EP1500309A1

EP1500309A1 - Method for remote control of actuators

Info

Publication number: EP1500309A1
Application number: EP03712606A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Michel Orsat
Original assignee: Somfy SA
Current assignee: Simu SAS
Priority date: 2002-04-26
Filing date: 2003-04-17
Publication date: 2005-01-26
Also published as: AU2003220762A1; ES2234455T1; FR2839178B1; FR2839178A1; WO2003092335A1; WO2003092335A8

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for remote control of actuators in an installation in a building, connected to an electric power supply network and equipped with communication means through power line carrier currents and/or wireless communication means, by means of a control device including a mobile control unit or nomadic transmitter and a support connected to the power supply network. The invention is characterized in that the data sent from the control device to the actuators are carried out in various modes: by wireless transmission, when the nomadic transmitter is not on the support; by wireless transmission and power line carrier current transmission, or by power line carrier current transmission only, when the nomadic transmitter is on the support.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL OF ACTUATORS

The invention relates to the field of remote control of actuators for the building industry. These actuators are, for example, luminaires for lighting, heating or air conditioning devices, or even motors for operating doors, roller shutters or solar protection.

The invention relates more particularly to a remote control method of actuators according to the preamble of claim 1. It further relates to a device intended to implement such a method and defined according to the preamble of claim 7.

The remote control of actuators was initially exclusively wired, then appeared devices of nomadic control, infra-red, and more recently radio. We can then speak of "order transmitter" for the control point, while we will denote by "order receiver" the electronic device associated with the actuator and capable of receiving the signal, decoding it and applying the corresponding command to the actuator.

The order transmitter is at least unidirectional (transmitter), but can also be bidirectional, which allows for example to receive an acknowledgment of receipt of the order issued, or which can greatly simplify the installation configuration procedure (pairing of a command transmitter with a command receiver). Similarly, the command receiver is at least unidirectional (receiver) but can also be bidirectional, which makes it possible for example to transmit data on the state of the actuator, or which can also be useful for the phase of installation configuration.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt The same order transmitter can be used to control several order receivers, thus constituting a group command, or even all of the order receivers of a given type, then constituting a general command for elements of this type . We understand the interest of a radio frequency link to broadcast such orders, without the need to resort to complex wiring.

As the actuators are most often connected to the electrical network, a radio frequency communication method and means have also been developed, but using the mains supply cables to guide the propagation. This is the technique of carrier currents.

The use of carrier currents for transmitting orders is already known in particular from American patents US 5,475,360 and EP 0718 729. In these prior documents, it is disclosed a use of carrier currents for lighting or control of shutters applications .

Each of the methods for propagating transmission by unguided radio or by carrier currents has advantages and disadvantages: in the first case, the advantage is the mobility of the command transmitter, in the second case, the advantage is the securing the transmission throughout the house or building, without the range being reduced by the walls or by metal frames.

Devices have already been imagined which combine two propagation modes for the same device. Thus, the device described in European patent EP 0718 729 provides that the processing unit of a command receiver can communicate with a command transmitter by a means which can be wireless radio, while communicating with other order receivers via a home automation interface with carrier currents.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt In the US patents US 5,815,086 and US 4,200,862, a device is provided which is both an infrared receiver and a transmitter of orders by carrier currents, playing the role of a bridge between these two propagation modes, being intended to be intercalated to remote controls for multimedia devices.

US Patent US 4,763,104 describes a gateway between a coaxial cable serving as a multipurpose transmission line and the sector. The signals from one are received by a transceiver and formatting means and are formatted by a control unit before being transmitted over the power line by the use of different means.

American patent US 5,978,371 describes a repeater intended to improve communication in a communication network using the CEBus protocol (Consumer Electronics Bus). This protocol lends itself to multimedia communication by carrier currents, radio, twisted pair, coaxial and infrared cable. The device described in this patent is notably characterized by the use of a routing table, specifying the transmission tasks of the repeater.

We also find the description of interfacing systems or gateway between two communication media in US Patent 5,570,085.

In US patent US 6,204,796, provision is made to associate with a cordless telephone a universal remote control functionality for infra-red control of audiovisual products. The mobile handset serving as a mobile control, possibly relayed by its support base.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt There is also known, from patent application EP 1 004230, in a totally different technical field, a device for controlling certain functions of an agricultural tractor. The device communicates wirelessly with the tractor, so an operator can remotely control certain tractor functions. Rather than making a similar control device inside the tractor cabin, it is envisaged to make a support making it possible to fix the remote communication device in the cabin. Electrical connections are also provided between the tractor and the device to compensate for a failure of the wireless transmission means.

The object of the invention is to propose a method for controlling actuators of a building making it possible to improve the methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention proposes a control method making it possible, depending on the nature of the orders to be transmitted, to ensure the mobility of the user or to ensure transmission security. The invention also relates to a device making it possible to implement such a method.

The method according to the invention is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

The dependent claims 2 to 6 define methods of carrying out the method.

The device according to the invention is defined by independent claim 7.

Dependent claims 8 to 12 define different embodiments of the device.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt The installation according to the invention is defined by independent claim 13.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which are given only by way of nonlimiting examples.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically and by way of non-limiting example, an installation to which the invention applies.

Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating the means implementing the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the different stages of the method of the invention.

The installation implementing the method of the invention is for example an installation intended to equip for example a building of any type, according to which the remote control device is intended for the control for example of a management system comfort, control or alarm of a building.

The installation consists of a control device (100) which comprises at least one mobile control unit or mobile transmitter (10), and at least one actuator (14,15) connected to the power supply network (13). It also includes a support (11) itself connected to the sector (13), intended to receive the transmitter.

Note that the actuator (s) (14, 15) comprise a radio reception unit and / or a communication interface by carrier currents. Each actuator is intended to control an element such as a concealing element such as a roller shutter, a door, a barrier, or a lighting, or even an air conditioning system.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt The transmitter (10) is in particular of radio frequency or infrared type, and allows wireless control of the actuator to which it is paired, said transmitter can of course also be configured to receive information.

Although in FIG. 1, two actuators have been shown, the device can of course comprise more than two actuators. These are, as we saw previously, connected to the sector (13) to be supplied with electric current.

The actuators of the installation can be of the same type or of a different type. By way of example, the first actuator (14) is for example a motor for roller shutters, and comprises only one receiver, or even transceiver, allowing wireless communication, for example with the transmitter by radio, while that the second actuator (15) is of the lighting actuator type and only comprises an interface allowing communication by carrier currents, this second actuator (15) being out of radio range, or at the range limit.

According to the mode proposed by way of example, the command transmitter (10) has dual functionality. The latter can control the first actuator (14) as a local controller, and control all of the actuators (14, 15) as general control. The transition from a local mode to a general mode is for example obtained by combination of keys, or long press on one of the keys, as is known.

The support (11) intended to receive the order transmitter (10) can be made wholly or in part by a support of the wall type or a base which can be placed on a table or the like. In order to receive the order transmitter, a housing can be fitted in the support (11).

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt reception (12) into which the transmitter can be inserted to be retained there.

Of course the receiving housing (11) of the transmitter (10) could be replaced by any equivalent means technically and functionally. Indeed, one could conceive attachment means allowing the support to receive said transmitter.

Furthermore, it is for example possible to provide a housing with two positions, or two separate housings, in order to separate a position in which the connection by carrier currents would be ensured from a position serving as mechanical support, and possibly recharging batteries , but in which this connection by carrier currents would not be ensured.

One can also provide the connection to the sector (13) of an interface device (16) used as a gateway to other means of communication, allowing the exchange of data to other products than those mentioned in the introduction. This gateway (16) allows for example a link with the Internet or a Bluetooth type network (registered trademark).

It is therefore understood that the invention gives the transmitter of orders

(10) different communication functionalities depending on whether or not it is housed on its support. (Ll).

Figure 2 is an illustration of the means implementing the method of the invention, and supporting two distinct embodiments, according to the material breakdown made between the functions located in the nomadic control unit and those located in the fixed unit. The choice between these embodiments, or others that can support the

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt method according to the invention will be dictated by considerations of lower cost, and / or autonomy, or even ergonomics.

According to a first embodiment, the nomadic remote control unit contains an antenna (21) and a unidirectional (transmitter) or bidirectional radio transmission module (22), itself in relation to a microprocessor (24), connected by inputs and outputs to a keyboard, or a keyboard and screen assembly, (23). Of course, the keyboard could be replaced in whole or in part by a command of the voice recognition type.

Furthermore, the microprocessor (24) is also connected to a set of communication by carrier currents (26, 30) according to methods which differentiate the two embodiments.

From the sector (31), there is first a coupler (29) by transformer or by capacitive effect, according to the methods of the prior art, and a set of communication by carrier currents, constituted by a demodulator modulator (modem) (30) working at the specific modulation frequency of the carrier currents and finally a module for controlling the connection by carrier currents (26), responsible in particular for carrier detection and synchronization with the sector. It goes without saying that the module for controlling the connection by carrier currents (26) could be directly connected to the sector.

Thanks to the means implemented, it is understood that the microprocessor is warned of the presence of the control on its support simply due to the detection of sector presence.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt Note that a memory (25) associated with the microprocessor (24) contains the program executable by the command transmitter, in particular keyboard management (23) and / or display and sector presence detection.

The program memory contains a part (25) assigned in a fixed or dynamic manner to the command management applications and / or all or part of the communication applications common to the two transmission modes, a part (27) assigned in a fixed or dynamic manner to all or part of the wireless communication tasks, and another part (28) fixedly or dynamically assigned to all or part of the communication tasks by carrier currents;

The memory (25) also contains all the “upper layers” of the communication protocol, common to the two modes of transmission.

Without implying a real physical partition or the use of several memories, we have represented separately in (27) and (28) the implementation of programs specific to the lower layers of communication protocol, depending on whether it is 'acts of a radio transmission or a transmission by carrier currents.

In the preferred embodiment, only the physical layer (layer 1 of the OSI model) is affected by the existence of two different programs.

It is therefore understood that the invention has an important advantage of reduction in complexity and costs by the use of a maximum of common hardware and / or software modules.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt Finally, there is shown in (32) the AC-DC converter device allowing, if installed, recharging of batteries of the nomadic remote control. This device is here placed downstream of the coupler (29), but nothing prevents connecting its input directly to the sector (31).

Note, however, that the arrangement shown in the figure

2 lends itself to a non-galvanic link between the mobile remote control and the sector, in the form of purely inductive coupling, making it possible to dispense with any connector. The physical separation between the fixed support and the mobile unit is then represented by the dotted line (33).

As mentioned, it is possible to use alternative layouts.

A second embodiment notably consists in implanting a maximum of components in the support, in order to minimize the electronics on board in the portable control. In this case, the demodulator modulator (30), the control module (26), and the converter device (32) will advantageously be integrated in the fixed support, and the previous physical separation will this time be placed according to the dotted line (34).

FIG. 3 now represents an embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the form of a flowchart, in the case of transmission of an order from the remote control.

Before the step of issuing orders (50), it is assumed that the order transmitter (10) has been configured to serve both local control (for a first mode of use of the keys) and control general (for a second mode of use of the keys). The transmitter is also configurable to systematically operate in so-called “Dual” mode (the

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt two transmissions) when it is on its support. This configuration is obtained by construction, or by means of a particular contact of the keyboard, or by a learning sequence.

During the step of issuing orders (50), a key on the keyboard is pressed to issue an order. This order is coded according to a specific frame.

During the detection step (52), a first test is carried out to find out whether the remote control (10) is on its support (11), or at least in a position allowing communication by carrier currents. This test may simply consist in verifying the presence of the mains from an input of the microprocessor in relation to an output of the control module (26). If the detection is negative, we go to the next step (60) which consists in activating a mode in which the transmitter sends orders by wireless transmission only. While if there is presence detection, we go to the order type test step (54), which is a second test, during which it is tested if the "Dual" mode has been activated. .

If the "Dual" mode has been activated, we pass to the radio transmission and carrier currents step (62). During this step (62), the frame is transmitted both to the radio transmitter (22) and to the carrier current transmitter (26).

If the “Dual” mode has not been activated, we go to the order transmission test step (56), which is a third test, during which we test whether the order is of the local command type. , in which case we go to the radio activation step (64), while we go to the activation step by carrier currents (66) if it is a particular type of order, by example one

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt general command or a command of the particular type, such as an alarm command.

In step (64), one simply activates a radio transmission, as in step (60), while in the step of activation by carrier currents (66) one simply activates a transmission by carrier currents.

As a variant, it may be preferred to activate only the transmission by carrier currents in these two stages, or else to activate the radio control alone in stage (64) and the two transmission means in stage (66). , or finally the only transmission by carrier currents in step (64) and the two transmissions in step (66): the important thing in the context of the invention being this plurality of choices, on the initiative of the only manufacturer, and / or installer, and / or user, as soon as the presence of the mains is detected.

It is clear that, in a simple version of the method, the third test which is the order type test step (56) will be avoided, by resorting to a single choice of transmission mode (s) whatever the type of control, for example systematic recourse to the only transmission by carrier currents, or systematic recourse to the combination of the two modes.

In an even more simplified version, the second test (54) will also be avoided, by resorting to a single choice of transmission mode (s) as soon as the presence of the sector is detected, for example systematic recourse to the only transmission by carrier currents. , or systematic recourse to the combination of the two modes.

Finally, it is clear that the previous tests can be carried out in a different order depending on the programming facilities.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt Finally, it will be noted that the frames can also be sent systematically on the two means of communication, radio transmission and transmission by carrier currents (22, 26), with simply a command to validate one and / or the other means, addressed from the microprocessor (24).

In addition to the advantages of the invention which flow from what has just been described, it is also possible to take advantage of the connection with the sector (13) to:

- Or, simply determine the existence of a common initiator event provoked on the sector, serving, for example, to reset memory registers or any other command, in particular usable in a process of common listening; such a recognizable event is, for example, a double cut of the mains voltage;

- or propagate, towards the transmitter of orders, by the sector wire and the use of transmission by carrier currents, any type of information which it is useful that it is not propagated by radio: for example, a key encryption, a common authentication key or simply a group name.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown by way of examples, but it also includes all the technical equivalents and their combinations.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt

Claims

1- Method for remote control of actuators (14, 15) of an installation in a building, connected to an electrical supply network

(13, 31) and equipped with means of communication by carrier currents and / or means of wireless communication, using a control device (100) comprising a mobile control unit or nomadic transmitter (10), and a support (11) connected to the supply network (13, 31), characterized in that the sending of information from the control device to the actuators (14, 15) is done according to different modes:

a- by wireless transmission, when the portable transmitter (10) is not on the support (11);

b-by wireless transmission and by transmission by carrier currents, or by transmission by carrier currents only, when the portable transmitter (10) is on the support (11).

2- control method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication between the control device (100) and the actuator (14, 15) is done by carrier currents only when it is an order of a particular type, such as a general command or an alarm command.

3- control method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication by carrier currents is used in the configuration phase to transmit to the order transmitter a particular code, defining an encryption key, or a name of group, or a common authentication key.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt 4- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a test step or detection step (52) making it possible to determine whether the transmitter (10) is on the support (11) or at least in a position allowing communication by carrier currents.

5- Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a test step (54), which consists in detecting whether the mode allowing communication both wirelessly and by carrier currents is activated.

6- A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it applies to an installation such that at least one actuator comprises at least one means of communication of the type with transmission by carrier currents on the electrical network and such that 'at least one actuator comprises at least one means of communication by wireless transmission.

7- Device (100) for remote control of actuators (14, 15) connected to an electrical supply network (13, 31) in a building and equipped with means of communication by carrier currents and / or means of communication wireless, comprising a mobile control unit or mobile transmitter (10) and a support (11) connected to the power supply network, characterized in that the mobile transmitter comprises switching means (24) between a comm mode. unification with actuators by carrier currents and a wireless communication mode.

8- Device (100) for remote actuator control according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises detection means (26) of the presence of the portable transmitter (10) on its support (11).

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt 9-Remote control device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the nomadic transmitter comprises:

- a microprocessor (24),

a program memory containing a part (25) assigned in a fixed or dynamic manner to the command management applications and / or all or part of the communication applications common to the two transmission modes, a part (27) assigned in a fixed manner or dynamic to all or part of the wireless communication tasks, another part (28) fixedly or dynamically assigned to all or part of the communication tasks by carrier currents;

- a unidirectional or bidirectional wireless transmission module (22) connected to the microprocessor (24);

- a link of the microprocessor with a set of communication by carrier currents (26, 30, 29).

10- Remote control device (100) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a set of communication by carrier currents constituted by a control module (26) and / or a modulator / demodulator (30).

11- remote control device (100) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the connection between the electrical circuits contained in the nomadic transmitter (10) and those of the support (11) is of the galvanic, inductive type, or capacitive.

12- Remote control device (100) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the communication part, divided into seven layers according to the OSI standard, is processed by a software program

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt common for the upper layers, and by two specific software programs, one assigned to the lower layers of the protocol for wireless radio transmission, the other being assigned to the lower layers of the protocol for transmission by carrier currents.

13- Installation comprising actuators and at least one device according to one of claims 7 to 12 or allowing the implementation of the method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

MS \ 2.S649.12PC.436.dpt