FR2813136A1 - Control system for secondary domestic appliances uses coding generated by operating light switch to trigger other appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The system provides remote control of appliances without need for extra controls or wiring. The system for controlling electrical appliances (L1, L2) uses a switch which also controls an existing electrical appliance (A). This may, for example, be the bulb providing normal lighting in a room. At least one logic analyzer is designed to analyze directly or indirectly the levels of an electrical characteristic generated by the switch. When the switch is triggered a predetermined number of times at short intervals, this information is detected and used to activate a device an activation/de-activation module (MAD) which is connected between the secondary controlled appliances (L1, L2) and their respective power supplies (P1, P2).

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 electrical devices (lamps, televisions, computers, electric shutters, etc.) as well as systems for controlling a light source.

Current technology reports systems for controlling most electrical devices via a simple standard switch or a specific switch with a single button. Normally spaced pressures allow the usual control of lighting while multiple pressures very close to switch these systems into an advanced mode for the control of any electrical device. These existing applications are capable of analyzing variations in electrical potential and of managing control orders or signals as a function of the detected changes in electrical state. In most of the configurations envisaged, a particular multiple press causes the energization of a single or a group of electrical devices at the same time as the activation of said advanced mode. Within this mode, the spaced pressures on the switch allow the adjustment of the operating parameters of the activated device (s). In certain cases, an advanced mode selected makes it possible to adjust the light intensity of the light source usually controlled by the aforementioned switch.

Within this type of system, the renewal of the same predetermined multiple press alternately causes the emission of a maximum of two orders or control signals. This characteristic has the drawback of limiting the possibilities of remote control and therefore, in the same way, the number of controllable electrical devices.

In addition, a multiple press detected for the second time automatically causes the emission of a signal or command command intended to deactivate the electrical appliance previously activated by this same multiple press. Therefore, after a manual (particular multiple press) or automatic (programmed delay) return to basic mode, it proves impossible to re-adjust the operating parameters of an activated electrical appliance.

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

More specifically, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a remote control system for at least one electrical appliance, capable of

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 distinctly control several electrical devices from the same multiple press.

The invention also aims to provide a remote control system for at least one electrical appliance and / or for controlling a light source, which makes it possible to adjust at any time the operating parameters of the activated appliances and / or the light intensity of said lighting source.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a system which is very efficient, modular and inexpensive.

A complementary objective of the invention is to provide such a system which is easily installed and removed.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide such a system which does not affect the normal operation of the electrical installation, in particular as regards the lighting control.

These various objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved according to the invention using a system for controlling and parameterizing a source of lighting and remote electrical devices, of the type comprising - means for producing state signals and means for detecting changes in state as a function of successive states of an electrical connection element controlled by a switch; means of logical analysis of the state signals produced by said means for producing state signals and pulses of state changes produced by said means for detecting state changes; means for transmitting control signals as a function of the data supplied by said logic analysis means.

According to the present invention, said logic analysis means comprise - selection means allowing said transmission means to emit at least four separate control signals following the detection of the same number of state changes from '' an initial high or low electrical level; - timing means capable of delaying or canceling the transmission of certain control signals.

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 It will thus be possible to multiply the control possibilities without the number of successive presses very close to the switch being necessarily large. In most cases, a maximum of two very close supports used in various combinations will be enough to control a plurality of electrical devices. In addition, it will now be possible to adjust the operating parameters of an activated device at any time thanks to the possible delay of the deactivation signal which can be canceled in the event of a new setting.

Preferably, said system has at least the following three operating modes - a basic mode, activated by a single press on said switch; - At least one advanced type A mode, each advanced type A mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch from said basic mode and causing the transmission by said transmission means of a so-called control signal activation signal, specific to said type A advanced mode; - At least one advanced type B mode, each advanced type B mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch from any advanced mode initially activated and causing the transmission by said transmission means of a control signal known as activation signal, specific to at least one advanced type B mode.

According to an advantageous variant of the invention, at least two distinct advanced modes can be activated successively following the successive renewals and sufficiently close to the same multiple support specific to the activation of these modes.

 Advantageously, said system returns from said at least one advanced type A mode or from said at least one advanced type B mode to said basic mode when a return procedure is carried out, said return procedure belonging to the group comprising - automatic return after a predetermined duration in said or one of said advanced mode (s); - manual return after a particular multiple press, called locking.

Preferably, any predetermined multiple press or the renewal, from the basic mode, of a multiple press specific to the activation of an advanced type A mode, causes the transmission by said transmission means, at least one particular control signal, said deactivation signal.

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 Advantageously, said deactivation signal is emitted at the end of a delay corresponding to the duration of activation of said advanced type A mode.

Preferably, in at least one given operating mode, said state change pulses or the state signals cause the emission of particular control signals called parameterization signals.

Advantageously, said logic analysis means can directly control said lighting source.

Other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of an indicative and non-limiting example, and of the appended drawings, in which - FIG. 1 presents a simplified diagram of an embodiment of a control and parameterization system according to the present invention - Figure 2 shows a simplified diagram of a particular embodiment of the logic analyzer appearing in Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a plurality of time diagrams illustrating a first example of application of the system according to the invention, as presented in Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a plurality of time diagrams illustrating a second example of application of the system according to the invention, as presented in Figure 1; We now present, in relation to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, an embodiment of a control and parameterization system according to the present invention.

With reference to these diagrams, the system includes a state signal generator 1, a state change detector 4, a logic analyzer 2 and a control signal transmitter 3. Depending on the configurations chosen, these various elements can be directly connected or communicate with each other via El / RI, E2 / R2, E3 / R3, E4 / R4 and E5 / R5 transmitters / receivers.

The electrical connection element 5 is subjected to the voltage of the electrical network (mains voltage) by means of a switch I and therefore passes from one electrical state to another (high level to low level and vice versa) according to the voltage variations across its terminals, as a function of successive presses on said switch I.

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 state signal generator 1 retranscribes these electrical states in the form of state signals SE intended for the state change detector 4 and the logic analyzer 2.

The state change detector 4 sends an ICE state change pulse to the logic analyzer 2 at each change of state signal (change from a high state signal to a low state signal and vice versa ).

 The logic analyzer 2 manages the transmission of control orders to the transmitter 3 as a function of the ICE state change pulses and of the received SE state signals. When the ICE state change pulses are spaced, the logic analyzer 2 activates and deactivates the lighting means 6 as a function of the received state signals SE; the system remains in basic mode. On the other hand, when they are sufficiently close together, the logic analyzer 2 counts them so as to activate an advanced mode called type A and specific to the number of detected pulses. When this mode is activated, a first control pulse IC specific to said advanced type A mode is sent to the control signal transmitter 3. As long as this mode is activated, the state change pulses ICE and / or the received state signals SE are transformed into control pulses IC intended for the transmitter 3 and the lighting means 6. It is therefore possible, for example, to activate a remote electrical device by means of the aforementioned first control pulse IC and to configure it by means of the following control pulses IC. At the end of a predetermined time, the logic analyzer 2 initializes the system in basic mode and if the same advanced mode is selected again, a last command pulse IC is emitted, allowing for example the deactivation of the aforementioned electrical appliance. This IC command pulse can possibly be produced after the system has returned to basic mode after a period corresponding to the duration of activation of the advanced mode and only if ICE state change pulses and / or SE status signals are not detected in this time interval. Otherwise, the logic analyzer 2 transforms the ICE pulses or SE signals received into control signals without emitting a particular control pulse when returning to basic mode. This configuration makes it possible to deactivate an electrical device previously activated or to modify its configuration at any time without deactivating it. Note that the logic analyzer 2 can keep the system in advanced mode until a predetermined number of ICE state change pulses is detected, corresponding to a particular multiple press at switch I. Note also that if multiple support

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 particular is detected during the activation of an advanced mode, another specific advanced mode called type B can then be activated and works in the same way as an advanced mode type A. Within a particular configuration, the analyzer 2 can activate at least two distinct advanced modes alternately following successive renewals and sufficiently close to the same multiple press specific to the activation of these modes.

The transmitter 3 sends control signals (not shown) to modules or remote devices capable of receiving them.

The lighting means 6 are controlled by the logic analyzer 2. As a result, they are activated after detection of a high SE status signal (electrical connection element 5 energized) and deactivated following the detection of a low SE status signal (electrical connection element 5 not supplied). In certain configurations, they can be deactivated when switching to advanced mode in order to avoid any flashing phenomenon of the light source. In other configurations, they can be controlled in the same way as devices controlled remotely via the control signals.

It should be noted that in certain configurations, the logic analyzer 2 can deduce the SE status signals from the received ICE state change pulses, without being directly associated with the status signal generator 1.

It should also be noted that for certain embodiments, the state signal generator 1 can produce state signals SE by measuring characteristics other than the voltage across the terminals of the electrical connection element. Actually, in certain cases, means for modifying the electrical characteristics are placed upstream of the system, a low SE state signal corresponding for example to a modified electrical intensity value and a high SE state signal to a normal value. .

We now discuss in detail, in relation to the simplified diagram of FIG. 2, a particular embodiment of the logic analyzer 2 appearing in FIG. 1. There is a counter 21, a selector 22, a multiplexer 23, a rocker device 24, a timer 25 and a device 26 for direct control.

The state change detector 4 (not shown in FIG. 2) produces an ICE pulse as soon as an electrical state change is detected. The ICE state change pulses thus produced are received by the timer 25 and the

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 counter 21 which is initialized automatically at the end of a short activation delay initiated by each pulse received. Therefore, only very close impulses have the capacity to increment it.

The selector 22 stores the data supplied by the counter 21 and transmits them to the address inputs of the multiplexer 23. If at least two successive changes of state have been counted, the selector 22 switches to advanced type A mode for a certain period of time preprogrammed after the last pulse of status changes or detected status signal. During the activation of the advanced mode, the data supplied by the counter 21 are retained and the SE status signals or ICE status change pulses can be transformed into particular control signals. Activation of an advanced type A mode allows the selector 22 to select a particular address entry from those of group A (GA). On the other hand, if a particular multiple press (for example, the same one that caused the activation of the advanced type A mode) is detected during the activation of an advanced type A mode, an advanced type B mode is then activated. An advanced type B mode works in the same way as an advanced type A mode and allows the selector 22 to select a particular address entry from those of group B (GB). From an advanced type B mode, the detection of a new particular multiple press may possibly cause the activation of another advanced mode (possibility not envisaged in FIG. 2), the phenomenon being able to repeat itself indefinitely.

The timer 25 makes it possible to calibrate the pulses of ICE state changes received and to delay their transmission to the inputs X or W of the multiplexer 23 as a function of data transmitted by the counter 21. If a particular multiple press is detected for the first time by via the counter 21, a calibrated pulse is immediately transmitted to the input X or W of the multiplexer 23. On the other hand, if the same particular multiple press is detected for the second time, the time base 25 delays the transmission of the signal calibrated corresponding to the last state change pulse received. This delay corresponds to the duration of activation of the selected advanced mode. If in this time interval a new ICE state change pulse is received, the calibrated signal is not transmitted to the multiplexer 23.

The signals received at the inputs X, W, Y and Z of the multiplexer 23 are routed to the outputs X0, Y0, X1, YI, X2, Y2, X3, Y3, W0, Z0, W1, Z1, W2, Z2, W3 or Z3. These signals are ICE state change pulses calibrated by the

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 timer 25 and SE status signals. For practical reasons of use, it is possible to process the calibrated signals only after detection of multiple presses and to reserve the continuous signals (high status signals) for the configuration of the electrical devices controlled in advanced mode. For example, the calibrated control pulses could be used for activating and deactivating lamps and the continuous pulses for adjusting their light intensity.

The flip-flop device 24 makes it possible to send two control pulses alternately in the event of a succession of the same signal at a given output of the multiplexer 23. This configuration makes it possible for example to light a lamp after a particular multiple press and to turn it off following the renewal of the same multiple press. In the same way, in an advanced mode, a particular position of the switch (socket under tension) can cause the negative variation of the light intensity of the controlled lamp while the return to this same position after passing through the reverse position will then cause a positive change in light intensity. In this application example, the reverse position of the switch is reserved for stabilizing the light intensity at the desired level. It is clear that this technical possibility can be taken advantage of with regard to the control of other electrical devices, in particular electric shutters and blinds.

The direct control device 26 makes it possible to directly control the lighting means 6 as a function of the information produced by the multiplexer 23. Within certain configurations, this device can also receive and interpret the SE status signals directly.

In relation to the plurality of time diagrams in FIG. 3, a first example of application of the system according to the invention is now explained, as presented in FIG. 1.

The first time diagram 31 represents the activation phases of an advanced mode. As soon as a particular multiple press (succession of sufficiently close presses on switch I) is detected, an advanced mode is activated. In the illustrated application, the multiple support N 1 and the multiple support N 2 are identical and both correspond to the same number of pressures at the level of said switch.

The second time diagram 32 represents the phases of transmission of a so-called activation control signal making it possible to activate a remote electrical appliance. This signal is emitted after detection of the multiple press N 1.

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 The third time diagram 33 represents the phases of transmission of a so-called deactivation control signal enabling the abovementioned remote electrical appliance to be deactivated. This signal is emitted at the end of the advanced mode initiated by multiple press N 2 if no press on switch 1 is detected during activation of this mode. This technical provision makes it possible to adjust the operating parameters of an electrical device without deactivating it (see additional explanation below).

The fourth time diagram 34 represents the activation period of the aforementioned remote electrical device as a function of the control signals transmitted.

The fifth time diagram 35 represents the possibilities for adjusting the operating parameters of the aforementioned remote electrical appliance. The illustrated periods allow the emission of particular control signals (not shown) as a function of the spaced supports at the level of the switch 1. The possibility N 1 is associated with the activation of the advanced mode initiated by the multiple support N 1 and the possibility N 2 is associated with the activation of the advanced mode initiated by the multiple press N 2. Therefore, it is possible to adjust at any time the operating parameters of an electrical appliance activated by renewal of a multiple support specific to the control of said electrical appliance.

In relation to the plurality of time diagrams in FIG. 4, a second example of application of the system according to the invention is now explained, as presented in FIG. 1.

The first time diagram 41 represents the activation phases of an advanced type A mode. As soon as a particular multiple press is detected, an advanced type A mode is activated. In the illustrated application, the multiple press N 1, the multiple press N 2 and the multiple press N 3 are identical and both correspond to the same number of presses at the switch 1.

The second time diagram 42 represents the activation phases of an advanced type B mode. This advanced mode is initiated by a particular multiple press (multiple press N 2 in the example presented) when an advanced type A mode is initially activated.

The third time diagram 43 represents the activation period of a remote electrical appliance A1 as a function of the control signals transmitted. This device is activated by emission of a particular activation control signal (not shown in FIG. 4) when the multiple press N 1 is detected and deactivated by emission of a

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 particular deactivation signal (not shown in Figure 4). This last signal is emitted at the end of the advanced mode initiated by the multiple press N 3 if no press on the switch I is detected during the activation of this mode. As for the first example of application mentioned above, this technical arrangement makes it possible to adjust the operating parameters of an electrical appliance without deactivating it.

The fourth time diagram 44 represents the activation period of a remote electrical appliance A2 as a function of the control signals transmitted. This device is activated by emission of a particular activation control signal (not shown in FIG. 4) when the multiple press N l is detected and deactivated by emission of a particular deactivation signal (not shown in FIG.) 4). This last signal is emitted at the end of the advanced mode initiated by the multiple press N 3 if no press on the switch I is detected during the activation of this mode.

The fifth time diagram 45 represents the possibilities for adjusting the operating parameters of the aforementioned remote electrical appliance A1. The illustrated periods allow the emission of particular control signals (not shown) as a function of the spaced supports at the level of the switch I. The possibility N l is associated with the activation of the advanced mode of type A initiated by the support multiple N 1 and the possibility N 2 is associated with the activation of the advanced type A mode initiated by the multiple press N 3. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the operating parameters of an electrical device at any time activated by renewal of a multiple press specific to the control of said electrical appliance, from the basic mode.

The sixth time diagram 46 represents the possibilities for adjusting the operating parameters of the aforementioned remote electrical appliance A2. The periods illustrated also allow the emission of particular control signals (not shown) as a function of the spaced supports at the level of the switch 1. The possibility N 1 is associated with the activation of the advanced type B mode initiated by the multiple press N 2 from advanced mode A and the possibility N 2 (not shown) is associated with the activation of advanced mode type B initiated by multiple press N 4 (not shown) from advanced mode type A. Therefore, it is again possible to adjust the operating parameters of an activated electrical device at any time.

It is clear that many other applications can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention.

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 It should also be noted that several elements of the control and configuration system according to the present invention can be produced from discrete components or from programmable electronic means such as microcontrollers for example.

The system according to the invention is particularly intended to improve the functional characteristics of control systems by detecting changes of state of any electrical connection element, by adding the possibility of adjusting the operating parameters of it at any time. an activated device, as well as the possibility of activating several operating modes from the same multiple press on a switch.

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Claims (8)

 CLAIMS 1. System for controlling and parameterizing a light source (6) and remote electrical devices, of the type comprising - means (1) for producing status signals and means (4) for detection changes of state as a function of successive states of an electrical connection element (5) controlled by a switch (1); - Means (2) for logical analysis of the status signals produced by said means (1) for producing status signals and pulses of state changes produced by said means (4) for detecting changes in state, - means (3) for transmitting control signals as a function of the data supplied by said logic analysis means (2); characterized in that said logic analysis means (2) comprise - selection means (22) allowing said transmission means (3) to emit at least four separate control signals following the detection of the same number changes of state from an initial high or low electrical level; - time delay means (25) capable of delaying or canceling the transmission of certain control signals. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it has at least the following three operating modes - a basic mode, activated by a single press on said switch (1); - At least one advanced type A mode, each advanced type A mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch (1) from said basic mode and causing transmission by said means (3) for transmitting d a control signal called activation signal, specific to said advanced type A mode; - At least one advanced type B mode, each advanced type B mode being activated by a predetermined multiple press on said switch (1) from any advanced mode initially activated, and causing transmission by said means of emission (3) of a control signal called activation signal, specific to at least one advanced type B mode. <Desc / Clms Page number 13>  3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that at least two distinct advanced modes can be activated successively following successive renewals and sufficiently close to the same multiple press specific to the activation of these modes. 4. System according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said system returns from said at least one advanced type A mode or from said at least one advanced type B to said basic mode when a return procedure is carried out, said return procedure belonging to the group comprising - automatic return after a predetermined duration in said or one of said advanced mode (s); - manual return after a particular multiple press, called locking. 5. System according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that any predetermined multiple press or the renewal, from the basic mode, of a multiple press specific to the activation of an advanced mode of type A, causes the transmission by said transmission means, of at least one particular control signal, said deactivation signal. 6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that said deactivation signal is emitted at the end of a delay corresponding to the duration of activation of said advanced type A mode. 7. System according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that in at least one given operating mode, said state change pulses or the state signals cause the emission of so-called particular control signals setting signals. 8. System according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said means (2) of logical analysis can directly control said light source (6).