Apparatus and a method for controlling functions in an environment

• US 6,772,016 B1
• Filed: 11/19/2001
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tentaculus Independent Living AB
• Original Assignee: Örn, Bertil
• Inventors: Örn, Bertil
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHECHTMAN, SEAN P
• Application Number:
  US09/979,290
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/108, 700/109, 700/245, 700/247, 700/250, 700/275, 704/271, 340/825.19
• US Class Current: 700/9
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21014 Interface, module with relays
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25092 Customized control features, configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25425 Personal computer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling functions at output units in an environment depending on events and/or conditions within or associate with the environment. The apparatus has a combination of input units to register events and/or conditions of the environment and deliver information of such events and/or conditions, an input-output unit arranged to receive the information from the input units and control commands to the output units, and forward this information without any influence on the information in either direction, and a computer unit arranged to make decisions.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling of functions of first devices (10, 12, 13) in an environment depending upon events and/or conditions within, or associated with, the environment, comprising the combination of:

second devices (7, 15, 21) arranged to register events and/or conditions of the environment and to deliver information thereof,

an input/output unit (5) arranged to receive said information from said second input devices (7, 15, 21), and control commands for said first output devices (10, 12, 13) and, without any information distorting processing in said input/output unit (5), to forward this information and control commands, respectively, and

a computer unit (1),

said input/output unit (5) being connected to a port (8) of the computer unit (1) and arranged to forward said information thereto, the computer unit (1) being arranged to, on the basis of this information and information stored in memory devices contained therein, prepare said control commands and send said control commands to the input/output unit (5), which is arranged to send said control commands forward to the output devices (10, 12, 13) pertaining to these control commands for controlling the function of said output devices (10, 12, 13), such that the computer unit (1) is arranged to make decisions,

said memory devices being arranged to store information obtained from said second devices (7, 15, 21), on the environment and events taking place therein for use in the subsequent preparing of control commands for said first devices (10, 12, 13) on the basis of information obtained from said second devices (7, 15, 21) at this point in time, and of information stored in said memory devices,

said memory devices being arranged to store information related to the characteristics and/or any desires of a person using the apparatus,

said input/output unit (5) constituting a separate unit having no influence on information passing therethrough in both directions, said input/output unit (5) not processing any signals, and

said apparatus structured and arranged to increase independence and life quality of persons being intellectually disabled or mentally retarded.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory devices are adapted to store information obtained from said second input devices (7, 15, 21), on the environment and events taking place therein for use in the subsequent preparing of control commands for said first output devices (10, 12, 13) on the basis of information obtained from the second input devices (7, 15, 21) at this point in time, and information stored in said memory devices.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said memory devices are adapted to store information related to the characteristics and/or any desires of a person using the apparatus.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that computer unit (1) is a programmable personal computer.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the computer unit (1) is adapted to prepare said control commands on the basis and by means of said memory devices having access to all available information within the apparatus, upon which the form of said control commands might be dependent for adapting said control commands to the current situation in the environment.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1), in dependence upon of the information received from the input/output unit (5) as well as the information stored in said memory devices, is adapted to prepare control commands for and send such commands to a device (12) contained in the apparatus and arranged to provide the environment with audible messages.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1), in dependence upon of the information received from the input/output unit (5) as well as the information stored in said memory devices, is adapted to prepare control commands for and send such commands to a screen (2) contained in the apparatus and arranged to provide the environment with visual messages.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1), in dependence upon the information received from the input/output unit (5) as well as the information stored in said memory devices, is adapted to prepare control commands for and send such commands to a printer (4) contained in the apparatus and arranged to provide the environment with messages in writing.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1) is adapted to become activated in regards to the preparation of said commands by changes of status or other events in the environment reported thereto from said second input devices (7, 15, 21) via the input/output unit (5).

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1) comprises an editor adapted to prepare said control commands and give these a form independent of the type of computer unit, and make the control commands machine independent.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the computer unit (1) comprises an interpreter or compiler adapted to rearrange the control commands prepared by the editor into control commands suitable for the controlling of said first output devices (10, 12, 13).

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the input/output unit (5) is adapted to communicate with the computer unit (1) through any suitable communication port thereof.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the input/output unit (5) lacks means for logical signal processing.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first devices (10, 12, 13) are adapted to perform their functions in an environment in the home or place of work.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that said output devices comprise one or more of means for illumination, an alarm, a doorlock, and a doorbell.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that said input devices (7, 15, 21) are adapted to perform their registering in an environment in the home or place of work, and preferably comprise one or more of a doorbell, a sensor to open a front door of a home, a sensor for the status of a hot plate, a detector for the presence of a person at a location or in a furniture in a home.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer unit (1) is provided with means (3) for entering information into said memory devices about said environment as well as about characteristics of a person supposed to reside in the environment for adapting said preparation of control commands to a change in the acting of the person.

18. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said input device (7) includes sensors in a machine equipment, and these sensors are adapted to give signals through the input/output unit (5) in order to provide support for a user and/or to control any operations of a machine.

19. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the input/output unit (5) communicates with the computer unit (1) through its serial port (8).

20. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the furniture is a bed.

21. Method for controlling functions of equipment in an environment depending on events and/or conditions within, or associated with, the environment, comprising the steps of

registering the events and/or conditions in the environment and delivering the same to an input/output unit (5),

sending the information from the separate input/output unit (5) to a computer unit (1) without any information distorting processing passing through the input/output unit (5),

preparing and sending control commands from the computer unit (1) via said input/output unit (5) without any information distorting processing in said input/output unit (5), to select at least one of first output devices (10, 12, 13) of the equipment for controlling functioning of the output devices (10, 12, 13), such that said computer (1) makes decisions,

storing, in memory devices contained within said computer (1), information obtained from second input devices (7, 15, 21) on the environment and events taking place therein for use in the subsequent preparing of control commands for said first output devices (10, 12, 13) on the basis of information obtained from said second input devices (7, 15, 21) at this point in time, and information stored in said memory devices,

storing, in said memory devices, information related to characteristics and/or any desires of a person using said first devices (10, 12, 13),

arranging said input/output unit (5) as a separate unit having no influence on information passing therethrough in both directions and not processing any signals in said input/output unit (5), and

thereby increasing independence and life quality of persons who are intellectually disabled or mentally retarded.