DE102016101119A1 - Home automation controller - Google Patents

Abstract

Home automation controller 2 having a communication unit 22, 24 configured to communicate with home automation system devices, an optical user interface 4 configured to receive user input and output status information, a processor 20 configured to process the user inputs, and to generate the status information for the output User interface 4 is a touch-sensitive display and the display 4 is covered with an electrically conductive textile fabric 8.

Description

In home automation, centralized control of actuators and sensors is common practice. A central control unit, also called a home automation control unit or central unit, is designed to communicate with the actuators and sensors of the home automation system. Furthermore, such centers have a connection to a local area network or also, preferably via a router, to a wide area network, for example the Internet.

Originally it was a task of the control center to control only the internal communication between the actuators and sensors. Another task was to enable external communication. Increasingly, however, a center is also being used to allow the user to control individual home automation functions directly at the center. This can be, for example, the setting of temperatures or the central control of switches.

In addition, the center is increasingly being used to display status information. Such status information can be, for example, the temperature, the time of day, the state of an alarm system, the closed state of windows or doors or the like. Thus, the center is increasingly in the focus of users.

This is problematic in that the conventional control panels are optically less appealing in terms of their core function of controlling communication. It is now an object to provide a central office which provides a user-friendly man-machine interface for inputting and outputting information while being visually appealing.

Such a center is provided by a home automation controller according to claim 1.

As already explained, the home automation control device, also referred to below as the control center, has a communication unit. With the help of this communication unit, the center can communicate at least with the devices of the home automation system. Devices of the home automation system are both sensors and actuators. Sensors can be, for example, thermostats, opening sensors, switches, buttons, motion detectors, smoke detectors or the like. Actuators may preferably be switching actuators as well as heating actuators, alarms, shutter controls or the like.

The control center also has an optical user interface. The optical user interface enables bidirectional communication between the user and the center. With the help of the user interface, it is possible to visually output status information. This can be done by outputting characters, icons, texts, numbers or the like. On the other hand, the user interface allows input of user input.

Finally, the control center has a processor. This processor may, among other tasks, handle the user inputs received from the user interface. Also, the processor may generate status information for the output. Depending on certain states within the system, the center can generate corresponding status information and thus control the optical user interface so that corresponding symbols or information are displayed.

In order to be able to design the center as a visually attractive communication center, it is proposed that the user interface is a touch-sensitive display and that the display is covered with an electrically conductive textile fabric. By covering the display with the fabric there is a haptic impression in the operation, which is perceived by the users as pleasant. In addition, the center can be integrated into the interior through the textile fabric. In particular, it is possible to choose a textile fabric which matches the color and texture of furnishings. The user now no longer perceives the control center as a technical object, but as part of his facility. The textile fabric leads to the fact that the control center fits into the interior design and is not perceived as a disturbing component.

Since the display is touch-sensitive, it is preferred if the textile fabric is electrically conductive. A sufficient conductivity (or a desired resistivity) of the textile fabric can, for. B. can be achieved by vapor deposition with metal vapors. Also, by weaving metal wires into the fabric, the desired resistivity can be achieved. Electrical conductive fabrics are well known and are used, for example, in floors that are laid in spaces where electrostatic charges are to be avoided.

In order to be able to insert the control panel as discreetly as possible into a room, it is helpful if only the textile fabric can be seen. For this reason, it is proposed that the display is completely covered by the textile fabric.

In order to simplify the user guidance on the touch-sensitive display and in particular to avoid incorrect entries, the specific resistance of the textile fabric should be at least 100 kOhm / m, preferably 500 kOhm / m, in particular 1 MOhm / m. However, the specific resistance should preferably not exceed an upper limit, for example 5 MOhm / m, in particular 10 MOhm / m.

It also makes sense if the visual design of the center is variable. In particular, the center can be adapted to different furnishings when the fabric is interchangeable. In order to attach the textile fabric interchangeable to the center, it is proposed that the textile fabric is attached to a frame. The frame is preferably designed so that its outer circumference corresponds to the outer circumference of the display. The display is preferably arranged over the entire surface on the front of the center. In particular, the display is frameless integrated in the front of the center. The frame to which the fabric is attached is preferably designed to be congruent with the face of the face of the center. The frame may be configured as a removable frame and attached to the housing of the home automation controller. In particular, the frame may be releasably secured to the housing of the center. This can be done, for example, magnetically. The frame can also be fastened to the housing by means of mechanical snap connections.

The frame may contain an elastic material. Due to the tensile forces applied by the frame, the fabric is stretched over the frame. The fabric is thus tightened and ensures a constant tightening over the surface of the display.

In order to fix the fabric interchangeable at the headquarters and also to ensure the constant tightening on the display, it is proposed that the textile fabric is formed of an elastic material. The elastic expansion of the material or its elasticity is preferably after DIN 53835 certainly. The elastic elongation is preferably greater than 10%, in particular greater than 20%, particularly preferably greater than 30%.

The streamlining of the fabric is preferably so large that a shift of the fabric on the display is almost impossible by touching the display for operation, ie during normal operation of the display.

As already explained, user input is entered via the display, with the touch-sensitive display. It has been found that the touch-sensitive display is preferably based on a capacitive sensor, as this is particularly easy user input. In particular, it is not necessary that the user presses with a certain minimum pressure on the display, which is the case with resistive displays. This is relevant insofar as that the textile fabric is not loaded too heavily during user input. A capacitive sensor on touch-sensitive displays is well known, but the inventors surprisingly noticed that the use of suitable textile fabrics, the display can be preferably completely covered without the input quality suffers noticeably.

For the input quality, it may be important that the display and the fabric are electrically shorted together. For this reason, it may be necessary that the frame is electrically conductively connected to the textile fabric. An electrically conductive connection between the textile fabric and the housing of the control center or the display can thus be produced via the frame.

For such an electrically conductive connection is proposed that the textile fabric and / or the frame are electrically connected to the housing and / or the display. Via this electrically conductive connection, a potential equalization between the textile fabric and the surface of the display is ensured. This improves the quality of the user input, especially when using a capacitive touch-sensitive display.

The display on the user interface is made visually via the display. To ensure that the output of the information can be perceived beyond the textile fabric, the luminance of the display must be kept above a certain level. It has been found that a luminance of at least 300 cd / m ² , preferably 600 cd / m ² , in particular 800 cd / m ^{2 is} advantageous. However, it has also been found that a maximum luminance of 2000 cd / m ² can be sufficient. In this area, the luminance of the display should be created. By varying the luminance in the display of various information, their importance can also be emphasized, with the Variation of the luminance in the limits mentioned can be done.

For an electrically conductive coupling, it may also be useful to leave the textile fabric directly against the display. In particular, the textile fabric can be spanned from the front of the frame along the side walls to a rear wall of the frame and thus, when the frame rests on the display, also abut the display. Also, the sheet can be stretched directly on the display or its housing.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that the frame is releasably secured to the housing. In particular, a mechanical release of the frame on the housing is preferred. As a result, the frame can be designed as a removable frame and, for example, different textile fabrics are used depending on the season or furnishing item. The head office can thus be optically varied, which leads to their acceptance in the living area.

According to one embodiment, it is proposed that a proximity sensor is provided. With the help of the proximity sensor, it is possible to detect whether a user is near the display. Only then can it make sense to illuminate the display. The processor may activate upon a detected approach to the display and display the corresponding status information. In all other cases, the display can be switched off and energy saved.

The visibility or readability of the status information on the display is a decisive criterion for the benefit. Therefore, it is necessary that, even adapted to different environmental conditions, the display is always readable. To ensure this, a light intensity sensor is proposed, which can be arranged on the center, in particular on the housing. The light intensity sensor can control the processor in such a way that the processor regulates the light intensity of the display as a function of a brightness measured by the light intensity sensor. In strong sunlight, for example, the light intensity can be regulated higher than at dusk or night, when the environment of the center is dark.

Since the textile fabric is always subjected to mechanical stress when user input takes place at the control center or the display, the abrasion resistance of the textile fabric is a relevant criterion. It has been found that an abrasion resistance of 10,000 martindale rubs can be sufficient. Preferably, however, the abrasion resistance is at least 50,000 rnartindale rubs, preferably over 100,000 rnartindale rubs. The rnartindale rubs are preferably after the Standard EN ISO 12947 certainly.

The fabric is preferably a so-called woven fabric (eg, fabric, cloth, etc.), but may also be a non-woven fabric (eg, nonwoven).

It has been found that the status information can be displayed particularly easily and with sufficient luminous intensity, in particular if the display is a light point matrix. It has been found that the use of light emitting diodes is advantageous. Therefore, the display is preferably an LED matrix. However, it has also been found that OLEDs or the like can be used for the luminescent dot matrix.

In order not to dampen the luminous intensity of the illuminants of the display too much, the textile fabric has a transparency of preferably 25% or less. In particular, the sheet may be formed of two or more materials, fibers, threads or the like. The reflection rate of the materials may be different. Also, a scattering of the light can be varied by surface treatment of the materials. Preferably, a material is coated so that it scatters the light in as many directions as possible. Looking at the display from a shallow angle, the scattered light will still make the content of the display visible, with the display appearing as if it were "floating" in front of the display.

The article will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings showing an exemplary embodiments. In the drawing show:

1 a home automation control device according to an embodiment in a view;

2 a touch-sensitive display according to an embodiment;

3 a frame with a covering according to an embodiment;

4 a sectional view of a mounted frame to a home automation control device according to an embodiment;

5 a schematic representation of the components within a home automation control device according to an embodiment;

6 a further sectional view of a frame according to an embodiment.

1 shows a central office 2 , which are on a front surface 2a a touch-sensitive display 4 having. The central office 2 also has a housing 2 B in which the display 4 is arranged. On the case 2 B is preferably a pedestal 2c arranged to the central office 2 erect upright. Not shown are connection cables for the control panel 2 which may be conventional cables, but textile cables may also be used.

About the display 4 in the front area 2a various information can be displayed, as in 2 is shown. In the 2 is shown that the display 4 from a luminous dot matrix 4a is formed. In the light point matrix 4a various symbols, characters or numbers can be displayed, as in the 2 shown. In particular, the luminous dots of the illuminated dot matrix can 4a in a luminous intensity which is over 300 cd / m ² , shine. the display 4 is a capacitive, touch-sensitive display.

The object is about the display 2 put a stringing, as in the 3 is shown. The fabric may be woven or non-woven. In the following, for simplicity's sake, there is always talk of tissue. In the 3 is to realize that on a frame 6 the tissue 8th is stretched. The wall thickness of the frame 6 is in the 3 Of course, clearly exaggerated. The frame should be as filigree as possible to cover the smallest possible area of the display. The frame 6 carries the tissue 8th , Here is the tissue 8th with a surface tension on the frame 6 clamped. The tissue 8th is preferably around the outer edges of the frame 6 cocked around.

In the 4 is the central office 2 together with the frame 6 and the tissue 8th shown. It can be seen that in the area of the front surface 2a in which the display 4 in the case 2 is arranged, the frame 6 is arranged. The frame 6 preferably has a shape which is congruent to the shape of the display 4 or to the shape of the front surface 2a is. In the 4 It can be seen that the fabric 8 is stretched around the side edges of the frame 6 around. For electrical contacting of the tissue 8th on the display 4 is in the 4 illustrated that the tissue is also stretched back around the frame 6 around and thus directly on the display 4 is applied.

The frame 6 can preferably by means of magnetic fasteners on the display 4 be held. This can be done in the display 4 and / or in the frame 6 be arranged at appropriate points a magnet through which the frame 6 Magnetic on the display or the front surface 2a fix it.

An attachment, not shown, of the frame 6 at the headquarters 2 can be ensured by, for example, a clip connection or a push-button connection.

Also is in the 4 the material thickness of the frame 6 shown oversubscribed. The distance between the tissue 8th and the display 4 should be as low as possible, preferably less than 1 mm, in particular less than 0.1 mm, so that the frame must be designed as filigree.

By the electrical contacting of the tissue 8th on the display 4 both are at the same electrical potential and capacitive sensing of touches on the tissue by the capacitive sensor in the display is possible.

A magnetic fixation of the frame 6 on the display 4 is also in the 6 shown. In the 6 it can be seen that the back of the frame 6 magnets 10 may be arranged, which with corresponding counterparts in the display 4 to interact. Thus, the frame can be 6 Magnetic on the display 4 fix. In the in 6 The example shown is the tissue 8th only sideways around the frame 6 cocked around. There is an electrical contact between the tissue 8th and the frame 6 at the contact points between these two components. The frame 6 is also electrically contacted with the display 4 in the field of magnets 10 ,

5 shows a schematic representation of a center 2 , It can be seen that in the central office 2 in the area of the front surface 2a the display 4 is arranged. In the area of the display 4 or the front surface 2a is preferably a proximity sensor 12 intended. Also, the proximity sensor 12 at a different location in the housing 2 be arranged. Also, a light intensity sensor 14 in the case 2 be installed. In addition, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, a microphone, or the like in the housing 2 be fitted, which is through the sensor 16 is represented. Next to the sensors 12 . 14 . 16 can in the case 2 be installed more components, such as a speaker 18 ,

All sensors / actuators 4 . 12 . 14 . 16 . 18 can in the central office 2 with the processor 20 be connected. The processor 20 processes the signals from the sensors and gives corresponding information via the display 4 out. The processor 20 is also with a first communication device 22 and with a second one communicator 24 connected. The first communication device 22 is used for communication of the control center 2 with sensors and actuators of the home automation system. The communication preferably takes place wirelessly, in particular via a home automation protocol.

In addition, the central office 2 via the second communication device 24 in particular communicate over a wide area network and receive external commands as well as output information externally.

By suitable control of the display 4 by means of the processor 20 , in particular depending on the proximity sensor 12 as well as in dependence of the light intensity sensor 14 The display can display all the necessary information at the right time with the right luminosity, so that the information also through the tissue 8th can be recognized by the user. The tissue 8th is preferably such that by suitable coating and suitable weaving density, the information of the display 4 lets through and allows user control via a capacitive sensor.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

headquarters

2a

front surface

2 B

casing

2c

stand

4

display

4a

Red dot matrix

6

frame

8th

tissue

10

magnet

12

Proximity sensor

14

Light intensity sensor

16

sensor

18

speaker

20

processor

22, 24

communicator

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• DIN 53835 [0015]
• Standard EN ISO 12947 [0025]

Claims (15)

A home automation control device comprising - a communication unit configured to communicate with home automation system devices, - an optical user interface configured to receive user input and output status information, a processor configured to process the user inputs, and to generate status information for the output, characterized in that - User interface is a touch-sensitive display and - that the display is covered with an electrically conductive textile fabric. Home automation control device according to claim 1, characterized in that - the display is completely covered by the textile fabric. Home automation control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that - the textile fabric has a resistivity of at least 100 kOhm / m, preferably 500 kOhm / m, in particular of 1 MOhm / m. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the textile fabric is attached to a frame and that the frame is fixed to a housing of the home automation control device. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the display has a capacitive sensor. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the frame is electrically conductively connected to the textile fabric. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the textile fabric and / or the frame is electrically conductively connected to the housing and / or the display. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the display has a luminance of at least 300 cd / m ² , preferably at least 600 cd / m ² , in particular 800 cd / m ² and / or the display has a maximum luminance of 2000 cd / m ² has. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that - that the textile fabric rests at least in parts directly on the display. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the frame is releasably secured to the housing, in particular that the frame is mechanically detachably attached to the housing. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that a proximity sensor is provided and that the proximity sensor controls the processor such that the processor activates the display at a detected approximation. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - a light intensity sensor controls the processor such that the processor controls the brightness of the display depending on a measured brightness by the light intensity sensor. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - that the textile fabric has an abrasion resistance of at least 10,000 martindale rubs, preferably at least 50,000 martindale rubs, in particular at least 100,000 martindale rubs according to EN ISO 12947. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the textile fabric is a woven or non-woven. Home automation control device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the display is a light point matrix, in particular an LED matrix.

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