METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS IN DEVICES THAT ARE OPENED AUTOMATICALLY USING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for controlling access from a communications network (2) to any device (4) that is opened automatically, said system comprising a mobile device (2) and a remote control (1). The remote control (1) is characterised in that it: obtains the signals that control the automatic opening devices (4), either by means of cloning via antenna or using other means, and transmits said signals to the communications network (3), by means of its connection to any mobile device (2). Access can then be controlled from the communications network (3), simply by transmitting the signal that actuates the automatic opening device (4), via the mobile device (2) to which the remote control (1) is connected, to another requesting remote control (1). The remote control (1) then transmits the signal allowing the actuation thereof. Any remote control (1) can be used to actuate any automatic opening device (4).

Claims

1. A system for controlling an automatic opening device (4), which also comprises: a mobile device (2) with a wireless connection to short- and medium-range peripherals; a remote control (1), equipped with resources for wirelessly controlling the automatic opening device (4), and that is connected to the mobile device (2) thanks to both of them being wirelessly connected to small- and medium-range peripherals; and a communications network (3) to which the mobile device (2) is connected and which, in turn, is connected to the remote control (1) via the connection of the mobile device (2) and the remote control (1).

2. A system as in claim 1 that is characterised in that it comprises mechanisms so that by using the communications network (3) and by connecting to the mobile device (2), and in turn to the remote control (1), it is possible to control any automatic opening device (4), engaging the remote control (1) as if it were the actual remote control of each of the automatic opening devices (4) in question.

3. A system as in claim 1 that comprises the resources integrated in the remote control (1), to receive and process the signals, that are issued by the remote control (5) of the automatic opening device (4), and which engage this same device.

4. A system as in claim 1 that comprises the mechanisms so that the signal sent by the remote control (5) of any automatic opening device (4), that is received and processed by the resources integrated in the remote control, are transmitted to the communications network (3), all via the connections between the remote control (1), the mobile device (2) and the communications network (3).

5. A remote control for remotely controlling an automatic opening device (4) equipped with the usual elements such as a microprocessor, drivers, memories, a power supply system, electronic components, a printed circuit board, and a case, is characterstic in that it comprises: an antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive and process the signals that are sent by the remote control (5) of the automatic opening devices (4), to make it possible to engage them; and an antenna (8) that connects to a mobile device (2), making it possible to receive and transmit information such as the signal received by the antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive and process the signals that, sent by the remote control (5) of the automatic opening devices (4), make it possible to engage them.

6. A remote control as in claim 5 that is characterised in that it comprises an antenna (7) that makes it possible to transmit the signals that engage the automatic opening device (4), thus controlling this device as if it were its own remote control (5), and based on information received from the antenna (8) that connects to the mobile device (2).

7. A remote control as in claim 5 that comprises a standard connector for connecting to peripherals (9), that provides electric power to the remote control's power supply (1), that makes it possible to update the drivers of the remote control(1), that makes it possible to transmit information to the memories of the remote control (1) and which is also characterised in that it can obtain signals in data format from a connected device that engage the automatic opening devices (4) and in turn send them by means of the antenna (8) that connects the remote control (1) to the mobile device (2).

8. A remote control as in claim 5 that comprises a pin-type connection (10) for connecting the connectors of remote control duplicators, which is also characterised in that it can obtain signals in data format that engage the automatic opening device (4) and in turn send them via the antenna (8) that connects the remote control (1) to the mobile device (2).

9. A remote control as in claim 5 that is characterised in that it has integrated: the antenna (7), that makes it possible, to send the signals that engage the automatic opening device (4) and the antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive and process the signals that, once sent by the remote controls (5) of the automatic opening devices (4), make it possible to engage them.

10. A remote control as in claim 5 that is characterised in that it has integrated the functionalities of all of the antennas that are present, i.e., connecting to a mobile device (2), issuing the signals that engage the automatic opening device (4), receiving and processing the signals sent by the remote controls (5) of the automatic opening devices (4).

11. A method for controlling and managing the accesses, of any automatic opening device (4), from a communications network (3) that is connected to a remote control (1) via a mobile device (2), and that is characterised in that it comprises: A user2 who, wanting to engage the automatic opening device (4), requests it to be opened from the communications network (3) that, due to having the signal that controls the automatic opening device, sends the said signal, via his mobile device (2), to his remote control (1), which in turn sends the signal, that finally engages the automatic opening device (4).

12. A method as in claim 11 for controlling and managing accesses of any automatic opening device (4), using a communications network (3) that is connected to a remote control (1) via a mobile device (2), and which is characterised in that user1 can allow his remote control (1) to receive the signal sent by the remote control (5) that controls an automatic opening device (4), process it, and send it via user l′s mobile device (2) to the communications network (3) where it is processed and made available to other users.)

13. A system as in claim 3 that comprises the mechanisms so that the signal sent by the remote control (5) of any automatic opening device (4), that is received and processed by the resources integrated in the remote control, are transmitted to the communications network (3), all via the connections between the remote control (1), the mobile device (2) and the communications network (3).

14. A remote control as in claim 6 that comprises a standard connector for connecting to peripherals (9), that provides electric power to the remote control's power supply (1), that makes it possible to update the drivers of the remote control(1), that makes it possible to transmit information to the memories of the remote control (1) and which is also characterised in that it can obtain signals in data format from a connected device that engage the automatic opening devices (4) and in turn send them by means of the antenna (8) that connects the remote control (1) to the mobile device (2).

15. A remote control as in claim 6 that comprises a pin-type connection (10) for connecting the connectors of remote control duplicators, which is also characterised in that it can obtain signals in data format that engage the automatic opening device (4) and in turn send them via the antenna (8) that connects the remote control (1) to the mobile device (2).

16. A remote control as in claim 6 that is characterised in that it has integrated: the antenna (7), that makes it possible, to send the signals that engage the automatic opening device (4) and the antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive and process the signals that, once sent by the remote controls (5) of the automatic opening devices (4), make it possible to engage them.

17. A remote control as in claim 6 that is characterised in that it has integrated the functionalities of all of the antennas that are present, i.e., connecting to a mobile device (2), issuing the signals that engage the automatic opening device (4), receiving and processing the signals sent by the remote controls (5) of the automatic opening devices (4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

[0013] Below a brief description is given of a series of sketches that will make it easier to understand the invention and which are expressly related to an embodiment of the invention as an example that does not limit it.

[0014] FIG. 1.—Shows a representation of the system as a whole: [0015] Remote control (1) [0016] Mobile device (2) [0017] Communications network (3) [0018] Automatic opening device (4) [0019] Remote control (5) that controls the automatic opening device (4) FIG. 2.—Shows a schematic representation of the remote control (1) [0020] Remote control (1) [0021] Antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive signals from the remote controls (5) that control the automatic opening devices (4) [0022] Antenna (7) that makes it possible to send out signals that engage the automatic opening device (4) [0023] Antenna (8) that connects with a mobile device (2) [0024] Connection of peripheral devices (9) [0025] Pin-type connection (10)

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] A preferred embodiment of the invention is a system for controlling any existing automatic opening device (4), such as a garage door, and which comprises: a mobile device (2), such as any mobile phone with a connection to a telecommunications network (3) such as the internet and a remote control (1), which is the main subject of our invention.

[0027] The remote control (1) is equipped with the usual elements of remote controls, such as microprocessors, controllers, memories, a power supply system, electronic components, a printed circuit board, a case, allowing for the normal use of remotely engaging an automatic opening device (4).

[0028] Furthermore, it also includes an antenna (6) that makes it possible to engage the automatic opening devices. This way, nearby radio-frequency signals can be cloned directly and wirelessly. This is a small-sized multi-frequency RF receiver type antenna. By operating near the remote control (1), any remote control (5), the multi-frequency RF receiver will receive and then process the radio-frequency signals, that are sent by the remote control (5).

[0029] The remote control (1) includes other resources for receiving the signals that engage the automatic opening devices (4), such as via a USB-type peripheral device connection (9). In this case, the signals are received, for example, by connecting the remote control (1) with a computer, with the signals being transferred in the form of data, and which makes it possible to reproduce the same signal. This connection, also supplies electric power to the power source, with the ability to recharge the battery of the remote control (1). Moreover, by using this connection and connecting to a computer, it is possible to update the drivers of the remote control's microprocessor (1), or to transfer data to be stored in the remote control's memory (1).

[0030] Another resource integrated in the remote control (1) for receiving the signals that engage the automatic opening devices, is via a pin connection (10). This connection allows for connecting the connections of remote control duplicators.

[0031] The remote control (1) is equipped with an antenna (7) that makes it possible to send out the signals that engage the small multi-frequency RF transmitter module type automatic opening devices (4). Once it has the corresponding radio frequency, this antenna allows the remote control (1), to control the automatic opening devices (4) as if it was their own remote control (5), sending out the corresponding signal, which engages each automatic opening device (4). It should be noted that, in practise, the multi-frequency RF transmitter can also act as a receiver, which is why it not only performs the function of transmitting signals, but also, the function of receiving the signals that engage the automatic opening devices, thus making unnecessary the antenna (6) that makes it possible to receive the signals, by physically integrating this functionality.

[0032] The remote control (1) contains an antenna (8) that makes it possible to connect to any mobile device (2), such as a mobile phone, via Bluethooth®, Wifi®, Wifi Direct® technology. It is a Bluetooth® JY-MCU H-05 module antenna (8). It bears emphasising that in practise, it may be possible to install in the remote control (1), a single multi-frequency RF transmitter/receiver antenna that integrates the functionalities of receiving the signals that engage the automatic opening devices, transmitting these signals, and connecting to any mobile device (2).

[0033] The preferred embodiment of the invention is a system where the remote control (1) that we just described, thus makes it possible to wirelessly control an automatic opening device (4), such as a garage door, sending out codified radio-frequency signals, just as would be sent out by the garage door's own remote control (5). But in addition to this, the remote control (1), is characterised in that it connects to the mobile device (2), such as our mobile phone. The connection between the remote control (1) and the mobile device (2) is made by means of the functionality mentioned above, which makes it possible for mobile devices to communicate in short- and medium-range with other devices. This communication is achieved via Bluethooth®, Wifi®, Wifi Direct® technology, using what is known as device matching, with our system being able to be adapted to future wireless communications protocols.

[0034] The mobile device (2) also connects to the communications network (3), using the functionality that allows mobile devices to communicate in short- and medium-range with other devices and equipment via these networks. This communication is currently achieved by using 3G, 4G, or Wifi® technology, with our system being able to be adapted to future new technologies. This connection allows the communications network (3) to be, in turn, connected to the remote control (1).

[0035] The system has the necessary mechanisms, such as specifically developed software, that makes interaction possible between the communications network, (3), the mobile device (2) and the remote control (1). This makes it possible to transmit data, such as the signals that engage the automatic opening devices (4). In the case of the mobile device (2), part of this software is installed in the form of an application.

[0036] The communications network (3) can then be used to control any automatic opening device (4), i.e., any garage door, thanks to the remote control (1) and its connection to the mobile device (2), which in turn is connected to the telecommunications network (3). The communications network (3) is used to send the radio frequency in data format to the remote control (1), which transmits the said signal, making it possible to engage the automatic opening device (4), i.e., to open the garage door.

[0037] In order to be able to send the signal, the communications network (3) first needs to obtain the signal. To do this the remote control (1), thanks to its functionality described above, obtains, the necessary signals, by using its possible reception resources: either by cloning the signal transmitted by the remote control (5) of the automatic opening device (4), i.e., of the garage door, by connecting the remote control (1) to the computer via USB, or with a duplicator. These signals will be sent to the communications network (3) via the mobile device (2), thanks to the software installed by the system for it to function.

[0038] This way, the communications network (3), can be used to control any automatic opening device (4), due the signal that engages it having first been obtained, thanks to the remote control (1). By being able to send this signal, control occurs from the communications network (3), to any other remote control (1) that will then send the said signal, engaging the automatic opening device (4) in question: i.e., opening the garage door. In other words, any remote control (1) can be used to engage any automatic opening device (4), i.e., any garage door, that has first received the signal controlling it, with control and management coming from the communications network (3).

[0039] One method of operating the preferred embodiment of the invention, makes it possible to use a communications network to control and manage the accesses of any automatic opening device (4). The communications network (3) can be used to engage any automatic opening device (4), such as any garage door, and therefore control and manage access, all using the remote control (1) and its connection to the mobile device (2), connecting to the communications network (3). This method is characterised by the following parts: [0040] A user1 who owns a garage uses its remote control (1) to clone the radio-frequency signal transmitted by the remote control (5) of his automatic opening device (4), i.e., his garage door. To do this, he engages his remote control (5) near the remote control (1) that receives the signal. The remote control (1) processes the signal and sends it via user1's mobile device (2), to the communications network (3) where the signal is stored and made available to other users. From this point, the accesses to the garage can be controlled and managed. [0041] A user2, who does not own the garage, and who does not have the remote control (5), would like to access it. To do so, he uses an application on his mobile phone (2) to request the opening of the automatic opening device (4), i.e., the garage door. The communications network (3) sends the signal it had earlier received from user1, and which controls that automatic opening device (4), via user2's mobile device (2), to user2's remote control. User2's remote control (1) transmits the sent signal, then engaging the automatic opening device (4) and allowing specific access to user2. From the communications network (3), the information is known regarding the said access, such as its time and the user, and user2's request may even be denied, not opening the automatic opening device (4), i.e., the garage door, and thus preventing user2 from entering.