Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B19/00—Programme-control systems
  • G05B19/02—Programme-control systems electric
  • G05B19/04—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers
  • G05B19/042—Programme control other than numerical control, i.e. in sequence controllers or logic controllers using digital processors
  • G05B19/0426—Programming the control sequence
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C19/00—Electric signal transmission systems
  • G08C19/16—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses
  • G08C19/28—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses using pulse code
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/23—Pc programming
  • G05B2219/23258—GUI graphical user interface, icon, function bloc editor, labview
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/23—Pc programming
  • G05B2219/23323—Select between entry and execution of program
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
  • G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
  • G05B2219/00—Program-control systems
  • G05B2219/20—Pc systems
  • G05B2219/26—Pc applications
  • G05B2219/2642—Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
  • G08C2201/30—User interface
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
  • G08C2201/30—User interface
  • G08C2201/33—Remote control using macros, scripts

Definitions

• the invention relates to a control interface for controlling a system comprising home automation equipment, the interface comprising input keys and an information screen. It also relates to an operating method, a configuration method and a method of customizing such an interface. It also relates to a control method and a time programming method of a home automation system using such an interface and an installation comprising home automation equipment and such an interface.
• each device has an individual control interface, wired or not.
• the equipment forming part of a controllable group can therefore be controlled also via a central control unit.
• the commands intended for each equipment of the group can intervene either substantially simultaneously, or with time offs between the executions of the commands.
• a group of devices does not necessarily consist of more than one piece of equipment.
• the constitution of a group comprising only one equipment makes it possible to have a command of this equipment from the central control unit in addition to the individual control interface of this equipment.
• the development of home automation applications can now control a relatively large number of home appliances, including shutters, blinds, windows, access, lighting and appliances.
• No. 6,756,998 discloses a home automation control system comprising powerful control tools using a personal computer with a large screen. In this case it is possible to graphically display a plan of the house with the locations of the equipment to be controlled in the different rooms. The contents of this document are incorporated by reference in this application. Similarly, this type of solution is not suitable for interfaces with small screens.
• No. 5,621,662 discloses a home automation system comprising in particular a user interface capable of controlling one or more home automation equipment. With such a user interface, it is necessary to provide at least as many control keys as there are home automation equipment and operating scenarios of these equipment. This creates, at the interface level, congestion constraints that become very quickly unacceptable.
• the object of the invention is to provide a control interface for the control of home automation equipment to improve the known solutions of the prior art and to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.
• the invention proposes a control interface having a small screen adapted to the global and simplified display of information concerning home automation equipment that it can control and in which the organization of the display can be modified by the user to adapt to his own home automation system.
• the invention also proposes a method of operating this control interface and methods for configuring, controlling time programming and customizing this control interface.
• control interface according to the invention is defined by claim 11. Different embodiments of this interface are defined by the dependent claims 12 to 14.
• the installation comprises a previously defined control interface and home automation equipment.
• the appended drawing represents, by way of example, a home automation installation provided with a control interface according to the invention and various operating procedures of such a control interface.
• Figure 1 is a diagram of a home automation system comprising a control interface according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of a control interface according to the invention.
• Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the control interface when it is in a configuration mode.
• Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the operation of the control interface when it is in a control mode.
• Figure 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the control interface when it is in a personalization mode.
• the home automation system 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly comprises home automation equipment 2a to 2e such as in particular a shutter 2a, a garage door operating actuator 2b, a blind 2c, a lighting device 2d and a 2nd door. .
• a control interface 3 intended for the control of these home automation equipment. This command can preferably be made by transmitting control commands in the form of radio waves.
• the control interface 3 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a logic processing unit 14 (such as a microcontroller) electrically connected to a keyboard 12, to a display screen 4 and to means 17, 18 for transmitting and radio wave reception.
• the control interface 3 is powered by a battery 16.
• the keyboard 12 and the display screen constitute the user interface 3a of the control interface 3.
• the logic processing unit 14 comprises a memory 15 for storing configuration information of the control interface and information relating to the equipment controlled by the control interface, such as for example their identifiers and the commands likely to to be executed. This memory also makes it possible to store software modules determining the operation of the interface.
• the means for transmitting and receiving radio waves include a modulator / demodulator circuit 17 and an antenna 18.
• the different equipment items 2a to 2e are also equipped with means for transmitting and receiving radio waves (not shown).
• the keyboard 12 includes control keys 13. In some operating modes, pressing these keys causes the issuing of control commands associated with them.
• the keyboard 12 further comprises navigation keys 8 and a validation key 9 whose functions are described below.
• the display screen 4 allows the display of a main zone 5 subdivided into boxes 6a, 6b.
• the screen is rectangular in shape and the squares have the form of squares.
• the boxes all have the same dimensions. The dimensions of the boxes are preferably less than 5 mm.
• the different boxes are also preferably organized in rows and columns to form a matrix. In each of the boxes one or more symbols may be displayed. These symbols may include simple geometric shapes such as squares, circles, disks or triangles.
• One or more auxiliary zones 10, 11 for displaying information in the form of alphanumeric character strings are also provided, for example on either side of the main zone.
• the screen is preferably of the liquid crystal or photo-emissive plasma type, or organic diodes. It can also be of the tactile type. In this case, all or part of the keyboard 12 described above can be integrated into the screen so that a pressure on a particular area of the screen has the same function as pressing a key.
• input means other than keys can be used. These control means may in particular comprise knobs or control balls.
• the boxes are likely to be associated: - to a home automation equipment,
• a home automation equipment and a control order that is to say a command order addressed to a home automation equipment
• home automation equipment and control orders that is to say, control orders addressed to home automation equipment
• a box associated with one or more of the elements described above is called “assigned", an unassociated box is called “unassigned”.
• a cursor 7 is also likely to be displayed and moved on the screen in the main zone to be brought to a desired box.
• This slider can also be moved from the main zone to the auxiliary zones. Its displacement is obtained by pressing the navigation keys 8 of the keyboard.
• the cursor is embodied for example by a display inversion, a highlight, a frame, a flicker or a color change.
• the symbols displayed in the boxes can have different meanings. For example, the presence of any symbol means that the box is "affected". Depending on the possibilities offered by the screen and the logical processing unit, it is conceivable to provide different symbols. One can then have different types of symbols indicating the state of the associated equipment or devices, for example white square for open roller shutters or lit lamps and a black square for shutters closed or lamps off. Alternatively, one can use different colors, to indicate states or possibly to accentuate the memorization by using color codes for different types of commands (equipment alone, group, scenario) or different spaces of the house (living room, bedrooms, garden). The organization of the main area of the screen as a matrix makes it possible to organize the boxes "affected" according to:
• a spatial representation corresponding to the locations of the equipment in the building or a mental or mnemonic representation, or
• the control interface 3 is capable of operating in several modes, in particular: a mode of use, or control mode, in which the home automation equipment associated with cells represented on the screen can be controlled from the interface of ordered ; a configuration mode, allowing the registration of associations between boxes and equipment and / or control orders; a personalization mode, in which it is possible to rearrange the boxes, and in particular the so-called "affected" boxes, inside the main zone.
• the method may also have a scheduling mode in which it is possible to organize the location of boxes associated with at least one item of equipment and at least one order order so as to schedule the sending of orders to specific dates.
• the functionalities of the user interface 3a composed in particular of the screen 4 and the keyboard 12, will allow the user to select boxes or symbols contained in these boxes, to move them to other boxes to rearrange the display in the main area of the screen.
• These different operations are visualized by the user through the use of a cursor.
• the validation or input keys of the user interface make it possible to move the cursor and to select, for example in a temporary memory, the contents of the box on which the cursor is placed.
• Moving the cursor from one box to the other automatically causes a modification of the display, in an auxiliary area of the screen, of a name possibly given to the box and corresponding to the assignment thereof.
• the choice of the operating mode can be made by selection in a menu displayed on the screen. In each mode will then be displayed the matrix of boxes as well as the possible information of the auxiliary zones.
• the display is therefore similar in the different operating modes.
• an indicator is used to identify the operating mode (for example in the form of a pictogram or an initial in an auxiliary zone).
• Configuration method of the control interface Once in the configuration mode, the configuration process makes it possible to define the associations between the boxes, the home automation equipment and the control commands of these equipment. In a phase prior to the configuration of the control interface, it is assumed that, by known training procedures of the prior art, the control interface has received and stored in memory a number of information relating to home automation equipment that she has to order. This information includes in particular the identifiers of the equipment and the nature of the orders that can be executed by this equipment.
• this learning can take place during the configuration process of the control interface.
• the information exchanged during this learning can also be stored, or partially stored, at the home automation equipment level.
• One embodiment of a configuration method is described below, by way of example, with reference to FIG. 3.
• the configuration is carried out by an installer.
• a succession or combination of particular supports on the keys of the keyboard 12 of the control interface 3 allows it to switch to configuration mode. Entering configuration mode can also be a result of a menu selection displayed on the screen.
• a second step 110 the installer moves the cursor 7 on the screen so as to position it on a box called "unaffected”. The installer then presses the validation key 9 and the box is then selected.
• a step 120 an equipment or group of equipment is selected. This step can be carried out in several ways, the examples given below not being limiting.
• the identifiers of the devices that can be controlled by the control interface are displayed in the auxiliary zones of the screen. It is possible to scroll through these with presses on the navigation keys. Similarly, the names of the order commands that may be executed by the equipment are displayed in the auxiliary areas of the screen. With presses on the validation key when these identifiers and / or these orders appear in the auxiliary zones, the installer selects equipment and / or control orders.
• the devices are selected by action on them (for example, by sending an order by means of an individual control device such as a nomadic remote control), and this action causes the issuing a message identifying the equipment and possibly the order.
• the information contained in this message is then stored at the command interface. The operation is repeated for the different equipment that must be associated with the same box, before validating the records and therefore the assignment to the box.
• a step 130 following a validation action, the selected equipment and / or control commands are associated with the selected box.
• the identifiers of the equipment and / or control orders are for example recorded in an area of the memory 15, this area having been previously associated with the selected box. Conversely, an identifier corresponding to the selected box can be stored at the equipment level.
• Another possibility of performing steps 120 and 130 is to record at the level of different equipment associated with a box, an identifier of this box.
• Equipment or more equipment
• Equipment being first placed in a programming mode (by a particular maneuver on this equipment for example), it then receives a message from the control interface informing it that it is associated with a device. given box.
• the command message containing this information is an identification code including the number of the box.
• the message is broadcast to all the equipments (“broadcast") but only the equipment placed in a programming mode uses this information.
• the equipment stores the information in an appropriate memory, so that when this box is selected in a control mode, it interprets the corresponding command as addressed to it.
• Several devices can be programmed simultaneously to be associated with a given box.
• a step 140 the display of the box is automatically modified so as to display its "assigned" state. For example, if the box is symbolized as free when it is “unassigned”, a square can replace this symbol as soon as it is "assigned".
• an alphanumeric character string can be entered to be associated with the "assigned" box.
• This chain may for example consist of "Store” when the box is associated with a blind, “Up” when associated with a climb order or “Climb blinds” when associated with a climb order. relationship with several blinds.
• the method may loop on step 110 when it is necessary to associate different boxes with different elements.
• a succession or combination of particular supports on the keys of the keyboard 12 of the control interface allows it to switch out of the configuration mode.
• Control method A mode of execution of a control method is described below, by way of example, with reference to FIG. 4. The control method is implemented once the interface is located. in the mode of use.
• command interface is by default in the mode of use.
• a user moves a cursor 7 on the screen so as to position it on a box called "assigned" and associated equipment or a group of equipment he wishes to control. The user then presses the validation key 9 and the box is then selected.
• the user can: - either, in a second step 220, move a cursor 7 on the screen so as to position on a second box called "assigned" and associated with one or more control orders he wishes to execute to the equipment or equipment.
• the user then presses the validation key 9 and the second box is then selected.
• a step 230 press a keypad control key corresponding to the command order it wants to execute the equipment or equipment.
• a step 240 the command or orders are directly transmitted to the equipment or devices.
• step 240 If the first selected box is associated with a device or a group of equipment and a command order or with command orders, go directly to step 240, in which the command order (s) are directly transmitted. to the equipment.
• a step 250 the command or orders are executed by the equipment or devices.
• step 210 The process then closes on step 210.
• the user can view the list of elements with which it is associated, these being displayed in the auxiliary zones.
• the personalization process is implemented.
• One embodiment of a customization method is described below, by way of example, with reference to FIG. 5.
• This personalization mode is particularly useful for adapting the spatial representation of the boxes and / or relative symbols. the different states of the boxes to the preferred perception of the user, or to that which will allow the best memorization.
• the personalization mode also allows the constitution of temporal sequences of scenarios.
• a succession or combination of particular supports on the keys of the keyboard 12 of the control interface allows it to switch to personalization mode.
• the entry in personalization mode can also follow a choice in a menu, displayed on the screen.
• a second step 310 the user moves the cursor 7 on the screen so as to position it on a first "assigned" box whose location it wishes to change in the main zone. The user then presses the validation key 9 and the box is then selected.
• a third step 320 the user moves the cursor 7 on the screen so as to position it on a second box that he wishes to associate with the elements to which the first box is currently associated. The user then presses the validation key 9 and the second box is then selected.
• a fourth step 330 the elements associated with the first box are automatically associated with the second box.
• these elements are dissociated from the second box and can be associated with a third box after selection of the latter.
• step 340 the elements associated with the first box are dissociated therefrom. If this step is not implemented the second box is a simple duplication of the first. This step can take place between steps 310 and 320. The information is then stored in a temporary memory. The selection of the first selected box can be marked in a visible manner for the user, for example by a blinking thereof as it is not reassigned to a new location.
• the method then loops on step 310 until, in a step 160, a succession or combination of particular supports on the keys of the keyboard 12 of the control interface allows its output switching of the personalization mode.
• step 310 it is also possible to modify in step 310 the symbol or the color used to represent the selected box.
• the various symbols and colors scroll for example when pressing the validation key 9 for a long time.
• a scenario can be a series of different orders of commands executed by different devices.
• a scenario can be a series of different orders of commands executed by different devices.
• the invention to define such a scenario, the same box is associated with all the shutters, all the doors and all the lights as well as a shutter descent order, a lock order of door and an order of extinction of light.
• the descent order is automatically sent to the shutters, the lock order automatically sent to the doors and the shutdown order automatically sent to the lights.
• Time programming method and automatic control method also makes it possible to create in a simple and visual way a succession of scenarios in a given period of time.
• at least one row of boxes of the matrix screen is assigned to a temporal representation, for example the lower box line of the screen.
• the boxes associated simultaneously with a control order or with command orders relating to equipment or equipment are selected and duplicated according to the method described in FIG. 5, the duplication taking place towards the lower line.
• This lower line is then a timeline.
• the succession of boxes is representative of the temporal sequence of scenarios.
• the time line is advantageously separated from the other lines of boxes.
• the symbol associated with a box changes in nature as soon as this box is duplicated in the timeline.
• the navigation keys can be used to change a scenario activation time displayed on the alphanumeric portion of the screen.
• a box "empty" between two boxes arranged on the timeline represents a conditional test relative to the launch of the scenario of the following box.
• the navigation keys are used to select the conditions for moving to the next box.
• the timeline includes 24 slot locations, or a multiple of that value, a simple variation is to assign each slot an hour of the day. The duplication of a box in one of these locations then suffices to indicate the time of triggering of the associated scenario. To implement this time programming method, it is necessary to switch the control interface into a time programming mode.
• step 310 the display is that of the affected boxes, some boxes are therefore simultaneously assigned to a device and to an order.
• step 320 the screen displays 7 lines of boxes, each having 24 locations. Selecting one (or more) of these locations to duplicate the selected box (attached to the cursor) allows weekly programming.
• the input means are not associated individually to the different boxes of the screen. Indeed, the input means are common to the boxes. That is to say that the input means are capable of acting on at least several boxes of the screen.
• the keys 8 make it possible to move a cursor on any of the boxes of the screen
• the key 9 makes it possible to validate the selection of any one of the boxes of the screen
• the keys 13 make it possible to individually control the movements of any of the moving elements of the home automation equipment that are associated with one of the boxes of the screen, once this box is selected.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

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• 2005
  • 2005-03-01 FR FR0502074A patent/FR2882843B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-02-27 CN CNA2006800127650A patent/CN101160551A/zh active Pending
  • 2006-02-27 US US11/885,315 patent/US20080270937A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-02-27 JP JP2007557608A patent/JP2008532166A/ja active Pending
  • 2006-02-27 EP EP06710450A patent/EP1859328A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-02-27 WO PCT/IB2006/000391 patent/WO2006092695A2/fr active Application Filing

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