FR2802007A1 - Shutter control system senses shutter position automatically controls operating states - Google Patents

Abstract

The shutter control system has a remote control unit (MCD) which determines the position of the shutter (VR) and sends status signals (SEHFA,SEHFB) from the state sensor unit (MR) by conversion of voltages to modulation or radio waves which combine with button pushes to select advanced operating states.

Description

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 The field of the invention is that of home automation.

 More specifically, the invention relates to remote control systems for electric shutters or functional equivalents such as, for example, electric blinds.

 The current technique reports systems making it possible to control the electric shutters or functional equivalents by means of a simple standard switch or of a specific switch with a single button, in particular thanks to the detection and the analysis of changes of state of an electrical connection element controlled by a switch.

Successive close pressures allow to reach an advanced mode intended for the control of the shutters
The major drawback of these systems is the obligation to renew a particular multiple press to return to basic mode for the usual lighting control.

 Another drawback stems from the impossibility for the system to determine the position of the flap (open, closed or intermediate). Thus, in certain cases, the flap can remain blocked in its initial position if, for example, the system orders it to go up when it is already in the high position.

 The invention particularly aims to overcome these various drawbacks of the state of the art.

 This objective as well as others which will appear subsequently are achieved according to the invention using a remote control system of at least one electric shutter or a functional equivalent, of the type comprising: means detecting changes of state of an electrical connection element controlled by a switch; means for controlling the motorization device of said at least one electrical component or functional equivalent, as a function of the detected changes of state; According to the present invention, the system is characterized in that: said control means are included in a remote control module also comprising means for determining the position of said at least one electric shutter or functional equivalent;

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 said control means themselves comprise means for selecting and issuing control orders as a function of the determined position and of said detected changes of state. said state change detection means comprise, within a re-transmission module adapted to said electrical connection element, transmission means emitting a single state signal or at least two separate superimposed state signals corresponding in the same electrical state, received by reception means included in said remote control module.

 Preferably, the system has at least the following two operating modes: a basic mode, activated by a single press on said switch; at least one advanced mode, each advanced mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch, corresponding to a number of separate close presses and greater than one.

 Preferably, each advanced mode is specifically activated by means of one of said at least two distinct status signals or by means of at least two of said at least two distinct status signals received simultaneously by said reception means. .

 Advantageously, the system returns from said at least one advanced mode to said basic mode when a return procedure is carried out, said return procedure belonging to the group comprising: manual return after a particular multiple press, called locking; automatic return after detection of a predetermined position by said means for determining the position of said at least one electric shutter or functional equivalent.

 Advantageously, switching to at least one advanced mode can automatically cause at least the transmission of the following control orders by said selection and transmission means as a function of the information provided by said means for determining the position of said at least an electric shutter or functional equivalent:

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 a closing command order if an initial opening position is detected; an opening command order if an initial closing position is detected; an order to open or close if an intermediate position is detected.

 Preferably, said control orders can be interrupted at least following the following situations: detection of a fully closed position, total opening or an intermediate position by said means for determining the position of said at least one electric shutter or said functional equivalent; state change detection by said state change detection means.

 Advantageously, within said at least one advanced mode, each detection of a change of state causes a stop of the command in progress then the replacement of said command to open command by said command to close command or vice versa.

 Advantageously, said stopping of the command in progress constitutes a predetermined delay which makes it possible to precisely adjust the position of the electric shutter or of a functional equivalent.

 The invention also relates to each of the modules included in the aforementioned remote control system, namely the retransmission module and the remote control module. It is actually possible to provide other transmission means than the retransmission module operating with the remote control module and vice versa.

 Other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of indicative and nonlimiting example and of the attached drawings, in which FIG. 1 presents a simplified diagram of the various functional elements of the remote control device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 presents a simplified diagram of a first particular embodiment of the retransmission module, of the remote control module and of the motorization device appearing in FIG. 1;

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FIG. 3 presents a simplified diagram of a particular embodiment of the remote control module appearing in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 presents a simplified diagram of a second embodiment of a control system according to the present invention; FIG. 5 illustrates an example of application of the second embodiment of the system according to the invention, as presented in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 presents a simplified diagram of a third embodiment of a control system according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a simplified diagram of a fourth embodiment of a control system according to the present invention; FIGS. 8 and 9 present a plurality of time diagrams making it possible to explain an example of management of the status signals within the second embodiment.

 We now present, in relation to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

 Referring to the diagrams, the system includes a re-transmission MR module intended to transmit SEH 'or SEB' signals according to the successive electrical states of the D socket. In other words, this MR module receives SEH status signals , SEB in the form of a voltage associated with each (220V for SEH and OV for SEB) then re-emits them in another form SEH ', SEB' (use of the carrier current technique, the radio wave technique or d 'another technique). In the example presented in FIG. 1, the module MR is interposed between the electric bulb A and the socket D but it can generally be adapted to any level of the electric circuit controlled by the switch I.

 The system includes a remote control module MCD capable of receiving the status signals SEB 'and SEH' sent by the retransmission module MR. In the example presented, when the socket D is energized, the retransmission module MR transmits a predetermined signal received by the remote control module MCD and interpreted as a high status signal (SEH '). On the other hand, when the socket is no longer supplied, the remote control module MCD no longer receives the predetermined signal, which it interprets as a low state signal (SEB ').

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 The motorization device MVE of the electric shutter VR is directly associated with the remote control module MCD.

 The MCD remote control module is used to activate an advanced mode after a particular multiple press (at least two very close consecutive presses causing two changes in electrical status). Each advanced mode is activated by a specific multiple press; the system then switches from basic mode for lighting control to advanced mode for controlling the electric shutter VR.

 Switching to advanced mode automatically opens the VR electric shutter if it is in the low position and closes if it is in the high position. While it is rising or falling, pressing switch 1 momentarily interrupts the command in progress before reversing it automatically after a short delay. This process makes it possible to precisely adjust the positioning of the VR shutter.

 The system returns to basic mode after a particular multiple press, after detection of a fully open or closed position of the electric shutter VR or after detection of a predetermined intermediate position.

 In the particular embodiment presented in FIG. 2, the retransmission module MR comprises: means 2 for transmitting retransmitted status signals SEH ', SEB' as a function of the successive electrical states of the socket. The signal SEB 'is not shown in the figure because only the signal SEH' is emitted in the form of frequency (SEB ', corresponding to OV, is characterized by an absence of frequency); means 1 for switching off the light bulb making it possible to delay for a short time the switching on of the bulb after pressing the switch. They also allow you to disconnect the light bulb as long as the system is in advanced mode. This device intended to prevent any inadvertent flashing of the light bulb can be activated or deactivated according to the user's choice.

The remote control module MCD comprises: means 3 for receiving the retransmitted status signals SEH ', SEB';

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means 4 for detecting changes in electrical state, from the re-emitted status signals SEH ', SEB'received; means 5 for determining the position of the electric shutter from information received by the MVE motorization device or by any other device capable of providing positioning indications. These means make it possible to determine whether the flap is in the open, closed or intermediate position; means 6 for controlling the MVE motorization device themselves comprising means 61 for selecting and issuing control orders intended for the MVE motorization device, as a function of the detected changes of state and of the position of the flap . outputs 7 directly associated with the MVE motorization device
The MVE motorization device directly controls the movements of the shutter as a function of the control orders received by the remote control module MCD. It can also include means 8 for assessing the position of the flap, directly associated with the means 5 for determining the position included in the remote control module MCD.

 We now discuss in detail, in relation to the simplified diagram of FIG. 3, a particular embodiment of the remote control module MCD. We find there the means 3 of reception, the means 4 of detection of changes of state, the means 5 of determination of the position of the electric shutter as well as the means 6 of piloting which comprise besides the means 61 of emission and selection control commands, a time base 62, a counter 63, storage means 64, an initialization device 65 and a multiplexer 66, and outputs 7. In the example presented, the means 5 for determining the position of the electric shutter themselves contain an input A 51, an input B 52 and an input C 53.

 The receiver 3 receives the signals SEB 'and SEH' emitted by the module MR (see Figures 1 and 2).

 The state change detector 4 detects changes in the electrical state (voltage) of the socket by receiving the signals SEB 'and SEH' (SEB 'corresponds to 0

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 V and SEH 'at 220 V). A change of state corresponds to the passage from a high state (socket energized) to a low state (socket deactivated) or vice versa.

 The counter 63 counts the number of state changes.

 The time base 62 produces a calibrated pulse towards the counter 63 and the selector 61 after each change of state. The counter can only be incremented for the duration of this calibrated pulse. Each stop of the latter automatically initializes the counter. In this way, only very close impulses can increment it.

 The selector 61 makes it possible to send control orders to the inputs X and Y of the multiplexer 66 as a function of the calibrated pulse produced by the time base 62 and of the data supplied by the inputs A, B and C (51, 52 and 53) included in said means (5) for detecting the position of the flap. In the particular example presented, the selector 61 can operate in the following manner: - transmission of a command command to the input X of the multiplexer 66 when the input A 51 is activated and a calibrated pulse is received by the time base 62. This process causes the rolling shutter to descend.

 - Transmission of a control command to the Y input of the multiplexer 66 when the C 53 input is activated and a calibrated pulse is received by the time base 62. This process causes the rolling shutter to rise.

 - return to basic mode by activating the initialization device 65 (connection not shown) if the input A 51 or the input C 53 is activated in the absence of pulses received by the time base 62.

 - alternating selection of the inputs X and Y of the multiplexer 66 from the successive changes of state detected. This process alternately causes the electric shutter to go up and down depending on how long the switch has been pressed. The selector 61 first causes a stop of the command in progress for a predetermined period before issuing the reverse command command. This characteristic makes it possible to avoid any untimely modification of the positioning of the shutter during a manual transition to basic mode.

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 The memory 64 stores the data supplied by the counter as long as the system is in advanced mode. The data is transmitted to the address inputs 661 of the multiplexer 66.

 The initialization device 65 initializes the memory 64 (return to basic mode) after activation by the selector 61 or when a particular multiple press is detected. If the multiple press activating the advanced mode is the same as that controlling the initialization, the initialization device 65 will initialize the memory 64 only after reception of a second identical multiple press.

 The multiplexer 66 manages the control orders issued by the selector 61 by sending them to one of the selected outputs 7 (SO (XO, YO), SI (XI, Yl), S2 (X2, Y2) or S3 (X3, Y3) ), according to the information provided at the address entries 661. It thus allows to choose the number of close presses necessary to activate the advanced mode.

 The outputs 7 are associated with the motorization device included in the MVE module for motorizing the electric shutter.

 Note that a switch C (not shown) can be placed between the change of state detector 4 and the selector 61 if the user does not wish to adjust the positioning of the flap. This arrangement makes it possible to control the lighting normally as soon as a closing or opening order has been transmitted to the motorization device; for this purpose it is also necessary to disconnect the device 1 for switching off the lighting socket (FIG. 2) which is activated during each passage in advanced mode.

 It should be noted that for the particular embodiment presented, the counting and multiplexing means may be optional in the case of the operation of only one advanced mode. In this configuration, as soon as at least two sufficiently close state change signals are detected, the system switches to advanced mode.

 We now present, in relation to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second embodiment of a control system according to the present invention. This differs from the first embodiment presented above only in that the retransmission module MR 'can simultaneously transmit two separate high status signals SEH'A and SEH'B when the lighting socket is energized. Therefore, the retransmission module MR 'contains, in addition to the means 1 for switching off the light bulb,

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 2 'transmission means capable of simultaneously transmitting two high re-emitted status signals SEH'A and SEH'B characterized by separate transmission frequencies.

 The remote control module MCD 'contains reception means 3' capable of receiving the two high status signals SEH'A and SEH'B simultaneously or separately. It also contains means 4 ′ for detecting changes in the state of the retransmitted signals SEB ′ (not shown in FIG. 4), SEH'A, SEH'B, control means 6 ′ comprising selection means 61 ′ and issuing control commands, and outputs 7.

 An example of application using this device is illustrated in FIG. 5 where the system according to the present invention makes it possible to control two electric shutters VR1, VR2 from two standard switches I1, 12 usually controlling two light sockets Dl and D2. There are two retransmission modules MR'l, MR'2, two remote control modules MCD 'l, MCD'2, as well as two motorization devices MVE1, MVE2.

 The status signals SEH'A 1 and SEH'A2 emitted by the retransmission modules MR'1 and MR'2 do not have the same frequency. The re-emitted high status signal SEH'Al can only be received by the remote control module MCD'l and the re-emitted high status signal SEH'A2 can only be received by the remote control module MCD'2. On the other hand, the high status signal SEH'B is emitted by the two retransmission modules MR'l, MR'2 and can be received by the two remote control modules MCD'l, MCD'2. The control of the VRI shutter by the remote control module MCD'l and of the shutter VR2 by the control module MCD'2 can be activated by a first and a second advanced mode, one intended for the selective control of a specific shutter and the other to the general control of all shutters. The first advanced mode will be activated after a particular multiple press thanks to the status signals SEB ', SEH'A (SEH'Al, SEH'A2) which can only be received by a particular remote control module MCD', while the second advanced mode will be activated following another particular multiple press via the status signals SEB ', SEH'B recognizable by all the remote control modules MCD' (MCD'l, MCD'2). It then suffices to reserve a first advanced mode for the selective control of each component VR1, VR2 from each switch Il, 12 and to reserve a second advanced mode for the overall control of the two components VR1, VR2. In the example shown,

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 two very close presses on the switch II and on the switch 12 make it possible to selectively and respectively control the shutter VR1 and the shutter VR2 according to the process described above. On the other hand, four very close presses on one of the switches Il or 12 allow the control of the two shutters VR1, VR2 at the same time. It is thus possible to control one or more flaps from a single switch.

 In relation to the plurality of time diagrams in FIGS. 8 and 9, an example of the management of the status signals between the retransmission modules MR '1, MR'2 and the remote control modules MCD'1, MCD' is now explained. 2, within the second embodiment presented above and illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

 The first time diagram 81 represents the status signals received by the retransmission module MR '1.

 The second time diagram 82 represents the re-transmitted status signals SEH'Al, SEB 'received by the remote control module MCD'1.

 The third time diagram 83 represents the retransmitted status signals SEH'B, SEB 'received by the remote control module MCD'2.

 The fourth time diagram 84 represents the output of a possible state change counter included in the control means 6 ′ (not shown).

 The fifth time diagram 85 represents the activation of the two advanced modes of the remote control module MCD'1 as a function of the status signals SEH'Al, SEH'B, SEB'reeceived and counted changes of state.

 The sixth time diagram 86 represents the activation of one of the two advanced modes of the remote control module MCD'2 as a function of the status signals SEH'B, SEB'reeceived and the changes of state counted.

 The time diagrams 91 to 96 presented in FIG. 9 illustrate the process for managing the status signals between the module MR'2 and the remote control modules MCD '1, MCD'2, according to the principle presented in FIG. 8.

 The following summary table summarizes the operation of the remote control modules MCD1 ', MCD'2 according to the status signals SEH'Al, SEH'A2, SEH'B, SEB' retransmitted by the retransmission modules MR 'l, MR '2 and the number of state changes detected.

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SUMMARY TABLE M C! 1 MCD '2 MR' = Re-transmission module MODE MODE MODE MODE MCD '= Remote control module FORWARD FORWARD changes FORWARD FORWARD SEB' = Status signal Low status retransmitted 1 2 status 1 2 SEH '= Signal High Reissued State detected A. Activated A Activated detected A: Activated A. Enabled D Disabled D: Disabled D: Disabled D: Disabled s 0! 1 d 2 SEH'A1 S SEB 'SEB'; SEH'B 0 c or 2 AD 2 DD 'U3 S 0 1 2 ...................... .................................. x SEH'A1 SEH'A1 SEB 'SEH'B:: SEH' B 0 1 2 J .... SEB, ..., SEH'A1: '.... SEg, ...

. * SES 'SEH'A1 SEB' ............ SEH'B * M, ...... 3 ........... 4 .....

IF! 'SEH: 1 "1" "" ""' "'' '' '' SEH-A1 SEB 'SES': SEH'B .2 or 4 DA 4 DA 0 1 ......... ............................................... i s' Ei'A1 '!' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' '' ''! 'SE'H; 1' 'ses' c SEH'B SET'B ........ .., .................; ................

13 14 4 SEH'A1 SEB '~~~: SEH'B M 0 1 2 ..................: ............ .......: ................... g SEB ':: SEH'A2: SEB' SEB 'SEH'A2 SEB' g: SEH'B 1 Cf) or 2 DD 2 AD u ', 0 1 SEH'A2:! SEB1: SEH'A2 SEH'B - SEH'B 0 1 2 C4 SEB 'SEH'A2 SET' SEH'S * ....... 3 .......: ..... 4 ... ...

L ................. L .................

<# SEH'A2 SEB 'SEB' SEH'S I 1 or 4 DA 4 DA s Cf) 0 1 2 Q ~:: SEH'A2i \ SEH'A2 SEB 'O SEH'B SES' SEH'B ..... .........., ...................; ........, ..., ...

3 4 SEH'A2 SEB ': ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ SEH'B ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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We now present in detail, in relation to the simplified diagram of FIG. 6, a particular embodiment of the remote control module MCD 'comprising reception means 3' capable of receiving simultaneously or separately the two high status signals SEH 'A and SEH'B and transform them into a single high signal SEH'U intended for the means 4' for detecting changes in state. A change of state of the electrical connection element associated with the retransmission module MR 'is therefore detected by the passage of a high state signal SEH'U to a low state signal SEB' (not shown).

In this particular embodiment, the reception means 3 'are associated with analysis means 67' included in the control means 6 'and intended to activate a first predetermined advanced mode if the two distinct status signals SEH' A and SEH'B are received simultaneously. As a result, the analysis means 67 ′ are themselves associated with the outputs 7 in order to activate or deactivate the output corresponding to the first advanced mode (SO, SI, S2 or S3 in FIG. 3). This first advanced mode allows individual control of each electric shutter from each switch. On the other hand, a second advanced mode is always activated after a particular multiple press, thus making it possible to control all the shutters at the same time. The means 61 ′ for selecting and issuing control orders fulfill the same functions as those described for the previous embodiments.

 FIG. 7 presents a simplified diagram of another possible embodiment of the remote control module MCD ', this time called MCD ". In this configuration, the remote control module MCD" contains detection means 4 "A, 4" B for detecting changes of state each associated with a separate receiver included in the means 3 "for receiving the re-emitted status signals SEB ', SEH'A, SEH'B (not shown).

The data supplied by the 4 "A means for detecting changes in state allow the activation of the first advanced mode while that supplied by the 4" B means contributes to the activation of the second advanced mode. To this end, the control means 6 "may contain, in addition to the means 61" for selecting and issuing control orders, two separate devices for counting detected changes in state (not shown).

 The number of presses for switching to advanced mode, the number of status signals retransmitted, the number of advanced modes as well as the number of electric shutters controlled is given by way of non-limiting example.

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 It should also be noted that several elements of the transmission module MR, MR 'and of the remote control module MCD, MCD', MCD "can be produced from discrete components or from programmable electronic means such as microcontrollers.

 The device according to the present invention is particularly intended to improve the functionality of remote control systems using means for detecting changes of state of an electrical connection element controlled by a switch, with a view to their use for controlling electric shutters or a functional equivalent.

Claims (8)

SEH'A2) corresponding to the same electrical state (SEH), received by reception means (3; 3 '; 3 ") included in said remote control module (MCD; MCD', MCD'l, MCD '2; MCD "). MR'2) adapted on said electrical connection element (D; Dl, D2), transmission means (2; 2 ') emitting a single status signal (SEH) or at least two separate superimposed status signals (SEH'A, SEH'B; SEH'Al, MVE1, MVE2) of said at least one electrical shutter (VR; VR1, VR2) or functional equivalent, as a function of the changes of state detected; characterized in that: said means (6; 6 '; 6 ") for piloting are included in a remote control module (MCD; MCD'; MCD'l, MCD'2; MCD") also comprising means (5) determining the position of said at least one electric shutter (VR; VR1, VR2) or functional equivalent; said means (6; 6 '; 6 ") for piloting themselves comprise means (61, 61', 61") for selecting and issuing control orders as a function of the determined position and of said changes of status detected. said means (2 to 4; 2 'to 4'; 3 ", 4" A, 4 "B) for detecting changes of state include, within a re-emission module (MR; MR '; MR' 1 ,  CLAIMS 1. Remote control system for at least one electric shutter (VR; VR1, VR2) or a functional equivalent of the type comprising: means (2 to 4; 2'to 4 '; 3 ", 4" A, 4 "B) for detecting changes of state of an electrical connection element (D; Dl, D2) controlled by a switch (I; Il, 12), means (6; 6 '; 6") driving the motorization device (MVE; 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least the following two operating modes: a basic mode, activated by a single press on said switch (I; Il, 12) at least one advanced mode, each advanced mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch (I; I1, I2), corresponding to a number of separate close presses greater than one. <Desc / Clms Page number 15> 3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that each advanced mode is specifically activated via one of said at least two status signals (SEH'A, SEH'B; SEH'Al, SEH'A2) distinct or by means of at least two of said at least two status signals (SEH'A, SEH'B; SEH'Al, SEH'A2) distinct superimposed received simultaneously by said means (3 '; 3 ") reception. 4. System according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the system returns from said at least one advanced mode to said basic mode when a return procedure is carried out, said return procedure belonging to the group comprising: return manual after a particular multiple press, called locking; automatic return after detection of a predetermined position by said means (5) for determining the position of said at least one electric shutter (VR; VR1, VR2) or functional equivalent. 5. System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the passage to said at least one advanced mode can automatically cause at least the emission of the following control orders by said means (61, 61 ', 61 " ) selection and transmission, as a function of the information supplied by said means (5) for determining the position of the electric shutter (VR; VR 1, VR2) or functional equivalent: a closing command order if an initial position d opening is detected; an opening command order if an initial closing position is detected; an opening or closing command order if an intermediate position is detected. 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said control orders can be interrupted at least following the following situations: detection of a fully closed position, total opening or an intermediate position by said means (5) determining the position of said at least one electric shutter (VR; VRI, VR2) or of said functional equivalent; detection of a change of state by said means (2 to 4; 2'to 4 '; 3 ", 4 "A, 4" B) detection of changes in state. <Desc / Clms Page number 16> 7. System according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that within said at least one advanced mode, each detection of a change of state causes a stop of the order in progress then the replacement of said order opening command by said closing command order or vice versa. 8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that said stopping of the current order constitutes a predetermined period