The gist of the invention consists in a system of object positioning and/or communication. It is applicable in the construction of various kinds of systems of devices ensuring communication between immobile and moving objects, particularly in the positioning, alert, access control, and security systems used inside buildings and indoor premises of other types.

The prior art knows many kinds and types of systems designed for positioning objects moving within a specific space in real time and enabling communication between system components. The systems contain a set of access points arranged at specific, fixed locations, their positions known, and a set of transmission and reception terminals installed on moving objects, the position of which can change. The systems further include a central control unit communicating with the access points along in a wired or wireless mode. Depending on the designation, structure, and fixtures at the access points, transmission and reception terminals, and the central unit, networks of the kind serve different functions and tasks. Such various network types include the positioning systems consisting of a set of routers, which serve as transmission and reception devices, arranged at specific points within a finite area, and a set of electronic identifiers moving within the same finite area, fitted on moving objects, to name e.g. people. Depending on the kind of the system, the routers may communicate with the identifiers using radio, optical, or other signals. In specific applications the systems may be used to locate moving objects or support communication between the network components. A network providing wireless Internet connections to end users in a specific area can be pointed to as yet another example of a system similar in terms of its general structure. In every solution, power must be supplied to the access points throughout the time the system is in operation to enable response to the request for object positioning and/or communication at any time. Moreover, the distribution of the access points must be sufficiently dense to ensure the required precision of the positioning/ communication. In the case of positioning systems the requirement translates to at least three routers within the radio range of the electronic identifier. The described system operating conditions make it necessary to lay the appropriate cable infrastructure so as to ensure grid power supply to the access points. They also require embedding an emergency battery installation to support the system in the event power supply from the grid fails. On the other hand, the electronic identifiers on the positioned objects, or other transmission and reception terminals are only turned on from time for the duration of the positioning/ communication process and can remain turned off at any other time. Therefore, a battery is sufficient to ensure their operation. In the known systems, the access points to the network are installed at the existing sockets and fed from the grid through the sockets. They are also provided with their own emergency power supply from batteries. Alternatively, a special power supply network is laid in the form of special cabling. Known in the prior art too, are various methods of positioning moving objects, based on such data as the level, quality, or intensity of the signal (RSSI, LQI, RCPI). The distance is established on the basis of the measured intensity or quality of the signal and the known attenuating properties of the environment. Another group of methods establishes the distance based on the measured time (TDoA, ToA, ToF), which elapses between e.g. sending the signal and receiving it. Knowing the wave dispersion velocity in a specific environment one can identify the distance between individual nodes in the network. An exemplary method of positioning based on signal intensity is disclosed in the description of patent application No. CN101247650. The coordinates of the located moving node are calculated on the basis of its distance from the three fixed nodes of known positions, where the distance is the function of the measured signal level. Known too, from the description of patent application No. US2006217132, is the positioning system based on the measurements of the direction and time parameters of the signals transmitted by the wireless network access points and the terminal communication devices, i.e. the telephones operating in the network. In one of its applications, the system enables rejecting the user of the communication terminal, if located outside the defined area.

The object positioning and/or communication system consisting of a set of access points of known location, communicating with the central unit in the wire-based or wireless mode, and of a set of any moving objects fitted with transmission and reception terminals communicating wirelessly with the access points, as proposed in the invention, is characteristic in that the system access points cooperate with the signalling devices of building security systems and are fed from the power supply systems feeding the devices.

Preferably, directional lights of the evacuation system serve as the signalling devices.

In embodiment one, each access point is fed via a control circuit, the inputs of which are connected to the power line feeding the directional evacuation light and to the back-up battery in the power supply system of the directional evacuation light.

Preferably, in embodiment one the control circuits are embedded in the power supply system of the directional lights.

In the second embodiment of the system, each access point is fed via the control circuit, the inputs of which are connected to the power line feeding the directional evacuation light and to the auxiliary battery.

Preferably, in the second embodiment the control circuits are embedded in the access points.

The advantage of the solution proposed in the invention consists in simplifying the structure of the positioning and/or communication systems achieved thanks to the use of the existing infrastructure of the signalling devices installed in the security systems installed in buildings, particularly the system of directional evacuation lights.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated on the drawings, where: fig. 1 presents the general diagram of the system, fig. 2 visualises the first embodiment of the access point structure in the system, and fig. 3 shows the second embodiment of the access point structure.

In the exemplary embodiment, the system consists of any desired number of access points R arranged at fixed and known locations within the specified area of the building, especially a closed room, and any number of moving objects Ol, 02 fitted with electronic identifiers II , 12, which are the transmission and reception terminals. The access points R, in the form of routers fitted with devices transmitting and receiving radio waves, are arranged so as to ensure their wireless or wired communication with the central unit C. Each access point R is fitted with control circuit UZ for connection with the power supply, is installed at the directional light S of the evacuation system existing in the given room, and uses circuit Z, which feeds that directional light S. The inputs of the control circuit UZ at each access point R are connected to the power line S I feeding the directional evacuation light S. In the first embodiment, the inputs of the control circuit UZ are also connected to the back-up battery A installed in the power supply system Z feeding the directional light S, and the whole control circuit UZ is embedded in the power supply system Z feeding the directional light S. In embodiment two of the system, the control circuit UZ of each access point R is fitted with an auxiliary battery B, and is embedded in the circuit of the access point R. An exemplary operation of the system proceeds as follows. The electronic identifier II sends the positioning request responded to by the routers, i.e. the access points R within its range, which send their coordinates and the value connected with the transmitted radio signal, they measured at the time of communication with the electronic identifier II . The value can, depending on the adopted calculation method, represent the level, intensity, or quality of the radio signal. Having received the message from the access points R, the electronic identifier II quotes it as the input data for calculation of its own position, provided that correct positioning requires data from at least three routers. Depending on the function, structure, and software of individual system components, data calculation and processing may take place at the central unit or at various other points of the system, which can combine the positioning function with other functions, particularly that of communication. Access points R are fed from the power line SI, which supplies electricity to the directional lights S in the evacuation system installed in every public building. In the event of grid power supply failure the control circuit UZ will automatically switch the access point R to the back-up supply either from the back-up battery A of the directional light S, or from the auxiliary battery B, depending on the embodiment, and will do so without interrupting system operation.

Irrespective of the example described, the solution proposed in the invention may be applied in building systems of any designation, structured as a system of nodes, i.e. fixed access points requiring continuous power supply and moving communication terminals. Such other systems can include in particular access, positioning, alert, signalling, or communication systems, as well as other systems related e.g. to security.