FR2823587A1 - Directional domestic electrical equipment remote control unit having control unit modulated energy detecting/configuring/channel selecting/recording function then replacing normal function mode - Google Patents

Abstract

The directional control configuration method has a control unit (1) separating out a normal function and a configuration mode taking account of modulated energy. A control channel of the mechanism is selected, and an associated control channel, and function associated recorded and the function retained, then replacing the unit in the normal functional mode.

Description

sockets (2).

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DESCRIPTION

  The present invention relates to the field of household electrical equipment, in particular unidirectional remote control devices for actuating means of this household electrical equipment, and relates to a method for configuring such control devices. The invention also relates to a device for setting

_work of this process.

  The automations commonly used in the building implement control devices in the form of control devices and actuators, which, after configuration, allow to fulfill several functions, such as, for example, a control

  lighting or heating or raising and lowering roller shutters.

  The configuration of the control devices is generally carried out by means of an external configuration device which transmits to said sensors their operating mode. Such devices

  control devices are bidirectional control devices.

  For economic reasons, some control devices are only unidirectional and transmit information only, without receiving it. The control devices are generic, that is to say that they are not configured by default to transmit a particular type of order and the receivers can be of different types. It is therefore necessary to be able to configure the transmitters so that they

transmit the appropriate orders.

  To perform the configuration function, use is always made of a configuration interface which is connected to the receiver and the transmitter. If the different elements are all bidirectional, the

  information exchange and download issues do not arise.

  On the other hand, for universal unidirectional remote controls, it is necessary to unroll all the codes until a reaction is obtained on a

  television, the user himself ensuring the bidirectionality function.

  The problem posed in the present invention consists in the configuration of a unidirectional control device, so that the latter can communicate with a receiver. To switch the control device to configuration mode, a device for setting configuration mode, of the push button type, is generally hidden. Such a provision is not applicable when the control devices are inaccessible for reasons of standard or aesthetics. Indeed, in electrical installations it is forbidden to disassemble an actuator if it is energized. The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method and a device for configuring unidirectional remote control devices of actuation means of domestic electrical equipment allowing such a unidirectional control device to be set up to select a

type of order.

  To this end, the method of configuring unidirectional remote control devices for actuating means of domestic electrical equipment is characterized in that it essentially consists in selecting a unidirectional control device, in placing this device, starting from '' a normal operating mode in a configuration mode by taking into account the presence of near modulated energy, selecting a control channel for this device, then selecting a function associated with this channel and saving the selected function , then return the device to the

normal running.

  The subject of the invention is also a device for unidirectional remote control of means for actuating domestic electrical equipment for the implementation of this process, essentially comprising a means of choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode. means for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel and by means of recording the selection made, which is characterized in that it is provided with an integrated means of detection and taking into account the presence of modulated energy, which can be controlled remotely via an external device

  The invention will be better understood thanks to the description below.

  next, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for implementing the method according to the invention; - 3 Figure 2 is a flow diagram of the device; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the means for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode, and FIGS. 4 a to 4 d are a schematic representation of the different phases of the process according to the invention implemented in

  means of the device according to FIG. 1.

  Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a device 1 for remote unidirectional control of actuating means of domestic electrical equipment, intended to alternately allow remote control of different electrical equipment from a

same device.

  According to the invention, this device 1 implements a method which essentially consists in selecting a unidirectional control device 1, in placing said control device 1, from a normal operating mode in a configuration mode by socket. taking into account the presence of near modulated energy, selecting a control channel for this device, then selecting a function associated with this channel and recording the selected function, then

  return the device to normal operating mode.

  To this end, the device 1 for unidirectional remote control of means for actuating domestic electrical equipment, which essentially consists of means 2 for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode, by means 3 of selection of a control channel and of a function associated with this channel and by a means 4 for recording the selection made, is provided with an integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account a presence of modulated radio energy, capable of being controlled remotely via an external device 6 and cooperating respectively with the means 2 of choice between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode and

  with the means 4 for recording the selection made.

  The means 2 for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode essentially consists, as shown in FIG. 3 of the appended drawings, in a software task carried out in a central data management unit connected, on the one hand, by means 3 of selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel and, on the other hand, by the integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account a - 4 presence of modulated radio energy, this central unit being connected, in addition, to a transmitter 7 for transmitting data to the external device 6 by

through an antenna 8.

  The means 3 for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel is in the form of a microswitch or the like, fitted to the control device 1. The microswitch 3 can advantageously simultaneously constitute the member control device 1 and be in the form of a control switch

  the lighting of a lamp or other control means, for example.

  The means 4 for recording the selection made advantageously also takes the form of a software task for managing information and control orders of the actuator or actuators dedicated to the control device 1 and cooperates with the software task forming the means 2 choice between a normal operating mode and a

1 5 configuration.

  The external device 6 can advantageously be of the remote control type with graphical display of the functions provided with at least one button 6 'for controlling the transmission of radio energy to the integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account a presence. radio energy

modulated (Figure 1).

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, to enter the configuration mode, the device 1, which is to be configured, is selected by pressing on a microswitch or the like, forming the means 3 for selecting a channel of command and a function associated with this channel. Simultaneous pressing of the button 6 'of the external device 6 in the form of a remote control 6 with graphical display of the functions then allows the emission of radio energy to the integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy of the device 1. The detection or not of such a presence of modulated radio energy will, as shown in the flowchart in FIG. 2 of the appended drawings, respectively cause the switch from normal operating mode to the configuration mode, after processing the signals in the central data management unit by the software tasks forming the means 2 of choice between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode and the means 4 for recording the selection made , or to maintain the device (1) in normal operating mode. The

  device configuration can then be performed.

  In the event that no presence of energy is observed, the

  device remains in normal mode and continues to transmit a normal frame.

  The central data management unit, in which the software task forming the means 2 for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode is executed, controls the high frequency part of the transmitter 7 after detecting an action on its inputs 2 'connected to microswitches 3 or the like of the control devices 1. When a signal is detected on its input connected to the integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy, the central unit authorizes a switch to configuration mode and allows

  the recording, by software task 4, of the selection made.

  The integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account a presence of modulated radio energy can advantageously be a radio frequency envelope detector or an infrared detector. This detector will preferably be of the radio frequency type, the electronic module of the control device not necessarily being accessible by the user or the installer. Indeed, in the case of electronic modules arranged behind a push button or a switch, the solution to be retained is the

radio solution.

  The different phases of the process according to the invention implemented by means of the device according to FIG. 1 are explained below with reference to FIGS. 4 a to 4 d of the appended drawings, as well as FIGS. 1 and 2. In mode of normal operation, the control device 1 is awaiting an event (Figure 2). If an action on an input 2 'connected to a microswitch 3 of a control device 1 is detected, the integrated means 5 for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy checks for such presence. Generally, no modulated energy is detected and the means 5 transmits a negative signal to the means 4 for recording the selection made, the di spositi f continuing while emitting a normal frame and transmitting a command such that, by

  example, a lamp ignition command (Figure 2).

  The device 1 is put into configuration mode by simultaneous or almost simultaneous actuation of the microswitch 3 forming the means 3 for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel and the button 6 ′ of the device external 6 in the form of a remote control with graphical display of functions (Figure 4a). I1 follows that the device 1 can be controlled by means of the micro-6 switch 3 and that the chosen function appears on the external device 6 (FIG. 4 b). The choice of another function is made by an additional short press on the microswitch 3, this choice being displayed on the external device 6 (FIG. 4 c). The selected function is confirmed by making a long press on microswitch 3. The central unit initiating software task 2, connected to microswitch 3 by its input 2 ', receives the corresponding signal and, after processing, delivers a recording signal to the software task forming the inoyen 4

  recording the selection made (Figure 4 d).

  According to another characteristic of the invention, the software task, which forms the means 4 for recording the selection made and which manages the information and the orders of coinmande of the actuator or actuators dedicated to the control device 1, can integrate, into in addition, a time delay carrying out an automatic changeover from the configuration inode to the normal operating mode. Thus, after configuration, the control device 1 returns to normal mode by default, in the absence of a corresponding command via the microswitch 3. As a result, the device becomes automatically effective again for transmitting signals. coinmande to a

  or several actuators dedicated to it.

  (; Thanks to the invention, it is possible to produce an unidirectional electrical control device at a distance from action equipment of electrical household equipment, of simple constitution and of low cost price. Such a device provides, in its software all the possible functions for a choice to be made by the end user or the installer. In addition, this device allows the visualization of the different functions and thus an easier selection thanks to the external device 6. In addition, the device is protected against the risks of accidental passage in

  configuration mode by a well-established sequence of events.

  Finally, the device according to the invention allows the transformation of a unidirectional link into an interactive link with

  user or installer at a very low cost.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, notably from the point of view of the constitution of the various - 7 elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without leaving for

  as much of the scope of protection of the invention.

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Claims (10)

  1. A method of configuring remote unidirectional control devices for actuating means of domestic electrical equipment, characterized in that it essentially consists in selecting a unidirectional control device (1); placing said control device (1), from a normal operating mode, in a configuration mode by taking into account a nearby modulated energy, to select a control channel for this device, then to select a function associated with this channel and to save the selected function, then to replace the device (1) in the mode of normal running.   2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that for the passage from the normal operating mode to the configuration mode, the device (1), which is to be configured, is selected by pressing on a microswitch or the like, forming means (3) for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel, to effect a simultaneous pressing of a button (6 ') of an external device (6) for transmitting radio energy to a built-in means (5) for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy from the device (1), to be delivered by means (2) of choice between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode, depending on the detection of the presence or not of modulated radio energy, respectively a signal for switching from normal operating mode to configuration mode or a device maintenance signal (1) in normal running.   3. Unidirectional remote control device for actuating means of domestic electrical equipment, for the   implementation of the process according to either of Claims 1 and 2,   essentially comprising means (2) for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode, means (3) for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel and means (4) d recording of the selection made, characterized in that it is provided with an integrated means (5) for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated energy, which can be controlled remotely by   through an external device (6).   4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the integrated means (5) for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy cooperates respectively with the means (2) for choosing between an operating mode normal and a configuration mode and with the means (4) of recording the selection operation. 5. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means (2) for choosing between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode essentially consists of a software task performed in a central data management unit connected, on the one hand, by means (3) of selecting a control channel and of a function associated with this channel and, on the other hand, by integrated means (5) for detecting and taking into account a presence of modulated radio energy, this central unit being further connected to a transmitter (7) for transmitting data to the external device (6) by through an antenna (8).   6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the means (3) for selecting a control channel and a function associated with this channel is in the form of a microswitch or the like,   fitted to the control device (1).   7. Device according to any one of claims 3 and   5, characterized in that the means (4) for recording the selection made is in the form of a software task for managing information and control orders of the actuator (s) dedicated to the control device (1) and cooperates with the software task forming the means (2) of choice between a normal operating mode and a configuration mode, in one central data management unit performing the software task forming the means (2) of choosing between a operating mode normal and a configuration mode.   8. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the integrated means (5) for detecting and taking into account the presence of modulated radio energy is a radio frequency envelope detector or a infrared detector.   9. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the external device (6) is of the remote control type with graphical display of functions provided with at least one button (6 ') for controlling the transmission of radio energy to the integrated means (5) of detection and taking into account   presence of modulated radio energy. - 10   10. Device according to any one of claims 3 and   7, characterized in that the software task, which forms the means (4) for recording the selection made and which manages the information and the control orders of the actuator or actuators dedicated to the control device (1), integrates, in in addition, a delay effecting an automatic changeover from the configuration mode to the