System and method for controlling at least one device

• US 8,698,608 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2005
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: VKR Holding A/S (Villum Fonden)
• Original Assignee: VKR Holding A/S (Villum Fonden)
• Inventors: Nielsen, Martin Sandal, Andreasen, Bjarne Ravndal
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nam V
• Application Number:
  US11/994,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20080315987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,207 Days
• Field of Search: 340/12.5, 340/13.24, 340/12.22, 340/311.11, 370/462, 370/438, 700/12, 700/22, 700/110, 455/352, 318/266, 318/285
• US Class Current: 340/12.5
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2222 Use of priority levels for gaining access to resources
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

System and method for controlling at least one device (2, 3) such as for example an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning or a light source. The system includes at least one controllable unit (10, 14) associated with the at least one device and a plurality of nodes (12, 16, 19, 20, 22) for transmitting control signals to the at least one controllable unit (10, 14). At least one of the plurality of nodes (12, 16, 19, 20, 22) for transmitting control signals are configured for transmitting a command originator, the command originator including an identification of a predetermined type of the node (12, 16, 19, 20, 22), from which the signal originates.

Claims

1. System for controlling at least one device, said system comprising:

at least a controllable unit associated with said at least one device; and

a plurality of different predetermined types of nodes for transmitting control signals to said at least one controllable unit;

wherein at least one controllable unit is configured for receiving control signals from different predetermined types of nodes,

wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals is configured for transmitting a command originator and an indication of a period of time,

wherein said command originator of said control signal includes a node type identification, which node type identification is associated with the predetermined type of the node, from which the control signal originates,

wherein said at least one controllable unit comprises means for storing and handling command originator information, and

wherein said means for storing and handling command originator information comprises means for removing said stored command originator information at the lapse of said period of time indicated by said control signal.

2. System according to claim 1, wherein said at least one controllable unit is configured for transmitting information relating to said command originator in response to a received control signal, an execution of which control signal is denied in consequence of a previously stored control signal, to which the command originator was related.

3. System according to claim 1, wherein said node, from which a denied control signal was transmitted, comprises means for indicating information relating to a command originator.

4. System according to claim 1, wherein said at least one controllable unit is configured for storing information relating to a command originator received with a control signal, and said at least one controllable unit further is configured for rejecting a control signal originating from a node having a corresponding command originator.

5. System according to claim 1, wherein said means for storing and handling command originator information comprises timer function means.

6. System according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of nodes comprises nodes of different types.

7. System according to claim 1, wherein said device is an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning, or a light source.

8. Method of operating a device associated with a controllable unit, wherein said controllable unit is designed for receiving control signals from a plurality of different predetermined types of nodes in a control system and activating said device in accordance with said control signals,

whereby a command originator is assigned to a control signal from at least one of said plurality of nodes,

whereby said command originator includes a node type identification associated with the predetermined type of the node, from which the control signal originates, and wherein a corresponding period of time is indicated by said control signal,

whereby information relating to a command originator received with a control signal is stored by said at least one controllable unit,

whereby said at least one controllable unit is further configured for rejecting a control signal originating from a node having a corresponding command originator, and

whereby said stored command originator information is removed at the lapse of a period of time.

9. Method according to claim 8, whereby said at least one controllable unit transmits information relating to said command originator in response to a received control signal, an execution of which control signal is denied in consequence of a previously stored control signal, to which the command originator was related.

10. Method according to claim 8, whereby information relating to a command originator is indicated by the node, from which a denied control signal was transmitted.

11. Method according to claim 8, whereby said at least one controllable unit comprises means for storing and handling command originator information.

12. Method according to claim 8, whereby said stored command originator information is removed at a lapse of said period of time indicated by said control signal.

13. Method according to claim 8, wherein said plurality of nodes comprises nodes of different types.

14. Method according to claim 8, wherein said device is an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning or a light source.

15. System for controlling at least one device, said system comprising:

at least a controllable unit associated with said at least one device; and

a plurality of predetermined types of nodes for transmitting control signals to said at least one controllable unit;

wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes for transmitting control signals is configured for transmitting a control signal including a command originator,

wherein said command originator includes a node type identification, which node type identification is associated with the predetermined type of node, from which the control signal originates,

wherein a locking of activation of said at least one device for certain predefined types of said plurality of nodes is configured for being initiated by said control signal, and wherein a timer function is configured for handling how long said locking is to be active,

wherein said at least one controllable unit includes means for storing and handling command originator information, and wherein said means for storing and handling command originator information includes means for removing said stored command originator information at the lapse of a time period established by means of said timer function.

16. System according to claim 15, wherein said device is an operator for a door, a gate, a window, blinds, shutters, a curtain, an awning, or a light source.

17. System according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of nodes comprises nodes of different types.