|
(11) | EP 1 993 084 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
| (54) | Radio control for electrical devices |
| (57) Radio control for electrical devices comprising a container body (2) provided with
push buttons (3) provided inside which is an electronic card including an electronic
receiver (51), an electronic transmitter (52) for transmitting an univocal code towards
such electrical devices and a microprocessor (4) to which the signals generated by
pressing such push buttons (3) are delivered and which controls such transmitter and
receiver and which determines such transmittable univocal code. Furthermore, the radio controller comprises a digital combiner (43) made up of a plurality of switches with two or more positions which delivers the signal generated to such microprocessor. |
[0002] In particular, the present invention refers to a radio control for electrical devices, such as for example gates, doors, main doors and barriers in general.
[0003] The radio control is of the type commonly defined as self-learning, that is a radio control which can be programmed through another radio control of the same type; that is a code can be stored within it, delivered to it from a radio control of the same type, suitably configured to perform such tasks.
[0004] Automatic gates or barriers for entrance into private areas, such as for example garage doors or sheltered areas such as condominium parking areas, are usually operated by the users, by means of remote radio controls, which deliver an impulse via radio to an electronic control unit, which opens the barrier.
[0005] Furthermore, generally, in case of remote transmission via radio, upon signalling the gate to open, the subsequent closure of the same occurs by means of the same upon delivery of a second signal by the user or it occurs automatically after a given preset period of time.
[0006] At times, in order to enter into a private area, for example an apartment garage, several signals delivered via radios different from each other are required (for example, the first signal adapted to open the gate of the condominium area and the second signal adapted to open the garage door).
[0007] Furthermore, each area (for example a condominium area) must be provided with an univocal key different from the one of the other area.
[0008] The applicant overcame such drawbacks by providing a radio control adapted to store within it several codes different from each other, and a programmable univocal key.
[0009] An aspect of the present invention regards a radio control for electrical devices comprising a container body provided with push buttons, further provided within which is an electronic card including an electronic receiver for transmitting an univocal code towards such electrical devices, a microprocessor to which the generated signals are delivered by pressing such push buttons and which controls such transmitter and receiver and which determines such transmittable univocal code, a digital combiner made up of a plurality of switches with one or more positions which delivers the generated signal to such microprocessor, characterised in that settable on such combiner is an univocal key which generates a group of radio controls of the same type, which is stored in the microprocessor and subsequently deleted by the digital combiner in such a manner that it cannot be seen upon opening the box-shaped container body and accessing the combiner once the storage process has been completed.
[0010] Characteristics and advantages of the transmitter according to the present invention shall be clearer from the following exemplifying and non-limiting description with reference to the schematic drawings attached wherein:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of two transmitters made according to the present invention;
- Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit provided within the transmitter according to the present invention.
[0011] Referring to the aforementioned figures, the radio control according to the present invention comprises a container body, for example a box-shaped container body 2, inserted inside which is an electronic card, self-powered for example by means of batteries, whose operations are enabled through a plurality of buttons 3 provided on such box-shaped container body.
[0012] The block diagram of such electronic card is schematically shown in figure 2 illustrated in which is a controller microprocessor 4 comprising an encoding 41 and a decoding 42 device.
[0013] Delivered to the controller are signals of such buttons 3 and the one generated by a digital combiner (also referred to as a "DIP SWITCH") 43 made up of a plurality of switches encapsulated in a single container body, provided with terminals arranged on two rows at a standardised distance. The switches are preferably switches of the type moveable between two positions and alternatively at more than two positions. By operating on each of such switches, it is possible to generate an univocal key that can be predetermined and modified depending on the intended use of the radio control. Furthermore, such key is set for a first time on such combiner, stored in the radio control and deleted in such a manner that it cannot be seen upon opening the box-shaped container body and accessing the combiner once the storage process has been completed.
[0014] The key defines a group of radio controls belonging the same group (for example those supplied by a same installer or distributor) which establishes and determines such key.
[0015] Furthermore, the electronic card comprises a receiver 51, and a transmitter 52 connected to such controller 4 and power supply means 6 which supply the required power to all the components of the electronic card. Furthermore, provided on such card are suitable amplifying means 53 and the filtering of the signals received by such receiver and for the signals to be delivered to said transmitter.
[0016] Additionally, the radio control is provided with at least one special signal Led controlled by the microprocessor.
[0018] The transmitter transmits a variable type of code subsequently suitably decoded by the microprocessor in such a manner to conceal it, for example through an analysis performed by an oscilloscope.
[0019] The microprocessor or combiner of the radio control allows programming a key through the digital combiner, which can be removed from such combiner. In particular, according to the present invention a possible storage procedure for the key can be performed following the steps below:
- a) Setting the desired key on the combiner,
- b) Pressing one or more push buttons of the radio control for a preset period of time;
- c) Possibly releasing one or more of such push buttons until the signal Led emits a preset lighting sequence;
- d) Removing the key from the digital combiner by setting a preset base combination (for example all "OFF" or all "ON").
[0020] At the end of such procedure the key is stored and no longer visible by a user not authorised to be in possession of such key.
[0021] The code processed and stored in the microprocessor may be of various sizes (for example 12 bits or 24 bits).
[0022] Such code is advantageously modulated according to a modulation procedure for example of the OOK (On-Off-Keying) or the AM (Amplitude Modulation) type.
[0023] As described beforehand, the radio control according to the present invention is also provided with a receiver and thus a self-learning procedure can also be implemented onto it from another radio control having the same key. Otherwise another different code not belonging to the same group of radio controls defined by the key can be stored into it.
[0024] In particular, according to the present invention a possible self-learning procedure for a code not belonging to the same group of the key stored in the radio control can be performed following the steps below:
- Setting the currently stored key onto the transmitting radio control;
- Entering the self-learning mode into the radio control receiving the code;
- Selecting the push button to which the receiving radio control is to be associated;
- Pressing, on the transmitting radio control, the push button related to the code intended to be transferred to the receiving radio control.
[0025] A signal appears on the receiving radio control through the Led (for example it blinks three times) which signals that the storage has definitely occurred.
[0026] This procedure enters into the receiving radio control both the new key, same as the one of the transmitting radio control, and a new push button code (associated to the selected push button).
[0027] In case an installation key was already present on the receiving radio control, such key is overwritten.
[0028] Furthermore, in order to avoid simultaneous presence of the latest set key and the key set previously it is not necessary to move the combiner switches to the base sequence.
[0029] In order to allow the use of the radio control according to the present invention with simple code systems without a key, the transmitter can transmit different modulations for different push buttons. Basically, upon installation of the key all the push buttons have their own code. However, it is possible to associate to a push button a code coming from the radio controller without a key. This can be performed by entering into the self-learning mode in the radio control subject of the present invention and selecting the pre-selected push button for the storage of the code coming from the external radio control and transmit the code to be stored therefrom. In this manner, the selected push button is associated to a new code.
1. Radio control for electrical devices comprising a container body (2) provided with
push buttons (3) provided inside which is an electronic card including an electronic
receiver (51), and electronic transmitter (52) for transmitting an univocal code towards
such electrical devices, a microprocessor (4) to which the signals generated by pressing
such push buttons (3) are delivered and which controls such transmitter and receiver
and which determines such transmittable univocal code, a digital combiner (43) made
up of a plurality of switches with two or more positions which delivers the signal
generated to such microprocessor, characterised in that settable on such combiner is an univocal key which generates a group of radio controls
of the same type that is stored in the microprocessor and subsequently deleted by
the digital combiner (43) in such a manner that it cannot be seen upon opening the
box-shaped container body and accessing the combiner once the storage process has
been completed.
2. Radio control for electrical devices according to claim 1, wherein the code processed
and stored in the microprocessor can be of various sizes.
3. Radio control for electrical devices according to claim 2, wherein the stored code
is a 12-bit code.
4. Radio control for electrical devices according to claim 2, wherein the stored code
is a 24-bit code.
5. Radio control for electrical devices according to claim 2, wherein such code is modulated
according to a modulation procedure of an OOK (On-Off-Keying) or AM (Amplitude Modulation)
type.
6. Radio control for electrical devices according to claim 1 provided with at least one
special signal Led controlled by the microprocessor.