), having a cable csnnector or equivalent conductor provided
with a male electrical contact device 91 for coaction with
the outlet of the mains voltage supply system 10, and a
female electrical contact device 92 for coaction with the
male electrical contact device on said piece of equipment 11,
and an electronic unit 3, 93 orientated therebetween.
The master unit 2 is comprised of a discrete unit having a
cable connector or equivalent conductor 2b provided with a
male electrical contact device for coaction with the outlet
of the mains voltage supply system lO, and a cable connector
or equivalent conductor 2a provided with an electrical
contact device for coaction with the host computer VD.
W096/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95tO1037
Figure 1 is intended to show that both the host computer VD
and each piece of equipment SN such as the piece of equipment
11, is supplied with voltage from one and the same mains
voltage supply system 10, and that the system related master
unit and the system related satellite unit 3 are also
supplied with voltage from the system 10.
The monitoring host computer VD is able to communicate with
each of said monitorable and/or monitored pieces of equipment
11, and each of said pieces of equipment 11 is capable of
communicating with said host computer VD, through the medium
of information-carrying signals.
The information-carrying signals are adapted in a known
manner for transmission over the physical conductors of the
mains voltage supply system 10 through the medium of high
frequency carrier waves, this being illustrated by a csm~llni-
cation route referenced 12.
The transmission of information-carrying signals on the
physical conductors of the mains voltage supply system is
known to the art and will not therefore be described in
detail here. In the present case, the information-carrying
signal is allocated a carrier frequency or the like that
deviates from and is much higher than the frequency of the
voltage supply system.
The host computer VD is thus connected to an associated
master unit 2, said master unit being connected between a
host-computer communication port 2a' and an outlet lOa of the
mains voltage supply system.
An equipment-monitoring satellite unit is connected between
a male electrical contact device for the monitored equipment
11 and an outlet lOa' of the mains voltage supply system 10.
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCTISE95/01037
This connection pattern and the communication route 12 enable
the master unit 2 to check that each piece of monitored
equipment 11 is connected correctly, by s~n~ing signals to
the monitored equipment and receiving information-signals
from said monitored equipment over the signalling route 12,
whereby the master unit 2 functions to register all monitor-
able and/or all monitored pieces of equipment and objects
and/or causes the host computer VD to effect such registra-
tion.
Figure 2 illustrates two different embodiments of a master
unit 2.
The master unit 2 shown in Figure 2A includes a connection
cable 2a, which in turn includes an electrical contact device
2a" adapted for coaction with a host-computer communication
port 2a', and a cable connector 2b which has on its free end
a male electrical plug lOb intended for coaction with the
socket outlet lOa of the mains voltage supply system lO.
Figure 2B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the master
unit, wherein said master unit 2 also includes a telephone
co~nector cable 2c.
Figure 3 illustrates two alternative embodiments of satellite
units 3, where the satellite unit of Figure 3A includes one
single connector cable 3b having fitted on one end a male
electric plug lOb' for connection to the mains voltage supply
system lO.
The satellite unit 3 is int~n~e~ primarily for such inventory
items as tables, pictures, paintings, chests of drawers, and
so on, wherein one surface of the unit 3 is so affixed to the
inventory object as to activate a microswitch immediately the
unit 3 is removed, and therewith activate alarm circuits,
etc., within the unit 3, as a result of the change in state
of the microswitch.
~096/09613 2 1 9 ~ 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
19
Figure 3B illustrates an alternative embodiment which
includes two connection cables 3b and 3a.
One end of the connector cable 3b carries a male electric
plug lOb' and the end of the co~nector cable 3a carries a
female socket device 10c for coaction with a male plug
related to a piece of equipment.
Figure 4 is intended to show by way of example application
of the invention with one single mains voltage supply system
10 .
The system includes a host computer VD, an associated master
unit 2. The monitored equipment includes a telefacsimile
machine 41 installed on the first floor of a building, a
computer system 42 and a dictaphone 43 installed on a second
floor of the building, and a computer system 44 and a
telefacsimile machine 45 installed on a third floor of the
building, each piece of equipment being monitored by a
respective satellite unit 3.
Each of these pieces of monitored equipment 41-45 is connect-
ed to the mains voltage supply system 10 via its respective
satellite unit according to Figure 3b.
The system may also include other pieces of equipment in
other buildings, such as data equipment 46a, a telefacsimile
apparatus 46b and a telPphone apparatus 46c.
~ 30 Installed on a second floor are data equipment 46d, a
telephone apparatus 46e and a telefacsimile apparatus 46f.
The system may also be expanded for use with and to monitor
equipment of a nature that has not been assigned a reference
numeral in Figure 4.
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037 ~~
It can be mentioned, however, that the system shown in Figure
4 can also function when a satellite unit, according to
Figure 3A, is attAc~e~ firmly to an inventory object or to
a piece of equipment and the electric plug lOb' is inserted
into the electrical socket of the mains voltage supply
system.
The invention also relates to an embodiment in which several
systems work within the same mains voltage domain with
different codes.
Figure 5 is a block schematic illustrating a master unit 2
which comprises an electric mains interface 50, a power unit
51, an electric mains modem 52, a control unit 53, a memory
54, an adaptation circuit 55 and an interface against the
host computer VD.
Figure 4 is a block schematic illustrating a satellite unit
which comprises an electric mains interface 60, a power unit
61, an electric mains modem 62, a control unit 63, alarm
logic 64 which coacts with the control unit 63, a tilt switch
65 and a timer circuit 66.
The master unit 2 and each of the satellite units 3 may
include voltage circuits which are activated when the voltage
supply from the mains voltage system 10 is cut off.
The manner in which the embodiment operates will now be
described in more detail with reference to Figures 7 and 8.
Figure 7 is a block schematic illustrating a control unit 53
included in the master unit 2, and Figure 8 is a block
schematic of a control unit 63 included in the satellite 3.
The master unit 2 and each of the satellite units 3 used are
pre-programmed to be system-related, i.e. they are adapted
to a chosen carrier frequency and are assigned a system-
~'--WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SEg5/01037
related code.
The master unit 2 is connected between the host computer VD
and the mains voltage supply system lO in the aforesaid
manner.
A first satellite unit 3 is co~ected between a first piece
of equipment ll and the mains voltage supply system lO.
The satellite unit 3 requests the master unit 2 to allocate
a serial number or an individual number to the satellite unit
3 (and the piece of equipment ll), through the medium of a
satellite-Ascoc;ated circuit 81 and with the aid of a ~y~Le
related code sent to the master unit.
The master unit 2 receives the request on a circuit 71,
checks the code and chooses a serial number via a circuit 72,
and sends the serial number to the satellite unit 3 via a
circuit 73, this serial number being received by said unit
3 in a circuit 82 and stored in a memory 83.
This function is acknowledged, although the acknowledgement
is not described here.
It will be understood that it is, within the scope of the
inventive thought, possible that, upon a new entry of a
satellite unit 3, the master unit 2 requests an identi-
fication of the satellite unit 3, which results a response
from the satellite unit that it is new and does not have a~ 30 serial number, or an individual number, whereafter the master
unit 2 allocates a serial number, or an individual number,
to the satellite unit 3.
The master unit 2 stores the serial number allocated to each
satellite unit 3 in a memory 74.
The master unit 2 sends a general inquiry to a chosen number
WO96/09613 PCT/SE95/01037
21 99630
22
(a sub-network) of satellite units via a circuit 75, inquir-
ing whether or not the setting value has been changed.
The chosen number is taken from the memory 74 and placed in
a sub-memory 76.
When the satellite unit 3 now receives the query in a circuit
84, it detects the current status of an alarm circuit 85.
The alarm circuit 85 is constructed to switch from a rest
state to an alarm-activating state in the event of an
interruption in the mains supply or in response to some other
means indicating that the equipment has been taken out of
use.
When the alarm circuit 85 is in its rest state, an informa-
tion-carrying signal is sent on the signal route 12, via a
circuit 86.
This information-carrying signal includes a system-related
code, a relevant serial number and the status of the alarm
circuit 85, and is received by the master unit 2 in a circuit
77 which response-marks the relevant satellite unit 3 in the
sub-memory 76.
When all responses have been marked in the sub-memory 76
within a predetermined time period, it is possible that
responses have still not been received from a number of
initially questioned satellite units.
A new general inquiry is then sent to those satellite units
that have not replied via the circuit 75, and the above
process is repeated.
Should one of the satellite units, for instance the satellite
unit 3, fail to respond despite repeated inquiries, or should
the response received contain information relating to an
WO96/09613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
alarm state, this is evaluated in a circuit 78 which acti-
vates an alarm indicating unit 79.
The master unit 2 is able to determine the satellite unit 3
that has generated an alarm signal via the circuit 78 and by
means of the code received, and show all information neces-
sary to unequivocally identify the satellite unit concerned
on a display screen not shown (VDB in Figure 1) via a
conductor 78a.
The master unit 2 may also include a device (not shown) which
automatically calls one or more telephone numbers so as to
activate alarm signals.
The inventive principle enables such an alarm system to be
readily supplemented with an inventory list.
By reading the - y 74 and storing therein given satellite
units, a memory 20 in the host computer is a able to store
all satellite units that have been allocated a serial number
together with associated equipment or inventory objects.
The memory 20 can change its active memory content by
detecting changes (from inactive states) occurring in the
receiver circuit 77, wherewith the memory 20 will always
contain a current inventory list.
The state in the circuit 85 from the master unit 2 can be set
via information-carrying signals to "accepted permanent
disconnection", "service or temporary disconnection" or
"unauthorized" disconnection.
The means required in the control units 53 and 63 respective-
ly to carry out these functions are well known to the person
skilled in this art and will not therefore be described in
detail here.
-
W096tO9613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SEg5/01037
24
It will be noted that ~oy~dm memory controlled circuits are
used in this connection.
The alarm-initiating circuit 87 may be any appropriate
circuit, although simple units or more sophisticated units
will be chosen in accordance with the type of alarm envis-
aged.
It is important to the present invention that the satellite
unit 3 is provided with a simple detector circuit by means
of which ro~nection or disconnection of pieces of equipment
or objects can be detected.
A microswitch 68 is well suited for objects in this regard,
and is also suited for use with pieces of equipment.
A specially constructed female electrical device 92 is well
suited for monitoring pieces of equipment.
As shown in Figure 10, the female contact device 92 includes
a contact tab 101, 102 for respective conductors 95a, 95a',
and with corresponding contact tabs for respective conductors
95b, 95b'.
This provides conditions for making an electric circuit when
the male electric contact device on the equipment coacts with
the female contact device, and to break said current circuit
when the male contact device is withdrawn.
The time at which this event takes place can be established
and registered through the medium of ti~; ng circuits, not
shown in detail.
Figure 1 shows the host computer VD co~nected to a main host
computer HVD.
It will be understood that the aforedescribed and illustrated
~096tO9613 2 1 9 9 6 3 0 PCT/SE95/01037
embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention and that
modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive
~.onc~pt as defined in the following Claims.
