• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention provides a control device for controlling an electrical or electronic device. The control device includes a user input interface comprising a translucent front cover, a dynamically reconfigurable function indication means and a user input means, control circuits or control logic for controlling the electrical or electronic device, and means for connecting the control device to a remote control device. located configuration device for configuring the control device. Configuration of a control device according to embodiments of the invention is completely reversible, allowing an installer or user to change the functionalities or to add and / or remove functionalities at any time without the need to change the functionality. modify hardware of the monitor or to replace components of the monitor.
    公开号:BE1022856B1
    申请号:E2015/5184
    申请日:2015-03-26
    公开日:2016-09-27
    发明作者:Brabander Gino De；Koen Heyrman；Johan Tas；Haver Karel Jan Christiane Van；Arne Desmet；Brabander Peter De
    申请人:Niko, Nv；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Smart control device Technical field of the invention
    The present invention relates to a checking device for checking an electrical or electronic device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a smart control device that can be easily configured and reconfigured to a desired configuration by an installer or user, and to a method for configuring such a control device.
    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
    Control devices for controlling an electrical or electronic device, such as, for example, a switch, a dimmer, shutters, heating and / or cooling systems, ventilation systems, etc., are typically either especially suitable for a particular function or are very common. Specially suitable control devices have a known fixed functionality. For a dimmer this can be, for example, on / off, up dimming, down dimming, etc. For such control devices, the user interface may be provided with a set of fixed markings for special functions, such as, for example, a lamp symbol, an up arrow, a down arrow, etc. For specific control devices, ie control devices specifically intended for a specific function , such markers are typically added on the interface during the manufacture thereof. This is not the case for more general inspection devices. Because for such general control devices the function is not predefined during the manufacture thereof, it is not possible to add a predefined marking on the user interface. One possibility is to add the user interface after installation in accordance with the functionality of the control device. A user will then have to add, for example, markers such as stickers or labels or another custom printed interface. This is inconvenient, especially when a user wishes to change the functionality of the control device, since the entire labeling process must be performed again or a new custom printed interface must be ordered.
    Some existing general control devices already provide partial solutions to the above-mentioned problem. EP 2 665 189, for example, describes a control device, also referred to as a capacitive push-button control panel, for residential electrical series. The control device comprises a front panel with a plurality of screen printed icons on the rear. The screen-printed icons are provided to cover possible control figures. Furthermore, the control device comprises a printed circuit (PCB) with a plurality of sensitive zones, each zone thereof being associated with a desired instruction, and a plurality of backlight LEDs provided in each of the sensitive zones and between pairs of sensitive zones and aligned with the multiple icons on the front panel. Sensitive zones can be selectively activated by software to determine certain configurations of the push button panel. A disadvantage of the checking device of EP 2 665 189 is that because of the use of screen printing icons, the icons are predefined and that changing the functionality of the checking device to functions that differ from the predefined functions is not is possible. The only way to change the icons and therefore the predefined functionalities is to change the electronics (PCB, ...) as well as the mechanics (front panel, ...) of the control device.
    Summary of the invention
    It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a control device for controlling an electrical or electronic device whose functions can be easily configured and reconfigured by an installer or user if required, and to provide a method for configuring such a monitoring device.
    This object is achieved by a method and device according to embodiments of the present invention.
    According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a checking device for checking an electrical or electronic device. The control device comprises a user input interface comprising a translucent front cover, a dynamic reconfigureable function indicator and a user input. The control device further comprises control circuits or control logic for checking the electrical or electronic device, means for connecting the control device to a remote configuration device for configuring the control device.
    An advantage of a control device according to embodiments of the invention is that the configuration of the control device is completely reversible, making it possible for an installer or user to change the functionalities or to add / remove functionalities at any one moment, without the need to change the hardware of the control device or to replace parts of the control device. In other words, the design of the control device does not have to be adjusted when functionalities have to be changed, when new functionalities have to be added and / or when functionalities have to be replaced by other functionalities. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of functionalities that can be configured in the control device. Consequently, a checking device according to embodiments of the invention can meet all the checking needs of a particular user.
    Another advantage of a control device according to embodiments of the invention is that the device is easy to install and that only one product is required for all required control needs. As described above, the control device can be easily configured and reconfigured when needed. Thus, unlike prior art control devices, no additional parts or new parts need to be purchased for the control device when the control needs to be changed. The control device can be easily reconfigured by the installer or by the user himself in accordance with the changed needs.
    According to embodiments of the invention, the dynamically reconfigurable function indication means may comprise an LED matrix, an LCD, an OLED LCD, or any other suitable indication means known to those skilled in the art.
    According to embodiments of the invention, the user input means may comprise at least one capacitive zone, at least one inductive zone, at least one receptive zone, at least one tactile switch, or a touch layer, or a touch panel. The user input means may, for example, be provided in accordance with a specific pattern in order to simplify the use thereof.
    The remote configuration device can be a computer, a tablet or a mobile phone. The means for connecting the control device to the remote configuration device may be adapted to provide a wireless connection or may be adapted to provide a wired connection.
    According to embodiments of the invention, the checking device can be a single checking device. According to such embodiments, the control circuits or control logic may be part of the control device or located outside the control device, near the electrical or electronic device to be monitored.
    According to other embodiments of the invention, the checking device can be part of a home automation system. According to such embodiments, the control circuits or control logic may be included in the home automation system.
    According to embodiments of the invention, the control device may further comprise a rear cover for covering a rear portion of the user input interface.
    In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for configuring a monitoring device according to embodiments of the invention. The method comprises:. - connecting the control device to the remote configuration device, - starting up configuration software on the remote configuration device, - identifying electrical or electronic devices connected to the control device by having it running the discovery function of the configuration software, - configuring the control device with required functions for the identified electrical and / or electronic devices, storing the configuration in the relevant electrical or electronic device in the case of a single control device (distributed intelligence) and in the home automation system in the event that the control device is part of a home automation system (central intelligence).
    According to embodiments of the invention, the method may further comprise adjusting standard parameters for the selected functions, for example when feedback is needed, the level of the feedback, a dimmer parameter, etc.
    According to still other embodiments, the method may further comprise modifying proposed sequences of the layout of the functions on the control device and selecting and confirming the first standard function that the user wants to see when he starts using the control device.
    Brief description of the drawings
    It is noted that the same reference characters in the different figures refer to the same, similar or analogous elements.
    Figures 1 to 3 illustrate disassembled perspective views of a control device according to various embodiments of the invention.
    Figure 4 illustrates schematically a single-checking device according to an embodiment of the invention.
    Figure 5 illustrates schematically a single checking device according to an embodiment of the invention.
    Figure 6 illustrates schematically a checking device that is part of a home automation system according to an embodiment of the invention.
    Description of illustrative embodiments
    In the description, various embodiments will be used to describe the invention. Consequently, reference will be made to various drawings. It is understood that these drawings are not intended as a limitation, and that the invention is limited only by the claims. The drawings are intended for illustrative purposes, wherein the dimensions of certain elements in the drawings may be increased for clarity.
    The term "include" may not be interpreted as a limitation of the invention. The term "comprising" as used in the claims is not intended to limit the invention to the agent that is subsequently described; this term does not exclude other elements, parts or steps.
    The term "connected" as used in the claims and in the description, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connection unless otherwise specified. When part A is connected to part B, this is not limited to part A which is in direct contact with part B, but also includes an indirect contact between part A and part B, in other words this also includes the case where intermediary parts are present between part A and part B.
    Not all embodiments of the invention include all features of the invention. In the following description and claims, the claimed embodiments can be combined in any way.
    The present invention provides a checking device for checking an electrical or electronic device. The control device comprises a user input interface comprising a translucent front cover, a dynamically reconfigurable function indication means and a user input means. The control device further comprises control circuits for checking the electrical or electronic device and means for connecting the control device to a remote configuration device for configuring the control device. By dynamic is meant that the user can access, and for example scroll through, the available functions of the function indicator, i.e. all available functions can be displayed one after the other on the function indicator. After the function has been selected and checked, feedback can also be shown on the function indicator, such as in the case of a dimmer, the dim level after checking the dim function. The "image" that is visible on the function indicator means therefore changes, or can be changed depending on the time, and is not always the same.
    By reconfigurable, it is meant that the function indicating means can be reconfigured by an installer or user at any time when it is desired or required to change the functionalities or to add or remove functionalities without the need to change the hardware of the to change the control device or to replace parts of the control device.
    An advantage of the control device according to embodiments of the invention is therefore that the configuration of the control device is completely reversible. In other words, the design and / or electronics of the control device must not be adjusted when functionalities have to be changed, when new functionalities have to be added and / or functionalities have to be replaced by another existing functionality. Furthermore, there is no limit on the number of functionalities that can be configured in the control device. Consequently, a checking device according to embodiments of the invention can meet all the checking needs of a particular user.
    Another advantage of the control device according to embodiments of the invention is that it can be easily installed and that only one product is required for all required control needs, since, as already described above, the control device can be easily configured and reconfigured. when needed. Thus, unlike prior art control devices, no additional parts or new parts need to be purchased for the control device when it needs to be changed. The control device can easily be reconfigured according to the changed needs.
    The present invention will be described below with reference to various embodiments. It will be understood that these embodiments are intended only for a proper understanding of the invention and not intended to limit the invention.
    Figure 1 illustrates a disassembled perspective view of a checking device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The control device 10 comprises a user input interface 1, comprising a translucent front cover 2, a dynamically reconfigurable function indication means 3 and a user input means 4. According to the present embodiment, the dynamically reconfigurable function indication means 3 may comprise an LED matrix. According to other embodiments of the invention, the dynamically reconfigurable function indicator 3 may be an LCD or an OLED LCD. The dynamically reconfigurable function indicating means 3 is intended for displaying the available functions, such as dimming, roller shutter control, heating and / or cooling control, ventilation control, etc. to the user. A user can access, for example scroll through, these available functions, and can choose which one he wishes to check. During or after the function has been checked, the function indicator 3 can also show feedback, for example in the case of a dimmer, the dim level during and / or after the check. The function indicator 3 can thus show what a user is doing while checking the function. The function indicator 3 is therefore dynamic since it can show not only a static view, but different information at different times. Furthermore, the function indicator 3 can be reconfigured at any time (see below).
    In the example given, the user input means 4 may comprise four capacitive zones. These can also be inductive zones or resistance zones, or can be a different number of capacitive, inductive or resistive zones. The user input means 4 is for checking the checking device 10. Such capacitive, inductive or resistive zones 4 can be provided according to a special pattern to make checking easier for the user. For example, as illustrated in Figure 1, these means may be provided around the LED matrix 3. The zones above and below the LED matrix 3 may be used, for example, to scroll through the available functions, while the zones to the right and left of the matrix can be used to check the selected functions or vice versa.
    According to other embodiments of the invention, the user input interface 1 may comprise, instead of capacitive, inductive or resistive zones, for example at least one tactile switch (see figure 2) or a touch layer before the LED matrix (see figure 3).
    The control device 10 further comprises control circuits, for example control logic and switches. The control circuits can, depending on the type of control device 10, be located near the electrical or electronic device, be integrated in the control device 10 or be integrated in a home automation system (see further). The control circuits include the electronics required for the control of the control device 10 and an interface with a remote configuration device used for configuring the control device 10, such as a computer, mobile phone or tablet (see further). Furthermore, the control device 10 may comprise a rear cover 5 for covering the rear side of the user input interface 1 and a mounting box 6 for mounting the control device 10 in a wall (see Figures 1 to 3). In the examples given, the mounting box 6 is illustrated as a round mounting box. However, this is not intended to limit the invention, and those skilled in the art understand that this may also be a square or rectangular mounting box. Moreover, the control device 10 according to other embodiments of the invention does not comprise a mounting box 6 for mounting in a wall, but may be intended to be provided on a wall. In this case, the control device 10 may, for example, comprise a frame for mounting on the wall, or the control device may be directly connected to the wall, for example with glue, double-sided adhesive tape or the like.
    When touching or pushing the control device 10 for checking an electrical or electronic device, feedback can be given such as for example showing a symbol, text, a number, etc. This feedback can be static or dynamic. In the case of static feedback, only the selected function will be displayed, while in the case of dynamic feedback, the status of the function will also be shown in addition to the function. For example, in the case of a dimmer where the dimmer is indicated by a lamp, the lamp can be shown as being more or less filled depending on the dim level.
    According to embodiments of the invention, the checking device 10 can be a single checking device. This means that it is directly connected to the electrical or electronic devices that the checking device must check. According to other embodiments of the invention, the checking device 10 can be part of a home automation system.
    Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a single control device 10. According to this embodiment, the control logic 9 is integrated in the control device 10. In such cases, a switching element is required for checking the electrical or electronic device 11, integrated in the control device 10. An advantage hereof is that the control device is suitable for use during renovation. For example, the user simply needs to replace an old switch with the control device 10 according to embodiments of the invention in order to be able to control functions of the electrical or electronic devices 11 he wishes to control. The control device 10 is coupled to the electrical or electronic devices 11. This link can be a wired link or can be wireless. The control device 10 further comprises means for connecting the control device 10 to a remote configuration device 13 for configuring the control device 10, ie for defining functions of the electrical or electronic device 11 which it must be able to check. The means 12 for connecting the control device 10 to the remote configuration device 13 may be wired or wireless. According to embodiments of the invention, the remote configuration device 13 may be, for example, a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other suitable remote device known to those skilled in the art. The electrical or electronic devices 11 can be, for example, a lamp, a switch, a socket, an HVAC, a roller shutter, or any other electrical or electronic device 11 that can be controlled by a control device 10.
    Note that, after the monitoring device 10 is configured with the required functions, the remote configuration device 13 can be removed. When the control device 10 needs to be reconfigured, the remote configuration device 13 can be reconnected to the control device 10.
    Fig. 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a stand-alone control device 10. The difference with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4 is that, according to the present invention, the control logic 9, in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4, is not part of the control device 10, but is located in or near the electrical or electronic device 11 which is controlled by the control device 10. In such cases, the switching element is required for checking the electrical or electronic device 11 integrated in the electrical or electronic device 11, for example in a lamp.
    Figure 6 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an electrical or electronic device 11 that is part of a home automation system 14. According to this embodiment, the control logic 9 is integrated with the home automation system 14. Configuration of the control device 10 is done via the home automation system 14. Thus, according to this In one embodiment, the control device 10 is connected to a remote configuration device 13 via the home automation system 14 and via a wired or wireless connection 12.
    The present invention provides, according to a second aspect, a method for configuring a monitoring device 10 as described in the embodiments above. The method comprises, in a first step, connecting the control device 10 to the remote configuration device 13. This can be via a wired or via a wireless connection. Thereafter, the configuration software, specifically designed for the control device 10 according to embodiments of the invention, can be started on the remote configuration device 13. In a next step, the electrical and / or electronic devices 11 that are connected with the control device 10, identified by running a discovery function on the configuration software. After identifying the electrical and / or electronic devices 11, the new check is configured with the required functions for the identified electrical and electronic devices 11. Depending on the type of checking device 10, ie a single checking device or a checking device device that is part of a home automation system, the configuration is stored in the relevant electrical or electronic device 11 in the case of a single control device 10 (distributed intelligence) or in the home automation system in the case that the control device 10 is included in a home automation system 14 (central intelligence).
    According to embodiments of the invention, the method may further comprise adapting standard parameters for the selected functions, for example when feedback is required, the feedback level, the dimmer parameters, ... Such feedback can be given on the control device 10 itself or can be given via the remote configuration device 13.
    According to still other embodiments of the invention, the method may further adjust proposed sequences of the appearance of the functions on the control device 10 and select and confirm the standard first function that the user wants to see when he starts the control device .
    权利要求:
    Claims (15)
    [1]
    Conclusions
    A control device (10) for controlling an electrical or electronic device (11), which control device (10) comprises: - a user input interface (1) comprising a translucent front cover (2), a dynamically reconfigurable functional indication means (3) and a user input means (4), - control circuits (9) for checking the electrical or electronic device (11), and - means (12) for connecting the control device (10) to a remote located configuration device (13) for configuring the control device (10).
    [2]
    A checking device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the dynamically reconfigurable function indicating means (3) is an LED matrix, an LCD or OLED LCD.
    [3]
    A control device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the user input means (4) comprises at least one capacitive zone, at least one inductive zone, at least one resistive zone, at least one tactile switch or a touch layer.
    [4]
    A control device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the remote configuration device (13) is a computer, a tablet or a mobile phone.
    [5]
    A control device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (12) for connecting the remote configuration device (13) are adapted to provide a wireless connection.
    [6]
    A control device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means (12) for connecting the remote configuration device (13) are adapted to provide a wired connection.
    [7]
    A checking device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the checking device (10) is a single device.
    [8]
    A control device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the control circuits (9) are part of the control device (10).
    [9]
    A control device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the control circuits (9) are located outside the control device (10) and are located in or near the electrical or electronic device (11) to be controlled.
    [10]
    A checking device (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the checking device (10) is part of a home automation system (14).
    [11]
    A checking device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the checking circuits (9) are included in the home automation system (14).
    [12]
    A checking device (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a rear cover (5) for covering a rear part of the user input interface (1).
    [13]
    A method for configuring a control device (10) for controlling an electrical or electronic device (11), which control device (10) a user input interface (1) with a translucent front cover (2), a dynamic reconfigurable function indication means (3) and a user input means (4), control circuits (9) for checking the electrical or electronic device (11), and means (12) for connecting a remote configuration device (13) for configuring the control device (10), which method comprises: - connecting the control device (10) to the remote configuration device (13), - identifying the electrical or electronic devices (11) connected to the control device (10), and - configuring the control device (10) with required functions for the identified electrical and / or electronic devices (11), and saving this configuration.
    [14]
    The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: adjusting standard parameters for the selected functions.
    [15]
    The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the method further comprises: adjusting proposed sequences to the appearance of the functions on the controller (10) and selecting and confirming a standard first function.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    BE1022856A9|2016-10-27|
    EP3073338A1|2016-09-28|
    BE1022856A1|2016-09-27|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    WO2011095861A1|2010-02-02|2011-08-11|Blucasa S.R.L.|Control device with a touch screen|
    US20130257315A1|2012-03-30|2013-10-03|Carlos Eduardo Restrepo|Light Switch and Control Device Having a Touch Screen Interface|
    US20130270097A1|2012-04-13|2013-10-17|Aeon Labs|Low voltage touch panel|
    ITMI20120850A1|2012-05-16|2013-11-17|Comelit Group S P A|CAPACITIVE CONTROL PANEL FOR CIVIL ELECTRIC SERIES|US20210208724A1|2020-01-05|2021-07-08|Brilliant Home Technology, Inc.|Touch-based control device for scene invocation|
    法律状态:
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    BE20155184A|BE1022856A9|2015-03-26|2015-03-26|Smart control device|BE20155184A| BE1022856A9|2015-03-26|2015-03-26|Smart control device|
    EP16161931.7A| EP3073338A1|2015-03-26|2016-03-23|Smart control device|
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