EP1494192B1 - Remote control system for controlling household devices - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to environmental control systems that can remotely control home electronic, computer and electrical devices such as audiovisual devices, electric motors door or shutter, lighting and the like. The invention also relates to home assistance systems for people with reduced autonomy such as the elderly or disabled.

Prior art

Among the electronic aids designed to improve the daily life of people and in particular those with motor, cognitive and sensory disabilities, there are environmental control systems that allow to remotely control different devices used every day by people disabled or in loss of autonomy in their habitat.

In general, in the environmental control systems, the control commands of the devices are sent by infrared by means of a universal remote control. The existing universal remotes allow to control different audiovisual systems (TV, HIFI) thanks to the small number of infrared protocols used by the different manufacturers which it contains at the origin or that it acquires by learning. This creates a common system for controlling devices that receive infrared control signals.

For devices that are not equipped with means to receive infrared signals, there are so-called "home automation" sockets that can be controlled from an infrared remote control. These jacks are used to control electromechanical devices such as lighting devices or door motors.

However, whether audiovisual devices or home automation sockets, the use of infrared transmission requires that the user is in the same room as the device he wants to control because the infrared collides to the walls. The document US6400968 discloses an example of the prior art. There are more sophisticated environmental control systems that use both an infrared remote and a wired network. More precisely, in such systems, the commands are received in the form of infrared signals by a splitter which transforms them into electrical signals. The commands are then transmitted by electric current (carrier current) to the devices to be controlled. This solution, however, has disadvantages. Indeed, even if such a system allows the piloting of certain devices located in a room other than that where the user is, it requires a wiring of the habitat, which is not always possible because of the magnitude and costs of such an installation. In addition, the use of a carrier current to transmit control signals to the devices implies that they all are equipped with a receiving module capable of interpreting the electrical signals received to perform the command even for devices equipped with infrared control means. This prevents the advantage of using infrared transmission means that are integrated from the outset in some of these devices.

In the case of people at risk, such as the elderly or home-care patients, it is important that these people also have safe and convenient means to seek help or obtain services. For this purpose, there are home assistance terminals that can call and dialogue, free hand, with the operators of companies providing remote assistance or remote monitoring. However, these terminals are limited to the call of remote monitoring companies and do not make it possible to manage the setting in relation with other people in situation of mobility. On the other hand, this type of terminal is a device independent of the control system of the habitat. Therefore, it does not allow the contacted operators to interact remotely on the habitat environment when it is equipped with a control system.

Object and brief description of the invention

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose a system which makes it possible, without resorting to the use of cabling, to control devices from any location within the dwelling, and even outside of this one. The system is also intended to allow the user, if necessary, to have access to a support and linking service.

These goals are achieved through an environmental control system for controlling a plurality of devices in a home, said system comprising a transmission network for carrying control signals from a remote control device to the home appliances. driving, characterized in that the transmission network comprises a plurality of transmission interface modules, each module comprising short-range radiofrequency transmission means for communicating with each other and with the devices equipped with radiofrequency transmission means, and means radio frequency / infrared conversion to communicate with devices equipped with infrared transmission means.

Thus, the system of the invention makes it possible to establish radiofrequency coverage throughout the habitat. The user can then control the devices wherever they are in the habitat. The integration of the system of the invention in the habitat is relatively easy since it requires no wiring to transmit the control signals of the remote control device to remote devices. In addition, thanks to the radio frequency / infrared conversion means of the interface modules, infrared controlled devices can be controlled by the user even when it is not in the same room as the device.

The interface modules comprise processing means for identifying the device to be controlled so as to transmit the control command directly to the device or via one or more other interface modules according to the location of the device in the device. 'habitat.

Transmission interface modules can use Bluetooth® technology for short-range radio frequency transmissions, which is suitable for home networks, especially because of its low power consumption.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the system further comprises radio frequency controlled switch devices for controlling electromechanical devices in response to radio frequency control signals transmitted by the interface modules. The radio frequency controlled switch devices may include means for returning a confirmation signal for taking into account the control signal.

In order to facilitate the control of the apparatus for the user, the remote control device comprises environmental management software means for controlling the apparatus of the dwelling from the remote control device. The remote control device includes storage means for storing device identifications and control protocols associated with each device to allow the user to have access to the specific functions of each device.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the remote control device comprises a display device forming with the environment management software means a graphic interface for identifying and controlling the devices to be controlled. The remote control device may also comprise a speech synthesis device forming with said environment management software means an audio interface for identifying the devices to be controlled and a voice command of the environment management software means for driving at least a minimum of functions according to the technical possibilities.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the remote control device is a mobile telecommunication device of the GSM / GPRS type which furthermore comprises short-range radiofrequency transmission means compatible with those of the transmission interface modules. This allows the user to have access to a connection service via a GSM / GPRS mobile telecommunications network, said connection service including means for managing calls (priority, urgency). Users in situations of dependence or reduced autonomy can thus benefit from various assistance or relief. For this purpose, the remote control device may further comprise means for automatically generating pre-configured requests in the form of text or voice messages. thus minimizing the operations to be performed on the remote control to request services.

According to one characteristic of the invention, one or more transmission interface modules furthermore comprise GSM / GPRS mobile telecommunication means so as to receive control signals via a GSM / GPRS mobile telecommunications network. In this way, the devices can be controlled outside the home by the user with his remote control implemented on a mobile terminal.

The system may also include a modem equipped with a short-range radio frequency transmission port compatible with those of the transmission interface modules for receiving the control signals via a fixed telecommunication network and transmitting them to the communication modules. transmission interface.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a telemetry platform accessible by a GSM / GPRS mobile telecommunication network for managing the user's control of devices outside the home. as well as access to the linking service.

The system according to the invention may further comprise a secure download service which allows the sending of informational contents such as medical data concerning the person, data on his daily habits, the coordinates of the network of formal and informal carers, the carer's schedule, etc.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique globale d'un mode de réalisation du système de contrôle d'environnement selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 illustre un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif de télécommande utilisé dans le système selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une représentation d'un des modules d'interface de transmission utilisés dans le système conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 4 est un schéma fonctionnel représentant les principaux composants du circuit de conversion de signal d'un module d'interface conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 5 illustre un mode de réalisation d'un des dispositifs interrupteurs à commande radiofréquence qui peuvent être utilisés dans le système selon l'invention,
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique globale montrant des fonctionnalités supplémentaires du système de contrôle d'environnement selon l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic global view of an embodiment of the environmental control system according to the invention,
• the figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control device used in the system according to the invention,
• the figure 3 is a representation of one of the transmission interface modules used in the system according to the invention,
• the figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main components of the signal conversion circuit of an interface module according to the invention,
• the figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of one of the radio frequency controlled switch devices that can be used in the system according to the invention,
• the figure 6 is an overall schematic view showing additional functionalities of the environmental control system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an environmental control system that allows communication with devices without a wired link. For this, the system of the invention uses the technology of wireless networks of short range such as Bluetooth® technology that allows a range of up to ten meters. Bluetooth® technology also offers the advantage of low energy consumption, making it particularly suitable for domestic use. However, the system of the present invention is not limited to this technology. The system can also use any other known wireless home networking technology, such as HomeRF® or Wifi® technology.

The figure 1 illustrates in simplified manner an embodiment of the environmental control system that is implemented in a dwelling 10. In accordance with the invention, the system is first of all intended to enable a user 5 to control the different appliances. or systems of his dwelling without having to move. As shown on the figure 1 , the user may wish to control devices such as a TV 1, a radio 2, a lamp 3 or a computer 4. In general, the system of the invention makes it possible to remotely control the functions available on any type of electronic devices or as well as the start-up of electromechanical devices or devices (eg door opening, shutter motors, lighting).

In the environmental control system of the invention, the control of the apparatus is provided by a remote control 20 which is shown in detail on the figure 2 . The remote control 20 is preferably, but not exclusively, a mobile telecommunication terminal such as a GSM / GPRS-type mobile telephone which also makes it possible, via a mobile telecommunication network, to control the devices outside the home. This feature will be explained in detail later in this specification. The remote control 20 includes a short-range radiofrequency communication port 21 such as a Bluetooth® port, an infrared communication port 22, a screen 23, a keyboard 24, a microphone 25 and a speaker 26. The remote control 20 comprises in addition, standard processing and storage means for implementing the environment management software specific to the invention.

The management software enables the customization and control of all infrared-controlled devices, computer systems and peripherals equipped with a short-range radio frequency communication port compatible with the technology used in the system as well as electromechanical devices. For this purpose, the software records for each device to drive a unique identification. By identification, we mean either the infrared audiovisual protocol of the corresponding device or the name of the device to be controlled (eg door or flap motor, living room lamp, etc.). Each identification can be downloaded and stored in the remote control 20. With regard to the infrared protocols, these can be recorded in the remote control directly as manufacturer data files or by learning. In the latter case, as with a standard universal remote control, the infrared port 22 of the remote control is used to acquire the protocol from the infrared remote control of the device concerned.

In general, the software must be able to identify each device and the functions it allows to allow the user, via an interface on the remote control, to control all devices from any place of the habitat. The interface user can be of two types: graphic or vocal. The graphical interface is formed by features integrated in the environmental control software in combination with the screen 23 which is preferably a color screen with a good resolution. As illustrated on the figure 2 the user then has on the screen 23 a visualization, in the form of graphic icons, the devices present in each room of the habitat. The user can thus select on the screen 23 the device he wants to control with a pointer 27 for example. Once the device is selected, the software offers the user all the functions available on the device. For example, in the case of an infrared audiovisual device, the software will offer all the functions usually available on this type of device such as sound adjustment, program selection, etc. With regard to computer systems and their peripherals, the software will be able to make available to the user all the resources usually available on this type of system, such as access to the Internet, electronic mail, software, etc. . Finally, for electromechanical devices, the proposed functions will be essentially on / off functions. The control software can also inform the user about the current status of the device he has selected (eg on, off, connected ...).

The remote control according to the invention also provides a voice interface that allows the user to perform the same operations as with the graphical interface but in a sound. In this case, the software uses the microphone 25 and the speaker 26 of the remote control for the control and the voice information of the functions and menus proposed by the software, a sound file being associated with each graphic icon to carry out the synthesis. voice. Depending on the language of the user, sound files in the corresponding language can be provided.

Once the user has selected the device and the corresponding function on its remote control, the environment management software will generate a suitable control signal which will be transmitted as radio frequency waves to the device concerned via a network. of transmission.

In the case of a remote control implemented on a mobile phone, the control software for the specific services of the habitat is downloaded into an open mobile operating system operating under the Symbian® operating system for example. It can also be adapted to more traditional operating systems such as Windows® CE.

In order to transmit control commands from the remote control to the relevant devices without using a wired network, the system illustrated in FIG. figure 1 comprises a plurality of transmission interface modules 30 distributed so as to establish a radio frequency coverage in the habitat thereby forming the transmission network. Such an interface module is illustrated in the figure 3 . The module 30 includes an antenna 31 for transmitting and receiving radio frequency data signals according to the adopted short-range radiofrequency communication technology. In the case of the use of Bluetooth® technology, each module 30 comprises two Bluetooth® ports (not shown), one for bidirectional communication with an upstream module and one for bidirectional communication with a downstream module or equipment also fitted. a Bluetooth® port. Each module 30 is then able to communicate by radio frequency with the compatible devices located in its coverage area and with the other neighboring modules making, in the latter case, office of repeater to extend the link. A judicious arrangement of this equipment in the home allows, whatever the configuration, to reach a device to be controlled by routing orders or control information via Bluetooth® links to the module closest to the device. .

This network mode of operation is fully automatic in operation provided that each interface module is configured according to the devices it must control when setting up the system. For this purpose, each module is equipped, in addition to conventional programmable processing means, with a configuration interface. This configuration interface is formed by a bidirectional RS232 serial port on which an operator connects a portable computer equipped with module configuration and maintenance tools. These tools include a Bluetooth® ports configuration tool, an infrared interface configuration tool described below, a configuration tool for the controlled devices, a tool for configuring the recipients of confirmations for taking into account the commands, a tool for updating the resident software ("firmware") and a self-test tool for the interface module.

In general and as described later in detail, an interface module may receive signals or control commands from a voice control terminal, a mobile telephone apparatus or a terminal connected to a link ADSL via the Bluetooth® link. The module can also receive control signals from another module of the network, the latter operating in repeater mode. If the driven equipment is able to return status or event information, it is routed in a reverse path to that of the control signal to the defined device. The repeater function of the modules is also used to convey this information.

For devices with infrared control that can not be controlled directly with radio frequency signals, the interface module 30 further comprises means for converting radio frequency signals into infrared signals. The circuit used to perform such a conversion is represented in figure 4 . This circuit retrieves the radio signal from the antenna 31 via a radiofrequency transmitter / receiver 34. The signal is then converted into an infrared signal by a microprocessor 35 which executes a suitable conversion program. The radio signal converted into an infrared signal is then transmitted for transmission to the device to a series 37 of infrared diodes 32 via a modulator 36 for infrared light emitting diodes. As illustrated in figure 3 , the infrared diodes 32 are uniformly distributed around the module 30 to cover the room 360 ° once the module attached to the ceiling, which facilitates the positioning of the devices in the room.

On the other hand, in the case of electromechanical devices which have neither radio frequency reception means nor infrared control means, the system comprises radio frequency controlled switch devices 40 in order to also integrate these devices into the system. As illustrated in figure 5 each device 40 is formed from a home automation outlet equipped with a radiofrequency transmission port 41 compatible with the system, such as a Bluetooth® port, which activates or deactivates a relay (not shown), which makes it possible to interact with the device that is plugged into this jack. For example on the figure 1 two devices 40 are used to respectively control the starting or stopping of a radio 2 and a lamp 3. The radiofrequency transmission port integrated in the device 40 further comprises an identification. This identification is downloadable and registered at the habitat software level.

As illustrated in figure 5 , the device 40 comprises sockets 42 and male plugs 43 to be able to interpose between a socket 44 of an appliance and a mains plug 45. However, in the case of a shutter motor or door opening for example, the device 40 can be directly integrated into the power supply circuit of the mechanism.

This radiofrequency-controlled switch device advantageously makes it possible to control devices in all configurations of the home, since the radio link operates even when the device is hidden by a curtain or a piece of furniture for example. This device can return a confirmation of taking into account the action (feedback) to the interface module to which it is attached, this confirmation being transmitted to the remote via the network of interface modules.

By distributing transmission interface modules 30 across the habitat, typically at a distance of 5 to 6 meters between each module, a total coverage of the habitat forming a wireless communication network that achieves the devices from any place of the habitat. Indeed, as illustrated on the figure 1 if the user wishes, for example, to control the television 1 located in the room 12 while he himself is in another room 11, the control signal sent by means of the remote control 20 will first be transmitted to the module 30. the closest, namely that placed in the room 11, then this module to the module disposed in the room 12 to be finally transmitted to the TV 1. The number of modules through which the control signal transits depends on the distance between the user and the device to be controlled. If it can not be reached by the module that the user accesses with the remote control, the signal will pass through as many modules as necessary to reach the device.

We have seen how the user can control his environment inside his home thanks to the system according to the invention. With reference to the figure 6 , we now describe the additional possibilities offered by the system of the invention. These possibilities are mainly the control of environment outside the habitat and the access to a connection service in order to obtain a formal assistance or not in accordance with the system of the invention.

When the user is in a mobility situation outside of his habitat 10, the system according to the invention also allows the user to act remotely on the devices. In this case, as illustrated on the figure 6 , the relations between the user, the home 10 and a connection service 80 are established through a telecommunication network 60 which can be either a GSM / GPRS type mobile telecommunication network or at the same time such a network mobile and a fixed telecommunication network such as a conventional telephone network or a cable network. Outside the habitat 10, the user is equipped with a remote control 20 'implemented on a mobile communication terminal such as the remote control 20 illustrated in FIG. figure 2 which is a GSM / GPRS mobile phone. The user has the same environment control software and the same functionalities (graphical interface, voice interface) as previously described.

The purpose of the connection service 80 is to enable persons of low autonomy to come into contact with formal or non-formal assistants and to obtain, where appropriate, assistance (medical information, assistance, etc.). Through the connection service 80, the user can contact directly with a wizard 81 with which he can talk. Alternatively, in the case of people who have difficulty expressing themselves, the user may request assistance through pre-configured sentences by means of an electronic mail (e-mail) or text messages (SMS). , or by pre-recorded voice messages. This is possible thanks to the environment control software present in the remote control of the user who makes available to the latter a series of pre-configured sentences (text or voice form) corresponding to the requests that the user would like to make to the service. of connection. The linking service includes means for interpreting the pre-configured sentences in order to undertake the corresponding actions in response to the corresponding request. The connection service also has the function of managing the priority of the received calls according to the importance level of the query for example. It also handles acknowledgments and has the ability to forward the call (phone or text) to other caregivers. The service also manages emergency calls that are issued by the user by means of a dedicated key on the remote control. Thus, the user can obtain services by doing a minimum of operations on his remote control.

A telemetry platform 70 associated with the telecommunication network may also be implemented with the system of the invention to enable an operator to control traffic from one end of the chain to the other and to offer to the user a specific subscription. When the system uses such a telemetry platform, the user accesses the environment control functions outside the habitat and the interactive linking service this platform.

In the first configuration proposed for the environment control outside the home, only the GSM / GPRS mobile network part of the telecommunication network 60 is used. In this case, the network of interface modules 14 installed in the habitat 10 comprises at least one master interface module 141 which comprises GSM / GPRS mobile telecommunication means in order to interface with the remote control 20 'via a GSM / GPRS mobile network. The master module 141 receives the command commands from the remote control 20 'via a GSM / GPRS link 61 and then distributes them, via the Bluetooth® link, to the other slave modules 142 of the module network 14 to reach the device to which the Order order is intended. The user can remotely control the functions of the habitat using the mobile telecommunication network. The various elements used are then, in order, the remote control 20 '(mobile terminal), the network 60 (GSM / GPRS), the telemetry platform 70 and the network of interface modules 14 to control the specific functions of the home.

In this configuration, when the user is in his home, he can control the specific functions of the home with his remote control 20 by acting directly on the network of modules 14. In another configuration, the environmental control can be achieved remotely using, in the network 60, both the GSM / GPRS mobile network portion and the fixed network portion through an ADSL link 63 or an Internet link 64 type wired network. In this configuration, the user in a situation of mobility outside the home always controls the devices and access to the connection service 80 from his remote control 20 'via the mobile GSM / GPRS network in interaction with the telemetry platform 70. However, this configuration uses a terminal 50 which receives data via the ADSL link 63 and transmits corresponding signals in radio frequency, in particular according to Bluetooth® technology, to the network of modules 14. user controls habitat functions through a fixed link that allows for greater throughput in data transmission. In the same way, the functions can be controlled via an Internet link 64 to which is connected the computer 4 which is equipped with a radiofrequency port for sending signals to the network of modules 14.

In the two configurations described above a confirmation message can be returned to the user on his remote control to warn him that his command has been executed. More specifically, when the user controls the devices outside the habitat, he receives the confirmation message directly from the module network 14 interacting with the telemetry platform 70 if necessary.

The system according to the invention may further comprise a secure download service 90 which allows the sending of informational content such as medical data concerning the person, data on his daily habits, the coordinates of the network of formal and informal carers, the schedule of the carer, etc.

Claims (14)

1. Environmental control system intended to control a plurality of devices (1, 2, 3, 4) in a house (10), said system comprising

   - a remote control device (20); and

   - a transmission network for routing control signals from the remote control device (20) to the devices to be controlled, said transmission network including a plurality of transmission interface modules (30), each module comprising short-range radiofrequency transmission means for communicating with one another and with the devices provided with radiofrequency transmission means, and radiofrequency/infrared conversion means for communicating with the devices provided with infrared transmission means,

   characterized in that the remote control device (20) is a mobile telecommunication device that additionally comprises short-range radiofrequency transmission means that are compatible with those of the transmission interface modules and in that the environmental control system additionally comprises a linking service (80) that is accessible using the remote control device via a mobile telecommunication network (60), said linking service comprising means for managing calls;
   in which at least one of the transmission interface modules (141) additionally comprises mobile telecommunication means so as to receive control signals coming from the control device (20) via a mobile telecommunication network (60).
2. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that the transmission interface modules (30) comprise processing means for identifying the device to be controlled so as to transmit the control order directly to the device or via one or more other interface modules depending on the location of the device in the house.
3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmission interface modules (30) use Bluetooth TM technology for the short-range radiofrequency transmissions.
4. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that it additionally comprises radiofrequency-controlled switch devices (40) for controlling electromechanical devices in response to the radiofrequency control signals transmitted by the interface module.
5. System according to Claim 4, characterized in that the radiofrequency-controlled switch devices (40) additionally comprise means for sending back a signal confirming that the control signal has been taken into consideration.
6. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 5,
   characterized in that the remote control device (20) comprises environmental management software means for controlling the devices of the house from the remote control device.
7. System according to Claim 6, characterized in that the remote control device (20) comprises storage means for memorizing the identities of the devices and the control protocols associated with each device in order to allow the user to have access to the specific functions of each device.
8. System according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the remote control device (20) comprises a display device (23) forming, with said environmental management software means, a graphical interface for identifying and controlling the devices to be controlled.
9. System according to any one of Claims 6 to 8,
   characterized in that the remote control device (20) comprises a voice synthesizing device forming, with said environmental management software means, a sound interface for identifying and controlling the devices to be controlled.
10. System according to Claim 9, characterized in that the remote control device (20) additionally comprises voice control means for controlling at least a portion of the functions of the environmental management software.
11. System according to one of Claims 1 to 10,
    characterized in that the remote control device (20) additionally comprises means for automatically generating preconfigured control requests in the form of text or voice messages.
12. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 11,
    characterized in that it additionally comprises a modem (50) provided with a short-range radiofrequency transmission port that is compatible with those of the transmission interface modules so as to receive control signals via a fixed telecommunication network and to transmit them to the transmission interface modules.
13. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 12,
    characterized in that it additionally comprises a telemetry platform (70) that is accessible via a GSM/GPRS mobile telecommunication network (60) for managing the control of the devices by the user outside the house as well as access to the linking service.
14. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 13,
    characterized in that it additionally comprises a secure download service (90) for exchanging information content via a telecommunication network (60).

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