Shutter Position Calibration via Visual Marker Superimposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motorized shutter devices in home automation systems often fail to accurately match the commanded position set by users, due to variations in shutter thickness and winding tube diameter, leading to discrepancies between the intended and actual positions of the shutter.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing an electronic device with a digital camera and graphical interface to superimpose markers representing the 'low', 'high', and 'mid' positions of the shutter, allowing users to validate and adjust the actual position, determining a correspondence function to accurately translate commanded positions into actual positions and vice versa.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional control methods using fixed number of revolutions or activation time are used, then the control system is simple, but the actual shutter position does not correspond to the commanded position due to variable winding thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a correspondence function that transforms the linear control parameter (number of revolutions or activation time) into a non-linear actual position parameter. This function adapts to the variable winding thickness by establishing a mathematical relationship between the control input and the actual shutter position, allowing accurate positioning without changing the fundamental simple control structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using the digital camera to capture the actual shutter position and comparing it with the commanded position. The system continuously monitors the discrepancy between intended and actual positions, using this feedback to adjust the correspondence function parameters and improve positioning accuracy over time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a digital camera and graphical interface are added to capture images and display markers, then position correspondence can be accurately determined, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition measurement accuracyVSAvoidelectronic device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the device's existing digital camera and display capabilities to perform the measurement and calibration functions. Rather than adding specialized external measurement equipment, the patent leverages the self-service capabilities of the electronic device itself (camera, screen, processor) to capture images, display graphical markers, and compute position correspondence, thereby minimizing additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the shutter thickness and winding tube diameter vary, then the system is adaptable to different configurations, but the commanded position does not match the actual position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidposition correspondence accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a calibration phase before normal operation. During this phase, the system captures images at known reference positions (fully open, fully closed, and intermediate positions) and uses these measurements to pre-compute the correspondence function specific to each shutter's physical characteristics. This preliminary characterization allows the system to adapt to different shutter configurations while ensuring accurate position correspondence during subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3728782B1Method for setting a command for a roller shutter
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 DELTA DORE SA
  • EP3728782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3728782B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3728782B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for matching an actual position of a shutter of a motorized closing device and a commanded position of said shutter, the commanded position being associated with a value of a control parameter of the motorized closing device, the method being executed by an electronic device comprising: a digital camera for capturing an image or video, a screen for displaying a graphical interface, an input device allowing a user to interact with the displayed graphical interface, the method being based on a superimposed display on the graphical interface of markers corresponding to predetermined positions of the shutter and of an image or of a video of the motorized closing device captured by the digital camera, the superimposition of the markers on a position of the shutter displayed in superimposed form making it possible to determine a setting of a matching function.