Operating method for a command transmitter

• US 20040249477A1
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Blanpain, Yves
• Granted Patent: US 7,046,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices

Abstract

The operating method for a command transmitter intended for the remote control of electrical equipments providing comfort and/or safety in a building is characterized in that it comprises at least:

a) a first mode in which an action on one or more keys of the control interface gives rise to the transmission of a control signal associated with this action and

b) a second mode in which an action on this key or these keys of the control interface gives rise to the display of information relating to the controlled equipment or equipments and/or the command transmitter on the information interface and does not give rise to the transmission of the control signal associated, in the first mode, with this action,

a locking means ensuring at least the change from the first mode to the second mode.

Claims

1. An operating method for a command transmitter (1) intended for the remote control of electrical equipments (12) providing comfort and/or safety in a building, the command transmitter comprising a control interface (3), an information interface (5), signal transmitting means (8), signal receiving means (9) and a means of locking the control interface, which method comprises at least:

a) a first mode in which an action on one or more keys (4a-4d) of the control interface gives rise to the transmission of a control signal associated with this action and

b) a second mode in which an action on this key or these keys (4a-4d) of the control interface gives rise to the display of information relating to the controlled equipment or equipments and/or the command transmitter on the information interface and does not give rise to the transmission of the control signal associated, in the first mode, with this action, the locking means ensuring at least the change from the first mode to the second mode.

2. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display of information regarding the equipment or equipments (12) and/or the command transmitter (1) is also available, at least partially, in the first mode.

3. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the first mode, an action on the said key or keys (4a-4d) causes the following steps:

generation and transmission of a control message by the command transmitter (1),

after reception of this message by a command receiver (13) linked with an equipment (12) and then generation and transmission by the command receiver (13) of a confirmation, reception of this confirmation by the command transmitter (1),

display of this confirmation on the information interface (5).

4. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the second mode, an action on the said key or keys (4a-4d) causes the following steps:

generation and transmission of an interrogation message by the command transmitter (1),

after reception of this message by a command receiver (13) linked with an equipment (12) and then generation and transmission by the command receiver (13) of a confirmation, reception of this confirmation by the command transmitter (1),

display of this confirmation in the information interface (5).

5. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information relates to the status of the controlled equipment or equipments (12) and/or the status of the command transmitter (1).

6. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a special sequence of actions on the control interface (3).

7. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking means comprises a time delay.

8. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the change from the second mode to the first mode is ensured by a special sequence of actions on the control interface (3).

9. A command transmitter (1) comprising a processing unit (6), a memory (7), signal transmitting means (8), signal receiving means (9), a control interface (3) and a user information interface (5), which transmitter comprises a means of locking the control interface allowing the use of the method according to one of the preceding claims.

10. The command transmitter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the locking means is mechanical and/or electronic.