EP2112320B1 - Method for securely operating a home-automation system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method of operating a home automation system comprising a screen for closing an opening.

It is known to lock certain functions of a command transmitter following the execution of specific keystroke sequences. So, in the patent FR 2,852,135 , the realization of the sequence switches the command transmitter controlling a screen in locked mode. In this mode, at least one key remains active while some other keys are deactivated, the associated command commands being inhibited. This solution makes it possible to block the use of the command transmitter for certain functions while maintaining security functions such as stopping the screen.

In some applications, including screen applications equipping openings of rooms frequented by children, it is necessary to provide, to solve security problems, specific features on the systems. The evoked system does not solve these security problems.

Another known security function is to stop the screen and / or back if an obstacle disposed on the path of the screen is detected. This function is performed only if an obstacle is present and usually involves additional sensors to ensure detection (safety edge, photocell ...). This makes complex and expensive such systems. These systems are also more difficult to install.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of operating a home automation system that overcomes these disadvantages and improves the operating methods known from the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a method of operating a home automation system system making it safe. Such a method of operation can advantageously be implemented by an inexpensive home automation system and having a simple structure. The operating method notably makes it possible to avoid pinching of limbs of persons as well as defenestrations.

The operating method according to the invention is defined by claim 1.

Different embodiments of the operating method according to the invention are defined by claims 2 to 9.

The home automation system according to the invention is defined by claim 10.

• les figures 1 et 4 sont des schémas d'un volet roulant permettant la mise en oeuvre du procédé de fonctionnement selon l'invention ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des schémas d'un écran à lames orientables permettant la mise en oeuvre du procédé de fonctionnement selon l'invention ;
• la figure 7 est un schéma d'un mode d'exécution du procédé de fonctionnement selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the Figures 1 and 4 are diagrams of a shutter allowing the implementation of the operating method according to the invention;
• the Figures 5 and 6 are diagrams of a screen with steerable blades for implementing the operating method according to the invention;
• the figure 7 is a diagram of an embodiment of the operating method according to the invention.

The invention provides a method of operating a home automation system comprising a screen for closing an opening and ensuring a safe function. A preliminary step to this process is to designate an issuer of orders as issuer blocked. This designation can be made at the level of the issuer of orders or at the level of the order receiver. Once the issuer has been designated, the method makes it possible to lock or to inhibit, under certain conditions, the command orders issued by the blocked order transmitter so as to prevent a displacement of the screen that could endanger a person, or especially a child, located near the screen. In this case, the system is in a so-called locked operating mode. In this mode, only blocked order issuers are affected by the restrictions described below. The solution is, under certain conditions, not to allow closing movement or to allow no movement of a moving end of the screen in a safety zone. The moving end corresponds to the end of the screen moving along the course of the screen, between an open position of the screen and a closed position of the screen. The other end of the screen is usually attached to a winding tube. The screen is for example of the type with stackable blades and / or steerable. It can also be a garage door or a sliding door. By "open configuration" of the screen is meant a position of the moving end such that the screen at least partially clears the opening. Similarly, "closed configuration" of the screen means a position of the movable end such that the screen at least partially closes the opening. In general, these positions will have been defined in a configuration phase, so that a screen actuator is automatically deactivated when the screen reaches one or the other of these positions.

In the case of a screen with stackable blades, it is necessary to distinguish two configurations of closing the screen. The first corresponds to a closed configuration for which the moving end abuts against a border or threshold of the opening equipped with the screen. The aperture is closed when the screen has reached this configuration. The screen can however, not be fully deployed in that its blades can still move. This is particularly the case for a rolling shutter with stackable blades having openings between them. The screen can reach a configuration where the last blade rests on the threshold of the opening but where the blades are not joined, leaving a gap between them to ensure lighting and / or ventilation of the interior of the room. The second closure configuration corresponds to a limit configuration. The screen is fully deployed. In the previous example, this corresponds to the configuration where the blades are joined (if the end of stroke setting is correct).

To ensure the desired security function, the home automation system configured in locked mode must not allow, from a blocked transmitter command, a downward movement or a displacement of the mobile end of the screen. in a safety zone delimited by, on the one hand, the closed position defined above and on the other hand, a predetermined intermediate position. This predetermined intermediate position is, preferably, a position of the movable end for which the screen is sufficiently open to not crush a part of the body of a person located on the threshold of the opening. For example, this limit could correspond to the position of the movable end of a shutter located 30 cm above the threshold of the opening. The closed position is where the moving end has reached the threshold of the opening.

Thus, if the screen is open, the locked home automation system can allow, from an order of the blocked transmitter, the closing of the screen only up to the upper limit of the security zone, leaving a space enough not to crush a person or to get rid of it at least. In the case where the moving end is in the zone of and in the case where the system is in locked mode, the screen can be used as a safety barrier, in which case the method does not allow, from an order of the blocked transmitter, to control the opening of the screen or only open it up to the limit of the safety zone. Movements to adjust room illumination are permitted, however. This may be, for example, the angular orientation of blades or the stack of blades from a position "perforated blades to a position" blades joined "(or vice versa). It should be noted that the method may allow a slight displacement of the movable end if this is inherent to the angular orientation of the blades.

Consequently, depending on the position of the moving end of the screen or depending on the type of screen, the locking of the home automation system limits the authorized functions. For example, with a steerable blade screen with the load bar in the safety zone, the locked transmitter can only control the orientation of the blades. With a roller shutter whose final blade is not in the safety zone, the locked transmitter can command the closure of the apron but it will stop automatically when the final blade reaches the upper limit of the safety zone. In this locked operating mode, the limitation of the functionalities can be realized at the level of the command transmitter by prohibiting the issuance of command orders (provided that the command transmitter knows the position of the end lower mobile of the screen) or at the level of a command receiver which ignores the orders issued by a command transmitter.

The entry and / or exit of the locked operation mode of the home automation system can be obtained by a specific sequence of presses on at least one key of a command transmitter. As a result, security is increased in the sense that the home automation system can not be unlocked easily without knowing the combination that allows it. Of even, it does not inadvertently switch the system into a locked mode. The use of the keys of the issuer of orders allows to be independent of any other control element and to be sure to have locked / unlocked the system relative to the right issuer of orders. Indeed, the locking may only be effective relative to a single issuer of orders or to a single group of issuers.

However, it may also be interesting to lock / unlock the system relative to a remote order transmitter, in the case where one does not wish to act directly on the issuer of orders concerned. For example, the issuer of orders may be in a room where a child is asleep and we want that, on waking, the transmitter is locked without the risk of waking the child by entering the room to configure the child. transmitter. The remote configuration can be obtained through a second command transmitter. The home automation system can also be locked relative to several issuers ordering the same screen. For example, in addition to locking the system relative to the transmitter of orders located near the screen, a maneuver could be dangerous for the person close to the screen, the system could also be locked relative to a transmitter of orders more distant to avoid unintentional manipulation resulting in a dangerous maneuver. A dangerous maneuver corresponds to the preceding conditions, that is to say, a closing movement of the movable end of the screen in the safety zone or a displacement of the moving end of the screen in the zone of security.

The operating method according to the invention is particularly adapted to the two home control systems of screens illustrated in the Figures 1 to 6 .

The first type of home automation system 1, represented in Figures 1 to 4 , comprises roller shutter provided with an apron 10 consisting of blades 11 hinged. The apron is fixed on one side to a winding tube 13 by a fixing means 14 and on the other side to a final blade 15, hereinafter referred to as the "moving end" of the screen, so as to allow its winding on the winding tube 13 or its unwinding from the tube 13 by an actuator, such as for example a motor 16 whose power is controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown). The actuator is controlled by at least one command transmitter 17 which can be of wired type, radio or use another means of communication. Such an order transmitter can be part of the home automation system. The actuator 16 preferably has counting means for identifying the state of deployment of the screen and in particular the position of the mobile end of the screen. The position of the movable end can also be obtained by other means such as external sensors arranged along the stroke of the screen. The winding tube 13 is housed in a box 18 located above an opening O materialized by a glazing 19 in the figures cited.

The home automation system comprises a security zone Zs delimited by a high limit ZsH and a low limit ZsB. This zone must be defined during a system configuration step prior to the operating method according to the invention. The high limit corresponds to an arbitrary position of the final blade 15. The low limit corresponds to a position of the final blade 15 at or near the threshold So of the opening O.

The figure 1 represents the shutter completely wound in the box.

The figure 2 illustrates a configuration of the shutter for which the movable end has reached a ZsH position corresponding to the arbitrary high limit of a safety zone Zs relative to the operating method according to the invention. This high limit can be set by default or following a configuration operation previously performed. For example, the configuration may consist of a learning mode switch, followed by the movement of the moving end to the desired position and finally the recording of this position as the high limit.

The figure 3 shows the deck in "closed" configuration, that is to say, when the final slat has reached a threshold So of the opening O. The position ZsB of the movable end corresponds to the low limit of the safety zone Zs previously defined. It should be noted that in this configuration, the blades are perforated. Two consecutive blades are connected by a catch 12 provided with openings allowing the passage of light. When the blades are perforated, the two consecutive blades are spaced a distance corresponding substantially to the height of the hook. Thus, the light can penetrate inside the room, through the openings of the hooks.

The figure 4 represents the shutter in low end configuration. The blades are attached and the hooks are hidden. It should be noted that between the "closed" configuration and the end-of-travel configuration, the position of the moving end does not change: it remains in the ZsB position. During this change, the other blades move. The motor continues to rotate the winding tube.

According to the invention, once the home automation system has been configured in locked mode, the mobile end of the screen can not move in the safety zone Zs. Alternatively, it can only be moved in the sense of openness (the rise in this case). In this case, it preferably can not be moved above the ZsH position. This prohibition can only relate to a single issuer of orders or to a group of issuers of orders, all the functions (and in particular all movements of the moving end) remaining possible if they are ordered by another issuer of orders.

So, if the shutter is in the configuration of the figure 1 , a closing order (descent) of the deck emitted by the sender locked 17 while the system is in a locked operating mode causes the deployment of the screen until it reaches a limit of the security zone Zs. The action of the actuator and thus the displacement of the final blade, will be stopped as soon as the final blade of the shutter reaches the ZsH position, configuration corresponding to the figure 2 .

If the moving end of the roller shutter is in the Zs safety zone, without reaching its low or high limit, deployment configuration between Figures 2 and 3 no movement of the moving end can be controlled. All actions of the actuator to move the moving end and controlled by the blocked order transmitter are prohibited.

Alternatively, the movable end can be moved only in the direction of the opening (mounted). In this case, it preferably can not be moved beyond the ZsH position.

This prohibition can only relate to a single issuer of orders or to a group of issuers of orders, all the functions (and especially all the actions of the actuator allowing movements of the moving end) remaining possible if they are ordered by another order issuer.

In a third case, the final blade is at the low limit ZsB of the safety zone Zs. In this case, the home automation system can be controlled, so that the winding tube rotates in order to adjust the openings of the blades and therefore the brightness of the room. On the other hand, the displacement of the mobile end of the screen can not be controlled.

This prohibition can only relate to one issuer of orders or to a group of issuers of orders, all the functions (and in particular all the actions of the actuator causing movements of the moving end) remaining possible if they are ordered by another order issuer.

As a variant, the safety zone Zs corresponds to a single position of the mobile end (Zs = ZsB = ZsH). This variant makes it easier to configure and process the restrictions induced by this operating method.

The entry and / or exit of the locked operating mode can be obtained by executing a specific sequence of key presses 17U and / or 17S and / or 17D on the command transmitter. This configuration can also be obtained by an operation on a second command transmitter. In the locked operating mode, the limitation of the functionalities, that is to say the limitation of the control possibilities of the actions of the actuator, can be achieved at the level of the command transmitter by prohibiting the transmission of orders (provided that the issuer knows the position of the lower mobile end of the screen) or at the level of a command receiver which ignores the command orders issued by a transmitter orders. We then obtain different possibilities.

In a first case, the limitation takes place at the level of the issuer of orders. It can consist of inhibiting certain keys. If they are activated, no order is issued. For example, in the case of a steerable screen, only the control member linked to the orientation, such as a wheel, remains activated when the screen is in the safety zone. In this case, to implement the control method according to the invention, it is necessary for the command transmitter to know the position of the mobile end of the screen or, at least, to know if whether or not it is in the security zone.

In a second case, the limitation is obtained at the level of the command receiver. Generally, this receiver is integrated in the controlled actuator. Executing a specific transaction on the order sender causes a specific order to be sent to the receiver. Following reception of this specific order, the receiver considers the issuer of orders as a blocked transmitter. Thus, when the receiver receives an order from that transmitter, it is specifically processed and will be interpreted to provide the desired limitation. The blocking of an order transmitter can therefore be obtained remotely, at the level of the order receiver.

According to other variants, the locked operation mode of the home automation system relative to a first command transmitter is obtained through a second command transmitter. The execution of a specific operation on the second order issuer causes the sending of a specific order either to the first order issuer to limit itself automatically or to the level of the order receiver. to suitably process the orders issued by the first issuer of orders. We then find ourselves in cases similar to the cases mentioned above.

The second type of home automation system 1 ', represented in the Figures 5 to 6 , comprises a blind with blades 21 orientable. The blind is provided with a lower load bar 25, this load bar being fixed to the ends of cords or laces 22 winding on winding drums 23 driven in rotation by an axis 24 connected to an actuator (not shown ) whose power is controlled by an electronic control unit (not shown). The actuator is controlled by at least one command transmitter 27 which may be of wired type, radio or use another means of communication. The actuator preferably has counting means making it possible to identify the state of deployment of the blind and in particular the position of the mobile end of the blind. The cords pass through the blades 21. The operation of the blind is achieved through the cords. Indeed, the winding thereof on the winding drums has the effect of raising the load bar and, therefore stack the blades on each other. The blind also comprises blade orientation means (not shown) for adjusting the angular position of the blades about their longitudinal axis, these being parallel to the axis of the load bar.

The Figures 5 and 6 represent such a store deployed so that the movable end of the blind, namely the load bar, is in the safety zone Zs defined in a similar manner to the previous embodiment. The moving end is therefore between the ZsH and ZsB positions. The difference between the two configurations shown is the orientation of the blades. These figures illustrate the application of the invention for this type of screen where only the orientation of the blades is possible, from the jammed transmitter, when the home automation system is locked and when the movable end is positioned in the security zone. It should be noted that the orientation of the blades can induce a slight displacement of the movable end of the blind. This movement is acceptable because it is minimal, the desired protection being always ensured. When the screen is fully deployed, it serves as a safety barrier so that no one can cross the opening O. The home automation system can not be controlled so as to cause the opening of the blind, namely, the movement of the mobile end of the blind.

In the same way, the safety zone Zs can correspond to a single position of the moving end (Zs = ZsB = ZsH). For the input and output of the locked operating mode, the configuration can be obtained by operations similar to those described in connection with the previous embodiment.

Another alternative is to prohibit any movement of the screen. For blinds, the orientation of the blades from the locked order transmitter can be allowed. This equates to defining the safety zone as corresponding to the entire stroke of the shutter or blind. In this case, the operating method is simplified since it is no longer necessary to know the position of the mobile end of the screen, the movement of the screen being systematically blocked except that inherent to the orientation of the blades .

An embodiment of the method of operation according to the invention that can notably be applied to the preceding screens is described with reference to FIG. figure 7 .

In a configuration step 100, the home automation system is configured in locked mode. The configuration operation may correspond, as previously stated, to the execution of a specific sequence of key presses on a command transmitter.

In a first step 110, a blocked command transmitter relative to which the home automation system is locked transmits a movement order of the screen.

In a second step 120, if the movement order involves a displacement of the moving end in the safety zone, then a third step 130 is passed. Otherwise, a fourth step 140 is passed.

In the third step 130, the order issued by the blocked order transmitter is not executed if it is an order of action of the actuator so as to move from the mobile end then that it is in the security zone. Step 130 includes an alternative in the case where the moving end is not in this area. In this case, the action order of the actuator is executed and the moving end moves normally. However, as soon as the moving end reaches a limit of the safety zone, the action of the actuator is stopped automatically. The actions of the actuator moving the moving end in the other direction may be allowed. Of course, the screen can be stopped following an order to stop the action of the actuator before the moving end has reached one of the limits. As mentioned above, in an alternative embodiment, a movement control command can be executed if it is an opening movement of the screen. In this case, the displacement is preferably stopped as soon as the ZsH position is reached.

In the fourth step 140, the order issued by the blocked order issuer is executed. It should be noted that a very slight displacement of the movable end inherent in an order of orientation of the blades does not constitute an order of movement of the mobile end within the meaning of the present invention. Such an order is thus executed.

To facilitate the determination of the closed position of the screen, that is to say, position for which the moving end abuts against a border or threshold of the opening, it can be estimated. One can, for example, consider that this position corresponds to a percentage of the total stroke of the screen. For a roller shutter with openings, this percentage can be set at 85% of the total stroke to obtain the complete closure of the deck, that is to say, joined blades. Thus determined, the low limit ZsB of the safety zone may correspond to a position of the screen for which the moving end is slightly above the threshold of the opening. Estimating the closed position of the screen eliminates the identification of this low limit of the safety zone.

In order to allow the implementation of the operating method according to the invention, the home automation systems described above comprise, among the hardware and / or software means for implementing the operating method according to the invention, a recording means of a first threshold ZsB, a means for recording a second threshold ZsH, a means for comparing the position of the moving end at the first and second thresholds, means for controlling the displacements of the screen and / or means command for changing the orientation of blades and a means for executing a predefined security scenario. The software means may comprise computer programs. The home automation system also comprises a hardware and / or software means governing the operation of the home automation system in a locked mode and a hardware and / or software means governing the operation of the home automation system in another mode of operation.

Although not specifically described above, the home automation system can also operate according to another so-called usual operating mode, in which all the functionalities, in particular all displacement functions, are active and this regardless of the position of the moving end.

As is apparent from the invention, the locked operation mode of the home automation system can be defined as a particular operating mode said locked one or more command transmitters for controlling the movements of the screen. Alternatively, the locked operation mode of the home automation system can be defined as a particular operating mode said locked of an order receiver receiving control commands issued by one or more issuers of orders for controlling the movements of the screen.

Claims (10)

1. A method of operating a home automation system (1; 1') comprising a closing screen , blackout or solar protection screen (10; 10') driven by an actuator (16) and intended to block off an opening (O) of a building, the screen comprising an end (15; 25) that moves between an open position corresponding to an open configuration of the screen and a closed position corresponding to a closed configuration of the screen, the actuator being controlled by at least one first command transmitter (17; 27), characterized in that, when, in a preliminary step, the first command transmitter is designated as a blocked transmitter, the home automation system switches over to a first operating mode, in which displacements of the moving end controlled from the blocked transmitter are only prohibited when the moving end is in a security zone (Zs).
2. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the prohibited displacements are displacements of the moving end to the closed position.
3. The operating method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the prohibited displacements are displacements of the moving end outside the security zone, when the moving end is initially in the security zone.
4. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the prohibited displacements are any displacement of the moving end.
5. The operating method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entry of the system into the first operating mode and/or the exiting of the system from the first operating mode can be controlled by one or more actions on the first command transmitter.
6. The operating method as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entry of the system into the first operating mode and/or the exiting of the system from the first operating mode can be controlled by one or more actions on a second command transmitter.
7. The operating method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the system comprises a screen (11) with stackable slats and in that, in the first operating mode, the actions of the actuator controlled by the first command transmitter and designed to stack or unstack the slats without displacement of the moving end are authorized.
8. The operating method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the system comprises a screen with directable slats (21) and in that, in the first operating mode, the actions of the actuator controlled by the first command transmitter and designed to orient the slats without displacement of the moving end to the closed position are authorized.
9. The operating method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the system comprises a screen with directable slats (21) and in that, in the first operating mode, the actions of the actuator controlled by the first command transmitter and designed to direct the slats without displacement of the moving end are authorized.
10. A home automation system (1; 1') comprising a closing screen, blackout or solar protection screen (10; 10') driven by an actuator (16) and intended to block off an opening (O) of a building, the screen comprising an end (15; 25) that moves between an open position corresponding to an open configuration of the screen and a closed position corresponding to a closed configuration of the screen, the actuator being controlled by at least one first command transmitter (17; 27), characterized in that the system comprises hardware and/or software means for implementing the operating method as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

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