METHOD FOR REMOTELY OPERATING AN AUTOMATIC BUILDING OR ENCLOSURE CLOSURE, RADIO REMOTE CONTROL TRANSMITTER THEREFOR, BUILDING OR ENCLOSURE CLOSURE SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

In order to enable higher operational and manipulation security in the radio remote control of building or enclosure closures by simple means, the invention provides a method for remote control of an automatic building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), comprising: a) transmitting actuation signals (32.1-32.3) with authorization data by means of a transmitter (14) by radio, b) receiving the actuation signals (32.1, 32.2, 32.3) by a receiver, c) determining the authorization on the basis of the received data, and d) controlling the building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) to perform the action when authorization is available; wherein in step a) a first actuation signal (32.1) is repeatedly transmitted alternately on a first frequency using a first modulation and a second actuation signal (32.2) is transmitted on a second frequency using a second modulation, and in step b) radio signals are first received on the first frequency using the first modulation over a time longer than the transmission of the first actuation signal and then radio signals are received on the second frequency using the second modulation over a time longer than the transmission of the second actuation signal.

Claims

1. Method for remotely actuating an automatic building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), comprising: a) transmitting actuation signals (32.1-32.3) containing data for authorizing and performing an action of the building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) by radio by means of a transmitter (14), b) receiving the actuation signals (32.1, 32.2, 32.3) by a receiver, c) determining the authorization on the basis of the received data, and d) controlling the building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) to perform the action when authorization is available; wherein step a) comprises repeatedly alternately performing the steps of: a1) transmitting a first actuation signal (32.1) on a first frequency using a first modulation within a first transmit time interval (42.1); and a2) transmitting a second actuation signal (32.2) on a second frequency using a second modulation within a second transmit time interval (42.2), and wherein step b) comprises repeatedly alternately performing the steps of: b1) receiving radio signals by the receiver (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) on the first frequency using the first modulation over a first receive time interval (44.1) that is longer than the first transmit time interval (42.1), and b2) receiving radio signals by the receiver (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) on the second frequency with the second modulation over a second receive time interval (44.2) that is longer than the second transmit time interval (42.2),

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step a) comprises repeatedly alternately performing steps a1), a2) and a3) transmitting a third actuation signal (32.3) on a third frequency using a modulation different from the first modulation within a third transmit time interval, and in that step b) comprises repeatedly alternately performing steps b1), b2) and b3) receiving radio signals by the receiver on the third frequency with the modulation used in step a3) within a third receive time interval (44.3) which is longer than the third transmit time interval (42.3).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step a2) comprises transmitting with higher transmission power than in step a1).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the modulation type OOK or AM is selected as the first modulation and the modulation type FSK is selected as the second modulation or as a modulation different from the first modulation.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that the data content of the first and the second actuation signal (32.1, 32.2) is different and that the receiver (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) determines an authorization, 5.1 if the data content of at least one of the first actuation signal (32.1) and the second actuation signal (32.2) indicates an authorization, or 5.2 if the data content of the first actuation signal (32.1) and the data content of the second actuation signal (32.2) indicates an authorization.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the data content of the first and second actuation signals (32.1, 32.2) are linked by a predetermined algorithm in such a way that the data of one of these actuation signals (32.1, 32.2) has been generated by applying the algorithm to data of the other actuation signal (32.2, 32.1) used as original data, wherein said receiver (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) receives said original data by receiving said other actuation signal (32.2, 32.1) and by inversely applying said algorithm to the data of said one actuation signal (32.1, 32.2).

7. A radio remote control transmitter (16, 16.1-16.4) for use as a transmitter (14) in the method according to claim 1, comprising a transmitter unit (29) and a transmitter control unit (27), wherein the radio remote control transmitter (16, 16.1-16.4) is adapted, in response to a single actuation input for selecting the action by a user, to automatically repeatedly alternately perform the steps of: a1) transmitting the first actuation signal (32.1) at the first frequency using the first modulation within the first transmit time interval (42.1); and a2) transmitting the second actuation signal (32.2) on the second frequency using the second modulation within a second transmit time interval (42.2).

8. Radio remote control transmitter (16.1-16.4) according to claim 7, characterized in, in that the radio remote control transmitter (16.1-16.4) is designed to repeatedly perform a sequence of steps a1), a2) and a3) transmitting a third actuation signal (32.3) on a third frequency using a modulation different from the first modulation within a third transmit time interval (42.3).

9. Radio remote control transmitter (16.1-16.4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the radio remote control transmitter (16.1-16.4) is designed to transmit on the second frequency with a higher transmission power than on the first frequency.

10. Radio remote control transmitter (16.1-16.4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the data content of the first and the second actuation signal (32.1, 32.2) are different or in that the data content of the first and second actuating signals (32.1, 32.2) are linked by a predetermined algorithm in such a way that the data of one of these actuating signals (32.1, 32.2) are generated by applying the algorithm to data of the other actuating signal (32.2, 32.1) used as original data.

11. An automatic building or enclosure closure system (10) comprising a transmitter (14) and an automatic building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) provided with a wing (34) movable between an open position and a closed position, an actuator (18.1-18.3) for driving the movement of the wing (34), a receiver (20.1-20.3) and a controller (21.1-21.3), wherein the transmitter (14), the receiver (20.1-20.3) and the controller (21.1-21.3) are arranged to perform the method according to claim 1.

Description

[0074] One embodiment is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein it is shown by:

[0075] FIG. 1 a schematic overall view of a building or enclosure closure system;

[0076] FIG. 2 a graph showing a timing of a transmit pulse of a transmitter of the system of FIG. 1; and

[0077] FIG. 3 a graph showing a timing of a telegram executed upon actuation by the operator to control a desired action, with scanning by a receiver of the building or enclosure closure system.

[0078] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a building or enclosure closure system 10 comprising one or more automatic building or enclosure closures 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and at least one transmitter 14 in the form of a radio remote control transmitter 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the building or enclosure closure system 10 comprises first to third automatic building or enclosure closures 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, which are, for example, in the form of automatic doors/gates. The first building or enclosure closure 12.1 is designed, for example, as a first automatic garage door, the second building or enclosure closure 12.2 is designed, for example, as a second automatic garage door, and the third building or enclosure closure is designed, for example, as an automatic yard or driveway gate.

[0079] The automatic building or enclosure closures 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 each have an actuator 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, a receiver 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, and a controller 21.1, 21.2, 21.3. The actuator 18.1, 18.2, 18.3 is controllable by the controller 21.1, 21.2, 21.3 in accordance with remote control signals 31 received via the receiver 20.1, 20.2, 20.3.

[0080] In the illustrated example, a first to fourth radio remote control transmitter 16.1-16.4 are provided as transmitters 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the first to third radio remote control transmitters 16.1, 16.2, 16.3 are mounted in a stationary manner in the vicinity of a respective one of the first to third building or enclosure closures 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 and are designed, for example, as interior pushbuttons with a button as operator interface or as exterior pushbuttons with a person identification device 22 in the region of an operator interface 24. For example, the external pushbuttons are designed as key pushbuttons with a lock cylinder, as code pushbuttons with a keypad for entering a numerical code, as transponder pushbuttons with a reading device for reading an ID tag (e.g., RFID tag) or as fingerprint pushbuttons with a device for reading a fingerprint.

[0081] In particular, the radio remote control transmitter 16 is a mobile transmitter 26, such as a transmitter provided in a vehicle, for example a built-in transmitter, or a hand-held transmitter, as shown in FIG. 1 as the fourth radio remote control transmitter 16.4. The mobile transmitter 26 includes a selection device 28 at the user interface 24 that allows the user to transmit one of a plurality of remote control signals 31, for example by pressing one of a plurality of buttons 30.1-30.4. For example, a first button 30.1 is associated with the first building or enclosure closure 12.1, and in response to pressing this first button 30.1, the radio remote control transmitter 16 transmits a first remote control signal 31.1 for remotely controlling the first building or enclosure closure 12.1. The other buttons 30.2, 30.3, 30.4 may be associated correspondingly with the other building or enclosure closures 12.2, 12.3 or other peripheral devices not shown, such as a lighting system.

[0082] Concerning the hardware architecture, the radio remote control transmitters 16, 16.1-16.4 can basically be constructed as shown in prior art mentioned at the beginning, and reference is made in this respect to the literature listed under items [5] to [7] for further details. In particular, the radio remote control transmitters 16, 16.1-16.4 have a control unit 27 and a transmitter unit 29, as indicated in FIG. 2.

[0083] The control unit 27 is designed, in particular, as a computing unit into which a computer program with corresponding control instructions for carrying out the steps of the method described in more detail below, which are executed on the transmitter 14, is loaded or can be loaded.

[0084] The transmitter unit 29 is designed to transmit radio signals on a first to third different frequency band with a first to third frequency.

[0085] The remote control signals 31 comprise a sequence of actuation signals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3. The actuation signals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 may also be conventionally constructed in terms of information content. Usually, an actuation signal 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 has an (authorization) code. When pairing receiver 20.1-20.3 and transmitter 14, codes are taught-in so that receiver 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 recognizes an authorized transmitter 14 when a taught-in code is received. In pulsed operation, when the remote control signal 31, 31.1 is received from an authorized transmitter 14, a movement of the associated actuator 18.1-18.3 is initiated, and the actuator 18.1-18.3 moves the associated wing 34 of the corresponding building or enclosure closure 12.1-12.3 to the opposite end position. If the assigned remote control signal 31 is received again during the movement, the movement is stopped. If it is received again, the actuator 18.1-18.3 is reversed.

[0086] It is also possible that one of the receivers 20.1-20.3, e.g. the first receiver 20.1, is a conventional receiver operating exclusively with OOK modulation on a first frequency which has already been approved for such radio remote controls for some time for the geographical area in which the building or enclosure closure system 10 is used. Such a receiver, for example, an older one acquired and installed earlier, scans the first frequency alone for first actuation signals 32.1 modulated with OOK. Accordingly, a radio remote control transmitter paired exclusively with a conventionally operating receiver, for example the first radio remote control transmitter 16.1, may transmit as a first remote control signal 31.1 controlling the first actuator 18.1 a sequence of, for example, three successively transmitted first actuation signals 32.1, which transmits the code paired with the first receiver or possibly further data, such as a header, in OOK modulation on the first frequency.

[0087] At least one of the further radio remote control transmitters 16.2-16.4 emits as remote control signal 31 a sequence of several different actuation signals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, as this is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 schematically shows the radio remote control transmitter 16, 16.2-16.4 according to one embodiment of the invention and a transmit pulse 36 of the remote control signal 31 transmitted over a transmit pulse time 38. The transmit pulse 36 has a first actuation signal 32.1, a second actuation signal 32.2, and a third actuation signal 32.3 transmitted in sequence.

[0088] The first actuation signal 32.1 has the code indicating the authorization of the transmitting radio remote control transmitter 16.2-16.4 and possible other data transmitted in OOK modulation on the first frequency with a first transmission power.

[0089] The data of the second actuation signal 32.2 has been generated by a predetermined algorithm from the data of the first actuation signal 32.2. Any algorithm from whose result the original data can be unambiguously obtained again by applying a corresponding inverse algorithm can be used as an algorithm. Algorithms of usual encryption methods can thus be applied. Accordingly, the data of the third actuation signal 32.3 is also generated by an algorithm from the data of the second actuation signal 32.2, so that the first to third actuation signals contain different data.

[0090] The data of the second actuation signal 32.2 is modulated by a modulation type different from the modulation type of the first actuation signal 32.1, for example, frequency modulation FSK, and is transmitted over a second frequency significantly different from the first frequency and on a different frequency band. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second actuation signal 32.2 is transmitted on the second frequency with FSK modulation and preferably with a higher transmission power.

[0091] The data of the third actuation signal 32.3 is also modulated by a modulation type different from the modulation type of the first actuation signal 32.1, for example frequency modulation FSK, and is transmitted over a third frequency which is significantly different from the first and second frequencies and is on a different frequency band. In the illustrated embodiment, the third actuation signal 32.3 is transmitted on the third frequency with FSK modulation and preferably also with a higher transmission power than the first actuation signal 32.1.

[0092] The first actuation signal 32.1 is transmitted within a first transmit time interval 42.1, which corresponds at least to the time required to transmit the first actuation signal 32.1. Preferably, a sequence of multiple first actuation signals 32.1 is transmitted within the first transmit time interval 42.1. For example, the first actuation signal is transmitted three times in succession in the first transmission time interval. The second actuation signal 32.2 is transmitted within a second transmit time interval 42.2, which corresponds at least to the time required to transmit the second actuation signal 32.2. Preferably, a sequence of multiple second actuation signals 32.2 is transmitted within the second transmit time interval 42.2. For example, the second actuation signal is transmitted three times in succession in the second transmit time interval 42.2. The third actuation signal 32.3 is transmitted within a third transmit time interval 42.3 corresponding to at least the time required to transmit the third actuation signal 32.3. Preferably, a sequence of multiple third actuation signals 32.3 is transmitted within the third transmit time interval 42.3. For example, the third actuation signal is transmitted three times in succession in the third transmit time interval 42.3. Preferably, the first to third transmit time intervals are of equal length and are dimensioned such that the time is safely sufficient to transmit each corresponding actuation signal 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 three times and there is still a time buffer.

[0093] As can be seen from FIG. 3, such a transmit pulse 36, which is formed by a sequence of first to third transmit time intervals 42.1-42.3 and thus by a sequence of a plurality of first, a plurality of second and a plurality of third actuation signals 32.1-32.3 on the first to third frequencies with different modulation types, is transmitted several times in succession, here for example three times in succession. A transmission cycle 40 is thus formed from a sequence of transmission pulses 36, which in turn are formed from an alternating sequence of groups of different actuation signals 32.1-32.3, which are transmitted on different frequencies with different modulation types and preferably with different transmission powers at predetermined transmission time intervals, but all contain as minimum information authorization information in the form of the code stored in the controller 21.1-21.3 as authorized or the code modified by the algorithm.

[0094] FIG. 3 shows the transmit cycle 40 over the transmit cycle time 41 (=telegram length) together with a receiver 20.2, 20.3 and its scanning sequences (receive cluster).

[0095] At least one or more or even all of the receivers 20.2, 20.3 of the building or enclosure closure system 10 are configured to perform a sequence of different sampling modes: [0096] In a first receive time interval 44.1, which is longer than the first transmit time interval 42.1, the receivers 20.2, 20.3 receive radio signals modulated with the first modulation mode, here OOK, on the first frequency. [0097] In a second receive time interval 44.2, which is longer than the second transmit time interval 42.2, the receiver 20.2, 20.3 receives radio signals modulated with the second modulation type, here FSK, on the second frequency. Received signals are decoded using the inverse algorithm. [0098] In a third receive time interval 44.3, which is longer than the third transmit time interval 42.3, the receiver 20.2, 20.3 receives signals modulated with the second modulation type, here FSK, on the third frequency. Received signals are decoded using the corresponding inverse algorithm.

[0099] The receive time intervals 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 are preferably of equal length. Preferably, each receive time interval 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 is at least as long and particularly preferably equal in length as the sum of the first through third transmit time intervals 42.1-42.3.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 3, the receiver 20.2, 20.3 performs an alternating sequence of the first through third receive time intervals 44.1-44.3 with the first through third sampling modes 46.1-46.3.

[0101] As can be seen from a sampling matching shown by the middle bar and arrows 48.1, 48.2, 48.3 in FIG. 3, the transmission of at least one actuation signal 32.1-32.3 and the execution of a sampling mode 46.1-46.3 sensitive to this actuation signal 32.1-32.3 thus coincide in time for each transmission pulse 36, so that even in the event of interference on one of the frequency bands, several of the actuation signals 32.1-32.3 are received by the receiver.

[0102] The received signals are checked to determine whether a valid actuation signal 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 is available by comparing the received codes with the codes stored as authorized.

[0103] Depending on the safety requirements, it can now be determined in the control system whether the receipt of one, two or more valid actuation signals is sufficient to determine that a valid remote control signal, in particular command pulse, has been received. It may also be determined that at least two valid different actuation signals (e.g., at least one valid first actuation signal 32.1 and at least one valid second actuation signal 32.2 or one valid second and one valid third actuation signal 32.2, 32.3) must be received to determine that a valid remote control signal 31e.g., command pulsehas been received.

[0104] Thereafter, the operation associated with the corresponding command pulse is initiated.

[0105] Accordingly, in the intended operation of the building or enclosure closure system 10, a method for remotely actuating an automatic building or enclosure closure 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 is performed, comprising the steps of: [0106] a) transmitting actuation signals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 containing data for authorizing and performing an action of the building or enclosure closure by means of a transmitter by radio, [0107] b) receiving the actuation signals 32.1, 32.2, 32.3 by means of a receiver 20.1, 20.2, 20.3, [0108] c) determining the authorization on the basis of the received data, and [0109] d) controlling the building or enclosure closure 12.1, 12.2, 12.3 to perform the action when authorization is available; [0110] wherein step a) comprises repeatedly alternately performing the steps of: [0111] a1) transmitting a first actuation signal 32.1 on a first frequency using a first modulation within a first transmit time interval 42.1; and [0112] a2) transmitting a second actuation signal 32.2 on a second frequency using a second modulation within a second transmit time interval 42.2, [0113] and wherein step b) comprises repeatedly alternately performing the following steps: [0114] b1) receiving radio signals by the receiver 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 on the first frequency using the first modulation within a first receive time interval 44.1 that is longer than the first transmit time interval 42.1, and [0115] b2) receiving radio signals by the receiver on the second frequency with the second modulation within a second receive time interval 44.2 that is longer than the second transmit time interval 42.2.

[0116] The receivers 20.1-20.3 are equipped with a receiving device 50 and a receiver control unit 52. The receiver control unit 52 is designed as a programmable unit with a correspondingly loaded computer program containing control instructions for performing the steps of the above-mentioned method to be performed by the receiver. The receiver unit 50 is designed to receive radio signals on the first to third frequency bands.

[0117] For further details on possible embodiments of the building or enclosure closure system 10 as well as the building or enclosure closures 12.1-12.3 and their actuators 18.1-18.3 and controls 21.1-21.3, reference is made to the literature [1] to [4].

[0118] In order to enable a higher level of operational and manipulation security in the radio remote control of building or enclosure closures by simple means, the invention provides a method for remote control of an automatic building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), comprising: [0119] a) transmitting actuation signals (32.1-32.3) with authorization data by means of a transmitter (14) by radio, [0120] b) receiving the actuation signals (32.1, 32.2, 32.3) by a receiver, [0121] c) determining the authorization on the basis of the received data, and [0122] d) controlling the building or enclosure closure (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) to perform the action when authorization is available, [0123] wherein in step a) a first actuation signal (32.1) is repeatedly transmitted alternately on a first frequency using a first modulation and a second actuation signal (32.2) is transmitted on a second frequency using a second modulation, and in step b) radio signals are first received on the first frequency using the first modulation over a longer time than the transmission of the first actuation signal and then radio signals are received on the second frequency using the second modulation over a time longer than the transmission of the second actuation signal.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0124] 10 building or enclosure closure system [0125] 12.1 first automatic building or enclosure closure [0126] 12.2 first automatic building or enclosure closure [0127] 12.3 first automatic building or enclosure closure [0128] 14 transmitter [0129] 16 radio remote control transmitter [0130] 16.1 first radio remote control transmitter [0131] 16.2 second radio remote control transmitter [0132] 16.3 third radio remote control transmitter [0133] 16.4 fourth radio remote control transmitter [0134] 18.1 first actuator [0135] 18.2 second actuator [0136] 18.3 third actuator [0137] 20.1 first receiver [0138] 20.2 second receiver [0139] 20.3 third receiver [0140] 21.1 first controller [0141] 21.2 second controller [0142] 21.3 third controller [0143] 22 personal identification device [0144] 24 operator interface [0145] 26 mobile transmitter [0146] 27 transmitter control unit [0147] 28 selection device [0148] 29 transmitter unit [0149] 30 button [0150] 30.1 first button [0151] 30.2 second button [0152] 30.3 third button [0153] 30.4 fourth button [0154] 31 remote control signal [0155] 32 actuation signal [0156] 32.1 first actuation signal [0157] 32.2 second actuation signal [0158] 32.3 third actuation signal [0159] 34 wing [0160] 36 transmit pulse [0161] 38 transmit pulse time [0162] 40 transmit cycle [0163] 41 transmit cycle time [0164] 42.1 first transmit time interval [0165] 42.2 second transmit time interval [0166] 42.3 third transmit time interval [0167] 44.1 first receive time interval [0168] 44.2 second receive time interval [0169] 44.3 third receive time interval [0170] 46.1 first sampling mode (receive cluster for first frequency in first modulation mode, e.g., OOK) [0171] 46.2 second sampling mode (receive cluster for second frequency in second modulation type, e.g., FSK) [0172] 46.3 third sampling mode (receive cluster for third frequency in second modulation type, e.g. FSK) [0173] 48.1 sampling match: first actuation signalfirst sampling mode [0174] 48.2 sampling match: second actuation signalsecond sampling mode [0175] 48.3 sampling match: third actuation signalthird sampling mode [0176] 50 receiving unit [0177] 52 receiver control unit