Method for constituting a home automation network

Translation of description of equivalent WO 03049375 A2

The method of constituting a home automation network.

The invention relates to the field of home automation such networks and more particularly to a method for establishing a basic network or a network comprising a combination of elementary networks, said network allowing communication between products for the management of safety or comfort within a building, particularly in housing, where these products communicate through a wireless link, including by radio waves.

already known in field of home automation, or building management, various combination of plant components such as blinds, shutters, gates and other devices such as air conditioners or heating means or lighting. Users, who are increasingly demanding, have advanced management technology components and manufacturers to satisfy customer, have facilities in the form of home automation network comprising management means.

The remaining issues to be resolved are those due to the installation of various components which are operated by actuators controlled by the transmitters, sensors or other control devices. Indeed, the installer must build the network, often without special knowledge and more he has to recognize new equipment and build new product groups in an existing installation, this in the most simple way, without much know sophisticated technical implementation. Installations are already known according to which the functional linking allows two specific elements of the network to share, temporarily or permanently, a communication link. This link, for example, a first element, to obey orders issued by a second element. The connection being called here, "temporary" when the link can be questioned during a voluntary network reconfiguration, which requires intervention of a skilled or experienced user.

There are several ways known to those skilled in the art, to share such a link.

For wired versions, developed through proprietary networks, and shared a configuration phase allows the installer to perform the pairings and especially the desired grouping. In the US patent 5,544,037, described such a method of definition of group addresses in the field of lighting. In the case of shared networks, Echelon (registered trademark), more intuitive methods of linking are available. Such methods have been disclosed notably by US patent 4,918,690 and European patent EP 0,838,740 and EP 0 574 636.

Also known by US Patent US 4,689,786, US 4,847,834 and European Patent EP 0 629 934 for processes in which, for simplicity linking the physical identity of each network component is generally up to a logical identity, for example, a sequence number increments for each component of integration in the local network (LAN). On linking systems communicating by radio waves, an additional difficulty arises from the fact that there is no wired link to clearly distinguish what is the network, and what is outside, imposing to increase the level of security.

In the simplest case such as disclosed by US Patents 4,385,296 and US 4,750,118, a learning procedure allows the receiver of an element to store an identification code contained in the transmitter of the other member, or vice versa.

Also disclosed in the prior art methods of cloning, to reproduce a transmitter to another same code or a plurality of already known identification code (s) one or more receivers. This reproduction can take place directly between the said issuers with a temporary wired connection such as by the European patent EP 0533 623 and US Patent No. 6,020,829, or directly between said transmitters by radio waves, one of issuers are actually bidirectional as disclosed in US 4,988,992.

The identification code may consist of a physical address or a logical address and may be encrypted during the learning transmission. The known methods of "rolling code" or a "code hopping" can avoid directly transmit the image of the identification code. In the more secure connections, the identification code itself is completely variable and it is simply a "germ" used by a receiver algorithm that allows it to predict future values ​​or the identification code. only germ is then transmitted during the learning procedure, as described in US Patent 6,191,701.

In the specifications of the Bluetooth type network (trademark), restoring a link is achieved by storing a common key, created and exchanged during a pairing process between two elements. As with several relations Echelon type of wired networks (registered trademark), the installer designates, by pressing a specific button, every element to be linked.

More distant networks, but sharing the authentication problem, the field of electronic locks resulted in embodiments in which the learning of a new control element (key user) by an actuator element (lock) is achieved under control of a third element (master key). This third element is not itself authenticated during a learning process but by a pre-recorded code in the actuator element during its manufacture as described in the international patent application published under number WO 80/02711.

We also find, especially in French Patent 2,761,183, in the field of remote door control, a form of authentication during a functional linking, carried out by a transmitter even previously recorded him in the course of a learning process. But this patent, filed by the applicant, does not expect that this step can be utilized to communicate bidirectionally, the information necessary for the progressive realization of a network. Is also known from US Patent 5844888, a method for producing a network of identical elementary cells communicating bidirectionally therebetween. Each cell receives an identifier during its manufacture. A cell grouping device allows access to the identifier specific to each cell and group cells by assigning a group identifier. Once the network is installed, the cells may be grouped themselves. This grouping is based on sharing, between cells, a group ID. The sending identifier to determine which cells are transmitters, which cells are receptors and cells which are transmission relay.

There is known from patent US 5,420,572, a device for configuring a communication network. This device comprises means allowing it to temporarily connect the elements constituting the communication network in order to exchange information for structuring thereof.

All of the prior art is devoted to either: - devices designed to operate unambiguously

(Multiple transmitters, a receptor) even in the case of possible bi-directional links (so just for transmission of acknowledgment by the receiver to the transmitter),

- Either for connecting network devices, and placed on an equal footing, with no hierarchical structure of that network,

- Either networked devices communicating in a structured way, after at least a configuration phase in which the installer (or the relevant user) has completed the appointment of all links and groups. The prior art therefore does not solve the problem of living together in a home network devices as well as unidirectional bidirectional.

The prior art does not allow to proceed with the establishment of a network installation on strictly identical terms to the installer, to those used in the case of unambiguous devices to which it is accustomed.

The prior art described in the patent applicant published under number 2 761 183, a type of functional in bringing together two elements, performed under control of a third element, itself previously authenticated to one of the elements in a learning process, but that these elements are bidirectional, and still less that that linking causes the transfer by a first bidirectional element to a second bidirectional element of at least one structuring the information network.

The prior art does not provide that:

- The structuring information hierarchically the network is a group name,

- The structuring information of the hierarchical network of the identity of links already established with the first bi-directional element.

Thus according to the invention, the method of incorporation of a home automation network comprising bidirectional elements such as actuators, elements at least unidirectional control (Transmitters, sensors), bidirectional control elements, is of the type that consists in functional relationship lasting at least two elements and is characterized in that the durable functional linking causes at least one transfer element of a bidirectional to another bidirectional element of at least one information creating a hierarchical relationship between these two elements.

According to a complementary characteristic, the information creating a hierarchical relationship between the two has a group name.

According to another additional feature, the information creating a hierarchical relationship between these two elements comprises the identity of the existing links with the emitting element information.

Adding that the process of the invention may be such that the sustainable functional relationship between two bidirectional elements is under the control of a third element, itself previously authenticated to one of the elements during an operation 'learning. This is particularly advantageous when one of the bidirectional elements is difficult to access.

According to one embodiment, the functional linking of a bidirectional control element with a bidirectional element is performed under the control of at least one unidirectional control element.

According to other embodiments, - The functional linking of at least one unidirectional control element with a bidirectional element is carried out under control of a bidirectional control element,

- The functional linking of two bidirectional elements of the same hierarchical level control is provided by the linking of each of the bidirectional control elements with a control element of higher hierarchical level,

- The functional linking of two bidirectional elements is ensured by setting successive functional relationship each with a single bidirectional drive member,

- In a setting functional relationship of a bidirectional control element with another element, it communicates to said bidirectional control element all of the identifiers for the items with which it is in a relationship,

- In the case of a linking between two different hierarchical level of control elements, the transmission of information on the pre-established relations instead of the lower member to the upper level element,

- In a functional relationship by setting a bidirectional control element with another element, traded a group name became common to all lower-level elements, put in contact with said bidirectional control element, - Transmission of the group name can be coded according to an encryption algorithm: for example, the group name is not directly transmitted as such but as a "seed" for the reconstitution of the group by name each element containing the same decryption polynomial.

The invention allows the cohabitation in the same home network control elements or other unidirectional to bidirectional elements.

It allows, inter alia, to construct the network progressively, in space and in time, securing this construction, in particular vis-a-vis the intrusion of foreign elements and / or unintentional addressing items not belonging to the network.

The invention makes it possible in particular nothing to change ways to make the installer when it combines first and individually simple control points to the actuators to be controlled, prior to the combination or the control points General to so-called actuators, and enables a more direct pairing mode when the installer has a set of supervision.

An important advantage of the invention is to allow the creation of a network containing at least several elements on which no direct physical action of the installer is possible to explicitly designate the goods to relate. Through the description of a preferred embodiment, allowing the gradual and implicit establishment of the network, the invention will be more readily understood.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description in the accompanying drawing.

The communication network to which the invention is applied and which is illustrated by way of example in Figure 1 comprises a partial or total combination of bidirectional elements associated with the actuators and / or sensors, unidirectional elements associated to sensors, unidirectional elements associated with remote controls, bidirectional elements associated with remote commands to which is assigned a first hierarchical level and, finally, to bidirectional elements associated with remote control functions and supervision which is associated with a higher level. The hierarchical level of a bidirectional element is preferably defined by the manufacturer and it is mentioned in the communication frame.

Physical communication between network elements preferentially operates in a multi-master / multi-slave mode.

1 shows an exemplary network comprising a plurality of actuators (Al, A2, A3), commands (Cl, C3), a sensor (SI), placed in the same building. The actuators (Al, A2, A3) are controlled by radio. They may themselves include specific sensors, for example position detection effort or obstacle. For simplicity, however, are designated by the single term "Actuators". Placed inside the products they entail, the actuators are not directly accessible, be it only through a button, or are simply a difficult access.

The installation of Figure 1 of products has been achieved, for example, in several phases.

In the first phase of installation, a patio awning (B) including a first bidirectional actuator (Al) was set up, and a first weather sensor unidirectional wind-sun (SI) for the autopilot the actuator (Al), which is arranged to be controlled directly by the user, using a first order unidirectional radio (Cl).

The installer will first to perform the matching of the first radio control (Cl) with the first actuator (Al) in a conventional manner, using, for example, the programming button disposed on said order, and a property not yet matched actuators (blank) to accept any order matching, as described in the prior art. This first matching is shown in Figure 1 by the arrow (Fl).

Thereafter, the first actuator (Al) accepts new pairing command as if it is from a command that it already knows. For example, matching the sensor (SI) with the first actuator (Al) will be done by the installer under control of the first order (Cl). Pressing the programming button of the first order (Cl), the installer transmits the first command (Cl) to the first actuator (Al) demand learning, thus validating the acquisition by said first actuator (Al) of the next transmitted code. The installer then presses the first sensor programming control (SI). The identification of the first sensor (SI) is then recorded by the first actuator (Al). This method saves more identifiers of different controls in a single actuator. This second matching is shown in Figure 1 by the arrow (F2).

It will be noted that at this stage, the bidirectionality of the first actuator (Al) is not yet operated.

Continuing the same example, the building known thereafter a second phase of installation, with installation of two shutters (B2, B3) each incorporating an actuator (A2, A3), ie, a second bidirectional actuator ( A2), controlled by a first one-way control (C2) to the first shutter (B2) and a third bidirectional actuator (A3) controlled by a third one-way controller (C3) for the second roller blind (B3). The matching of the second control (C2) with the second actuator (A2) and the third command (C3) with the third actuator (A3) is constructed as above, by successive operations shown in Figure 1 by the arrows ( F3) and (F4).

At this stage, the two-way nature of the second and third actuators (A2, A3) has not yet been exploited.

However, another matching procedure is possible for these two actuators (A2, A3), which use a communication mode prior (shown by arrow (F5)) among not yet matched products (blank).

This discovery method is that the newly trendy virgin products set independently for an ordering them not to react all at once to an order of the installer, and facilitating individual matching products. Such a method could just as well be used here prior to matching the second and third orders (C2, C3). The provisional way communication represented by the double arrow (F5) established for this occasion only concerns only virgin materials and can not be equated to the network structure described here, the purpose is to establish lasting relationships between elements.

At this stage of the installation, it is, for example, decided for the convenience of the second control (C2) can also control the second shutter normally activated by the third actuator (A3). The installer must make that third actuator (A3) learns to recognize the second command instructions (C2). This operation, shown by arrow (F6), is performed under control of the third control (C3), just as the first actuator (Al) had learned to recognize the instructions of the first sensor (SI) under control of the first order ( Cl).

Subsequently, it was decided to add to the installation a first bidirectional general control (C60) to form the network of the invention. Just as he practices with the prior art products, the installer will necessarily have to ensure that the various actuators learn this new order. This is materialized by three successive operations of matching, shown in Figure 1 by arrows (F10, Thread, F12). These operations are carried out respectively under the control of the first control (C) of the second control (C2) and the third command (C3).

According to the invention, this pairing step is utilized to transmit at least the following information:

- The list of elements, already known actuators (Al, A2, A3), i.e., the commands (Cl, C2, C3) and the sensor (SI).

- A group name that will be common to all elements matched to the bidirectional control.

Advantageously, the group name, for example, from the identification number of the bidirectional control and, in this case, it will always transmitted from this command to the elements to which this command is paired thereafter. Nevertheless, it is preferable in some cases that the group name is the contrary from the first actuator (or element) paired with this bidirectional control. In this case, the group name will first be transmitted to the bidirectional control in the first match, which in turn, communicate with the other elements in subsequent matches.

This will be illustrated from the plant of Figure 1. When relating (F10) of the first actuator (Al) and the first general control (C60), and under the cover of the first order (Cl), the first actuator (Al) transmits to said first general control (C60) identifiers it knows, namely, the first command (Cl) and the sensor (SI). Similarly, when relating (LAN) between the second actuator (A2) and said first general control (C60), under cover of the second control (C2), the second actuator (A2) transmits to the first general control (C60) id he knows, namely, the second control (C2), and finally, when relating (F12) of the third actuator (A3) with the first general control (C60) under cover the third control (C3), the third actuator (A3) transmits to the first general control (C60) identifiers of the second and third orders (C2, C3).

Obviously these operations are in any order.

It is proposed to take this first linking to simultaneously and automatically transfer a common identifier, for group name in network now consists implicitly by these cautionary successive relationship. The group name (NG1) is preferably formed from the identifier of the first general control (C60). All actuators, namely, the first, second and third actuators (Al, A2, A3) then know they are part of the same group (NG1).

This has the effect:

- Allow relaying (repeating, routing) possible by any bidirectional actuator (Al, A2, A3) NG network of any message received by one of the actuators, not the recipient of said message, and for which he notes that the recipient n has not sent acknowledgment. This process known elsewhere, giving the network a "robustness" significant enables:

- Operation in fashion low activity / low consumption of all actuators, they do pursuing each frame listening as if it began with the identifier of the network,

- React to a collective interrogation mode for the network members.

As such, it is entirely possible to use the invention in a different chronology of the newly proposed. Thus, when each of the first set relationship (F10, Thread, F12), only NG1 group name is transmitted. It would be that during a succession of individual questions, or better, at a collective questioning, later (s) made (s) by the first general control (C60), which would be passed to this command (C60 ) known identifiers of each actuator (Al, A2, A3).

After this operation, the first general control (C60) therefore has a table, preferably structured, giving the group topology (NG1) as follows:

NG1 - C60

al

Cl

IF

A2

C2

A3

C2 C3 Interest to automatically back known each actuator identifiers (or more generally each bidirectional element) to the general control (C60) is easy to understand by one example, we know that the shutters can very effectively contribute to the light management or to protect the interior against solar overheating. Thus, the information provided by the sensor (SI) initially functionally to the single first actuator (Al) it becomes available to the general control (C60), and usable if it contains a solar management program, or even directly for all group facilities (NG1) that would activate such a program previously recorded or downloaded after installation.

In parallel with the previous installation for mobile building products have can imagine having to install additional radio controlled products using the same protocol, shared between several trades. This is an example of lighting systems (B4), or heating and air conditioning (B5), not shown, equipped with actuators, respectively, of a fourth actuator (A4) and a fifth actuator (A5), respectively controlled by a fourth command (C4) and a fifth command (C5), or a second sensor (S2), also not represented.

These other systems are controlled themselves by at least a second general bidirectional control (C70). These systems constitute another independent network (NG2). The table contained in the second general control (C70) contains, as previously, the list (structured) of all identifiers of the NG2 Group. assume For example, the second general control (C70) contains the identifiers of the two actuators, that is to say the fourth actuator (A4) and of the fifth actuator (A5) themselves controlled by their corresponding control (C4) and ( C5) and by the second sensor (S2).

A new phase of installation, installed additional bidirectional control (C800) of higher level to the first and second general commands, respectively (C60, C70). This additional general control is, for example, a centralized control provided comfort management programs involving interaction products of various businesses.

Note that, this time, a direct match to the overall additional control (C800) at the first general control (C60) or second general control (C70) is possible, since this type of product is directly accessible by the installer and has, for example, a designation button or learning mode. The matching will therefore necessarily done under control of a third component previously authenticated.

Against by each of these matching operations will lead, according to the invention, in an information transfer.

For example, the additional control (C800) transmits to the first general control (C60) its group name (NG3), while this general control (C60) transmits the additional control (C800) its group name (NG1). Similarly, between the control additional (C800) and second general control (C70) are exchanged group names (NG2 and NG3).

During the same operation, or after a delay, are also transmitted IDs included in each table.

Thus, the table included in the additional control (C800) can it appear structured as follows:

NG3 - C800: NG1 - C60

al

Cl SI A2 C2

A3

C2 C3

NG2 - C70

A4

C4

AT 5

C5

S2

The first general control (C60) and the second general control (C70) now know belong to the same group (NG3), and may eventually spread this information to the items they control. It is noted that although communication between network elements is realized in any way and may, for example, as a multi-master / multi-slave network is functionally structured the same way it was formed.

It is understood that, by setting sustainable working relationship, we heard that, until further intervention in the installation, a first element becomes able to transmit commands or information to a second element adapted to receive, interpret or run.

It added that several embodiments, additional or proprietary, can be used:

1. The functional linking of a bidirectional control (C60) with a bidirectional actuator (Al, A2, A3) is carried out under control of a unidirectional switching element (Cl, C2, C3).

2. The creation of functional relationship of a control element at least unidirectional (Cl, C2, C3) or at least unidirectional sensor (SI) with a bidirectional actuator-sensor element (Al, A2, A3) is performed under control of a bidirectional control (C60).

3. The implementation of functional relationship two bidirectional control (C60, C70) of the same hierarchical level is provided by the matchmaking each bidirectional commands with a higher level of control (C800).

4. The release into a functional relationship of two bi-actuator sensor (Al, A2, A3) is provided by the successive functional linking of each of them with a single bidirectional control (C60).

5. In a related functional implementation of a bidirectional control (C60, C70 or C800) with one of the elements, it communicates to said bidirectional control all of the identifiers for commands with which it is already Related.

6. In the case of a linking between two orders of different hierarchical level, the transmission of information on pre-established relationship takes place from the lower level item to the top level element.

7. In a related functional implementation of a bidirectional control (C60, C70 or C800) with one of the elements is exchanged NG group name became common to all lower-level elements, put in contact with said bidirectional control unit.

8. The transmission of NG group name is encoded according to an encryption algorithm. For example, the group name is not directly transmitted as such but as a "seed" for the reconstitution of the group name with each element containing a single decryption polynomial. We have seen, in the network given by way of example, that the first, second and third control (Cl, C2, C3) are unidirectional elements, but it could be otherwise, for one or another or all commands may be the bidirectional, if only to exchange a receipt, for example.

The description does not mention future update procedures in a matching new elements within the already established network, these procedures are accessible to the skilled person.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented as examples, but it also includes all technical equivalents and their combinations.