GB2533441A

GB2533441A - Improved controller and control system

Info

Publication number: GB2533441A
Application number: GB1507267.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Oz Andrews
Original assignee: IDEAWORKS Ltd
Current assignee: IDEAWORKS Ltd
Priority date: 2015-04-29
Filing date: 2015-04-29
Publication date: 2016-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 2035-04-29
Also published as: GB201507267D0; GB2533441B

Abstract

A controller 100 for installation on a wall 14 in a building such as a dwelling or office, comprises a back-box unit 102 configurable for installation in the wall such that the unit is substantially located behind a plane defined by said wall and a front-end module 106, mounted upon the back-box unit and configured to project beyond the surface of the wall providing a user interface. A touch-sensitive display screen is provided on the module and is operable by a user to select and display a parameter of a device to be controlled. A control ring on the module is configured to rotate about an axis extending perpendicularly from said wall and is operable by a user to change the selected parameter of a device to be controlled. The front-end module has a customizable interface and the back-box unit is remotely configurable to enable the parameters and/or the remote devices to be changed. The remote devices to be controlled may include lighting, heating, ventilation, blinds and similar devices.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1507267.1 RTM Date:27 October 2015 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

WIFI

KNX

BLUETOOTH

DALI

INTEL

AMD

ARM

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo

IMPROVED CONTROLLER AND CONTROL SYSTEM

The invention relates to an improved controller having a human machine interface (HMI) that enables a user to control a plurality of functions, including lighting. More particularly, the invention resides in a controller for mounting or installing on a surface, such as a wall, in a dwelling or office building for controlling remote devices, such as a lighting system.

Known controllers are typical of consumer goods and have relatively short life-spans because they are not updatable to extend the life of the product. This is because they are often unsophisticated devices with limited input-output connectivity. Controllers having a complex interface can suffer from wear and tear when one of a multitude of buttons is subject to overuse and fails. Further, known self-contained controllers that have, in the same housing, an operable interface and a control processor are often complex, which can compromise reliability and further inhibit updating to extend the life of the product. Overall, known controllers often have a single purpose with simple input-output control and low-level complexity that limits their operability and/or ability to control, or adapt to control, multiple devices.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved controller with an interface that addresses problems associated with known controllers.

According to one aspect, the invention resides in a controller for installation on wall in a building such as a dwelling or office, the controller having: a back-box unit configurable for installation in a wall such that the unit is substantially located behind a plane defined by said wall, the unit having: a port, connectable to a communication interface to control a number of parameters of one or more remote devices; and a processor, configured to control said devices via the port in response to user commands; and a front-end module, mounted upon the back-box unit and configured to project beyond the surface of said wall to provide a user interface, the user interface connected to the back-box unit and configured to control the back-box unit, the module having: a touch-sensitive display screen operable by a user to select and display a parameter of a device to be controlled and/or indicate the status of said parameter; and a control ring configured to turn about an axis extending perpendicularly from said wall and operable by a user to change the selected parameter of a device to be controlled and/or change a selected preset configuration, such that the controller updates the selected parameter and/or status shown on the screen, wherein the front-end module is a customizable interface and the back-box unit is remotely configurable to enable the parameters and/or the remote devices to be changed, and enable the module to control said parameters.

The port can have a wireless communication interface, such as a WIFI interface and/or a wired connection, such as a KNX interface. The controller can have one or more of said interfaces.

The controller can have a transceiver module, such as a KNX unit, configured to enable the back-box unit to communicate with remote devices and control parameters of said devices.

The back-box unit can be remotely configured to modify the number of devices controllable and/or modify the parameters being controlled and/or modify the preset configurations selectable by a user operating the front-end module.

The front-end module wireless interface can include at least one of a WIFI, BluetoothTM, Near-Field-Communication (NFC), Infra-Red, Radio-Frequency or optical connection to enable control and/or configuration of the controller from a remote device.

The controller provides an interface and means of operating a number of systems, such as lighting circuits, audio/visual systems, furnishings etc, which can be independently operated. The interface provides a user the ability to interact with complex management systems via said simple interface.

The combination of the upgradeable back-box and the simple interface provides flexibility because the controller is easily reconfigurable without changing the hardware.

The front-end module can be removably detachable from the back- box. In use the front-end module is preferably connected adjacent the back-box with the surface of a wall, in part, therebetween. The back-box can be mounted within the wall and the front-end module is mounted on to the back-box directy, without engaging with the wall.

Overall, the port and/or transceiver module provide an additional level of adaptability by ensuring the controller is compatible with control systems using DALITM, CresnetTM, KNX, etc. The front-end module can have a proximity sensor configured to change the status of the display as a user approaches.

The touch-sensitive display or interface can be substantially circular and have four equally sized sub-zones orientated around the centre of the display. This can be masked to match the size of the display. Dividing the interface into segments in this manner provides for more accurate detection of a user's finger swiping across the display.

Alternatively, the touch-sensitive display or interface can have a projected capacitive sensor (PCAP) located behind the screen, sandwiched between the screen and the display. This can be masked to match the size of the display. A swipe or drag movement of a user's finger across the display can cause the controller to change the type of device being controlled.

The control ring movement can be detected using an opto-interupt sensor, such as a code-wheel. This provides a low cost solution that has reliability.

The controller can be configured to detect the rate of rotation of the control ring movement with respect to a threshold and change a parameter or preset configuration when the rate of rotation is below said threshold.

The status of a lighting system can be shown as have one of six settings i.e. an "off" setting and five individual scene settings.

Turning the control ring at a rate of rotation above the threshold changes the status of the device of devices being controlled from, preferably, "off" to the brightest lighting setting or from a current lighting setting to "off".

The back-box unit can detect the rate of movement of the ring and respond differently according to the parameter being controlled.

The parameter to be controlled can be lighting, such as lighting system. Additionally or alternatively other dwelling features or furnishings can be operated via the controller.

The default parameter to be controlled can be lighting, and operation of the touch-sensitive display can enable a user to change from controlling lighting to control at least one of heating, cooling, ventilation, apertures such as doors and windows, aperture coverings such as blinds, sheers, partitions or drapes, sound-system parameters such as volume or track selection. The controller is adaptable and updateable to control any or all of these parameters because the back-box unit can be reconfigured to change the display and the way in which the system responds to operation of the touch screen and/or ring.

According to another aspect the invention resides in a building control system having one or more of said controllers.

According to another aspect the invention resides in a building, such as a dwelling, having said controller and/or said building control system.

According to another aspect the invention resides in a vehicle or a vessel, such as a train, plane, ship or boat having said controller and/or said system.

In order that the invention can be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the Figures in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a controller according to the invention residing within a dwelling and connected to a number of devices; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the controller of Figure 1 mounted upon a wall; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the components of the controller of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the system components within the controller.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an environment 2, such as a dwelling, vehicle, vessel or office has a number of remote controllable devices including curtains and blinds 4, volume control for a multimedia system 6, a heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system 8 and a lighting system 10. A controller 100 can be connected directly to a device, such as the lighting system 10. Additionally, or alternatively a controller 100 can be connected to a plurality of devices simultaneously across a network 12.

The controller 100 is configured for installation upon a surface 14, such as a wall, in the building 2. When installed, a back-box unit 102 is mounted or installed behind the surface of the wall 14. An optional network interface 104 can be provided to enable the unit 102 to communicate across the network 12. The network interface can be a separate component, as shown in Figure 2, or be integral with the unit 102. A front-end module 106 is configured to extend from the unit 102 beyond the surface 14 such that the module 106 is operable by a user. The installation of the controller includes a power supply line 108. If no network connection 12 is provided then the unit 102 can be connected directly to a remote device, such as a lighting system 10.

Figure 3 shows the sub-components of the controller 100 having a port 110 that enables the controller 100 to connect/control a device, such as the lighting system 10, or connect to the network 12 via the communication interface 104 to control plurality of devices remote from the controller. A processor 112 is configured within the unit 102 to respond to a user operating the front end module 106 to control the devices.

The user interface of the front end module includes a display screen 114 having a touch-sensitive portion 120 and a control ring 116 configured to surround the display. The ring 116 is operable to be turned by a user in order to operate the controller and the components or systems connected thereto. By way of example, the display 114, 120 has an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) coating for capacitive sensing of a user's finger.

The module 106 is round, being substantially cylindrical in shape, with the display providing, at least in part, a substantially flat surface having, for example, its plane substantially parallel to the plane adjacent to which it is mounted. The touch sensitive display 120 is circular and has four equally sized sub-zones orientated around the centre of the display. The touch sensitive area is masked such that the exposed area is substantially square and corresponds in size to the display screen 114.

The front end module 110 has a sub-processor 118 configured to manage inputs from the touch sensor 120 on the display 114 and monitor movement of the ring 116 using a rotation sensor 122. The rotation sensor 122 is preferably an opto-tracker, such as an opto-interupt device. The module 106 further includes a WIFI antenna for transmitting and receiving WIFI communications from the processor 112. A proximity sensor 124 and a status LED 126 are also provided within the module 106.

Connections between the module 106 and back-box unit 102 can include a serial communication interface, connection for the display and coaxial cable for supporting wireless communications, such as WIFI.

A second module 106, without a back box unit 102 can, optionally, be connected in parallel with a complete controller 100.

By way of example, the controller 100 can have a number of components as shown in Figure 4. The schematic Figure 4 shows that the controller includes a bus 202, at least one processor 204, at least one communication port 206, and a memory 208, a removable storage media 210, a read-only memory 212 and a random access memory 214. The components of the controller 100 can be configured across the back box unit 102 and the front-end module 106, and can optionally include the optional interface unit 104. A battery 216 can also be provided. The port 206 can be complimented by input means 218 and an output connection 220.

The processor 204 can be any such device such as, but not limited to, an Intel®, AMD® or ARM® processor. The processor 204 can be located solely within the back-box unit 102 and provide all the necessary processing for the module 106 and the unit 102, including the communications for the interface 104. Additionally or alternatively a processor 118 can reside within the module 106 for dedicated control of the interface.

The port 206 can be a wired connection, such as an RS-232 connection, or a Blue Tooth connection of any such wireless connection. The port can be figured to communicate on a network such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) or any network to which the controller 100 connects. Preferably, the controller 100 connects to devices via a KNX interface and network. The port 206 can provide a network interface to a 4-wire bus and/or can be configured to be compatible with known communication systems and protocols such as the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALITM) or CrestnetTM systems. The port 206 can be provided by the module 104.

The read-only memory 212 can store instructions for the or each processor 204, 112, 118.

The bus 202 communicably couples the processor 204 with the other memory 210, 212, 214, 208 and port 206 as well as the input and output connections 218, 220. The bus can be a PCl/PCI-X or SCSI based system bus depending on the storage devices used, for example, the removable memory 210 can be any kind of external hard-drive, floppy drive, flash drive or other such removable memory device. The controller and components therein are provided by way of example and do not limit the scope of the invention.

The processor 204 can implement any methods or operations described herein.

The processor 204 can be configured to retrieve and/or receive information from a remote server or device.

The controller 100 can also communicate with the module 106 via the bus 102. The module 106 has a collection of input components 222 including a display processing module 224, gesture processing module 226, sensor processing module 228 for processing touch and rotation inputs from a user, a WIFI processing module and a wireless communication interface 230, such as a Wi-Fi connection, and a proximity sensor 132.

In use, the controller 100 can be configured as a standalone unit to control a single system or remote device, such as a lighting system 10. The lighting system can have a number of individual and independently controllable lighting units. A user approaching the controller 100 would be detected by a proximity sensor 124 and activate at least one of a backlight, illuminating a wall surface adjacent the ring 116, or the display 114 screen.

Assuming that the lighting system is off and that the room is dark when the user approaches, the display 114 will indicate that the system is off by, for example, displaying the word "Off". Alternatively, if the system is on, and in one of a number of scene-settings, when a user approaches then the display 114 will indicate that the system is on or indicate the scene-setting or lighting configuration that is currently set by, for example, displaying the word "On" or "Bright".

The controller 100 is configured to detect the speed at which the ring 116 is turned and, by way of example, a rapid rotation of the ring will toggle the output of the controller 100 to change the lighting system from "Off" to "On" and the lighting system will switch on to the previous or default lighting setting, which can be one of a plurality of lighting scene modes, preferably the brightest illumination setting.

If a user rotates the ring 116 more slowly, beneath a threshold rotational rate, the display will scroll through a number of named lighting scenes or modes. For example, the scenes may include "calm", "study", "TV" or "party". By rotating the ring 116 each of these mode titles will scroll across the display 114 and a user can select which lighting configuration he wishes to illuminate the room with by ceasing to rotate the ring 116 when the preferred mode is shown in the center of the display. The controller then communicates and/or controls the lighting system to effect said mode If a user wishes to control an alternative system, such as the blinds in a room 4, audio system 6 or temperature 8 then a user can swipe across the touch-sensitive display 114 and the image displayed will change between one of the lighting configuration, status of the curtains and blinds, volume level of an audio system or temperature. The status can be indicated with icons representing the controllable devices.

Within each of these modes of operation operating the ring has a different operational effect, which can be unique to each system. By way of example, swiping upon the screen to select the heating controller will initially indicate the current temperature within the room and by rotating the ring 116 the temperature can be increased or decreased.

The display 114 provides an interface to a menu system operable via the touch sensor 120 and the ring 116. This enables the system to be reconfigurable because the number of systems operable by the controller is not dependent on the user interface. Further, the front end module 116 providing an interface to the user does not determine the number of systems that can be controlled because this is determined by the back box unit 102.

Functionally, the controller 100 provides a customizable and upgradable controller that can be reconfigured to extend the life of the product. The front end module 106 functions, primarily, as an interface and does not hold or store any presets or control interface functions. The module 106 can, therefore, be a serviceable component.

The probability of the module 106 requiring replacement is greater than the probability of the back box unit requiring replacement because it is exposed in use. The controller, therefore, can be serviceable without significant cost. The back box unit 102 can remain and the module 106 can be replaced without significant modification to the installation thus lowering the serviceability costs and extending the life of the produce.

The back box unit 102 can be serviced and/or updated via a wireless connection to the front end module 106. Additionally or alternatively, servicing and upgrading can occur via the network 12 to which the controller 100 is connected.

The controller 100 provides an interface and means of operating a number of systems 4, 6, 8, 10. The systems can be independent. The controller communicates with the systems to send control signals and receive status information associated with these systems. The updatable and reconfigurable back box unit is able to modify which systems are controllable and add new systems to be controlled -including changing the communication protocol used to communicate with the system. The controller can, if required, be adapted to communicate with a plurality of systems using two or more different communication protocols.

Despite the ability to interact with complex management systems the controller 100 retains a simple interface on the front end module 102, which utilises a control ring 116 and display 114 to control each and/or every system connected thereto. The simple interface makes the controller adaptable because their reconfiguration or reassignment is updatable in the back box unit 102, thus requiring no change to the front end module 106. As described, the controller 100 can act as a standalone unit controlling only one system. Alternatively, a controller 100 can be configured to communicate across a network 12, by using a network interface 104 in order to control a plurality of systems as described.

The back box unit is adaptable to provide a number of different communication interfaces such that the controller 100 can operate components or systems on different networks or bus systems thus providing the ability to expand and control more units or systems.

The controller can be provided with an additional front end module 106 located remotely from the controller. If the controller is required to control the operation of a large space having two or more entrances then a first front end module can be provided connected directly to the back box unit while a second front end module can be connected in parallel.

As described above, the controller is suitable for managing systems within different environments. It is particularly suited to vessels such as water-going craft e.g. yachts or motorboats.

In humid environments the separate of the front-end module from the back-box provides for improved reliability because the back-box is isolated from a potentially harsh environment.

Using the IP (or "Ingress Protection") ratings defined in international standard EN 60529 (British BS EN 60529:1992, European IEC 60509:1989) as a reference, the back-box can be configured with a lower IP rating than the front-end module because it is packaged behind the wall and has a relatively small exposed portion to which the front-end module connects.

By way of example, as a single unit, the back-box can have an IP rating of 66 while the front-end module can have a protection rating of IP69K. The interface between the front-end-module and the back-box can have an IP rating equivalent to that of the front-end module itself because other parts of the back-box are behind the surface on which it is mounted, thus protected by said surface. The front-end module incorporates fewer components and merely function to provide an interface to the back-box that contains the infrastructure to operate control systems and, therefore, the front-end-module can be more robust and less sensitive to environmental conditions.

The present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, which extends to equivalents of the features described and combinations of one or more features described herein. The invention also consists in any individual features described or implicit herein.

Claims

Claims 1. A controller for installation on wall in a building such as a dwelling or office, the controller having: a back-box unit configurable for installation in a wall such that the unit is substantially located behind a plane defined by said wall, the unit having: a port, connectable to a communication interface to control a number of parameters of one or more remote devices; and a processor, configured to control said devices via the port in response to user commands; and a front-end module, mounted upon the back-box unit and configured to project beyond the surface of said wall to provide a user interface, the user interface connected to the back-box unit and configured to control the back-box unit, the module having: a touch-sensitive display screen operable by a user to select and display a parameter of a device to be controlled and/or indicate the status of said parameter; and a control ring configured to turn about an axis extending perpendicularly from said wall and operable by a user to change the selected parameter of a device to be controlled and/or change a selected preset configuration, such that the controller updates the selected parameter and/or status shown on the screen, wherein the front-end module is a customizable interface and the back-box is remotely configurable to enable the parameters and/or the remote devices to be changed, and enable the module to control said parameters.
2. A controller according to claim 1, wherein the port has a wireless communication interface, such as a WIFI interface and/or a wired connection, such as a KNX interface.
3. A controller according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transceiver module, such as a KNX unit, configured to enable the back-box unit to communicate with remote devices and control parameters of said 5 devices.
4. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the back-box unit is remotely configurable to modify the number of devices controllable and/or modify the parameters being controlled and/or modify the preset configurations selectable by a user operating the front-end module.
5. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the front-end module wireless interface includes at least one of a WIFI, BluetoothTm, Near-Field-Communication (NFC), Infra-Red, Radio-Frequency or optical connection to enable control and/or configuration of the controller from a remote device.
6. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the front-end module further has a proximity sensor configured to change the status of the display as a user approaches.
7. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch-sensitive display is substantially circular and has four equally sized sub-zones orientated around the centre of the display.
8. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein a swipe or drag movement of a user's finger across the display causes the controller to change the type of device being controlled.
9. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the control ring movement is detected using an opto-interupt sensor, such as a code-wheel.
10. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to detect the rate of rotation of the control ring movement with respect to a threshold and change a parameter or preset configuration when the rate of rotation is below said threshold.
11. A controller according to claim 10, wherein turning the control ring at a rate of rotation above the threshold changes the status of the device of devices being controlled from, preferably, "off" to the brightest lighting setting or from a current lighting setting to "off".
12. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the parameter to be controlled is lighting.
13. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the default parameter to be controlled is lighting, and operation of the touch-sensitive display enables a user to change from controlling lighting to control at least one of heating, cooling, ventilation, apertures such as doors and windows, aperture coverings such as blinds, sheers, partitions or drapes, sound-system parameters such as volume or track selection.
14. A building control system having a controller according to any preceding claim.
15. A building, such as a dwelling, having a controller according to any of claims 1 to 14 and/or a system according to claim 15.
16. A vehicle or a vessel, such as a train, ship or boat having a controller according to any of claims 1 to 14 and/or a system according to claim 15.
17. A controller as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 1 to 4.
18. A system as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 1 to 4.
19. A building management system having a system or controller as hereinbefore described.
20. A building having a system or controller as hereinbefore described.Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A controller for installation on wall in a building such as a dwelling or office, the controller having: a back-box unit configurable for installation in a wall such that the unit is substantially located behind a plane defined by said wall, the unit having: a port, connectable to a communication interface to control a number of parameters of one or more remote devices; and a processor, configured to control said devices via the port in response to user commands; and a front-end module, mounted upon the back-box unit and configured to project beyond the surface of said wall to provide a user interface, the user interface connected to the back-box unit and configured to control the back-box unit, the module having: (r) a touch-sensitive display screen operable by a user to select and display a parameter of a device to be controlled and/or indicate O the status of said parameter; and CO a control ring configured to turn about an axis extending perpendicularly from said wall and operable by a user to change the selected parameter of a device to be controlled and/or change a selected preset configuration, such that the controller updates the selected parameter and/or status shown on the screen, wherein the controller is configured to detect the rate of rotation of the control ring movement with respect to a threshold and change a parameter or preset configuration when the rate of rotation is below said threshold; and wherein the front-end module is a customizable interface and the back-box is remotely configurable to enable the parameters and/or the remote devices to be changed, and enable the module to control said parameters.2. A controller according to claim 1, wherein the port has a wireless communication interface, such as a WIFI interface and/or a wired connection.3. A controller according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transceiver module, configured to enable the back-box unit to communicate with remote devices and control parameters of said devices.4. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the back-box unit is remotely configurable to modify the number of devices controllable and/or modify the parameters being controlled and/or modify the preset configurations selectable by a user operating the front-end module.5. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein a front-end module wireless interface includes at least one of a WIFI, Near-Field-Communication (NFC), Infra-Red, Radio-Frequency or optical connection to (r) enable control and/or configuration of the controller from a remote device.6. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the front-endCDmodule further has a proximity sensor configured to change the status of the Co display as a user approaches.7. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch-sensitive display is substantially circular and has four equally sized sub-zones orientated around the centre of the display.8. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein a swipe or drag movement of a user's finger across the display causes the controller to change the type of device being controlled.9. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the control ring movement is detected using an opto-interupt sensor, such as a code-wheel.10. A controller according to any of claims 1-9, wherein turning the control ring at a rate of rotation above the threshold changes the status of the device of devices being controlled from, preferably, "off" to the brightest lighting setting or from a current lighting setting to "off".11. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the parameter to be controlled is lighting.12. A controller according to any preceding claim, wherein the default parameter to be controlled is lighting, and operation of the touch-sensitive display enables a user to change from controlling lighting to control at least (r) one of heating, cooling, ventilation, apertures such as doors and windows, aperture coverings such as blinds, sheers, partitions or drapes, sound-system C\I parameters such as volume or track selection.CoO 13. A building control system having a controller according to any preceding claim.14. A building, such as a dwelling, having a controller according to any of claims 1 to 12 and/or a system according to claim 13.15. A vehicle or a vessel, such as a train, ship or boat having a controller according to any of claims 1 to 12 and/or a system according to claim 13.16. A controller as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 1 to 4.17. A system as hereinbefore described and shown in Figures 1 to 4.18. A building management system having a system or controller as hereinbefore described.19. A building having a system or controller as hereinbefore described.OCO O