Method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment

• US 9,581,982 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Issued: 02/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Original Assignee: Somfy Sas (Somfy SA)
• Inventors: To, Karina
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNN, DARRIN D
• Application Number:
  US13/577,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20120310386A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,211 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/38 for implementing user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless

Abstract

Method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment of a building, the device comprising a display screen, assigned to the display, at a first level, of equipments icons and, at a second level, of grouping icons, a group of home automation equipment being associated with a grouping icon, and means of selection of at least one grouping icon and/or of at least one equipment icon, characterized in that an action on a control key has the standard effect of controlling the equipment associated with several selected icons of the same level as long as no icon of another level is selected.

Claims

1. A method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment of a building, the device comprising a display screen, assigned to the display, at a first level, of equipment icons and, at a second level, of grouping icons, a group of automation systems equipment being associated with a grouping icon, and means of selection of at least one of (a) at least one grouping icon and (b) at least one equipment icon, wherein an action on a control key for a selected icon has an effect of controlling all of the equipment associated with several icons selected of a same level as long as no icon of another level is selected, wherein the control key is a virtual key displayed in a part of the screen when a grouping icon is selected, and wherein the virtual control key is (a) a generic multi-applications key when all the equipment being controlled comprises items of equipment of different types (b) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when all the equipment of the group being controlled are of a same type and (c) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when an individual piece of equipment is selected.

2. The method of operation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises a step for displaying icons at the first and at the second level simultaneously.

3. The method of operation as claimed in claim 1, wherein no virtual control key is displayed when no equipment or grouping icon is selected.

4. The method of operation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grouping icons are localization icons, grouping equipment according to their localization inside the building or its surroundings or type of icons, grouping equipment comprising a same type of actuator and a same type of associated product or grouping equipment comprising the same type of actuator or the same type of associated product.

5. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program adapted to perform, on a computer, the steps of the control method as claimed in claim 1.

6. The method of operation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the action on the control key has an effect of controlling at least one of (a) all of the equipment associated with a selected grouping icon as long as no equipment icon of this group is also selected, (b) all of the equipment associated with several selected grouping icons and (c) all of the equipment associated with several selected equipment icons.

7. A method of operation of a control device for automation systems equipment of a building, the device comprising a display screen, assigned to the display, at a first level, of equipment icons and, at a second level, of grouping icons, a group of automation systems equipment being associated with a grouping icon, and means of selection of at least one of (a) at least one grouping icon and (b) at least one equipment icon, wherein an action on a control key for a selected icon has an effect of controlling all of the equipment associated with at least one grouping icon selected as long as no equipment icon of this group is selected, wherein the action on the control key has an effect of controlling (a) all of the equipment associated with a selected grouping icon as long as no equipment icon of this group is also selected (b) all of the equipment associated with several selected grouping icons and (c) all of the equipment associated with several selected equipment icons.

8. The method of operation as claimed in claim 7, wherein the method comprises a step for displaying icons at the first and at the second level simultaneously.

9. The method of operation as claimed in claim 7, wherein the control key is a virtual key displayed in a part of the screen when a grouping icon is selected.

10. The method of operation as claimed in claim 9, wherein the virtual control key is at least one of (a) a generic multi-applications key when all the equipment being controlled comprises items of equipment of different types, (b) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when all the equipment of the group being controlled are of the same type and (c) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when an individual piece of equipment is selected.

11. The method of operation as claimed in claim 9, wherein no virtual control key is displayed when no equipment or grouping icon is selected.

12. The method of operation as claimed in claim 10, wherein no virtual control key is displayed when no equipment or grouping icon is selected.

13. The method of operation as claimed in claim 7, wherein the grouping icons are localization icons, grouping equipment according to their localization inside the building or its surroundings or type of icons, grouping equipment comprising a same type of actuator and a same type of associated product or grouping equipment comprising the same type of actuator or the same type of associated product.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program adapted to perform, on a computer, the steps of the control method as claimed in claim 7.

15. A control device for equipment of an automation system installation, comprising an interface for the display and the input of information relating to the control of the equipment of the installation, the interface comprising a means of display, at a first level, of equipment icons and, at a second level, of grouping icons, a group of automation systems equipment being associated with a grouping icon, and means of selection of at least one of (a) at least one grouping icon and (b) at least one equipment icon, the control device comprising means for processing information displayed and information input, wherein the device comprises virtual means not associated with physical keys of the device for a selected icon for controlling a group of equipment linked according to a common criterion, wherein the control key is a virtual key displayed in a part of the screen when a grouping icon is selected, and wherein the virtual control key is (a) a generic multi-applications key when all the equipment being controlled comprises items of equipment of different types (b) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when all the equipment of the group being controlled are of a same type and (c) a key dedicated to the type of equipment being controlled when an individual piece of equipment is selected.

16. The control device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the standard control means are replaced by individual control means when a single piece of equipment is specified at the first level of the interface.

17. The control device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the device comprises a touch screen for the display and the input of information and controls.