ES2388626A1 - Decentralized home automation system (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Domiciled decentralized system, for the control of different drives of one or more rooms of a dwelling, comprising control devices with touch screen (2) with i/o modules for connection with housing drives and data processing means to receive instructions of the user's instructions through the touch screen and control the drives connected to the home automation device (2). The control devices (2) have communication module for their mutual communication and are configured to control any drive of the house connected to any of said devices (2). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Decentralized home automation system.

Field of the Invention

The present invention falls within the field of home automation.

Background of the invention

At present, in many homes that need to control a multitude of elements, it forces the designer to place multiple modules in different spaces (at the entrances of the rooms, at the headboards of the beds, etc.). Therefore, each home automation function is implemented in a module that occupies its corresponding space. Therefore, a system that solves these inconveniences is necessary, providing a simple, fast and economical installation.

Description of the invention

The present invention is a decentralized home automation system that replaces the current control points (switches, switches, sound, thermostat, blinds, etc.) with a multifunctional touch screen, perfectly integrated in a universal mechanism box and with the possibility of working independently or several connected to each other.

The decentralized home automation system for the control of different drives of one or more rooms of a house comprises at least one control device with a touch screen, which in turn has:

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at least one I / O module for connection with at least one housing drive;

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data processing means configured to receive setpoint instructions from the

user through the touch screen and, depending on them, control the

drives connected to the home automation device.

The system preferably comprises a plurality of touch screen control devices, each of them having a communication module for mutual communication, the data processing means of each touch screen control device being configured to control any drive of the housing connected to any of said devices. Touchscreen control devices can be interconnected with each other via a communication bus or through wireless communication.

In a preferred embodiment, the touch screen control device comprises means for detecting movement and / or presence in the vicinity of the touch screen, the data processing means being configured to automatically activate pre-programmed commands when presence is detected. or movement in the vicinity of the touch screen and subsequently, in a certain time, no presence or movement is detected. The processing means of the touch screen control device can also be configured to present a mode for displaying images and / or videos as long as no presence is detected and, once presence is detected, to display a command screen for controlling the drives. .

The touchscreen control device can have a sound sensor for the transition to energy saving mode.

The data processing means of each touch screen control device are preferably configured to display on the touch screen a general control screen through which the user can select the drive to be controlled. The general control screen preferably represents a drive icon for each drive to be controlled. The data processing means of each touch screen control device are preferably configured to display on the touch screen a specific control screen for each selected drive each time the pulse of a drive icon is detected.

The at least one touch screen control device may be configured to perform any of the following functions:

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light drive;

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environment drives;

-crono-thermostat recorder; - sound control;

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blind control;

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emergency signaling;

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alarm control;

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underfloor control;

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garden irrigation control;

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display of images and / or videos;

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light remover for children;

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intercom

-video intercom;

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doorbell;

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radio alarm clock;

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calendar;

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writing notes;

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Consumption control

The present invention improves the design time of architects and electricians since they do not have to define the number of mechanism boxes that they are going to put in each position (for example, they do not have to define where to place the chrono-thermostat, the controls of the blinds, the video intercom, the sound control, etc.), since everything is integrated into each screen, thus avoiding the placement of multi-mechanism frames. It also improves the shape of the drives, since it allows both modes, touch mode and distance sensor mode.

It is therefore proposed the placement of touch modules that only occupy one module in each location from which you can visualize, access via touch or via distance sensor to all the necessary functions of the house. The designer does not have to worry about what different functions he has to place, since they are all implemented on each screen, you just have to add some insertable modules using pins to each screen.

The touch mode allows different aesthetic visual appearances of command keys. The display mode allows multiple initial presentations, light remover, business card, ambient light, logo or company presentation, etc., when it is not needed as a command. For the change from initial display to command screen it is done with a short distance detector. When you bring your hand closer to the module, you change the presentation display to the command display that allows access to all the necessary parameters, but if the hand leaves the detection range without typing anything, it allows the state change (activate or deactivate) of the configured drives. This allows without much effort to activate or shut down quickly without stopping to find the appropriate key for the most common drives of a home and allow at all times to activate the rest of the needs via touch. After a short period of time without typing the screen or without detecting proximity, it automatically switches to display mode. For energy saving, it has an adjustable sound detector that, with a low adjustable sound level, places the display in low power mode.

The use of touch screens for control and operation allows the initial display of videos

or photos (logos, presentations etc.). The use of a distance sensor allows the display to change to the control mode of the installation. There are two different control modes, tactile and sensor distance proximity adjustable.

Brief description of the drawings

A series of drawings that help to better understand the invention and that expressly relate to an embodiment of said invention which is presented as a non-limiting example thereof is described very briefly below.

Figure 1 shows, according to the state of the art, different individual and independent domotic control modules.

Figure 2 shows the touch screen of the present invention for home automation control.

Figure 3 represents different screens displayed by the touch screen for home automation control.

Figure 4 represents, by way of example, the interconnection between different touch screens, as well as their connection with the home automation elements.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention consists of a decentralized home automation system that replaces the current control points with a multifunctional touch screen, integrated in a universal mechanism box and with the possibility of working independently or several connected to each other.

In a traditional home automation installation, as shown in Figure 1, there are different modules or mechanism boxes for each unit to be controlled (for example, thermostat 1a, blinds controls 1b, sound control 1c, light control 1d). These modules must be taken into account by the architects and electricians in the design stage.

In the present invention, however, all the controls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) are integrated in each touchscreen control device 2 (such as the one shown in Figure 2), thereby avoiding the placement of frames of multiple mechanisms.

If the connection is independent (individual placement), only one module (control device with touch screen 2) replaces all the command modules, switch, push button, raise or lower blinds and other drives, which may or may not be used in the installation point of the designated room.

In the touch screen 2 a general touch control screen 3 is presented, in which there are different controls that can be controlled. If any of the touch controls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1e) is pressed, the screen display is changed to detail the control that can be performed with that command, as shown in Figure 3. Thus, for example, if the thermostat knob 1a is pressed, the thermostat control screen 3a is presented, if the shutter knob 1b is pressed, the blinds control screen 3b is displayed (in which the desired opening point of each blind can be tactically indicated ), if the sound control 1c is pressed, the sound control screen 3c is displayed. If any 1d light control key is pressed, if it is all-nothing, it changes the state of the light and its corresponding ON / OFF display; in case of being luminous regulation it allows its control visualizing the% of illumination. In the general control screen 3 there can also be a configuration key 1e, so that if pressed a configuration screen 3e is presented, where there will be information and other touch keys for configuration or control (for example, the code module, or alarms, etc.) Depending on the configuration, the keys can be deleted or changed, and placed in any position to suit the user.

The technical advantage with respect to the state of the art is evident, since in the state of the art for each need (unit to be controlled) a specific module is needed (see Figure 1), while with the present invention when using a configurable touch screen you can control with only one of them not only a room but even the whole house.

If the display module is connected via bus 5 (or wireless) with other screens, as shown by way of example in Figure 4 (where a typical configuration of a room 4 is shown and possibilities of remote configuration through screens touch screens located in other rooms), so that all the drives of the house or rooms interconnected to the screens can be controlled from any touch screen 2. For any of the working methods, the touch screen 2 has a large number of digital output and input pins, from which you can control the different necessary drives and connect all the necessary detectors (flood, CO2, windows break detector , smoke detector, PIR volumetric detector, etc.). It also has the necessary connections for the clock, radio and temperature module, including the I2C interconnect chip for access to ONEWIRE DS2482-100, through which a wide system of inputs and outputs, analog values and temperatures can be controlled external This allows automating a home already built in parts and with very few modifications.

The touch screens are equipped with a detection module responsible for detecting the presence of a user's hand next to the screen, so that the touch screen can present any display screen (screensaver, an image, a video, a presentation in screen) and when this detection is made (for example, just by passing your hand near the screen), the general control screen 3 for the command of the different units is presented. Also the touch screen 2 can have programmed commands, so that when the detection disappears without detecting a touch press, the programmed command or commands are activated or deactivated, so that the actuation would only be carried out when passing the hand near the screen without having to search the module carefully. For example, turn on the light of the room (pass your hand near the screen about 20 cm adjustable), turn off from the bed (pass your hand near the headboard screen of the bed), so it is not necessary to look for the module and locate the key. Another example, between 11 pm and 8 am it may be programmed that when passing the hand the lights on the bedside table are turned on and off and only after this time the central light is activated, provided that the room light is on below the configured light threshold. If instead of passing the hand without typing the desired drive is pressed, the touch is activated tactically ignoring the distance sensor command conditions. When you pass your hand again as a distance sensor, the active drive by the typing action changes and executes what is set on the distance sensor, for example shutting down everything that is active.

The functions that can be integrated into each touch screen 2 are:

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Lights drive. Each screen has relay cards that can be inserted by means of pins to activate the possible lighting. If an element is active, an indication of on (ON) or off (OFF), or ON 23% is displayed on the command key 1d itself in case of regulation, the device itself has a light detector that allows this function . As the keyboard is configurable, if there is a need to control from a single display more than two lights can be split, divide by configuration the main keys up to a maximum of twelve keys, or when pressing a light key and without releasing it move horizontally they can exit on the screen other keys operating on different lights, including new blind keys, although environments can be programmed or key group keys can be generated.

The potentiometer setting for the lights (dimmer) will be active while the touch button is pressed, deactivating when the touch button disappears allowing the use of the current dimmers or when typing on the screen and without releasing by moving your finger up or down with the use of the dimmer card inserted in the touch screen itself. Within the I / O configuration each touch key can address several outputs and conversely several touch keys can address a single output, the configuration is programmable.

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Environment drives. Programmable by means of drop-down panels by touch keyboard. All lights or drives, ambient,% blinds, sound,% light, etc. they can be configured in such a way that if there is sufficient ambient light they do not turn on, or after a certain set time only the bedside light and not the center light come on.

-Crono-thermostat recorder. If it is in bus connection, any of the screens connected to the bus of each room, you must have inserted the clock chip card or RDS radio and the thermostat module. If you want to use this function, the RDS clock or radio module and the thermostat module must be inserted individually. Weekly and daily programming. Saves and displays a record every X programmable temperature minutes, displaying the actual and actual setpoint values and saved on the SD memory card on the screen itself. The data on the uSD card can be exported to current data processing programs. With a temperature detector on a screen in each zone. Or room, allows you to program the selection of temperatures by zones, so you can only heat the necessary places. Getting an energy saving.

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Sound, FM With the possibility of timed to programmable disconnection. Only on one of the screens in each room is the FM sound chip card inserted by means of inserts. The speaker connections come out of this card. It has the necessary keys for its control, tuning volume, memories etc. Via bus allows control from other screens in the same room.

-Clock radio. It allows by configuration the option to wake up with the radio or go to bed with it and turn it off alone after a configurable time. You can combine the alarm output with any programmed drive, light, blinds, etc.

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Blinds control. One I / O bus card must be inserted in a screen of each room. A window module is included to the ONEWIRE I / O bus, which includes the raise and lower relay. On the same ONEWIRE bus, an analog input module must be added and the position detectors of each window must be connected to it. You can add the necessary additional inputs or outputs to the same ONEWIRE bus, window light, open window detector, or glass breakage control, etc. There can only be one ONE WIRE bus module per screen.

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Volumetric detection By adding a PIR volumetric detector to one of the direct digital inputs or OneWire input, you can define through its configuration screen the output corresponding to the selected light and the time after which the corresponding output or outputs have to be deactivated . Used mainly in hallways.

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Access control by code. A screen with number keys is displayed and asks for a value to activate an output or control. It can be linked to alarm control or screen access control, including control of access to rooms through configuration.

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Emergency signaling. When a lack of lighting supply or other cause of emergency is detected or even when the light is off, it serves as a beacon. In case of emergency, visualize the defect, indicate the evacuation routes and the necessary information previously recorded. A battery must be added to the module configured as emergency signaling.

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Alarm control PIR volumetric detectors can be added to the inputs of each screen or inputs of the ONEWIRE bus and depending on whether it activates the alarm or deactivates its effect changes. If the alarm is active, the siren sounds, and if the alarm is not active, turn on the light (for corridors or passageways) for a while, if the ambient light is below the threshold. Through the code screen it is possible to activate or deactivate the alarm.

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Garden irrigation control. By accessing its command display you can control all types of irrigation sequences, activate electro valves, detectors etc.

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Underfloor control. Accessing from any screen on the bus to its command display, via touch keyboard you can control all kinds of sequences, temperatures even alarms.

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Visiting card. Company logo Save screens economizer Ambient light. Photo viewer Video presentation Every screen will remain in display mode, unless the economizer screensaver is active. If the sound range is below the programmed one, the screen only has a pixel on as a signal. If the sound range is above or not enough time has elapsed since the last command, display.

The active display after a while of the last command, can be photos, videos, sequences of photos that depend on a time, sequences of videos or presentations. Each time a time has elapsed since the last command, it allows the change of the sequence groups, which allows a wide range of visualizations.

Each display has a file name assigned to the SD card, you just have to load it into the SD from any computer.

For example, you can display a logo or video presentation of a company as the main display. To go to the initial command screen (general control screen 3) where the configured commands lighting, bell, sound, etc. are displayed, there are two two options:

•

The hand enters (changes the display to command mode) and leaves the set detection zone, without touching the screen, and therefore changes after a short time to display. When leaving the hand of the detection zone, depending on the programmed conditions (for example, a light threshold, depending on the time range, etc.), the programmed output or outputs are activated or not.

•

The hand enters (changes the display to command mode) and the desired command is typed and therefore the programmed output or outputs are activated.

In the two options after a configurable time the logo or video presentation is displayed again.

In the setting of the ambient light a range of colors that can be changed is displayed and when typing on the selected color the full screen is filled with this color.

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Light guard for children. If in the initial configuration the light guard is selected, when selected via keyboard with the corresponding key, a doll or a video will be displayed that will work in a similar way to that explained in the section of business card, logo etc. If the display module has the intercom module inserted, and via configuration as an add-on, a sound level range can be adjusted, so from that range the display changes for a while. In such a way that after this time a doll can be visualized with the eyes closed and if the sound level exceeds the level the doll opens the eyes. It can be done with videos and you can record several sound levels by assigning them several videos.

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Interphone and babysitter. Two screens with your intercom card can be called and configured as intercom and baby sitter. Activating the intercom module, adjusting the volume range and accessing via bus from a screen in another room you can hear the sounds emitted by a baby. There are specific keys that allow you to set and configure a recorded sound (music, lullabies), the sound is turned off or the sound level decreases after a set time. Via bus, can be controlled from the parents room.

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Doorphone intercom entry. The logical thing is to configure a main display as a business card

or a welcome sign and as a command 3 display (general control screen 3) a doorbell keypad or access code with the added video intercom function and no more functions at the entrance of the house. The distance detector activates a pre-recorded sound by welcoming and activates the call sound in the rest of the screens of each room that have the call active, for example recorded sound “knock on door no. X”, the intercom opens in the screen that detects activity, or divert call to mobile phone, etc. If you enter the correct code, it allows access.

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Intercom. Any screen in which a key is defined as a bell, sends a command to the rest of the screens or to the screens of a specific room by sounding a ringing tone, the screen or receiving screens visualize the intercom configuration, when typing the screen or hand in hand communication between rooms is allowed.

From any screen connected by bus, via intercom keys you can select the call to a specific room.

-Video intercom. The video intercom module activates response display on all configured screens when it detects an outside call. Pressing the answer key allows communication and visualization. A video camera module must be placed on the call screen.

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Calendar with the possibility of activating deactivate the drives configured in date and time.

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Drawing Reminder the screen allows you to write messages or drawings via touch and thus leave a written message on the screen. In this case, the display is deactivated and until the message is recognized, it does not allow any activity.

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Consumption control Connecting to the inputs, an intensity detection card, allows to know consumption by zones, create time records and visualize graphs, even activate or deactivate programmed drives to limit the maximum consumption. What allows an energy saving.

The communication bus between screens is a standard bus, such as CAN, ETHERNET, RS485, and even WIFI modules can be intercalated.

Claims (2)

1-Decentralized home automation system, for the control of different drives of one or more rooms of a house, characterized in that it comprises at least one control device with a touch screen (2), which in turn has:

-

at least one I / O module for connection with at least one housing drive;

-

data processing means configured to receive setpoint instructions from the

user through the touch screen and, depending on them, control the drives connected to the home automation device (2). 2-System according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of control devices with touch screen (2), each having a communication module for mutual communication, the data processing means of each device being of control with touch screen (2) configured to control any drive of the house connected to any of said devices (2). 3-System according to claim 2, characterized in that the control devices with touch screen (2) are interconnected with each other via a communication bus (5). 4-System according to claim 2, characterized in that the communication module of each touch screen control device (2) is a wireless communication module. 5-System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device with touch screen (2) comprises means for detecting movement and / or presence in the vicinity of the touch screen, the data processing means being configured for Automatically activate pre-programmed commands when presence or movement is detected in the vicinity of the touch screen and then, in a certain time, no presence is detected or movement 6-System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control device with touch screen (2) is configured to present a mode for displaying images and / or videos as long as no presence is detected and, once presence is detected, display a screen of command for the control of the drives. 7-System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device with touch screen (2) has a sound sensor for switching to energy saving mode. 8-System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data processing means of each touch screen control device (2) are configured to display on the touch screen a general control screen (3) through the which the user can select the drive to control. 9-System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the general control screen (3) represents a drive icon (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for each drive to be controlled, the data processing means of each device being touch screen control (2) configured to display a specific control screen (3a, 3b, 3c) on the touch screen for each selected drive each time the touch of a drive icon (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d is detected) ). 10-System according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one touchscreen control device (2) is configured to perform any of the following functions:

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light drive (1d);

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environment drives;

-crono-thermostat recorder (1a);

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sound control (1c);

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blind control (1b);

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emergency signaling;

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alarm control;

-floor control; - garden irrigation control; -View images and / or videos; -light remover for children; 5 -phone; -video intercom; -doorbell; -radio alarm clock; -calendar; 10 -writing notes; -control of consumption. SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201231018 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 29.06.2012 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

X

ES 2168748 T3 (DIGITAL SECURITY CONTROLS LTD) 16.06.2002, column 4, lines 15-51; column 5, line 17 - column 6, line 16; column 7, line 25 - column 8, line 32; figures. 1-10

X

JP 5083764 A (HITACHI LTD et al.) 02.04.1993, Summary of the WPI database. Recovered from EPOQUE; figures. 1-10

X

EN 2312300 A1 (UNIV MURCIA) 16.02.2009, page 2, line 57 - page 3, line 42; page 6, lines 25-65; page 10, lines 36-55; figures. 1-10

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of completion of the report 01.10.2012

Examiner J. Calvo Herrando Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201231018 CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION G06F1 / 32 (2006.01) G08C17 / 02 (2006.01) H04L12 / 00 (2006.01) G08B9 / 00 (2006.01) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) G06F, G08C, H04L, G08B Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, search terms used) INVENTIONS, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201231018 Date of Written Opinion: 01.10.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims 7.10 Claims 1-6.8-9 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-10 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201231018  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

ES 2168748 T3 (DIGITAL SECURITY CONTROLS LTD) 06/16/2002

D02

JP 5083764 A (HITACHI LTD et al.) 02.04.1993

D03

ES 2312300 A1 (UNIV MURCIA) 02/16/2009

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The claimed invention has a decentralized home automation system. Document D01, closest to the object claimed, is considered as document D01, which affects the novelty and inventive activity of all claims, as explained below:  R1 independent claim Document D01 discloses a system for home automation and security that contains a touch screen to control some drive of the house through instructions or instructions. Therefore, the object of the invention set forth in claim R1 derives directly and without any ambiguity from document D01 and does not meet the requirement of novelty established by Art. 6.1 LP.  Dependent claims R2-R10 The characteristics of claims R2-R4 have already been disclosed by document D01 (column 4, lines 28-51) which contemplates wireless communication, a communication bus and the interconnection between the touch screen and the devices to be controlled. The object of claim R5 has been previously disclosed by document D01 (column 3, lines 20-28) which includes a series of detection devices such as motion detectors to control the security of an area. The characteristics of claim R6 have already been described by document D01 (column 7, line 25-column 8, line 32) where the touch screen displays information (news, weather, sports markers, etc.) while no sensor is activated, that in that case the drive control screen is displayed. The control screen through which the drive to be controlled can be selected has already been disclosed by document D01 (column 5, line 17-column 6, line 16). Therefore, claims R8 and R9 are not new. Therefore, the object of claims R2-R6 and R8-R9 does not meet the requirement of novelty in light of what is disclosed in document D01 (Art. 6.1 LP). The use of a sound sensor as claimed in claim R7 is simply one of several obvious possibilities that one skilled in the art would select according to the circumstances, without the exercise of inventive activity, to activate the energy saving mode. The functions described by claim R10 are considered common knowledge in the field of automation and home automation. Therefore, it is not considered that any inventive effort is necessary for a person skilled in the art to develop a home automation system that implements the claimed functions. Therefore, the object of claims R7 and R10 lacks inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP) State of the Art Report Page 4/4