You could alter the DPI setting to make system fonts larger, rather than using a lower resolution.

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Yeah, that's what I do. Makes the fonts look smoother too.


Torben

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Thanks, I will try that.

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I think the range of the remote control should be selected not to be so large, so that we can arrange the remote control sets as the picture shown. I think the signal will not overlape. How about your suggestion?

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rooms.JPG (23.1 KB, 4 views)

 

Hi,

Bit tired ....
and pondered this so long that i'm not sure ive got it right ....

Also havent included the LED indication, another set of three probably.

As shown, should be minimum battery draw,
and quenching of the cap thats not in use,
so that even mistaken switching between positions should not be a problem.

John

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Ok here are a few questions.

I took your image and modified it. I see what your thinking here but here is the thing. With limited range Transmit, the receiver would have to be close enough for coverage. Look at my image, with coverage for Area 1, then Area 2 would not be able to transmit to RX1. Only way I see around this is multiple receive units, is that your plan?
Also is the reciever able to receive multiple frequencies? Say room 1-3 frequency?

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Adrian, I don't think you ever answered my question about how far the devices must be able to send.

Will there be a portable unit in each room which must reach only to a display unit on the door, or must all rooms be able to send individual signals to a central location somewhere in the hotel?


Torben

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Going by Adrians previous image. It would appear that there is a seperate remote for each room, ie. room 1 has freq 1, room 2 uses freq 2 etc. The drawing provided by Adrian would also imply a multi channel RX which I questioned. Adrian also assumed he could use redundant remote frequencies which would not interfere based on distance from TX room 1 with TX room 4, which would force multi RX units to maintain full floor coverage.
IMHO this plan is not to workable as is.
Perhaps the wireless idea be thrown out in lieu of a wired approach like a multi addressable 2 wire bus where the wires are ran under carpet or something.
I dunno...

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Each room have it own set of remote control and reciever. room 1-3 are independent. The frequency used in room1 will not be used in room2,3 and vice versa.

 

The receiver and remote control box should be fixed. otherwise why don't i used the original remote control directly(the problem will not exist)?
Not all rooms should sent the signal to central. The cleaner will check the outdoor LED indication. Just show the alarm outside the door is good enough.

The range of the signal to be send , i think 400 feet square is good enough.

 

Hi Mike!

Yeah, I got that there would be one remote in each room. What I'm trying to determine is whether it's expected to reach only from a portable unit the customer can activate (say, from the bed or something) to light up the LEDs on a door unit, or whether the idea is that there will be some central control room which must receive signals from all the rooms.

If it's the first option, then Adrian's diagram might work, since no remote needs to be able to send a signal further than that room's door. If it's the second option, then I agree with you, and some other communication method should be looked at. I was thinking about Wifi or Zigbee modules, perhaps.

A wired approach would be easiest, I agree. But if the hotel owner doesn't want to lay wire for it, the only ways I can see to do that would be to piggyback on the phone or AC lines. Those ideas open their own cans of worms.


Torben

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That seems to defeat the purpose of going wireless as each receiver will still need to have wires ran to it. Why not just use a wired interface and run wire under carpet or some such. To reduce amount of wires, a 2 wire multi addressable serial link could be used.

Just a thought

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Actually this kind of service should be done with wire and is more reliable. I think the haven't consider about that when they construct the building. Also each time the battery is used up , they need to recharge them. But there are may be some hundred rooms. Also , i don't think this idea work properly.

I also asked my boss why don't they used wire. He told me that it is hard to provide voltage source for that device......

 

I don't know. Why don't you use the original remote control? I'm guessing it's so that people don't steal them. Then again, you could always keep extras in stock and put a "remote control deposit" on the bill. For instance, if the remotes cost $10 each, then add $10 to the room bill, which will be returned to the customers when they return the remote control to the desk when they check out.

Ah, OK then! That simplifies things quite a bit. In that case your diagram might work.

To what will the control unit be fixed? The receiver will be fixed to the door or to the wall near the door, right?


Torben

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I agree--if the devices are fixed, simply run power lines to each device. The savings against using batteries over time should outweigh the cost of running the wires.

If each control unit only ever needs to communicate with its own display unit at the door, then wouldn't just two wires for the commands be enough, and not even need to be addressable? Two bits is enough to represent four states, and we only need to represent three states.


Torben

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