Intuitive and self-learning residential and building comfort control

Abstract

Control system (1) for a building,- comprising a central computer unit (2),- comprising at least one control unit (3),- comprising at least one device (7) controllable by the control unit (3), namely a roller shutter, an awning, a blind / venetian blind or a textile facade shading system, wherein the computer unit (2) communicates wirelessly or via a wired connection with the at least one control unit (3),- comprising the computer unit (2) and / or the control unit(s) (3) having a code / chip (8) by which the respective computer unit (2) and / or the control unit(s) (3) can be uniquely identified by a reader (9) and integrated into the control system (1),- comprising the reader (9) being designed such that it processes movements entered via a touchscreen and subsequently triggers a command for the direct control of the device (7),wherein the commands for controlling the respective control device (3) or device (7) are executed almost in real time and at the same time the status of the respective device (7) is reported back to the user, so that the actual situation is graphically reproduced or displayed on a display.

Description

The present invention relates to a control system for a building. The invention also relates to a method for installing such a control system.Control systems are becoming increasingly indispensable in modern buildings, for example in order to be able to keep the temperature inside buildings at a tolerable level in an energy-saving manner. Known control systems usually have at least one device, such as a roller shutter, a awning, a blind / venetian blind or a textile facade shading, which is / is moved either manually or electrically into the desired position if required. Such manual actuation or adjustment of the respective device is no longer timely, even in domestic use, due to the ever increasing intake of modern control systems. However, if modern control systems are used for devices, these usually require a high technical know-how, both with regard to installation and maintenance. However, in particular the high technical know-how makes such "intelligent" control systems unattractive, in particular, for private persons.US 2011 / 0266345 A1 discloses a lighting system in which each light in the lighting system contains a permanently attached RFID tag (radio frequency identification). Each light also includes either a matching hardwired identification chip or an RFID reader capable of reading the RFID tag. The tags can be used for commissioning the lighting system by reading the tags with a portable reading device and allocating or removing the lighting fixtures from the groups.U.S. Pat. No. 7,924,151 B2 discloses a system for building management which comprises a multiplicity of system devices which are each provided with an identity tag which uniquely identifies the system device;US 2012 / 0306621 A1 discloses a networked light control device having an RFID tag device in order to couple the light control device to an RFID reading device on a mobile unit.The present invention therefore addresses the problem of specifying an intelligent control system for a building which is controllable in an automated manner and which, despite a high degree of automation, can nevertheless be installed or maintained comparatively easily.This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.The present invention is based on the general idea of equipping a control system for a building with a central computer device and with at least one decentralized control device, wherein at least one device, such as a venetian blind, a shading device, a blind, a awning or a roller shutter, is assigned to the at least one control device. A garage door, a light source, a heater, etc., can also be incorporated into this system. The computer device is in this case capable of communicating wirelessly or by wire with the control device and can therefore be arranged as centrally as possible. In order now in particular to simplify the installation of such an intelligent and automated control system, each component of the control system, i.e. for example the computer device, the at least one control device and the at least one device, has a code / chip, for example a barcode, a QR code, an RFID chip, an NFC chip, or the like, via which the respective component can be unambiguously identified with a reading device and at the same time incorporated into the control system. The described reading device can be, for example, a smartphone or tablet PC, in particular an iPod or iPad, with correspondingly installed applications, wherein this reading device is capable of reading the code / chip arranged on or in the respective component of the control system and of extracting the information stored therein from the latter. RFID chips are just as appropriate here as bar codes, since both can store a lot of information without energy supply. To install the control system according to the invention, the computer device, the at least one control device and the at least one device must first be connected to an electrical voltage source, for example a mains connection. Before or after the voltage supply is applied, a corresponding reading function (scan view) is started on the reading device, for example the smartphone, and the code / chip arranged on or in each control device is read in or read out via this. The respective component can then be immediately named, for example "Living Room Blind Terrace". The central control, i.e. the computer device, can also be detected and named in this way. The code / chip read on the control device is now transmitted wirelessly, for example by means of a WLAN connection or via the Internet, to the computer device and incorporated into control software stored there. It is conceivable that several control devices are divided into individual rooms or managed together in groups, for example main buildings and secondary buildings. In a simple form, individual devices or control devices can now also be added to rooms or groups or removed from them again. The advantage of this control system according to the invention lies in particular in the comparatively simple, but at the same time unambiguous connection of individual components, that is to say control devices, to the central computer device, and also an encryption system which makes only scanned components controllable. This makes it possible to prevent control devices that do not belong to the control system or that a foreign person has access to internal control devices in the building from being controlled as well.If the user holds the reading device via the code / chip of the control device and if, in addition, the configuration application, for example reading software, is opened, the code / chip is captured by the latter and evaluated via the application. If the code or the signal sent by the chip is invalid, it is no longer used and this is indicated to the user visually and / or audibly. On the other hand, when detecting a valid code, the user is requested to assign a name for the respective component, i.e. for the respective control device, for example, wherein the data can then be linked to the central computer device and the respective control device can subsequently be immediately controlled. In the code, which is designed, for example, as a barcode, barcode or as a QR code or else by another technological method, such as RFID, NFC,..., at least one of the following items of information can be stored: type of the device (computer device, control device), device identification number, formations for the transmission protocol, a network address or URL (Internet address). By means of this information, not only is a unique identification of the respective component of the control system possible, but at the same time also a rapid and unique check as to whether the respective component can be incorporated into the control system at all.A further advantage of using the codes / chips according to the invention is the encryption of the control system. During the scanning process, all components must namely be physically present to the user. As a result, only exactly the components that the user has actively scanned can be integrated into the control system. Conversely, it is thus also not possible for an unauthorized person to gain access to the control system or individual components thereof, or for example an unintentional access by a neighbor who uses the same control system. When individual components of the control system are replaced in the event of service, only the code / chip of the replaced component has to be detected, the integration of the new component into the control system being carried out transparently to the customer.In an advantageous development of the solution according to the invention, at least one control device is connected to a switch / button which is to be operated manually and which, when actuated, enables manual actuation of the associated / respective device. This makes it possible to operate the control system or individual devices thereof not only via a touchscreen, for example on the computer device, but also via commercially available switches or buttons which directly actuate an individual control device. Purely theoretically, however, it is of course also possible to operate the control system according to the invention or to control it via a mobile terminal, such as a smartphone, for example, wherein the building can be viewed and the control system can be controlled via a corresponding application. When using a plurality of smartphones, individual users can be created, wherein different access rights can also be allocated, so that different users can be provided with different access options under certain circumstances. It is also conceivable that the respective devices can be controlled individually by means of the smartphone, for example, or else in a group, wherein all devices combined in this group are now moved into the predefined position when the group is controlled. In this case, a wide variety of devices, such as roller shutter and gathering gates, can also be managed in a group, the respective target position then being approached independently of the properties of the individual generic devices. In general, a whole group of such devices can also be assigned to a single manual switch or button. If a plurality of devices are combined in a common group, individual scenarios can be stored which, for example, record a desired actual state of the individual devices. As soon as this scenario is selected on the smartphone or the computer device, the control system once again establishes exactly this state in which the individual devices combined in the group assume their predefined position. In this case, too, it is of course possible to assign such a scenario to a switch or button which is to be operated manually.In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the computer device is designed such that it actuates at least one control device and an associated device at a fixed date or at a fixed time. A wide variety of devices, groups or scenarios can be occupied with a date / time by means of such a "calendar function", wherein the respective function is then executed when this date is reached or when the predefined time is reached. In addition, special functions are also available, such as sunrise and sunset, these being adapted by a database for the season.It is also conceivable in the control system according to the invention that a "leaving home function" is stored in the computer device, which is selected if the occupants of the building are absent for a longer time, for example in the vacation. The presence of the occupants is then simulated via the selectable leave-home function, so that, for example, the roller shutters are opened in the morning and closed in the evening. In this case, the sequence of a plurality of predetermined scenarios can be started with respect to time and other circumstances.In a further advantageous embodiment of the solution according to the invention, the control system has a comfort control mode in which frequently selected positions of the devices are stored at the date / time, these positions being automatically approached when the comfort control mode is selected. In this case, the control system is in principle capable of learning this comfort control mode itself, for example on the basis of positions of the individual devices frequently selected by the users of the building. The control system according to the invention thus automatically recognizes the user's habits and can create the comfort control mode from this. If the learned comfort control mode is now activated, the intelligent control system then takes over from there to the control of the individual devices. Of course, the user can intervene at any time, deactivate or activate certain functions and generally override the comfort control mode by means of corresponding commands.In general, a corresponding application can also be used to control the control system via a corresponding gesture recognition, so that, for example, the input movements (gestures) are processed on a screen of a smartphone and can subsequently trigger a command for direct control of a respective control device. The simple finger movements required for this can be intuitively associated with the respective function and can therefore be easily noticed. For example, a roller shutter depicted on the smartphone can be pushed up or down. The commands for controlling the respective control device or device are executed in this case virtually real time and at the same time the status of the respective device is reported back to the user. It is thus possible to graphically simulate or display the actual situation (position of a roller shutter, for example) on a display.The invention is further based on the general idea of being able to easily install the above-described intelligent control system by means of corresponding codes / chips or, if appropriate, to wait and adapt it. For simple installation according to the invention, the computer device, at least one control device and at least one device are first connected to an electrical voltage source, for example an electrical network. Before or after the voltage supply is applied, a reading function is started on a reading device, for example a smartphone, in order to then read / write the code / chip arranged on each control device and to be able to assign a name to this. Before or subsequently, the code / chip arranged on the computer device is read / on and the read information of the control device is transmitted wirelessly, for example by means of WLAN or Internet, to the computer device and incorporated into a control software stored there. By means of the code, which is designed, for example, as a barcode or as a QR code or another technological method such as RFID, NFC,..., the individual components of the control system can be connected to one another in a communicating manner with respect to information, wherein only those components which were jointly detected in the configuration or installation process communicate with one another. This allows the security to be significantly increased, in particular against unauthorized access from the outside.Further important features and advantages of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures with reference to the drawings.It is understood that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally the same components.In each case, diagrammatically show, FIG. 1 shows a possible structure of a control system according to the invention for a building, FIGS. 2 a- i show individual steps for installing such a control system.According to FIG. 1, a control system 1 according to the invention for a building has a central computer device 2 and a plurality of control devices 3. The central computer device 2 can be connected to the Internet 5 via a modem 4 or a router, for example. Of course, a direct wireless connection to a smartphone 6, for example, via WLAN is also conceivable. Two of the control devices 3 shown in FIG. 1 are connected to a device 7 in each case in such a way that the device 7 can be controlled and in particular adjusted by the control device 3. The term "device 7" can be understood to mean, for example, a roller shutter, a awning, a blind / venetian blind or a textile facade shading, but also a light source, a garage door or a heater. Communication between the computer device 2 and the at least one control device 3 is effected wirelessly or by wire, for example via an IP connection. According to the invention, each component of the control system 1, i.e. for example the computer device 2, the control devices 3 and the devices 7, now has a code / chip 8, via which the respective component 2, 3, 7 can be unambiguously identified with a reading device 9, for example a smartphone 6, and can be incorporated into the control system 1.The code / chip 8 can be designed as a barcode or as a barcode or as a QR code (quick response) as well as by another technological method (RFID, NFC,... ) and can additionally contain at least one of the following information: type of the device (computer devices 2, control devices 3, device 7), device identification number, information on the transmission protocol, network address or URL (internet address). A manually operable switch / button 10 can likewise be a component of the control system 1 according to the invention, which switch / button is connected to an associated control device 3 and which, when actuated, enables manual actuation of the device 7 connected to communicate with the respective control device 3. The control device 3 is not only designed to actuate a single device 7 in each case, but can of course also actuate a group of different combined devices 7. The wireless or wired communication between the computer device 2 and the control devices 3 can furthermore be effected in encrypted form, as a result of which the control system 1 according to the invention is protected in a particular manner from undesired access by unauthorized third parties.The computer device 2 can furthermore be designed in such a way that it actuates at least one control device 3 and an associated device 7 at a fixed date or at a fixed time, which can be stored in a so-called calendar function. Furthermore, the control system 1 has a comfort control mode in which frequently selected positions of the devices 7 are stored at the date / time, so that these positions are automatically approached when the comfort control mode is selected. The control system 1 automatically recognizes the user's habits and is able to create a mode, namely the comfort control mode, from this. The user can activate this comfort control mode after a certain learning time, so that from this point in time the control system 1 according to the invention takes over the control of the individual devices 7. Of course, the user is at any time able to interact and can additionally override the comfort control mode, so that he is always the author of the method.The use of the code / chip 8 arranged on each component ensures encryption of the system, which presupposes for installation of the control system 1 according to the invention that all components must be present to the user in physical form. As a result, only exactly those components which the user has actively scanned can be integrated into the control system 1. Conversely, it is also not possible for an unauthorized person to gain access to the control system 1 or individual devices 7. Also impossible is unintentional access by a neighbor using the same control system 1. When replacing individual components in the case of service, only the code / chip 8 of the replaced components 2, 3, 7 has to be detected.The control system 1 according to the invention also allows different scenarios to be stored, that is to say different actual states of individual or a plurality of devices 7, which are then stored in their respective positions as a corresponding scenario. This scenario can then be activated again via the reading device 9 or the smartphone 6 or the button / switch 10.FIG. 2 describes the installation of the control system 1 according to the invention in individual method steps a.) to i.). In order to prepare the installation, the computer device 2, the at least one control device 3 and at least one device 7 are first connected to an electrical voltage source, for example a battery or an electrical network. Before or after the voltage supply is applied, in method step a.), a group can be selected on a reading device 9, for example a smartphone 6, into which the later control device 3 is to be accommodated. In method step c.), a name, for example "living room", is assigned to this group. A read function is then activated, for example by means of an application in method step d.), whereupon the code / chip 8 of the respective control device 3 is scanned in. This scanned-in code / chip 8 is now preferably assigned the name of the device 7 connected thereto, which takes place in method step e.). In this case, the control device 3 is called "roller shutter door". Of course, the code / chip 8 arranged on or in the computer device 2 must also be read / entered, which can take place before method step e.) or thereafter, wherein the code / chip 8 previously read into the control devices 3 is transmitted wirelessly, for example by means of the Internet 5, to the computer device 2 and is incorporated into a control software. This is done in method step f.). In method step g.), the position of the respective device 7 can now be visually displayed. In order to now enable the simplest and convenient possible control of the roller shutter on the door in the living room, the smartphone 6 or an application of a gesture correspondingly stored thereon is used, so that the roller shutter drawn in method steps h.) and i.) is simply pushed upward by means of the finger for opening, as is illustrated in FIG. 2 i). The simple finger movements are intuitively assigned to the respective desired execution function and can thus be easily noticed. Since the commands transmitted to the computer device 2 by means of the smartphone 6 are converted almost in real time, feedback in real time to the smartphone 6 and thus visualization for the user in real time is also possible.In addition to or instead of the devices 7, all conventional sun and weather protection products, such as, for example, louvers and refiners, roller shutters (top roller shutters, front-end roller shutters), awnings, winter garden shadows and underglass awnings, facade shadows (facade awnings, front-end shadows-with textile curtains), facade ZIP installations, insect protection systems, electrically operated vertical louvers and splices, including integratable weather stations (rain, light, wind), garage doors, lamps, heating, etc., can naturally be integrated into the control system 1 and controlled via the control system 1.It is of particular advantage in the control system 1 according to the invention that a clear identification of the respective components of the control system 1 is possible via the individual codes / chips 8, which not only allows easy installation and simple maintenance, but also prevents undesired access from the outside. The devices 7 can moreover move independently into their end position upon the first startup of the control system 1 and store these, so that the control system 1 together with the devices 7 incorporated therein are immediately ready for operation. To replace the respective component 2, 3, 7, it only has to be logged off via the corresponding code / chip 8 or deleted from a list by means of smartphone 6, and a new replacement component has to be logged on via a new code / chip 8. In general, the control system 1 according to the invention also has the capability of being able to perform automatic corrections in the case of mechanical changes in the length of a curtain of a shading device (for example setting of the curtain by aging). The control system 1 is in this case capable of automatically identifying mechanical length corrections and of having them incorporated into the control software. As a result, it is no longer necessary to communicate this change to the control device 3 or the computer device 2 after a mechanical change in the curtain (by spring elements, for example), although a correct visualization and positioning of the shading devices is possible without problems. This is achieved technically by detecting the mechanical end positions of the drive by means of the control devices 3.The control system 1 is also able to automatically form a fully operable network immediately after the code / chip 8 has been read in and the control devices 3 have been designated or grouped, which network no longer requires subsequent configuration for the standard operation. This means that no additional configuration effort is required after the code / chip 8 has been read in and the control devices 3 have been designated, but rather correspondingly configured software assumes the automatic integration into the network.For use of the control system 1 as an alarm system, a sensor 11 can also be installed in the shading device, which is connected to the control device 3 and detects a movement of the curtain of the shading device. If the central computer device 2 recognizes that this is an improper movement that has not been triggered by the computer device 2 or one of the operating devices, e.g. smartphone 6 or switch / button 10, this is communicated to the user optically / acoustically and this is thereby informed about a possible intrusion. In a further variant, it can be envisaged that in this case the computer device 2 independently informs a security company.

Claims

Control system (1) for a building, - having a central computer device (2), - having at least one control device (3), - having at least one device (7) which can be controlled by the control device (3), namely a roller shutter, a awning, a blind / venetian blind or a textile facade shading, wherein the computer device (2) communicates wirelessly or in a wired manner with the at least one control device (3), - wherein the computer device (2) and / or the control device(s) (3) has a code / chip (8), via which the respective computer device (2) and / or the control device(s) (3) can be unambiguously identified by a reading device (9) and incorporated into the control system (1), - wherein the reading device (9) is designed in such a way that, processing movements input via a touch screen and subsequently triggering a command for direct control of the device (7), wherein the commands for controlling the respective control device (3) or device (7) are executed almost in real time and at the same time the status of the respective device (7) is fed back to the user, so that the actual situation is graphically simulated or displayed on a display.Control system according to Claim 1, characterized in that the code / chip (8) is a bar code, a QR code or an RFID code in which at least one of the following items of information is stored, - type of device, that is to say computer device (2), control device (3), device (7), - device identification number, - transmission protocol information, - network address, - URL (Internet address).Control system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one control device (3) is connected to a switch / button (10) to be manually operated, which switch / button enables manual control of the associated or assigned device (7) upon actuation.Control system according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reading device (9) for reading the codes (8) is a smartphone (6), an iPod touch or a tablet PC.Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a control device (3) is designed in combination with a computer device (2) for controlling a whole group of devices (7).Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer device (2) and the at least one control device (3) are designed for encrypted, wireless or wired data transmission.Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer device (2) is designed in such a way that it actuates at least one control device (3) and an associated device (7) at a fixed date and / or at a fixed time.Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (1) has a comfort control mode in which frequently selected positions of the devices (7) are stored at the date / time, so that these positions are automatically approached when the comfort control mode is selected.Control system according to claim 8, characterised in that the control system (1) is designed such that it stores frequently selected positions of the devices (7) with date / time in the comfort control mode and thus notes the user's habit.Control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one device (7) designed as a shading device has a sensor (11) which is connected to the control device (3) and detects a movement of a curtain of the shading device and transmits it to the computer device (2).Control system according to Claim 10, characterized in that the computer device (2) is designed in such a way that a movement of the shading device which is not initiated by it, a reading device (9) or a switch / button (10) recognizes and displays it on the reading device (9).Installation method of a control system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - the computer device (2), the at least one control device (3) and at least one device (7), namely a roller shutter, a awning, a blind / venetian blind or a textile facade shading, are connected to an electrical voltage source, - a control device (3) to be detected is assigned to a group, - a reading function is started on a reading device (9), - the code / chip (8) arranged on the control device (3) is read and a name of the associated device (7) is assigned to the latter, - the code / chip (8) arranged on the computer device (2) is read in before or after application of the voltage source to the computer device (2), the control device (3) and / or the device (7), the code / chip (8) of the control device (3) read in is transmitted wirelessly, for example by means of the Internet (5) or WLAN, to the computer device (2) and is incorporated into control software.Installation method according to Claim 12, characterized in that, when the control system (1) is first put into electrical operation, the shading devices, after activation by the user, move independently to their end positions and these are stored.Installation method according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the movements of the reading device (9) input via a touchscreen are processed and subsequently trigger a command for direct control of the device (7).Installation method according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the control system (1) automatically identifies mechanical length corrections of a curtain of the shading device by detecting mechanical end positions of a drive by means of the control devices (3).Installation method according to one of Claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, after the code / chip (8) has been read in and the control devices (3) have been designated and / or their grouping have been entered, the control system (1) automatically forms a fully operable network which no longer requires subsequent configuration for the standard operation.

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