System comprising at least a master unit and a plurality of slave units

The invention relates to a system comprising at least one master unit and a plurality of slave units, said master unit and at least one of said slave units comprising means for realizing preferably a two-way connection via radio frequency channels in which said at least one master unit includes means for transmitting control signals to said slave units, and each of the listed slaves received a unique address and each is associated with the controlled device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In control systems of the aforementioned type, it is usually time-consuming and difficult for a user to set up a system in which a remote control controller is used to control multiple devices.

[0003] In the prior art, systems have been described with the aim of increasing the ease of use. An example of such a system is described in EP

340 198 B1, where multiple units can be associated with the remote controller during the pre-configuration procedure. Then you can perform group configuration, where units can be selected one after the other and assigned to a particular group. It is understood that because all units to be assigned to a group must be operated individually, the procedure can be time consuming if multiple units are involved in the process.

[0004] Document WO 2004/064329 A corresponds to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide such a system that is user friendly, also regarding the pre-setting procedure, and by which it will be easy to establish a well-functioning system that is easy to use without unnecessary effort.

[0006] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a system that does not require special skills from the user to prepare it for use.

[0007] It is also an object of the invention to provide such a system by which it is easy to change the finished system setting and which further allows the user to operate a system comprising a plurality of controlled devices without effort.

[0008] It is also an object of the invention to provide such a system by which navigation between different devices is uncomplicated and motivating for the user, for example motivates the user to make full use of the possibilities offered by different devices.

[0009] Still further, the object of the invention is to provide such a system by which the daily convenience of the user is increased.

[0010] These and other objects of the invention were achieved by the invention as described in more detail in the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011]

The invention relates to a system specified in at least one multiple units listed in claim 1, comprising a main and subordinated units, wherein the main and at least one of the listed subordinate units comprise means for establishing a connection via radio frequency channels in which at least one unit the main contains means for transmitting control signals to said slave units, and each of the listed slave units has a unique address and each is associated with the controlled device, in which said at least one main unit contains means for configuring the slave main unit of the listed addressable by many sectors, said main unit also has the means to assign predefined identifications to the listed subordinated entities, wherein said main unit has display means with which the predefined identifications mentioned can be displayed.

units mentioned wherein [0012] Hereby, it is achieved that the system can be configured by the user in a way that allows performing individual operations in an easy to use manner, while providing the user with extensive information and insight into the possibilities proposed by the system / main unit regarding controlling devices related to subordinated units.

[0013] According to the invention, said master unit can be adapted to perform auto-configuration by means of which communication with said slave units is established sequentially, addresses and properties are stored and collated in a predetermined manner by said master unit.

[0014] Hereby, it is obtained that all slave units that are accessible by the master unit can be automatically contacted by the master unit and addresses, properties etc. can be automatically registered in the master unit storage device. The properties that can be registered can be, for example, a type of device associated with each slave unit, e.g. with an actuator / window opener, shutter, roller shutter, shutter, etc.

[0015] According to the preferred embodiment set out in claim 2, said predefined method in which said slave units can be organized automatically can include a summary, taking into account the characteristics of the device associated with the slave unit, in such a way that the slave units having similar the properties are organized in order, for example, with a unique identification that includes the label and number.

[0016] Hereby, it is obtained that all the slave units are automatically organized in a logical manner, for example all window actuators labeled such as "Window" or "Window actuator" together with a number, for example number 1 - n, with which the user can address individual actuators.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of claim 3, said master unit can be configured to facilitate the naming and / or renaming of slave units and / or sectors such as groups, rooms, zones etc.

[0018] Hereby, a further increase in ease of use is obtained, because the user can relatively easily use names, labels, etc. that clearly inform the user, for example, of the type or ownership of, for example, the device or group that is selected. For example, the user will be able to rename devices that are automatically named, for example, "Window Actuator 2" to "Kitchen Window Actuator" etc. via the main unit function, whereby the use of the unit will be direct. It looks similar in the case of groups, rooms, zones, etc., where, for example, "Room 3" can be called "Guest room" etc.

[0019] According to still another preferred embodiment as defined in claim 4, said master unit can be configured to form groups containing all slaves of a particular type when at least two slaves of said particular type have been registered in the sector.

[0020] Hereby, it is obtained that as soon as at least two similar devices, for example window actuators, have been registered, a group consisting of these devices is formed, for example, under the label "All window actuators". In this case, the user will automatically receive an option enabling, for example, closing all windows with one simple keyboard operation. In addition, it should be noted that the ability to create such "All" groups is dynamic, for example, if, for example, units with the label "Window actuator" are divided into two groups, such a "All" group will be created for each of them, if at least two window actuators will be placed in such a group. In addition, it is also possible to form a group containing devices that are not similar to each other, for example a group containing, for example, blinds and shutters that can be controlled simultaneously, for example to shield from sunlight.

[0021] Preferably, as defined in claim 5, said sectors may be associated with a location, for example a room or part of a room in a house, apartment, etc., and slaves located in said location may be organized in said sectors.

[0022] Herein, the system can be organized according to specific user needs and in accordance with specific rooms and locations.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment as defined in claim 6, at least one of said sectors may be associated with a room, i.e. one or more slave units of any type located in said room.

[0024] Herein, an option is provided enabling the units to be set in a logical manner, where the user can select a specific "Room" at the operational level, where only units that are in this room and available for control are shown, are displayed, e.g. in the form scrollable on the main unit.

[0025] According to still another preferred embodiment as defined in claim 7, at least one of said sectors may be associated with, may consist of subordinate rooms and units of at least one or two of several specific types.

[0026] Here, another advantageous option is available, because it will be possible in a particular room to separate a group consisting of units of the same type or mixed types, where it will be possible to control these units in a convenient way. For example, in this way it will be possible to create a group consisting of roller blinds with windows facing, for example, southwards, where it is possible, for example, to simultaneously close these roller blinds when the sun is shining. It should be noted that such a user-created group will usually contain less than the number of such units of the said type in the room, since a group consisting of all these units of the same type would normally be created automatically by the master unit. So a group containing "All" units of a certain type will be available when a room is selected.

[0027] According to a further preferred embodiment as defined in claim 8, at least one of said sectors may be associated with a plurality of rooms and may comprise at least two slave units of one or more specific types.

[0028] Hereby, a favorable option for the user has been created, since in many cases it will be necessary or advantageous to be able to control multiple controlled units at the same time, which units are located, for example, in different rooms. For example, it can be advantageous to close or open all blinds in the windows facing the sun, which windows can be located in different rooms. In addition, it was noted that it would also be possible to create groups that contain units from such a zone.

[0029] Preferably, as defined in claim 9, said control signal transmitted to at least one of said slave units may contain, in addition to the address, information regarding the type of operation, e.g. open / closed, increase / decrease, proportion information, e.g. %, preset level, preset or the like.

[0030] Preferably, as defined in claim 10, said master device may include clock means to facilitate delayed or real-time implementation of said transmission of control signals.

[0031] Hereby, it is possible to perform time-dependent operations, for example, sequential transmission of control signals may include a control signal sent to, for example, a window actuator 30 minutes after activation of the function control key to obtain that the window is open, for example in %, and after another 10 minutes, for example, another control signal is sent, instructing the window actuator to fully close the window. Such a time function may be based on a real time function or may be based only on easy measurement of elapsed time.

[0032] According to a particularly preferred embodiment as defined in claim 11, said control device may be adapted to transmit an additional control signal requesting a status message of the called slave unit, and wherein the slave unit may calculate the transfer time for said additional control signal taking into account said information on proportions.

[0033] Hereby, it is possible to design the system in an economical and efficient manner, for example with relatively limited resources in terms of computing power, communication activity, etc., because the system will not be loaded with control signals and requests sent at very short intervals. Instead, a control signal requesting status, for example to confirm that the requested action has taken place, will be sent normally only once at the time when the requested action is expected to be fully performed. The sub unit will calculate or estimate the time the sub unit will need to perform the requested operation, e.g. opening up to 80%, and this information is sent to the main unit, e.g. with a confirmation signal. This also reduces the power required to operate the system, thus optimizing battery requirements for, for example, the main unit. In addition, the operation of the channels available for communication will also be reduced to a minimum, thus allowing the effective communication of other units.

[0034] Preferably, as defined in claim 12, said slave units can be configured to provide a feedback signal to the master unit until the operation is completed, for example the operation is successful or not, device status, for example 40% open e.t.c.

[0035] It is hereby obtained that the user can be informed of the result of the activation, also in the case where the user is not in the vicinity of the devices that are controlled, for example when it has been chosen that the group or all windows should be closed. In addition, this function can also be used to provide status information about relevant devices, for example in the event that the user wants to make sure that all windows are closed before going to bed or that all doors are closed.

[0036] In a further preferred embodiment as defined in claim 13, said feedback signal may be limited to a feedback signal regarding non-performed operations.

[0037] Hereby, it is obtained that the user obtains information that is very important to the user. For example, if a group of blinds has been instructed to close 100%, it is not in your interest to receive one-by-one short messages regarding individual blinds. Instead, when one or more operations fail, the user receives a message informing him / her that, for example, two blinds have not closed.

[0038] Then the user can select these two blinds and be informed that the first blind has not been fully closed and no communication has been established with the second blind.

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment as defined in claim 14, said master unit may be configured to perform a data transfer to a similar additional master unit, and said data transfer in addition to the addresses of the slave units includes the configuration of the slave unit label in sectors, e.g. groups, rooms and zones, and other user-defined settings.

[0040] It is hereby obtained that the renaming of actuators, rooms etc. and the configuration of sectors which were created by the user can be relatively easily copied to an additional remote controller, saving the user the effort of repeating operational steps and also ensuring that the content main devices match each other.

[0041] Preferably, as defined in claim 15, said master unit can be configured to facilitate the setting of slave units in sectors, for example groups, rooms and zones, and other user-defined settings.

[0042] In this way, it is obtained that in the event of a mistake being made, for example, in the creation of a "room", it will not be necessary to start again from the beginning. In addition, the addition of newly installed devices is also simplified in this way.

[0043] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention as defined in claim 16, said master unit may be configured to operate according to a predetermined mode in which slaves and / or sectors, e.g. groups, regarding specific locations, e.g. room, may be selected for control.

[0044] Hereby, it has been achieved that in the event that the user has a plurality of main units, (some of them) they can be arranged in a room where they are often used, and they can be prepared in readiness to select e.g. in such a room. In this way, the user will not waste time to find the right room, but can immediately select and control the appropriate devices, which contributes to the ease of use and convenience of the user.

[0045] Preferably, as stated in claim 17, said master unit can be configured to slave units and / or groups for example also regarding, for example, rooms, while master units return automatically to predefined units and / or sectors.

sector control, other locations, [0046] Herein, it is achieved that the main unit will have universal application, but will automatically return to a mode in which the user can easily find and control units, groups etc. for a particular room.

[0047] Preferably, as defined in claim 18, said master unit can be configured to control only slave units and / or sectors, e.g. groups related to a specific location, e.g. room, in said predefined mode. It is hereby obtained that the use of such a particular main unit will be direct, and even persons who are not accustomed to such systems can use them without problems.

Figures [0048] The invention will be explained in more detail below, with reference to the figures in which Fig. 1 schematically shows a control system comprising a plurality of controlled devices in a house or building, Fig. 1a is an enlarged view of illustrations of controlled devices that can be associated with windows, Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the remote control controller or main unit according to the invention, Fig. 3 illustrates the creation of rooms in the control system, Fig. 4 further illustrates the creation of rooms, groups, zones, etc. in the control system, Fig. 5 shows the control system illustrated in Fig. 1, but further illustrating the division of controlled devices into sectors corresponding to "rooms", "groups" and "zones", and Fig. 6 shows the control system illustrated in Figure 1, but with a plurality of main units to illustrate another aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0049] An example of a control system according to an embodiment of the invention, for example a house automation system, or part thereof, is shown in Fig. 1. Here, a building, house, apartment or the like 1 is shown schematically, where many instruments, e.g. equipment and fixtures that are controlled by the system according to the invention are further shown in a general manner.

[0050] The house or apartment 1 may comprise a series of rooms, for example rooms 3, 4 and 5 and a plurality of windows 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 can be located in these rooms. In addition, some of these windows can be fitted with awnings 20, 21, 22 and 23 also shown. It is understood that these items of equipment are only examples of instruments that can be controlled by the system, for example by means of one or more remote controls 25. Such remote control controllers are also referred to herein as master units.

[0051] Thus, it is understood that the window 40 may, as shown in Fig. 1a, include, for example, a window controller, an actuator, or an opener 41, an adjustable shutter 42 that can be operated by the drive means 43 and the awning 44 located outside the window and operated by the driving means 45.

[0052] Other examples of devices and equipment that can be controlled by such a system are motorized shutters, roller blinds and curtains, garage doors, roof windows, heating and cooling systems, alarms, lighting equipment, locks etc.

[0053] Devices, equipment etc. which are controlled by means of the system are associated with slave units, for example means for receiving control signals from the remote control controller (s) and for operating in accordance with the received signals. Such means may include radio frequency transmitting and receiving means, although it is understood that some instruments may be connected, for example, by means of a busbar, which may be used to send signals from a common RF receiver to the relevant slave units associated with the corresponding instruments, etc.

[0054] An example of a remote control controller or main unit 25 is shown in more detail in Fig. 2. This remote control controller includes RF receiving and transmitting means, a power source such as a battery, storage means, control means etc., and in addition as this is shown in fig. 2, the remote control controller includes operating means in the form of a display 26, an operating keyboard 27, e.g. for displaying information on the display 26, for selecting options, devices, etc., and control keys 28, for example, for controlling a selected device.

[0055] Once the system according to the invention has been installed, the initial setting or configuration must be carried out, after which automatic registration of the devices is carried out. This is initiated by means of the remote control controller 25, for example by inserting the battery into the remote controller controller 25, where the user is then instructed to turn on the power to the devices and control them with a key corresponding to, for example, the "Ready" symbol on the display, on the keyboard 27 to indicate to the remote controller that automatic adjustment can be carried out.

[0056] During this operation, the unique code in the remote control controller is sent to all remote controlled devices, e.g. slaves, which are in the vicinity of the remote control controller 25, from the point of view of communication. According to a predetermined procedure, for example as described in EP1 340 198 B1, the slave units during this procedure will send a response signal to the remote control controller 25, containing information in the form of the address and type of the slave unit, e.g. window actuator, awning , blinds etc.

[0057] The exchange of addresses and code may take place by the exchange of address and code, completed between one and subsequent units 25, in front of the slave master / remote controller, making the exchange between slaves and remote controller and this initiation process may take place in succession, until the last subordinate unit communicates its address and type and receives the Code. The configuration sequence of the respective devices can be determined in various ways and, for example, can be determined by devices susceptible to the initiation signal at different time intervals, which can be mutually independent and potentially randomly distributed between the devices. The device with which the sensitive time interval and the initiation signal will coincide first, will be configured first etc.

[0058] example

When the auto-configuration is complete, the automatic message is indicated by the settings icon on the display 26 and displays 26, the system is ready for operation. The remote control controller 25 now has a stored list of devices including the address of each of them and the type, e.g. window actuator, roller blind, awning, light, etc.

[0059] Furthermore, the master unit is configured to list devices or slaves that are currently associated with the master device in such a way that the slaves are shown in the list on display 26, arranged according to the type of equipment and the number, e.g. showing first window actuator No. 1-7, blinds No. 1-5, awnings No. 1-4 etc. The user can scroll up and down the list, for example using the navigation keys 27a and 27b, until the device is found and selected, in which case the device can be controlled by the keys 28a, 28b and 28c.

[0060] However, the user will be able to rename these devices, for example "window controller 2" to "kitchen window controller" etc. by using the function of the main device 25. This name change can also be done for other labels generated automatically by the system, for example groups, zones, rooms, etc., which can be changed to the right names allowing the user to easily orientate himself on what has been selected on the main device.

[0061] To make operation of the system easy and logical, the host device facilitates the division into, for example, groups of available controlled devices, which will be explained in more detail later.

[0062] As long as the available control devices are assembled as described above, the display means 26 of the main device will only apply to two levels, i.e. "Home", which after selection will be replaced with a list of all devices, or when the "Find" command is used, you will be able to find the desired type before going down to the number level. This is shown in Figure 3, where frame 30 shows this arrangement of available devices. Here, it is also shown that when there are more than two devices of the same type, the main unit automatically creates the group "all", for example "all window drivers".

[0063] First, a room can be described, for example room 3 in Fig. 1.

[0064] This can be done by selecting for example "Menu" and here selecting a menu item where a sector such as a room can be created. Here, individual units can be selected and assigned to the room, i.e. by pressing the 27c key enter the unit into the "room". It should be noted that when a device or unit is selected, it can be seen which unit was selected by briefly pressing the control key 28. Further units can be selected and added to the described "room" until the final memorization of "room" as, for example, "Room 1". This is shown in Figure 3 in Box 31.

[0065] Once a room has been created, the main unit will propose to store all remaining units in the "room", for example in "Room 2", as shown in Fig. 3, or if this is discarded, the display will return to a list from which it can be selected other products / units for the new room etc. It should be noted that when the units for the room and the room were saved, the units are automatically renumbered, as also shown in figure 3.

[0066] As explained, the "room" may contain controlled units in a particular room, for example room 3 in fig. 1. Here, window cylinders 13-16, awnings 21-23 are selected and, if other equipment is provided, for example blinds , blinds, lighting etc. can also be included. When the room has been separated, which as explained above means that at least one "room" has been created, the main unit can now enable one more level. When "Home" is selected, it will be possible, according to the present embodiment, to choose between "Room 1" and "Room 2" as shown in Box 31 in Fig. 3. Then, it will be possible to select all units of a particular type or it will be possible scrolling between units in the room.

[0067] Another way of dividing the controlled devices into sectors is shown in Fig. 4.

[0068] After the initial auto-configuration, the list, such as that shown in box 30, will be available to the user, comprising four windows, three awnings, two lighting and a further three groups "all".

[0069] Next, the user creates a room, "room 1", as shown in frame 31, comprising three windows and one awning. As mentioned above, the "all" group is also created automatically when the room is saved. Then, the remaining devices are assigned to the "room" as shown in Box 32. Now, when the user wants to control devices, the user can choose "room", in which case he / she will be able to choose one of the two rooms and then the devices and group (groups) contained in the room.

[0070] In addition, the user will be able instead to make the "home" selection as shown in 33, including the "all" groups for group selection or successively the individual items, in which case the user will have the option of choosing a specific type of device and a specific among those devices etc.

[0071] However, the creation of a sector in the form of a zone is also shown in Fig. 4. The zone can be defined as a group which is formed by already defined rooms.

[0072] If, for example, the user selects, for example, "window 2" from "room 1" and "window 1" from "room 2" and wants to create a group consisting of them, then zone 35 will be created, for example "zone 1", which contains the group "group 1" consisting of two windows. As mentioned above, such a zone may be renamed, for example to "south zone", where windows in "group 1" will be identified as windows placed in that zone.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 5, it may further be possible to form a group consisting of a plurality of units of a similar or unlike type in a particular room, for example a group 50 consisting of awnings 22 and 23 in room 3 and a group 51 consisting of from window actuators for windows 10 and 11 in room 5.

[0074] As further shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to form a special division into groups, which, as also mentioned above, will be referred to as a "zone" for the purposes of this application. Such a zone may contain units of the same or different types, but situated in different "rooms". or rather groups defined in such a zone will contain devices located in different "rooms". This is shown in fig. 5 with zone 52 consisting of, for example, awning 20 located in room 4 and awning 21 in room 3. Once such a zone is created, it is possible to control these devices simultaneously, for example awnings located on a wall facing south. It should be noted that the zones can include not only different rooms on the same level, but also rooms on different levels, for example in a house having a ground floor and first floor, for example an attic.

[0075] As mentioned previously, it is possible to change the names of the devices registered in the main unit. For example, when the "room 1" shown in Fig. 4 has been created, the three windows will be numbered as 1, 2 and 3. However, it is quite possible that "Window 3" is located between the other two, which can be confusing. Window 3 can be selected to change the name, for example to "window 2", in which case the existing "window 2" will take over the available space as "window 3".

[0076] The main unit is designed to facilitate editing of programming, renaming etc. that the user has made. In this way, a solution was obtained in which, if you make a mistake while creating, for example, a "room", it will not be necessary to start everything again from the beginning. In addition, the addition of newly installed devices is simplified in this way.

[0077] In addition, the main unit configured for the master can be transferred to a similar additional main unit, where data such as slave addresses, labels, names, configuration of slave units in sectors, for example groups, rooms and zones, and other defined settings by the user, they are sent to other main units or the remote control controller 25. In this way, the user is saved the effort of repeating the necessary operational steps. In addition, overlapping content of both main units is ensured.

[0078] Using the master unit to control the slave units, the slave units can provide feedback to the master device when the operation is completed. Such feedback can be, for example: successful or unsuccessful operation, device status, e.g. 40% open, etc. In this way, the user is informed about the result of the launch, also when the user is not present in the vicinity of the devices he controls, for example when it was decided to close a group of windows or all windows. In addition, this option can also be used to provide information on the status of relevant devices, for example in the event that the user wants to make sure that all windows are closed before going to bed or that all doors are closed.

[0079] In particular, when multiple operations have been initiated, for example, when a group has been instructed to perform operations or a program that is being implemented, the feedback signal may be preferably limited to the feedback signal about the non-completed operations. For example, if a group of blinds has been instructed to close 100%, it is not in the interest of the user to receive a short message about the individual blinds one by one. Instead, if one or more operations fail, a message is generated to the user informing him / her that, for example, two curtains have not worked. Then, the user can select these two curtains and be informed that, for example, the first curtain has not been completely closed and that no connection with the second curtain has been established.

[0080] In this regard, it should further be noted that the main unit has a display 26 and means for using icons, pictures, pictograms, graphic illustrations etc. instead of or in addition to text messages to increase ease of use and increase intelligibility.

[0081] A further aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to Fig. 6, which corresponds to Fig.

1. As explained above, the system may include a plurality of main units, e.g., 25, 25 'and 25 ", as shown in Figure 6. They can be all similar with respect to registered addresses of slaves, containing names, configuration of slaves in sectors, for example groups, rooms and zones and other user-defined settings, since it is possible, as already explained, to transfer data from one main unit to two. If the user has such a number of main units, the user will of course place one in each room, at least in the "main" rooms where the main unit is most needed. In such cases it is possible to set each main unit in such a way that, for example, the main unit 25 will be ready to select units or groups located in room 3 (for example, the display will show, for example, "Room 3"), the main unit 25 'will be ready to select units or groups located in room 4, and the main unit 25 'will be ready to select units or groups located in room 5.

[0082] Furthermore, the main units can be configured in such a way that it will be possible to control only units, groups etc. which are placed immediately devices, or associated with said room with respective main units. But they can also be configured in such a way that they can be used to control other units, groups etc. In the last case, when it is desired to control, for example, a window in another room, another room can be selected, the window can be found and controlled. When the main unit is left on it, it will automatically return to the room to which it was assigned, for example, after a set time, the display will again show, for example, "room 3" or "Bedroom", depending on the circumstances. Thus, the user will not have to waste time to find the right room, but can choose and control the right ones thus contributing to the ease of use and convenience of the user.

[0083] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the specific examples described above and shown in the drawings but can be modified in various ways and used in many applications in accordance with the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

VKR Holding A / S

Proxy:

32P23874PL00

EP 1 900 151 B1