Method, system and device for controlling a device related to a building aperture

• US 8,639,387 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Issued: 01/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VKR Holding A/S (Villum Fonden)
• Original Assignee: VKR Holding A/S (Villum Fonden)
• Inventors: Byberg, Henrik Raun, Ebbe, Ulrik Vagn
• Primary Examiner(s): BARNES-BULLOCK, CRYSTAL JOY
• Application Number:
  US12/741,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20100262293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,915 Days
• Field of Search: 700275-278, 236/1.R, 236/1.C, 236/46.R, 236/46.C, 236/91.R, 236/91.D, 236/91.C, 165/200, 165/201, 165236-238, 165/253, 165/254, 318/280, 318/283, 318/286, 318/445, 318/446, 318/466, 318/468, 318471-473, 318/484, 318/489, 160/1, 160/7, 160/10, 160/238, 160309-311, 160/5
• US Class Current: 700/278
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/08 Roll-type closures roller blinds E06B9/40; operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; usable only as awnings E04F10/06
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1919 characterised by the type of controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/27 with sensing element responsive to radiation

Abstract

A method of controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, whereby a climate related characteristic for the aperture is adjusted by the device, and whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a climate and comfort program which is dependent on a control parameter, whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by the climate and comfort program.

Claims

1. Method of controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, including the following steps:

adjusting a climate related characteristic for said aperture with said device,

controlling said device in accordance with a climate and comfort program which is dependent on control parameters indicated by one of at least two user-input methods including a first user input method comprising control parameters representing a geographical location, a time, and a date and a second user input method comprising at least one control parameter representing a direction of a window or a roof light related to the controllable device;

providing a pre-defined time schedule with the climate and comfort program, and

controlling said device in accordance with the pre-defined time schedule.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter is configured for carrying out a user specified configuration of said climate and comfort program.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said climate and comfort program is sequentially organized, and wherein the sequence is dependent on different intervals or periods.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said different intervals or periods comprise weeks, months, or seasons.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said climate and comfort program operates dependent on a home or out parameter which indicates whether a user is inside the building or not.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter represents a geographical location selected from a list of nearest place names.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein said list of the nearest place names comprises a list of nearest major cities.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein said controllable device is a motor driven and accumulator powered screening device.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said powered screening device comprises a roller shutter or a blind.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein said method of controlling may be performed parallel with a manual control by the user while said climate and comfort program is active.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein said method of controlling is performed using a remote control.

12. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least two setup configurations are provided, wherein a first configuration provides indication of at least one basic control parameter and a second configuration provides indication of at least one additional control parameter different from said at least one basic control parameter.

13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the controllable device has plural positions including a mainly closed position which permits a smaller amount of sunlight to enter.

14. Method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameter represents an inclination of a window or sky light related to said controllable device.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein said geographical location is determined by use of a global positioning system.

16. Method according to claim 1, wherein said control parameters represents at least a geographical location and time and date, wherein said control parameter is indicated by means of user-input, whereby said device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by said climate and comfort program wherein said time schedule is dependent on date related intervals or periods.

17. Control system for controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, the system comprising:

data processing means adapted to adjust a climate related characteristic for said aperture,

wherein said device is controlled in accordance with a climate and comfort program executed by said data processing means which is dependent on control parameters indicated by one of at least two user-input methods including a first user input method comprising control parameters representing a geographical location, a time, and a date and a second user input method comprising at least one control parameter representing a direction of a window or a roof light related to the controllable device; and

wherein said device is controlled in accordance with a pre-defined time schedule provided by said climate and comfort program.

18. Control system according to claim 17, further comprising means for carrying out a user specified configuration of said climate and comfort program.

19. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said climate and comfort program operates differently according to different time intervals or periods.

20. Control system according to claim 19, wherein said different intervals or periods comprise weeks, months, or seasons.

21. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said climate and comfort program operates dependent on a home or out parameter which indicates whether a user is inside the building or not.

22. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said control parameter represents a geographical location selected from a list of nearest place names.

23. Control system according to claim 22, wherein said list of the nearest place names comprises a list of the nearest major cities.

24. Control system according to claim 17, further comprising a motor driven and accumulator powered screening device.

25. Control system according to claim 24, wherein said powered screening device comprises a roller shutter or a blind.

26. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said control system may be used parallel with a manual control by the user while said climate and comfort program is active.

27. Control system according to claim 26, wherein at least two setup configurations are provided, wherein a first configuration provides indication of at least one basic control parameter and a second configuration provides indication of at least one additional control parameter different from said at least one basic control parameter.

28. Control system according to claim 17, wherein the controllable device has plural positions including a mainly closed position which permits a smaller amount of sunlight to enter.

29. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said control system is used with a remote control.

30. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said control parameter represents an inclination of a window or sky light related to said controllable device.

31. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said geographical location is determined by use of a global positioning system.

32. Control system according to claim 17, wherein said control parameter represents at least a geographical location and time and date, wherein said control parameter is indicated by means of user-input, whereby said device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by said climate and comfort program wherein said time schedule is dependent on date related intervals or periods.

33. Device for control of shade means of an opening related to a building aperture, comprising:

a climate and comfort controller configured to;

control open and close of shading means and operate by a pre-defined time schedule provided by said climate and comfort controller to adjust a climate related characteristic, said climate and comfort controller is dependent on control parameters indicated by one of at least two user-input methods including a first user input method comprising control parameters representing a geographical location, a time, and a date and a second user input method comprising at least one control parameter representing a direction of a window or a roof light related to the controllable device.

34. Device according to claim 33, wherein said control parameter comprises means for carrying out a user specified configuration of said climate and comfort program.

35. Device according to claim 33, wherein said climate and comfort controller is sequentially organized, and wherein the sequence is dependent on different intervals or periods.

36. Device according to claim 35, wherein said different intervals or periods comprise weeks, months, or seasons.

37. Device according to claim 33, wherein said climate and comfort controller operates dependent on a home or out parameter which indicates whether a user is inside the building or not.

38. Device according to claim 33, wherein said control parameter represents a geographical location selected from a list of nearest place names.

39. Device according to claim 38, wherein said list of the nearest place names comprises a list of the nearest major cities.

40. Device according to claim 33, wherein said control open and close of shading means may be performed parallel with a manual control by the user while said climate and comfort controller is active.

41. Device according to claim 33, wherein said device has drive means and accumulator means.

42. Device according to claim 33, wherein at least two setup configurations are provided, wherein a first configuration provides indication of at least one basic control parameter and a second configuration provides indication of at least one additional control parameter different from said at least one basic control parameter.

43. Device according to claim 33, wherein the shading means and/or controller has plural positions including a mainly closed position which permits a smaller amount of sunlight to enter.

44. Device according to claim 33, wherein said control open and close of shading means is performed using a remote control.

45. Device according to claim 33, wherein said control parameter represents the inclination of a window or sky light related to said controllable device.

46. Device according to claim 33, wherein control open and close of shading means and operate by a time schedule provided by said climate and comfort controller to adjust a climate related characteristic, said climate and comfort controller is dependent on at least parameters related to a geographical location and time and date wherein said control parameter is indicated by means of user-input and wherein said time schedule is dependent on date related intervals/periods.