METHOD FOR RESETTING A DEVICE, AND DEVICE AND CONTROL UNIT

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of resetting a device (2). The device (2) transmits an error signal (99) to a control unit (1). The control unit (1) outputs an acknowledgment signal (100). In response thereto, the device (2) outputs an inquiry signal (101). Based on the inquiry signal (101) received and a password, a reply signal (102) is generated by the control unit (1). Based on the reply signal (102), an information of the inquiry signal (101) and a password, the device generates a comparison result based on which a reset mechanism in the device (2) is activated. The invention further relates to a device (2) and a control unit (1).

Claims

1. A method of resetting a device (2), wherein an error signal (99) is transmitted by the device (2) to a control unit (1); the error signal (99) is received by the control unit (1); an acknowledgment signal (100) is output by the control unit (1); the acknowledgment signal (100) is received by the device (2); an inquiry signal (101) is output by the device (2) in response to the acknowledgment signal (100) received; the inquiry signal (101) is received by the control unit (1); a reply signal (102) is generated and output by the control unit (1) based on the inquiry signal (101) received and based on a password stored in the control unit (1); the reply signal (102) is received by the device (2); a comparison result is generated by the device (2) based on the reply signal (102) received, based on an information of the inquiry signal (101), and based on a password stored in the device (2); and a reset mechanism is activated in the device (2) based on the comparison result.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the comparison result is generated such that the comparison result provides information as to whether the password used for generating the reply signal (102) and the password stored in the device (2) are identical.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inquiry signal (101) is generated such that the inquiry signal (101) contains as an information a random character string generated by the device (2).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reply signal (102) is generated in that an information of the inquiry signal (101) received and the password stored in the control unit (1) are linked to each other by a logic instruction stored in the control unit (1); and wherein, when the comparison result is generated, the information of the inquiry signal (101) and the password stored in the device (2) are linked to each other by a logic instruction stored in the device (2).

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acknowledgment signal (100) is output as a result of a command generated by a user.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the acknowledgment signal (100) is transmitted to the device (2) each time after an error signal (99) is transmitted by the device (2) to a control unit (1) and after a command generated by a user is received; and wherein in the event that a number of error signals (99) exceeds a predefined limit value or is equal to a predefined limit value within a predefined period of time, a supplementary user action is demanded.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the supplementary user action consists in that the user waits a time period before enabling the reception of a further command and/or that the user acts directly on the device (2).

8. A device (2) comprising an interface (20) for sending and receiving signals, wherein the device (2) outputs error signals (99) via the interface (20); wherein, in the event that the device (2) receives an acknowledgment signal (100) via the interface (20), the device (2) outputs an inquiry signal (101) via the interface (20), receives a reply signal (102) via the interface (20), generates a comparison result based on the reply signal (102) received, based on an information of the inquiry signal (101), and based on a password stored in the device (2), and activates a reset mechanism in the device (2) based on the comparison result; and wherein the device (2) is configured to heat and/or cool a gas mixture and/or a liquid so that the device (2) fulfills functions of a heater and/or a boiler and/or an air conditioning system.

9. A control unit (1) comprising an interface (10) for sending and receiving signals and comprising an input device (11) for receiving a command generated by a user, wherein, in the event that the control unit (1) receives a command from the user via the input device (11), the control unit (1) outputs an acknowledgment signal (100) via the interface (10); wherein, in the event that the control unit (1) receives an inquiry signal (101) via the interface (10), the control unit (1) generates a reply signal (102) based on the inquiry signal (101) received and based on a password stored in the control unit (1) and outputs the reply signal via the interface (10); and wherein the control unit (1) is configured to control a device (2) in a travel trailer, a motorhome or a ship with respect to a temperature and/or a climate in that the control unit (1) outputs parameter values via the interface (10) in regard to a heating and/or a cooling of a gas mixture and/or a liquid.

Description

[0036] In detail, there is a multitude of options to configure and further develop the method according to the invention, the device according to the invention and the control unit according to the invention. In this regard, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims dependent on claims 1, 12 and 14 and, on the other hand, to the description below of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system including a device and a control unit, and

[0038] FIGS. 2a) to d) show a schematic representation of an exemplary process of resetting the device.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a system that includes a control unit 1 and a device 2, which here are connected to each other via a bidirectional data line 3. The system is part of a travel trailer, a motorhome or a ship, for example.

[0040] The device 2, which is for example a heater and/or a boiler for heating water, has an interface 20 by means of which the device 2 receives and transmits signals.

[0041] The control unit 1 also includes an interface 10 for transmitting and receiving signals. Further provided is an input device 11 (e.g. a human-machine interface), via which a user can acknowledge the occurrence of an error in the device 2 and thus initiate the reset process.

[0042] The sequence of resetting the device 2 is indicated in FIG. 2. The device 2 and the control unit 1 are shown in a simplified form here. The time flow is from FIG. 2a) to FIG. 2d).

[0043] In FIG. 2a), the device 2 detects that an unusual condition exists, so that it is necessary to output an error signal 99 and, for example, to initiate a reaction, e.g. stopping a heating process.

[0044] The error signal 99 reaches the control unit 1 and is displayed there, for example visually. When a user enters an appropriate command at the control unit 1, the control unit 1 outputs an acknowledgment signal 100 to the device 2 (see FIG. 2b)).

[0045] In consequence of receiving this acknowledgment signal 100, the device 2 checks, by sending an inquiry signal 101 to the control unit 1, whether it is to start a reset mechanism (see FIG. 2c)).

[0046] In response to the inquiry signal 101, the control unit 1 generates a reply signal 102, which carries an information of the inquiry signal 101 and a password. As illustrated in FIG. 2d), the control unit 1 sends the reply signal 102 to the device 2.

[0047] The device 2 evaluates the reply signal 102 and, depending on a comparison result, activates a reset mechanism.

[0048] The device 2 generates the comparison result as a function of the information contained in the inquiry signal 101 sent by the device 2, as a function of the password stored in the device 2, and as a function of the reply signal 102. A positive comparison result means that the device 2 and the control unit 1 each have used the same password, that the inquiry signal 101 has been reliably received by the control unit 1, and that the device 2 and the control unit 1 access the same link instruction. Generally, by the comparison result it is queried whether the control unit 1 is really authorized to reset the device 2. The resetting causes the device to continue to function normally.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0049] 1 control unit [0050] 2 device [0051] 3 data line [0052] 10 interface of the control unit [0053] 11 input device of the control unit [0054] 20 interface of the device [0055] 99 error signal [0056] 100 acknowledgment signal [0057] 101 inquiry signal [0058] 102 reply signal