CN106415687B - Wireless two-way communication protocol for automatic home accessory integration - Google Patents
Wireless two-way communication protocol for automatic home accessory integration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN106415687B CN106415687B CN201580005530.8A CN201580005530A CN106415687B CN 106415687 B CN106415687 B CN 106415687B CN 201580005530 A CN201580005530 A CN 201580005530A CN 106415687 B CN106415687 B CN 106415687B
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- control component
- automated
- remote device
- control
- generic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
- G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A system and method for integrating home accessories and general purpose devices with automated home appliances is provided. In an embodiment, a communication protocol enables a remote device to wirelessly control a general purpose device wirelessly coupled to a control component of an automated household item. The remote device may control features of the generic device based on wireless communication with the control component. In some embodiments, the remote device receives a user environment selection that is transmitted to a control component of the automated household appliance. The automated furniture item then transmits at least a portion of the received commands to the corresponding generic device according to the settings of the selected user environment. In further embodiments, the occupancy detection indication of the automated furniture item may result in a change in one or more settings corresponding to the user environment as transmitted by the control component to the general purpose device(s).
Description
Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to wireless two-way communication protocols for integrating household accessories and general-purpose devices with automated household items. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to communication protocols for controlling automated household accessories and/or general purpose devices coupled to control components of automated household items using remote devices.
Background
Various methods exist for manipulating automated household items using a controller. Such controllers direct the operation of various "standard" integrated components for automated furniture items, such as the head and foot motors of an adjustable bed. However, it is also possible to provide an external accessory for use with an automated household item, such as a heating blanket. Unless the heater blanket is integrated into the control system of the automated household item, it will likely be controlled independently of the household item, which requires additional equipment and/or a remote control. In addition, controllers for automated household items are typically equipped with the necessary firmware to operate standard equipment provided with the household item (i.e., those equipment that the manufacturer intends to operate by the household item controller).
Accordingly, there is a need for a communication protocol that enables additional automated home accessories and/or external, general wireless devices to be operated by an automated home controller without the need to update the firmware of the home appliance controller.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items. Embodiments of the invention include a communication protocol for controlling an automated household accessory coupled to a control component of an automated household item using a remote device.
In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a system for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items includes a control component comprising: (1) a wireless communication device; (2) a CAN bus; and (3) at least one automated home accessory coupled to the CAN bus, wherein one or more features of the at least one automated home accessory are controlled by a remote device wirelessly coupled to the control component.
In another illustrative aspect, a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items includes: receiving an indication of an automated home accessory coupled to a control component; identifying one or more packets of information associated with the automated home accessory; and transmitting at least one of the one or more packets of information to a remote device, wherein the remote device is adapted to control one or more functions of the automated home accessory based at least in part on communication between the remote device and the control component.
According to a third illustrative aspect, an embodiment of a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items includes receiving one or more items of identification information associated with at least one automated household accessory coupled to a control component and transmitting at least one of the one or more items of identification information to a remote device, wherein the remote device is in wireless two-way communication with the control component, wherein one or more features of the at least one automated household accessory are controlled by the remote device based on communication of at least one of the one or more items of identification information.
A fourth illustrative aspect of embodiments of the present invention includes a system for integrating one or more generic devices with an automated home appliance. The system includes a first general purpose device having a first wireless communication device; and a control component coupled to the first generic device, the control component comprising a second wireless communication device. In an embodiment, one or more features of the first generic device are controlled by a remote device wirelessly coupled to the control component, the remote device comprising a third wireless communication device.
According to a fifth illustrative aspect, embodiments of the invention include a method for integrating a generic device with an automated household item. The method includes receiving, by a control assembly of an automated household item, an indication of at least one generic device wirelessly coupled to the control assembly, wherein the at least one generic device is external to the control assembly; receiving a first command from a remote device wirelessly coupled to the control component, wherein the first command corresponds to one or more features of the at least one generic device; wirelessly transmitting the received first command from the control component to the at least one generic device; receiving an occupancy indication associated with the automated household item; determining a second command corresponding to a feature of the at least one generic device based at least in part on the received occupancy indication; and wirelessly transmitting the determined second command from the control component to the at least one generic device.
A sixth illustrative aspect of the invention is directed to a method for establishing a specific user environment corresponding to occupancy detection of an automated household item coupled to at least one generic device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an indication of a particular user environment selection from a remote device, the particular user environment selection including a set of commands corresponding to settings of a particular user environment of at least one generic device coupled to a control component of the automated furniture item; transmitting at least one primary command corresponding to the received user environment selection from the control component to at least one general purpose device wirelessly coupled to the control component; receiving an indication of a change in occupancy detection associated with the automated household item; determining at least one secondary command based at least in part on (1) a set of commands for the at least one generic device, and (2) the received change in occupancy detection; and transmitting the at least one secondary command to at least one general purpose device coupled to the control component.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Drawings
The invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a system for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is the system of FIG. 1 for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items, including a plurality of packets of communication protocols in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a system for integrating a generic device with an automated household item, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a system for integrating a generic device with an automated household item, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method for integrating a generic device with an automated home appliance in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for integrating a generic device with an automated household item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
An embodiment of a system 10 for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items is seen in fig. 1. In the embodiment of fig. 1, the system 10 generally includes a control assembly 12 having a wireless communication device 14, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 16, an integration feature 18 including a head motor 20 and a foot motor 22, and an automated home accessory 24 coupled to the CAN bus 16 of the control assembly 12. In addition, the control component 12 is depicted as communicating with a remote device 26 having a data port 28 and a wireless communication device 110.
in one embodiment, the control component 12 controls various features of the automated household appliance that operate based on commands received by the control component 12. For example, the control assembly 12 may control an integration feature 18 integrated into the operation of the automated household item, such as a head motor 20 that may raise and lower the head of the adjustable bed. Although exemplary integral features 18 such as a head motor 20 and a foot motor 22 are shown in fig. 1, it should be understood that any number or combination of integral features 18 may be coupled to the control assembly 12, such as a massage motor, a programming port, a wired remote device, and the like.
in some embodiments, the control component 12 includes a processor and memory capable of receiving and processing commands that can be recognized using firmware of the control component 12. For example, control component 12 may receive commands to operate one or more integrated features 18 coupled to an automated household item. For example, the remote device 26 may receive an input command from a user that is wirelessly transmitted by the remote device 26 to the wireless communication device of the control assembly 12 using the wireless communication device 110. The command may involve one or more integral features 18 coupled to the control assembly 12, such as a command to lower the head and feet of the automated bed (using the head motor 20 and the foot motor 22).
The wireless communication device 14 may be used in transmitting wireless commands to and from the control component 12. As such, the wireless communication device 14 may be any wireless communication device used to communicate wireless communications to and from one or more remote devices in wireless communication with the control assembly 12. For example, the wireless communication device 14 may be a wireless device that executes a two-way communication protocol, such as MiWi and/or Zigbee protocols. In further embodiments, the wireless communication device 14 communicates using a 2.4GHz protocol, including a 2.4GHz sideband (side band) or a 2.4GHz stack (stack). Further, in one example, the wireless communication device 14 may execute the RF4CE protocol. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 14 is used to wirelessly communicate between the control assembly 12 and a remote device 26, which remote device 26 may also be referred to as a remote control.
In addition to communicating via the wireless communication device 14, the control component 12 may also interact with external devices coupled to the control component 12, such as an automated home accessory 24 coupled to the CAN bus 16 of the control component 12. In various embodiments, CAN bus 16 may couple one or more automatic home accessories 24 directly or indirectly to control component 12. In one example, the integration feature 18 may be coupled directly to the control component 12 (e.g., distributed with the control component 12 at the time of manufacture of the automated home device), while the automated home accessory 24 may be coupled to the control component 12 at any time (e.g., after purchase of the automated home with the control component 12). In other words, in some embodiments, the automated furniture accessory 24 may be coupled to the control component 12 of an automated household that is not sold with such accessory.
in an embodiment of the present invention, the remote device 26 may be used to control one or more automated home accessories 24 coupled to the control assembly 12 of the automated furniture item. For example, an automated home accessory 24, such as an electric blanket, may be plugged into the CAN bus 16 of the control component 12. When connected to the CAN bus 16, information items about the particular automated home accessory 24 inserted into the CAN bus 16 CAN be communicated to the control component 12. Such information items may include the identity of the automated home accessory 24, its manufacturer, the particular type of equipment (e.g., type of heating blanket), general identification information, reserved location (placeholder), and other types of information that can be identified by the control component 12. In some embodiments, the identification information item may be obtained by the control component 12 from the automated home accessory 24 by way of a connection via the CAN bus 16.
Having received identification information regarding the particular automated home accessory 24 inserted into CAN bus 16, control component 12 may then transmit one or more packets of information to a remote device 26, such as a remote control, according to a communication protocol. The remote device 26 receives the information item using the wireless communication device 14 through a wireless connection between the control component 12 and the remote device 26. In various embodiments, the packets of information transmitted between the control component 12 and the remote device 26 identify the particular automated home accessory 24 according to the protocol used for communication between the control component 12 and the remote device 26. In still other embodiments, the control component 12 acts as a two-way wireless/CAN bridge, enabling an automated home accessory 24 (e.g., an inexpensive CAN accessory) to receive a direct command from the remote device 26.
In another example, the communication protocol may specify particular packets of information that the remote device 26 is required to receive before it can remotely indicate operation of the automated home accessory 24. Referring now to fig. 2, information packets 30 may be communicated between the control component 12 and the remote device 26 using the wireless communication device 14. Such exemplary packets may include a header packet 32, a message ID packet 34, a message content packet 36, and a device ID packet 38. As will be appreciated, the type and number of packets transmitted as part of the communication protocol may vary, and any number of packets may be transmitted between control component 12 and automated home accessory 24.
In one embodiment, the header packet 32 provides information identifying an item, such as a packet sender type, a packet intended recipient type, a message type, etc. For example, header packet 32 may identify control component 12 as the sender of the data packet according to a communication protocol. In another embodiment, the message ID packet 34 provides information about the CAN bus and/or MiWi wireless communication device 14 involved in the transmission according to the communication protocol. For example, the message ID packet 34 may identify the CAN bus 16 as being involved in a transmission according to a communication protocol. Thus, header packet 32 and/or message ID packet 34 provide identifying information about the sender and recipient of the message, as well as the type of message to be communicated using one or more devices.
In further embodiments, the message content packet 36 provides the content of a message transmitted according to a communication protocol. For example, the message content packet 36 may include instructions to manipulate one or more of the automated home accessories 24 coupled to the CAN bus 16 of the control component 12. As such, in some embodiments, the message content packet 36 may include status data 40 and/or command data 42. In various embodiments, the status data 40 provides the status of one or more devices coupled to the control assembly 12. For example, the status data 40 may indicate whether the automated home accessory 24 (such as a heater blanket) is regulated to a maximum power as part of the message content packet 36. Similarly, command data 42 may represent, as part of message content packet 36, a particular command directed to one or more devices coupled to control component 12. For example, command data 42 may represent, as part of message content packet 36, an indication to manipulate one or more features of automated home accessory 24 coupled to control component 12, such as an indication to lower the temperature of a heating blanket.
in yet another embodiment, the exemplary information packet 30 may include a device ID packet 38 that specifically identifies one or more hardware items coupled to the control component 12. For example, the device ID packet 38 may represent a particular type of automated home accessory 24 for control by the remote device 26. Thus, any number of device ID packets 38 may be communicated between the control component 12 and the remote device 26.
In some embodiments, the communication protocol used to control the one or more automated home accessories 24 coupled to the control component 12 may include the transmission of one or more packets of information 30 between the control component 12 and the remote device 26. As such, in some embodiments, the control component 12 may determine one or more information packets 30 to transmit to the remote device 26. The determined one or more information packets 30 may then enable the remote device 26 to control the one or more automated home accessories 24 coupled to the control component 12 using wireless communication between the remote device 26 and the control component 12.
in some embodiments, automated home accessories 24 may be associated with one or more updatable information items that may change after a user initially couples a particular automated home accessory 24 to control component 12. In other words, after remote device 26 has been configured to control a particular automated home accessory 24, one or more updates may become available to that automated home accessory 24. Thus, in some embodiments, the firmware of the remote device 26 may be updated using the data port 28. Data port 28 may be any feature associated with remote device 26 capable of receiving data, such as a USB port. In one example, updated features of the automated home accessory 24 may be transmitted to the control component 12 based on entering new and/or updated information into the data port 28, such as inserting a USB device containing such updated information.
in further embodiments, new and/or updated automated home accessories 24 may be coupled to control assembly 12. In one embodiment, the control assembly 12 may not recognize the newly added automated home accessory 24. For example, control component 12 may have been manufactured without the ability to recognize and/or process specific commands associated with new and/or updated automated home accessories 24. In another example, control component 12 may not be able to determine one or more items of information to be transmitted according to a communication protocol to delegate control of automated home accessory 24 to remote device 26. In this way, one or more updates may be provided to the remote device 26 via the data port 28 and transmitted from the remote device 26 to the control assembly 12 using the wireless communication device 14. Thus, remote device 26 may receive updates via data port 28, transmit such updates to control assembly 12, and enable control assembly 12 to exchange communications with remote device 26 regarding control of automated home accessories 24.
Referring next to fig. 3, an exemplary flow chart 44 of a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items is provided. At block 46, an indication of an automated home accessory coupled to a control component is received. For example, such an indication may be received based on inserting the automated home accessory 24 into the CAN bus 16. At block 48, one or more packets of information associated with the automated home accessory are identified. As discussed above, in some embodiments, control component 12 may identify one or more information items and/or packets 30 according to a communication protocol for controlling automated home accessories 24 by remote device 26. Thus, at block 50, at least one of the one or more packets of information is transmitted to a remote device, which is then adapted to control one or more features of the automated home accessory based on communication between the remote device and the control component. For example, the remote device 26 may control one or more features of the automated home accessory 24 having received one or more packets of information 30 from the control component 12.
Turning now to fig. 4, a flow chart 52 of a method for integrating automated household accessories with automated household items is provided. At block 54, one or more items of identification information associated with at least one automated home accessory coupled to a control component are received. For example, control component 12 may receive an item of identification information (e.g., a device type or manufacturer) associated with a particular automated home accessory 24. At block 56, at least one of the one or more identification information items is transmitted to a remote device, wherein the remote device is in wireless two-way communication with the control component, and one or more features of the at least one automated home accessory are controlled by the remote device based on the transmission of the at least one of the one or more identification information items. Thus, in one embodiment, the features of the automated home accessory 24 may be controlled by the remote device 26 based on communication between the remote device 26 and the control component 12. In other words, the remote device 26 may control one or more features of the automated home accessory 24 using the direct connection of the automated home accessory 24 to the CAN bus 16 of the control assembly 12 and the wireless connection between the remote device 26 and the wireless communication device 14 of the control assembly 12.
An embodiment of a system 58 for integrating automated home accessories and generic devices with automated home supplies is seen in fig. 5. In the embodiment of fig. 5, the system 58 generally includes a control component 60 having a wireless communication device 62, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 64, and an automated home accessory 66 coupled to the CAN bus 64 of the control component 60. Additionally, the control component 60 is depicted as wirelessly communicating with a remote device 68 having a wireless communication device 70 and a data port 72. In one embodiment, the control component 60 controls various features of the user environment based on commands received by the control component 60. For example, the control component 60 may control a general purpose device 74 having a wireless communication device 76 configured to communicate with the wireless communication device 62 of the control component 60. As used herein, generic device 74 refers to an external device configured to wirelessly couple to a control component of an automated household item. In one embodiment, generic device refers to one or more devices used to establish characteristics of a selected user environment, such as lighting components, heating components, sound components, and/or other user environment devices. Further, while a single exemplary generic device 74 is shown in fig. 5, it should be understood that any number or combination of generic devices 74 may be coupled to the control assembly 60.
In some embodiments, the control component 60 includes a processor and memory capable of receiving and processing commands that can be recognized using firmware of the control component 60. For example, the control component 60 may receive commands to operate one or more generic devices 74 that wirelessly communicate with automated household items coupled to the control component 60. In one embodiment, remote device 68 is
Thus, the remote device 68 may receive input commands from a user, which the remote device 68 wirelessly communicates to the wireless communication device 62 of the control assembly 60 using the wireless communication device 70. The commands may relate to one or more general purpose devices in wireless communication with (e.g., wirelessly coupled with) the control component 60, such as commands for controlling general purpose devices external to the control component 60. In various embodiments, the remote device 68 is a wireless handheld device, such as a remote control, a smart phone, and/or a tablet device configured to communicate with the control component 60 using a wireless connection. In one embodiment, the remote device 68 is configured to transmit one or more commands to the control component 60, while in further embodiments, the remote device 68 provides a presence indication to the control component 60. For example, in one embodiment, the remote device 68 may be configured to provide an indication of the proximity of the user of the remote device 68 to the control component 60 of the automated home appliance. In one embodiment, proximity profile (proximity profile) of a wireless remote device 68, such as a smart phone and/or tablet device, may provide an indication of occupancy by a user of the automated furniture item.
In various embodiments, the wireless communication device 62 may be used in the transmission of wireless commands to and from the control component 60. As such, the wireless communication device 62 may be any wireless communication device used to communicate wireless communications to and from one or more remote devices 68 in wireless communication with the control assembly 60. For example, the wireless communication device 62 may be a wireless device that executes a two-way communication protocol, such as MiWi and/or Zigbee protocols. In yet other embodiments, the wireless communication device 62 communicates using a 2.4GHz protocol, including a 2.4GHz sideband or a 2.4GHz stack. Further, in one example, the wireless communication device 62 may implement the RF4CE protocol. In some embodiments, the wireless communication device 62 is used to wirelessly communicate between the control assembly 60 and a remote device 68, which remote device 68 may also be referred to as a remote control.
In addition to communicating via the wireless communication device 62, the control component 60 may also interact with external devices coupled to the control component 60, such as an automated home accessory 66 coupled to a CAN bus 64 of the control component 60. In various embodiments, the CAN bus 64 may couple one or more automatic home accessories 66 directly or indirectly to the control component 60. In one example, the automated home accessory 66 can be coupled directly to the control component 60 (e.g., distributed with the control component 60 at the time of manufacture of the automated home device), while in further embodiments, the automated home accessory 66 can be coupled to the control component 60 at any time (e.g., after purchase of the automated home with the control component 60). In other words, in some embodiments, the automated furniture accessory 66 can be coupled to the control component 60 of an automated household that is not sold with such accessory. In various embodiments of the present invention, the remote device 68 may be used to control one or more automated home accessories 66 coupled to the control assembly 60 of the automated home appliance. Thus, the remote device 68 may be used to wirelessly control the automated home accessories 66 coupled to the control assembly 60 based on commands transmitted from the wireless communication device 70 to the wireless communication device 62.
In still other embodiments, the remote device 68 may be used to indirectly control one or more general purpose devices 74 wirelessly coupled to the control assembly 60. Thus, in some embodiments, the wireless communication protocol employed between the wireless communication device 70 and the wireless communication device 62 may correspond to the wireless communication protocol employed between the wireless communication device 62 and the wireless communication device 76. In one embodiment, a packet of information transmitted from the remote device 68 to the control component 60 (i.e., between the wireless communication device 70 and the wireless communication device 62, respectively) may identify a particular generic device 74 as the intended recipient device of the packet of information. For example, commands received from a user of the remote device 68 may provide instructions to the control component 60 to activate particular features of the user environment 112, such as dimming lights. Thus, the lighting fixture associated with the generic device 74 may receive commands transmitted from the wireless communication device 62 to the wireless communication device 76. In other words, with the common wireless communication protocol employed between the remote device 68, the control component 60, and the generic device 74, the control component 60 acts as a central repository for commands relating to the user environment 112.
In another example, the wireless communication protocol may specify particular packets of information to be communicated between the remote device 68 and the control component 60 and between one or more generic devices 74 and the control component 60. As discussed above with reference to fig. 2, exemplary information packets may be communicated between the control component and the remote device, which may include header packets, message ID packets, message content packets, and device ID packets. As will be appreciated, the type and number of packets communicated as part of the wireless communication protocol may vary, and any number of packets may be transmitted between the remote device 68 and the control component 60 and the generic device 74.
In one embodiment, the header packet provides information identifying an item, such as a packet sender type, a packet intended recipient type, a message type, and the like. For example, the header packet may identify the control component 60 as the sender of the data packet according to a wireless communication protocol. In another embodiment, the message ID packet may provide information about the CAN bus and/or MiWi wireless communication device involved in the transmission according to the communication protocol. For example, the message ID packet may identify the CAN bus 64 as being involved in a transmission according to a communication protocol. The header packet and/or message ID packet thus provides identifying information about the sender and recipient of the message, as well as the type of message to be communicated using the one or more devices.
In yet other embodiments, the message content packet provides content of a message transmitted according to a wireless communication protocol. For example, the message content packet may include instructions for manipulating one or more generic devices 74 coupled to the control component 60 based on wireless communication between the wireless communication device 62 and the wireless communication device 76. As such, in some embodiments, the message content packet may include status data and/or command data. In an embodiment, the status data provides the status of one or more devices coupled to the control assembly 60. For example, the status data may indicate as part of the message content packet whether the generic device 74 is turned on and at what power level it is currently set. Similarly, command data may represent a particular command directed to one or more generic devices 74 coupled to the control component 60 as part of a message content packet.
In yet another embodiment, the exemplary information packet may include a device ID packet that specifically identifies one or more hardware items coupled to the control component 60. For example, the device ID packet may represent a particular type of automated home accessory 66 for control by the remote device 68 (via the control component 60). Thus, any number of device ID packets may be communicated between the control component 60 and the remote device 68. In yet other embodiments, the device ID packet may represent a particular type of generic device 74 for control by the remote device 68 (via the control component 60).
In some embodiments, the communication protocol used to control one or more general purpose devices 74 coupled to the control component 60 may include the transmission of one or more packets of information between the control component 60 and the remote device 68. As such, in some embodiments, the control component 60 may determine one or more packets of information to transmit to the remote device 68. The determined one or more packets of information may then enable the remote device 68 to indirectly control one or more general purpose devices 74 wirelessly coupled to the control component 60 using wireless communication between the wireless communication devices 70, 62, and 76.
In some embodiments, generic device 74 may be associated with one or more updatable information items, which may change after a user initially wirelessly couples a particular generic device 74 to control component 60. In other words, after the remote device 68 has been configured to control a particular generic device 74 via the control component 60, one or more updates may become available to the generic device 74. Thus, in some embodiments, the firmware of the remote device 68 may be updated using the data port 72. Data port 72 may be any feature associated with remote device 68 capable of receiving data, such as a USB port. In one example, updated features of generic device 74 may be transmitted to control component 60 based on entering new and/or updated information into data port 72, such as inserting a USB device containing such updated information.
In further embodiments, new and/or updated generic devices 74 may be coupled to the control assembly 60. In one embodiment, the control component 60 may not recognize the newly added generic device 74. In this way, one or more updates may be provided to the remote device 68 via the data port 72 and transmitted from the remote device 68 to the control assembly 60 using the wireless communication devices 70 and 60. Thus, the remote device 68 may receive updates via the data port 72, transmit such updates to the control component 60, and enable the control component 60 to exchange communications with the remote device 68 regarding control of the generic device 74.
referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of a system 58 for integrating automated home accessories and generic devices with automated home supplies is shown. In the embodiment of fig. 5, the system 78 generally includes a control component 60 having a wireless communication device 62, a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus 64, and an automated home accessory 66 coupled to the CAN bus 64 of the control component 60. Additionally, the control component 60 is depicted as wirelessly communicating with a remote device 68 having a wireless communication device 70 and a data port 72. In one embodiment, the control component 60 controls various features of the user environment based on commands received by the control component 60. For example, the control assembly 60 may control various types of general purpose devices 74 having wireless communication devices 76 configured to communicate with the wireless communication devices 62 of the control assembly 60. In the exemplary embodiment of fig. 6, the control assembly 60 is coupled to an under-bed lighting controller 80 having a wireless communication device 82 and an AC outlet controller 84 having a wireless communication device 86. Although the control assembly is coupled to two "universal" devices (the bed lighting controller 80 and the AC outlet controller 84) in fig. 6, it should be understood that any number or combination of universal devices may be wirelessly coupled to the control assembly 60.
In one embodiment, the control component 60 may be used to establish a user-specific environment 112 having one or more customizable features that satisfy one or more requests from users of automated household items. For example, a user of an automated household coupled to the control component 60 may provide an indication to the remote device 68 that the user selected a particular user environment setting, such as a night time setting from a "favorite" set of environment profiles. When a particular user environment setting is selected, the remote device 68 may communicate a set of commands to the control component 60 for distribution (by the control component 60) to one or more general purpose devices 74 coupled to the control component 60. In this way, a single indication to the remote device 68 may trigger a series of commands to be executed by the various generic devices 74 coupled to the control component 60. In further embodiments, in response to a single indication of a particular user environment (received by the remote device 68 and transmitted to the control component 60), the control component 60 determines a set of commands corresponding to the received user environment selection. In one embodiment, the set of commands corresponding to the selected user environment may include commands for execution by the control component 60 and commands for execution by one or more general purpose devices coupled to the control component 60. For example, the command assembly 60 may be directly coupled to the motor of the automated bed and wirelessly coupled to an external lighting device (i.e., a general purpose device). As such, the set of commands received by the control component 60 may be sent to the intended "recipient" of such commands based on communications between the remote device 68, the control component 60, and the one or more generic devices 74.
In another embodiment, the control component 60 may be used to establish a particular user environment 112 based on receiving an occupancy indication received by the control component 60 coupled to the automated furniture item.
For example, an occupancy detection system may be coupled to the control component 60, such as a capacitive occupancy detection system and/or method described in one or more of: U.S. non-provisional patent application 13/346,386 entitled "Capacitive Wire sensing for burn" filed on 9/1/2012; U.S. non-provisional patent application 13/749,120 entitled "Capacitive Wire Sensing for burn" filed 24/1.2013; and U.S. non-provisional patent application 13/854,720 entitled "Occupancy Detection for burn" filed on 2013, 4, 1, the contents of all three of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. As such, presence sensing technology (e.g., a method of presence sensing performed by a system coupled to and/or integrated with the control assembly 60, and/or the control assembly 60 and/or another component coupled to the control assembly 60) may be used to detect the presence of a user of the automated home appliance. Thus, presence sensing technology may be used to detect the presence of a user of an automated household item. Based on such presence detection, the control component 60 may then indicate a corresponding command to generate the desired user environment 112 based on the previously determined set of commands corresponding to the particular user environment setting. In various embodiments, commands corresponding to particular user environment settings may be transmitted from the control assembly 60 to one or more general purpose devices 74, such as the under-bed lighting controller 80 and/or the AC outlet controller 84.
For example, the control component 60, such as an automated household item of a bed, may receive a command from the user via the remote device 68 to select a "night" user environment setting. In response to commands entered into the remote device 68 and transmitted from the wireless communication device 70 to the wireless communication device 62 of the control assembly 60, the control assembly 60 may indicate commands corresponding to one or more generic devices 74. For example, the control assembly 60 may issue commands corresponding to one or more settings and/or energy levels of one or more generic devices 74. For example, to establish a "nighttime" user environment setting selected by the user of the remote device 68, the control component 60 may instruct the in-bed lighting controller 80 to provide dimmed lighting, while the AC outlet controller 84 may be instructed to turn on a device plugged into the outlet, such as a particular light fixture. Accordingly, subsequent indications of user presence received by the control component 60 may result in one or more changes to settings established as part of the "nighttime" user environment settings. In some embodiments, a predetermined set of commands corresponding to a particular "nighttime" preference and/or user environment setting may be executed by the control component 60 based on an indication of user presence (e.g., detected using presence sensing technology such as capacitive line sensing technology integrated into the automated household item). In this way, the control component 60 can send corresponding commands to the individual universal devices 74 based on the detected changes in presence sensing and the association of the remaining specific room settings. In various embodiments, one or more characteristics of the user environment 112 may vary in response to commands received from the control component 60 based on a wireless communication protocol between the control component 60 and the individual generic devices 74. In one example, the presence of a user may be detected on an automated bed, and then the control component 60 coupled to the automated bed instructs the bed lighting controller 80 to turn off the bed lighting, and similarly instructs the AC outlet controller 84 to turn off the light fixture coupled to the AC outlet controller 84. In another example, the user may temporarily leave the bed, at which point the control assembly 60 may instruct the under-bed lighting controller 80 to light up, while the control assembly 60 does not need to further activate the AC outlet controller 84. Accordingly, in response to presence detection, a corresponding change in one or more characteristics in the user environment may be triggered by a command received from the control component 60.
Referring next to FIG. 7, an exemplary flow chart 88 for integrating a generic device with an automated household item is provided. At block 90, a command is received from a remote device. In various embodiments, the received command may include a selection of a particular user context received, while in various other embodiments, the received command may correspond directly to a particular general purpose device coupled to the control component. At block 92, a command destination is identified for the received command. For example, the received command including the selection of the particular user environment may include a plurality of commands for communication to a plurality of general purpose devices coupled to the control component. In another embodiment, the received command may be directly related to the particular general purpose device for which the control component determines the destination of the command (i.e., determines to send the command received from the remote device to the intended recipient — the particular general purpose device). Thus, at block 94, the command is sent to its destination.
Turning now to FIG. 8, a flow chart 96 of a method for integrating a generic device with an automated household appliance is provided. At block 98, occupancy detection information is received. At block 100, a selection of a particular user environment is received from a remote device. Thus, at block 102, a plurality of command destinations are identified from the selected user environment. For example, multiple generic devices may correspond to settings of a particular user environment, such as a generic device for lighting, a generic device for sound production, and so forth. At block 104, commands corresponding to the user environment settings are sent (e.g., primary commands) to a plurality of destinations (e.g., general purpose devices used to create the selected user environment and/or commands directed to the control components). Accordingly, at block 106, a subsequent change in occupancy detection is received by the control component of the automated home appliance, indicating a change in occupancy since the initial occupancy determination was received. In response to the received occupancy change, at block 108, the command(s) (e.g., the secondary command (s)) are sent to a destination, such as a subsequent command sent to a particular generic device. For example, a user environment with dimmed lighting and light music may be established. When the household leaves the automated household, a command indicating an increase in lighting intensity may be sent to a general purpose device, such as a light fixture coupled to a wireless AC outlet controller.
From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages, which are obvious and inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (19)
1. A system for integrating one or more generic devices with automated household items, comprising: a first general purpose device including a first wireless communication device; and a control component wirelessly coupled to the first generic device, the control component comprising a second wireless communication device, wherein one or more features of the first generic device are controlled by a remote device wirelessly coupled to the control component, the remote device comprising a third wireless communication device, wherein the first generic device is configured to: the method includes establishing a user environmental characteristic, receiving, via the control component, a first command from the remote device corresponding to the user environmental characteristic, receiving an occupancy indication of the automated home appliance, and receiving a second command corresponding to the user environmental characteristic determined by the control component based on the occupancy indication.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote device is configured to wirelessly control the first generic device based on wirelessly coupling the first generic device to the control component.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote device is configured to wirelessly control the first generic device based at least in part on communication between the control component and the remote device.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, and third wireless communication devices is a two-way communication device that facilitates two-way communication.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a second communication device coupled to the control component, the second communication device comprising a fourth wireless communication device, wherein the remote device is configured to wirelessly control the second communication device based on wirelessly coupling the second communication device to the control component, the second communication device configured to establish the user environment characteristic.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote device is wirelessly coupled to the control component, and further wherein the remote device is adapted to receive information from and transmit information to the control component using the third wireless communication device.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the remote device comprises updateable firmware adapted to receive information about a generic device coupled to the control component.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the remote device comprises a screen comprising one or more control indicators, wherein the one or more control indicators are updated based on receiving information about one or more general purpose devices coupled to the control component.
9. A method for integrating a generic device with an automated household item, the method comprising: receiving, by a control component of an automated household item, an indication of at least one generic device wirelessly coupled to the control component, wherein the at least one generic device is configured to establish a user environment characteristic and is external to the control component; receiving a first command from a remote device wirelessly coupled to the control component, wherein the first command corresponds to one or more user environment characteristics of the at least one generic device; wirelessly transmitting the received first command from the control component to the at least one generic device; receiving an occupancy indication associated with the automated household item; determining a second command corresponding to a user environment feature of the at least one generic device based at least in part on the received occupancy indication; and wirelessly transmitting the determined second command from the control component to the at least one generic device.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further comprises wirelessly transmitting a status indication to the remote device, wherein the status indication comprises an indication of at least one generic device coupled to the remote device.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first command comprises a particular user environment selection.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the particular user environment selection comprises a selection of a set of commands corresponding to a plurality of user environment characteristics associated with the at least one generic device coupled to the control component, wherein the set of commands is transmitted to the at least one generic device upon selection of the particular user environment.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the second command wirelessly transmitted from the control component to the at least one generic device corresponds to a particular user environment selection and the received occupancy indication.
14. A method for establishing a user-specific environment corresponding to occupancy detection of an automated household item coupled to at least one generic device, the method comprising: receiving an indication of a particular user environment selection from a remote device, the particular user environment selection comprising a set of commands corresponding to settings of a particular user environment of at least one generic device coupled to a control component of the automated furniture item, wherein the generic device is configured to establish user environment features; transmitting at least one primary command corresponding to the received user environment selection from the control component to the at least one general purpose device wirelessly coupled to the control component; receiving an indication of a change in occupancy detection associated with the automated household item; determining at least one secondary command based at least in part on (1) a set of commands for the at least one generic device, and (2) the received change in occupancy detection; and transmitting the at least one secondary command to the at least one general purpose device coupled to the control component.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the particular user environment selection further comprises one or more settings corresponding to one or more hardwire features of the automated home appliance.
16. the method of claim 14, wherein the remote device includes a screen including one or more control indicators, wherein the one or more control indicators are updated to provide one or more control indicators corresponding to the at least one generic device.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the remote device includes a screen including one or more control indicators, wherein the one or more control indicators are updated to provide one or more control indicators corresponding to a plurality of user environment selection options.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein transmitting at least one secondary command to the at least one generic device coupled to the control component comprises transmitting at least one command corresponding to at least one of the settings of a particular user environment of the at least one generic device.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein wireless two-way communication between the remote device, the control component, and the at least one generic device is one or more of MiWi and Zigbee communication.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US14/164,132 US9514637B2 (en) | 2013-01-24 | 2014-01-24 | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automated furniture accessory integration |
| US14/164,132 | 2014-01-24 | ||
| PCT/US2015/012211 WO2015112577A1 (en) | 2014-01-24 | 2015-01-21 | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automated furniture accessory integration |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN106415687A CN106415687A (en) | 2017-02-15 |
| CN106415687B true CN106415687B (en) | 2019-12-17 |
Family
ID=53681889
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201580005530.8A Active CN106415687B (en) | 2014-01-24 | 2015-01-21 | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automatic home accessory integration |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN106415687B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2935725C (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2015112577A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1700718A (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2005-11-23 | 英华达(上海)电子有限公司 | Method for implementing wireless remote control of remote apparatus by using small message |
| CN101320867A (en) * | 2007-05-24 | 2008-12-10 | 最优创新公司 | Utility outlets as remote control repeaters |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6998955B2 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2006-02-14 | Ballew Michael A | Virtual electronic remote control device |
| US8909378B2 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2014-12-09 | Martin B Rawls-Meehan | Adjustable bed position control |
| US8082160B2 (en) * | 2007-10-26 | 2011-12-20 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | System and method for collection and communication of data from multiple patient care devices |
| US8009042B2 (en) * | 2008-09-03 | 2011-08-30 | Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | Radio-frequency lighting control system with occupancy sensing |
| US9528812B2 (en) * | 2012-01-09 | 2016-12-27 | L&P Property Management Company | Capacitive wire sensing for furniture |
-
2015
- 2015-01-21 WO PCT/US2015/012211 patent/WO2015112577A1/en active Application Filing
- 2015-01-21 CA CA2935725A patent/CA2935725C/en active Active
- 2015-01-21 CN CN201580005530.8A patent/CN106415687B/en active Active
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN1700718A (en) * | 2004-05-17 | 2005-11-23 | 英华达(上海)电子有限公司 | Method for implementing wireless remote control of remote apparatus by using small message |
| CN101320867A (en) * | 2007-05-24 | 2008-12-10 | 最优创新公司 | Utility outlets as remote control repeaters |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2935725C (en) | 2021-11-02 |
| CA2935725A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
| CN106415687A (en) | 2017-02-15 |
| WO2015112577A1 (en) | 2015-07-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US9514637B2 (en) | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automated furniture accessory integration | |
| US11160154B2 (en) | Commissioning load control systems | |
| US9412262B2 (en) | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automated furniture accessory integration | |
| TWI611379B (en) | Remote controlling method for lamp | |
| US20200295597A1 (en) | Systems and methods to allow for a smart device | |
| CN106165441B (en) | Server device, control system, and control method | |
| WO2014136268A1 (en) | Communication device and communication system | |
| US20160139574A1 (en) | Smart home control apparatus and method | |
| JP6726560B2 (en) | Air conditioning system | |
| CN106415687B (en) | Wireless two-way communication protocol for automatic home accessory integration | |
| JP2010523037A (en) | Control circuit, system for operating the device, and device for writing a program in such a control circuit | |
| KR101501486B1 (en) | System and Method for Power Control | |
| JP2017060096A (en) | Operation unit and communication system | |
| EP3209026B1 (en) | Control processing method, electric device, and control processing program | |
| US9898927B2 (en) | Wi-Fi/radio frequency converting device | |
| WO2015195799A1 (en) | User identification method for automated furniture | |
| CN205788746U (en) | A kind of USB infrared controller with environment sensing function | |
| KR20190005659A (en) | IoT system using dimming IoT device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| C06 | Publication | ||
| PB01 | Publication | ||
| C10 | Entry into substantive examination | ||
| SE01 | Entry into force of request for substantive examination | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant |