Communication method in a home-automation installation

• US 20070296547A1
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Activites SA (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Pellarin, Florent, Augustin, Barbara
• Granted Patent: US 8,532,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/7.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2832 Interconnection of the control functionalities between home networks single bridge functionality H04L12/4625
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

The communication method applies to a home-automation installation comprising at least one sending element, a self-powered receiving element and an element for substituting for the receiving element. The method is such that, when the receiving element is in a sleep mode, the substitution element receives and records information sent by the sending element for the attention of the receiving element and such that, when the receiving element is no longer in sleep mode, the substitution element sends the information for the attention of the receiving element.

Claims

1. A communication method in a home-automation installation (INST) comprising at least one sending element (XXX), a self-powered receiving element (SAU) and an element (SBU) for substituting for the receiving element, the sending element, the receiving element and the substitution element belonging to one and the same network (RFN), the method being such that, when the receiving element is in a sleep mode, the substitution element receives and records information sent by the sending element for the attention of the receiving element and such that, when the receiving element is no longer in sleep mode, the substitution element sends the information for the attention of the receiving element.

2. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the receiving element is not in sleep mode, the information is transmitted directly between the sending element and the receiving element.

3. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when the receiving element is in sleep mode and following receipt of the information, the substitution element confirms to the sending element that it has been properly received by substituting the identifier of the receiving element for the identifier of the substitution element.

4. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element receives and records information sent by the sending element for the attention of the receiving element only after the substitution element has received a message from the receiving element regarding its entry into a sleep mode.

5. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element receives and records information sent by the sending element for the attention of the receiving element only after the substitution element has measured a predetermined duration after receipt of a last message received by the substitution element and sent by the receiving element.

6. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element is able to substitute itself for several receiving elements.

7. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element is designated from among the elements of the installation in the course of a prior designation procedure.

8. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element is determined in the course of a prior learning procedure in which the reception level of a signal sent by the receiving element is measured in the various elements capable of becoming a substitution element.

9. The communication method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal is sent at reduced power by the receiving element.

10. The communication method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal reception sensitivity is reduced in each element of the installation capable of becoming a substitution element.

11. The communication method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the substitution element sends the information for the attention of the receiving element by substituting the identifier of the sending element for the identifier of the substitution element.

12. The communication method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the substitution element is able to substitute itself for several sending elements.

13. A home-automation installation (INST) comprising at least one sending element (XXX) and a self-powered receiving element (SAU), which installation comprises hardware (MEM, RXITX@SBU) and software means for implementing the communication method according to claim 1.