Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
  • G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
  • G08C2201/20—Binding and programming of remote control devices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
  • G08C2201/20—Binding and programming of remote control devices
  • G08C2201/21—Programming remote control devices via third means
• • 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
  • G08C2201/90—Additional features
  • G08C2201/92—Universal remote control

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an equipment control, more particularly to control the operation of such equipment.
• the equipment may be for example a home automation device such as a sound reproduction device (Hi-Fi system, or other), a lighting device including at least one lamp, a detection unit comprising one or more sensors (for example: example of intrusion, or emanation of toxic gas, or others), one or more electric radiators, or others.
• a home automation device such as a sound reproduction device (Hi-Fi system, or other)
• a lighting device including at least one lamp
• a detection unit comprising one or more sensors (for example: example of intrusion, or emanation of toxic gas, or others), one or more electric radiators, or others.
• a lighting device may comprise a processor and a memory storing application data for executing predefined programs, for example, switching on / off at predetermined times or depending on a detection by a sensor of presence, or flashing for a mood light.
• the present invention improves the situation.
• control unit remote from the equipment, executes a control application of the equipment, the equipment being, meanwhile, devoid of a
• the method, executed by the control unit comprises the steps of: obtaining circuit data contained in the equipment, for controlling an operation of the equipment, and
• the present invention proposes to deport the execution of the application and more particularly the execution of the calculations related to the application on the remote control unit, and to transmit only low-level operating data to the remote control unit.
• equipment directly addressing the circuit of the equipment.
• the equipment may be devoid of sophisticated computer means (a processor for complex calculations or high memory capacity), which reduces the cost of manufacturing such equipment.
• the remote control unit can, in turn, perform a multiplicity of applications to control a multiplicity of possible programs of operation of the equipment.
• the operation of the equipment is not limited to a choice pre-programmed by its manufacturer, or predetermined according to its memory capacity or calculations.
• the control unit can control a plurality of equipment.
• a lookup table delivers circuit data that includes a device based on an identifier of this equipment provided at the input of the table.
• This equipment identifier then makes it possible to obtain, by consultation of the correspondence table, all the data relating to its circuit and which are necessary for the remote control of the equipment by the control unit.
• the identifier of the equipment may be data such as a sequence of characters or a barcode or QRC, written on the commercial packaging of the equipment or on the equipment itself.
• this data is read by the control unit by the wireless link.
• the control unit can: receive the equipment identifier from the equipment via a wireless link, and obtain from the correspondence table the circuit data of the equipment, to control the operation of the equipment.
• the circuit data of the equipment may comprise, for example, input / output data of the circuit (eg input / output port address data of the circuit).
• the circuit data comprise at least one device-specific driver file.
• a driver file may typically be a so-called “driver” file which may further include the aforementioned input / output data of the circuit.
• control unit transmits to the equipment only low level commands to directly address the hardware hardware of the equipment.
• the "intelligence" needed to run the applications is then transferred to the control unit.
• provision may then be made for a terminal available to a user and comprising a wireless communication module, the terminal further comprising the aforementioned control unit, the application being installed in the terminal and executed by the user.
• the terminal may be a smartphone-type mobile for example, a tablet, a laptop or fixed.
• the terminal can send the control data to a gateway, for example a home gateway, which interfaces between: a wide area network to which the terminal is connected, and
• a local area network for example wireless, to which the equipment is connected to receive the control data.
• the gateway relay to the equipment the control data that the terminal transmits via the WAN.
• the terminal can send the control data to the gateway via the local network and the gateway transmits this data to the equipment.
• the gateway can send the control data to the gateway via the local network and the gateway transmits this data to the equipment.
• the terminal can simply relay control data of the equipment from a remote server comprising the control unit.
• a terminal available to a user can access a web interface to manage a user's preferences for the execution of the application. This web interface is in connection with a server comprising the control unit. This server can then transmit to a gateway (for example domestic) control data from the server and the gateway relay this control data to the equipment.
• a gateway for example domestic
• calculation means provided in the "Cloud” are used to execute the application.
• control unit can be arranged to execute a plurality of control applications of the equipment.
• the method then comprises, in such an embodiment, following a selection of an application among said plurality of applications, the addressing of the circuit by the wireless link to transmit to the equipment control data relating to the execution of the selected application.
• the control unit is arranged to execute a control application of several pieces of equipment at a time.
• the method then comprises, in such an embodiment, the steps of: obtaining data from circuit of each equipment, for controlling respective operations of the equipment of the plurality of equipment, and addressing each circuit of a device of the plurality of devices by a wireless link to transmit to this equipment control data conforming to this equipment and relating to the execution of the application at the control unit.
• the invention makes it possible to create new forms of applications capable of driving several types of equipment at the same time, for example the reading of an audio content on a sound reproduction apparatus and a lighting which varies in according to the sound intensities of the content in a lighting device, which is controlled by the control unit for this purpose.
• the method further comprises a step implemented by the reception control unit by the wireless link of data from the equipment.
• this data from the equipment may comprise measurements made by the sensor.
• data from one device can be used to build control data for another device.
• the present invention also relates to a computer program, comprising instructions for implementing the above method, when this program is executed by a processor.
• a program can be installed near the control unit, for the management of low level commands of one or more equipment.
• a flow chart of the general algorithm of such a program is illustrated in Figure 2 commented below.
• the present invention also aims at a control unit: comprising at least one execution module of a control application of a device and
• a wireless communication module for addressing a circuit of the equipment with control data relating to the execution of the application to the control unit, for the implementation of the method above.
• control unit can be integrated in a terminal of the type presented above (and be in the form of a computer module typically using a processor, a storage memory, and a wireless communication interface) , or be integrated into a server capable of transmitting control data to a gateway as indicated above, or to be integrated into the gateway itself.
• the present invention also provides an equipment, comprising a wireless communication module for receiving on a circuit of the equipment control data relating to an application executed with a remote control unit, for the implementation of the method ci -before.
• equipment may have in memory only an identifier that communicates, after interrogation of a control unit, to determine from the control unit its circuit data.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates the main steps of an exemplary method within the meaning of the invention
• FIG. 3 illustrates the pairing between a control unit UP and a circuit UD1 of a device
• FIG. 4 illustrates the putting into operation of a device in cooperation with the control unit UP;
• FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment using four pieces of equipment RS, HP, LED, BR for at least two applications.
• equipment such as a sound reproduction device RS, an illumination device EC, or the like comprises a wireless communication module (RF4, RF5 respectively) and a memory (respectively M4, M5) storing, in the example shown, an identifier specific to the equipment (or more particularly to the type of equipment having a given specific circuit).
• RF4 wireless communication module
• M5 memory
• a TER terminal available to a user, can then execute an application (typically through a processor P2, cooperating with a working memory and / or storage M2) .It can then transmit, by a wireless communication module RF, control data directly to equipment circuits, via a wireless link (arrows Fi l and F12 respectively).
• the TER terminal can interrogate each of the equipment via the wireless link (for example NFC, Zigbee, wifi, Bluetooth, or other) and retrieve the respective identifiers of the equipment to derive data on the devices.
• circuits of these equipment typically input / output data from these circuits.
• It can be typically data of a driver file (or "driver") including data relating to input / output ports of hardware circuits of a device.
• driver data may be provided by a remote server SER, storing a correspondence table TC which receives as input an equipment identifier which the terminal transmits and outputs the circuit data of the equipment (double arrow F21).
• the calculations related to the execution of the application are carried out by a control unit which can be implanted in the terminal (in the form for example of a computer module using the processor P2 and the memory M2 of the terminal).
• This control unit then executes the calculations related to the execution of the application and then determines low level commands to be addressed directly to the circuit of the equipment.
• These low-level commands are more particularly transmitted to the RF wireless communication module of the terminal (for example a WiFi interface, or Bluetooth, or Zigbee, or NFC, or other) that sends them to the wireless communication module or modules RF4, RF5 equipment.
• the terminal for example for another application, can access a web interface to adjust parameters of an application which is executed with a SER server comprising for this purpose a PI processor and a memory Ml.
• the server can then issue low level commands to a GW gateway between the wide area network RE (to which the SER server is connected) and a local area network to which the RS and EC equipment are connected.
• the GW gateway relays the low-level commands to the RS and EC equipment via a wireless link (arrows F23 and F24).
• the application can be executed by the gateway GW and receive, for example by a wireless link, parameters chosen by a user on the terminal TER (arrow 31).
• the gateway may itself include a processor P3, a memory M3 to perform calculations related to the execution of the application.
• the method may be implemented by a different hardware, as follows.
• a near-field reading card (NFC) or a terminal retrieves the identifiers of the equipment RS and EC via an NFC link. Then, the terminal transmits these identifiers to a remote server, or by a second reading in the near field, this time between the card and the GW gateway, the gateway retrieves the equipment identifiers and transmits them to a remote server.
• This server remote executes a given application to then issue low level instructions to the devices via the terminal, or via the gateway and the card.
• FIG. 2 shows the different steps implemented in an exemplary embodiment of the invention (independently of the type of equipment used for this implementation).
• a correspondence table TC is consulted in step S22, to deduce in step S23 input / output data of a circuit of the equipment.
• the application is executed in step S24 (on a terminal, or on a server, or on a gateway, or the like) and the control data from this execution is transmitted to step S25 to the equipment , by a wireless link.
• these commands are in accordance with the input / output data of the circuit of the equipment, to be directly interpretable by the latter.
• the advantages of the solution are: to reduce the costs of the useful part, containing the inputs and outputs of the circuit, by limiting the circuit of the equipment to the minimum, thanks to the offset of the low level control processes with a process of 'identification ; to allow an emulation of the "calculator" part on a central computer (on a mobile terminal, a server, or other) communicating for example with several I / O circuits, by freeing itself from specific hardware needs of the applications, to simplify the pairing of the inputs / outputs of an equipment circuit with the central computer by providing for the configuration of the necessary parts of these two units during a preliminary step by simple use of NFC or radiofrequency, to allow a secure offset of the inputs / outputs (I / O) associated with a control process.
• an application emulator of an application that is loaded on the terminal, which also presents a user interface (GUI) for configuring objects (devices and control processes); also develop a remote input / output module, in the form of a card with NFC reading, with the few inputs and outputs identical to those of the equipment, a radio frequency module necessary for remote communication between this module and the terminal (for example Bluetooth 4, or other) as well as an NFC module for matching the I / O card to the terminal on which the emulator / GUI application is located; also provide a development platform for configuring the I / O map pairing, as well as the hardware characteristics of the card. This platform can also provide a server on the cloud where the programs associated with the objects can be proposed.
• GUI user interface
• this I / O card can be implemented in the equipment in the form of an I / O module.
• the equipment can be a lamp in an exemplary embodiment given below.
• the lamp switch can be connected with the I / O module.
• the lamp can then be used with application / GUI.
• only the I / O module is installed in the lamp and its NFC reference is configured to point to the program of the lamp.
• the user can then choose in application / GUI to associate a function of his choice available (either generic, such as receiving an email, or specific to the lamp and given by its manufacturer, or associated with a third-party application , or others). For example, when he receives a new e-mail, his lamp flashes three times. Otherwise, it remains off or on at the user's choice.
• a function of his choice available (either generic, such as receiving an email, or specific to the lamp and given by its manufacturer, or associated with a third-party application , or others). For example, when he receives a new e-mail, his lamp flashes three times. Otherwise, it remains off or on at the user's choice.
• the program can continue, for example if the user leaves his home with his terminal so that the equipment lose their connection, by the application of a default status (for example: lamp off).
• a default status for example: lamp off.
• his device detects devices via Bluetooth, initiates reconnections, and his application / GUI updates the statuses of equipment.
• main unit UP
• remote units UD1, UD2.
• the main unit UP may be a programmable controller and / or a calculation unit. It has one or more input / output I / O ports numbered from 1 to n. These ports may have special functions, pinouts, and electrical characteristics.
• a user has a remote UD unit, with its own I / O port.
• This UD unit is assumed to be associated with a "k" configuration of the I / O inputs / outputs of the main unit.
• This remote unit UD has an identifier (identification number for example) which indicates both the type of input / output I / O ("k" in the example) as well as a unique identifier characteristic of the unit. deported.
• the remote unit is "approximated" to the main unit to perform the pairing. This can be done in at least two ways: the remote unit UD1 is physically approximated from the main unit (arrow 3a) by an NFC link and the pairing is done live; the remote unit UD1 is physically approached by a communication terminal TER and a software implanted in this terminal establishes, via a telecommunications network (for example the extended network RE), the connection with the main unit UP to carry out the same pairing mechanism (arrow 3b).
• a telecommunications network for example the extended network RE
• the remote unit then changes from an idle state UD1 to an active state UD2. It can then be moved away from the main unit (in the case of the arrow 3a) or from the communication terminal which served as relay (in the case of the arrow 3b).
• the remote unit UD2 then remains active. However, it can receive and transmit information with the main unit only in the following cases: when the remote unit UD can access the main unit because they are connected to the same wireless LAN RL (arrow 5a) , or when the remote unit can access the main unit using the mobile as a router (arrow 5b).
• the links between the remote unit and the main unit, or between the remote unit and the mobile can be established with any type of local wireless communication (NFC, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or others).
• the remote unit UD is initially inactive. It has not been “recognized” by the main unit and does not have, at this stage at least, software necessary for its operation. It contains however a unique identifier to know its type (including the type of input / output it contains). The remote unit is "approached" to the main unit to perform pairing according to one of the ways (arrows 3a, 3b) presented above with reference to Figure 3.
• the remote unit UD then supplies the main unit UP with its unique identifier. Then, in one embodiment, the main unit UP can interrogate a remote unit identification server (following the receipt of an identifier) and supply specific applications called API (for "Application Program Interface" ).
• This SER server is functionally distinct from the main unit and can be accessed via a wide area network (or local via a gateway), or even be present in the same physical machine as the main unit UP.
• the unique identifier of the remote unit allows this service to recognize the type of input / output that is managed by this remote unit UD (and incidentally, to recover some service information: manufacturer, hardware and software version, etc.). ).
• the API identification and delivery service returns to the main unit all the hardware and software information needed to control the remote unit (including the necessary driver or "software driver” file and the functions offered by the remote control unit. programming and control interface).
• This information is stored by the main unit UP in its own API manager referenced G-API. It is through this function that the main unit keeps the memory of all the remote units that have been paired to it, their identifiers as well as all the drivers necessary for their piloting.
• the remote unit is then activated by the main unit in two ways: when the remote unit can access the main unit, because they are on the same wireless LAN (for example on the home network) RL (arrow 7a), or when the remote unit can access the main unit using the mobile as a router (arrow 7b).
• the main unit UP can control the input / output ports of the remote unit UD and / or possibly receive signals therefrom (eg sensor measurements).
• the main unit offers, via an access service open to the application programs, access to all the APIs of the remote units associated with it. Any new application requesting these APIs can thus control one or more of the remote units associated with the main unit, with a logic specific to this application.
• An exemplary embodiment of an application using four devices at a time is now described with reference to FIG. More specifically, two possible uses are presented here with two simultaneously present applications, which can address four devices.
• a sound reproduction chamber RS for example an indoor siren
• a speaker HP for example an indoor siren
• a lamp LED also including a loudspeaker
• a BR fall detection bracelet for example an indoor siren
• the four devices each include a remote unit UD of the above type and are supposed to be connected to the main unit UP via a Bluetooth link.
• the PLCs of the remote units of these four equipments are made accessible to the applications after consultation.
• the SER server presented previously with reference to FIG.
• an ambience application addresses and controls RS, LED and BR equipment. HP equipment is not used here.
• a presence detection is reassembled by the main unit to the application.
• This application can then simultaneously or successively: send on the LED equipment a lighting order of the LED, as well as a sound track (for example a welcome sound sequence), and send on the equipment RS a second sound track (for example, background music).
• the application When the user leaves the house, the application is notified (loss of presence detection of the bracelet) and can cut both the light on the LED equipment and the sound sequences in progress on the equipment RS and LED.
• Another application can address and control all equipment.
• the bracelet BR sends back a signal, which is transmitted to the application by API of the main unit.
• This application can then: simultaneously send a sound message on the equipment RS and LED, for example to try to wake the user, at the same time, flash the lamp of the LED equipment to attract his attention in another way, and after a preprogrammed time (configurable in the application), if no new movement signal goes up the BR bracelet, order the HP indoor siren to call for help (near the neighborhood for example).
• control unit may be implanted in a specific device, such as the aforementioned main unit UP.
• a terminal can still intervene to choose parameters of an application (environment or security for example, then choosing, via a human / machine interface of the terminal, a music or a kind of dimmed lighting, or a duration of delay before triggering an alarm).
• the calculations of the application can be executed on the terminal or on the control unit, but the control application itself, with in particular the conversion of the commands to be interpreted by the circuit of a device, are then performed by the control unit within the meaning of the invention.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2014
  • 2014-02-14 FR FR1451153A patent/FR3017738A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 2015
  • 2015-02-09 US US15/118,309 patent/US10062275B2/en active Active
  • 2015-02-09 WO PCT/FR2015/050296 patent/WO2015121571A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-02-09 EP EP15709226.3A patent/EP3105749B1/de active Active

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