Expansion type control device and linkage control system

Abstract

The utility model discloses an extended control device and a linkage control system. The extended control device comprises a touch detection control module, a wireless communication module, an MCU module and a power supply module. The touch detection control module comprises a transparent FPC membrane and a touch control circuit integrated in the FPC membrane, the touch control circuit is electrically connected with the MCU module, when the FPC membrane is touched, the touch control circuit determines a touch position by detecting the change of capacitance and transmits the touch position to the MCU module, and the MCU module records and stores the touch position; the MCU module is connected with an external controller through the wireless communication module and transmits a touch position signal to the external controller, and the external controller performs function definition on the received touch position signal and transmits the touch position signal back to the MCU module; although some existing household appliances cannot be directly connected with intelligent terminals such as mobile phones of users, the existing household appliances can be indirectly connected with the intelligent terminals such as the mobile phones of the users through the expansion type control device provided by the utility model as long as the existing household appliances are provided with touch panels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of range hood purification, and particularly relates to an extended control device and an interlocking control system. Background Art

[0002] In the era of the rapid development of smart home today, consumers' demand for intelligent control of household appliances is increasing day by day. However, there are many defects in the existing household appliance control systems. On the one hand, for a large number of traditional household appliances and some new household appliances, some do not have a structure for communicating with smart terminals such as users' mobile phones due to technical reasons or cost considerations, and cannot be connected to smart terminals such as users' mobile phones, which makes it impossible for users to conveniently control these appliances, greatly limiting the convenience and intelligence of household appliance use. On the other hand, there are many brands of household appliances in the market, and there are differences in communication protocols, control methods, etc. among household appliance products of different brands, resulting in difficulties in achieving effective interlocking control between them. These problems seriously hinder the overall development and popularization of the smart home system and cannot meet users' expectations for an integrated and intelligent experience of the smart home. Content of the Utility Model

[0003] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an extended control device and an interlocking control system to improve the problems that some household appliances cannot be connected to smart terminals such as users' mobile phones and it is difficult to achieve interlocking control between household appliance products of different brands.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, the utility model provides an extended control device, which includes a touch detection control module, a wireless communication module, an MCU module and a power supply module, and the power supply module supplies power to each power-consuming module; the touch detection control module includes a transparent FPC film and a touch control circuit integrated inside the FPC film, the touch control circuit is electrically connected to the MCU module, when touching the FPC film, the touch control circuit determines the touch position by detecting the change of capacitance and transmits it to the MCU module, and the MCU module records and stores the touch position; the MCU module is connected to an external controller through the wireless communication module and transmits the touch position signal to the external controller, and the external controller defines the function of the received touch position signal and transmits it back to the MCU module.

[0005] Further, the external controller is a smart electronic device, a control APP is installed on the smart electronic device, the control APP has a function definition module, and the function definition module has a function definition page.

[0006] Furthermore, the external controller has a near-ground communication module and a remote communication module. The external controller communicates with the wireless communication module through the near-ground communication module; the external controller communicates with the network server through the remote communication module. After defining the function of the received touch position signal, the external controller uploads it to the network server through the remote communication module.

[0007] Furthermore, the intelligent electronic device is any one of a smartphone, a range hood iPad, a mobile iPad, a smartwatch, and a smart bracelet, and the range hood iPad is electrically connected to the MCU control module of the range hood; the near-ground communication module includes one or more of a WiFi communication module, a Bluetooth communication module, and a 2.4G communication module, and the remote communication module includes one or more of a WiFi communication module, a 4G communication module, and a 5G communication module.

[0008] Furthermore, the wireless communication module includes a WiFi communication module, and also includes at least one of a Bluetooth communication module and a 2.4G communication module; the MCU module can connect to the network server through the WiFi communication module.

[0009] According to a second aspect of this utility model, this utility model provides a linkage control system, including a linkage device and a linked device, and further including the aforementioned extended control device. The linkage device has a touch panel with a plurality of touch buttons. The FPC film of the extended control device is attached to the touch panel of the linkage device and covers all the touch buttons on the touch panel. The extended control device is communicatively connected to the linked device through its wireless communication module.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a network server. The extended control device communicates with the network server through its wireless communication module. The external controller has a remote communication module. The external controller communicates with the server through the remote communication module. After defining the function of the received touch position signal, the external controller uploads it to the network server through the remote wireless communication module. The linked device also communicates with the network server.

[0011] Furthermore, the linked device is a cooking device that generates fumes, steam, or odors during operation, and the linked device is a range hood.

[0012] Furthermore, the range hood has a range hood iPad, and the extended control device communicates with the range hood iPad through its wireless communication module. The range hood iPad is electrically connected to the MCU control module of the range hood.

[0013] Further, a range hood control APP is installed on the range hood iPad. The range hood control APP has a function definition module, and the function definition module has a function definition page.

[0014] The present utility model provides an extended control device. Although some existing household appliances cannot be directly connected to intelligent terminals such as users' mobile phones, as long as they have a touch panel, they can be indirectly connected to intelligent terminals such as users' mobile phones through the extended control device provided by the present utility model, enabling users to conveniently control these household appliances. In addition, through the extended control device provided by the present utility model, linkage control can also be achieved between household appliance products of different brands. Other advantages of the present utility model will be described in the subsequent specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is the electrical control structure block diagram of the extended control device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 is the structural schematic diagram of the extended control device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 is the front view of the extended control device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model pasted on the touch panel;

[0018] Figure 4 is the side view of the extended control device provided in an embodiment of the present utility model pasted on the touch panel;

[0019] Figure 5 is a structural block diagram of a linkage control system provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 6 is another structural block diagram of the linkage control system provided in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0021] Reference numerals: 1, touch detection and control module; 2, wireless communication module; 3, MCU module; 4, power supply module; 100, extended control device; 200, touch panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS:

[0022] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0023] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, provides further details:

[0024] Example 1

[0025] This embodiment provides an extended control device, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the system includes a touch detection control module 1, a wireless communication module 2, an MCU module 3, and a power supply module 4. The power supply module 4 provides power to the touch detection control module 1, the wireless communication module 2, and the MCU module 3. The touch detection control module 1 includes a transparent FPC film and a touch circuit integrated inside the FPC film. The touch circuit is electrically connected to the MCU module 3. The transparent FPC film can use polyimide (PI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the substrate, which has good flexibility, insulation, and high temperature resistance, providing stable physical support for the integration of its internal touch circuit. These materials can withstand various process conditions in the integrated circuit manufacturing process while ensuring transparency. Transparent conductive materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and graphene, can be used on the transparent FPC film, or traditional conductive metal materials (such as copper) can be made into conductive lines with a certain degree of transparency through special processes. These conductive materials can meet the needs of signal transmission and electronic component connection in integrated circuits, realizing the conductive function of the circuit.

[0026] When the FPC film is touched, a change in capacitance occurs at the touch position. The touch circuit determines the touch position by detecting this change in capacitance and transmits it to the MCU module 3. The MCU module 3 records and saves this touch position. The MCU module 3 is connected to an external controller via the wireless communication module 2 and transmits the touch position signal to the external controller. The external controller defines the function of the received touch position signal and sends it back to the MCU module 3. The external controller is a smart electronic device, which can be any of the following: a smartphone, a range hood iPad, a mobile iPad, a smartwatch, or a smart bracelet. The range hood iPad is an iPad installed on the range hood for range hood control; once the range hood is fixedly installed, the range hood iPad is essentially immovable. Mobile iPads are commonly seen in everyday life, produced by manufacturers such as Huawei and Xiaomi. The smart electronic device has a control APP installed. This control APP can be developed by the range hood manufacturer and can be matched and connected to the range hood for range hood control. When the smart electronic device is a range hood iPad, the range hood iPad is electrically connected to the MCU control module of the range hood, and the range hood can be controlled through the range hood iPad. The control APP has a function definition module, which has a function definition page.

[0027] One method for defining functionality using an external controller is as follows:

[0028] S10. Attach the transparent FPC film of the extended control device 100 to the touch panel 200 of the device, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0029] S20. Bind the extended control device 100 to the control APP, open the control APP, and enter the function definition page.

[0030] S30. Touch the position of the touch button on the transparent FPC film corresponding to the touch panel 200 and touch it continuously for 3 seconds, such as continuously touching the power button on the touch panel 200 for 3 seconds.

[0031] S40, The touch circuit inside the transparent FPC film determines the touch position by detecting changes in capacitance and transmits it to the MCU module 3.

[0032] S50, MCU module 3 records and saves the touch position and transmits the touch position signal to the control APP through wireless communication module 2, and displays the touch position information on the function definition page of the control APP.

[0033] S60. Define the function of the touch location information on the function definition page of the control APP, for example, name the touch location information "Power On".

[0034] S70. After the control APP completes the function definition, click the OK icon. The control APP will then send the function definition data back to the MCU module 3, which will receive and save it.

[0035] After defining the function in this way, open the control APP, select the bound extended control device 100, and click the "Power On" icon. The control APP transmits control signals to the extended control device 100. After receiving the control signals transmitted by the control APP, the MCU module 3 of the extended control device 100 controls the capacitance at the position corresponding to the "Power On" icon on the transparent FPC film to change according to the function definition information stored inside. This change will be sensed by the "Power On Button" on the touch panel 200 corresponding to that position, thereby causing the "Power On Button" to receive the power-on signal. In this way, the device attached to the extended control device 100 will be powered on.

[0036] The external controller has a near-ground communication module and a long-range communication module. The near-ground communication module includes one or more of a WiFi communication module, a Bluetooth communication module, and a 2.4G communication module. The wireless communication module 2 includes a WiFi communication module, and also includes at least one of a Bluetooth communication module and a 2.4G communication module. The external controller communicates with the wireless communication module 2 via the near-ground communication module. For example, the external controller and the wireless communication module 2 can communicate via a Bluetooth communication module, thus enabling the binding connection between the extended control device 100 and the control APP.

[0037] The remote communication module includes one or more of the following: WiFi communication module, 4G communication module, and 5G communication module. The external controller communicates with the network server through the remote communication module, and the MCU module 3 of the extended control device 100 can connect to the network server through the WiFi communication module. After defining the function of the received touch position signal, the external controller can upload it to the network server through the remote communication module. Thus, during extended control, control signals can be sent to the network server through the control APP, thereby realizing remote control function.

[0038] As can be seen from the above, although some existing home appliances cannot be directly connected to users' mobile phones and other smart terminals, as long as they have a touch panel 200, they can be indirectly connected to users' mobile phones and other smart terminals through the extended control device 100 provided by this utility model, so that users can conveniently control these home appliances.

[0039] Example 2

[0040] This embodiment provides a linkage control system, such as Figure 5As shown, the system includes a linkage device, a linked device, and an extended control device provided in Embodiment 1. The linkage device has a touch panel with several touch buttons. The FPC film of the extended control device is attached to the touch panel of the linkage device, covering all the touch buttons. The extended control device communicates with the linked device via its wireless communication module 2. The linkage device is a cooking appliance that produces fumes, steam, or odors during operation, such as an air fryer. The linked device is a range hood. The range hood has a range hood iPad. The extended control device communicates with the range hood iPad via its wireless communication module 2. The range hood iPad is electrically connected to the range hood's MCU control module. A range hood control APP is installed on the range hood iPad. This range hood control APP is the control APP that is bound to the extended control device. The range hood control APP has a function definition module, which has a function definition page.

[0041] One method for controlling the range hood and air fryer together using a control app installed on the iPad is as follows:

[0042] S100. Attach the transparent FPC film of the extended control device to the touch panel of the air fryer, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown.

[0043] S200: Connect the extended control device to the control APP installed on the range hood iPad, open the control APP, and enter the function definition page.

[0044] S300: Touch the corresponding touch button on the transparent FPC film for 3 seconds, such as continuously touching the power button on the touch panel for 3 seconds.

[0045] The touch circuit inside the S400 transparent FPC film determines the touch position by detecting changes in capacitance and transmits it to the MCU module 3.

[0046] The S500 and MCU module 3 record and save the touch position and transmit the touch position signal to the control APP through the wireless communication module 2. The touch position information is then displayed on the function definition page of the control APP.

[0047] S600: On the function definition page of the control APP, the touch position information can be defined and linked control settings can be configured. For example, the touch position information can be named "Power On" and the power-on icon of the range hood can be selected in the linkage options. The power level when powering on can also be selected.

[0048] After the S700 control APP completes the function definition, click the OK icon. The control APP will then send the function definition data back to the MCU module 3, which will receive and save it.

[0049] After the function definition and linkage control settings are made in this way, when the power-on button on the touch control panel of the air fryer is touched (the actual touch is on the transparent FPC film of the extended control device), the capacitance of both the power-on button of the air fryer and the transparent FPC film of the extended control device will change. The air fryer is powered on, and the MCU module of the extended control device transmits a wireless control signal to the range hood iPad according to the function definition information and linkage control data stored in it. After receiving the wireless control signal, the range hood iPad transmits it to the MCU control module of the range hood, and the MCU control module controls the range hood to be powered on. In this way, the linkage control of the air fryer and the range hood is achieved.

[0050] As can be seen from the above, through the extended control device provided by the present utility model, the linkage control between home appliance products of different brands can be achieved.

[0051] In some other exemplary embodiments, the linkage control system further includes a network server in addition to the linkage device, the linked device and the extended control device. The extended control device communicates with the network server through its wireless communication module 2. The external controller has a remote communication module, and the external controller communicates with the server through the remote communication module. After the external controller defines the function of the received touch position signal, it uploads it to the network server through the remote wireless communication module 2, and the linked device also communicates with the network server. In this way, the control signal can be sent to the network server through the control APP to achieve the remote control of the linkage device and the linked device.

[0052] In summary, although some existing home appliances cannot be directly connected to intelligent terminals such as the user's mobile phone, as long as they have a touch control panel, they can be indirectly connected to intelligent terminals such as the user's mobile phone through the extended control device provided by the present utility model, enabling the user to conveniently control these home appliances. In addition, through the extended control device provided by the present utility model, the linkage control between home appliance products of different brands can also be achieved.

[0053] The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not used to limit the present utility model. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the present utility model. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present utility model shall be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An extended control device, characterized in that, The system includes a touch detection and control module, a wireless communication module, an MCU module, and a power supply module. The power supply module supplies power to each power-consuming module. The touch detection and control module includes a transparent FPC film and a touch circuit integrated inside the FPC film. The touch circuit is electrically connected to the MCU module. When the FPC film is touched, the touch circuit determines the touch position by detecting changes in capacitance and transmits it to the MCU module. The MCU module records and saves the touch position. The MCU module is connected to an external controller via the wireless communication module and transmits the touch position signal to the external controller. The external controller performs functional definition on the received touch position signal and sends it back to the MCU module.

2. The extended control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external controller is an intelligent electronic device, and a control APP is installed on the intelligent electronic device. The control APP has a function definition module, and the function definition module has a function definition page.

3. The extended control device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The external controller has a near-ground communication module and a remote communication module. The external controller communicates with the wireless communication module through the near-ground communication module; the external controller communicates with the network server through the remote communication module. After defining the function of the received touch position signal, the external controller uploads it to the network server through the remote communication module.

4. The extended control device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The intelligent electronic device is any one of a smartphone, a range hood iPad, a mobile iPad, a smartwatch, or a smart bracelet. The range hood iPad is electrically connected to the MCU control module of the range hood. The near-ground communication module includes one or more of a WiFi communication module, a Bluetooth communication module, and a 2.4G communication module. The remote communication module includes one or more of a WiFi communication module, a 4G communication module, and a 5G communication module.

5. The extended control device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless communication module includes a WiFi communication module, and also includes at least one of a Bluetooth communication module and a 2.4G communication module; the MCU module can connect to a network server through the WiFi communication module.

6. A linkage control system, comprising linkage equipment and linked equipment, characterized in that, It also includes the extended control device as described in claim 1, wherein the linkage device has a touch panel with a plurality of touch buttons, the FPC film of the extended control device is attached to the touch panel of the linkage device and covers all the touch buttons on the touch panel, and the extended control device is communicatively connected to the linkage device through its wireless communication module.

7. The linkage control system according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a network server, and the extended control device communicates with the network server through its wireless communication module; the external controller has a remote communication module, and the external controller communicates with the server through the remote communication module. After the external controller defines the function of the received touch position signal, it uploads it to the network server through the remote wireless communication module. The linked device also communicates with the network server.

8. The linkage control system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The linked device is a cooking device that produces fumes, steam, or odors when it is working, and the linked device is a range hood.

9. The linkage control system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The range hood has a range hood iPad, and the extended control device communicates with the range hood iPad through its wireless communication module. The range hood iPad is electrically connected to the MCU control module of the range hood.

10. The linkage control system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The range hood iPad is equipped with a range hood control APP, which has a function definition module and a function definition page.

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