Method of operating a self-powered home automation sensor device for detecting the existence of and/or for measuring the intensity of a physical phenomenon

• US 8,106,768 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2007
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Somfy Activites SA (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: Neumann, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bee, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/879,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20080017726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,659 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.26, 340/539.3, 340/3.1, 370/311, 320/101
• US Class Current: 340/539.26
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

The method of operation applies to a self-powered home automation sensor device for detecting the existence of and/or for measuring the intensity of a first physical phenomenon, comprising a means of converting an effect of a second physical phenomenon into electrical energy and a means of determining the instantaneous power of this second physical phenomenon that can be converted into electrical energy, wherein a normal, first mode of operation of the device or an energy-saving second mode of operation of the device is activated according to a value defined on the basis of the determination of the instantaneous power that can be converted into electrical energy.

Claims

1. A method of operating a self-powered home automation sun or wind sensor device for detecting the existence and/or for measuring the intensity of a first physical phenomenon, comprising a means for converting an effect of a second physical phenomenon into electrical energy in order to supply the device and a means for determining the instantaneous power of the second physical phenomenon that can be converted into electrical energy, wherein a normal, first mode of operation of the device or an energy-saving second mode of operation of the device is activated according to a value defined on the basis of the determination of the instantaneous power that can be converted into electrical energy, wherein, in the second mode of operation, the self-powered home automation sensor device transmits only status signals, wherein the transmission of the status signals is periodic, and verifies if a condition for a change of operating modes is met, the device having a lower electrical consumption in the second mode than in the first mode.

2. The operation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second physical phenomena are identical.

3. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency of measurement of the intensity of the first physical phenomenon is greater in the first mode of operation than in the second mode of operation.

4. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more status signals are transmitted at a greater frequency in the first mode of operation than in the second mode of operation.

5. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the status signals comprises a number of frames, the number of frames transmitted in each of the status signals being greater in the first mode of operation relative to the second mode of operation.

6. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first mode of operation a processing logic unit operates at a frequency above that at which it operates in the second mode of operation.

7. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a transmission by the device occurs only when the intensity of the first physical phenomenon meets a predetermined criterion.

8. The operating method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predetermined criterion may be redefined by the user.

9. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the first mode of operation, an electrical energy storage means is charged by a step-up converter or directly from the energy conversion means depending on the level of charge of the storage means.

10. The operating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the second mode of operation, an electrical energy storage means is permanently charged directly from the conversion means.

11. A self-powered home automation sensor device which comprises hardware means and software means for implementing the operating method defined in claim 1.

12. The operation method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a measurement of the instantaneous power that can be converted into electrical energy is made at the time of the status signal transmission, and used for determining if a change of mode is necessary.