Intercom network, mobile terminal, and method

Abstract

An intercom network for real-time audio communication between users has a stationary element to which the users are connected, a mobile terminal that comprises an audio input and that can transmit audio signals wirelessly to the stationary element or to another user, and a device in the stationary element for user management, that administers the users connected to the stationary element, and that carries out an authorization check for logging the mobile terminal onto the stationary element. An NFC element is provided in the device on the stationary element, and an NFC counter-element is provided on the mobile terminal that can transmit authorization information to the NFC element when the mobile terminal approaches the stationary element.

Claims

1. An intercom network for real-time audio communication between users, the network comprising: a first mobile terminal that has an audio input and that can transmit audio signals wirelessly to another user; a second mobile terminal that has an audio input and that can transmit audio signals wirelessly to another user; a device for user management, that administrates the users connected to the intercom network, and that carries out an authorization check for logging any of the mobile terminals onto the intercom network; an NFC element in the first mobile terminal; and an NFC counter-element on the second mobile terminal that can transmit authorization information to the NFC element when the second mobile terminal approaches the first mobile terminal.

2. The intercom network according to claim 1, wherein the authorization information comprises a unique identification of the second mobile terminal.

3. The intercom network according to claim 2, wherein the device, in the course of carrying out the authorization check, permits logging the mobile terminal onto the intercom network only if the unique identification is stored as authorized identification in a memory of the device.

4. The intercom network according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of mobile terminals are provided.

5. The intercom network according to claim 4, wherein the mobile terminals each comprise a respective NFC counter-element with its own identification.

6. The intercom network according to claim 1, wherein one or several stationary elements are provided.

7. The intercom network according to claim 4, wherein, by a relative approach of a first mobile terminal toward a second mobile terminal, authorization information can be transmitted by the NFC counter-element of a second mobile terminal to the NFC counter-element of the first mobile terminal and from there onward to the NFC element of a stationary element.

8. The intercom network according to claim 1, further comprising: an actuating element on any of the mobile terminals that when actuated logs the mobile terminal out of the intercom network.

9. The network according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminals each have, separate from the respective NFC counter-element, a communication module for receiving and transmitting audio signals.

10. A mobile terminal for use in an intercom network having a NFC counter-element which can transmit authorization information to a NFC element on another mobile terminal when the mobile terminal approaches the other mobile terminal of the intercom network.

11. A method of logging a mobile terminal onto an intercom network having users that can transmit audio signals wirelessly to conduct real-time audio communication, the method comprising the following steps: providing a first mobile terminal provided with an NFC element, providing a device for user management and with which the users connected to the intercom network can be administered, providing a second mobile terminal on which an NFC counter-element is provided, configuring the intercom network by storing a unique identification of the second mobile terminal in a memory of the device, and logging the second mobile terminal onto intercom network by bringing the second mobile terminal close to the first mobile terminal such that, as a result of the approach, authorization information is transmitted by the NFC counter-element of the second mobile terminal to the NFC element on the first mobile terminal.

12. The method defined in claim 11, further comprising the step of: receiving or transmitting the audio signals between the second mobile terminal and any other user via a communication module in the second mobile terminal, the communication module being separate from the respective NFC counter-element.

13. An intercom network for real-time audio communication between users, the network comprising: a first mobile terminal that comprises an audio input and that can transmit audio signals wirelessly with the mobile terminal to another user; a second mobile terminal that comprises an audio input and that can transmit audio signals wirelessly with the mobile terminal to another user; a device for user management that administers the users connected to the intercom network and that carries out an authorization check by the device for logging a mobile terminal onto the intercom network; an RFID element in the device on the first mobile terminal; and an RFID counter-element on the second mobile terminal for transmitting authorization information by the RFID counter-element to the RFID element when the second mobile terminal approaches the first mobile terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows in a diagrammatic view, in the form of a block diagram, an example of embodiment of an intercom network according to the invention with two stationary elements, six stationary users connected thereto, and two mobile terminals, also in a diagrammatic representation in the form of a block diagram,

(3) FIG. 2 shows in a diagrammatic perspective view a mobile terminal constituted as a belt pack, somewhat as shown in partial circle II in FIG. 1, with a headset connected thereto via cable, and

(4) FIG. 3 shows in a diagrammatic representation an operator who is carrying such a belt pack and a headset, as shown in FIG. 2.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) Embodiments of the invention are described by way of example, in the following description of the figures, also making reference to the drawings. For the sake of a clear illustration—and also as far as different embodiments are concerned—identical or comparable parts or elements or regions are denoted by identical reference numbers, in some cases with the addition of lower-case letters.

(6) Features which are described only in respect of one example of embodiment can, within the scope of the invention, also be provided with every other example of embodiment of the invention. Such amended embodiments—even if they are not represented in the drawings—are also covered by the invention.

(7) All the disclosed features are in themselves essential to the invention. In the disclosure of the application, the disclosure content of the associated priority documents (copy of the prior application) and of the cited publications and of the described devices of the prior art are thus also included in their entire content, including for the purpose of also adopting individual or a plurality of features of these documents in one or in a plurality of claims of the present application.

(8) An example of embodiment of the invention is represented diagrammatically in FIG. 1, and is denoted as a whole by 10 as an intercom network.

(9) Intercom network 10 of FIG. 1 comprises a multiplicity of users that are denoted by reference numbers 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. Intercom network 10, moreover, comprises a stationary element 12a that is constituted as a base, and a further stationary element 12b that is constituted as a so-called aerial.

(10) Each of users 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f is constituted as a communication station 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f. Each communication station is a conventional electronic device that comprises in particular a microphone, a loudspeaker and direct-dial buttons. To avoid repetition, reference may be made to the applicant's German patent applications DE 10 2014 011 963 A1 and DE 10 2014 104 811 A1 with regard to the term communication station.

(11) Each of communication stations 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f constitutes in this regard a stationary user 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, who is connected in each case by an electrical connecting line 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f to at least one of two stationary elements 12a, 12b. As a result of the cable-bound connection between user 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f and stationary element 12a, 12b, corresponding user 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f is a stationary, i.e. non-mobile, user.

(12) Not represented in FIG. 1, but covered by the invention, are also intercom networks wherein so-called belt packs or microphones are connected via a cable to a stationary element 12a, 12b. One then also speaks of stationary users.

(13) A base 13 is provided in intercom network 10 according to the example of embodiment of FIG. 1. This base comprises a device 19 for the management of connected users 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f. Device 19 for the management of users can be constituted by a microprocessor, or can include such a device.

(14) In the example of embodiment of FIG. 1, an aerial 14 is also provided in addition to so-called base 13.

(15) The invention also includes embodiments of networks 10, wherein no aerial 14 is provided, and also embodiments, wherein a plurality of aerials are provided. The more aerials 14 that are provided, or the more base elements 13 that are provided, the more pronounced the intelligence of the control unit can be, i.e. the intelligence of device 19 for user management can be constituted decentralized, distributed over a plurality of stationary elements 13, 14.

(16) Device 19 for the user management administers and manages the switching routes between individual users 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f.

(17) A mobile terminal 15a in the form of a belt pack 16 and a further mobile terminal 15b in the form of a mobile microphone 17 are provided as further users of intercom network 10 according to the example of embodiment of FIG. 1.

(18) Mobile microphone 17 comprises an audio input 18b, into which speech signals can be directly inputted by an operator 33.

(19) Belt pack 16, on the other hand, comprises an audio input 18a which is constituted as an audio connection, for example as a socket or a plug, for receiving a cable 25 not represented in FIG. 2, for the connection to a microphone or to a headset 28 according to FIG. 2.

(20) According to the example of embodiment of FIG. 1, a belt pack 16 and a mobile microphone 17 are provided in the example of embodiment of an intercom network 10. However, the invention also covers embodiments wherein a plurality of belt packs 16 and/or a plurality of mobile microphones 17 are provided. The invention also covers intercom networks where no stationary users 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, but only mobile terminals 15a, 15b are provided.

(21) Whereas audio signals are transmitted via cable-bound communication routes 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e, 24f via stationary users 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, corresponding audio signals can be transmitted wirelessly from and to mobile terminals 15, 15b. For this purpose, recourse is taken in particular to the DECT radio standard.

(22) Each of mobile terminals 15a, 15b comprises in this regard a communication module, with which audio signals can be received and sent. Likewise, base 13 and/or aerial 14 and/or stationary users 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f comprise corresponding communication modules, with which audio signals can be transmitted, i.e. received and sent, in particular according to radio standard DECT.

(23) The respective communication modules for the audio signal transmission in mobile terminals 15a, 15b and in base 13 and/or aerial 14 are not represented in the figures for the sake of clarity. They are conventional, commercially available modules that are also already used in intercom networks of the prior art and in the corresponding mobile terminals.

(24) Intercom network 10 according to the invention is usually, even if not exclusively, used at live events, at organized events, in the world of theater etc. In order to guarantee smooth running of the event, intercom network 10 is configured beforehand, for example in the factory. For this purpose, intercom network 10 is compiled with regard to the required devices or users. As far as the selection of mobile terminals 15a, 15b is concerned, it should be pointed out that each of the mobile terminals can comprise an electronic component 29a, 29b, in which an

(25) identification, in particular a device identification, or a device identification number or suchlike, is noted. The identification can for example be a serial number of the device, or at any rate a code that enables identification of the device by device 19 for user management.

(26) For the sake of clarification, it should be mentioned that components 29a, 29b can also be combined with the respective NFC counter-element 21, 21b to be explained later, or can be a component part of the latter.

(27) Those mobile terminals 15a, 15b which are to be connected to intercom network 10 according to FIG. 1 during the event are taken into account in the configuration beforehand, i.e. ex-works for example. For this purpose, device 19 for user management is informed, as part of the configuration process of intercom network 10, in particular by means of configurations software, that a specific mobile terminal 15a, for example belt pack 16 of FIG. 1, with a specific identification is to be accepted for logging on during the event. A memory is assigned to device 19 for user management, in which memory this identification is stored.

(28) It should be pointed out that a configuration of intercom network 10 can be carried out for example sometime before the event, for example even several weeks or months before the event, since a great deal of time is often required to transport the individual devices of intercom network 10 to the event venue.

(29) Once intercom network 10 of FIG. 1 has been set up on site, i.e. at the event venue, for the purpose of performing the event, and is put into operation, mobile terminals 15a, 15b to be used in intercom network 10 have to be logged on to or registered with the system. On the one hand, it is thus possible to prevent unauthorized devices from gaining access. On the other hand, it can be ensured that the correct devices, i.e. for example mobile terminals 15a, 15b, which also provide the required technical properties, are connected to intercom network 10.

(30) Moreover, it can thus be ensured that, in the case where two or more intercom systems are used during the event, the correct mobile terminal 15a, 15b is logged on to the correct intercom system 10, and not inadvertently to the wrong intercom system 10.

(31) In order to design this registration process so as to be as reliable and convenient as possible, an NFC element 20a is connected via a control line 30a to device 19 for user management at base 13. NFC element 20a can be constituted for example by a conventional NFC reader, such as is commercially available.

(32) Mobile terminal 15a in the form of belt pack 16 in FIG. 1 comprises an NFC counter-element 21a. If NFC element 20a and NFC counter-element 21a are brought close to one another, for example to a distance of less than 10 cm from one another, the identification stored for example in memory 29a or in NFC counter-element 21a can be transmitted by NFC counter-element 21a to NFC element 20a, and from there transmitted onward to device 19 for user management. The latter checks the received data, compares the latter with data filed in memory 22, and can then decide by comparing them whether belt pack 16 or mobile terminal 15a of FIG. 1 is authorised for connection to stationary element 12a or not. Only in the case where a positive authorization check results can mobile terminal 15a participate in the communication with other users 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23e, 23f of intercom network 10.

(33) It should be noted that memory 22, according to FIG. 1, is connected via a control line 30b to device 19. Memory 22 can of course also be a component part of device 19.

(34) NFC element 30a can also be a component part of device 19.

(35) Memory 29a of mobile terminal 15a can likewise be a component part of the NFC counter-element. Suitable electronic units and elements and circuits can be used here.

(36) Needless to say, it is pointed out that mobile terminal 15a, 15b has a voltage supply, for example via a battery or a rechargeable battery or suchlike, so that, insofar as required, the electronic and electrical elements and components of mobile terminal 15a, 15b can be supplied with the required operating voltage.

(37) Stationary element 12a, 12b is likewise provided with a voltage supply (not represented), a line or a mains cable, so as to provide for the operation of electronic and electrical components of stationary element 12a.

(38) Aerial 14 has a comparable structure. Here, a component 32 is provided that can be regarded as part of device 19 of stationary element 12a. Component 32 is connected via a control line 30c to a further NFC element 20b. In this example of embodiment, mobile terminal 15a can for example log on to stationary element 12a or alternatively also to stationary element 12b.

(39) According to the example of embodiment of FIG. 2, it should be pointed out that a belt pack 16 can be connected via a cable 25 to a headset 28, and—as shown in FIG. 3—can be carried on a person's body. Headset 28 can comprise a microphone 26 and headphones 27. Other embodiments than those represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 are of course also covered by the invention. Person 33 according to FIG. 3 is to be understood only as an example, and can for example illustrate a moderator of a television transmission.

(40) An actuating element 31a in the form of a button, a switch or a knob is fitted to mobile terminal 15a, 16. By actuation of actuating element 31a, logging-off of this mobile terminal 15a from intercom network 10 can take place. For example, by actuation of actuating element 31a, it can be communicated to device 19 via NFC counter-element 21a and NFC element 20a that this mobile terminal 15a is logging off from intercom network 10.

(41) A second mobile terminal is represented in FIG. 1 in the form of mobile microphone 17.

(42) Here too, an electronic component 29a is indicated, in which an identification of this microphone 17 can be stored. NFC counter-element 21b functions in the same way as NFC counter-element 21a described above.

(43) Mobile microphone 17 according to FIG. 1 also comprises an actuating element 31b, with which logging-off of the mobile microphone from intercom network 10 can be carried out.