Method for controlling a home automation system

Abstract

A method (100) for controlling a home automation system comprising a gateway and at least one home automation device connected to the gateway through a local network, the gateway comprising electronic circuitry adapted to implement the control method.The control process includes at least the following steps: (Step 1) Connect the home automation equipment to the gateway; (Step 2) Register at least one local conditional scenario for the equipment's operation and at least one trigger device associated with the scenario in the gateway; (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one trigger message from at least one trigger device associated with the conditional scenario; (Step 4) Store at least one received trigger message in the gateway's temporary memory; (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one trigger device via the local network; (Step 6) Delete at least one received trigger message from the temporary memory. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Method for controlling a home automation system technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of home automation. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Home automation equipment is becoming increasingly widespread. Home automation covers all home automation, including the management of openings, temperature, and security.

[0003] The proliferation of home automation equipment has led to the use of hubs allowing all the equipment of the same system to be controlled together.

[0004] However, existing hubs all use a connection to a remote server to function. In other words, existing hubs act as relays between the home automation equipment and a remote server. The actual control of the home automation equipment is not performed by the hub but by the remote server.

[0005] The systematic use of a remote server poses many problems.

[0006] First of all, the connection to the remote server requires the use of an internet connection.

[0007] Furthermore, the use of a remote server also raises data security issues. Indeed, the data transmitted by concentrators requires the implementation of measures that take into account the risk of data theft or widespread cyberattacks. These measures are more complex and therefore more expensive to implement when a remote server is integrated into a solution. Moreover, the use of a remote server also presents risks of service interruption. In fact, the server may be shut down (most often for economic reasons or maintenance), which in turn interrupts the service provided to the user.

[0008] Thus, known systems which require the use of a remote server, in fact require a permanent internet connection and do not guarantee the security of transmitted data and do not guarantee continuity of service.

[0009] In this context, it is necessary to provide a method for controlling a home automation system which makes it possible to do without the use of an internet connection and which makes it possible to guarantee the security of the data captured by the home automation system, and which guarantees a continuity of service. Description of the invention

[0010] To this end, according to a first aspect, a method for controlling a home automation system is proposed, comprising a gateway and at least one home automation device connected to the gateway via a local network, the gateway comprising Electronic circuitry adapted to implement the control process. The control process includes at least the following steps: - (Step 1) Connect the home automation equipment to the gateway - (Step 2) Record, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the equipment and at least one triggering equipment associated with the scenario; - (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one trigger message from at least one trigger device associated with the conditional scenario; - (Step 4) Store at least one received trigger message in a temporary memory of the gateway; - (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one triggering device, via the local network; - (Step 6) Delete at least one received trigger message from temporary memory.

[0011] According to a particular provision, the association step comprises the following steps: - (Step 1.1) Receive an association instruction or automatically detect a radio signal emitted by equipment; - (Step 1.2) Recognize the signal emitted and the emitting equipment; - (Step 1.3) Save, in a durable memory of the gateway, the presence of the equipment on the local network

[0012] According to a particular provision, recording step 2 includes (step 2.1) recording, in a durable memory of the gateway, at least one scenario associated with the equipment and at least one trigger associated with the scenario

[0013] According to a particular arrangement, the trigger message from the triggering equipment is a command or a state change information.

[0014] According to a particular provision, in step 2.1, the scenario is pre-recorded in a durable memory of the gateway.

[0015] According to a particular provision, in step 2.1, the scenario is transmitted to the gateway by a terminal.

[0016] According to a particular provision, the process includes a step 7 of receiving and recording a modified scenario.

[0017] According to a particular provision, the modified scenario is transmitted to the gateway by a terminal.

[0018] According to another aspect, a gateway is also proposed which includes electronic circuitry to implement a process comprising at least the following steps: - (Step 1) Connect the home automation equipment to the gateway - (Step 2) Record, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the equipment and at least one triggering equipment associated with the scenario; - (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one trigger message from at least one trigger device associated with the conditional scenario; - (Step 4) Store at least one received trigger message in a temporary memory of the gateway; - (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one triggering device, via the local network; - (Step 6) Delete at least one received trigger message from temporary memory.

[0019] According to another aspect, a home automation system is also proposed comprising a gateway according to the invention and at least one home automation device.

[0020] According to another aspect, a computer program product is also proposed comprising program code instructions to execute the process according to the invention, when said program is executed from a gateway according to the invention.

[0021] According to another aspect, a non-transient storage medium is also proposed on which is stored a computer program comprising program code instructions to execute the process according to the invention, when said instructions are read from said non-transient storage medium and executed by a processor. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which:

[0023] [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a method of controlling a home automation system;

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a computer system adapted to implement the process.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPROVEMENTS

[0026] Method for controlling a home automation system

[0027] With reference to [Fig. 1], according to a first aspect, a method for controlling a home automation system 2 is proposed, which will be described below.

[0028] The process 100 comprises at least the following steps: - (Step 1) Connect the home automation equipment to the gateway - (Step 2) Record, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the equipment and at least one triggering equipment associated with the scenario; - (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one trigger message from at least one trigger device associated with the conditional scenario; - (Step 4) Store at least one received trigger message in a temporary memory of the gateway; - (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one triggering device, via the local network; - (Step 6) Delete at least one received trigger message from temporary memory.

[0029] It is specified that by conditional scenario, it is understood that an action or a set of actions (scenario) is executed when a state or a set of states has a predefined value (trigger).

[0030] A local conditional scenario is executed on a gateway, as opposed to a remote conditional scenario which is executed on a server connected to the internet (cloud).

[0031] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to connect home automation equipment to the gateway and to execute conditional scenarios using only a local network. The method according to the invention therefore eliminates the need for an internet connection and ensures the security of the data captured by the home automation system by exclusively using a local network and storing the data on the gateway. Furthermore, the exclusive use of the local network guarantees continuity of service for the user.

[0032] It is specified that in this document, the term "local area network" means a network operating without recourse to remote equipment (server or processor). In other words, the term "local area network" means all networks other than the Internet. In further terms, the term "local area network" means an IP network or a radio network (for example: Wi-Fi, X3D, Bluetooth, etc.).

[0033] Step 1 - Association

[0034] According to a particular provision, the association step comprises the following steps: - (Step 1.1) Receive an association instruction or automatically detect a radio signal emitted by equipment; - (Step 1.2) Recognize the signal emitted and the emitting equipment; - (Step 1.3) Save, in a durable memory of the gateway, the presence of the equipment on the local network.

[0035] In other words, method 100 enables the automatic recognition of home automation equipment when an association command is given to the gateway. According to one particular embodiment, the association is performed as soon as the gateway receives an association command (typically via a terminal connected to the gateway through a local or wide area network). According to another particular embodiment, the association is performed automatically when home automation equipment emits a radio signal. The signal is recognized by the gateway, which then registers the presence of the equipment on the network. It is specified that the gateway automatically recognizes the equipment from the received radio signal.

[0036] It is specified that the radio signal captured can, for example, be a WiFi or X3D or Zigbee type radio signal, or an infrared signal, or a signal sent through a physical link (cable or optical fiber).

[0037] It is specified that when equipment is already associated, the process can skip step 1 and go directly to step 3.

[0038] Step 2 - Registration

[0039] Once the home automation equipment is associated, the method includes registering, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the equipment and at least one triggering equipment associated with the scenario.

[0040] According to a particular provision, recording step 2 includes (step 2.1) recording, in a durable memory of the gateway, at least one scenario associated with the equipment and at least one triggering equipment associated with the scenario.

[0041] According to a particular provision, step 2.1 includes saving a specific file associated with the home automation equipment. This file incorporates each scenario associated with the home automation equipment and also incorporates each triggering device associated with each scenario.

[0042] According to a specific provision, certain scenarios can be pre-recorded in the gateway's permanent memory. Thus, according to this provision, the gateway already includes one or more pre-recorded scenarios when it is put into service. These pre-recorded scenarios may, for example, concern the management of windows and doors in a dwelling or heating rules. When home automation equipment compatible with one of these pre-recorded scenarios is associated with the equipment, the compatible scenario is associated with the equipment. Thus, for example, the gateway may be delivered with a pre-recorded scenario for managing heating based on temperature setpoints and of time-based instructions. As soon as the gateway associates a heating device, the heating management scenario can be associated with the heating device.

[0043] According to another embodiment, a scenario is transmitted to the gateway by a terminal through a local network, or a remote network.

[0044] Step 3 - Receiving a trigger message from a triggering device

[0045] When home automation equipment is associated and the scenario(s) associated with the home automation equipment is recorded, method 100 includes enabling the gateway to receive, through the local network, a trigger message from the triggering equipment.

[0046] A trigger message from the triggering equipment is a command or information for a change of state from the triggering equipment transmitted by means of a radio signal. This trigger message may be an instruction for a change of state (for example, pressing a switch sending a binary state) or may be a non-binary command (for example, a temperature command).

[0047] According to a particular arrangement, the triggering equipment is separate from the home automation equipment that will perform the action associated with the scenario. For example, an opening sensor can send a triggering signal to execute a scenario for an alarm.

[0048] Steps 4 to 6 - Execution of a scenario and memory management

[0049] Each trigger message received from a triggering device is queued in a temporary memory of the gateway (Step 4).

[0050] If all the trigger messages necessary for the execution of a scenario are received, then the gateway transmits, through the local network, to the equipment concerned, an order to execute the scenario (Step 5).

[0051] In a particularly advantageous way, the gateway can receive trigger messages emitted according to certain types of signals or certain types of protocol, and the gateway can control the execution of a scenario using another type of signal and / or protocol.

[0052] In other words, the gateway can for example receive a trigger message in ZigBee and activate the execution of a scenario in X3D.

[0053] Thus, the gateway makes it very advantageous to link home automation equipment using different protocols.

[0054] After execution of the scenario, the queue is cleared (Step 6).

[0055] According to a particular arrangement, the gateway uses a memory space (called a Heap) which allows for dynamic memory allocation. Each reserved memory space is accessible by an address and provides access to a contiguous set of bytes. When freed, each space is again available for to be reused. Standard heap allocation is continuous. Each reserved memory space is consecutive. In a constrained environment, it is essential to free up any unused memory space to execute other actions.

[0056] Modification of a scenario

[0057] According to a particular provision, the process includes a step 7 of modifying and recording a scenario.

[0058] Typically, the modification can be performed from a terminal connected to the local network (or via a remote network). According to one embodiment, the modification can be performed using a dedicated application running on a mobile terminal connected to the gateway via the local network or via a remote network.

[0059] Home automation system

[0060] The control method 100 is adapted to be implemented by a home automation system 2.

[0061] According to a particular provision, the home automation system includes a gateway and at least one home automation device.

[0062] According to a particularly advantageous arrangement, the home automation equipment is connected to the gateway solely via a local network. The connection to the gateway can be a wireless connection or a physical connection (cable or fiber).

[0063] This is a particularly advantageous feature of the invention; indeed, in other words, the home automation system can operate without a connection to an external network such as the Internet. In other words, the home automation system operates without requiring communication with a remote server.

[0064] Gateway

[0065] According to a particular arrangement, the gateway includes an electronic card (computer system 200) adapted to implement a process 100.

[0066] As schematically shown in [Fig.2], the computer system 200 may include, connected by a communication bus 210: a processor 201; a random access memory 202; a read-only memory 203, for example of type ROM (“Read Only Memory”) or EEPROM (“Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory”); a storage unit 204, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a storage media reader, such as an SD card reader (“Secure Digital”); and an input / output interface manager 205.

[0067] The processor 201 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 202 from ROM 203, external memory, a storage medium (such as an SD card), or a communication network. When the computer system 200 is powered on, the processor 201 is capable of reading instructions from RAM 202 and executing them. These instructions form a computer program enabling the implementation, by processor 201, of process 100.

[0068] All or part of the process 100 can thus be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, for example a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller, or be implemented in hardware form by a dedicated machine or component, for example an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Generally, the computer system 200 includes electronic circuitry adapted and configured to implement, in software and / or hardware form, the process 100 in relation to the computer system 200 in question.

[0069] In a particularly advantageous manner, the execution of process 100 requires few resources in terms of computing power or memory. Thus, process 100 can be executed by a device 200 with limited capabilities and low energy consumption, and does not require the use of remote servers.

Claims

Demands

1. A method (100) for controlling a home automation system comprising a gateway and at least one home automation device connected to the gateway via a local network, the gateway comprising electronic circuitry adapted to implement the control method, the control method being characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: - (Step 1) Connect the home automation device to the gateway; - (Step 2) Store, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the device and at least one trigger device associated with the scenario; - (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one trigger message from at least one trigger device associated with the conditional scenario; - (Step 4) Store the at least one received trigger message in a temporary memory of the gateway;- (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one triggering device, via the local network; - (Step 6) Delete at least one received triggering message from temporary memory.

2. A control method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the association step comprises the following steps: - (Step 1.1) Receiving an association command or automatically detecting a radio signal emitted by equipment; - (Step 1.2) Recognizing the emitted signal and the transmitting equipment; - (Step 1.3) Recording the presence of the equipment on the local network in a durable memory of the gateway

3. A method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recording step 2 comprises (step 2.1) recording, in a durable memory of the gateway, at least one scenario associated with the equipment and at least one trigger associated with the scenario

4. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the trigger message from the triggering equipment is a command or a state change information.

5. Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein in step 2.1, the scenario is pre-recorded in a durable memory of the gateway.

6. Method (100) according to claim 2, wherein in step 2.1, the scenario is transmitted to the gateway by a terminal.

7. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step 7 of receiving and recording a modified scenario.

8. Method (100) according to claim 6, wherein the modified scenario is transmitted to the gateway by a terminal.

9. Gateway characterized in that it comprises electronic circuitry (200) for implementing a method comprising at least the following steps: - (Step 1) Associate the home automation equipment with the gateway - (Step 2) Register, in the gateway, at least one local conditional scenario for the operation of the equipment and at least one triggering device associated with the scenario; - (Step 3) Receive, via the local network, at least one triggering message from at least one triggering device associated with the conditional scenario; - (Step 4) Store the at least one triggering message received in a temporary memory of the gateway; - (Step 5) Activate the execution of the conditional scenario associated with at least one triggering device, via the local network; - (Step 6) Delete the at least one triggering message received from the temporary memory.

10. Home automation system comprising a gateway according to claim 9 and at least one home automation device.

11. Product computer program comprising program code instructions to perform process (100) according to any

12. of claims 1 to 8, when said program is executed from a gateway according to claim 9. Non-transient storage medium on which is stored a computer program comprising program code instructions to execute the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, when said instructions are read from said non-transient storage medium and executed by a processor.

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