FR2910676A1 - Domestic apparatus e.g. TV, controlling system for use in dwelling, has interface units with control terminal to convert codes into control commands and control pod to transmit commands to domestic apparatuses - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a remote control terminal (13) e.g. personal computer, remotely controlling domestic apparatuses (1, 3, 5) e.g. TV, DVD player, and stereo system, by a user. Interface units have information exchange units (19, 21) e.g. Ethernet type bidirectional wire connection, to receive generic control codes of the apparatuses. The interface units have control terminal (15) e.g. multiplayer box, to convert the codes into specific control commands e.g. rivest cipher (RC) 5 code, and control pod (17) e.g. radio type transceiver, to transmit the commands to the apparatuses. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for remotely controlling domestic apparatuses (2) a computer program comprising a set of instructions for performing a domestic apparatus controlling method.

Description

The present invention relates to a remote control system

  especially domestic appliances. It also relates to a corresponding remote control method and a computer program for this application.

  More particularly, the invention relates to the field of home automation and in particular the remote control of home appliances. In the context of remote control of home appliances, the control systems usually consist of a remote control. There are, in the state of the art, several types of remote controls generally dedicated to a particular device. There are thus - infrared remote controls for the control of equipment 15 for example of the audio and / or video type; - Radio remote controls for the control of equipment such as alarms or shutters; - Powerline remotes for the control of home automation systems, for example, for lighting or electrical control of appliances; - remotes by telephone line for the order, as examples, heating or watering; and wired or wireless LAN remote controls for controlling, as examples, media players or applications on a personal computer. Currently, the remotes domain is completely heterogeneous and no gateway is provided between the different types of remote controls. There are universal remotes called "4 in 1". However, these remote controls only know how to control infrared-controlled devices. They only have a predefined set of codes, making them incompatible with some devices that do not use industry standard "order codes". In the same way, power line remotes associated with home automation systems are usually limited to one function and thus resemble infrared remotes. Moreover, currently, a user can control his 5 different devices with a remote control type infrared or radio if the remote control is within range of these devices. Thus, the use is reduced to a restricted perimeter. In addition, the current remote controls are focused on the control of the device concerned and not on the overall function sought.

  Thus, for a basic function involving several devices as an example, viewing a DVD on a TV, the user is forced to control each device individually (the DVD player, the TV ...) him to obtain the expected function. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a remote control system for controlling home appliances while centralizing, simplifying and expanding the remote control functions of these devices. For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a remote control system for household appliances, characterized in that it comprises: at least one terminal for remote control of the appliances by a user; and interfacing means associated with the apparatuses and interposed between these apparatuses and the control terminal in order to receive generic command codes from the apparatus from the control terminal and to issue specific command commands to the apparatuses in response. According to particular embodiments, this control system comprises one or more of the following characteristics: the interface means comprise: means for exchanging information with the remote control terminal in order to receive therefrom generic order codes for devices; • means for converting these generic control codes into device-specific control commands, and • means for transmitting these device-specific control commands to control them; the means for exchanging information between the remote control terminal and the interface means comprise wired or non-wired connection means; the means of transmission of the control commands to the apparatuses 10 comprise an emitter / receiver of the infrared or radio or carrying current type or specific to any category of apparatuses controlled by means of other protocols. The invention also relates to a terminal for remote control of particularly domestic devices, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting generic control codes of the devices to interface means associated with the devices and interposed between these devices and the control terminal. The subject of the invention is also a method for remote control of particularly domestic appliances, characterized in that it comprises: a step of transmission by a remote control terminal of generic control codes of the devices destined for interface means; a step of receiving the generic control codes of the devices by the interface means; a step of converting the generic command codes into device-specific command commands by the interface means; and a step of transmission by the interface means of the device-specific control commands for controlling them. The invention also relates to a computer program comprising code instructions which, when this program is executed on a computer, make it possible to convert generic remote control codes from devices to specific control commands of these devices. devices. Thus, the invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the remote control systems of the state of the art by allowing: - to control devices for which the "4 in 1" remote controls do not have the codes; - to control devices from any place of the house by freeing themselves from the range constraint of the native remote controls; and 10 - to control several devices using a single control terminal. Thus, the remote control functions of the home appliances are centralized through the use of a control terminal for the control of several devices. By way of example, the invention makes it possible to use a single control terminal for controlling a television set, a satellite decoder and a lighting point. The control functions of the devices are also simplified because the invention allows for example to use only one key to control multiple devices. An example of such use may be playing a DVD by allowing it to be viewed on a television and listening to it on a stereo, by pressing a single key. Moreover, thanks to the invention, the remote control functions of the devices are enlarged, because the devices can be controlled from a longer distance and from several control terminals. For example, it is possible to control the living room stereo from the kitchen or bedroom or office using a desktop PC or a smartphone ("smartphone") or a PDA ("Personal Digital Wizard ") or a laptop. In addition, the control of the devices from an Internet type network is possible via a portal implemented for this function. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a block diagram illustrating the structure and operation a system and method for remotely controlling state-of-the-art apparatus; FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure and operation of a remote control system and method of apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 3 represents a block diagram illustrating the structure and operation of a remote control system and method of apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

A remote control system for appliances, especially domestic appliances, as currently known in the state of the art is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this system, domestic appliances designated by the references 1, 3 and 5 are remotely controlled by respective remote controls 7, 9 and 11 located near the controlled devices 1, 3 and 5. For example: - the apparatus 1 is a television controlled by the infrared remote control 7; Device 3 is a DVD player controlled by the infrared remote control; and the apparatus 5 is a stereo system controlled by the infrared remote control 11. According to the remote control method of the state of the art 25 implemented on this system, each of the remote controls 7, 9 and 11 natively generates a specific control command to the device 1, 3 or 5 corresponding. This command order is generally called "constructor code", such as for example the RC5 code of Philips for infrared transmissions.

Thus, with the state-of-the-art system illustrated in FIG. 1, a user wishing to view on the television 1 and listen on the stereo 5, a DVD, must first turn on the television 1 with the remote control 7, play the DVD on the DVD player 3 with the remote control 9 2910676 6 and select the DVD input on the stereo 5 with the remote control 11. Thus, the user must individually control each of the devices in order to obtain the function overall desired. In addition, it is necessary that the remote controls 7, 9 and 11 are located near the corresponding controlled devices 1, 3 and 5. The invention solves these problems. Thus, while the remote control system of domestic appliances of the state of the art requires to control 10 individually with the aid of a remote control dedicated to each of the devices, according to the invention, it is possible to control several devices using the same remote control system. This remote control system according to two embodiments of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 2 represents a remote control system for appliances, especially domestic appliances, according to a first embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, the domestic appliances 1, 3 and 5, for example respectively a television set, a DVD player and a stereo system, are controlled by means of a control system comprising a control terminal 13 and means The interface means comprise a control terminal 15 and a control box 17 positioned near the apparatuses 1, 3 and 5 to be controlled. The system according to the invention further comprises information exchange means 19 between the control terminal 13 and the terminal 15, as well as information exchange means 21 between the terminal 15 and the housing 17.

The information exchange means 19 and 21 comprise wired bidirectional connection means of the Ethernet or power line type or any other wired technology, or non-wired bidirectional link means, in particular by Bluetooth type radio means, WIFI, GSM or any other wireless technology. The advantage of using an Ethernet-type wired link or power lines is to limit the radio emissions in the house or the room. According to the invention, the control terminal 13 is chosen from the group comprising at least: a personal computer; - a smart phone 10 - a personal digital assistant (PDA); - a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) telephone; - Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) unlicensed mobile phone; or - specific remote control equipment.

According to the invention, a communication program with the terminal 15 is installed on the control terminal 13. The terminal 15 may be for example a multi-purpose modem ("multiplay") (such as a multi-purpose housing ( "multiplay box") provided by ISPs to their customers). This terminal 15 is then connected to the Internet through an ADSL connection or cable or optical fiber or by Wimax or satellite link ... and it has radio and / or wired network connections. According to the invention, the terminal 15 is aware by programming / learning of the devices to be controlled, in particular of the configuration comprising the make, the model and the manufacturer code associated with each of the devices, as well as the knowledge of the box 17. The storage This configuration is local and / or saved on a remote server allowing remote configuration. Furthermore, according to the invention, the housing 17 is a device that can be controlled remotely by the terminal 15 and having a network address allowing it to be reachable using the existing network protocols. The housing 17 is seen from the device 1, 3 or 5 to control as if it was the native remote control of the device. Thus, it is provided according to the invention 2910676 8 to have different types of housing 17 according to the type of control of domestic appliances. Several options for the box 17 are thus provided: an infrared option, so that the box 17 controls devices natively controlled by an infrared remote control, such as, for example, televisions, video recorders, video cameras, video recorders, CD, DVD or multimedia players, video projectors, audio-video amplifiers, tuners, video screens, satellite decoders, DTT or TV decoders, air conditioners or heating apparatus. In this case, the housing 17 contains an infrared transmitter / receiver placed in visibility of the devices to be controlled. It has additional connectors offering the possibility of connecting infrared transmitters / receivers which are fixed on the front faces of the device (s) to be controlled if necessary; or a radio option, so that the housing 17 controls devices natively controlled by a radio remote control (for example to the 224 MHz or 433 MHz standards) such as, for example, alarms, garage doors, blinds or roller shutters. In this case, the housing 17 comprises a radio transmitter / receiver placed in range of the device or devices to be controlled; or - an option of power lines, so that the housing 17 controls devices natively controlled by a powerline remote control such as, for example, home automation equipment (X10 standard for example). In this case, the housing 17 contains a transmitter / receiver with power lines placed in range of the device (s) to be controlled; or else - a specific option for controlling equipment natively controlled by a specific remote control such as, for example, telephone control emulators (boilers, watering system, ...). The structure of the remote control system according to this first embodiment of the invention being described, its operation is detailed below.

According to the invention, when the user wishes to display on the television 1 and listen on the stereo system 5, a DVD, he presses a single key (for example, a key "home theater On") of the control terminal. 13. The control terminal 13 then sends to the terminal 15 generic control codes corresponding to the requested global function, through the information exchange means 19. The terminal 15 converts these generic control codes into control commands. specific control of the devices 1, 3 and 5 carrying out all the basic functions necessary for the global function requested (for example: turn on the television, read the DVD and select the DVD input). It transmits them, through the information exchange means 21, to the housing 17, which in turn issues these control commands to the devices 1, 3 and 5 to be controlled. In order to enable this operation, it is provided according to the invention that terminal 15 stores the specific control commands of the apparatus 1, 3 and 5, as well as a correspondence table between the generic codes sent by the terminal of the device. 13 and the specific control commands of the devices 1, 3 and 5. Moreover, the terminal 15 is capable of broadcasting the specific control commands of the devices to the box 17 in particular (infrared control box for example) or to a set of housings of different types used in the dwelling according to a setting (for example when the user wishes to turn off all appliances in the house). According to the invention, the control commands transmitted by the terminal 25 to the housing 17 correspond to a sampling of the digital signal normally sent by the native remote control of the apparatus concerned. The housing 17 thus receives a frame of the specific control commands containing the sampling frequency, followed by the sampled data. He then plays the sample on a dedicated analog part. A second embodiment of the remote control system of apparatus according to the invention is illustrated in FIG.

This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 2 only at the level of the information exchange means 19 between the control terminal 13 and the terminal 15.

Indeed, according to this second embodiment, the user controls the devices 1, 3 and 5 from the control terminal 13 from a communication network, such as the Internet, through a gate 23. For this, the user can use a means of communication, such as an electronic mail, a web interface or an ftp server, to control the devices 1, 3 and 5, the terminal 15 being connected to a centralized server to allow this operation. Of course, other embodiments can still be envisaged.

Claims (7)

  1. Remote control system for devices (1, 3, 5) including domestic, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one remote control terminal (13) of the devices (1, 3, 5) by an user ; andinterface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23) associated with the apparatuses (1, 3, 5) and interposed between these apparatuses (1, 3, 5) and the control terminal (13) for receiving from the control terminal (13) generic command codes of the devices (1, 3, 5) and to transmit in response, specific command commands to the devices (1, 3, 5).   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the interface means (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) comprise: - information exchange means (19; 23) with the control terminal to distance (13) for receiving therefrom the generic control codes of the apparatuses (1, 3, 5); means for converting (15) these generic control codes into device-specific control commands (1, 3, 5); and - transmission means (17) for these device-specific control commands (1, 3, 5) for controlling them.   3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the information exchange means (19; 23) between the remote control terminal (13) and the interface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23) comprise wired or non-wired connection means.   4. System according to any one of claims 2 and 3 characterized in that the transmission means (17) of the control commands to the devices (1, 3,   5) include an infrared or radio-type or powerline transceiver or specific to any class of devices controlled by other protocols. 5. Remote control terminal (13) of devices (1, 3, 5) including domestic, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting generic control codes of the devices (1, 3, 5) to interface means (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) associated with the apparatuses (1, 3, 5) and interposed between these apparatuses and the control terminal (13).   6. Method for remote control of devices (1, 3, 5) including domestic, characterized in that it comprises: - a step of transmission by a remote control terminal (13) of generic control codes of the apparatus (1, 3, 5) for interface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23); - A step of receiving the generic control codes of the devices (1, 3, 5) by the interface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23); A step of converting the generic control codes into device-specific control commands (1, 3, 5) by the interface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23); and a step of transmission by the interface means (15, 17, 19, 21; 23) of device-specific control commands (1, 3, 5) for controlling them.   7. A computer program comprising code instructions which, when executed on a computer, convert generic device remote control codes (1, 3, 5) into specific control commands of these devices (1, 3, 5). 20