EP1391080A2 - Systeme permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs electriques et electroniques - Google Patents

Systeme permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs electriques et electroniques

Info

Publication number
EP1391080A2
EP1391080A2 EP02708582A EP02708582A EP1391080A2 EP 1391080 A2 EP1391080 A2 EP 1391080A2 EP 02708582 A EP02708582 A EP 02708582A EP 02708582 A EP02708582 A EP 02708582A EP 1391080 A2 EP1391080 A2 EP 1391080A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
programming
computer
data
receiving
control signal
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02708582A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Rajeev Sethia
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Publication of EP1391080A2 publication Critical patent/EP1391080A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2807—Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network
    • H04L12/2814—Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L2012/284—Home automation networks characterised by the type of medium used
    • H04L2012/2841—Wireless
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the configuration of electrical and electronic appliances and devices, using short-range radio communication.
  • Buying a new appliance is an award, and almost everyone wants to purchase the highest quality, and of course people want the new appliance to have as many options as possible.
  • Most appliances and particularly household appliances have to be programmed using multiple key presses.
  • Some examples of such appliances, and devices are: telephones, sprinkler systems, security systems, thermostats, fax machine, music system, television and video apparatus, and others.
  • a computer for configuring an electrical or electronic device other than the computer or its peripherals and including a receiver for receiving data transmitted wirelessly, comprising: a display for displaying device programming data; a transducer for accepting programming data for programming of the device, a processor for execution of a software program associated with the device for providing the device programming data for display on the display and for receiving programming data from the transducer, the processor for when programming data is accepted, providing a control signal for configuring the device; a transceiver for receiving the control signal and for transmitting the control signal wirelessly to the device; and wherein the software program associated with the device is for receiving program option data specific to the device for use in displaying device programming and accepting programming data.
  • a configurable electrical or electronic device comprising: a storage medium for storing program data associated with the device, the storage medium for transferring the program data to a computer comprising a processor for execution of a software program for configuring the device, the computer having a wireless transceiver for transmitting configuration settings therein; a wireless receiver in the device for receiving wirelessly configuration settings from the wireless transceiver; and a communication program for transferring wirelessly received configuration settings to a programmable unit of the device for programming of the device therewith.
  • a device configurable using a personal computer comprising: a storage medium for providing associated with the device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on a processor of a personal computer for programming of the device; a receiver for receiving a control signal from the personal computer transmitted via a wireless communication link; and, a controller for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.
  • an apparatus for configuring an electric and electronic device comprising: a processor for executing a plurality of instructions; a storage medium for providing associated with a device, a software unit including a plurality of instructions providing a user interface for execution on the processor for programming of the device; an input/output device for interacting with the software application in execution to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; a controller for providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; a transmitter for transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; a receiver for receiving the control signal at the device; and, a controller for storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.
  • a method of configuring electric and electronic devices comprising the steps of: providing associated with a device, a software unit providing a user interface for programming of the device for execution on a computer; executing a software application including the software unit on a personal computer; interacting with the software application in execution on the computer to enter device specific program data indicative of user preferences; providing from the computer for transmission to the device, a control signal based on the entered program data; transmitting the control signal to the device via a short range wireless communication medium; receiving the control signal at the device; and, storing programming data within memory of the device for effecting the user preferences thereon.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows diagrammatic flow of a method of programming an appliance according to the present invention.
  • the intent of the present invention is to provide a computer interface for a user to program an electronic or electric appliance.
  • all appliances are provided with an interface for interfacing with the computer to support the inventive method.
  • an appliance is supplied complete with a movable unit, in a form for example of a floppy disk or a CD-ROM.
  • the movable unit of a specific appliance contains all the possible settings achievable by the specific appliance.
  • the compatibility of the data contained on the movable unit and software residing in a personal computer allows a user to program the appliance on his computer interacting with a user interface, which is preferably an easy and friendly programming environment.
  • FIG. 1 a diagrammatic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • a programming station in the form of a computer 10 comprising a hard drive is shown.
  • the computer 10 is part of a computer system equipped with a monitor 1, a keyboard 2 and a mouse 4.
  • Software programs residing in the computer 10, as for example MyHome software program, offer the possibility to read data imported from various types of units as for example floppy disks or CDs.
  • the programming interface can be extended to a Graphic User Interface (GUI).
  • GUI Graphic User Interface
  • the computer houses a transceiver 6 for transmitting data using short-range low bandwidth radio communication in the form of Blue Tooth communication.
  • Every appliance has an associated unit in a form of, for example, a floppy disk or a CD. Every unit is specific to an appliance. Alternatively, some units are associated with numerous appliances. Moreover, the appliance A houses a receiver 12 for receiving data from the computer using short-range low bandwidth radio communication in the form of Blue Tooth communication. A movable unit A contains MyHome compatible/readable data, these data being necessary for programming the appliance A. Appliance A is typically shipped including a programmable memory 14. In operation, after the appliance A has been installed, the movable unit A is transferred to the computer so that the data contained on the unit A are available to software on the computer system 10. Opening MyHome software gives access to all the programmable options of the appliance A.
  • the programming environment offers by the software, the mouse 4, the keyboard 2 and moreover the large display monitor 1 eases the programming burden for programming of the appliance A.
  • the programming interface can be very descriptive using a GUI for example. This renders the programming of home appliances very easy and reduces the frustration that users have in programming their appliances.
  • use of the computer overcomes the limitation of display and input entry systems, with the otherwise rather cumbersome programming. Thus all features of an appliance are easily addressable addressed and programmed.
  • computers provide the additional advantage of providing printed programming data for verification, for use in troubleshooting or for provision, for example by post, to others. A user selects preferences and enters them into the computer.
  • the principle of the short-range low bandwidth radio communication is a wireless type of communication, for example, Bluetooth.
  • the appliance A can be as far from the computer as the short-range low bandwidth radio communication limit allows; the appliance and the computer are optionally disposed in two different rooms in a house, or the appliance may even be located outside the house but in a close proximity to the computer not exceeding the limit of the short-range communication.
  • the invention as described has been considered more particularly in relation to household appliances and devices, it is also applicable to other items such as industrial and commercial appliances and devices. The only requirement is that the various units be within communication range.
  • the invention could be used for programming portable devices removable from a base locality at which the computer is positioned.
  • electronic equipment on a vehicle could include a control unit that is programmed by the computer; while the vehicle is positioned close enough to be within the radio communication range. Such programming would be quite effective, even though the vehicle travels out of radio range.
  • the use of the software allows similar devices to share data.
  • An example of such data sharing is the phone directory being shared between organizers, telephone, cell phone and fax machine.
  • data specific to an appliance contained on a movable unit associated with the specific appliance can be stored in the computer for further update when needed.
  • entering new coordinate in the computer allows a user to update the programming of the phone and/or cell phone by adding the new telephone number in the phone memory unit; similarly, the facsimile memory unit can be updated by adding the new facsimile number to the facsimile programming.
  • Another example of devices sharing data is the central heater and a potential air conditioning system if a house is equipped with both systems.
  • the heater is programmed for the cold days of the year, and the air conditioning system for the warm days of the year, according to a regular timetable of the persons living in a house, for instance a family comprising a kid going to school and two working parents.
  • the data shared in this example for programming both the heater and the air conditioning system include the time schedule of the family members, not the temperature. For example, during the cold days of the year, the temperature in the house is programmed to be 17°C during weekdays while the kid is at school and the parents at work.
  • the temperature is settled at a higher level, preferably at a comfortable living temperature.
  • the air conditioning system is programmed so that the temperature does not exceed 25°C while the house is empty, but it is programmed to decrease the temperature to a preferably more comfortable level when at least one family member is back.
  • To control the heat and/or the air conditioning system according to a routine timetable is an interesting way of saving heating cost especially for people living in cold countries wherein heating a house is a necessity.
  • the programming of the heater and/or the air conditioning system it is also possible to take into account of the days off, wherein it is probable that a family member will be in the house during the day. The programming can be achieved in such a way that the temperature during those days is comfortable.
  • the ability to initially program devices via the computer is easier and quicker and usually more convenient, than using multi key processes. Errors are often made when programming multiple key systems and such errors are often overlooked. With computer programming, the programmed information is more easily verified for accuracy, before communicating it to the appliance memory unit. Also advantageously, a plurality of devices require no user interface having a wireless communication system for communicating with a personal computer wherein software, in execution, provides the user interface requirements for the devices. Thus, cost savings result.
  • Another advantage of the invention relates to program sharing.
  • the Internet provides a simple and effective route for data sharing. A person who goes to the trouble of programming their home heating system in a complex but effective fashion may share their programming with other users.
  • FIG. 2 a diagrammatic flow of a method of programming a device according to the present invention is illustrated.
  • Data specifically related to the device are transferred to a personal computer wherein resides a software for interfacing with the transferred data in order to program the device.
  • the specific data associated with a device are either transferred from a movable unit as for example a floppy disk or a CD ROM.
  • the computer is connected to the Internet, it is conceivable to transfer specific data associated to a device therefrom if the company fabricating the device has a Web site and the specific data associated to the device are available online.
  • a user interacts with the software application for programming the device and enters his preferences for the use of the device.
  • the programming is transmitted to the device via a wireless type short-range low bandwidth radio communication, for example, Bluetooth.
  • a receiver housed in the device receives the programming and the programming is stored in a memory unit equipping the device for achieving the preferences for using the device the user programmed on a computer.
  • the fact that the programming of a device is achieved on a computer allows saving the programming on the computer before transmitting a control signal to the device. Therefore, a programmer could easily prepare programming for use by another person. For example, a child might transfer specific data associated with a device on, for example, a laptop, prepare programming data for a technophobic parent, and save the programming on the laptop. When they arrive at the parent's home, a few quick instructions and the programming is transmitted to the memory unit of the device, and the device is programmed. This alleviates a need to waste an entire visit fiddling with devices throughout the home that require tuning or reprogramming.
  • Another interesting advantage of using a personal computer for programming an electric or electronic device is that if it is easy one time to program a device, it is easy the second time or the third time to program the same device. Therefore, it will not be a burden to update a programming of a device when a user wants to enter new preferences or new settings. For example, if a grandchild is going to spend vacation at his grandparents' house during a few weeks, the grandparents may easily reprogram the setting of the TN to restrict accessibility of some channels, and/or limit the volume of the sound system to a reasonable loudness.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs électriques et électroniques ménagers par une communication radio à faible portée telle que Bluetooth, lequel système comprend un programme logiciel d'appareil et des unités enfichables qui doivent être programmées par le logiciel, une unité par dispositif ou appareil. Chaque appareil ou dispositif possède une unité de commande correspondante. Les unités dans l'ordinateur communiquent avec les unités de commande par radio à courte distance à bande passante étroite.
EP02708582A 2001-03-30 2002-03-22 Systeme permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs electriques et electroniques Withdrawn EP1391080A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US82101401A 2001-03-30 2001-03-30
US821014 2001-03-30
PCT/IB2002/000990 WO2002080461A2 (fr) 2001-03-30 2002-03-22 Systeme permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs electriques et electroniques

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1391080A2 true EP1391080A2 (fr) 2004-02-25

Family

ID=25232277

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02708582A Withdrawn EP1391080A2 (fr) 2001-03-30 2002-03-22 Systeme permettant de configurer des appareils et dispositifs electriques et electroniques

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1391080A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2004519784A (fr)
KR (1) KR20030007782A (fr)
CN (1) CN1496635A (fr)
WO (1) WO2002080461A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003303737B2 (en) * 2003-01-09 2009-01-22 Lectra Sa Slat for laser cutting machine table

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20120114336A (ko) * 2010-02-08 2012-10-16 이엘씨 매니지먼트 엘엘씨 눈밑 다크서클의 외관을 감소시키기 위한 조성물 및 방법
FR3002665B1 (fr) * 2013-02-25 2015-03-27 Muller & Cie Soc Procede de transfert d'informations au moyen d'un dispositif bidirectionnel
WO2020192191A1 (fr) * 2019-03-26 2020-10-01 佛山市顺德区美的洗涤电器制造有限公司 Appareil domestique intelligent, dispositif de commande intelligent, et système et procédé d'e jumelage bluetooth pour appareil domestique intelligent

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US5774063A (en) * 1995-12-14 1998-06-30 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for software based wireless remote control of electronic devices
ITTO980134A1 (it) * 1998-02-20 1999-08-20 Merloni Elettrodomestici Spa Sistema, dispositivo e metodo per il monitoraggio di una pluralita' di utenze elettriche, in particolare elettrodomestici, connesse in rete
AU771017B2 (en) * 1999-01-22 2004-03-11 Pointset Corporation Method and apparatus for setting programmable features of an appliance
SE522344C2 (sv) * 1999-02-26 2004-02-03 Ericsson Telefon Ab L M Metod och anordning för trådlös telekommunikation
JP2001169361A (ja) * 1999-09-20 2001-06-22 Intertelecom Co Ltd 無線データ通信のためのカード装置及びデータ通信装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO02080461A2 *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2003303737B2 (en) * 2003-01-09 2009-01-22 Lectra Sa Slat for laser cutting machine table
AU2003303737C1 (en) * 2003-01-09 2009-10-08 Lectra Sa Slat for laser cutting machine table

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN1496635A (zh) 2004-05-12
JP2004519784A (ja) 2004-07-02
KR20030007782A (ko) 2003-01-23
WO2002080461A3 (fr) 2003-11-20
WO2002080461A2 (fr) 2002-10-10

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