EP0453399A1 - Installation with a plurality of receivers and transmitters - Google Patents

Abstract

Installation comprising several receiver points (4), several transmitter points (1) and several relay points (2) each linked to a receiver point, the transmitter points (1) and the relay points (2) being linked to a common BUS line in such a way as to be able to communicate with each other. The transmitter points (1) are provided to transmit signals on the BUS line, each signal comprising a frame formed by at least one identification element and by at least one element defining a command to be executed by the receiver. To each transmitter point is allocated a particular address code to which the identification element corresponds. The relay points are equipped with a logic processing unit comprising memories provided for storing at least one identification element. Attributing the address to the transmitter makes it possible to produce installations exhibiting very great flexibility. The installation can be, for example, a set of blinds or of revolving shutters. <IMAGE>

Description

The subject of the invention is an installation comprising several transmitting points, to each of which is assigned a particular address code, and several relay points each connected to a receiving point, the transmitting points and the relay points each being electrically connected to a common BUS line. so as to be able to communicate with each other, the transmitting points being moreover provided for transmitting signals on the BUS line, each signal comprising a frame formed by at least one identification element corresponding to the address code and at least one element defining an order to be executed by the receiver, the relay points each comprising means for deciphering and processing the signals transmitted on the BUS line and for activating the receiver associated with it, the means provided at each relay point for decryption and processing of signals and for the activation of the associated receiver, being constituted by a log unit ics of processing essentially comprising a central unit and memories, these memories being in particular provided for memorizing at least one identification element.

Installations are known, as described in patent BE 900 816 and, under the name of BATIBUS, in the publication MERLIN GERIN of November 1988, in which each relay point is assigned a particular address code and the transmitter point transmits a signal whose identification element corresponds to the address code of the relay point. The relay point compares its address code with the identification element of the signals received and, in the event of identity, reacts to the signal message. These installations therefore operate on the principle of conventional addressing, according to which a signal is sent accompanied by the address of the recipient.

However, as sophisticated as they may be, these installations have significant drawbacks. Indeed, it is not possible to make several relay points react to the same signal unless emitting this signal as many times as there are relay points to react, each signal comprising a different identification element corresponding to the address codes of destination relay points or unless using, as in the BATIBUS installation by MERLIN GERIN, a complex coding system at several levels making it possible to react families of relay points. In this case, the relay point address code is composed of a first part defining the family of relay points and a second part defining the relay point in the family. Despite these possibilities, such an installation remains limited, however. In particular, it is not possible to react several families of receivers to the same signal, unless transmitting this signal as many times as there are families, each time with an adapted family code, or use an even more complex coding system providing an additional level for reacting groups of families. It is also not possible to include the same relay point in more than one family or more than one family group. These drawbacks make these installations very rigid, limiting the possible combinations in the association of transmitter points and relay points. The installations are not very modular, subsequent developments being difficult, even impossible, and implying, for a good optimization of the installation, whether it is set up by a qualified person.

It has been proposed to improve this type of installation by assigning the address to the transmitting station instead of assigning it to the receiving station. Such a method is applied in the installations described in patent applications FR 2 535 133, EP 0 304 023 and EP 0 023 105.

In the digital transmission installation by two-wire line described in the publication FR 2 535 133, the addresses of the transmitting stations are each stored in a card of the receiving station and each card is connected to a determined actuator or, optionally, to a group actuators. Each order transmitted by a transmitting station is accompanied by the address of this station and the receiving stations in which this address is stored execute the received order. This installation therefore makes it possible to control any number of receivers from a transmitter, modifications which can be easily carried out at the level of the receivers by a change of card. However, this installation does not make it possible to control an actuator by several transmitters. However, such a possibility would be useful, even necessary, in certain applications.

In the installation described in patent application EP 0 304 023, each transmitter / receiver unit has four inputs and four outputs. Each of the inputs is intended to be connected to a control member and each of the outputs to a receiver. Each input of each box has an address and each output stores a single address. As in the installation previous, each receiver can only receive orders from one control unit.

Patent application EP 0 023 105 describes a multiplex transmission installation in which the signals transmitted by the transmitters comprise four bits used to identify the transmitters. The addresses to which the receiver must react are stored in a ROM memory of the receiver, but each address corresponds to a particular output intended to be connected to a determined receiver, so that, as in the previous installations, a receiver can only be controlled by a single transmitter.

The object of the present invention is to obviate the drawbacks resulting from the restrictions which the known installations present, that is to say to allow to freely and without restriction associate one or more any transmitter points with one or more any relay points, to modify the associations, to proceed to any addition of relay points or transmitting points, at any time and without causing any transformation of the initial installation.

To this end, the installation according to the invention is characterized in that the central unit and the memories of the logic processing unit of each relay point constitute a microprocessor comprising a programmed non-volatile central memory and a central data memory , volatile, the central program memory containing a main configuration and use program itself comprising a frame reception subroutine, and order execution subroutines, the main program being provided, on the one hand, to select the signals circulating on the BUS line whose identification element corresponds to the stored signal, respectively to one of the stored signals and, on the other hand, to activate, for each selected signal, the order execution subroutine contained in its frame and transmit it to the corresponding receiver.

The installation according to the invention not only achieves the set goals, but it also allows easy implementation by unskilled labor, in particular by the user.

In certain forms of execution, it also makes it possible to manage the priorities in the execution of the orders contained in the signals originating from different transmitting points and acting simultaneously, the priorities being able to be, according to the forms, predefined, defined by the user, or both, as well as to execute orders issued directly by the relay point, if you wish to have an individual order in addition to a centralized order.

• La figure 1 représente le schéma général de l'installation;
• la figure 2 représente le schéma d'organisation d'un point relais;
• la figure 3 représente le schéma d'organisation d'un point émetteur;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement l'interface d'entrée d'un point relais tel qu'utilisé dans les premier, deuxième, quatrième et cinquième modes de réalisation et l'afficheur du premier mode de réalisation.
• la figure 5 représente schématiquement la table des adresses contenues dans la mémoire centrale de l'unité logique de traitement d'un point relais dans le premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 6 représente un afficheur présent au point relais dans le deuxième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 7 représente une table de priorités présente dans la mémoire centrale de l'ULT des points relais dans le deuxième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 8 représente schématiquement les tables des adresses, des états des émetteurs et des ordres des mémoires centrales de données présentes aux points relais, dans le deuxième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 9 représente schématiquement l'interface d'un point relais utilisée dans le troisième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 10 représente schématiquement la table des priorités et les tables des adresses, des états des émetteurs et des ordres présents aux points relais dans le troisième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 11 représente schématiquement les tables des priorités, des adresses, des états des émetteurs et des ordres figurant dans la mémoire centrale des données aux points relais dans le quatrième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 12 représente les mêmes tables dans lesquelles deux cases mémoires de la table des priorités sont protégées;
• la figure 13 représente l'organigramme du premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 14 représente l'organigramme du deuxième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 15 représente la modification apportée à l'organigramme de la figure 14 dans le troisième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 16 représente une modification supplémentaire apportée à l'organigramme de la figure 14 dans le quatrième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 17 représente une modification supplémentaire apportée à la modification représentée à la figure 16, dans le cinquième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 18 représente un point émetteur modifié, selon un sixième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 19 représente schématiquement l'interface d'un point relais de ce sixième mode de réalisation;
• la figure 20 représente les tables des priorités, des adresses, des états des émetteurs, des ordes et des types d'ordres dans la mémoire centrale des données au point relais dans le sixième mode de réalisation; et
• la figure 21 la modification apportée à l'organigramme de la figure 15, dans le sixième mode de réalisation.

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example, in relation to the appended drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 shows the general diagram of the installation;
• FIG. 2 represents the organizational diagram of a relay point;
• FIG. 3 represents the organizational diagram of a transmitting point;
• FIG. 4 schematically represents the input interface of a relay point as used in the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments and the display of the first embodiment.
• FIG. 5 schematically represents the table of addresses contained in the central memory of the logical processing unit of a relay point in the first embodiment;
• FIG. 6 represents a display present at the relay point in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 7 represents a priority table present in the central memory of the ULT of the relay points in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 8 schematically represents the tables of addresses, of the states of the transmitters and of the orders of the central data memories present at the relay points, in the second embodiment;
• FIG. 9 schematically represents the interface of a relay point used in the third embodiment;
• FIG. 10 schematically represents the priority table and the tables of addresses, of the states of the transmitters and of the orders present at the relay points in the third embodiment;
• FIG. 11 schematically represents the tables of priorities, addresses, states of the transmitters and orders appearing in the central memory of the data at the relay points in the fourth embodiment;
• FIG. 12 represents the same tables in which two memory boxes of the priority table are protected;
• FIG. 13 represents the flowchart of the first embodiment;
• FIG. 14 represents the flowchart of the second embodiment;
• FIG. 15 represents the modification made to the flow chart of FIG. 14 in the third embodiment;
• Figure 16 shows a further modification to the flow chart of Figure 14 in the fourth embodiment;
• Figure 17 shows a further modification to the modification shown in Figure 16, in the fifth embodiment;
• FIG. 18 represents a modified transmitter point, according to a sixth embodiment;
• FIG. 19 schematically represents the interface of a relay point of this sixth embodiment;
• FIG. 20 represents the tables of priorities, addresses, states of the transmitters, orders and types of orders in the central memory of the data at the relay point in the sixth embodiment; and
• FIG. 21 the modification made to the flow chart of FIG. 15, in the sixth embodiment.

The diagram shown in FIG. 1 is valid for all the embodiments. The installation, as partially represented in FIG. 1, comprises several transmitting points 1, several relay points 2, a BUS 3 to which all the transmitting points 1 and all the relay points 2 are connected, receiving points 4 associated respectively with each relay points 2 and a two-wire P / N supply connected to the mains supply for supplying the transmitter, relay and receiver points. In the example considered the receiving points 4 are asynchronous electric motors with phase shift capacitor capable of rotating in two directions, for example to equip gearmotors intended to wind or unwind a rolling element between two positions, such as blinds or roller shutters. These gearmotors include automatic shutdown devices for the windable element when the latter arrives at each of its two extreme positions.

The relay point, the diagram of which is represented in FIG. 2, comprises a microprocessor 5 (for example an Intel 8051 microprocessor), an I / O interface (input / output) receiver 6, a user interface 7, an LCD driver 8 , a BUS interface 9, a stabilized power supply 10, the two-wire connection P / N connected to the mains supply, a two-wire connection 11 connected to the receiver and a two-wire connection 12 connected to the BUS line.

The interconnections between the different elements are made according to FIG. 2.

The stabilized power supply 10 is provided to supply a very low voltage power supply to the microprocessor 5, to the interfaces 6 and 7 and to the LCD driver 8. The receiver I / O interface 6 is provided to supply the power to the gearmotor in response to orders from of the microprocessor 5. The BUS 9 interface is provided to adapt the impedance of the BUS 9 to that of the microprocessor 5. The LCD driver 8 is provided to activate the liquid crystals of an LCD display 13 contained in the user interface 7 shown schematically in Figure 4. This interface has four contacts C1, C2, C3 and C4. Contact C1 is a two-position contact used to select the operating mode of the relay point (configuration programming mode or use mode). Contact C4 is a pulse contact allowing, in programming mode, to increment the pointer position in the address table. The contacts C2 and C3 are pulse contacts allowing, in programming mode, to increment / decrement the address of the pointed box of the address table. The display 13 is an LCD display comprising a window of three digits with eight segments. It is intended to allow, in programming mode, the visualization of the increment / decrementation of the address in response to the actuation of the contacts C2 and C3.

The transmitter point, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, comprises a microprocessor 14 essentially consisting of a central unit 15 and a non-volatile memory 16, a stabilized power supply 17, an input interface 18 and an output interface 19. The power supply stabilized 17 is provided to provide a very low voltage supply to the components of the transmitter point. It is connected on the one hand to these constituents and on the other hand to the sector. The output 19 interface is connected to the BUS 3 line and the input 18 interface is connected depending on the type of transmitter, to two or three contacts actuated directly or indirectly, depending on the type of transmitter, by sensors (transmitter, wind, sun, rain, etc.), automatisms (clock) or the user (group control, urgent). The interfaces 18 and 19 are provided to adapt the impedance of the microprocessor 14 to the BUS line and to the contacts.

The non-volatile memory 16 comprises an address code and a program intended to transmit on the output interface each time a contact is activated on the input interface, a signal comprising a frame in which the address code is incorporated, as well as an order corresponding to the activated contact and the type of transmitter. In the example considered, the types of transmitters are as follows: URGENT, WIND, GROUP CONTROL, EXTERIOR, CLOCK, SUN, RAIN.

A VENT transmitter will have two contacts on the Input interface, one activated when the sensor registers a wind speed above a certain threshold, the other activated when the wind speed drops below this threshold. At the first activated contact, the transmitting point will issue an Up order in its frame, at the second a cessation of the Up order.

The URGENT, OUTDOOR, CLOCK, SUN, RAIN transmitting points will also have two contacts. At each of these contacts, the sending point will deliver the following order in its frame:
for the URGENT type, for example external control connected to a safety edge of a rolling shutter, a Stop order, a Cessation order;
for the CLOCK type, an Up order, a Down order, or vice versa;
for the SUN type, a Descent order, a Cessation order;
for the RAIN type, a rise order, a stop order.

The GROUP COMMAND transmitting points will have three contacts which correspond to Up, Down and Stop orders and, respectively for each of these, a Cessation order.

The microprocessor 5 of each relay point 2 essentially comprises, in a known manner, a central unit, a central memory PRG (programming), non-volatile and a central data memory, volatile.

The main memory PRG contains the subroutines for activating and transmitting the Up, Down and Stop orders and the main configuration and use program which itself includes a frame reception subroutine.

• 21 est une instruction d'initialisation,
• 22 est une instruction de scrutation des différents contacts de l'interface utilisateur 7,
• 23 est une instruction de test du mode sélectionné (programmation de la configuration/utilisation),
• 24 est une instruction d'inhibition de l'interruption externe,
• 25 est une instruction de test qu'au moins l'un des contacts C1 à C4 de l'interface utilisateur est activé,
• 26 et 28 sont des instructions de test que les contacts d'incrémentation/décrémentation de l'interface utilisation 7 sont activés,
• 27 et 29 sont des instructions d'incrémentation/de décrémentation de l'adresse dans la case mémoire pointée de la table des adresses,
• 30 est une instruction d'incrémentation du pointeur de la table des adresses,
• 31 est une instruction d'activation du driver LCD,
• 32 est une instruction de validation de l'interruption externe,
• 33 est une instruction de test de l'état 1 ou 0 de l'indicateur de mise à jour (MAJ),
• 34 est une instruction d'activation du sous-programme d'exécution de l'ordre mémorisé par 36,
• 35 est une instruction de réception de la trame,
• 36 est une instruction de lecture et de mémorisation de l'adresse de l'ordre contenu dans la trame,
• 37 est une instruction de test que le contact C4 est activé,
• 38 est une instruction de mise à 1 de l'indicateur de mise à jour MAJ,
• 44 est une instruction de test que l'adresse mémorisée par 36 correspond à l'une de celle mémorisée en mode PRG,
• 47 est une instruction de mise à 0 de l'indicateur de mise à jour MAJ.

The flow diagram of the main program and the receiving routine is shown in Figure 13. The instructions in this flow diagram are as follows:

• 21 is an initialization instruction,
• 22 is an instruction for scanning the various contacts of the user interface 7,
• 23 is a test instruction for the selected mode (configuration / use programming),
• 24 is an instruction to inhibit the external interrupt,
• 25 is a test instruction that at least one of the contacts C1 to C4 of the user interface is activated,
• 26 and 28 are test instructions that the increment / decrement contacts of the user interface 7 are activated,
• 27 and 29 are instructions for incrementing / decrementing the address in the pointed memory box of the address table,
• 30 is an instruction to increment the pointer of the address table,
• 31 is an instruction for activating the LCD driver,
• 32 is an instruction for validating the external interrupt,
• 33 is a test instruction for the state 1 or 0 of the update indicator (SHIFT),
• 34 is an instruction for activating the order execution subroutine stored by 36,
• 35 is an instruction for receiving the frame,
• 36 is an instruction to read and store the address of the order contained in the frame,
• 37 is a test instruction that contact C4 is activated,
• 38 is an instruction for setting the update indicator SHIFT to 1,
• 44 is a test instruction that the address memorized by 36 corresponds to one of that memorized in PRG mode,
• 47 is an instruction to reset the update flag MAJ.

Instruction 32 authorizes a jump from the main program to the frame reception subroutine as soon as a transmitter signal circulates on the BUS line.

Instruction 24 inhibits the authorization produced by instruction 32.

The central data memory comprises an address table consisting of memory boxes (FIG. 5) intended to store the addresses of the transmitters to which the relay point must be sensitive, frame memory boxes intended to temporarily store the information contained in the frame of the last signal. circulating on the BUS line and an indicator consisting of a memory box is intended to receive a 1 each time that the address of the stored frame corresponds to one of that stored in the table of addresses.

Operation

On power-up, the installation is initialized by instruction 21. In particular, the volatile memories are reset to 0. No contact C1 to C4 of the user interfaces 7 of the relay points 2 is actuated and no signal circulates on the BUS line.

First of all, the configuration of the installation is carried out, that is to say the programming of each relay point 2. The main program runs as represented by the flowchart in FIG. 13. The instruction 22 examines the contacts C1 to C4 of the user interface 7 of the relay point 2 concerned. Instruction 23, which tests the position of contact C1, calls instruction 24 which inhibits the external interruption. From this moment, the ULT of the relay point remains insensitive to any signal likely to circulate on the BUS 3 line. Instruction 37 tests that contact C4 is not activated and, if this is the case, it calls instruction 26 which tests that contact C2 is activated. If so, instruction 27 increments the address of the memory box pointed to in the table of addresses (FIG. 5), then instruction 31 activates the LCD driver 8 which controls the crystals of the LCD display 13 and allows address display. The program loops. As long as there is no change and contact C2 is activated, the address of the pointed memory box increases. When the address corresponds to that of the transmitter to be programmed, contact C2 is released. If the address has been exceeded, simply activate contact C3. At this time, instruction 26 tests that contact C2 is no longer activated and instruction 28 tests that contact C3 is activated. Instruction 29 decrements the address of the pointed memory box.

To program the address of another transmitter, it is sufficient to activate contact C4 of the user interface 7. The instructions 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 proceed as before. The instruction 37 tests that the contact C4 is activated and the instruction 30 increments the pointer of the table of addresses which is placed in the next memory box (FIG. 5). The address of the transmitter 1 is then memorized in the same way as previously by acting on the contacts C2 and C3.

Use.

The main program runs according to the flow diagram in FIG. 13. The instructions 21 and 22 run as before. Contact C1 is placed in use mode. Instruction 23, which tests the position of contact C1, calls instruction 32 which validates the external interruption. From this moment, any signal circulating on the line BUS 3 triggers the reception subroutine: Instruction 35 receives the signal frame, instruction 36 stores the address and the order contained in the frame, l instruction 44 tests that the memorized address corresponds to one of those memorized in PRG mode and calls instruction 38 which registers 1 in the update indicator (MAJ), then the reception subroutine returns to main program. Instruction 33 tests that the update indicator is at 1, calls instruction 47 which sets the indicator to 0, then instruction 34 calls the subroutine for activating the order corresponding to that memorized by instruction 36.

In the case where instruction 44 tests that the address memorized by instruction 36 does not correspond to one of that memorized in PRG mode, the subroutine returns to the main program and instruction 33, which tests while the update indicator is at 0, loops back to the main program while waiting for a new signal.

Each relay point 2 is programmed in this way. Relay points can memorize an address of different sending points and it is possible, at any time, to add or delete a sending point address in the relay point. For this, it suffices to operate as described above, by acting successively on the contact C1 to place the device in program mode, on the contact C4 to move the pointer from the table of addresses to a new memory box or to the box containing the address of the transmitter to be deleted and on the C2 / C3 contacts to increment / decrement the new address or an inactive address.

A second embodiment will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 14.

In this second embodiment, each transmitter point 1 includes, in its non-volatile memory 16, an additional code specific to the type of transmitter. In the example considered where the receivers are blinds, a distinction is made between the following types of transmitters: URGENT, WIND, GROUP, EXTERIOR, CLOCK, SUN, RAIN. Each of the transmitting points 1 is moreover provided for incorporating its code into the frame of the signal transmitted on the BUS 3.

Each relay point 2 has in its central memory PRG a priority table made up of several memory boxes (Figure 7). In each of the memory boxes is stored, in a particular order, the type code of a transmitting point 1. In the example considered, a memory box is provided for each of the URGENT, WIND, EXTERIOR, CLOCK, RAIN types and two boxes are provided for the GROUP and SUN types. The order of priority is URGENT, WIND, GROUP, OUTDOOR, CLOCK, SUN, RAIN.

In its central data memory, each relay point 2 comprises three tables 81, 82, 83 (FIG. 8) each consisting of an identical number of memory cells, each one associated with a memory cell of the priority table (FIG. 7) . Table 81 is an address table which has the function of storing, as in the first embodiment, the addresses of the sending points to which the relay point must be sensitive. Table 82 is a table of transmitter states which has the function of storing the active or inactive state of the transmitter points. An active state will be memorized for the "Up, Down, Stop" orders and a non-active state for a "Stop order" order. Table 83 is an order table which has the function of memorizing the nature of the last order of each transmitter point.

The LCD display 13 of the user interface 7 comprises, in addition to the three digits with eight segments, segments or LEDs each corresponding to a transmitting point, as illustrated by the boxes in FIG. 6. In the example considered these there are nine segments or LEDs whose function is to display the memory box pointed in the priority table (figure 7). The pulse contact C4 of the user interface 7 increments the position of the pointer from the priority table.

The main program and the reception subroutine comprise, relative to the flowchart of FIG. 13, the additional instructions appearing in the flowchart of FIG. 14. In addition, instruction 36 is replaced by instruction 36 ′ which also reads and stores the transmitter type code contained in the frame. The new instruction 43 is a test instruction that the sender type code of the frame received corresponds to a type stored in the priority table. Instruction 44 is replaced by instruction 44 ′ which tests that the address of the frame received in relation to the previously tested type corresponds to one of that stored in the address table. The instruction 45 is an instruction for updating the boxes of the state table 82 and the order table 83 corresponding to the type and address contained in the frame stored in 36 ′. This instruction puts a 1 or a 0 in the box of the state table 82 depending on whether the corresponding order is active or inactive and reports the order itself in the box of the order table 83. 39 is an instruction of reading of a cell from the state table 82 according to the order of the priority table. 40 is an instruction for testing the state of the cell read by the previous instruction. 41 is an instruction to read the box in the order table 83 corresponding to the box tested by the instruction 40. 42 is an instruction to test the position of the pointer at the end of the state table. Instructions 27, 29, 30 are replaced by instructions 27 ′, 29 ′, 30 ′. The instructions 27 ′ and 29 ′ are instructions for incrementing and decrementing the address of the memory cell corresponding to the cell pointed in the priority table. Instruction 30 ′ is an instruction to increment the pointer of the priority table. Instruction 34 is replaced by instruction 34 ′ which is an instruction for activating the order execution subroutine stored in the order table 83 corresponding to the box tested by instruction 40.

The configuration of the installation is carried out as follows: The contact C1 of the user interface 7 is placed in program mode and the instructions 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 of the main PRG takes place as in the first mode of achievement. Contact C4 is activated and instruction 30 ′ increments the priority table pointer. Instruction 31 activates the LCD display which allows the pointer position to be displayed. Contact C4 is activated until the pointer is on the box of the transmitter type to be programmed. As in the previous embodiment, the address of the sending point is stored by means of the contacts C2 and C3 and the instructions 26, 27 ′, 28 and 29 ′. In the example considered, each relay point 2 makes it possible to store an address for each of the URGENT, WIND, OUTDOOR, CLOCK, RAIN transmitter types and two addresses for the GROUP and SUN types.

The contact C1 (figure 4) being placed in use mode, if a signal circulates on the line BUS 3, the instructions 21, 22, 23, 32, 35, 36 ′ take place as in the previous mode. Instructions 43, 44 ′ successively test that the type and address of transmitter contained in the frame and stored at 36 ′ correspond to those previously stored, then instruction 45 proceeds to update the table of transmitter states 82 and the order table 83 by entering in table 82, in the box corresponding to the issuer concerned, a 1 if the order corresponds to one of the Up / Down / Stop orders, or a 0 in the opposite case and, in table 83, in the box corresponding to the issuer concerned, the nature of the order.

The instructions 38, 33, 37 take place as in the previous mode, then the instruction 39 activates the reading, according to the order of the priority table, of the first box of the table of the states of the transmitters 82. The instruction 40 tests that the memory box read at 39 is equal to 1, then the instruction 41 reads the corresponding box from the order table 83. The program then proceeds as in the previous mode and transmits the order to the receiver 4.

If one of the tests 43 and 44 ′ is negative, the reception subroutine loops on the main program no update is carried out and the update indicator remains at 0. Instruction 33 loops on instruction 22 without transmitting an order to receiver 4.

If instruction 40 tests that the state of the box read by instruction 39 is equal to 0 (case of a non-active transmitter), instruction 42 tests that the pointer is at the end of the table, then loops over instruction 22 and no order is transmitted to receiver 4.

In the case where the instruction 42 tests that the pointer is not at the end of the table, the program loops over the instruction 39 which reads the next box from the state table 82, according to the order of the priority table , then the program runs as previously described.

Note that the pointer to the priority table can only access the next box if the box in the corresponding state table 82 is equal to 0. Under these conditions, in the event of a plurality of transmitting points active simultaneously, the corresponding orders will be executed according to the order of the priority table (FIG. 7) and the order of the active transmitting point following can only be executed if the current transmitter point becomes inactive. The order of a transmitting point which becomes successively active, then inactive while a preceding transmitting point in the priority table is active, will never be executed.

A third embodiment will be described with the aid of FIGS. 9, 10 and 15.

In this embodiment, the user interface 7 ′ (FIG. 9) of each relay point 2 comprises three additional contacts C5, C6, C7 corresponding to the orders "Up, Down, Stop / Stop". The priority table 80 ′ (FIG. 10) includes an additional memory case 801 "relay point". In the example considered, this box 801 is located after the "Group control" memory boxes. This memory box 801 stores the reference code of the relay point. In each of the address tables 81 ′, of the states of the transmitters 82 ′ and of the orders 83 ′ there is provided an additional memory cell 811, respectively 821 and 831 associated with cell 801 of the priority table. Boxes 821 and 831 are intended to memorize respectively the active / non-active state and the order of the relay point.

The main program includes the additional instructions 46 and 48 shown in FIG. 15 with the neighboring instructions. Otherwise, the flowchart is identical to the flowchart in Figure 14. The frame reception routine is unchanged.

Instruction 48 is a test instruction whether the contacts C5, C6, C7 of the user interface 7 ′ are active or not. 46 is an instruction for updating the corresponding box of the state table 82 ′ and the order table 83 ′.

The operation of this third embodiment is as follows: The configuration of the installation is carried out in the same manner as in the previous mode.

The use mode differs from the previous mode at the end of the instruction 33. When the instruction 33 tests that the update indicator is at 0, it calls the instruction 48 which tests the state of the contacts C5 , C6, C7 of the user interface 7 ′ of the relay point. If no activation is detected, the program loops back to instruction 22. If on the contrary one of the contacts C5, C6, C7 is activated, instruction 46 proceeds to update the corresponding memory boxes of the table 82 ′ reports and 83 ′ order table. Then, as in the previous mode, the instructions 39, 40, 42 run until the instruction 40 tests in the state table 82 ′ a box equal to 1. In the absence of other active transmitters, located upstream in the priority table 80 ′, instruction 40 tests the state equal to 1 in the box corresponding to the relay point concerned, then instructions 41 and 34 ′ take place as before. The order is activated.

If at the same time, a type transmitter located upstream in the priority table 80 ′ is active, the relay point order will not be executed as long as this transmitter remains active, according to the same diagram as in the previous mode.

This embodiment makes it possible to control the receivers 4 linked to a relay point 2 directly from the latter, while respecting the priorities.

A fourth embodiment will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 11 and 16.

In this mode of use, the priority table is not placed in the central program memory, but in the central data memory, as illustrated in FIG. 11 where the tables 80˝, 81˝, 82˝ and 83˝ are respectively the table of priorities, addresses, states of the issuers and orders. The priority table 80˝ is made up of a number of memory boxes identical to the number of boxes present in the previous embodiment, each of these boxes being associated with a box in the address, status and order tables. These boxes are intended to memorize the code of the transmitter types. The contact C4 of the user interface 7 ′ is provided in PRG (program) mode for, in addition, moving the pointer from the pointed box of the priority table 80˝ to the corresponding box of the table of addresses 81˝.

The three-digit window of the LCD display is also designed to display the transmitter type code when the pointer is in the priority table.

The contacts C2 and C3 of the user interface 7 ′ are further provided for incrementing / decrementing the transmitter type code when the pointer is in the priority table.

The central data memory has a type indicator consisting of an additional memory box intended to receive 0 or 1.

The main program has a certain number of additional instructions appearing in the extract from the flow diagram represented in FIG. 16. The rest of the flow diagram is identical to that of FIG. 15.

Instruction 49 is a test instruction for the state of the type indicator. 50 is an instruction for incrementing the priority table 80˝. 51 is an instruction to reset the type indicator to state 1. 52 is an instruction to move the pointer from the priority table 80˝ to the address table 81˝ in the box corresponding to the one previously pointed to on the priority table. 53 is an instruction to set the type indicator to state 0. The program is also provided to initialize the type indicator to 0 when the selector C1 switches to PRG mode.

The configuration of the installation according to this fourth embodiment is carried out as follows: The contact C1 of the user interface is switched to PRG mode. The type indicator is initialized to 0. The user activates the selector C4. Instructions 22, 23, 24, 25, 37 run as in the previous modes, then instruction 49 tests that the type indicator is at 0, instruction 50 increments the priority table and instruction 51 sets at 1 the type indicator. The program loops by proceeding as previously described.

The pointer being, for example, on the first box of the priority table 80˝, the user then activates the contacts C2 / C3. Instruction 37 tests that the selector C4 is no longer activated and successively calls instructions 26/28, 27 ′ / 29 ′ which increment / decrement the type code, which is displayed by instruction 31 on the LCD display. Then the program loops.

The user activates the selector C4 a second time, the instruction 49 tests that the type indicator is at 1 and calls the instruction 52 which moves the pointer from the box of the priority table to the corresponding box of the table 81˝ addresses. Instruction 53 resets the type indicator to 0 and the program loops.

The pointer being on the corresponding box of the address table 81˝, the user activates the contacts C2 / C3 a second time and, as previously described, the instruction 37 successively activates the instructions 26/28, 27 ′ / 29 ′ which increment / decrement the address code, which is displayed by instruction 31 on the LCD display.

The repetition of the preceding operations makes it possible to store in each box of the priority table 80˝ a transmitter type code and in each corresponding box of the address table 81˝ an address code.

In use mode, the orders of the simultaneous transmitters are executed according to the hierarchy of the table of priorties, that is to say according to the hierarchy defined by the user. The execution is done according to the same scheme as in the previous embodiments.

This embodiment has the advantage of allowing the user to define at his convenience the hierarchy of execution of the orders of the simultaneously active issuers.

A fifth embodiment will now be described with the aid of FIGS. 12 and 17.

In this embodiment, part of the priority table 80˝ ′ (FIG. 12) is made up of protected memory boxes containing a pre-programmed type code. In the particular case, these are the first two memory boxes 812 and 813. Relative to the flowchart represented in FIG. 16, the main program includes an additional instruction 54 (FIG. 17) which is a test instruction that the memory box pointed in the priority table is protected.

In order not to unnecessarily reproduce the entire flowchart of Figure 16, Figure 17 shows only the additional instruction 54 and the neighboring instructions.

The contact C1 of the user interface 7 ′ being switched to PRG mode, the configuration of the installation differs from the previous mode at the end of the instruction 50. The pointer being on a box in the priority table 80 ˝ ′, instruction 54 tests that this box is protected. If this is the case, it calls instruction 52 which moves the pointer to the corresponding box in the table of addresses 81˝ ′. If the box pointed to is not a protected box, the instruction 54 calls the instruction 51 which sets the type indicator to 1 and the program loops as described in the first embodiment.

In use mode, the operation is the same as in the fourth embodiment.

The orders of the transmitters active simultaneously are executed according to the hierarchy of the priority table, that is to say according to a compromise between a predefined hierarchy and a hierarchy defined by the user.

This fifth embodiment has the advantage of making it possible to impose priority in the execution of orders from certain types of transmitter such as those issuing security orders such as URGENT and VENT and to leave the user free choice. of the hierarchy of issuers whose orders are more secondary.

Finally, a sixth embodiment will be described in relation to FIGS. 18 to 21.

In this sixth embodiment, the emitter point 1 ′ comprises an additional contact C9 and the program contained in the non-volatile memory 16 is designed to include in the frame of its signal a code for indicating a fugitive order when the contact C9 is activated.

The interface 7˝ of the relay point comprises, analogously to the transmitter point, an additional contact C8 and the contacts C5, C6, and C7 are provided for transmitting, from the relay point, fugitive orders for ascent, descent and stop when contact C8 of the relay point is activated.

The central data memory of the relay point comprises, in addition to the priority tables 80 ′, addresses 81 ′, states of the transmitters 82 ′, and orders 83 ′, a table of order type 84 consisting of a number identical to memory boxes, each of these boxes being associated with a box in the priority table 80 ′ (FIG. 20). These memory boxes are provided for storing a fugitive state when the frame received contains a fugitive code or when the relay point issues a fugitive order.

The flowchart corresponding to this sixth embodiment is derived from the flowchart shown in FIG. 14, with the modifications of FIG. 15, modified according to FIG. 21. The instruction 45 of FIG. 14 is replaced by the instruction 45 ′ for updating the status tables of issuers, orders and order type corresponding to the type and address. Instruction 46 in FIG. 15 is replaced by instruction 46 ′ for updating the tables of states, orders and type of order corresponding to the relay point. The main program comprises an additional instruction 54 for testing the existence of a fugitive order code in the order type table and an additional instruction 55 for resetting the order type table to 0.

The configuration of the relay point is carried out in the same way as in the previous execution modes.

The mode of use differs from the previous modes at the end of the instruction 41. The instruction 54 tests in the order type table that the order read at 41 is not a fugitive order, then l instruction 34 ′ performs, analogously to the preceding modes, the subroutine for activating the order read in 41. In the case where instruction 54 tests for the presence of a fugitive order, it calls instruction 42 which tests that the pointer is at the end of the table. In this case, the instruction 42 calls the instruction 34 ′ which activates the subroutine for activating the order read at 41, that is to say the fugitive order. If, on the contrary, instruction 42 does not test the end of the table, it loops back to instruction 39 and the program runs as before and successively tests all the boxes of the state table 82 ′ until it meets either a standing order or the end of the table. In the event that it encounters a standing order, it is then executed immediately, the previous fugitive order then being erased by instruction 55. If it encounters the end of the table, the last fugitive order encountered is executed. As long as there is a permanent active order in the table, fugitive orders are not taken into account.

This embodiment therefore makes it possible to de-hierarchize one or more transmitting points or one or more relay points for which the corresponding orders will be taken into account only in the absence of any active non-fugitive order.

The possibility of executing a fugitive order can also be provided in the second, fourth and fifth embodiments.

In the case of the second mode of use, the interface 7 of the relay point includes the three additional contacts C5, C6 and C7, but not the contact C8, since the priority table is in the central memory PRG.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, the transmitting points VENT and URGENT have no contact C9 and therefore no possibility of issuing a fugitive order.

In each case, the order type tables are adapted accordingly.

Claims (13)

Installation comprising several receiving points (4), several transmitting points (1), each of which is assigned a particular address code, and several relay points (2) each connected to a receiving point, the transmitting points (1) and the relay points (2) each being electrically connected to a common BUS line so as to be able to communicate with each other, the transmitting points being moreover provided for transmitting signals on the BUS line, each signal comprising a frame formed of at least one element of identification corresponding to the address code and at least one element defining an order to be executed by the receiver, the relay points each comprising means for deciphering and processing the signals transmitted on the BUS line and for activating the receiver which is associated, the means provided at each relay point (2) for deciphering and processing the signals and for activating the associated receiver, being const ituted by a logical processing unit (5) essentially comprising a central unit and memories, these memories being in particular provided for storing at least one identification element, characterized in that the central unit and the memories of the logical unit for processing each relay point (2) constitute a microprocessor (5) comprising a non-volatile programmed central memory and a volatile central data memory, the central program memory containing a main configuration and use program comprising itself a frame reception subroutine, and command execution subroutines, the main program being provided, on the one hand, for selecting the signals circulating on the BUS line whose identification element corresponds to the stored signal, respectively to one of the stored signals and, on the other hand, to activate, for each selected signal, the order execution subroutine contained in its frame and transmit it to the corresponding receiver. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the central data memory of the microprocessor (5) of the relay point comprises an address table (Figure 5) consisting of memory boxes intended to store the addresses of the transmitters to which the point must be sensitive relay, frame memory boxes intended to temporarily store the information contained in the frame of the last signal circulating on the BUS line and an indicator consisting of a memory box and intended to receive a state (0 or 1) each time the address of the stored frame corresponds to one of those stored in the address table. Installation according to claim 2, characterized in that each relay point (2) comprises a user interface (7; 7 ′; 7˝) comprising the means (C1 to C4; C1 to C7) for the introduction, by the user , said identification elements in the memory provided for this purpose. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that said user interface (7) comprises a selector (C1) for programming / use mode, a contact (C4) for incrementing the pointer of the address table, two contacts (C2, C3 ) making it possible to increment and decrement the address of the pointed box, and a display means (13) of the increment / decrementation of the address. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that each transmitting point has a code specific to the type of transmitter, the transmitting point being provided to incorporate this code into the frame of the transmitted signal, and that each relay point (2) comprises, in its main program memory, a priority table (FIG. 7) consisting of several memory boxes in which are stored, in a particular order, transmitter point codes, and, in its central data memory, three tables (81, 82 , 83) each consisting of an identical number of memory cells, each of these cells being associated with a memory cell of the priority table, the first table (81) being an address table whose function is to store the addresses of selected transmitters, the second table (82) being a table of the transmitter states, having the function of memorizing the active or inactive state of the transmitter points, and the third table (83) é both an order table having the function of memorizing the nature of the orders of the selected transmitting points, the main program and the frame reception subroutine comprising instructions for reading and memorizing the code of the transmitter type, instructions test that the transmitter type code of the received frame corresponds to a type stored in the priority table. Installation according to claim 5, characterized in that each relay point (2) comprises a user interface (7) comprising a selector (C1) for programming / use mode, a contact (C4) for incrementing the pointer of the priority table , two contacts (C2, C3) for incrementing and decrementing the position of addresses in programming mode and a display (Figure 6) for viewing the memory box pointed to in the priority table. Installation according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one relay point (2) comprises means (C5, C6, C7) for entering control instructions, than the priority table (80 ′) comprises an additional memory box (801) intended to store the instruction introduced at the relay point, and that each of the state (82 ′) and order (83 ′) tables includes an additional memory box (821, 831) associated with said additional memory cell of the priority table, for memorizing the active or non-active state and the order of the relay point, the main program of the relay point comprising additional instructions for testing said introduction means (C5, C6, C7) and updating the corresponding box in the state table and the order table. Installation according to claim 3, characterized in that each relay point (2) comprises, in its central data memory, a priority table (80˝) consisting of several memory compartments, an address table (81˝), a transmitter status table (82˝) and an order table (83˝), these tables each being made up of memory boxes each of which is associated with a memory box of the priority table, said user interface (7 ′) comprising means for entering the codes specific to the types of transmitter in the memory boxes of the priority table and the corresponding address in the table of addresses. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said priority table (80˝ ′) comprises at least one protected memory box (812, 813) containing a preprogrammed type code, the main program comprising a test instruction than the memory box pointed in the priority table is protected in order to move the pointer to the corresponding box in the address table. Installation according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that at least one transmitting point (1) comprises means (C9) for introducing into the frame of its signal a code for indicating a fugitive order and that each relay point (2) comprises, in its central memory, an additional order type table (84) consisting of a number of memory boxes equal to the number of memory boxes of the other tables (80 ′ to 83 ′), each of these boxes being associated with a box in the priority table (80 ′), these boxes being provided for storing a fugitive state when the frame received contains a code for indicating a fugitive order, the main program comprising additional instructions (54) testing the existence of a fugitive order code in the order type table and instructions (55) for resetting the order type table, as well as instructions (45 ′, 46 ′) for updating the status tables of issuers, orders and d e type of order. Installation according to claim 9, characterized in that said means consist of a contact (C9). Installation according to claim 10, characterized in that the user interface (7˝) comprises an activation contact (C8) and contacts (C5, C6, C7), the activation contact allowing the relay point to issue fugitive orders by means of said contacts (C5, C6, C7). Installation according to one of claims 1 to 12, comprising sensors associated respectively with each transmitter, characterized in that each transmitter (1) comprises a power supply (17), a microprocessor (14), an input interface (18) connecting the sensor to the transmitter and an output interface (19) connecting the transmitter to the BUS line.

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