AU642097B2

AU642097B2 - Remote control pager system

Info

Publication number: AU642097B2
Application number: AU27466/92A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Keith Robert Hockley; Raymond John Hockley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-11-01
Filing date: 1992-10-30
Publication date: 1993-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2012-10-30
Also published as: AU2746692A

Description

41256 HKS:SJC:PFB 4 2 0 100/011 S^00/011 teyguation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

ft 0090 KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY AND RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY .Actual Inventors: .KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY AND RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: REMOTE CONTROL PAGER SYSTEM Details of Associated Provisional Applications: AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PK9230 Dated 1st November 1991 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us:

L

2 This invention relates to a method and app -atus for remotely controlling mechanical units or devices (such as an internal combustion engine) by the use of a pager, mobile telephone or other similar devices.

Personal pagers (a small portable device which receives, but does not transmit, signals) are used by people when temporarily away from a standard telephone and for emergency use by such people as doctors and factory safety staff. Alternatively, mobile telephones can be used for similar purposes.

When considering devices at remote locations or devices which may move from location to location (motor vehicles, electrical mains isolated machinery such as internal combustion engines etc.), it is advantageous to have a means of remotely effecting a control signal to perform a function associated with such devices. Pagers and mobile telephones are generally adapted to provide an audio signal for informing purposes but are not usually manufactueed to provide control signals.

1 5 In addition to the above if a pager 6r mobile telephone could be adapted to provide control signal, false alarms may occasionally occur due to incorrect i. dialling or interference. This inherent feature may cause economical and •personal damage, embarrassment or annoyance, especially if the pager or So mobile telephone is activating a remotely controlled safety device, security system or critical industrial process.

o° It is the intended object of this invention to alleviate one of more of the above 0 00 0* i mentioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

According to one form of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for co remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: a receiver means adapted to receive a transmitted signal, the receiver means being further adapted to provide an invoking signal upon receiving the transmitted signal; a processing means for processing the invoking signal to provide at least one activation command signal; a storage means for storing the at least one activation command signal; and an activation means for supplying at least one activation signal having at least two conditions including an activation condition and a deactivation condition resulting from a change in the at least one activation command signal stored in the storage means, and the activation means being adapted to supply the at least one activation signal to invoke a starting of at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices when the at least one activation signal is in the activation condition.

In preference, the apparatus is adapted such that upon the receiver means receiving a further transmitted signal and providing an invoking signal for 1 0 processing by the processing means, there is provided a deactivation command signal adapted to be stored in the storage means and thereby providing a de-activation condition of the activation signal supplied from the activation means, and the activation means being adapted to stop the at least one mechanical torque generating unit or device when the activation signal is 1 5 in the de-activation condition.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention there is provided an apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or V devices including: a receiver means adapted to receive a transmitted signal, the S. 20 receiver means being further adapted to provide an invoking signal upon receiving the transmitted signal; a processing means for processing the invoking signal to provide at least one activation command signal upon the receiver means receiving two transmitted signals and providing two invoking signals within a pre- 25 determined time duration; a storage means for storing the at least one activation command signal; and an activation means for supplying at least one activation signal having at least two conditions including an activation condition and a de- 3 0 activation condition resulting from a change in the at least one activation command signal stored in the storage means, and the activation means being adapted to supply the at least one activation signal to invoke a starting of at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices when the at least one activation signal is in thr, activation condition.

In preference, the apparatus is adapted such that upon the receiver means receiving two transmitted signals and providing two invoking signals, within a pre-deterrnined time duration, for processing by the processing means, there is provided a deactivation command signal adapted to be stored in the storage means and thereby providing a de-activation condition of the activation signal supplied from the activation means, and the activation means being adapted to stop the at least one mechanical torque generating unit or 1 0 device when the activation signal is in the de-activation condition.

In preference, the receiver means is a pager or mobile telephone.

In preference, the pager is addressable by at least two pre-programmed telephone numbers, each of which is a adapted to provid,: the invoking signal coded such that each addressable telephone number is identifiable by the 15 invoking signal.

In preference, the processing means is adapted to decode the coded invoking signal to provide an activation condition of one or more of the activation command signals, the activation condition being identifiable by the coded invoking signal.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention, there is provided a method for providing a remote activation signal for controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: dialling a first telephone number to transmit a transmitting signal; receiving the transmitting signal; effecting an invoking signal upon receiving the transmitting signal; processing the invoking signal to provide an activation command signal; storing the activation command signal; and providing an activation signal resulting from a change in the stored command signal to activate at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices.

Alternatively, according to another form of this invention, there is provided a method for providing a remote activation signal for controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: dialling a first telephone number to transmit a first transmitting signal; receiving the first transmitting signal; effecting a first invoking signal upon receiving the first transmitting signal; terminating the transmission of the transmitting signal; dialling a second telephone number to transmit a second transmitting signal; effecting a second invoking signal upon receiving the second transmitting signal; processing both invoking signals to provide an activation command signal which is generated only if the effecting of the second invoking signal occurs within a pre-determined time duration of the effecting of the first invoking signal; a 20 storing the activation command signal; and providing an activation signal resulting from a change in the stored command signal to activate at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices.

The invention will be better understood when described with reference to a 25 preferred embodiment. This will now be described with the assistance of a drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 !llustrates a processing circuit for decoding an invoking signal from a pager or mobile telephone, FIG. 3 illustrates the invoking signal from the pager, and FIG. 4 illustrates the decoder and timer circuit for processing the outputs of FIG, 2.

Referring to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, once the pager or mobile telephone 1 is accessed by an allocated dialling number it will a generate an invoking signal or audible tone. This invoking signal, or audible tone, from the pager is pulsed at different rates depending upon which of the preprogrammed telephone numbers are used to activate the pager. The invoking signal can be applied directly to the audio signal amplifier 3, whereas if the audio tone is used it must first pass through a microphone 2 before being applied to the audio signal amplifier 3.

There are a number of frequencies available at the output of the pager, as shown in FIG. 2, therefore the input to the audio signal amplifier can be one of a number of pulsed signals or tones. To reduce the possibility of a random number being decoded by the decoder 7 and therefore invoking one of the unit activation circuits 8, the false alarm safety mechanism 6 can be incorporated into the embodiment. This safety mechanism is configured such that two pre-defined pager numbers must be dialled in succession, and within a limited time frame, before a selected unit activation circuit 8 can be invoked to control units such as mechanical torque generating units (ie internal °20 combustion engines). In this embodiment power is preferably provided by a battery supply 5 and if require a voltage conversion means 4.

a a° a..

Referring to the preferred ert.bodiment of FIG. 2, there is illustrated processing circuit for decoding an invoking signal from a pager or mobile telephone.

Once the pager or mobile telephone is accessed by an allocated dialling number it will a generate a pulsed signal that is transformed into an audio frequency signal. This tone is of fixed frequency and is pulsed at different rates depending upon which of the pre-programmed telephone numbers are used to aztivate the pager. In contrast the mobile telephone only has one fixed audio frequency. The signal from the pager or mobile telephone can be applied directly to input A of FIG. 2, whereas if an audible tone is used it must 1 0 first pass through a microphone before being applied to input A.

Referring in detail to the embodiment described in FIG. 2, there are two power sources supplied, by input D+ and from a re-chargeable battery. The two power supplies are derived from IC1 and IC2 along with their associated resistors and capacitors. The output from IC1 provides a 1.5 volt output across 15 the outputs B and C to feed the pager, whereas the output from IC2 provides power to the circuit of FIG. 2. Note if a mobile telephone is to be used then IC1 and its associated circuitry can be modified to provide the desired power supply.

Considering the pager only, the pager signal at input A is processed by the 20 audio amplifier configuration consisting of trar-nistors Q1, Q2 and their associated circuitry. The collector of Q2 is connected to the CLOCK of the counter IC3 and input A of the monostable device IC4:A. The Q-bar output of IC4:A is connected to input A of the monostable device IC4:B, input B of IC4:A and the ENABLE input of the counter IC3. The Q-bar output of IC4:B is 25 connected to the RESET input of IC3 via the 0.1 micro-farad capacitor. This Qbar output is also connected to the CLEAR of monostable IC4:A and the Q output of IC4:B is connected to one input of the NAND gates IC5:A, and IC5:D. The output of these NAND gates E, F, G and H(A) are then supplied to the decoder and safety time circuit of FIG. 4.

The above described embodiment uses the monostable IC4:A and its associated resistors and capacitors to function as a 1 second timer; and monostable IC4:B and its associated resistors and capacitors are used to function as a 7 second timer (both timers can be modified, if required, to be of a different time duration).

Upon an audio frequency signal, from the pager being applied to input A the output from the audio signal amplifier is simultaneously applied to the clock of counter IC3 and input A of monostable IC4:A. This initiates the 1 second timer. The output of this timer (the Q-bar of monostable IC4:A) changes state to a logic 1 which is applied to the enable of the counter IC3 and clocks the counter once. After 1 second, the Q bar of monostable IC4:A will change state and disable counter IC3. Consequently, any pulses appearing at the output of the audio signal amplifier during this 1 second time slot will have been applied to the clock of counter IC3 and the resulting count is the decoded 1 0 pager signal.

When the Q bar of monostable IC4:A changes state the 7 second timer .associated with monostable IC4:B is initiated. The Q bar output of eas monostable IC4:B applies a signal to the CLEAR input of monostable IC4:A so that the 1 second timing sequence is disabled for the next 7 seconds. The 1 5 Q output of monostable IC4:B enables the NAND gates IC5:A, IC5:B, and IC5:D and therefore the decoded output from counter IC3 appears at either E, F, G or H(A).

The Q output from monostable IC4:B remains at a logic 1 for 7 seconds, after which it changes state and disables NAND gates IC5:A, IC5:B, IC5:C and o. 20 IC5:D. At the same time, the Q bar of monostable IC4:B changes state. This removes the clear signal to monostable IC4:A and also clears the count stored in counter IC3. Hence, the circuit is in its initial state awaiting a signal from the pager.

When considering a mobile telephone only one frequency is provided and 25 therefore, depending upon the frequency, only one of the outputs E, F, G or H(A) can be used in this embodiment. However, there are a number of frequencies available at the output of the pager as shown in FIG. 3, therefore the input to ithe audio signal amplifier can be one of a number of pulsed signals or tones.

To reduce the possibility of a random number being decoded a false alarm safety mechanism can be incorporated as illustrated in FIG. 4. This safety mechanism is configured such that two pre-defined pager numbers (or radio receiver signals) must be dialled in succession, and within a limited time frame, before a selected unit activation circuit can be invoked.

7 Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated the invoking signal from the pager. This shows typical outputs which can be applied to input A of FIG 2. These output signals are dependent upon the transmitted signal, or addressing, of the pager by a transmitted signal which can be dependent upon more than one telephone number.

Referring to FIG. 4, the inputs E, F, G, H and H(A) correspond to the outputs E, F, G, H(A) of FIG. 2. The outputs from the processing circuit (illustrated in FIG.

2) are propagated to the inputs of either IC7:A, IC7:B and IC7:C via the NOT gates IC6:A, IC6:B or IC6:C. Note input H is an additional feature that can be 1 0 used if another input source is required.

The function of the 555 counter IC10 and its associated circuitry is to provide a safety feature to reduce the possibility of random decoding and activation. If equired IC10 can be removed and the 10K OHM resistor across the R and Q inputs of IC10 provides a logic 1 to the inputs of IC7:A, IC7:B and IC7:C. This 1 5 logic 1 allows the outputs of the AND gates to be sensitive to inputs E, F and G. However, if the false alarm safety mechanism is required the 555 counter IC10 must be inserted and one of the outputs from FIG. 2 must be connected Sto The following sequence is required to provide a signal at the output INIT or to switch on transistors Q3, Q4, 20 If one of the outputs from FIG. 2 is connected to H(A) then the pager should send a first signal which is decoded and applied to H(A) (if the safety timing false alarm feature is required).

Upon receipt of the signal at the input H(A) the output Q cf the 555 counter supplies a logic 1 to one of the inputs of each of the AND gates IC7:A, 2 5 IC7:B and IC7:C thus sensitising these three AND gates such that the output of IC7:A is the inverse of input E, the output of IC7:B is the inverse of input F and the output of IC7:C is the inverse of input G.

The outputs of IC7:A, IC7:B, IC7:C ar connected to the clock inputs of the storage means (flip-flops) IC8:A, IC8:B and IC9:A respectilsly. The storage 3 0 means (flip-flops) are configured such that they are in the toggle mode.

TM7 The output Q of the 555 counter IC10 will stay at a logic 1 for a time duration dependent upon the associated circuitry of the 555 counter 8 Consequently, during the period when the Q output of the 555 counter IC10 is at a logic 1 one of the inputs E, F or G must be addressed, which therefore clocks either IC8:A, IC8:B or IC9:A. As a result the outputs of one of these storage means will go high and light one of the light emitting diodes connected to one of the outputs of each storage means.

After a pre-determined time period the output Q of the 555 counter IC10 will return to a logic 0. If none of the inputs E, F or G are addressed during the period when the Q output of the 555 counter IC10 is at a logic 1 then none of the outputs of the storage means IC8:A, IC8:B or IC9:A will be clocked to a 1 0 logic 1. If none of the outputs of these storage means are clocked to a logic 1 there will be no activation signal. This therefore provides a safety mechanism in whi.h either input H or H(A) has to be addressed after which there is a short time ,uration in which input E, F or G have to be addressed.

The i iput H and H(A) can also be used to clock the storage means IC9:B to 1 5 provide a logic 1 to its output Q (activation signal). This will therefore light the light emitting diode connected to its output.

0.

S" The outputs of IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A and IC9:B can be connected in a number of ways to provide an activation signal. For instance, each of the respective outputs can be connected by suitable links to the INIT output or alternatively 20 one or more outputs from the respective flip-flops can be connected to the transistors Q3, Q4, Q5 and Q6. Hence, one or more devices can be remotely activated.

The test input can be used to manually clock the storage means IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A and IC9:B to determine whether or not the storage means and 2 5 associated output circuitry is functioning correctly.

Once any one of the storage means IC8:A, IC8:B, IC9:A and IC9:B have been clocked such that their output Q is at a logic 1, the same sequence as described above is used to clock the required storage means and deactivate a device which was activated by that storage means. Note, the false alarm 3 0 safety mechanisr has the effect, if used, of reducing the probability of erroneous de-, ,vation.

Claims

2. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices &s in claim 1 adapted such that upon the receiver means 20 receiving a further transmitted signal and providing an invoking signal for processing by the processing means, there is provided a deactivation command signal adapted to be stored in the storage means and thereby "'providing a de-activation condition of the activation signal supplied from the activation means, and the activation means being adapted to stop the at least one mechanical torque generating unit or device when the activation signal is in the de-activation condition,
3. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: a receiver means adapted to receive a transmitted signal, the 3 0 receiver means being further adapted to provide an invoking signal upon receiving the transmitted signal; 12 a processing means for processing the invoking signal to provide at least one activation command signal upon the receiver means receiving two transmitted signals and providing two invoking signals within a pre- determined time duration; a storage means for storing the at least one activation command signal; and an activation means for supplying at least one activation signal having at least two conditions including an activation condition and a de- activation condition resulting from a change in the at least one activation command signal stored in the storage means, and the activation means being adapted to supply the at least one activation signal to invoke a starting of at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices when the at least one activation signal is in the activation condition.
4. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating 1 5 units or devices as In claim 3 adapted such that upon the receiver means receiving two transmitted signals and providing two invoking signals, within a pre-determined time duration, for processing by the processing means, there is provided a deactivation command signal adapted to be stored in the storage means and thereby providing a de-activation condition of the 20 activation signal supplied from the activation means, and the activation means being adapted to stop the at least one mechanical torque generating unit or device when the activation signal is in the de-activation condition.
5. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices as in any one of the above claims in which the receiver S2 5 means is a pager or mobile telephone. *l 6. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices, as in claim 5 in which the pager is addressable by at least two pre-programmed telephone numbers, each of which is a adapted to provide the invoking signal coded such that each addressable telephone 3 0 number is identifiable by the invoking signal. 13
7. An apparatus for remotely controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices as in claim 6 in which the processing means is adapted to decode the coded invoking signal to provide an activation ondition of one or more of the activation command signals, the activation condition being identifiable by the coded invoking signal.
8. A method for providing a remote activation signal for controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: dialling a first telephone number to transmit a transmitting signal; receiving the transmitting signal; 1 0 effecting an invoking signal upon receiving the transmitting signal; processing the invoking signal to provide an activation command signal; storing the activation command signal; and providing an activation signal resulting from a change in the stored 1 5 command signal to activate at least one of the mechanical torque generating units or devices.
9. A method for providing a remote activation signal for controlling mechanical torque generating units or devices including: dialling a first telephone number to transmit a first transmitting signal; 20 receiving the first transmitting signal; effecting a first invoking signal upon receiving the first transmitting signal; terminating the transmission of the transmitting signal; .•2dialling a second telephone number to transmit a second transmitting signal; effecting a second invoking signal upon receiving the second transmitting signal; processing both invoking signals to provide ar activation command signal which is generated only if the effecting of the second invoking signal 3 0 occurs within a pre-determined time duration of the effecting of the first invoking signal; storing the activation command signal; and providing an activation signal resulting from a change in the stored command signal to activate at least one of the mechanical torque -26 generating units or devices. 14 A remotely controlled activation apparatus substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanyingq drawings. Dated this 5th day of July 1993 KEITH ROBERT HOCKLEY RAYMOND JOHN HOCKLEY By their Patent Attorneys COLLISON CO ABSTRACT A remotely controlled activation apparatus remotely controlled by a pager or mobile telephone. The invention has an optional safety means which requires the pager or mobile telephone to be dialled twice before an activation output will be provided at the output of the apparatus. Se e t o aS 9 6 OS 4 J S 0 0