FR2951882A1 - Opening, closing or opening degree control module for window of building, has communication unit sending notification message to remote equipment, and processor ignoring all derogation requests to avoid closing of panel in range of time - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (20-1) has a processor for executing a scenario stored in an internal memory i.e. ROM, to transmit an instruction for closing a ventilation panel (10-1) to a control unit, in a determined range of time. A communication unit (24-1) sends a notification message to a remote equipment e.g. cellular telephone, or to a monitoring station (40), via a communication network i.e. local area network (R2), where the message comprises data representing opening/closing state of the panel. The processor ignores all derogation requests to avoid the closing of the panel in the range of time. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for controlling a ventilation panel (2) a computer program comprising instructions for performing a method for controlling opening, closing or opening degree of a ventilation panel (3) a recording medium comprising instructions for performing a method for controlling opening, closing or opening degree of a ventilation panel.

Description

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to a module for controlling the closure, opening, or the degree of opening of a ventilation panel. In this document, the notion of ventilation panel is to be understood in a broad sense. It aims in particular a window, a window, or more generally any type of leaf or opening. In the current state of the art, it is customary to control the opening or closing of a ventilation panel, using a wall-mounted inverter switch associated with the panel. This switch is typically electrically connected to an actuator adapted to move the ventilation panel in opening or closing. In this document, the notion of actuator is to be understood in the broad sense. It aims in particular mechanical or hydraulic means such as chain cases or cylinders. With the rise of home automation, solutions to control the closing shutters remotely, for example by phone, via a voice server, or the Internet appeared.

Some solutions also offer the possibility of remotely determining the state of opening or closing of the shutter. Such a solution is described in the document available on the Internet at http: //www.achacun-sa-domotique. com / applications / drivers-a-distance-to-the-home). However, this solution has many weak points from the point of view of security. First, the system requires the user to query the system to be reassured about the shutdown state of the shutter. Secondly, this solution requires the establishment of an authentication mechanism or password to identify the remote terminal issuing the instruction, otherwise, any malicious person could substitute for the normal user of the system and control the opening of the shutter. Thirdly, the closing order of the shutter can not be transmitted to the shutter in the event of failure or unavailability of the telecommunications network. In other words, any attack on the telecommunications network disinhibits the remote closure system. Because of these drawbacks, the networking of the control mechanisms of ventilation panels barely develop.

However, and for ecological reasons in particular, it would be desirable to provide secure solutions for opening and closing ventilation panels, without the manual intervention of the user, and while giving the user good visibility the state of closure or opening of its panels.

Object and summary of the invention

The invention relates to a control module of a ventilation panel and a remote control system that does not have the disadvantages of known solutions of the prior art. More specifically, the invention relates to a control module of a ventilation panel. This module comprises means for controlling an actuator able to close, open or adjust the degree of opening of this panel.

This module further comprises: control means capable of executing a scenario stored in a memory internal to the module, for transmitting to the control means of the actuator an instruction for closing the ventilation panel, in at least a first range of time determined by this scenario. This module also includes communication means capable of sending a notification message to a remote device, this message comprising a data representative of the state of opening or closing of the panel.

According to the invention, the control means are able to ignore any derogation request to prevent the closing of the ventilation panel in the first determined time period. In other words, the invention makes it possible to ensure that the closing instructions, scheduled in the first time periods of the scenario and stored in the control module according to the invention, will indeed be made, even in the event of a failure of the control network. communication, or receipt of an order to prevent such closure. According to the invention, the communication network is mainly used, in a downward direction, that is to say from the control panel to the remote equipment, in a notification logic. In a particular embodiment, the control means of the control module according to the invention are able to: - receive an instruction to perform a closing operation, opening, or adjustment of the degree of opening of the panel; and - to transmit this instruction to the control means of the actuator if this instruction is received by the module outside the first time range. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, it can be considered that the control modules defined: - first time ranges in which no derogation is possible, the closing operations planned in the first time ranges being systematically performed; and other time periods in which the control module can perform operations in accordance with instructions received, either via the network or, for example, from an inverter switch placed near the module or from a remote control . In this embodiment, when the control module receives an instruction to perform an opening closing operation or adjusting the degree of opening of the panel, it checks whether this instruction is received in a first time range, to which case the instruction is ignored or if the instruction is received outside this first time range, in which case the operation is performed. In a particular embodiment of the control module according to the invention: the control means are able to transmit to the control means of the actuator an instruction to perform a closing operation, opening or adjustment of the degree opening the panel in at least a second time period determined by the scenario, without overlapping with the first time range; and the communication means are capable of sending, via the network, a warning message to the remote equipment, this warning message comprising data representing the past or future execution of this operation.

In other words, the scenario can also include planned operations, but it can be overridden. In this variant embodiment of the invention, the control module according to the invention prevents the remote station, either before carrying out the operation or after having done so, so that an operator can prevent this operation, or trigger a reverse operation. According to a second aspect, the invention also aims at a remote control system of at least one ventilation panel, this system comprising a module as mentioned above associated with each of the panels and at least one equipment comprising: communication means able to communicate, via said network, with at least one of these modules; and a user interface capable of presenting to a user, and for each of the panels, information representative of the state of opening or closing of the panel.

In particular, the user interface presents to a user the state of closure of the panel, after each scheduled closing operation in the first defined time ranges and defined in the scenario stored in the internal memory of the module. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the operator of the remote station can send a command to modify the opening of the ventilation panel, this command being according to the invention ignored if it is received during the first time periods determined by the scenario. The control system according to the invention can be broken down into several variants. In a first variant, the telecommunication network is a cellular telecommunication network, and the remote equipment a cellular telephone comprising means for communicating over this network.

This cellular telecommunication network is for example a network of GSM or UMTS type.

In this variant, the invention thus enables a user to be notified, on his terminal, of the closure of a ventilation panel for any planned operation in a first predetermined time range of the scenario stored in the module.

The user can also use his mobile phone, to send commands to open, close or adjust the opening of the ventilation panel outside these first fixed time periods. Any command received during a first time period is ignored.

In another variant, the network is a local area network and the remote equipment a computer connected to this local area network. This second embodiment is particularly suitable for managing a plurality of ventilation panels of a building with many panels, the computer being for example installed in a surveillance room of this building. Several architectures could be envisaged. In one embodiment of the invention, the remote equipment (cell phone, monitoring computer, etc.) can communicate independently with each of the control modules to individually control the ventilation panel associated with this module. In a variant, at least one of the control modules constitutes a relay between the remote equipment and at least one other module. In this configuration, the relay receives notification and warning messages from the module associated with the fan panel, and transmits these messages to the remote device. Preferably, in the first, as in the second embodiment of the invention, it is preferable, but not mandatory, that the communication between the remote equipment and each of the modules or with the relay, is performed according to a mechanism called of "polling". In a manner known to those skilled in the art, in such a mechanism, the remote device interrogates, on its own initiative, the control modules or the relay to obtain the desired information. The invention also relates to a method of controlling a ventilation panel which method can be implemented by a module comprising means for controlling an actuator capable of closing, opening or adjusting the degree of opening of said panel; method being characterized in that it comprises: - a step of transmitting an instruction to said control means for closing said ventilation panel, in at least a first time range determined by a scenario stored in a memory internal to said module; a step of sending a notification message to a remote device, this notification message comprising data representative of the state of opening or closing of the panel; and a control step making it possible to ignore any request for derogation intended to prevent the closure of the ventilation panel in said first predetermined time period. In a particular embodiment, the various steps of the control method are determined by computer program instructions. Consequently, the invention also relates to a computer program on an information medium, this program being capable of being implemented in electronic equipment or more generally in a computer, this program comprising instructions adapted to the setting Implement the steps of the control method as mentioned above. This program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other form desirable form. The invention also relates to a computer-readable information medium, comprising instructions of a computer program as mentioned above. The information carrier may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a diskette (floppy disc) or a disk hard. On the other hand, the information medium may be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can be downloaded in particular on an Internet type network. Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description given below, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment having no limiting character. In the figures: FIG. 1 represents a control module according to a particular embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 2 represents a control system according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 represents a control system according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 represents a control system according to a third embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 5 represents, in flowchart form, the main steps of a control method according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of several embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 represents a control module 20 according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

This control module 20 is intended to be placed near a ventilation panel 10, in this case a window, with which it is associated. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the control module 20 has the hardware architecture of a computer.

It comprises in particular a processor 22, a ROM type ROM 23 in which is stored a PG computer program and RAM type RAM 25 allowing the execution of the program PG by the processor 22. The execution of the program of FIG. PG computer by the processor 22 allows the implementation of a control method according to the invention whose main steps will be described later in Figure 5. In the embodiment described here, the control module 20 comprises internal supply means 29. The control module 20 further comprises means 28 for controlling an actuator 21 adapted to close, open or adjust the degree of opening of the ventilation panel 10. In the embodiment described here , the actuator 21 is constituted by a jack. This cylinder is associated with a sensor 27 for determining whether the ventilation panel is in the closed or open position, and when open, its degree of opening.

In the embodiment described here, the control means 28 are constituted by an electronic card connected by two wires L1, L2 to the actuator 21. A first wire L1 is connected to the sensor 27, which allows the processor 22, to determine if the panel 10 is closed or open and when open, the degree of opening of the panel 10. A second wire L2 is used by the processor 22, to transmit to the actuator 21, via the means of command 28, an instruction for closing, opening or adjusting the degree of opening of the panel 10.

In the embodiment described here, the control module 20 also comprises an inverter switch 26 for opening, closing or adjusting the degree of opening of the ventilation panel 10. In accordance with the invention, the memory 23 internal to the module 20 includes a SC scenario, and INS instructions to close the ventilation panel in the first defined time periods defined by this scenario. The control module 20 also comprises communication means 24 for sending, to a remote device, a notification message indicating the state of the sensor 27, namely the state of the panel (closure, opening, degree of opening ).

FIG. 2 represents a first control system according to the invention. In this embodiment, the module 20 communicates, via a cellular network R1, with a cellular telephone 30.

In this exemplary embodiment, the exchanges between the module 20 and the cellular phone are of three types: first, the module sends, to the cellular telephone 30, a notification message to indicate the state of the sensor; just after executing a scheduled close instruction in a first time range of the SC scenario; the cellular telephone 30 can send, to the module 20, an instruction for performing a closing, opening or adjustment operation of the degree of opening of the panel 10. According to the invention, this instruction is ignored if it is received by the module 20 in a first predetermined time range of the SC scenario; and the control module 20 sends a warning message to the cellular telephone 30 to warn it of any operation of closing, opening or adjusting the degree of opening of the panel 10 planned in the scenario SC in a second determined time range that does not overlap with the first time ranges. This warning message can be sent to the cell phone either before or after performing this operation. If the cellular telephone 30 transmits an instruction to the module 20, the module 20 performs the requested operation, unless it is received during one of the first determined time periods of the scenario SC. FIG. 3 represents a control system according to a second embodiment of the invention. This system comprises three modules 201, 202 and 203 connected by a local area network R2 to a monitoring station 40.

In this scenario of the invention, the station 40 communicates by polling, independently, with each of the modules 201, 202, 203. Each control module 20; comprises for this purpose means of communication 241. This monitoring station 40 comprises a screen 41 on which a user can read the state of closure or opening of each of the ventilation panels 10; associated with a module 20; and the time of the last operation performed. Thus, in the example of FIG. 3, an operator can determine that the ventilation panel 101 has been closed at 8:10 pm and that the ventilation panels 102 and 103 have been opened at 8:20 pm. The monitoring station 40 can also be used to send an instruction to a module 20; to perform a closing operation, opening or adjustment of the degree of opening of the panel 10; associated with it. According to the invention, this instruction is ignored by the module 20; if it is received during a first predetermined time period stored in the internal memory of the module 201. Figure 4 shows a third control system according to the invention. In this system, one of the control modules, in this case the module 202 serves as a relay between the other modules 201, 203 and the monitoring station 41. More specifically, the module 202 comprises: - first communication means 2421 for communicating wirelessly with the communication modules 241 and 243 of the modules 201 and 203, and: second communication means 2422 for communicating, with the monitoring station 41, via a local area network R2. Figure 5 shows, in flowchart form, the main steps of a computer program PG according to the invention.

This program can be implemented by the processor 22 of the control module 20 of FIG. 1. In the embodiment described here, this computer program comprises two processes P1 and P2 which run in parallel. The process P1 makes it possible to interpret the SC scenario memorized in the memory 23 of this module. The process P2 makes it possible to manage instructions received via the communication network, via a remote control or via the inverter switch 26. The process P1 comprises main steps E10 to E40.

During a first step E10, the processor 22 determines an operation provided in the scenario SC.

During a step E15, it determines whether this operation must be performed during a first determined range within the meaning of the invention, namely a range in which no derogation is possible. If this is the case, the result of the test E15 is positive and the operation is performed during a step E20. Therefore, if a closing operation is scheduled in the scenario in a first predetermined time range, it is systematically executed regardless of the commands received from the network or from the inverter switch 26.

This step E20 is followed by a step E25 during which the module 20 sends, to a remote device (for example to a cellular telephone or to a monitoring station), a notification message to indicate the state of closure or opening of the ventilation panel associated with the module 20.

In the embodiment described here, this step consists mainly in reading the value of the sensor 27 associated with the jack 21 and sending the remote equipment information representative of the state of this sensor. If it is determined, during a step E15, that the operation defined by the scenario SC is to be performed outside a first determined range within the meaning of the invention (result of the negative test E15), a message warning is sent (step E30) to the remote device, before performing the operation (step E35). Alternatively, this warning message could be sent to the remote device after this operation is performed. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the warning is sent before carrying out the operation, and a notification message is sent (step E40) to the remote equipment, to indicate the state of closure or opening the ventilation panel 10.

The notification step E25 or E40 is followed by the step E10 in which the processor 22 determines the next operation defined in the scenario SC. The process P2 comprises steps E45 to E65 for processing the instructions received from the network, a remote control or the inverter switch 26.

When a command is received (step E45), the processor 22 determines, during a step E50, whether this instruction is received during a first determined range of the scenario SC. If this is the case, the result of the E50 test is positive and this instruction is ignored. On the contrary, if this instruction is received outside a first determined range, the result of the test E50 is negative and the operation is performed during a step E60. In the embodiment described here, a notification message is sent (step E65) to the remote equipment to indicate the closing state or coverage of the ventilation panel 10. It is understood, on reading the flowchart, that if the remote equipment receives a warning message sent by the module 20, for an operation performed outside a first determined range, this equipment can send an instruction contrary to the module to cancel this operation. Therefore, the invention offers great flexibility of use. It allows, and very advantageously, to define first determined ranges in which closing operations of the ventilation panel are systematically performed, without it being possible to deviate from it. Of course, if operations of opening or adjustment of degree of opening are defined in these first time ranges, these are also systematically performed, without possible derogation. The invention also makes it possible to define other operations, to which it may be derogated, either by sending a message to the module by the remote equipment (cellular telephone, monitoring station), or by means of a remote control or remote control. Inverter of the inverter switch 26. The invention further allows to control the closing or the degree of the opening of the ventilation panel 10 outside these ranges. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the scenario SC can be loaded into the internal memory 23 of the module 20 via the network, either from a cellular telephone 30 or from the monitoring station 40.

Of course, this loading is preferably done by secure communication means known to those skilled in the art (authentication mechanism, encryption, password ...).

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Module (20) for controlling a ventilation panel (10), this module (20) comprising means (28) for controlling an actuator (21) able to close, open or adjust the degree of opening of said panel , this module being characterized in that it comprises: - control means (22), able to execute a scenario (SC) stored in a memory (23) internal to said module, for transmitting to said control means (28), an instruction for closing said ventilation panel, in at least a first time range determined by said scenario; communication means (24) able to send, via a communication network (I1, R2), a notification message to a remote device (30, 40, 20), this notification message comprising a data item representative of the opening or closing state of said panel (10); and wherein: - said control means (22) are able to ignore any request for derogation to prevent closure of said ventilation panel in said first predetermined time range. 2. Control module according to claim 1, characterized in that said control means (22) are also able to: - receive an instruction to perform a closing operation, opening or adjustment of the opening degree of said sign ; and - transmitting said instruction to said control means if said instruction is received by said module outside said first time range. 3. Control module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said control means (22) are also capable of transmitting to said control means (28) an instruction for performing a closing, opening operation. or adjusting the degree of opening of said panel (10), in at least a second time range determined by said scenario, without overlapping with said first time range; and in that said means (24) for communication are able to send, via said network (R1, R2), a warning message to said remote equipment (30, 40, 20), this warning message comprising a data representative of the past or future performance of that operation. 4. A method of controlling a ventilation panel (10), this method can be implemented by a module (20) comprising means (28) for controlling an actuator (21) able to close, open or adjust the degree of opening of said panel, this method being characterized in that it comprises: a step (E20) for transmitting an instruction to said control means for closing said ventilation panel, in at least a first range of time determined by a scenario (SC) stored in a memory (23) internal to said module (20); A step (E25) of sending, via a communication network (R1, R2), a notification message to a remote device (30, 40, 20), this notification message comprising a data item representative of the opening or closing state of said panel (10); and a control step (E50) for ignoring (E55) any request for derogation to prevent closure of said ventilation panel in said first predetermined time range. 5. Control method according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises: a step (E45) for receiving an instruction for performing a closing operation, opening or adjustment of the degree of opening said panel; and a step (E60) of transmitting said instruction to said control means (28) if said instruction is received outside said first time range. 6. Control method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises: a step (E35) for transmitting to said control means (28) an instruction for performing a closing operation; opening or adjusting the degree of opening of said panel (10), in at leasta second time range determined by said scenario, without overlapping with said first time range; and - a step (E30) of sending, via said network (R1, R2), a warning message to said remote equipment (30, 40, 20), this warning message comprising a data item representative of the past or future execution of the said operation. 7. System for remote control of at least one ventilation panel (101r 102, 103), said system comprising a module (20;) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 associated with each of said panels (10; and at least equipment (30, 40) comprising: - communication means able to communicate, via said network (R1, R2), with at least one of said modules (20;); and a user interface (31, 41) capable of presenting to a user, and for each of said panels (101r, 102, 103), information representative of said open or closed state of said panel. 8. Control system according to claim 7, wherein said network (R1) is a cellular telecommunications network wire and said equipment a cellular telephone (30) having means of communication on said network (R1). 9. Control system according to claim 7, wherein said network (R2) is a local area network and said equipment a computer (R2) 25 connected to said local area network. 10. Control system according to claim 7, characterized in that at least one (202) of said modules, constitutes a relay between at least one other (201, 203) of said modules and said equipment (30, 40). 11. Computer program (PG) comprising instructions for performing the steps of the control method according to any one of claims 4 to 6 when said program is executed by a computer. 30 35 12. Recording medium (23) readable by a computer on which is recorded a computer program (PG) comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the checking method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.