WO2011161328A1 - Remote control device and use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a remote control device (1) for a system for opening and closing (13) a cover (12), comprising an input module (2), a microcontroller module (5), an output module (6), a command-matching module (7), and a signaling module (10). Said input module (2) includes at least two inputs (3, 4) for receiving at least two different types of signals, the microcontroller module (5) includes a means for processing each of said types of signals, and the signaling module (10) includes means for sending messages of each of said types. The invention further relates to the use of the control device (1) for opening or closing the cover (12) of a chest, trunk, or box (11).

Description

 DEVICE FOR REMOTE CONTROL AND USE

The present invention relates to a device for remote control of a system for opening and closing a lid. It allows more particularly to control the opening and / or closing of the lid of a box, a trunk or a trunk, by means of a fixed telephone, mobile, said VOIP, said internet network IP, radio waves, dry contact, l ² C, or logic level.

It is known in the state of the art to remotely control actuators. However, the known devices are adapted to receive signals of a predetermined type. Thus, actuator remote control devices solely by means of telephones are known. A person can dial a predetermined number that allows him to access the device. Then by dialing the appropriate code, the device controls the actuator. Such devices can be used for example to control a mobile camera support, allowing to aim a particular angle of observation of the environment of the camera. A home automation system control method is known from the document

WO / 2003/085896. It allows from an Internet access terminal to control various home automation applications.

Such a device is useful for allowing the owner of a pet to be absent for a limited period of time, and to make available to the animal quantities of food prepared in advance. With the help of a computer and an internet connection, the owner can observe the animal, and decide according to his observations to open a predetermined box, then close it after a certain time. In such a case the signal sent to the device will preferably be via the internet link, by a so-called TCP / IP protocol. It is possible, however, that for various reasons said owner wishes to send an opening or closing command signal at a time when he does not have an internet connection. He then wishes to be able to send such a signal by a mobile phone, for example.

The devices of the state of the art do not allow such flexibility. They are provided for a predetermined type of signal, and only work with this type of signal. The present invention seeks to remedy this drawback, and proposes a device for remote control of an actuator, comprising an input module, a microcontroller module, an output module, a control adaptation module and a module. signaling. Seven-year-old US 6,349,671 B1 discloses a device for remotely opening a pet food box lid with a microcontroller and input and output modules.

 From the beginning, this structure has been considered as known and corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

 This document does not indicate the presence of adaptation and signaling module.

 This document dates from February 2002, we are in June 2010, but practitioners still use this unique variant described to open remote boxes.

 The reason for the absence of this characteristic is simple; this document does not provide the possibility of ordering by two remote people using two different means of transmission such as for one phone and the other Internet.

 Therefore, the skilled person is not led to predict this adaptation which is not implicit.

 In contrast, the invention claims two inputs for a single opening; the technical problem solved by the invention differs from that of the document cited above.

 Consequently, those skilled in the art have not been led to realize such means of adaptation and signaling for orders by several people.

The document WO 03/092335A also of the state of the art explains that its purpose is the installation of remote control in the field of the building. It does not concern the opening of boxes that can be moved and does not consider more the claimed characteristics than the previous document.

The device according to the invention is particular in that the input module comprises at least two inputs intended to receive at least two different type of signals sent by two people distant from each other, in that the microcontroller module comprises means for processing the signals of each of these types, and

in that the signaling module comprises means for sending messages of each of these types.

In this way the user obtains a more flexible use, and can fall back on an alternative communication means, if the first means does not work for any reason.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one type of mobile phone entry called GSM.

This allows access to the device from a mobile phone.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one type of entry called TCP / IP.

This allows access to the device from a computer terminal connected to the internet.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one input of a type forming part of the list composed of: I2C, radio waves, dry contact logic level, fixed telephony, VOIP.

Depending on the application, the types of inputs required will be chosen, allowing users great latitude in accessing the device according to the invention.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, said control adaptation module comprises at least two control means of an actuator of a type belonging to the list composed of: electromechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic. This makes it possible to adapt the device to several types of boxes, with actuators of different types.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the control device further comprises an output port for an LCD display. This allows the device to display a message, for example as soon as the box is opened, the message being for example the name of the person who gave the opening order. The present invention also relates to the use of a device according to the invention for opening or closing the lid of a trunk, a trunk or a box.

Specific uses appear in the corresponding subclaims.

Other advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description of an exemplary embodiment and the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a device according to the invention implanted in an example of application FIG. 2 represents a logic diagram of the operating program of the device of FIG.

With reference to these drawings, FIG. 1 represents a box 11 provided with a cover 12. An opening and closing system 13 comprises two actuators 14, which can be electromechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or magnetic. A control device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to receive various signals, and to control the opening and closing system 13.

FIG. 1 shows a mobile telephone 20 and a computer 21, which represent two different means of transmitting a signal at the address of the device.

Two reception inputs are shown, one for receiving a GSM signal, the other 4 for receiving a TCP / IP signal.

 FIG. 2 represents a logic diagram of the operation of the device:

When a signal requesting the opening of the safe is sent, it arrives at an input module 2. A microcontroller 5 processes the received signal, of whatever type, checks the received code and compares it to a prerecorded code, and where appropriate sends via its output module 6 an output signal to control adaptation module 7. This is designed for the type of opening system present on the trunk, and transmits to the actuator 14 the signal, via the opening and closing system 13. Such an actuator may be a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. It can also be an electromechanical connecting rod or rack. It can also be a magnetic cylinder. The opening system 13 then moves to open the trunk 1 1. The box is provided with a limit switch 15, making it possible to detect the complete opening of the box 11. When the complete opening is detected, the control device 1 stops giving the opening order, and sends by via a signaling module 10 a message to the sender of the signal, informing him that the trunk 11 is open, by the same type of communication as that used for sending the first signal. The device can at this time control other predetermined actions, such as lighting a light 17 to illuminate the interior of the box for example, through auxiliary control outputs 8.

Similarly, when a signal requesting the closing of the safe 11 is sent, the microcontroller 5 processes the received signal, of whatever type, checks the received code and compares it with a pre-recorded code, and the if necessary, sends via its output module 6 an output signal to control adaptation module 7. This transmits to the actuator 14 the signal via the opening and closing system 13. closing system 13 then moves to close the trunk 11. The trunk 11 is also provided with a limit switch 16, to detect the complete closure of the trunk 11. When the complete closure is detected, the device of command stops giving the closing command, and sends via the signaling module 10 a message to the sender of the signal, informing him that the safe is closed, by the same type of communication as that used for the sending the first signa l.

For some applications the chest is provided with an LCD display 18, and the device comprises an output port 9 for LCD display.

The chest 1 1 is also provided with a mains 19.

The device according to the invention can advantageously be applied to feed a dog in the event of temporary absence of the master. A camera, not shown, shows that the dog comes to claim food. The master can then operate the opening of the box 11, let the dog eat, then close the dog at a time when it will not pinch the dog closing. If he receives the image from the camera on his mobile phone, he normally operates the box through his mobile phone. But it can happen that it is in a place where there is no network, where while its battery is empty. He can then connect to the internet and perform the operation in the same way. The device can also be used for organizing remote lottery type games. A prize is in a box, and to win it players must find the right code, to open the box. The different players can send their signals by SMS, landline or mobile phone, internet, VOIP, IP network, radio waves, dry contact, I2C, logic level. The device according to the invention will take into account each of the signals and process it, to open the box when the signal containing the correct code will arrive. Advantageously at the time of opening the box, a light comes on in the box using an auxiliary control output, and an LCD display to display the name of the winner, as well as his phone number . The typical dimensions of such a box are 10cm x 10cm x 10 cm.

Although the invention has been described in connection with particular structures, it is in no way limited and many variations can be made.

The combinations of the different embodiments shown in the drawings or described above are not outside the scope of the invention. The following reference numbers are used in this application, as well as in the accompanying drawings:

1. Control device

 2. Input module

 3. GSM receiver

 4. TCP / IP receiver

 5. Micro controller

 6. Output module

 7. Command adaptation module

 8. Auxiliary control output

 9. Output port for LCD display

 10. Signaling module

 11. Chest, trunk or box

 12. Lid

 13. Opening and closing system

 14. Actuators

 15. Opening limit switch

 16. Closing limit switch

17. Lighting 18. LCD display

 19. Power supply

 20. Mobile phone

 21. Computer The reference signs inserted after the technical features mentioned in the claims are only intended to facilitate understanding of the latter and in no way limit its scope.

Claims

CLAIMS: A method of remote opening of boxes by at least two persons, characterized in that the persons are distant from each other and each send a respective signal of a different type to a respective input of the module comprising at least two inputs connected to a microcontroller module processing each of the signals and transmitted to a signaling module which transfers the opening message of the box according to the operating mode processed by the microcontroller module. 2. Opening method according to claim 1 comprising the following steps - Initialization of the program,  - Sending by at least one person of the code via internet or cellular phone, - Reception in HTML or GSM language,  - Possible order to open the box,  - Possible end-of-travel contact,  - Possible control of light,  - HTML or GSM reception of the message (open box),  - Possible sending of the closing code,  - Closing the box,  - Extinction of the elements. 3. Device for remote control (1) of a system for opening and closing (13) a cover (12) for implementing the method according to claim 1, comprising an input module (2), a microcontroller module (5), an output module (6), a control adaptation module (7) and a signaling module (10), characterized in that said control adaptation module (7) comprises at least two control means of an actuator of a type forming part of the list composed of: electromechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic; said input module (2) comprising at least two inputs (3, 4) for receiving signals of at least two different types, in that the microcontroller module (5) comprises a signal processing means of each of these types and in that the signaling module (10) comprises means for sending messages of each of these types. 4. Control device (1) according to the preceding claim, comprising at least one input (3) of GSM type. 5. Control device (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one input (4) TCP / IP. 6. Control device (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one input of a type forming part of the list composed of: l ² C, radio waves, dry contact logic level, fixed telephony, VOIP. 7. Control device (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising an output port (9) for LCD display (18). 8. Use of a control device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, for opening or closing the lid (12) of a trunk, a trunk or a box (11). 9. Use according to the preceding claim wherein said box (12) contains dog food, to feed a dog on demand, and remotely. 10. Use according to claim 7 wherein said box (12) allows the one who finds the right code to win a prize during a remote lottery type game. 11. Use according to the preceding claim, wherein, when a player sends the correct code, the lid (12) of the box (11) opens, the light (17) lights, and the name of the winning player appears on the LCD display (18).