Controlling and/or monitoring device using at least a transmission controller

Translation of description of equivalent WO 03107107 A1

CONTROL DEVICE AND / OR USING SURVEILLANCE AT LEAST ONE DRIVE CONTROLLER.

The invention relates, in general, the information technology sector and control or remote monitoring.

More specifically, the invention relates to a control and / or monitoring, including a plurality of devices, a central control unit, and a communication network connecting the CPU to various peripherals.

While many known devices meet this definition, these devices generally employ sophisticated addressing means, requiring the communication network performance which can not be obtained at the cost of a relatively high complexity.

On this basis, the invention aims to propose a technique to provide the same functionality as those known devices, but through the implementation of simple and prevalent today means.

To this end, the device of the invention, which also conforms to the generic definition given in the preamble above, is essentially characterized in that it comprises a safety circuit selectively adopting a Security Configuration or an abnormality configuration, in that each device is at all times subject to a condition that affects it in whole or in part, that belongs to a plurality of possible conditions including a reference condition, which the device selectively reports as a context code, and that the central control unit comprises at least a first transmission controller which provides, for each device, a stored reference code consisting of context code transmitted by this device to its baseline condition, reporting code context of each periodic scanning device by following these devices a predetermined addressing order , which operates a comparison to a context of codes detected by scanning devices and reference codes stored by him, and which controls a passage of the safety circuit of its security configuration to its anomaly configuration in response to the detecting an absence of codes to compare or a mismatch between the codes compared by him.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each device is identified by an identification code specific to it and that the device delivers to the central control unit, as a context code, in the case where is in its reference condition, and only in this case.

It may be useful to provide that the central control unit includes a second transmission controller that also has, for each device, a stored reference code consisting of the context of that code provides that device for its reference condition, and that the second communication controller, independently of the first transmission controller operates a comparison to a context of codes detected by scanning devices and reference codes stored by him, and control a passage of the safety of its security configuration circuit to its anomaly configuration in response to detecting an absence of one of the codes to be compared or a mismatch between the codes compared by him.

For example, each transmission controller comprises memory, a fixed table reference code stored in a phase of installation of the device and a dynamic table listing the context of codes detected by scanning devices, each transmission controller and can compare the respective contents of the fixed table and the dynamic table handing periodically update the content of the dynamic table.

The devices are advantageously electrically powered by the central control unit through the communication network.

Moreover, this network can be essentially of a wired bus connecting all devices to the CPU.

In its most complete form, the device 1 of the invention may be designed so that each device comprises a pair of interactive elements including a master element and a slave element associated with one another, that the communication network connects the CPU to different masters organs, for each device, the condition represented by the context code is a condition affecting the organ slave or slave relationship between the body and the master organ of this device, and that the master of each peripheral device supplies electrical energy to the slave of the device body and is an interface between this slave organ and the first controller transmitting the central control unit, the masters organs eg being supplied with electric power by the first controller through the network.

Under these conditions, one slave device for each device may include an electronic tag in which is stored the identification code for this device, the master organ of the same device then comprising a reader of the corresponding electronic tag.

Each device can also include a state encoder producing a state signal which depends on the condition that this device is subjected, and which is transmitted from one electronic tag for this device to the corresponding master organ, or which is developed by this master organ.

It is for example possible to provide that the slave of each peripheral member is movable relative to the master organ of this device, the status signal produced by the state of this device encoder is representative of a relative position of this body slave relative to master this body and that this relative position is the condition to which subject the same device.

To this end, the state encoder may, for each device include at least one permanent magnet carried by one of the interactive elements of this device, and a magnetic field sensor carried by the other member of this interactive device.

In this case, it may be appropriate to provide that, for each device, the state encoder essentially includes a pair of magnetised tracks permanently spaced from one another, carried by the slave organ of this device and a pair of corresponding Hall effect sensors, carried by the corresponding master device, that the magnetised tracks are disposed opposite the corresponding Hall effect sensors for a reference relative position of the slave member with respect to the body master, which is unique and is the reference condition, and that the status signal takes at least two different logic values, as the slave device is, or not, in its reference position relative to one organ master .

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which is given below, with indication and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a general schematic view illustrating a device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a slave device may be implemented in a device according to 1 the invention and in particular comprising an electronic tag; - Figure 3 is a schematic view of a master device capable of being implemented in a device according to the invention and in particular comprising an electronic tag reader;

- Figure 4A is a schematic view showing a master element and a slave element belonging to a device according to the invention, and located in a remote relative positions;

- Figure 4B is a view similar to that of Figure 4A, wherein the master device and the slave device are in a relative intermediate position; and

- Figure 4C is a view similar to that of Figures 4A and 4B, wherein the master device and the slave device are in their reference relative position.

As previously announced, 1 invention relates to a device for controlling and / or monitoring, this device especially comprising a plurality of devices such as Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pn, a central control unit 4, and a communication network 5 connecting the CPU to 4 different devices.

In the device of the invention, each of the devices Pa to Pn is at all times subject to a condition, which is the subject of control or supervision to ensure.

To fix ideas, one can imagine for example that each device can be in a state representative of normal operating conditions, to be taken as the reference condition or in a state representative of a fault condition, which should be able to detect take appropriate corrective action.

Each device realizes the condition to which it is subject as a code noted Ka, Kb, Kc, or Kn, which is called "context code" insofar as it concerns each device considered in his situation local.

The device 1 of the invention further includes a safety circuit 6, which is placed in a security configuration when all devices Pa to Pn are in their reference condition, or on the contrary in an abnormality configuration if the one or more of the devices are subject to a different condition of their reference condition.

For example, the safety circuit 6 forms an electrically continuous conductive loop in the security configuration, and is interrupted in its configuration of abnormality.

To determine the configuration to be given to the safety circuit 6, the communication network 5 includes a transmission channel 50 connecting all devices Pa to Pn in the central control unit 4, which itself comprises a transmission controller 41, or preferably two transmission controllers 41 and 42. Although the transmission channel 50 can be constituted by a radio channel, and that, moreover, the devices Pa to Pn can be electrically powered in situ by a decentralized source, the assumption will be made hereinafter only the transmission channel 50 is constituted by a wire bus through which, in addition, the devices are supplied with electrical energy, this arrangement corresponding to a particularly advantageous implementation of the invention.

Each of the transmission controllers 41 and 42 has, for each of the devices Pa to Pn, a stored reference code as Ra to Rn, each stored reference code taking the value that takes the context code issued by the corresponding device to its reference condition, the stored reference code Ra thus taking the value of the context code Ka, the stored reference code Rb taking the value of the context code Kb, etc.

Reference codes such as Ra, Rb, Rc, and R are stored for example, during a phase of installation of the device in a fixed table 411 for the transmission controller 41, and a fixed table 421 for the transmission controller 42.

Each of the transmission controllers 41 and 42 periodically scans each of the devices Pa to Pn in a predetermined address order, and notes the context code Ka through Kn for each device and scanned.

For example, each transmission controller as

41 and 42 includes a logical unit corresponding interface, such as 410 and 420, a table corresponding dynamic, such as 412 and 422, and a corresponding comparator, such as 413 and 423.

At installation of the device, the logic unit 410 of the transmission controller 41 controls, by his writing output Wo, recording different reference codes Ra to Rn in the fixed table 411, the logical unit 420 transmission controller 42 doing the same for the fixed table 421.

The device security level 1 the invention can be increased by providing that each of Ra reference code Rn has an internal structure satisfying a predetermined algorithm common to all these reference codes, that each of the controllers 41 and 42 checks during this installation phase, the structure of each of these reference codes Ra to Rn responds well to this predetermined algorithm, and the installation phase can be completed successfully if such is the case.

In operation, the logic unit 410 of the transmission controller 41 receives each device Pa to Pn the context code Ka to Kn corresponding and control, by his writing output W, recording this code in the dynamic table 412.

The comparator 413 compares one by one Ka context Kn codes contained in the dynamic table 412 to reference codes Ra to Rn contained in the fixed table 411 and informs the logic unit 410 of any mismatch between the compared codes, this fault comes from the absence of one or more io^¬

codes to compare, or a mismatch between the compared codes.

Similarly, the logic unit 420 of the transmission controller 42 receives each device Pa to Pn the context code Ka to Kn corresponding and control, its output W, recording this code in the dynamic table 422.

The comparator 423 compares one by one Ka context Kn codes contained in the dynamic table 422 to reference codes Ra to Rn contained in the fixed table 421 and informs the logic unit 420 of any mismatch between the compared codes, this fault comes from the absence of one or more of the codes to be compared, or a mismatch between the compared codes.

Periodically, the logical interface units 410 and 420 erase the contents of the respective dynamic tables, 412 and 422, by controlling their outputs erase E.

As soon as the transmission controller 41 detects a mismatch between the compared codes, controls passage of the safety circuit 6 of its security configuration to its anomaly configuration, this operation being performed, in the example schematically illustrated, interrupting the safety circuit 6.

The transmission controller 42 does the same, irrespective of the transmission controller 41. Although the context code Ka to Kn, each device Pa to Pn delivers to the central control unit 4 may simply represent the condition to which it is subjected device, it may be more useful to provide the context code delivered by each device Pa to Pn is constituted by an identification code assigned to this device to locate the specific way, and that each device Pa to Pn can issue its identification code to the CPU 4 that if is in its reference condition.

In this case, if there is Ca, Cb, Ce, and Cn respectively assigned identification codes to devices Pa, Pb, Pc, and Pn, Ka context codes, Kb, Kc and Kn respectively consist these identification codes Ca, Cb, Ce, and Cn when all devices are in their reference condition, the context code Kx Px any device that would be beyond their qualifying condition is however constituted by an absence transmitting the corresponding identification code Cx.

This is symbolically illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the devices Pa to Pn are all in their reference condition, with the exception of Pb device.

Figures 2 to 4C illustrate more precisely, as a privileged example, individual ways of implementing the device as described above.

In this detailed embodiment, each device such as Pa-Pn includes a pair of interactive elements, namely and 2a in Pa device, lb and 2b for Pb device, and 2c for the PC device, and In and 2n for the Pn device.

Each pair includes a master organ and a slave organ associated with one another, the device comprising Pa and the master organ 2a and the slave organ.

The transmission channel 50, in this case consisting of a wired bus, connects the CPU 4 with different masters organs such as 2a to 2n, these masters members being electrically powered via this bus 50 by the transmission controller 41.

The master of each peripheral device, such as the body 2a of the device Pa, in turn feeds the corresponding slave device, in this case the body into electrical energy and is a dialogue interface between the slave device and the transmission controller 41 to 4 control the CPU.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each slave device such as an electronic tag includes 100 (2) in which is stored the identification code Ca of the corresponding device Pa, and the master organ 2a includes a reader corresponding electronic tag 200 (Figure 3).

In conventional manner, the tag 100 and the reader

200 are in mutual communication by means of respective radio aerials, such as 10 and 20, the reader supplying the label with electrical energy by electromagnetic channel through these antennas.

Apart from its antenna 10, the tag 100 essentially comprises a multifunction circuit 11 that is connected to the antenna 10 and which provides for both the filter and the local distribution of electrical energy received by the antenna 10, the communication with the reader 200, and more generally the management of local iT resources that label has.

The multifunction circuit 11 has a memory 111 in which is stored the identification code corresponding Ca device Pa, which is conditionally passed to the tag reader 200.

For its part, the drive 200 includes, in addition to the antenna 20, a communication circuit 21, a control circuit 22 and a network interface circuit 23.

The communication circuit 21, which is connected to the antenna 20, is responsible for both the transfer of energy to the antenna 20 and the transfer of data to or from the antenna.

The communication circuit 21 is controlled by the control circuit 22, which may itself interact with the network interface circuit 23.

The network interface circuit 23 ensures meanwhile receiving one electric power conveyed on bus 50, and dialogue with the central unit 4 through the bus 50.

Each device such as Pa further comprises a state encoder 3, for example formed of a power supply circuit and shaping 30 carried by the master body 2a, and various other components such as 311, 312, 321 and 322 which will be detailed later.

This transducer status 3, which belongs at least partly to the label 100, is to produce a status signal, which is noted for Pa Stat_a device, which depends on the condition that this device is subject and is transmitted by the electronic tag 100 of this device to the corresponding master organ 2a, or is developed by this master organ 2a.

Specifically, the signal reflects Stat_a state for the device Pa, a condition affecting the body's slave or a relationship between one organ and the slave the master organ 2a of this device, this condition being precisely that at which is subject issuing the identification code Ca as a context code Ka.

In the case where the status signal as Stat_a relates to a relationship between the tag 100 and the reader 200, this relationship may be constituted by a relative position of the two bodies, as illustrated in Figures 4A-4C.

In this case, the slave organ is movable relative to the master body 2a, and the state signal Stat_a is then representative of the relative position adopted at any moment by the two bodies.

For example, the state encoder includes one or more permanent magnets, such as 311 and 312, carried by one of the members of the first pair P of interactive elements, in this case by the slave device, and one or more magnetic field sensors, such as 321 and 322, carried by the other member of said first pair P of interactive elements, in this case by the master organ 2a.

Figures 2 to 4C illustrate an embodiment wherein the state encoder 3 comprises two magnetised tracks, 311 and 312, magnetized permanently spaced from each other and carried by the body the slave and two corresponding Hall effect sensors, 321 and 322, carried by the master organ 2a.

The magnetised tracks 311 and 312 are disposed opposite the corresponding Hall effect sensors 321 and 322 for the unique relative position of the bodies 2a and illustrated in Figure 4C, this relative position being used as a reference and therefore constituting the condition reference.

The Hall effect sensors 321 and 322 are connected to the circuit 30 of power supply and shaping, which produces the Stat_a state signal and supplies it to the control circuit 22, this signal assuming at least two main logical values different, depending on whether the body is slave or not in its reference position relative to one master organ 2a. In other words, regardless of the number of bits for encoding the Stat_a state signal, the code representative of the signal begins with a most significant bit equal to "1" or "0" (or reverse) depending on whether the body is the slave or not in its reference position relative to the master organ 2a.

4A shows one organ the slave in a remote position with respect to the master organ 2a, that is to say in a position in which none of the Hall effect sensors 321 and 322 detects a magnetised tracks 311 and 312, and wherein the antennas 10 and 20 are too offset in relation to one another to allow communication between the reader 200 and the tag 100.

4B shows one organ the slave in a position called "intermediate" with respect to the master body 2a, that is to say in a position in which only one of the Hall effect sensors 321 and 322 detects the a magnetized tracks 311 and 312, the antennas 10 and 20 may be further optionally still too offset 1 'relative to one another to allow communication between the reader 200 and the tag 100.

Finally, Figure 4C shows the slave member in its reference position relative to 1 master member 2a, that is to say in a position in which each of the Hall effect sensors 321 and 322 detects the magnetic track corresponding 311 and 312, and wherein the antennas 10 and 20 allow communication between the reader 200 and the tag 100. For the relative positions illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B, the Stat_a signal takes a value such that the identification code Ca is not transmitted to the central unit 4, however this code being transmitted as the context code Ka to the reference relative position illustrated in Figure 4C.