Method for selecting an item of equipment and control unit enabling this method to be implemented

• US 20100001746A1
• Filed: 07/06/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Mathieu, Jérôme, Duchene, Isabelle
• Granted Patent: US 8,471,571 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/676
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/955 using a capacitive detector
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94036 Multiple detection, i.e. where different switching signals are generated after operation of the user is detected at different time instants at different locations during the actuation movement by two or more sensors of the same or different kinds
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96058 Fail-safe touch switches, where switching takes place only after repeated touch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960705 Safety of capacitive touch and proximity switches, e.g. increasing reliability, fail-safe

Abstract

A group of home automation equipment (111-114) to be controlled is selected from among several predefined groups of equipment, via sensitive zones (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4) of a control unit (102), each of these sensitive zones being associated with a capacitive sensor and being disposed next to one another on the control unit. A predefined group of equipment associated with a given sensitive zone (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4) is selected by activating the capacitive sensor of that sensitive zone. At least one additional group of equipment, different from the equipment corresponding to each sensitive zone, is selected via a predetermined sequence (Z1-Z2-Z3-Z4) for activating several capacitive sensors, of which at least two capacitive sensors correspond to two non-adjacent sensitive zones (Z1-Z2-Z3-Z4).

Claims

1. Method for selecting a group of home automation equipment to be controlled from among several predefined groups of equipment, via sensitive zones of a control unit, each of these sensitive zones corresponding to a capacitive sensor and being disposed next to one another on the control unit, the method of selection being such that:

a predefined group of equipment associated with a given sensitive zone is selected by activating the capacitive sensor which corresponds to that sensitive zone; and

at least one additional group of equipment, different from the equipment corresponding to each sensitive zone, is selected via a predetermined sequence for activating several capacitive sensors, of which at least two capacitive sensors correspond to two non-adjacent sensitive zones

2. Method according to claim 1 wherein a microcontroller receives an input signal produced by each capacitive sensor when it is activated, in that this microcontroller generates a first output signal corresponding to the selection of a group of equipment associated with a sensitive zone in accordance with the input signal produced by a capacitive sensor corresponding to that sensitive zone and in that, as a result of the use of the predetermined sequence of activation of the capacitive sensors, the microcontroller generates a second output signal different from first signal.

3. Method according to claim 2 wherein, during a predetermined sequence of successive activations of capacitive sensors, the microcontroller records the input signals produced by the capacitive sensors, compares the recorded signals with signals stored in memory which correspond to the predetermined sequence of activations, and generates the second signal according to the result of that comparison.

4. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined sequence of activations includes the successive activation of at least three capacitive sensors.

5. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined sequence of activations includes a final stage in which a capacitive sensor is activated for a period greater than a predetermined value.

6. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined sequence of activations is such that the length of the time-lag between two successive activations of capacitive sensors is less than a predetermined value.

7. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined sequence of activations is performed by a user sliding his/her finger along a screen of the control unit, opposite the capacitive sensors to be activated.

8. Method according to claim 1 wherein each activation of a capacitive sensor or the use of the predetermined sequence of activations causes a visual and/or audible feedback signal to be produced for the user.

9. Method according to claim 1 wherein the first output signals correspond to the individual selection of the group of equipment associated with a sensitive zone, and wherein the second output signal corresponds to the individual selection of the additional group of equipment.

10. Method according to claim 1 wherein the additional group consists of the union set of the groups of equipment corresponding to the sensors activated during the predetermined sequence of activations.

11. Method according to claim 10 wherein where a predetermined sequence of activations has been performed, the individual activation of a capacitive sensor causes the corresponding group of equipment to be excluded from the additional group or introduced into this group, depending on whether or not it was already part of this group.

12. Control unit of an installation including several predefined groups of home automation equipment, this unit including at least one sensitive zone for selection of a group of equipment wherein the control unit includes several selection zones disposed next to one another, wherein each selection zone is associated with a capacitive sensor and wherein a microcontroller forming part of the control unit is able to process input signals produced by the capacitive sensors and to send output signals whose number is strictly greater than the number of selection zones and which depend on the signals produced by the capacitive sensors.

13. Control unit according to claim 12 wherein a light-emitting diode is associated with each capacitive sensor within a sensitive selection zone, the diode being capable of illumination when the sensor is activated.

14. Control unit according to claim 13 wherein it includes a screen covering at least the capacitive sensors and the associated diodes, the screen being translucent or transparent, at the frequency of the light emitted by the diodes, at least in the part of it covering the diodes, and wherein the screen is provided, opposite each capacitive sensor, with an area in relief (108) enabling the different sensitive selection zones to be located by touch.

15. Control unit according to claim 12 wherein it includes, in addition to the sensitive selection zones, means for controlling a selected group of equipment.