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EP 0 505 001 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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04.12.1996 Bulletin 1996/49 |
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Date of filing: 17.03.1992 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC)6: G08B 3/10 |
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Paging system suitable for checking the operation of portable paging devices of the
system
Personenrufanlage, die zur Betriebsüberprüfung von tragbaren Rufvorrichtungen geeignet
ist
Système de télé-appel adapté pour vérifier le fonctionnement des dispositives portatives
de télé-appel
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Designated Contracting States: |
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CH DE FR GB LI NL SE |
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Priority: |
21.03.1991 NL 9100505
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Date of publication of application: |
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23.09.1992 Bulletin 1992/39 |
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Proprietor: ERICSSON RADIO SYSTEMS B.V. |
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7814 VA Emmen (NL) |
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Inventor: |
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- Zijlstra, Gauke Klaas
NL-7824 LD Emmen (NL)
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Representative: van der Arend, Adrianus G.A., Ir. et al |
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van Exter Polak & Charlouis B.V.,
P.O. Box 3241 2280 GE Rijswijk 2280 GE Rijswijk (NL) |
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References cited: :
DE-A- 2 738 887 US-A- 3 808 538
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GB-A- 2 212 310
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The invention relates to a paging system as defined by the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] A paging system of the abovementioned type is described in US Patent Specification
3808538. If a paging device in the known system receives a message whose identification
number is equal to the identification number stored in the paging device, an equality
signal is generated and delivered to a control input of an amplifier for generating
an acoustic paging signal. If the paging device has been placed in the rack, it receives
a supply voltage for charging a storage battery in the paging device from the rack
via a number of contacts. If the paging device has been placed in the rack, the supply
voltage is also delivered to a control input of the amplifier in order to suppress
the generation of the acoustic paging signal. If the paging device has been placed
in the rack and it generates the equality signal, this produces a presence signal
which is delivered to the transmitting device via a processing circuit in the rack
so that the transmitting device receives an indication of the presence of the paging
device in the rack and, consequently, of the accessibility of the user of the paging
device.
[0003] The equality signals or presence signals received from the various compartments of
the rack are the same and are delivered via a number of conductors to the transmitting
device.
[0004] In the known paging system, it is impossible to detect the presence of a paging device
in the rack if the paging device is defective or an accumulator or battery thereof
is empty. This has the important drawback that the transmitting device never automatically
receives an indication of the accessibility of the user of the defective paging device
after this paging device has become in such a state. Because as a result of this communication
between the transmitting device and said user is in fact deemed to exist but is impossible,
the operation of the organisation in which said user and other users of defective
paging devices are employed may be seriously disrupted. Usually, this problem is more
serious if the user of a defective paging device is a person who has to be paged as
quickly and reliably as possible in the event of disasters.
[0005] Another drawback of the known system is that the presence of a paging unit in the
rack can only be detected if, while it is still unaware of said presence, the transmitting
device broadcasts a message intended for said paging device, which might occur any
length of time after the paging device has been placed in the rack.
[0006] The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the known paging system
and to improve the system.
[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved for the paging system of the
abovementioned type by means of the measures which are stated in the characterising
part of claim 1.
[0008] Whenever a paging device is placed in the rack, the satisfactory operation of the
paging device can consequently be checked from the transmitting device. Because the
passive feature which the second identification number of the paging device represents
is insensitive to electronic interferences, defects and/or an empty accumulator or
battery, the satisfactory operation of the paging device can be detected in good time
and with high reliability.
[0009] The check message may be broadcast by the transmitting device at an intensity different
from other messages, as a result of which the transmitting device can check whether
the receiving sensitivity of the paging device is adequate. If desired, the transmitting
device may broadcast a series of check messages at different transmission intensities
for this purpose.
[0010] According to one or more of the characterising parts of the subordinate claims, the
passive feature, which represents the second identification number of a paging device,
may be such a simple feature that it can easily be provided on paging devices of the
type described in said US Patent Specification 3808538 without the paging devices
having to be modified further. As a result, the cost of implementation of the invention
can be kept down.
[0011] Within the scope of the invention, the paging system may optionally be designed for
storing in a memory data which indicate, for the various paging devices of the system,
the presence or absence thereof in a rack.
[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the explanation,
which follows below, of embodiments of the paging system according to the invention
with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a paging system in which the invention is used;
Figure 2 shows, in perspective, a paging device of the paging system of figure 1;
Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a section of a compartment of a rack of the system
of figure 1;
Figure 4 shows an electrical block diagram of a paging device of the system of figure
1; and
Figure 5 diagrammatically shows a section of another embodiment of a compartment of
a rack of the system of figure 1.
[0013] Figure 1 diagrammatically shows a paging system according to the invention. The system
comprises a central transmitting device 1, a number of portable paging devices 2 and
a rack 3. The rack 3 has a number of compartments 4 which are each suitable for placing
a paging device 2 therein. The rack 3 also has a processing circuit 5 which is connected
to the transmitting device 1. The transmitting device 1 may comprise operating means
6 and/or means for the remote reception of control signals for broadcasting a message.
[0014] Assigned to each paging device 2 is a first individual identification number which,
as explained with reference to figure 4, is stored in a memory 24 of the paging device
2.
[0015] The transmitting device 1 is suitable for compiling a message which contains a first
individual identification number and for broadcasting the message via an aerial 7.
[0016] Figure 2 shows, in perspective, a paging device 2 which bears on one side a passive
feature 9 which represents a second individual identification number assigned to the
paging device. The passive feature 9 may be a simple feature, for example an optically,
magnetically or mechanically detectable feature.
[0017] Within the scope of the invention, the first and second identification numbers of
any paging device may be any symbol which can represent an identification code or
identification number. Furthermore, it is not necessary that the first and second
identification numbers assigned to a paging device 2 are identical.
[0018] Figure 3 diagrammatically shows a section of a compartment 4 into which a paging
device 2 is partly inserted via an opening 10. The compartment 4 has three contacts
11a, 11b, 11c. The paging device 2 has three contacts 12a, 12b, 12c. Once the paging
device 2 has been completely inserted in the compartment 4, the contacts 11a, 11b,
11c touch the contacts 12a, 12b, and 12c, respectively. The contacts 11a, 11b, are
connected via two conductors of a bundle 15 to the terminals of a supply source (not
separately shown) of the rack 3, to which the processing circuit 5 of the rack is
also connected. The contacts 12a, 12b are connected to terminals of a storage battery
or storage battery supply circuit 27, shown in figure 4, of the paging device 2.
[0019] The compartment 4 also has a sensor 16 which is connected to the processing circuit
5 via a pair of conductors of the bundle 15.
[0020] If the paging device 2 having the passive feature 9 is moved with respect to the
sensor 16, the sensor 16 is suitable for detecting the feature 9. As a result, the
sensor 16 and the processing circuit 5 are capable of detecting the second identification
number represented by the feature 9. Once the processing circuit 5 has detected the
placing of the paging device 2 in the compartment 4 and the feature 9 of the paging
device 2, the processing circuit 5 delivers an identification signal to the transmitting
device 1 via a connection 13, which identification signal contains the second identification
number of the feature 9. In response thereto, the transmitting device 1 compiles a
check message of which the first identification number is the first identification
number of the paging device whose second identification number is embodied in the
identification signal received from the rack 3. The transmitting device 1 then broadcasts
the check message. If the paging device 2 to which said first and second identification
numbers are assigned is working satisfactorily and receives the control message mentioned
in the rack 3, the paging device 2 generates an equality signal which is delivered
via the contacts 11c, 12c to the processing circuit 5 of the rack 3. The processing
circuit 5 delivers the equality signal, hereinafter also referred to as presence signal,
to the transmitting device 1 which consequently obtains an indication of the satisfactory
operation of the paging device 2, paged by means of the check message, in the rack
3.
[0021] By broadcasting the check message at an intensity different from that of other messages,
the transmitting device 1 can also obtain an indication of the receiving sensitivity
of said paging device 2. For that purpose, the transmitting device 1 may broadcast
the check message a number of times at various transmission intensities.
[0022] As stated, the feature 9 may be an optically detectable feature. The feature consists,
for example, of a bar code, the bars of which cross the direction of insertion of
the device 2 into the compartment 4. The sensor 16 is in that case an optical sensor
which may have a light-providing device, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), for
illuminating a feature 9 which is being fed past, and a light-sensitive device, such
as a light-sensitive diode, for detecting reflected light.
[0023] The feature 9 may, as an alternative, be a magnetically detectable feature and consist,
for example, of a magnetic tape strip. In that case the sensor 16 is a magnetically
sensitive sensor.
[0024] The feature 9 may, as an alternative, be a mechanically detectable feature, for example
consisting of a pattern of depressions or elevations. The depressions or elevations
may be detected by one or more switches which form the sensor 16 or in another way,
for example with a laser scanner like that of a CD player.
[0025] The sensor 16 is preferably mounted close to the feed opening 10 of the compartment
4, as a result of which the feature 9 can be relatively long and is consequently able
to contain a lot of information or the information can be spread over a longer distance.
As a result, the feature 9 must be produced less precisely and/or the sensor 16 must
be less sensitive and/or less precise. In addition, with such a location of the sensor
16, the feed-through speed will be more uniform, as a result of which the risk of
incorrect detection of the feature 9 is counteracted.
[0026] In particular, if the feature 9 is an optically or magnetically detectable feature
of the abovementioned type, it is possible for the feature 9 to be mounted, for example,
as an adhesive strip on paging devices of before the invention, for example of the
type described in the said US Patent Specification 3808538.
[0027] Figure 4 shows an electrical block diagram of a paging device 2 of a paging system
according to the invention. The paging device 2 comprises an aerial 19, a receiving
circuit 20 which is connected to the aerial 19 and to a decoder 21, the latter being
connected to a comparator 22 and a control circuit 23 which is connected to a memory
24, operating means, such as switches 25, a signal generator 26 and the storage battery
or storage battery supply circuit 27 already mentioned.
[0028] The memory 24 is also connected to the comparator 22 and contains at least one first
individual identification number assigned to the paging device 2.
[0029] The signal generator 26 may be an optical and/or acoustic and/or electromechanical
signal generator.
[0030] The aerial 19 and the receiving circuit 20 of the paging device 2 are suitable for
receiving and demodulating a message transmitted by the central transmitting device
1. After receiving and extracting a message, the receiving circuit 20 delivers the
message to the decoder 21 which extracts the first identification number and any other
data in the message. The comparator 22 compares the first identification number received
with the at least one identification number stored in the memory 24 and, in the event
of equality, delivers an enable signal to the control circuit 23 for further processing
the other data received, which may be presented by means of the signal generator 26.
If the comparator 22 detects the equality mentioned, the control circuit 23 delivers
an equality signal or presence signal to the contact 12c of the paging device 2. The
signal delivered to the contact 12c may simply be the output signal of the comparator
22, in which case the contact 12c may be connected directly to the output of the comparator
22 instead of to an output of the control circuit 23. However, the signal delivered
to the contact 12c may contain, according to the invention, the first identification
number stored in the memory 24. As a result, the transmitting device 1 achieves greater
certainty about whether a presence signal received from the rack 3 does, or does not,
originate from the paged paging device 2. The contact 12c is in that case connected
to the control circuit 23.
[0031] Within the scope of the invention, the transmitting device 1 and/or the processing
circuit 5 of the rack 3 may optionally have a memory (not shown) for the storage therein
of data which indicate for the paging devices of the system whether they have, or
have not, been placed in the rack or in one of a number of racks of the system. The
presence of a paging device 2 may be detected in the way described above if the paging
device 2 is inserted in a compartment 4 of the rack 3. The removal, and consequently
the absence, of a paging device 2 from the rack 3 can easily be detected with the
aid of the embodiment shown in figure 5 of a compartment 30 which differs from the
compartment 4 shown in figure 3 in that the compartment 30 has a switch 31 which is
in a first state if a portable device 2 has been placed in the compartment 30 and
which is otherwise in a second state. The switch 31 is connected via two conductors
of the bundle 15' to the processing circuit 5, which is able to detect the change
in state of the switch 31 and, in accordance therewith, can control the memory in
order to alter the datum, previously assigned to the paging device 2, which indicated
the presence of the paging device 2 in the compartment 30. With this way of detection
of removal of a paging device 2 from the compartment 30, it is necessary for the respective
datum which indicates the presence of a paging device 2 in the compartment 30 to be
coupled to an individual compartment number assigned to the compartment 30. How the
first and second identification numbers of a paging device 2 placed in a compartment
30 and then removed and the compartment number assigned to said compartment 30 are
processed in order to alter absence/presence data in a memory, intended for this purpose,
in the transmitting device 1, or both in the transmitting device 1 and in the processing
circuit 5 of the rack 3, is not considered difficult for a person skilled in the art
after reading the above and this is therefore not explained further.
[0032] Alternatively the passive feature 9, the processing circuit 5 and the sensor 16 can
be such that the processing circuit 5 and the sensor 16 can detect the removal of
a paging device 2 out of a compartment 4 by that they can detect the passing by of
the passive feature (in opposite direction). It is sufficient then that a detection
signal is generated which indicates the removal, without the detection signal containing
a representation of the feature from which a second individual identification number
could be derived.
[0033] Other solutions which can be used to detect the removal of a paging device 2 from
a compartment of a rack, in which the paging devices 2 are also capable of transmitting
the first identification number to the detection means of the compartment are described
in Dutch Patent Applications 9001318 and 9002677 of the Applicant.
[0034] It is observed that, within the scope of the invention, instead of via the contacts
11c and 12c, the equality or presence signal, with or without identification number,
can also be transferred to the rack 3 in another way, for example inductively, optically
or by modulation of the supply current which flows through the contacts 11a, 11b,
12a, 12b, as described in the said Dutch Patent Applications 9001318 and 9002677 of
Applicant.
[0035] Within the scope of the invention it is further possible that the check message is
transmitted by an other transmitter. The other transmitter is for instance a transmitter
arranged within the rack, whereby the processing circuit of the rack comprises in
a memory a table containing first and second individual identification numbers assigned
to the different paging devices, and the processing circuit passing test results to
the central transmitting device 1.
[0036] It is further observed that modern paging devices of the type mentioned above are
based on microprocessor techniques and often comprise an ASIC (Application Specific
Integrated Circuit) with which both analog and digital functions can be fulfilled.
In addition, control circuits or processing circuits of modern paging systems are
also usually based on microprocessor techniques. It is therefore assumed that, after
reading the explanation given above with reference to the drawings, a person skilled
in the art can alter a paging system, known per se and employing microprocessor techniques,
in order to obtain a paging system according to the invention without much trouble,
a number of alterations relating to programs. An explanation of a further detailed
physical implementation of a paging system according to the invention is therefore
omitted.
1. Paging system, comprising a central transmitting device, a number of portable paging
devices and a rack having a number of compartments which are each suitable for placing
a paging device therein, in which system means are provided such that a first individual
identification number is assigned to each paging device, the first number of a paging
device is stored in a memory of the paging device, the transmitting device is suitable
for compiling and broadcasting a message which contains a first number, each paging
device compares a first number received via a message with the first number stored
in the memory of the paging device and, in the event of equality, generates an equality
signal and, if the paging device has been placed in the rack, delivers a presence
signal to the transmitting device via a processing circuit of the rack, characterised
in that means are provided such that a second individual identification number is
assigned to each portable device, the second number is represented by a passive feature
of the paging device, the rack has a sensor connected to the processing circuit of
the rack, the sensor and the processing circuit of the rack are suitable for reading
the passive feature of the paging device when a paging device is placed in the rack
and for generating under these circumstances an identification signal which contains
the second number, the processing circuit of the rack delivers the identification
signal to the transmitting device, the transmitting device, on receiving an identification
signal, compiles and broadcasts a check message of which the first number is the first
number of the paging device whose second number is embodied in the identification
signal and the transmitting device assesses the paging device, to which the number
of the check message is assigned, as satisfactory or defective if the transmitting
device receives, or does not receive, respectively, a presence signal in response
to the check message from the paging device within a predetermined time after broadcasting
the check message.
2. Paging system according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmitting device
broadcasts the check message at an intensity different from that of other messages.
3. Paging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the presence signal
contains the first number of the paging device which generates the presence signal.
4. Paging system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised by a memory for storing
data therein which represent the presence or absence of the various paging devices,
and in that the presence or absence of a paging device in a compartment of the rack
is determined by determining the feature of the paging device when the paging device
is being placed in the compartment or is being removed from it, respectively.
5. Paging system according to claim 4, characterised in that the identification signal
is dependent on the direction of movement and the arrival or departure of the paging
device is derived from the identification signal.
6. System according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the feature
is a feature which can be optically detected by the sensor.
7. System according to claim 3, characterised in that the feature is a bar code whose
principal plane runs parallel to the direction of insertion of the paging device into
a compartment and bars of the code cross the direction of insertion, and the sensor
is mounted at a position which is passed by the bars during the insertion.
8. System according to any of claims 1 to 5 inclusive, characterised in that the feature
is a feature which can be magnetically detected by the sensor.
9. System according to any of claims 1 to 5 inclusive, characterised in that the feature
is a magnetic strip, in which a longitudinal direction runs essentially parallel to
the direction of insertion of the paging device into a compartment.
10. System according to any of claims 1 to 5 inclusive, characterised in that the feature
is a feature which can be mechanically detected by the sensor.
11. System according to claim 10, characterised in that the feature consists of a pattern
of elevations or depressions in a housing of the paging device which can be detected
by the sensor.
12. System according to claim 11, characterised in that the pattern is elongated and a
longitudinal direction thereof runs essentially parallel to the direction of insertion
of the paging device into a compartment.
13. System according to any of claims 7, 9 and 12, characterised in that the sensor is
mounted at an insertion opening of a compartment.
1. Rufanlage, die eine zentrale Übertragungsvorrichtung, eine Anzahl tragbarer Rufvorrichtungen
und ein Rahmengestell mit einer Anzahl von Fächern aufweist, von denen jedes zur Aufnahme
einer Rufvorrichtung geeignet ist, wobei in der Anlage Mittel so vorgesehen sind,
daß jeder Rufvorrichtung eine erste individuelle Erkennungszahl zugeordnet wird, die
erste Zahl einer Rufvorrichtung in einem Speicher der Rufvorrichtung gespeichert wird,
die Übertragungsvorrichtung geeignet zum Kompilieren und Senden einer Nachricht ist,
welche eine erste Zahl enthält, jede Rufvorrichtung eine erste, über eine Nachricht
erhaltene Zahl mit der ersten, im Speicher der Rufvorrichtung gespeicherten Zahl vergleicht
und im Fall der Gleichheit ein Gleichheitssignal erzeugt und, wenn die Rufvorrichtung
in das Rahmengestell eingesetzt ist, ein Anwesenheitssignal über eine Prozessorschaltung
des Rahmengestells an die Übertragungsvorrichtung leitet,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß Mittel so vorgesehen sind, daß jeder tragbaren Vorrichtung
eine zweite individuelle Erkennungszahl zugeordnet wird, die zweite Zahl durch ein
passives Merkmal der Rufvorrichtung gebildet wird, das Rahmengestell einen mit der
Prozessorschaltung des Rahmengestells verbundenen Sensor hat, der Sensor und die Prozessorschaltung
des Rahmengestells dafür geeignet sind, das passive Merkmal der Rufvorrichtung zu
lesen, wenn eine Rufvorrichtung in das Rahmengestell eingesetzt ist, und unter diesen
Umständen ein Erkennungssignal zu erzeugen, das die zweite Zahl enthält, die Prozessorschaltung
des Rahmengestells das Erkennungssignal an die Übertragungsvorrichtung leitet, die
Übertragungsvorrichtung beim Empfangen eines Erkennungssignals eine Prüfnachricht
kompiliert und sendet, deren erste Zahl die erste Zahl der Rufvorrichtung ist, deren
zweite Zahl im Erkennungssignal enthalten ist, und die Übertragungsvorrichtung die
Rufvorrichtung, der die Zahl der Prüfnachricht zugeordnet ist, als zufriedenstellend
oder mangelhaft bewertet, je nachdem, ob die Übertragungsvorrichtung ein Anwesenheitssignal
im Ansprechen auf die Prüfnachricht von der Rufvorrichtung innerhalb einer vorgegebenen
Zeit nach Senden der Prüfnachricht empfängt oder nicht empfängt.
2. Rufanlage gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Übertragungsvorrichtung
die Prüfnachricht bei einer Intensität sendet, die sich von der anderer Nachrichten
unterscheidet.
3. Rufanlage gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Anwesenheitssignal
die erste Zahl der Rufvorrichtung, die das Anwesenheitssignal erzeugt, enthält.
4. Rufanlage gemäß Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, gekennzeichnet durch einen Speicher zur Speicherung
von Daten, die die Anwesenheit oder Abwesenheit der verschiedenen Rufvorrichtungen
darstellen, und dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Anwesenheit oder Abwesenheit einer
Rufvorrichtung in einem Fach des Rahmengestells dadurch bestimmt wird, daß das Merkmal
der Rufvorrichtung bestimmt wird, wenn die Rufvorrichtung in das Fach eingesetzt wird
bzw. wenn sie aus ihm entfernt wird.
5. Rufanlage gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Erkennungssignal von der
Bewegungsrichtung abhängt und die Ankunft oder Entfernung der Rufvorrichtung vom Erkennungssignal
abgeleitet wird.
6. Anlage gemäß einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal
ein Merkmal ist, das durch den Sensor optisch detektiert werden kann.
7. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal ein Strichcode ist,
dessen Hauptebene parallel zur Einschubrichtung der Rufvorrichtung in ein Fach verläuft,
und Striche des Codes die Einschubrichtung kreuzen und der Sensor an einer Position
angebracht ist, an der die Striche während des Einschiebens vorbeilaufen.
8. Anlage gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal
ein Merkmal ist, das durch den Sensor magnetisch detektiert werden kann.
9. Anlage gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal
ein Magnetstreifen ist, in dem eine Längsrichtung im wesentlichen parallel zur Einschubrichtung
der Rufvorrichtung in ein Fach verläuft.
10. Anlage gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal
ein Merkmal ist, das durch den Sensor mechanisch detektiert werden kann.
11. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Merkmal aus einem Muster
von Erhöhungen oder Vertiefungen in einem Gehäuse der Rufvorrichtung besteht, die
durch den Sensor detektiert werden können.
12. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Muster langgestreckt ist
und eine Längsrichtung desselben im wesentlichen parallel zur Einschubrichtung der
Rufvorrichtung in ein Fach verläuft.
13. Anlage gemäß einem der Ansprüche 7, 9 und 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Sensor
an einer Einschuböffnung eines Fachs angebracht ist.
1. Système d'appel de personnes comportant un dispositif central d'émission, un certain
nombre d'appareils d'appel de personnes portatifs et un support ayant un certain nombre
de compartiments qui sont chacun destinés à l'insertion d'un appareil d'appel de personnes,
dans lequel système sont prévus des moyens pour qu'un premier numéro d'identification
individuel soit affecté à chaque appareil d'appel de personnes, le premier numéro
d'un appareil d'appel de personnes soit enregistré dans une mémoire de l'appareil
d'appel de personnes, le dispositif d'émission permette de compiler et de diffuser
un message qui contient un premier numéro, chaque appareil d'appel de personnes compare
un premier numéro, reçu par l'intermédiaire d'un message, au premier numéro enregistré
dans la mémoire de l'appareil d'appel de personnes et, en cas d'identité, génère un
signal d'identité et, si l'appareil d'appel de personnes a été placé dans le support,
fournit un signal de présence au dispositif d'émission, par l'intermédiaire d'un circuit
de traitement du support, caractérisé en ce que sont prévus des moyens pour qu'un
second numéro d'identification individuel soit affecté à chaque appareil portatif,
le second numéro soit représenté par un élément caractéristique passif de l'appareil
d'appel de personnes, le support ait un capteur connecté au circuit de traitement
du support, le capteur et le circuit de traitement du support permettent de lire l'élément
caractéristique passif de l'appareil d'appel de personnes quand un appareil d'appel
de personnes est placé dans le support et pour générer dans ces conditions un signal
d'identification qui contient le second numéro, le circuit de traitement du support
fournisse le signal d'identification au dispositif d'émission, le dispositif d'émission,
à réception d'un signal d'identification, compile et diffuse un message de vérification
dont le premier numéro est celui de l'appareil d'appel de personnes dont le second
numéro est inclus dans le signal d'identification et le dispositif d'émission déclare
le fonctionnement de l'appareil d'appel de personnes, auquel est affecté le numéro
du message de vérification, comme étant satisfaisant ou défectueux si le dispositif
d'émission reçoit, ou ne reçoit pas, respectivement, de l'appareil d'appel de personnes
un signal de présence en réaction au message de vérification dans une durée prédéterminée
après la diffusion du message de vérification.
2. Système d'appel de personnes selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif
d'émission diffuse le message de vérification avec une intensité différente de celle
d'autres messages.
3. Système d'appel de personnes selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que
le signal de présence contient le premier numéro de l'appareil d'appel de personnes
qui génère le signal de présence.
4. Système d'appel de personnes selon la revendication 1, 2 ou 3, caractérisé par une
mémoire destinée à y enregistrer des données qui représentent la présence ou l'absence
des divers appareils d'appel de personnes, et en ce que la présence ou l'absence d'un
appareil d'appel de personnes dans un compartiment du support est déterminée en déterminant
l'élément caractéristique de l'appareil d'appel de personnes quand l'appareil d'appel
de personnes est placé dans le compartiment ou en est retiré, respectivement.
5. Système d'appel de personnes selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le signal
d'identification dépend du sens du mouvement et l'arrivée ou le départ de l'appareil
d'appel de personnes est déduit du signal d'identification.
6. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que
l'élément caractéristique est un élément caractéristique qui peut être détecté optiquement
par le capteur.
7. Système selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'élément caractéristique
est un code à barres dont le plan principal est parallèle à la direction d'insertion
de l'appareil d'appel de personnes dans un compartiment et les barres du code croisent
la direction d'insertion, et le capteur est installé à un emplacement devant lequel
passent les barres pendant l'insertion.
8. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 incluse, caractérisé en ce
que l'élément caractéristique est un élément caractéristique qui peut être détecté
magnétiquement par le capteur.
9. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 incluse, caractérisé en ce
que l'élément caractéristique est un ruban magnétique dans lequel la direction longitudinale
est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'insertion de l'appareil d'appel de personnes
dans un compartiment.
10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 incluse, caractérisé en ce
que l'élément caractéristique est un élément caractéristique qui peut être détecté
mécaniquement par le capteur.
11. Système selon la revendication 10, caractérisé en ce que l'élément caractéristique
est constitué d'un motif de reliefs ou de creux dans le boîtier de l'appareil d'appel
de personnes qui peut être détecté par le capteur.
12. Système selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le motif est de forme allongée
et sa direction longitudinale est sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'insertion
de l'appareil d'appel de personnes dans un compartiment.
13. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 7, 9 et 12, caractérisé en ce que
le capteur est installé au niveau de l'ouverture d'insertion d'un compartiment.
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=1996/49/DOC/EPNWB1/EP92200763NWB1/imgf0001)
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