Radio command device

• US 7,034,899 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Symoen, Lionel, Gauthier, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): AU, SCOTT D
• Application Number:
  US10/179,120
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,400 Days
• Field of Search: 334/8, 348/734, 455/159.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.62, 340/310.01, 340/310.03, 345/169
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5441 Wireless systems or telephone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/08 Calling by using continuous ac

Abstract

A control unit (10) superimposes command signals on AC power passing on a power line or network (40). A command unit (20) controls and powers an electrical load (50) such as a motor M. A command processor (26) receives radio frequency control signals at a first input (24) from an antenna (12) and a receiver/demodulator (22) and receives command signals from the power line at a second input (25) connected with a pulse shaping circuit (23). In a first, normal operating mode, the command processor controls the electrical load in accordance with signals received at the radio frequency input. In a second, special mode initiated power line command signals, the command processor at least temporarily blocks the execution of commands received at the radio frequency input.

Claims

1. A control method for controlling a radio controlled device, which is powered by at least two electric wires of an AC means and controls an electrical motor, characterized in that:

with a control means, sending a command over the electric wires, which control means controls the electrical motor;

with an inhibition means, in response to an inhibit command received at least one of (a) over the electric wires and (b) from an externally activatable switch contact independent from the radio receiver at least temporarily blocking the execution of commands transmitted by radio while not blocking commands transmitted over the electric wires.

2. The method according to claim 1 characterized in that:

the inhibiting means which at least temporarily blocks the execution of commands transmitted by radio is activated by one of direct action and remotely from the controlled device.

3. The method according to claim 1 characterized in that:

the control means includes an electrical interrupter which interrupts an electrical signal on the electric wires.

4. The method according to claim 1 characterized in that:

activation of the inhibiting means results in use of an electrical power interrupter.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 characterized in that the radio controlled device has two modes of operation:

in a first mode, commands are transmitted by radio transmission; and

,

in a second mode, commands are sent by at least one of the externally activatable switch contact and the electric lines, the second mode of operation at least temporarily blocks the execution of the commands transmitted by radio.

6. A command device which controls and powers an electrical load and connected with an AC network through a control unit, the command device including:

a radio signal receiver and demodulator;

a command processor with at least one input connected to an output of the radio receiver and demodulator and a second input connected to an output of a circuit that shapes AC electric pulses;

first and second modules which execute command signals received at least at one of the first and second inputs to the command processor, in a first, normal operating mode, the first module is responsive to radio signal commands received at the first input and in a second, special mode, the second module responds to commands from the second input to execute at least one of (1) a first operating function, and (2) temporarily blocking execution of commands transmitted by radio.

8. The command device according to claim 6 further including:

a surveillance module connected with the second input of the command processor to monitor for command signals calling for the second operating mode.

9. The command device according to claim 6 further including:

a third input to the command processor, the command processor includes;

a surveillance module connected with the third input to monitor for command signals calling for the second operating mode.

10. The command device according to claim 6 wherein returning from the second operating mode to the first operating mode is caused by at least one of:

detection of a command signal calling for such return;

the passing of a time period; and

,

the end of a duration in which power is not supplied on the AC network.

11. The command device according to claim 6 wherein a controlled electrical load includes a motor.

12. The command device according to claim 6 wherein the control unit generates current command signals by interruptions to the AC current pulse synchronized to alternating cycles of the AC current.

13. The command device according to claim 6 further including:

a means responsive to the second module for selectively supplying/blocking a supply of electrical power to the controlled electrical load.

14. The command device according to claim 6 wherein the second module includes:

a means for executing set-up commands.

7. A command device which controls and powers an electric load with AC electric power from electrical supply lines which have passed through a control unit, the command device including:

a radio signal receiver and demodulator;

a command processor with at least one radio signal input connected to an output of the radio receiver and demodulator and a power signal input connected to an output of a pulse shaping circuit connected with the power lines for shaping pulses of the AC electric power;

the command processor including software modules which receive command signals from the radio input and the power signal input and execute the received commands; and

,

an inhibiting means for blocking the execution of commands received at the radio input.

15. The command device according to claim 7 further including:

a software module connected with the power signal input of the command processor to monitor for command signals calling for a special operating mode in which the inhibiting means blocks the execution of commands received at the radio input.

16. The command device according to claim 7 further including:

a third input to the command processor, the command processor including;

another software module connected with the third input to monitor for command signals at the third input calling for the special operating mode.

17. The command device according to claim 15 wherein returning from the special operating mode to a normal operating mode is caused by at least one of:

detection of a command signal calling for such return;

the passing of a preselected time period; and

,

the end of a duration in which power is not supplied on the electrical supply lines.

18. The command device according to claim 7 wherein a controlled electrical load includes a motor.

19. The command device according to claim 7 wherein the control unit generates current command signals by interruptions of the AC power synchronized to AC cycles of the AC power.

20. The command device according to claim 7 wherein the inhibiting means is responsive to one of the software modules for selectively supplying/blocking a supply of electrical power to a controlled electrical device.

21. The command device according to claim 7 wherein one of the software modules includes:

a means for executing set-up commands.