Method and cloud server for regulating ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device, wherein the method comprises: receiving, by means of a cloud server (1), configuration information (121) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences (122) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms; receiving, by means of the cloud server (1), a value derived from weather information (31) from an external source (3), wherein the weather information (31) is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information (31) is representative of a predetermined period; comparing (97) the value derived from the weather information (31) from the external source (3) with a predetermined threshold value (123), and generating control signals, by means of a processor (16), for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information (121) and / or user preferences (122), and said comparison (97), wherein the processor (16) is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period; and transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit (52) associated with the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.

Description

[0001] Method and cloud server for regulating ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device

[0002] Field of application of the invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the regulation of electric solar shading devices.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Electric solar shading devices can be used to regulate the ambient comfort in a building, such as a home. Electric solar shading devices can, for example, efficiently regulate the temperature in a room or building to achieve and maintain a comfortable temperature in the building. Electric solar shading devices can, for example, be closed to prevent sunlight from entering and heating a room, which may be particularly desirable in summer. On the contrary, in winter the solar shading device can be opened to let in more sunlight, thus heating the room with sunlight such that less active heating (e.g. through a central heating system) is needed. Automating the regulation of electric solar shading devices in a building can further increase this comfort, as the user does not have to be actively involved in controlling the electric solar shading device all the time, which can be particularly complex and time-consuming when maximum comfort is desired in each room of a building. Moreover, automation can also allow regulation of comfort when the user is not present in the building, which can be particularly important when regulating temperature.

[0006] In the prior art, automated electric solar shading devices are known. US2019179275A1 describes the control of a solar shading device to maximise light that enters a room in a building while providing shade to an object in the room, or certain parts of the room. This involves using sensors that measure the sunlight. A (shade) model can be created using signals from the sensors and other input information, such as the orientation of the room or weather information, which can be used to control the solar shading devices.

[0007] WO2017189437A1 describes a system for controlling electric solar shading devices. This system uses an array of light sensors and a processor that can create a digital exposure map using signals from the light sensors to identify the location of light sources (direct sunlight and reflected sunlight). The electric solar shading devices are controlled based on the determined location of light sources. WO2017189760A1 also describes a system for regulating window coverings, e.g. electric solar shading devices. This system also uses various sensors, such as a solar heat sensor or a light sensor. JP2019152051 describes the automation of the opening and closing of a solar shading device. In this case, the time for opening and closing can be set based on the time of sunrise or sunset.

[0008] US11313173B2 describes a smart electric solar shading system that can be connected via WiFi to be controlled remotely by a user, e.g. from an app. Similarly, EP3792445A1 describes a user interface (Ul) for controlling architectural structures, such as electric solar shading devices. A user device on which the Ul is present can connect to electric solar shading devices in the vicinity of the user device. The position of the electric solar shading devices can be adjusted from the Ul.

[0009] US2016 / 062332A1 describes a method for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in which, however, electric solar shading devices can also be controlled. US2016 / 258209A1 also describes a method for controlling electric solar shading devices. These methods can be performed on a cloud server. In this case, a value from weather information from an external source can be compared with a predetermined threshold value, on the basis of which the solar shading device can be controlled.

[0010] In the prior art, automated electric solar shading devices are typically sold off-the-shelf. It is often difficult to automate existing electric solar shading devices after installation: this often requires the intervention of a person skilled in the art. A person skilled in the art may, for example, be required to install sensors in the vicinity of the solar shading device, and / or to adjust the regulation - configuration and / or personal preferences - of the electric solar shading devices, and / or to set up or adjust computer codes for the control thereof. A person skilled in the art may also be required when a change in regulation is necessary to obtain optimal comfort. A change in regulation may, for example, be required when the shading on the building changes, such as when a new building, or a new tree, casts shade on the window with the electric solar shading device, or when the function of a room changes, such as from a function as an office to a function as a bedroom for a small child, or when the child is growing up.

[0011] There is a need in the prior art for devices and methods provide solutions to the above problems.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a good computer- implemented method for regulating ambient comfort.

[0014] It is further an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a good device for regulating ambient comfort. The above object is achieved by a computer-implemented method and device according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0015] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that good ambient comfort can be achieved and maintained automatically, without much user intervention. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that this can be achieved at room level, or in other words that the comfort for each of the rooms of a building is optimised.

[0016] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that an electric, but nonautomated, solar shading device can be automated in a relatively simple manner, without interventions requiring the assistance of a person skilled in the art, i.e., a professional. Moreover, it is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that a change in shading on the building, or a change in function of rooms in a building, does not require complex interventions related to the electric solar shading devices.

[0017] It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the ambient comfort can be optimised with a very limited amount of hardware, for example without using sensors. Especially if individual control for each room is desired, if sensors are to be used, a large number of sensors, and cabling for the sensors, may be required. It is a further advantage of embodiments of the present invention that the electric solar shading device is largely regulated by software running on a cloud server, wherein communication with the cloud server, such as between a user device and the cloud server, and between the cloud server and the electric solar shading device, typically takes place via an Internet connection.

[0018] In a first aspect, the present invention provides for a computer-implemented method for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The method comprises a step of receiving, by means of a cloud server, configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The method further comprises a step of receiving, by means of the cloud server, a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The method further comprises a step of comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value. The method further comprises a step of generating control signals, by means of a processor, for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The method further comprises a step of transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit associated with the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.

[0019] The steps of the method can be performed on a cloud server, wherein the electric solar shading device is controlled from "the cloud", which further reduces the amount of hardware required in the building itself. The building can be any type of building, but is typically a residential building. The function of different rooms in a residential building may change regularly, and the control of the electric solar shading device will often also need to be adjusted to provide optimal comfort.

[0020] In embodiments, regulating comfort comprises regulating the temperature in the building, e.g., in each of the rooms of the building. However, regulating comfort may further comprise taking into account user preferences, which may be achieved using the received user preferences.

[0021] In embodiments, receiving the configuration information comprises receiving the orientation of a window of the room with which the solar shading device is associated and / or the size of the solar shading device and / or a grouping of solar shading devices to be controlled simultaneously and / or a location (region information) of the building. In embodiments, configuration information can be input in an app on a mobile user device and sent to the cloud server over the Internet.

[0022] The orientation of the window of a room can be easily determined by reading a compass in the room, or can be determined from a geographical map depicting the house. The orientation largely determines at which times sunlight can enter the room. The control of the solar shading device associated with a room can be adjusted, individually for each room, based on the orientation.

[0023] If, for example, there is bright sunshine during a certain period and the room needs to be kept cool, but the window of that room is oriented in such a way that no sunlight enters during the given period, a control signal can be generated and transmitted in order to keep the solar shading device associated with this room open. It is an advantage of these embodiments that simple, but good, regulation of the ambient comfort at room level can be achieved.

[0024] The size of the solar shading device, or the size of the solar shading device surface, can be obtained from information about the type of solar shading device, or by measuring the fabric oneself. The size of the solar shading device can, for example, be important in determining whether a solar shading device should be opened in case of extreme weather, such as in a storm. Larger solar shading devices catch more wind than smaller solar shading devices, meaning that the risk of damage, in case of high winds, is higher for larger solar shading devices. The control signals generated and transmitted may therefore depend on the configuration information received about the size of each of the solar shading devices of the building, wherein, for example, only solar shading devices larger than a predetermined size are opened in the event that storms are expected, while the remaining, smaller solar shading devices may remain closed.

[0025] Grouping solar shading devices that are controlled simultaneously can enable the user to obtain more uniform control of the solar shading devices of the building. The user may, for example, prefer (for aesthetic or other reasons) that all solar shading devices associated with a given room, for example, hanging in front of the windows of a given room, or all solar shading devices on a given side of the building, should always be open or closed at the same time, despite differences in, for example, the orientation of the windows in front of which the different solar shading devices hang, the size of the fabric, or other differences that might bring about a difference in control of the different solar shading devices associated with that given room.

[0026] Preferably, the configuration information comprises at least the location (region information) of the building, such that the received location can be used to obtain the correct weather information for that region. Alternatively, weather information may be received from a predetermined external location, for example from an external database, without the need for specific location information, but more typically the weather information is (requested and) received based on the reported location. These location data include at least an indication of the country or region where the building, and therefore the electric solar shading device, is located. These location data can be obtained in several ways. It is possible for the user of the user device to input the location of the building in an app, or for an app to determine this information from data stored on the user device. A drop-down list of countries and / or regions may be provided in the app from which the user can select the country or region where the building is located. If the mobile user device is equipped with a location determination unit, for example satellite-based location determination technology, such as a GPS receiver, and if the mobile user device is located near the building, the location of the mobile user device as determined by the location determination unit may be used. Alternatively, it is possible to use location determining technology that is external to the user device, or information can be collected that contains an indirect indication of the location of the building, such as, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) address used by the user device or a regulation unit linked to the electric solar shading device. The external source from which the weather information is received may, for example, be an online database of a meteorological institute, or may be a commercial source. In embodiments, receiving the user preferences comprises, more specifically, receiving a period during which the solar shading device should remain closed or open, and / or a preferred position for the solar shading device, and / or a period during which the solar shading device should not move. In embodiments, control based on personal preference is given priority relative to control based on the comparison of the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value. If, for example, said comparison were to result in the electric solar shading device opening during particular hours, but the user prefers the electric solar shading device to be closed during these particular hours, a control signal can be generated and transmitted to keep the electric solar shading device closed during these hours. The user can specify, for example, that the solar shading device should not open automatically before a certain hour. Moreover, it can be taken into account, for example, that in a baby's room the solar shading device should not move between noon and 4 pm, and / or after 7 pm, so as not to wake the baby. In addition, it may be desired that the solar shading device in a sports room, for example, should already go down at a lower radiation intensity than that in the living room for windows that have the same orientation, in order to keep the sports room fresher. Moreover, a user may have a preference for the solar shading device to be in a position where the windows are not completely blinded, such that, although solar radiation is partially blocked, some visibility to the outside is still possible.

[0027] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cloud server for regulating the ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The cloud server comprises a first interface for data communication with a mobile user device, for receiving configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The cloud server comprises a second interface for receiving a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The cloud server further comprises a processor for comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value, and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The cloud server further comprises a third interface for transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building. The cloud server is typically a remote, virtual server, i.e. not present in the building, which runs in a cloud computing environment, i.e. a server or computer system that can be reached via a network, such as over the Internet, wherein the cloud server may be a single server or a distributed server, distributed among multiple servers. Communication with the cloud server therefore typically requires an Internet connection. The interfaces typically comprise an Internet connection for connecting the cloud server to the various devices via the Internet. In embodiments, the first interface comprises an Internet connection for connecting the cloud server via the Internet to the mobile user device, which may be located inside the building or outside the building. In embodiments, the second interface comprises an Internet connection for receiving a value derived from weather information from the external source. The external source from which the weather information is received may, for example, be an online database of a meteorological institute, or may be a commercial source, for example from a commercial weather service, which can be accessed via the Internet. In embodiments, the third interface comprises an Internet connection for connecting the cloud server via the Internet to the regulation units for the electric solar shading device.

[0028] The value derived from the weather information is used in the cloud server to control the electric solar shading device. The weather information is a weather forecast. This allows the solar shading device to be moved on time into the correct position. Moreover, this allows account to be taken of changing weather throughout the day. For example, if cloudy weather is forecast for a small part (e.g. 15 minutes) of a period (e.g. a few hours), but high-light intensity sunshine is forecast for the rest of the period, which requires the solar shading device to be closed, the solar shading device can still remain closed during this short part of the period when there are cloudy weather conditions in order to save energy. The value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period, for example a few hours or a day, such as between 10 minutes and 24 hours or between 30 minutes and 12 hours, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. As a result, the electric solar shading device will in principle remain open or closed for, or during, the predetermined period unless, for example, overriding information is received indicating that extreme weather is expected, on the basis of which the electric solar shading device may still be closed or opened by the processor, or a user decides to control the solar shading device differently. In embodiments, on the basis of new weather information received later or a new value representative of the predetermined period - which may differ from a previously received piece of weather information or value - the processor may be adjusted to open or close the electric solar shading device on the basis of the new value. This can limit the amount of energy required for the solar shading device, i.e. needed to open and close the solar shading device, which can be particularly important in the case of a solar shading device powered by energy extracted from a battery coupled to photovoltaic cells. The value derived from the weather information may be, for example, an amount of solar radiation, precipitation, temperature and / or wind speed. The method comprises at least one comparison between a value derived from the weather information with a predetermined threshold value, but may comprise multiple comparisons of different values derived from the weather information with corresponding predetermined threshold values, wherein controlling the solar shading device may be performed based on the multiple comparisons. In embodiments, the value derived from the weather information is representative of an amount of solar radiation. This allows the solar shading device to be controlled based on the amount of light shining at a certain time or during a certain period, without the need for sensors, such as light sensors, directly near the solar shading device. In embodiments, the weather information comprises solar radiation as a function of time. This allows the position of the solar shading device to be optimised throughout the day, depending on the forecast weather throughout the day.

[0029] In embodiments, the comparison takes into account the orientation of a window of the room with which the solar shading device is associated. For example, if the sun is in the east, the amount of solar radiation through a west -facing window will typically be very small, and not likely to exceed the predetermined threshold value. Similarly, if the sun is in the east, the amount of solar radiation through a southeast-facing window will also typically be smaller than through an east-facing window. The amount of solar radiation according to the weather forecast can, for example, be corrected to take into account the orientation of the window relative to the position of the sun, i.e., the direction of the solar radiation. In that case, the amount of solar radiation used in the equation to determine how a given solar shading device is controlled may be the amount of solar radiation effectively entering through the window associated with the solar shading device. Alternatively, for example, the equation may be performed but the solar shading device closed only in the event that the orientation of the window associated with the solar shading device results in direct incidence of sunlight through the window.

[0030] In preferred embodiments, the cloud server is not directly linked to a sensor for detecting weather information, in particular to a sensor in or around the building. The solar shading device can be controlled without the need for sensors for measuring current data. This allows the solar shading device to be controlled without the need for remodelling for installation of sensors and cabling. If a sensor were to be used though, and the sensor were in the shade of a tree on a sunny day, the method could decide to open the electric solar shading device, allowing a lot of sunlight to enter, which could cause a room to heat up undesirably. Embodiments of the present invention may therefore have the advantage of creating more comfort in the room.

[0031] In embodiments, the cloud server comprises an interface for receiving overriding information regarding extreme weather, wherein the processor is configured to keep the electric solar shading device open in the event that the received overriding information regarding extreme weather indicates that extreme weather is expected. It is an advantage of these embodiments that damage to the electric solar shading device due to extreme weather, such as high winds or rain, can be prevented. This overriding information preferably takes precedence over the comparison of the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value , and preferably also over the user preferences, in that if, based on the comparison or the user preferences, it is decided that the solar shading device should close, but the overriding information indicates that the solar shading device should open, a control signal is created and transmitted to open the solar shading device. The overriding information regarding extreme weather may be obtained from an external source, such as from the same external source from which the value from the weather information is obtained.

[0032] In embodiments, the cloud server further comprises a fourth interface, typically comprising an Internet connection, for receiving information regarding the presence of a person in one of the rooms. It is an advantage of these embodiments that solar shading device can be controlled depending on the presence of a person, wherein the user preferences can dictate whether certain solar shading devices should be open or instead closed in the presence or absence of the person. For example, the user preferences may include that the solar shading device for the windows of an office be open, or instead closed, regardless of the value received from the weather information, if the presence of a person is detected in the office. For this purpose, the fourth interface can be connected to a dedicated movement sensor that detects movement in the building, or in specific rooms of the building. Alternatively, the presence of a person may be determined from a mobile user device, e.g. a smartphone, of a user logging on to the home network. In this case, the fourth interface may correspond to the first interface, through which the cloud server communicates with the mobile user device. The app of the mobile user device can, for example, collect information about the network on which the mobile user device is logged in, and if this is the network of the building, the app of the mobile user device can send a signal indicating the presence of the user in the building, to the cloud server. An advantage of using detection from the mobile user device, e.g. the smartphone, is that the control of the electric solar shading device can depend on which person is present in the building, for example by determining whose mobile user device is being detected. In embodiments, the predetermined threshold value depends on the room provided with an electric solar shading device. This makes it possible to choose to keep certain rooms, such as a bedroom, cooler than another room, such as a living room. In other embodiments, the predetermined threshold value is the same for the one or more rooms. In embodiments, the predetermined threshold value can be entered in the app in the mobile user device, which transmits the threshold value to the cloud server. In this respect, the threshold value can be optimised by a user to obtain maximum comfort for himself or herself.

[0033] In embodiments, the processor determines which control signals are generated, such as whether an electric solar shading device is opened or closed, based on a mode, selected between a mode in which solar rays are always allowed to pass ("let the sun in" mode) and a mode in which solar rays can be blocked ("block the sun" mode). Depending on the mode, the comparison may result in the electric solar shading device being closed or instead opened. In winter and autumn, the electric solar shading device can, for example, be controlled in "let the sun in" mode, in which the electric solar shading device stays open even when there is a lot of sunlight coming in, for example, if the light intensity value received from the weather information exceeds the predetermined value, in order to let in as much sunlight as possible and thus heat the building, or a room in the building. In spring and summer, the electric solar shading device can instead be controlled in "block the sun" mode, in which exceeding said predetermined value may result in the electric solar shading device closing, in order to let in as little sunlight as possible and keep the building, or the room in the building, cool. In embodiments, the mode may be determined based on a temperature from the weather information, e.g., weather forecast. In this case, the "block the sun" mode can, for example, be activated if the expected temperature, e.g., maximum temperature, for a given day is higher than a predetermined threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode. Similarly, the "let the sun in" mode can, for example, be activated if the expected temperature for a given day is lower than a predetermined threshold value for activating the "let the sun in" mode.

[0034] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a system for regulating the ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The system comprises a mobile user device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. The system further comprises an app configured on the mobile user device to transmit configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The system further comprises a cloud server provided with a first interface for receiving configuration information and / or user preferences from the app, and a second interface for receiving a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The cloud server is further provided with a processor for comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value, and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The cloud server is further provided with a third interface for sending the control signals to a regulation unit for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building. It is an advantage of embodiments of the present invention that, with the mobile user device, for example a smartphone, the electric solar shading device can be controlled, for example remotely. In this case, the mobile user device contacts the cloud server, typically via the Internet, to transmit, for example, the configuration information and / or user preferences, and possibly the threshold value, which the cloud server, in combination with the value from the weather information, uses to determine whether the solar shading device should be raised or lowered, after which the cloud server generates the control signals and transmits them, via the Internet, to the solar shading device to set it to the correct position.

[0035] In embodiments, the system comprises one or more electric solar shading devices. The electric solar shading device may be any type of electric solar shading device, such as a solar shading device of the type fitted to an inside of a building or of the type fitted to an outside of a building. Embodiments of the present invention can be combined with any type of motor of the electric solar shading device. In embodiments, a regulation unit is provided for the electric solar shading devices, such as a regulation unit for each of the one or more electric solar shading devices. The regulation unit may comprise an interface for receiving the control signals transmitted by the cloud server to the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The interface may comprise an Internet connection. The regulation unit may further be communicatively coupled to, and configured to control, the electric solar shading device, for example to activate the motor of the electric solar shading device in order to open or close the solar shading device, depending on the control signals received by the regulation unit from the cloud server. In embodiments, the app on the user device is further configured for input of the type of electric solar shading device in order to receive information about the electric solar shading device, such as a size of the electric solar shading device, type of fabric of the electric solar shading device, and / or properties of a motor of the electric solar shading device, for example by scanning a QR code - for example present on (the packaging of) the solar shading device - linked to information about the electric solar shading device. In this case, the QR code can be read with a camera of the mobile user device. The information about the electric solar shading device may be retrieved from an external source based on the type of electric solar shading device input, or may be present in a database that is present in or associated with the cloud server. The database may, for example, comprise a list of electric solar shading device types, linked to the associated information. The information about properties of the motor of the electric solar shading device may comprise, for example, information about the signals required to control the solar shading device, wherein the signals may depend on the type of motor.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a use of the method according to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a room in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device.

[0037] Regulating the ambient comfort may comprise regulating the temperature, or alternatively preventing incidence of too bright light, taking user preferences into account.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed on a processor, cause the processor to execute the method according to embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0039] Specific and preferred aspects of the invention are included in the appended independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims as appropriate and not merely as expressly set out in the claims.

[0040] To summarise the invention and the advantages achieved relative to the prior art, certain object and advantages of the invention have been described above. It is of course to be understood that not necessarily all these objects or advantages can be achieved by each specific embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, persons skilled in the art will recognise that the invention may be embodied or implemented in a manner that achieves or optimises one advantage or group of advantages as provided herein, without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages that may be provided or suggested herein.

[0041] The aspects above and other aspects of the invention will be apparent and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described below.

[0042] Brief description of the figures

[0043] The invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic view representing a system for regulating ambient comfort in a building, according to embodiments of the present invention; and

[0045] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart, i.e., describes an algorithm, which can be used in a method or cloud server according to embodiments of the present invention to determine the control of the electric solar shading device.

[0046] The figures are only schematic and not limiting. In the figures, the dimensions of some parts may be exaggerated and not to scale for illustrative purposes. Dimensions and relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual embodiments of the invention.

[0047] Reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection.

[0048] Detailed description of illustrative embodiments

[0049] The present invention will be described with reference to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings; however, the invention is not limited thereto but is limited only by the claims.

[0050] The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe an order, either temporally, spatially, in rank or in any other way. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are suitable for operation in a different order from that described or shown herein.

[0051] It should be noted that the term "comprises", as used in the claims, is not to be construed as limited to the means described thereafter; this term does not exclude other elements or steps. It can therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, values, steps or components referred to, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with regard to the present invention, A and B are the only relevant components of the device.

[0052] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, occurrences of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" at various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, but may do so. Furthermore, the specific features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, based on this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0053] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. In any case, this method of disclosure should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the invention requires more features than those explicitly stated in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all the features of a single previously disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing alone as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0054] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some, but not other, features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention, and constitute different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the described embodiments may be used in any combination.

[0055] The description provided here highlights numerous specific details. In any case, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention can be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order to keep this description clear.

[0056] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term "ambient comfort" refers to the level of comfort or conditions within a building or room, which can be affected by, for example, temperature, light and privacy. In embodiments of the present invention, the aim is to increase or optimise the ambient comfort by controlling the electric solar shading device on the basis of various factors and input. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The method comprises a step of receiving, by means of a cloud server, configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The method further comprises a step of receiving, by means of the cloud server, a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The method further comprises a step of comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value. The method further comprises a step of generating control signals, by means of a processor, for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The method further comprises a step of transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit associated with the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.

[0057] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cloud server for regulating the ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The cloud server comprises a first interface for data communication with a mobile user device, for receiving configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The cloud server comprises a second interface for receiving a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The cloud server further comprises a processor for comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value, and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The cloud server further comprises a third interface for transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.

[0058] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a system for regulating the ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device. The system comprises a mobile user device, such as a smartphone or a tablet. The system further comprises an app configured on the mobile user device to transmit configuration information for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, and / or user preferences for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. The system further comprises a cloud server provided with a first interface for receiving configuration information and / or user preferences from the app, and a second interface for receiving a value derived from weather information from an external source, wherein the weather information is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information is representative of a predetermined period. The cloud server is further provided with a processor for comparing the value derived from the weather information from the external source with a predetermined threshold value, and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information and / or user preferences, and said comparison, in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building, wherein the processor is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period. The cloud server is further provided with a third interface for sending the control signals to a regulation unit for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.

[0059] FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a system 8 according to embodiments of the present invention for regulating ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with electric solar shading device, comprising a cloud server 1 according to embodiments of the present invention, and the various devices with which the cloud server 1 can interact, typically via the Internet. Herein, arrows represent the direction of information transfer between the various devices, and between the various components of each device.

[0060] The cloud server 1 comprises a first interface 11 for data communication with a mobile user device 2, such as a smartphone of a user. On the mobile user device 2, an app may be installed in which information, such as configuration information and / or user preferences, can be input. The mobile user device 2 may transmit this information via the Internet to the first interface 11 of the cloud server 1. This allows the default settings 12, comprising configuration information 121 and / or user preferences 122, stored in the cloud server 1 to be modified by a user from the mobile user device 2. The configuration information 121 and / or user preferences 122 are stored in the database 17.

[0061] Conversely, information can be transmitted from the cloud server 1, via the first interface 11, to the mobile user device 2. In this example, this is information from the database 17 of the cloud server 1, such as the current state of the various electric solar shading devices, or information about the current configuration information 121 and / or user preferences 122 stored in the cloud server 1.

[0062] The default settings 12 comprise, in this example, further stored rules 123, such as the predetermined threshold value, and may additionally comprise regulation settings 124. The rules 123 and regulation settings 124 may be fixed values stored in the cloud server 1 that cannot be adjusted from the user device 2, but are, in this example, adjustable from the user device 2. The rules 123 and regulation settings 124 are, in this example, stored in the database 17. The regulation settings 124 include, for example, the frequency at which the solar shading devices should be controlled, such as once every 15 minutes or daily. The frequency may, for example, determine how often an algorithm for controlling the electric solar shading devices (as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 and discussed further below) is run. The frequency is preferably not too high, as this may result in the electric solar shading device opening and closing at high frequency, which may result in overloading of the motor.

[0063] The cloud server 1 comprises a second interface 13 for receiving, typically via the Internet, a value derived from weather information, in this case a weather forecast 31, from an external source 3. This information is then stored in the database 17. In this example, the weather forecast 31 also provides the overriding information regarding extreme weather. The external source 3 provides, in this example, via the same second interface 13, real-time sensor information 32, such as information from sensors of a commercial weather service that constantly measure, in realtime, meteorological characteristics, such as temperature, wind speed, precipitation or amount of solar radiation, in an area. This allows real-time information to be obtained about weather conditions in the vicinity of the building where the electric solar shading devices are installed, without the need to install sensors in or around the building itself.

[0064] The cloud server 1 comprises, in this example, a fourth interface 14 for receiving presence data 4, typically from a sensor for detecting the presence of a person in the building. User preferences 122 may depend on the presence and / or absence of persons in the building. In this example, the presence data 4 come from a dedicated sensor for detecting the presence of a person, separately from the user device 2. Alternatively, the user device 2 itself may be used to determine whether a person is present in the building or not, and the presence data 4 may be transmitted from the user device 1, via the first interface 11, to the cloud server 1.

[0065] The cloud server 1 may further comprise a fifth interface 15 for receiving information from a comfort regulation system 5 in the building, which may comprise, for example, a regulation unit 52 for the electric solar shading device and possibly further sensors 51 that may be present in the building, such as a sensor for measuring the temperature in the building, or more specifically, in the room with which the solar shading device linked to the regulation unit 52 is associated. Furthermore, the information from the regulation unit 52 may comprise information on the position of the electric solar shading devices.

[0066] The presence data 4, the weather forecast 31 and the real-time sensor information 32 from the external sources 3, and the information from the sensors 51 and regulation unit 52 of the comfort regulation system in the building 5, received by the cloud server 1, are, in this example, stored in a database 17 of the cloud server. In the database 17, configuration information 121 and / or user preferences 122, rules 123 and regulation settings 124 may also be received to be used, together with presence data 4, weather information 31 and real-time sensor information 32, by a processor 16 of the cloud server 1, which may retrieve this information from the database 17. The processor 16 is typically configured to determine, based on this different type of information received, whether an electric solar shading device is being opened or closed. This can be determined separately for each of the electric solar shading devices, or for each group of electric solar shading devices, of a building. An algorithm that can be used for determining whether an electric solar shading device is being opened or closed is described further below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0067] Once the processor 16 has determined whether the electric solar shading device should be opened or closed, the processor 16 generates control signals for opening or closing the electric solar shading device, respectively. The generated control signals are then transmitted, via a third interface 18 that comprises an Internet connection and is communicatively linked to the regulation unit 52, which controls the electric solar shading device, and which opens or closes the electric solar shading device based on the control signal.

[0068] As an alternative to this control based on the algorithm executed by the processor 16, the electric solar shading device 52 can also be controlled directly from the user device 2. Specifically, a manual override 19 can be received by the cloud server 1, from the user device 2, via the first interface 11, wherein the manual override 19 is executed instead of the outcome of the algorithm executed by the processor 16. Typically, temporary manual settings 190 are associated with the manual override 19, such as information about the time when the manual override 19 is input, and the period for which the manual override 19 is to be executed and takes over regulation of the solar shading device from the processor 16. Then, based on the manual override 19, a control signal may be generated and transmitted via the third interface 18 to the regulation unit 52 which, based on this, opens or closes the electric solar shading device.

[0069] Typically, the electric solar shading device 52 comprises a remote control 6 for directly controlling the electric solar shading device 52 via a sixth interface 60 external to the cloud server 1. The sixth interface 60 may comprise, for example, a cable, or means for transmitting information wirelessly, such as via bluetooth or infrared signals. This allows the remote control 6 to transmit control signals directly to the regulation unit 52, without the control signals going through the cloud server 1. This can be of great advantage if, for example, there is a disruption to the Internet, and communication with the cloud server 1 is not possible at a particular time. Although the cloud server 1 largely regulates the electric solar shading device, the remote control 6 can take over the role of regulation from the cloud server 1 again.

[0070] Although the control of only a single electric solar shading device linked to a single regulation unit is described, any number of electric solar shading devices can be controlled by the cloud server 1. In this respect, each electric solar shading device may be linked to its own dedicated regulation unit 52, or a single regulation unit may control a plurality of electric solar shading devices.

[0071] Reference is made to FIG. 2, which shows an example of an algorithm that can be executed by the processor 16 of the cloud server 1 to determine whether a solar shading device is being opened or closed. The following explains the control of a single electric solar shading device, but the same flowchart can of course be used for any of the electric solar shading devices in a building.

[0072] A first step 91 of the algorithm determines whether a new cycle of the algorithm should be executed. If this is the case, a second step 92 is executed; if this is not the case, the processor waits and re-executes the first step 91 a short while later. Whether a new cycle should be executed can be determined, for example, by regulation settings that may comprise a regulation frequency. If the regulation frequency, for example, determines that a cycle of the algorithm can be executed every second hour, but the last time a cycle of the algorithm was executed was half an hour earlier, then the processor waits until the two hours have passed before moving to the second step 92.

[0073] In this example, the second step 92 regulates whether overriding information regarding extreme weather (for example, from external sources) has been received. If extreme weather, such as storms, are forecast, the processor generates a control signal to open 920 the solar shading device and then returns to the first step 91 of the flowchart. If there is no extreme weather, the processor moves to the third step 93. In this example, the third step 93 of the algorithm determines whether there are user preferences for the electric solar shading device, that is, whether the solar shading device should be opened, closed, or not moved at the current time. If there is a user preference, the processor generates a control signal to move, or not move, the electric solar shading device to the preferred position 930, e.g., open, closed or partially open. If there are no user preferences to be executed at that time, the processor moves to the fourth step 94 of the algorithm.

[0074] In this example, the fourth step 94 determines whether, relative to the previous cycle of the algorithm where the fourth step 94 was reached, a new day has arrived. If a new day has arrived, the processor then executes a fifth step 95 in which the mode for regulating the electric solar shading device is determined, and then moves to a sixth step 96. The mode determined in the fifth step 95 may, for example, be a "block the sun" mode, which may be the case if, according to the weather forecast for the day on which the algorithm is executed, an outdoor temperature, e.g., maximum outdoor temperature, is forecast to be above a certain threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode. Indeed, in the event that the expected outdoor temperature is high, solar radiation is preferably blocked, since the indoor temperature may already be rising due to heat from outside, and solar radiation may cause further heating. This mode can be determined for the entire building, in which case the threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode is typically the same for all solar shading devices in the entire building. Alternatively, the mode can be determined for each solar shading device or group of solar shading devices separately, in which case there is typically a different threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode for the different solar shading devices or groups of solar shading device.

[0075] The mode is normally determined for an entire day, i.e. the mode normally remains the same for an entire day. Thus, if in the fourth step 94 it is determined that a new day has not arrived relative to the previous cycle of the algorithm where the fourth step 94 was reached, then, in principle, the mode of the previous cycle of the algorithm can be reused and the processor moves directly from the fourth step 94 to the sixth step 96. In this example, in case the weather forecast changes throughout the day, a catch-all option is provided. If in the fourth step 94 it is determined that a new day has not arrived, before going directly to the sixth step 96, the algorithm checks whether the weather forecast data has changed 940. Based on an original weather forecast received by the cloud server shortly after midnight, for example, at step five 95 in one cycle of the algorithm, it may have been decided that the "block the sun" mode need not be activated. In other words, the original forecast temperature was lower than the threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode. In a subsequent weather forecast, received by the cloud server at, for example, 7 am, a higher temperature may, however, be expected. In that case, in a subsequent cycle of the algorithm on the same day, during regulation 940 of the weather forecast, it is found that the weather forecast has changed and the algorithm still moves to step five 95 to determine the mode again. In case the expected temperature of the next weather forecast is above the threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode, this mode is still activated. This can prevent the "block the sun" mode from remaining deactivated throughout the day, thus preventing the solar shading devices from closing automatically, in case the original weather forecast underestimates the temperature.

[0076] If it is found when checking 940 whether the weather forecast data has changed that the weather forecast data has not changed, the algorithm moves to the sixth step 96 with the mode of the previous cycle.

[0077] Once the mode is determined, the processor can move to the sixth step 96. The sixth step determines whether the "block the sun" mode is in operation, in which case the processor moves to the seventh step 97. In this example, if the "block the sun" mode is not in operation (for example, because the expected temperature is below the threshold value for activating the "block the sun" mode), the processor 16 does not perform regulation 960 of the electric solar shading device and the processor 16 returns to the first step 91.

[0078] In the seventh and final step 97, a value derived from the weather information, in this example the weather forecast, such as an amount of solar radiation for a given period, is compared with the predetermined threshold value. This typically takes into account the orientation of the window of the room with which a particular solar shading device is associated. If the sun, for example, is in the east, and the "block the sun" mode is activated, but a certain window faces west, then the amount of solar radiation entering through that window is typically very low and the solar shading device associated with that window can still remain open. In this example, where regulation is performed in the "block the sun" mode, the processor generates a control signal to close the electric solar shading device 971 in case the amount of solar radiation exceeds the predetermined threshold value. In this example, the processor generates a control signal to open the electric solar shading device 970 in case the amount of solar radiation does not exceed the predetermined threshold value, for example in case of cloudy weather or if a window with which the electric solar shading device is associated is oriented such that little or no direct sunlight enters through it. Then the processor 16 returns to the first step 91 of the algorithm to wait for the latter to execute another algorithm cycle.

[0079] Although a very specific flowchart, i.e., algorithm, has been discussed here for regulating an electric solar shading device, the invention is not limited thereto. The preceding description provides details of certain embodiments of the invention. However, it should be clear that no matter how detailed the preceding appears in terms of text, the invention can be applied in many ways. It should be noted that the use of certain terminology in describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be construed as implying that the terminology herein is redefined so as to be limited to specific features of the characteristics or aspects of the invention with which this terminology is linked.

Claims

Claims1.- A computer-implemented method for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device, wherein the method comprises: receiving, by means of a cloud server (1), configuration information (121) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms and / or user preferences (122) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, receiving, by means of the cloud server (1), a value derived from weather information (31) from an external source (3), wherein the weather information (31) is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information (31) is representative of a predetermined period, comparing (97) the value derived from the weather information (31) from the external source (3) with a predetermined threshold value (123), and generating control signals, by means of a processor (16), for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information (121) and / or user preferences (122), and said comparison (97), wherein the processor (16) is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period, and transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit (52) associated with the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.2.- The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the configuration information (121) comprises receiving the orientation of a window of the room with which the solar shading device is associated and / or the size of the solar shading device and / or a grouping of solar shading devices to be controlled simultaneously and / or a location of the building.3.- The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein receiving the user preferences (122) comprises receiving: a period during which the solar shading device must remain closed or open, and / ora preferred position for the solar shading device, and / or a period during which the solar shading device is not allowed to move.4.- A cloud server (1) for regulating ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device, the cloud server (1) comprising: a first interface (11) for data communication with a mobile user device (2), for receiving: configuration information (121) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, and / or user preferences (122) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, a second interface (13) for receiving a value derived from weather information (31) from an external source (3), wherein the weather information (31) is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derived from the weather information (31) is representative of a predetermined period, a processor for comparing the value derived from the weather information (31) from the external source (3) with a predetermined threshold value (123), and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information (121) and / or user preferences (122), and said comparison (97), wherein the processor (16) is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period, and a third interface (18) for transmitting the control signals to a regulation unit (52) for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.5.- The cloud server (1) according to claim 4, wherein the value derived from the weather information (31) is representative of an amount of solar radiation.6.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 or 5, wherein the second interface (13) for receiving a value derived from weather information (31) from the external source (3) comprises an Internet connection.7.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the cloud server (1) is not directly linked to a sensor for detecting weather information.8.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 to 7 , further comprising an interface for receiving overriding information regarding extreme weather, wherein the processor (16) is configured to keep the electric solar shading device open in the event that the received overriding information regarding extreme weather indicates that extreme weather is expected.9.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 to 8, further comprising a fourth interface (14) for receiving information regarding the presence of a person in one of the rooms.10.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the predetermined threshold value (123) depends on the room provided with an electric solar shading device or wherein the predetermined threshold value (123) is the same for the one or more rooms.11.- The cloud server (1) according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the weather information (31) comprises solar radiation as a function of time.12.- A system (8) for regulating ambient comfort in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device, the system (8) comprising: a mobile user device (2), an app configured on the mobile user device (2) to transmit configuration information (121) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms, and / or user preferences (122) for the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms. a cloud server (1) provided with a first interface (11) for receiving configuration information (121) and / or user preferences (122) from the app, a second interface (13) for receiving a value derived from weather information (31) from an external source (3), wherein the weather information (31) is a weather forecast, and wherein the value derivedfrom the weather information (31) is representative of a predetermined period, a processor (16) for comparing (97) the value derived from the weather information (31) from the external source with a predetermined threshold value (123), and for generating control signals for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms at least on the basis of the received configuration information (121) and / or user preferences (122), and said comparison (97), in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building, wherein the processor (16) is configured to open or close the electric solar shading device for the predetermined period, and a third interface (18) for transmitting control signals to a regulation unit (52) for individually controlling the electric solar shading device of the one or more rooms in order to increase the ambient comfort in the building.13.- The system (8) according to claim 12, wherein the app on the user device (2) is further configured for input of the type of electric solar shading device in order to receive information about the electric solar shading device, such as a size of the electric solar shading device, type of fabric of the electric solar shading device, and / or properties of a motor of the electric solar shading device, for example by scanning a QR code linked to information about the electric solar shading device.14.- A use of the method according to any of claims I to 3 for room-level regulation of ambient comfort in a room in a building comprising one or more rooms provided with an electric solar shading device.15.- A computer program comprising instructions which, when the computer program is executed on a processor, cause the processor to execute the method according to any of claims 1 to 3.

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