DE102005040069A1 - Method and communication system for determining the position of a communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a communication system for determining the position of a communication device (KE1, KE2). A localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) transmits a sound signal (SIG) modulated with transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5). The communication device (KE1, KE2) receives the transmitted sound signal (SIG) and extracts the transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) from it. Position information (ELIN3, ELIN5) is derived from the extracted transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) and assigned to the communication device (KE1, KE2).

Description

In Communication systems with mobile subscribers may be necessary to determine the position of a mobile subscriber. Especially at Emergency calls become frequent prescribed by local regulations that an emergency call center in addition to a phone number of the caller also a position information with transmitted is for the emergency call center to determine from where an emergency call was discontinued.

The Position of a landline telephone at a public exchange is usually determined by the configuration of the switching system. The switching system may be due to the configuration of an emergency call, for example transmit the postal address of the caller to the emergency call center or position information, about which determines the postal address of the caller in the emergency call center becomes.

at Private branch exchanges, where participants of the Private branch exchanges over several building or even over Distributing multiple company locations can be governed by local regulations be required that not only a common position information for all Subscriber of the PBX is transmitted, but that through the transmitted Position information the actual building or the actual one Room of the caller can be determined. Therefore, known PBX systems a configuration in which each terminal a specific Location is assigned and this site in the event of an emergency call the Emergency call center is notified.

The called transmission a site is based on a configuration, such a configuration usually requires that subscriber terminals are at fixed locations. In contrast, in mobile subscribers, for example in a mobile network, for the an identification of a, the emergency call deducing terminal none direct inference to the position of the caller allows a transmission of the correct location of the subscriber based on a configuration not or only limited possible.

at wirelessly connected mobile devices to the solution of this problem, receive field strengths or runtime differences of multiple base stations of a current environment of a mobile device in the mobile device to evaluate and put in a distance between the mobile device and the surrounding Convert base stations and thus determine the position of the mobile device. adversely Here is that this is a complicated process, beyond in buildings possibly does not give correct results. Reason for the latter is that the reception field strengths due to reflections and damping be changed through building walls and this could lead to the identification of a wrong location. Also In this method, it is difficult to obtain an accurate room number and usually not possible a floor number of a building for the current position of the mobile device to determine, as from one room to another usually only one is small distance and at a vertical position change from one floor to another depending on the arrangement of base stations and depending on the nature of buildings received signals from several base stations are partially affected equally and themselves thus often can only determine a horizontal position change.

It Object of the invention, an improved and / or easier Method for determining the position of a communication device specify. Furthermore, it is the task of a communication system for execution of the procedure.

Is solved this task by a method with the features of claim 1 and by a communication system with the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

In the method according to the invention for determining the position of a communication device, in particular a mobile terminal, with a sound receiver, preferably A microphone is activated by a localized sound transmitter transmitted with a transmitter information modulated sound signal. The communication device receives by means of the sound receiver emitted sound signal and extracted from the transmitter information. On the basis of the extracted transmitter information is a position information derived and this position information of the communication device assigned.

As a communication device is in this case in particular a terminal to understand, which is electrically or electromagnetically coupled to a communication network for the transmission of user and signaling data. The communication device may in particular be a mobile device, for example, according to the GSM standard (GSM: Global System for Mobile Communications), a cordless terminal, for example, according to the DECT standard (DECT: Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications), but also a wired terminal, a server device such as a base station or a router in a data network, wherein for carrying out the method according to the invention an existing server device can be extended by a sound receiver. Furthermore, the communication device can also be a PC with a multimedia application or a telephone application.

The Communication device can be switched or packet-switched be coupled to a communication system, wherein a control in Communication system be configured centrally or distributed can.

Of the localized sound transmitter can audible sound signals and / or inaudible Sound signals, e.g. Send ultrasonic signals, with one position the sound transmitter or a specifying the position of the sound transmitter Information may be known or ascertainable.

The Transmitter information can in particular be position-specific or sound transmitter-specific be and the position of the sound transmitter and thus implicitly specify the position of the communication device. The station information Here, for example, a room number of a building, in the sound transmitter is attached, a unique identifier of the Sound transmitter and / or a coordinate indication e.g. according to the GPS coordinates (GPS: Global Positioning Service). The transmitter information is preferably unique and distinguishable from other station information possible another sound transmitter.

The Position information can be in particular a room number of a building, in the sound transmitter is attached, a workplace number one Open-plan offices, one unique identifier of the sound transmitter, a so-called ELIN (Emergency Location Identification Number), a unique callback phone number, a Coordinate indication e.g. according to the GPS coordinates and / or be the sender information.

The with a transmitter information modulated sound signal can hereby in particular a modulated - e.g. amplitude, phase or frequency modulated or another with demodulierbare little effort - acoustic wave or a unique tone sequence from which the transmitter information is determined can be.

By the invention can indirectly determine the position of the communication device via the Position of the sound transmitter are determined. A direct determination the actual Position of the communication device is therefore not necessary.

A Configuration of position information for the communication device for a later Query this position information can be unnecessary, because this a configuration of the sound transmitter can be replaced. This is advantageous in that a sound transmitter is invariable may be mounted in a room while a communication device in modern communication systems due to radio communication or through features such as participant removal or teleworking is mobile and at least one assignment of phone number to the position of Caller frequently not possible is. Thus, in a communication system by the invention allows to reduce the configuration effort, since the communication system configured only once when the communication system is installed needs and other configurations during operation of the communication system can be significantly reduced.

One Another advantage of the invention is the fact that through the Use of sound for transmission the transmitter information usual Terminals as communication devices without or with only minor modification can be used as these are common already include a microphone as a sound receiver.

Furthermore is beneficial in the use of sound, that in sound waves the sound signal may include a frequency range that passes through of walls, Floors and Ceilings of a building heavily steamed becomes. Thus, it can be achieved that a directly received sound signal or a wall-mounted one Sound signal for the communication device becomes distinguishable.

Farther can the sound transmitter in a development of the method in home appliances devices such as lamps, Escape route boards, smoke detectors, loudspeakers for announcements in the building, etc. to get integrated. Thus, a cost-effective embodiment of the invention allows. Integration into home automation devices is particular therefore advantageous because e.g. Smoke detectors usually over the to be monitored Spaces evenly distributed and e.g. when localizing an emergency caller - one to similar to smoke detectors spatial Distribution of the sound transmitter allows a good position determination. Furthermore, smoke detectors and emergency lighting often have one Data connection to a central facility, preferably in a further development of the invention also for communication between the sound transmitter and one, the assignment of the position information performing, central Device can be used.

According to one embodiment of the invention verzich networking of the sound transmitter tet and / or the sound transmitter work independently, without cabling and / or without a communication network, which integration into home automation equipment is greatly facilitated. To trigger the sound signal in this case a sound activation signal can be sent from the communication device and received by the sound transmitter.

In In a further development of the invention, a plurality of sound transmitters, which is an activation signal for triggering the transmission of a respective sound signal receive, respond to the same activation signal. The reaction comprises the transmission of a respective sound signal, wherein the respective Sound signals are transmitted in a timely or delayed manner - the latter especially mutual interference the sound signals when received by the communication device to reduce.

Especially the communication device can send an activation signal, that of an activation signal of another communication device does not differentiate. Thus, it is possible a nonspecific activation signal to use that only from usual, natural or in an office environment occurring sounds or Sound sequences are different. Equipping communication facilities each with an activation unit for transmitting an activation signal is thus easily possible because the same activation unit can be used.

The Invention allows a very simple construction of the sound transmitter, because it is just a non-specific, incoming activation signal to recognize and need - preferably by the configuration of the sound transmitter changeable sound signal to send out Has.

Farther It is advantageous that the method for mobile and stationary communication devices can be used and thus a position determination of both device classes without distinction becomes. About that also can a configuration of these two device classes can be carried out the same way.

advantageously, can the inventive method continue to be used to determine the position of a communication device, e.g. in suspected lost devices, to determine, or employees, a communication device carry with you to locate on a company premises. in this connection can from a computer in the communication system, a localization request be sent to the communication device. Thus, preferably, inventory information be updated automatically in the communication system.

Furthermore is advantageous that in the context of a development of the method in the case of an emergency call, the procedure by activating the emergency call automatically triggered can be transmitted and the position information of an emergency call center can, so that this exact location of the caller is enabled or this one callback to the emergency caller can. Thus, you can statutory obligations or requirements for operators of communication systems, e.g. in the USA by the specification E911 (Enhanced 911) of the Approval Authority FCC (Federal Communications Commission) for emergency calls.

Farther is advantageous, adequate distribution and area coverage provided by a plurality of sound transmitters, that a location of the communication device inside buildings or in a difficult radio environment, where radio signals like the of the GPS localization system may not be received, is enabled.

Furthermore allows the inventive method a deployment of location-dependent services based on the determination of the position information of the communication device. For example, could a communication device based on the invention by Evaluation of the position information a plan of a closer environment the communication device on a display or more, close by determine the communication device located devices. The respective ones Information can thereby transmitted from a server in the communication system to the communication device become.

One embodiment The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

there show a schematic representation of the

1 - 5 a communication system and a floor plan of a building in whose rooms sound transmitters and communication facilities of the communication system are provided,

6 a flowchart of running in a sound transmitter method steps and

7 a flowchart of running in a communication device operating steps.

The 1 to 5 show in more schematic Representation of a communication system with a switching system PBX shown as a rectangle, a cordless telephone KE1 as a communication device, a landline telephone KE2 also as a communication device and a plurality of localized sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5. Furthermore, in the figures, a floor plan of a building G, consisting of the rooms R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 shown, the sound transmitters are arranged according to their numbering fixed in the rooms and thus located - ie the sound transmitter SSx (eg SS1) is in the space Rx (eg R1), where x is a number from 1 to 5 in this notation. The rooms R1, R2 and R4 are each separated acoustically from the other rooms. This is indicated by a closed door of the respective room R1, R2, R4. The rooms R3 and R5 are connected by an open door. Thus, sounds generated in the room R3 can also be heard in the room R5 (possibly delayed, damped or changed in the frequency response). By contrast, tones from the room R3 in the rooms R1, R2 and R4 can not be received or lie below a level threshold to be defined. For cordless user data communication from the cordless telephone KE1 to the switching system PBX, a base station BS of a DECT cordless system is furthermore arranged in the ground plan of the building G.

The Base station BS is represented by a hatched rectangle and connected by a line to the PBX. The Switching PBX comprises a position allocation unit PZE and a switching network KF. These are shown as rectangles within the PBX PBX. The landline telephone KE2 is shown by a solid line, connected by a cable connection to the switching system PBX. The communication system further comprises a database DB_PBX the switching system PBX, wherein the database DB_PBX a table TAB1 comprising an association of the transmitter information SI to the position information PI saves. The table TAB1 is here as one in two columns divided rectangle and database DB_PBX as a cylinder shown. The connection between the database DB_PBX and the Switching PBX is represented by a solid line.

exemplary is a key figure KZ_SS3 in the table TAB1 as sender information SI, which identifies the sound transmitter SS3 and a code KZ_SS5, which indicates the sound transmitter SS5. The key figure KZ_SS3 is the emergency call ID ELIN3 as position information PI assigned. The key figure KZ_SS5 is assigned the emergency call ID ELINS. These emergency call IDs ELIN3, ELIN5 are called emergency locations Identification Numbers according to the specification "Enhanced 911 "of the US regulatory authority FCC and specify or identify the location of an emergency caller.

Furthermore, in the 1 to 5 represented as a rectangle emergency call center PSAP - also called Public Safety Answering Point - represented, which is connected via a public communication network KN - shown as a cloud - with the switching system PBX. This connection from the switching center PBX to the public communication network KN and from this to the emergency call center PSAP is shown in each case by a solid line. Furthermore, coupled to the emergency call center PSAP as a cylinder Ortsinformati onsdatenbank ALI_DB, in the linguistic usage of the specification "Enhanced 911" is the abbreviation ALI for "Automatic Location Identification / Information". The coupling is represented by a solid line.

These Location Information Database ALI_DB stores in the present embodiment an assignment of emergency call IDs to, stored as strings and human-readable location information, one such Location information in addition to a postal address and more detailed information to a location - e.g. a building number and / or a room number of a building - an emergency caller. This location information can be displayed on a display unit DISP of an emergency operator terminal OPER be displayed textually or graphically. This emergency call operator terminal is OPER doing - by a line shown - with the Emergency call center PSAP connected.

Messages, connections or signals between the aforementioned components are in the 1 to 5 shown as simple or as double arrows, wherein sound signals are represented by a simple, shown as a stylized lightning arrow and radio signals regardless of the transmission medium - in particular air or cable - as double arrows.

The 1 and 2 represent different phases of a method for determining the position of the cordless telephone KE1. It is assumed here that the cordless telephone KE1 comprises a microphone as a sound receiver, a speaker and an antenna and is located in the room R3, in which the sound transmitter SS3 is arranged.

Farther In particular, the cordless telephone KE1 comprises components for Receiving a transmitted sound signal by means of the microphone and for extracting a transmitter information modulated on the sound signal from the received sound signal.

Furthermore, suppose that the sound sender SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 and SS5 in the 1 and 2 are self-sufficient and not connected to the PBX PBX. A setting of the respective characteristic numbers of the sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 as transmitter information can eg via a simple display and a few control buttons, jumpers or SIP / DIP switch (SIP: single inline package, DIP: dual inline package) be performed, or via an infrared interface of the sound transmitter, set, for example, from a computer with infrared interface.

In 1 is the initial situation that a subscriber with the cordless phone KE1 sends an emergency call. The cordless telephone KE1 recognizes in particular on the basis of the dialed number, ie the emergency number, that it is an emergency call and sends by means of its loudspeaker a trigger signal T as an activation signal via sound in the room R3. In this case, the trigger signal T is in particular an audible acoustic signal or preferably also an inaudible ultrasonic signal, wherein it propagates uniformly in all directions. Alternatively, the trigger signal T could also be an electromagnetic wave of a non-acoustic frequency range. The acoustic trigger signal T is in particular a unique tone sequence or a modulated or coded signal that can be clearly recognized by a sound transmitter as a trigger signal of a communication device.

There the rooms R3 and R5 are connected together, the activation signal T not only to the sound transmitter SS3 but also to the sound transmitter SS5 transmitted. In the present embodiment Let the communication device KE1 be closer to the sound transmitter SS3. Consequently receives the Sound transmitter SS3 the activation signal T in time before the sound transmitter SS5.

In 2 1 illustrates that the sound transmitter SS3 receives the trigger signal T via a sound detector, in particular a microphone, which recognizes the received trigger signal T as the activation signal and then emits an acoustic signaling signal SIG to the cordless telephone KE1. The signaling signal SIG is a sound signal modulated with the transmitter information KZ_SS3, wherein the modulation can be carried out by conventional methods such as amplitude modulation, pulse code modulation, etc. Furthermore, a modulation is possible only by emitting a single tone or a tone sequence with tones of different pitch and / or different time duration. Preference is again here inaudible tones, at the same time an automated voice output such as "emergency call from room XXX" is conceivable by the sound transmitter, for example, to support mute persons in carrying out an emergency call A rattle circuit assumes that the emergency caller may only be able to establish a connection but is physically unable to communicate with the remote station.

When Extension of the sound transmitter according to the invention can additionally for transmission the sound signal as an acoustic signal and any electromagnetic Wave from the sound transmitter - for example in an optical frequency range - be sent out. This could received by a communication device, if one, for the electromagnetic wave specific detector in the communication device is integrated.

The station information in 2 represents the key figure of the sound transmitter SS3, namely the key figure KZ_SS3. Somewhat later, the sound transmitter SS5 also receives the trigger signal T and then sends out a signaling signal SIG with its transmitter information KZ_SS5. The cordless telephone KE1 is now the first to receive via its microphone the signaling signal SIG with the code KZ_SS3 of the third sound transmitter SS3. It extracts this transmitter information KZ_SS3 and transmits it as part of a call set-up connection RUF via conventional communication methods to the base station BS. At a later time, the cordless telephone KE1 receives the signaling signal SIG from the fifth sound transmitter SS5 and discards it, since this arrives later than the signaling signal SIG of the third sound transmitter SS3, which is thus considered dominant. Furthermore, due to the usually small time differences between the incoming signaling signals known conventional methods for collision avoidance can be used.

The Base station BS forwards the call set-up connection RUF together with the code number KZ_SS3 of the third sound transmitter SS3 to the switching system PBX further. This determines now with the help of the table TAB1 from the key figure KZ_SS3 as transmitter information, the associated position information ELIN3. In the position allocation unit PZE, the position information now becomes ELIN3, which is actually the sound transmitter SS3 zugeord net and this thus locatable, the cordless phone KE1 assigned.

The Position allocation unit PZE thus serves to position information - here ELIN3 - using the extracted transmitter information - here KZ_SS3 - derive and the position information of the communication device - here KE1 - assign.

The Call set-up connection RUF is now sent via the switching matrix KF to the Communication network CN switched through, as a parameter, the position information ELIN3 recorded in signaling data of the call set-up connection RUF becomes. The key figure KZ_SS3 can, in turn, be derived from the signaling data be removed. The emergency call center PSAP receives this call setup connection RUF over the communication network KN and determined using the location information database ALI_DB an address description ADR3 that is human readable and an accurate Name of the location or exact location of the sound transmitter SS3 and thus also the cordless phone KE1 contains.

When Location is in particular an exact postal address, a Description of a route to a building, a room number of a building a GPS coordinate specification and / or a callback number of a subscriber to understand, with the callback number a telephone number is by means of which the communication device the caller can be called directly. The latter is particular at call center employees important in which in usual Communication systems for outgoing connections only the common call center number as a calling telephone number becomes. Furthermore, as a location and a phone number of a building or Area managers are used.

The Call set-up connection RUF is thereupon together with the address description ADR3 forwarded to the emergency call operator terminal OPER. The user this emergency call operator terminal OPER will then switch to a display unit as part of the connection DISP of the emergency call operator terminal OPER the address description ADR3 output. Thus, the operator has the emergency call center information available, an emergency call unit, e.g. the fire department or the police to send to the right position, even if the user of the cordless phone KE1 its exact Position or he is no longer able to pass his position.

The inventive method is advantageous insofar as that thereby the position of a Communication device is very easy to determine. Furthermore is advantageous that in communication systems with mobile participants due of participant moves, Teleworking, use of wireless terminals or mobile IP terminals (IP: Internet Protocol) a localization of a subscriber due static data - such as the telephone number or a subscriber line number - in the Switching system often not directly possible is because this data is not unique to a location to let.

Farther can Terminals of communication systems through the use of, from a switching system remote subscriber line modules or by networking of exchanges, over several buildings or over several Locations can be arranged, making a determination of the position of a Participants by means of queries of Vermittlungsanlagenda th difficult. Furthermore results from the reinforced Use of IP communication devices due to frequent, more dynamic Changing IP addresses of IP communication devices the problem that a determination of a position of an IP communication device by an IP address not possible or more difficult.

Farther is advantageous in the invention that to the sound transmitter SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 only low hardware requirements are made, because in a simple form they are merely an activatable, modulated Can send out sound signal need. About that In addition, it is advantageous that an integration of the sound transmitter in a network is not necessary is.

Farther is advantageous that at the time of registration usual terminal equipment a Speaker and a microphone for receiving or transmitting Have sound and thus no or only minor changes at the terminal equipment for the use as communication devices according to the invention become necessary.

That in the 1 and 2 The communication system illustrated comprises a circuit-switched switch PBX. This is merely an embodiment of the invention. In an alternative embodiment, the coupling of the communication devices KE1, KE2 can also be packet-switched. Furthermore, the assignment of transmitter information to position information can be carried out in a gatekeeper, a base station or distributed in decentralized devices.

3 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the sound transmitter SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 are connected via a, represented by a dashed line network GN for controlling the sound transmitter to the switching system PBX. As a connection between the switching system PBX and the sound transmitters while a radio or cable connection is conceivable, said in 3 a cable connection is shown within the building walls starting from the switching system PBX to all sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5. The arrangement of the other components corresponds to the arrangement in the 1 or 2 ,

In case of an emergency call from the cordless tele fon KE1, for example by selecting an emergency menu item on a display of the cordless telephone KE1, a call set-up connection RUF is transmitted via the base station BS to the switching system PBX. For the time being, no position information is transmitted in the call set-up connection RUF. To determine the position of the cordless telephone KE1, the switching system PBX then sends an activation signal T to all the sound transmitters located in the vicinity of the base station BS, wherein the assignment of sound transmitters to base stations in the switching system PBX can be configured. In the present exemplary embodiment, the sound transmitters located in the vicinity of the base station BS are the sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 and SS5.

The Sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 then send in each case Signaling signal SIG as a sound signal in their respective room from, wherein in the respective signaling the codes of the respective sound transmitter modulated are included. The microphone of the cordless phone KE1 is after initiating the call setup connection RUF activates and expects one in the next period Reception of a sound signal from one of the ambient sounders.

There the cordless phone KE1 is in room R3 and the sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS4 in the rooms R1, R2, R4 are attached, the acoustics of the remaining rooms are disconnected, the cordless telephone KE1 the respective signals the sound transmitter SS1, SS2, SS4 not received. Only the signals the sound transmitter SS3 and SS5 can from the cordless telephone KE1.

Since the signals of the sound transmitter SS3 to the cordless telephone KE1 have a shorter duration, the cordless telephone KE1 first receives the sound signal SIG of the sound transmitter SS3 and extracts therefrom the code KZ_SS3 of the sound transmitter SS3 (FIG. 4 ). The cordless telephone KE1 then sends an identification number signaling message SIG_KZ together with the code KZ_SS3 of the third sound transmitter SS3 to the switching system PBX. The later incoming signaling SIG from the fifth sound transmitter SS5 is ignored by the cordless telephone KE1.

alternative for evaluation, which sound signal rather at the communication device could receive a dominant sound signal also based on the attenuation of the sound signal - in particular individual frequencies -, the level or the frequency spectrum of the received Sound signal to be detected, because sound signals that are not directly transmitted from the sound transmitter to the received communication device become by reflection on building walls and Facilities changed accordingly become.

The switching system PBX can now send the sound transmitters SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 an information message that they no longer need to send the sound signals on (not shown). The determination of the transmitter and position information and further, subsequent steps of the method are analogous to the previously described method steps according to 2 and thus need not be explained again.

That in the 3 and 4 illustrated method is particularly advantageous than that an existing wiring of a building for the coupling of the sound transmitter SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5 can be used. Furthermore, it is advantageous that a sound communication from the first communication device KE1 to its surrounding sound transmitters is not necessary. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the omission of transmission of the activation signal via sound does not have to take into account that a loud sound signal can be unpleasant and / or harmful to health for persons in the environment of the communication device.

This in 5 Illustrated method can also be performed in the context of an emergency call or used for inventory purposes to determine the positions of communication devices - in particular server and / or terminal equipment. In this case, a query message Q is transmitted from the switching system PBX as a localization request to a communication device. In the present exemplary embodiment, this is the landline telephone in room R2 as the communication device KE2. This sends via a speaker, the trigger signal T in the surrounding space R2. Thus, the sound transmitter SS2 mounted in the room R2 receives the transmitted trigger signal T. As a result, the sound transmitter SS2 sends out a signaling signal SIG modulated with the transmission information KZ_SS2 into the room. The after activation of the trigger signal T activated micro phone of the communication device KE2 receives this sound signal SIG and forwards it as part of a code signaling message SIGKZ via the line to the switching system PBX to this. This message contains the key figure KZ_SS2 of the second sound sender SS2. After extracting the sender information - ie the code KZ_SS2 and by evaluating this code KZ_SS2 with the aid of the table TAB1 (which includes the assignment of the sender information to position information), a position information for the sound transmitter SS2 is determined and assigned to the communication device KE2. This position information can now be saved or another Unit be forwarded for further processing (not shown).

6 FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process steps of a sound transmitter according to the method described above in FIGS 1 and 2 illustrated method. The output state Z1 is a sound transmitter with an activated microphone, via which it receives sounds of the room. If the microphone receives tones, in particular tones above a defined level threshold, it is analyzed (state Z2) whether these tones are an activation signal. For this purpose, the characteristic features - such as frequency response or tone sequence - of the activation signal are tested.

Provided it is not an activation or trigger signal goes the sound transmitter back to its initial state Z1. If the sound transmitter, on the other hand, has received a trigger signal he sounds a sound and modulates his sound signal own transmitter information (state Z3). After getting this signal has sent out, he can go back to the initial state Z1, in which he again on incoming sound signals.

In 7 is a flow diagram of a telephone as a communication device according to the invention shown, which can send a trigger signal and can respond to a sound signal of a sound transmitter. In state Z4, the phone is in a hibernate state. Now the user dials an emergency number or presses an excellent emergency call button (as in the 1 to 4 shown) or receives the phone from the switching system PBX a position request message Q in 5 -, the phone goes into state Z5 and sends out a trigger signal via its loudspeaker. The telephone then activates its microphone as a sound receiver in order to be able to react to incoming sound signals, in particular sound signals from a sound transmitter (state Z6).

The Phone checks now for a certain time or repeats, whether a sound signal of a, yourself received in the vicinity of the phone sound transmitter has been. These are characteristic features of the sound signal from Phone checked. Becomes receive no sound within a predefined time period, the telephone goes directly into the conversation or idle state Z10. Becomes receive a sound signal, the phone will continue to check if several Sound signals were received simultaneously. Is that the case, becomes in state Z7 the most dominant, in particular the strongest signal or the first incoming signal, the received sound signals selected. The only received or the most dominant sound signal from the phone is then demodulated in state Z8. From the demodulated signal is the modulated in the sound signal transmitter information of the sound transmitter determined. In the subsequent state Z9 will transmits this station information to the switching system PBX on. Subsequently, the phone can now in a conversation state change or back go into hibernation (State Z10), depending on the desired following follow-up action of the phone.

Next in the embodiment represented speech communication, the invention is also for multimedia communication and / or data communication can be used. Only the communication devices need a sound receiver for Receiving modulated sound signals. Thus, the Invention also not limited to terminal equipment, but can by any means as communication facilities, For example, server devices are performed.

Next The mechanisms described so far can be used for tone generation and coding For example, a tone dial decoder can be used, which is also usually in telephones consisting of tone tones generated from two simultaneously transmitted pitches. The associated coding and decoding technology is widely used, cheap and proven and thus very reliable.

alternative To determine the position information, a sound transmitter can also send the position information coded directly, so that a communication device itself could supply the position information to the call.

Farther could a triggered sound transmitter in addition to the transmitter information also more Send out information - for example which communication device is interested in the Senderin formation is. It could the communication device identified by its IP address become. Any further communication device that triggered such a Receiving sound signal, can process this additional information and / or to the one who Trigger signal triggering Forward the communication device with its own identifier, so that these all in-room communication facilities gets notified.

Claims (10)

A method for determining the position of a communication device (KE1, KE2) with a sound receiver, wherein a) by a localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) with a transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) modulated Schallsig nal (SIG) is transmitted, b) the communication device (KE1, KE2) receives the emitted sound signal (SIG) by means of the sound receiver and extracts therefrom the transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5), and c) based on the extracted transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3 , KZ_SS5) a position information (ELIN3, ELIN5) is derived and this is the communication device (KE1, KE2) assigned. Method according to claim 1, characterized, that a) by the communication device (KE1, KE2) an activation signal (T) is sent, and b) as a result of receipt of the activation signal (T) the transmission of the sound signal (SIG) by the localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) is initiated. Method according to one of the preceding claims, thereby in that the transmission of the modulated sound signal (SIG) - by a connection setup (RUF) from the communication device (KE1, KE2) to a communication network or - by a location request (Q) to the communication device (KE1, KE2) is triggered from the communication network. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the transmission of the modulated sound signal (SIG) by establishing a connection (RUF) to an emergency number, a trigger an emergency call function or an emergency call button, triggering a Röchelfunktion a rattle circuit, a timer expiration after initiating a connection (RUF) or a call of a position-dependent Service triggers becomes. Method according to claim 2, characterized, that a) spatially distributed several localized sound transmitters (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) are arranged b) to the localized sound transmitters (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) the activation signal (T) is transmitted, and c) the respective localized sound transmitters (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) due to the reception of the activation signal (T) for transmission of the respective sound signal (SIG) are caused. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that that the communication device (KE1, KE2) upon receipt of several the respective sound signals (SIG) of the respective localized Sound transmitters (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) that sound signal (SIG) extracted, that in terms of volume, attenuation, frequency spectrum or Receiving time as dominant or as excellent proves. Communication system for determining the position of a Communication device (KE1, KE2) With a) a localized Sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) to send one with a Transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) modulated sound signal (SIG), b) the communication device (KE1, KE2) with a sound receiver - to receive of the transmitted sound signal (SIG) by means of the sound receiver and - to extract the transmitter information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) from the received Sound signal (SIG) and c) a position allocation unit (PZE) - to the Derive a position information (ELIN3, ELIN5) from the extracted Sender information (KZ_SS2, KZ_SS3, KZ_SS5) and - to assign the position information (ELIN3, ELIN5) to the communication device (KE1, KE2). Communication system according to Claim 7, characterized the communication device (KE1, KE2) is an activation unit for transmitting an activation signal (T) for initiating the transmission of the modulated sound signal (SIG). Communication system according to claim 8, characterized in that the activation signal (T) is a sound signal (SIG), and the localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) a sound detector for detecting the transmitted activation signal (T). Communication system according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) can be coupled to a network (GN) that supports the Activation signal (T) receives and as a result, the transmission of the sound signal (SIG) through the localized sound transmitter (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, SS5) causes.