EP0724056A1 - Remote control device using hertzian, infra-red waves or similar for controlling motorised locking mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

The control system includes a receiver (3) associated with a closing system (2) and provided with, a central processing unit (5) for controlling motor (6) operation and a decoding unit (8) designed to interpret the data transmitted by a transmitter (4) towards a coding unit (9). The transmitter (4) and the receiver (3) contain an EPROM (11, 10) in which is programmed a code (12, 12A) which is decomposed into at least two parts (13, 14; 13A, 14A) one of which (13; 13A) permits the identification of a transmitter (4) with respect to a receiver (3) and the other part (14; 14A) corresponding to the control key is encoded by the transmitter (4) according to a defined algorithm known by the decoding unit (8) of the receiver (3). The EPROM (10) of the receiver (3) is programmed to be able to recognise an initialisation procedure transmitted to the receiver (3), with the aid of appropriate control means (16) so as to put into phase the second part (14A) of the code (12A) corresponding to the receiver (3) and to that (14) of a transmitter (4) previously identified with respect to the first part (13; 13A) of the code (12; 12A).

Description

The invention relates to a device for remote control by radio waves, infrared waves or the like, in particular of motorized closing systems, such as roller shutters, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention is able to find its application in all types of remote control devices by radio waves, infrared or the like and, in particular, when such a device makes it possible to manage the operation of the motorized closure system such as roller shutters of a dwelling.

A certain number of remote control devices are already known which make it possible to manage, either by radio transmission or by infrared radiation, motorized locking systems, such as gates, garage doors or even roller shutters. Thus, at the level of the closing system proper, there is associated a receiver which is able to perceive and interpret the order transmitted by a transmitter to control, in function, the partial or total opening or even the total closing or partial of said closure system.

In order to avoid that any transmitter can control this closing system, the order transmitted via this transmitter is coded through an appropriate coding unit, while the receiver itself has a unit decoding so that it executes the order transmitted by a transmitter, only if it recognizes the code.

According to a first known embodiment, the code can be chosen by the user who, for this, intervenes, on the one hand, on a multitude of two-position switches at the transmitter. The combination thus produced is transferred, on the other hand, to the analog configuration switches associated with the receiver so that the latter is able to recognize the code of the transmitter.

The major drawback of this type of remote control device is that it suffices to locate the position of the switches, whether at the transmitter or receiver and to introduce the code thus read, at the level of another transmitter which can, in turn, control the system of closing. However, it is not uncommon for the receiver to be easily accessible from outside the home, especially for a somewhat skillful haddock.

In addition, on each transmission, there is transmission of the code which, again, can be picked up during this operation by an unauthorized person equipped with the appropriate equipment. However, having, then, the entire code, it is easy for him to obtain a transmitter in the trade, to carry this code there and to order the closing system, with a view, for example, to gain access to the interior of a dwelling.

It is, moreover, known from document EP-A-0 372 285, a device for the remote transmission of a safety command comprising a transmitter capable of transmitting coded messages and a receiver connected to the load to be controlled. This receiver is provided with a decryption unit for the transmitted code, as well as with a processing unit which, after verification and reading of said code, is able to transmit a control signal to said load.

The transmitter's encryption module is broken down into a microprocessor and an EEPROM memory, this set making it possible to determine an evolving code according to a defined algorithm which, moreover, is known by the receiver's decryption and decoding unit.

Thus, it should be observed that the code transmitted by the transmitter being systematically calculated on the basis of the code previously transmitted, the receiver, having the same calculation data, is capable, with each new transmission, of determining a code which must be identical to that received. Therefore, it is only after having noted the agreement of the code transmitted and the new code calculated by the receiver that the processing unit of the latter allows to act on the load so that the latter executes the command requested. It is observed that the code transmitted by the transmitter is broken down into a basic code and a dynamic code. It is precisely the latter that evolves in function of the algorithm known by the microprocessor. Thus, if for one reason or another, the receiver, located too far away from the transmitter, does not perceive the code transmitted by the latter, the two elements are no longer in phase. It is then provided, in this prior document, the possibility for the receiver to get back in phase with the transmitter as soon as it can identify the basic code. If this condition is met, it stores the new dynamic code in memory which allows it, during a new transmission from the transmitter, to calculate the new dynamic code on the basis of the previous known in memory.

Consequently, this device presents only relative security since, knowing the algorithm applied by the microprocessor and after identification of the basic code, everyone is able to design a transmitter compatible with the receiver.

The aim of the solution according to the present invention is to respond effectively to all of the aforementioned problems with a view to increasing the security of such remote control devices which emit either by radio waves or even by infrared for example.

The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem and consists of a device for remote control by infrared radio waves or the like, in particular of motorized closing systems, such as roller shutters, comprising a receiver associated with each closing system and provided, on the one hand, with a central processing unit capable of managing the operation of motor means and, on the other hand, with a decoding unit capable of interpreting the information transmitted by a transmitter through a coding unit, the transmitter and the receiver having an EEPROM memory at the level of which is programmed a code decomposing into at least two parts, one of which allows the identification of a transmitter in relation to a receiver and the other part of which, corresponding to the control key, is encrypted by the transmitter according to an algorithm defined and known by the decoding unit of the receiver, the EEPR memory OM of the receiver being; in addition, programmed to be able to recognize an initialization procedure transmitted to this receiver using appropriate control means in order to phase the second part of the code corresponding to the receiver to that of a transmitter previously identified with respect to the first part of said code.

The advantages arising from the present invention consist in that only the first part of the code introduced at the level of the receiver and the transmitter is capable of being known. In fact, it is through this first part of the code that a receiver will recognize a transmitter that will be able to control it. As for the second part of the code, it is neither defined by the manufacturer nor by the user. It is the result of a calculation carried out through an algorithm known by the transmitter and the receiver, so that this second part of the code evolves with each transmission of order between the transmitter and the receiver.

Thus, even with a transmitter comprising an EEPROM memory at the level of which a first part of code corresponding to the first part of code known by the EEPROM memory of a receiver has been introduced, the latter cannot receive order of this transmitter only after a specific initialization procedure, intended to put them in phase.

In this regard and according to the invention, the initialization procedure is transmitted to the receiver by control means constituted, substantially, by the supply of electrical energy to said receiver.

Consequently, for a haddock who wishes to operate the closing system, he must steal the one and only transmitter which is in phase with the receiver, otherwise he must have a transmitter whose EEPROM memory has first of all knowledge of the first part of the code. However, from the outset, this first part of code can be determined as a function of manufacturing conditions (serial number, or other) so that it is known only by the manufacturer. Then, it must have the encryption algorithm known by the receiver. Finally, he must have knowledge of the receiver's initialization procedure and be able to access the control means making it possible to carry out this initialization procedure.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the transmitter can also only transmit a limited number of times for a determined time the code from which this phasing results with the receiver.

It is obvious, under these conditions, that through a remote control device according to the invention, a haddock will have more difficulty in controlling a closure system than in the past.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of drawings representing only one embodiment.

Figure 1 is a very schematic view of a closure system, especially a motorized shutter with which is associated a remote control device, according to the invention.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 of the attached drawing, the invention relates to a device 1 for remote control by radio waves, infrared waves or the like, in particular of motorized closing systems such as roller shutters 2.

This device 1 comprises a receiver 3 and a transmitter 4 associated with each closure system 2.

More particularly, the receiver 3 comprises a central processing unit 5 programmable able to manage the operation of the motor means 6 of said closure system 2. In this regard, this management of the motor means 6 can be ensured through an interface of adequate power 7. This receiver 3 also receives a decoding unit 8 capable of interpreting the information transmitted by the transmitter 4 through a coding unit 9.

The receiver 3 and the transmitter 4 both have an EEPROM 10, 11, associated with their decoding 8 and coding 9 unit, respectively, and which has knowledge of a code 12, 12A which is subdivided into at least two parts 13, 13A; 14, 14A. One 13, 13A of these parts of the code 12 called in the following description for the sake of ease of compression, first part 13, 13A, corresponds to an identification code of a transmitter 4 with respect to a receiver 3. More precisely, this first part 13, 13A of the code 12 is identical in each of the memories 10, 11. In addition, it is likely to be known, in particular by the manufacturer to whom it is possible, thus, to conform a transmitter 4 compared to receiver 3.

As for the other part 14, 14A, called the second part in the description, it corresponds to the control key. In fact, this second part 14, 14A of the code 12 is calculated and, therefore encrypted, by the coding unit 9 of the transmitter 4 according to a defined algorithm 15, 15A known by the receiver 3 so that it is able to calculate, in turn, this second part 14A of the code 12A and to identify it with the second part 14 of the code 12 transmitted by said transmitter 4.

Consequently, through the algorithm 15, defined in the EEPROM memory 11 of the transmitter 4, this second part 14 of the code 12 evolves with each transmission of information to the level of the receiver 3. The latter, if is in phase with the transmitter 4, is able to recognize the encrypted code since this receiver 3 also has, in its EEPROM memory 10, the well-defined algorithm 15A which allows it to calculate it and ultimately identify it .

It is obvious, however, that, as has just been specified, the receiver 3 is not able, through its decoding unit 8, to decode the second part 14 of the code 12 which is transmitted to it by the transmitter 4 only if, beforehand, they have been put in phase so that, during each command, the calculation of the following code, through the algorithm 15, 15A, leads to a result which also agrees.

Consequently, on each transmission through the transmitter 4, the receiver 3, through its decoding unit 8 and its EEPROM memory 10 calculates the code which the transmitter 4 should normally transmit to it during this transmission d 'order. However, it may happen that an order is transmitted by the transmitter 4 without it being perceived by the receiver 3. At this time, it is obvious that the code at the level of the transmitter 4 has evolved compared to that of the receiver 3 that the receiver 3 will calculate during the next transmission. However, if the two devices are in phase, the receiver 3 must be able to find, by carrying out several successive calculations and by applying the common algorithm, the same code transmitted by the transmitter 4. Also, it is intended that during of a reception of a command sent by the associated transmitter 4, the receiver 3 proceeds, through its decoding unit 8, to at most N rotations consisting in calculating at most N times the second part 14A of the code 12A and to compare it with the second part 14 of the code 12 transmitted by the transmitter 4. If during these N rotations of the calculation, the decoding unit 8 of the receiver 3 has not found the encrypted code transmitted by the transmitter 4, he interprets the transmission as being a hacking maneuver and puts himself in a blocking position.

Like the association of any new transmitter 4 with a receiver 3, unlocking requires, according to the invention, the implementation of an initialization procedure and, therefore, of phasing of the second part 14, 14A of the code 12, 12A knowing that, in any case, the first part 13 of the code 12 at the transmitter 4 must have been previously granted to the first part 13A of the code 12A known by the receiver 3.

This procedure for initializing the second part of the code is known by the EEPROM memory 10 of the receiver 3 so that the latter is able to recognize it when it is carried out by means of appropriate control means 16. This initialization procedure consists, in fact, in making the receiver 3 accept a second part of code 14 which is transmitted to it by a transmitter 4 respecting a first part of code 13 identical to that 13a known by this receiver 3.

Advantageously, these control means 16 are constituted by means for cutting off the supply of electrical energy 18 to the receiver 3. As for the initialization procedure itself, it is based on the identification of sequences of cuts of this supply in electrical energy 18. More precisely, the EEPROM memory identifies as being an initialization procedure when it recognizes, during the power supply cut-off sequences 18, their number and their duration.

Consequently, once this procedure has been performed, the receiver 3 is able to accept the second part 14 of the code 12 transmitted by a transmitter 4. However, this is preferably only possible for a determined period of time "T1" beyond which this receiver 3 returns to a blocking position requiring the resumption of the initialization procedure. Consequently, the initialization procedure triggers time counting means "T1". Finally, apart from during the manufacture of the closure system 2 and the first assignment of a transmitter 4 to the receiver 3 of this closure system 2, the initialization procedure will most often be undertaken only because of loss or deterioration of this transmitter 4. Under these conditions, a new transmitter is then ordered from the manufacturer who, having knowledge of the first part of the code 13A of the receiver 3, will send the user a transmitter 4 of which the first part 13 code 12 will have been previously granted.

However, it may happen that during this expedition, this new transmitter 4 is stolen and there is, again, a risk of piracy. In order to avoid this risk or, at least to minimize it, the code 12, 12A comprises at least a third part 19, 19A which can be described as an after-sales service key and which is only known by the manufacturer. Preferably, this after-sales service key can only be used, and therefore transmitted, by the transmitter 4 to the receiver 3 only a limited number of times during their phasing. In addition, this third part 19 of the code at the level of the transmitter 4 disappears and, therefore, is burned beyond a time “T2” defined after the design and programming of the transmitter 4. Thus, if during this time "T2", the transmitter 4 is not recognized by the receiver 3 with which it must be associated, this transmitter 4 becomes unusable with respect to said receiver 3 and it is necessary to recommend another transmitter 4 to the manufacturer. In fact, the time “T 2” will be determined so that it is sufficient for the user to have the possibility of receiving the transmitter 4 ordered from the manufacturer, this in the event of compliance with a normal shipping time. and, of course, carry out the receiver initialization procedure 3.

It should be noted that in the event of loss or damage to a transmitter 4, it must be possible, through a backup procedure, known by the EEPROM memory 10 of the receiver 3, to close the closing system 2 if that -this is open.

Advantageously, this backup procedure is carried out by means of control means 16 identical to those making it possible to carry out the initialization procedure. Thus, said backup procedure is based on the identification of the number and duration of power supply cut-off sequences for the receiver 3. In fact, beyond this backup procedure, the receiver 3 accepts the command from a transmitter corresponding to a neighboring locking system only if this command is identified as the closing of said closing system 2.

Advantageously, the initialization procedure and the backup procedure are identical. As for the time "T1" during which the receiver 3 becomes captive for the identification of a new transmitter 4 beyond this initialization or backup procedure, it is determined to be sufficient so that after the execution of the latter , the user has the possibility of ordering then receiving a new transmitter 4 from the manufacturer.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist essentially in that it leads to remote control closure systems of very high security compared to what exists at present. The present invention thus responds to an increasingly asserted need due to the generalization of such motorized closure systems. Also, it represents a clear progress compared to the state of the prior art.

Claims (8)

Device for remote control by radio, infrared or similar waves, in particular of motorized closing systems (2), such as roller shutters, comprising a receiver (3) associated with each closing system (2) and provided with on the one hand, a central processing unit (5) capable of managing the operation of motor means (6) and, on the other hand, a decoding unit (8) capable of interpreting the information transmitted by a transmitter (4) through a coding unit (9), the transmitter (4) and the receiver (3) having an EEPROM memory (11, 10) at the level of which a code (12; 12A) breaking down into at least two parts (13, 14; 13A, 14A), one of which (13; 13A) allows the identification of a transmitter (4) in relation to a receiver (3) and whose other part (14; 14A), corresponding to the control key, is encrypted by the transmitter (4) according to an algorithm defined and known by the decoding unit (8) of the receiver (3), characterized in that the EEPROM memory (10) of the receiver (3) is programmed to be able to recognize an initialization procedure transmitted to this receiver (3) using control means (16 ) suitable for phasing the second part (14A) of the code (12A) corresponding to the receiver (3) to that (14) of a transmitter (4) previously identified with respect to the first part (13; 13A) of said code (12; 12A). Remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means (16) consist of means for cutting off the electrical power supply (18) of the receiver (3) so that the procedure d 'initialization is based on the identification, by the EEPROM memory (10) of the receiver (3), of cut-off sequences of this supply of electrical energy (18). Remote control device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the execution of the receiver initialization procedure (3) triggers means of counting down a time "T1" during which the receiver (3) is able to accept, as the second part (14A) of the code (12A), the second part (14) of the code (12) transmitted by a transmitter (4) previously identified with respect to the first part (13; 13A) of said code (12; 12A). Remote control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the code (12; 12A) comprises at least a third part (19; 19A) corresponding to a service key known by the manufacturer which can only be transmitted by the transmitter (4) to the receiver (3) a limited number of times during a time "T2" determined after programming of said transmitter (4), beyond this time "T2" this third part (19) of the code (12) at the transmitter (4) being burnt so that this transmitter (4) can no longer be identified by the receiver (3). Remote control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the EEPROM memory (10) of the receiver (3) is able to identify a backup procedure transmitted by appropriate control means (16) authorizing the closure of the closure system (2) in the absence of the associated transmitter (4). Remote control device according to claim 5, characterized in that the backup procedure is transmitted to the receiver (3) via control means (16) constituted by means for cutting off the supply of electrical energy (18) of said receiver (3). Remote control device according to Claims 2 and 6, characterized in that the standby procedure and the receiver initialization procedure (3) are identical. Remote control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, following a transmission from a transmitter (4) identified by the decoding unit (8) of a receiver (3) relative to the first part (13; 13A) of the code (12; 12A), said decoding unit (8) performs at most N rotations consisting in calculating at most N times the second part (14A) of the code (12A) and comparing it with the second part (14) of the code (12) transmitted by the transmitter (4) so that, if beyond these N rotations, the unit of decoding (8) of the receiver (3) could not identify said second part (14) of the code (12) transmitted by this transmitter (4), the receiver (3) goes into a blocking position.

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