EP4027313B1

EP4027313B1 - Light-signaling device for access points

Info

Publication number: EP4027313B1
Application number: EP21150472.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gregorio ROSI; Dario CAMERAN
Original assignee: Came SpA
Current assignee: Came SpA
Priority date: 2021-01-07
Filing date: 2021-01-07
Publication date: 2024-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2041-01-07
Also published as: PL4027313T3; EP4027313A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of the automation of doors, gates, and similar barrier devices conventionally employed to close access points, for example to garages or, more generally, to delimited areas.

BACKGROUND ART

Nowadays, all the automations for managing opening and closing an access point provide the use of light-signaling devices, commonly called flash apparatuses, which signal when an automation is moving to open or close the access point with which it is associated.
Such devices are also sold and currently installed by the Applicant. An example is the component belonging to the series called KIARO in the current sales catalog available on the Internet.
Although they serve their function very well, these devices are limited to providing an indication of movement in a non-differentiated manner. For example, they do not indicate whether the barrier is opening or closing or when it is sufficiently open to allow going through the access point.
Often, for example in case of company accesses controlled by gates controlled by security personnel, a driver sees the flashing apparatus turned ON and therefore readies to enter, thinking that such a signal means that the gate was opened and is waiting for transit, while in truth, the exact opposite is happening, i.e. the gate is closing again. This may be dangerous, in particular with large vehicles which may interfere with the gate also in the initial steps of the movement thereof.
Document DE202011103660U1 discloses an example of a signaling device and an associated control device for signaling the departure time of public transport, in particular rail vehicles, and a means of transport with such a signaling device.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a light-signaling device which increases the safety level of the automation with which it is associated or associable.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention achieves the object with a light-signaling device according to claim 1.
The lighting element may advantageously comprise a plurality of light sources, for example RGB LEDs arranged on a support having any shape, e.g. circular, which can be controlled by the control unit individually or in blocks to create light patterns which encode information on the status of the automation with which the signaling device is associated or associable, or simple lighting or guiding functionalities.
Thereby, the light signaling may exploited to provide indications on the status of the automation, such as: in opening, in closing, automation awaiting maintenance and the like.
The control unit may for example be programed to set the lighting element so as to emit a flashing light with a frequency which encodes a type of malfunction or anomaly. This is particularly advantageous when maintenance is provided because a device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, is sufficient to interpret the malfunction message on the basis of a reading of the light signal performed with the camera and a table for transcoding the messages.
The signaling device may advantageously be used as hub for other devices, given that it is provided with a communication port and comprises an antenna mounted on the support and interface electronics towards said antenna. The interface may advantageously be in communication with the control unit to exchange data via the communication port so as to obtain a wireless communication gateway module. A presence detector, such as a passive infrared sensor PIR, is an example of another device which may be connected to the signaling device.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a system for controlling the movement of a movable access point such as a gate, a barrier, a door and the like, the system comprising:

a motor for moving the opening automation/in closing;
a control device of said motor;
a port for receiving a movement command for the automation;
a communication system;
a central control unit provided with an interface for communicating with the motor control device and with the communication system, configured to receive movement commands of the automation from the input and accordingly send actuation signals to said motor control device;
a light-signaling device according to the invention, interfaced with the central unit via the communication system so that the central unit can send commands to said signaling device.

The central unit may advantageously be programed to send commands corresponding to system statuses to the signaling device so that the signaling device may accordingly emit a light with a light pattern, color and/or frequency which encodes the system status in the form of light message to send to a user.
The signaling device control unit may be, for example programed to set the lighting element so as to emit a light of a first color, e.g. red, when the central unit controls the closing automation, of a second color, e.g. green, when the central unit controls the opening automation.
The typical operation is the following: the central control unit may receive commands from various sources: such as, for example Command input (terminals), BUS communication port, Radio. After receiving the commands, the central control unit acts on the motor control device and may send commands to the signaling device control unit via the BUS communication port.
In a variant, the control commands may be sent in the form of a single message or of various messages both to the motor control device of the automation and to the lighting device, via said communication system.
In another configuration, the signaling device control unit may be programed to set the lighting element so as to emit a flashing light during the opening or the closing of the automation.
The communication system may advantageously be a bus communication system with a master/slave type protocol, with the central unit being the master, the motor control device (in those configurations not providing for the motor control device to be integrated in the central control unit) and the signaling device being corresponding slaves which receive commands from, and send statuses to, said master.
By taking advantage of the communication system, it may be provided for the signaling device to comprise one or more interfaces so as to form a hub for connecting with other devices which communicate with the central unit via the control unit and the communication bus.
One of said other devices may be an antenna and the corresponding control electronics so as to associate the signaling device with a wireless gateway functionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description provided by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows an exemplary diagram of the signaling device according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows an exemplary diagram of the signaling device according to another embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows the device of the preceding drawings integrated in a system for controlling the movement of a movable access point.
Figure 4 shows a section of the device according to the invention, in an embodiment with support for an antenna for wireless communication.
Figure 5 shows a smartphone provided with apps for reading and interpreting light codes emitted by the device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the block diagram in Figure 1, the signaling device 1 according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a lighting element 101 mounted on a support, a communication port 301 for receiving an ON/OFF command of the lighting element 101, and a control unit 201 in communication with the communication port 301 and the lighting element 101.
The lighting element 101 may advantageously comprise a plurality of light sources, for example RGB LEDs arranged on a support having any shape, e.g. circular as in the drawing, which can be controlled by the control unit 201 individually or in blocks to create light patterns of the most varied types in terms of shape, color, intensity, flashing frequency, according to commands which can be set from the outside via the communication port 301.
Thereby, the light signaling may exploited to provide indications on the status of the automation movement system. For example, light codes may be set, which signal: opening automation, closing automation, operating anomaly, malfunction, automation awaiting maintenance, time prior to scheduled maintenance and other similar operating statuses.
An example may be a streetlight configuration in which different colors are used according to the status of the automation of the access point with which the device is associated (opening, closing, forbidden passageway, free passageway). The color red may, for example identify a circumstance of forbidden passageway, green a circumstance of free passageway, while a flashing red color could be employed to identify an opening automation, while a flashing red color could indicate a closing automation.
Obviously, any type, color tone and flashing may be employed to signal the status of the automation with which the device is associated.
The commands to the communication port 301 may be sent manually or via remote interfaces. In a particularly advantageous configuration, such commands are sent by the same central unit which monitors the operation of the automation system, in particular by taking advantage of said communication bus between central unit and system actuation/sensor devices.
Figure 3 shows an example of a system for controlling the movement of a movable access point, such as a gate, a barrier, a door and the like, in which the signaling device according to the invention may be used. The system comprises a bus system 4 to which a movement module 2 for opening/closing the automation, a central control module 3 and a signaling device 1 according to the invention, are connected. The modules 2 and 3 may obviously also co-exist in a same device.
The movement module 2 comprises a motor 102, a motor control device 202, and a port 302 for receiving a barrier movement command via bus 4.
The central control module 3 comprises a central unit 103, an input 203, and an interface port 303 towards bus 4.
The central unit 103 is configured to read movement commands of the automation from input 203 and/or from bus 4, and accordingly to send actuation signals to the motor control device 202 via bus 4.
The light-signaling device 1 according to the invention is also interfaced with the central unit 103 via the bus communication system 4 so that the central unit 103 may send commands also to the signaling device 1, in particular to the control unit 201 thereof, via the communication port 301.
The central unit 103 may advantageously be programed to send commands to the signaling device 1 corresponding to system statuses so that the signaling device 1 may accordingly emit a light with a light pattern, color and/or frequency which encodes the system status in the form of light message to send to a user.
The control unit 201 of the signaling device 1 may be, for example programed to set the lighting element 101 so as to emit a light of a first color, e.g. red, when the central unit controls the closing automation, of a second color, e.g. green, when the central unit controls the opening automation. The drive commands may be sent in the form of a single message or of various messages both to the control device 202 of motor 102 of the automation and to the lighting device 1, via said communication system 4.
In another configuration, the control unit 201 of the signaling device 1 may be programed to set the lighting element 101 so as to emit a flashing light during the opening or the closing of the barrier.
The communication system 4 may advantageously be a bus communication system with a master/slave type protocol, with the central unit 103 being the master, the motor control device 2 and the signaling device 1 being corresponding slaves which receive commands from, and send statuses to, said master. There may be further slave devices interfaced with the bus such as, for example photocell safety devices, sensitive edge safety devices, footboard-operated presence detectors, radar presence detectors and other devices typical of this type of systems. The same input 203 of the central unit 3 may be supported or replaced by a slave type input device interfaced with the central unit 3 via bus 4, e.g. a key selector switch, a control keypad, a remote control receiver and similar devices.
As shown in Figure 2, by taking advantage of the communication system 4, it may be provided for the signaling device 1 to comprise one or more interfaces 401 so as to form a hub for connecting with other devices which communicate with the central unit 103 via the control unit 201 and the communication bus 4.
One of said other devices may be an antenna and the corresponding control electronics so as to associate the signaling device 1 with a wireless gateway functionality, for example AF, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, GPRS, UMTS, LTE and the like. In the configuration shown in Figure 4, the antenna is mounted on a base 601 in a cap 501. Base 601 may advantageously accommodate electronics 401 for the connection to bus 4, and possibly accessory/expansion boards.
The use of the flasher as hub allows improving the radio performance. Usually, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are indeed devices installed on the automation (motor) and therefore, may be shielded by obstacles such as the gate, walls, etc.
Another device which may be interfaced with the signaling device 1 is a PIR, i.e. an infrared presence detection sensor, both for alarm purposes and for activating a light or a camera with settable intervention times.
More generally, by integrating several functionalities in the signaling device, the advantage is obtained of reducing the number of accessories to be connected to the automatism, with apparent reduction in costs and wiring.
The control unit 201 of the signaling device 1 may also advantageously be programed to set the lighting element 101 so as to emit a light pattern which encodes a type of malfunction or anomaly. This may be particularly advantageous when technical maintenance is provided. As shown in Figure 5, indeed it is sufficient to employ a portable device, such as a smartphone or a tablet, provided with camera for the optical reading of the light pattern emitted by the signaling device and a table for transcoding light codes to allow an operator to interpret the type of malfunction signaled by the signaling device. The display of the graphic codes, which may be interpreted with the use of augmented reality via the smartphone, is a method for simplifying and making more efficient the work of the installer and the maintenance provided.

Claims

A light-signaling device for access points provided with automations, such as gates and/or automatic barriers, comprising:
a lighting element (101);

a communication port (301) for receiving commands for the lighting element;

a control unit (201) in communication with said communication port (301) and said lighting element (101), said control unit (201) being configured to read the commands from the communication port (301) and accordingly to control the lighting element (101) so as to set light patterns having different shape and/or color and/or intensity on the basis of the commands received,

characterized in that

it further comprises an antenna (501) mounted on a support (601) and interface electronics (401) towards said antenna (501), said interface electronics being in communication with the control unit (201) to exchange data via the communication port (301) so as to form a wireless communication gateway module, for example according to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, GPRS, UMTS, LTE protocols and the like.
A device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting element (101) comprises a plurality of light sources which can be driven by the control unit (201) individually or in blocks to create light patterns which encode information on the status of the automation with which the light-signalling device (1) is associated or associable, or simple lighting or guiding functionalities.
A device according to claim 2, wherein said status information is selected from the group consisting of: opening automation, closing automation, operating anomaly, malfunction, automation awaiting maintenance, time prior to scheduled maintenance.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (201) is programed to set the lighting element (101) so as to emit a flashing light with a frequency which encodes a type of malfunction or anomaly.
A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting element comprises a matrix of RGB LEDs arranged on a support having any shape.
A system for controlling the movement of a movable automation for access points such as a gate, a barrier, a door and the like, the system comprising:
a motor (102) for opening and closing the automation;

a control device (202) of said motor (102);

a port (302) for receiving movement commands for the automation;

a communication system (4);

a central control unit (103) in communication with an input (203) of said control device (202) via an interface (303) with the communication system (4), said central control unit (103) being configured to read the movement commands for the automation from the input (203) and accordingly send actuation signals to said motor control device (202),

characterized in that it comprises a light-signaling device (1) according any one of claims 1 to 5, said light-signalling device (1) being interfaced with the central control unit (103) via the communication system (4) so that the central control unit (103) can send the commands for the lighting element to said light-signalling device (1).
A system according to claim 6, wherein the central control unit (103) is programed to send the commands to the light-signalling device (1) corresponding to system statuses so that the light-signalling device (1) may accordingly emit a light with an intensity, color and/or frequency pattern that encodes the system status in the form of a light message to send to a user.
A system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control unit (201) of the light-signalling device (1) is programed to set the lighting element (101) so as to emit a light of a first color, e.g. red, when the central unit (103) controls the closing of the automation, of a second color, e.g. green, when the central unit (103) controls the opening of the automation, said commands being sent in the form of a single message or of various messages both to the motor control device (202) of the automation and to the control unit (201) of the lighting device (1), via said communication system (4).
A system according to one or more of preceding claims 6 to 8, wherein the control unit (201) of the light-signalling device (1) is programed to set the lighting element (101) so as to emit a flashing light during the opening or the closing of the automation.
A system according to one or more of preceding claims 6 to 9, wherein the communication system (4) is a bus communication system with a master/slave type protocol, the central control unit (103) being the master, the motor control device (202) and the light-signalling device (1) being corresponding slaves which receive commands from, and send statuses to said master.
A system according to claim 10, wherein the light-signalling device (1) comprises one or more interfaces (401) so as to form a hub for connecting with other devices which communicate with the central control unit (103) via the control unit (201) and the communication bus (4).
A system according to claim 11, wherein one of said other devices is said antenna (501) and corresponding said interface electronics which allows the light-signalling device (1) to be associated with a wireless gateway functionality.
A system according to one or more of preceding claims 6 to 12, wherein the control unit (201) of the light-signalling device (1) is programed to set the lighting element so as to emit a light pattern which encodes a type of malfunction or an anomaly.
A system according to claim 13, further comprising a portable device for the optical reading of the light pattern emitted by the light-signalling device, said portable device having a table for transcoding the light pattern to allow an operator to interpret the type of malfunction signaled by the light-signalling device.
A system according to claim 14, wherein the portable device is a smartphone or a tablet provided with a camera with which to read the light code emitted by the light-signalling device.