KR20100041080A - Apparatus and method for controlling lights and power outlets - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A lamp/power outlet control device and a method thereof are provided to control a plurality of lamps indoors or outlets using a remote controller by mapping a lamp or outlets to a trained infrared remote controller signal. CONSTITUTION: A signal transducer(420) changes a received remote controller signal into a digital signal. In a training mode, a mapping unit(430) generates a mapping result value by mapping a control signal for controlling a lamp or outlets which are selected through a selection interface. A comparison and analysis unit(450) extracts a mapping result value corresponding to the digital signal from a memory unit in an operating mode. A signal transmitting unit(460) transmits a control signal within the extracted mapping result value based on the mapping result value to a corresponding lamp or outlets.

Description

Lighting outlet control device and method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING LIGHTS AND POWER OUTLETS}

The present invention is to conveniently control the lights and outlets in the room, and more particularly, to a light outlet control device and method that can freely control the lights or power outlets in the room through wired or wireless communication.

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT new growth engine core technology development project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Information and Communication Research and Development. [Task management number: 2007-S-010-02, Title: SMMD-based ubiquitous home media Service system development].

A typical example of a conventional indoor light control method is a method of controlling an indoor light having an on-off function or a brightness control function using an infrared remote control, that is, after the user points the infrared remote control toward the light direction as shown in FIG. 1. It is a method to adjust the brightness of the lights installed in the room or turn on or off.

Alternatively, the control panel may be installed at a light switch position and connected to the control panel in the same manner as power line communication, thereby turning on or off the light or adjusting the brightness of the light through the control panel.

As described above, in the case of electronic devices such as TVs, computers, microwave ovens, audios, etc., which are frequently used in homes, the plugs are always plugged into an outlet, and many plugs are left unused even when not in use for a long time.

In this case, even when the electronic device is not used, a standby power of a certain capacity is consumed, and thus unnecessary power consumption occurs.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2, after the infrared receiver 22 is installed in the power outlet 20, the power of the electronic device supplied with the power from the power outlet 20 is turned on by using the infrared remote controller 24. A way to turn it off has been developed. The power outlet 20 applied to FIG. 2 is an automatic power off outlet and has a structure for completely shutting off power to a relay in a standby state, and when attempting to use the electronic device again in a blocked state, an infrared remote controller of the electronic device. Use (24) to re-power the electronics.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a signal repeater used to turn on the automatic power outlet mentioned in FIG. 2, and using the infrared remote controller 24 of the electronic device currently connected to the power outlet 20 to the signal repeater. When the signal is transmitted, the signal repeater converts the remote control signal received through the infrared receiver 22 into an RF signal and instructs the power outlet 20. That is, the signal repeater converts a signal received through the infrared receiver 22 into an RF signal using the signal converter 30, and then transmits the signal to the power outlet 20 through the RF transmitter 32. And a repeater control unit 34 for controlling the repeater as a whole and a manual switch 36 for turning on and off the power of the signal repeater.

Conventional signal repeaters for controlling power outlets identify infrared remote control signals by frequency and use them to control power outlets. In general, because electronic devices use similar carriers, remote controllers other than the remote control of the corresponding electronic devices are used. There is a disadvantage that the power outlet can react even if used.

In addition, since the conventional signal repeater uses a simple method of converting infrared signals, it cannot be used as a tool for controlling a light or an additional outlet.

The present invention records and stores a digital signal of each infrared remote control signal through learning of various infrared remote control signals, and maps each of the learned infrared remote control signals to control a light or an outlet to the user. Allows you to control multiple lights or outlets.

An apparatus for controlling a light outlet according to the present invention includes a mode control unit including a signal receiving unit for receiving a remote control signal from an external device, a selection interface for selecting different lights or outlets, and a mode interface for selecting a learning mode and an operation mode; A signal converter converting the remote control signal received through the signal receiver into a digital signal, and a control signal for controlling a light or an outlet selected through the selection interface to the converted digital signal in the learning mode; A mapping unit for generating a mapping result value, a memory unit in which the mapping result value generated by the mapping unit is stored, and a mapping corresponding to the digital signal converted by the signal converter by searching the memory unit in the operation mode Comparative analysis unit for extracting a result value, and the extracted mapping result value And a signal transmitter for transmitting a control signal in the extracted mapping result value to the corresponding lamp or outlet.

The method for controlling a power outlet according to the present invention may include storing different mapping result values generated by mapping control signals for controlling different lights or outlets and different remote control signals in a learning mode, to a memory unit; Searching for a mapping result value corresponding to the received remote control signal in the memory unit after receiving an arbitrary remote control signal in a mode; and controlling a specific lamp or an outlet by using the searched mapping result value. .

According to the present invention, by adding a learning function to a control device for controlling a light or power outlet, a user can map and store a control signal for controlling a light or power outlet using a button in the remote control. You can control multiple lights or power outlets indoors.

In addition, the present invention can control each light or outlet using the infrared remote control in the same way as operating the button by learning the infrared remote control signal to the button for controlling each light or outlet in the control of the light or outlet. It can improve the convenience of

The present invention has the advantage that it is possible to control the same light or outlet with a plurality of remote control because it can map several infrared signals to one button through the learning function.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a power control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the power control apparatus includes a signal receiver 400, a mode controller 410, a signal converter 420, a mapping unit 430, a memory unit 440, a comparison analyzer 450, and a signal transmitter. 460, a central control unit 470, and a power supply unit 480.

The signal receiver 400 is a means for receiving a remote controller signal generated from a remote controller (not shown), for example, an infrared remote controller signal generated from a remote controller of various electronic devices, and converts the infrared remote controller signal into a baseband electric signal and outputs the signal. . In this case, the infrared remote control signal is composed of a carrier wave and a baseband signal, the signal receiver 400 includes a photoelectric conversion module 400a for converting the infrared remote control signal into an electrical signal and a band pass for removing the carrier from the converted electrical signal. The filter 400b is provided. That is, using the photoelectric conversion module 400a and the band pass filter 400b, the signal receiver 400 outputs only the baseband electric signal from which the carrier is removed to the central controller 470.

The mode controller 410 is a mode for selecting one of a learning interface and a control mode of a selection interface for selecting any one of an outlet or lights connected to supply power to an electronic device installed in a specific place, and a control device. With an interface. The selection and mode interface may be provided in the form of a button, and as a particular button is operated, the control device operates in a learning mode or an operating mode or a specific outlet or light is selected.

For example, when a particular button is pressed for a predetermined time after pressing a specific button, the control device operates in a learning mode so that an outlet or a light mapped to the specific button is selected, and the mode control unit 410 selects the selected outlet or light. Provides information about the central control unit 470. Here, the specific button may be a button for controlling a light or an outlet, that is, a button for adjusting the brightness of the light or a button for turning off the outlet.

The signal converter 420 may store a baseband electrical signal in the memory 440, that is, convert an analog signal into a digital value and output the converted digital signal to the central controller 470.

The mapping unit 430 receives information about an outlet or a lamp corresponding to a digital value and a button operated by the mode controller 410 from the central controller 470, and an outlet or a lamp corresponding to the digital value and the information. After mapping the control signal for controlling the to generate a mapping result value and stores it in the memory unit 440. The control signal may be mapped to different digital values, that is, digital values corresponding to signals transmitted from different infrared remote controllers. That is, when a plurality of electronic devices are connected to one outlet, the respective digital values may be used to control each electronic device. You can generate mapping results to control outlets or lights using the IR remote control. For example, map the volume button on remote control 1 to the brightness control (or power off function) of light 1 (or outlet 1), and the volume button on remote control 2 also control the brightness (or power outlet 1) of light 1 (or outlet 1). By mapping the power off function, the user can control all the lights or outlets in the room regardless of which volume button of the remote controllers 1 and 2 are used.

The comparison analyzer 450 receives a digital value output from the signal converter 420 from the central controller 470 when the mode selected through the mode interface of the mode controller 410 is an operation mode, and receives the digital value. After searching the mapping result value corresponding to the memory unit 440 and provides it to the central control unit 470. The central controller 470 transmits a control signal for controlling the lamp or the outlet through the signal transmitter 460 to the lamp or the outlet based on the mapping result provided from the comparison analyzer 450.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the signal transmitter 460 is a means for communicating with the wired / wireless communication unit 520 connected to the light control unit 500 and the outlet control unit 510. For example, a wireless local access (WLAN). Network, Bluetooth, 802.15.4, Zigbee, RF communication, power line communication, serial communication (RS-232, RS-485) and the like.

That is, the signal transmitter 460 transmits a control signal to the wired / wireless communication unit 520 connected to the light or outlet control unit 500 or 510 for controlling the corresponding light or outlet, and receives the control signal to the wired / wireless communication unit 520. The connected light or outlet control unit 500 or 510 controls the light or outlet based on a control signal, for example, adjusts the brightness of the light or turns on or off the power of the outlet.

The central controller 470 provides the mapping unit 430 or the comparison analyzer 450 with the digital value output from the signal converter 420 according to the mode selected by the mode interface of the mode controller 410. That is, when the mode selected by the mode interface is the learning mode, the digital value is provided to the mapping unit 430, and when the selected mode is the operation mode, the digital value is provided to the comparison analyzer 450.

The power supply unit 480 is a means for supplying power to each member of the control device. The power supply unit 480 supplies power to each member of the control device by using a module for converting AC power into direct current power or uses a battery Supply power to the member.

A process of controlling the lamp or the outlet by the lamp and the outlet control device having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a light or an outlet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the case of the learning mode S600, that is, when the user changes the mode of the control device to the learning mode by operating a mode interface of the mode controller 410, for example, a specific button, the central controller ( 470 receives a signal received through the signal receiver 400, for example, an infrared remote controller signal, through the signal converter 420 and provides the signal to the mapping unit 430. Here, the signal receiver 400 performs photoelectric conversion of the infrared remote control signal, removes the carrier using the band pass filter 400b, and outputs the baseband signal from which the carrier is removed to the signal converter 430. When the signal converter 430 converts the baseband signal into a digital signal (digital value) and provides it to the central controller 470, the central controller 470 will provide the digital signal to the mapping unit 430.

In the learning mode state, when the central control unit 470 selects a specific light or outlet through the selection interface of the mode control unit 410, that is, information on the specific light or outlet is received from the mode control unit 410 (S602), When a specific light or outlet is selected, the central controller 470 provides a digital signal provided from the signal converter 420 and a control signal for controlling a specific light or outlet to the mapping unit 430, and the mapping unit 430. ) Generates a mapping result value by mapping the control signal and the digital signal and stores the mapping result in the memory unit 440 (S604 and S606).

Then, the central controller 470 determines whether a signal corresponding to the end of the learning mode is received from the mode controller 410 (S608), and if the learning mode is not terminated as a result of the determination of S608, the central controller 470 determines whether another signal is received from the mode controller 410. It is determined whether the information on the lamp or the outlet is received, that is, there is a selection of another lamp or the outlet (S610).

As a result of the determination in S610, when the user does not select another light or outlet using the mode interface of the mode controller 410, the central controller 470 proceeds to S602 to perform a subsequent step, that is, the signal converter 420. Provides a control signal for controlling a specific light or an outlet and other digital signals provided from the mapping unit 430, and the mapping unit 430 maps the control signal and the digital signal of the specific light or outlet to obtain a mapping result value. After generation, it is stored in the memory unit 440. Here, the received digital signal is a signal different from the first received digital signal, and is a signal generated by a signal transmitted from an infrared remote controller for controlling another electronic device. That is, by storing a plurality of mapping result values generated by mapping different digital signals to control signals for controlling a specific light or outlet in the memory unit 440, the specific light or outlet may be controlled by another infrared remote controller. .

On the other hand, when the determination result of S610, when the user selects a different light or outlet using the mode interface of the mode control unit 410 proceeds to S604 to perform the subsequent steps.

As a result of determination in S608, when the user terminates the learning mode and operates the operation mode by operating the mode interface of the mode controller 410, the central controller 470 compares the digital signal provided from the signal converter 420 to the comparison analyzer. Provided at 450. Accordingly, the comparison analyzer 450 searches for the mapping result value corresponding to the digital signal in the memory unit 440 (S612), and then provides the searched mapping result value to the central controller 470.

The central control unit 470 controls the lamp or the outlet based on the searched mapping result (S614), that is, the wired or wireless connection connected to the lamp or the outlet control unit 500 or 510 for controlling the lamp or the outlet corresponding to the information in the mapping result. By transmitting a control signal mapped to the mapping result value to the communication unit 520 through the signal transmission unit 460, the light or outlet control unit 500 or 510 controls the connected light or outlet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention can be operated using the infrared remote control in the same way as operating the button by learning the infrared remote control signal to the button for controlling the light or outlet.

It has been described so far limited to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is obvious that the technology of the present invention can be easily modified by those skilled in the art. Such modified embodiments should be included in the technical spirit described in the claims of the present invention.

1 is a structural diagram for controlling a general electric light and power outlet,

2 is a block diagram of a system for controlling a general electric light and a power outlet,

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a control device for controlling a conventional light and power outlet,

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a light outlet control device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

5 is a view showing a light outlet control device and its surrounding configuration of the present invention,

6 is a flowchart illustrating a light outlet control process according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art

400: signal receiver 410: mode controller

420: signal conversion unit 430: mapping unit

440: Memory unit 450: Comparative analysis unit

460: signal transmission unit 470: central control unit

480: power supply

Claims (10)

A signal receiver for receiving a remote control signal from the outside; A mode control unit having a selection interface for selecting different lamps or outlets and a mode interface for selecting a learning mode and an operation mode; A signal converter converting the remote control signal received through the signal receiver into a digital signal; A mapping unit configured to map a control signal for controlling a light or an outlet selected through the selection interface to the converted digital signal in the learning mode to generate a mapping result value; A memory unit in which the mapping result value generated by the mapping unit is stored; A comparison analyzer extracting a mapping result value corresponding to the digital signal converted by the signal converter by searching the memory unit in the operation mode; A signal transmitter which transmits a control signal in the extracted mapping result value to a corresponding lamp or outlet based on the extracted mapping result value Light outlet control device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The signal receiver, the light outlet control device, characterized in that for receiving an infrared signal as the remote control signal. The method of claim 2, The signal receiver, A photoelectric converter and a band pass filter which detects only the baseband signal removed from the infrared signal to the carrier and provides the signal to the signal converter. Light outlet control device comprising a. The method of claim 1, The selection interface is a light outlet control device, characterized in that the button for controlling the light or outlet. The method of claim 1, The signal transmitter is a light outlet control device, characterized in that the wired or wireless communication interface. The method of claim 1, The mapping unit may be configured to map different signals output from the signal conversion unit to a light or an outlet selected through the selection interface to generate different mapping result values for controlling the selected light or outlet. controller. Storing different mapping result values generated by mapping control signals for controlling different lamps or outlets and different remote control signals in the learning mode, respectively; Retrieving a mapping result value corresponding to the received remote controller signal from the memory unit after receiving a remote controller signal in an operation mode; Controlling a specific lamp or an outlet by using the searched mapping result value Light outlet control method comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein Storing in the memory unit, Selecting buttons for controlling any light or outlet; Generating a mapping result value by mapping the received remote controller signal and a control signal for controlling the selected button whenever a remote controller signal is received from an arbitrary remote controller; Storing the generated mapping result value in the memory unit Light outlet control method comprising a. 9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, And the mapping result value is generated using the converted digital signal after converting the baseband signal from which the carrier is removed from the received remote control signal into a digital signal. The method of claim 8, The controlling of the specific light or the outlet may include controlling the specific light or outlet by transmitting a control signal mapped to the mapping result to the specific light or outlet corresponding to the mapping result. Control method.

Images