Patent Publication Number: US-2022221183-A1

Title: Intelligent control system for electric curtain

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 110101218, filed on Jan. 13, 2021. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Some references, which may include patents, patent applications and various publications, may be cited and discussed in the description of this disclosure. The citation and/or discussion of such references is provided merely to clarify the description of the present disclosure and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art” to the disclosure described herein. All references cited and discussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and to the same extent as if each reference was individually incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a control system, and more particularly to an intelligent control system for an electric curtain. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     With the advancement of technology and the improvement of living standards, electric smart curtains have emerged in response to demands for smart homes. However, the opening and closing of conventional smart curtains are usually controlled through a remote control. Such a control manner is unimodal and straightforward, and is hardly able to meet requirements for smart homes. Therefore, the smart curtain is used in cooperation with an interior illuminance meter for obtaining interior illuminance through the interior illuminance meter, so as to control the opening and closing of the curtain. However, the smart curtain with the interior illuminance meter only adopts certain lighting points, and can easily be affected by sunlight, light fixtures and nearby lighting, thereby resulting in control instability and other problems. As such, there is still room for improvement in terms of user experience for the conventional smart curtain. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides an intelligent control system for an electric curtain. 
     In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an intelligent control system for an electric curtain, which includes a control apparatus, a monitoring apparatus, a sensing apparatus, a curtain apparatus, a lighting apparatus, and an air conditioning apparatus. The control apparatus is correspondingly coupled to the monitoring apparatus, the sensing apparatus, the curtain apparatus, the lighting apparatus, and the air conditioning apparatus. The monitoring apparatus is able to capture interior images, the sensing apparatus is able to sense exterior illuminance, and the control apparatus is configured to determine an opening degree of the curtain apparatus, illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus, and an air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus by comparing different interior illuminance values, which are obtained from the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus at different levels of interior illuminance, with an exterior illuminance value sensed by the sensing apparatus. 
     In certain embodiments, the monitoring apparatus is a camera coupled to the control apparatus. 
     In certain embodiments, the sensing apparatus includes an exterior illuminance sensor coupled to the control apparatus. 
     In certain embodiments, the sensing apparatus further includes an exterior temperature and humidity sensor, a wind speed and direction detector, a rain gauge, an interior temperature and humidity sensor, and a power detector correspondingly coupled to the control apparatus. 
     In certain embodiments, the control apparatus is configured to obtain a sunlight direction based on the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus in situations where different sunlight shadows are cast according to different sunlight directions, and the control apparatus is configured to obtain position of the sun by obtaining solar coordinates of a current location, so as to determine the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus, and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus based on the sunlight direction and the position of the sun. 
     In certain embodiments, the control apparatus includes a central processing unit, a data storage unit, and a communication unit, and the central processing unit is correspondingly coupled to the application interface, the data storage unit, and the communication unit. 
     In certain embodiments, the application interface includes a graphic analysis interface, and the graphic analysis interface further includes a user setting module, an analysis module, and a storage and output module. The user setting module is configured to enable user settings, the analysis module is configured to perform the graphical analysis, and the storage and output module is configured to store and output analysis results. 
     In certain embodiments, the application interface further includes a human-machine interface, and the human-machine interface further includes a user interface setting module, a control module, and a recording and output module. The user interface setting module is configured to enable interface settings, the control module is configured to perform custom process control, automatic scheduling control, and automatic sun tracking control, and the recording and output module is configured to generate and output records. 
     In certain embodiments, the control module includes a custom process control module, and the custom process control module includes a custom temperature control module configured to perform steps for custom control of temperature. The steps for custom control of temperature include obtaining sensing parameters, calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of exterior temperature and humidity parameters and an average value of interior temperature and humidity parameters, obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of the exterior temperature and humidity parameters with the average value of the interior temperature and humidity parameters, introducing a comfort parameter, and determining the air conditioning setting and the opening degree of the curtain apparatus according to the comparison result and the comfort parameter. 
     In certain embodiments, the control module includes a custom process control module, and the custom process control module includes a custom energy saving control module configured to perform steps for custom control of energy saving. The steps for custom control of energy saving include obtaining sensing parameters, calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of interior temperature and humidity, an average value of exterior temperature and humidity, an average value of interior illuminance, and an average value of exterior illuminance, obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of interior temperature and humidity, the average value of exterior temperature and humidity, the average value of interior illuminance, and the average value of exterior illuminance, and determining the air conditioning setting, the illumination brightness, and the opening degree of the curtain apparatus according to the comparison result. 
     In certain embodiments, the control module includes an automatic scheduling control module configured to perform steps for automatic time scheduling. The steps for automatic time scheduling include obtaining current time, checking scheduled time, and determining the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness, and the air conditioning setting according to the scheduled time. 
     In certain embodiments, the control module includes an automatic sun tracking control module configured to perform steps for automatic tracking of the sun. The steps for the automatic sun tracking control include obtaining a sunlight direction, obtaining solar coordinates, obtaining sensing parameters, calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of exterior illuminance and an average value of interior illuminance, obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of exterior illuminance with the average value of interior illuminance, introducing a comfort parameter, and determining the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness, and the air conditioning setting according to the comparison result and the comfort parameter. 
     Therefore, in the intelligent control system for the electric curtain provided by the present disclosure, by virtue of “the monitoring apparatus being able to capture the interior images, the sensing apparatus being able to sense the exterior illuminance, and the control apparatus being configured to determine the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus, and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus by comparing the different interior illuminance values obtained from the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus at different interior illuminance with the exterior illuminance sensed by the sensing apparatus,” the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus, and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus can be intelligently controlled based on the interior illuminance and the exterior illuminance, so as to achieve an optimal intelligent control and further improve a user experience. 
     These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment taken in conjunction with the following drawings and their captions, although variations and modifications therein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The described embodiments may be better understood by reference to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a system architecture diagram of an intelligent control system for an electric curtain according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an architecture diagram of a monitoring apparatus and a sensing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is an architecture diagram of a curtain apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an architecture diagram of a control apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an architecture diagram of a graphic analysis interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is an architecture diagram of a human-machine interface according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an architecture diagram of a control module according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating custom temperature control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart illustrating custom energy saving control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a flow chart illustrating automatic scheduling control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart illustrating automatic sun tracking control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing one configuration of the intelligent control system for the electric curtain according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Like numbers in the drawings indicate like components throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural reference, and the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on”. Titles or subtitles can be used herein for the convenience of a reader, which shall have no influence on the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms used herein generally have their ordinary meanings in the art. In the case of conflict, the present document, including any definitions given herein, will prevail. The same thing can be expressed in more than one way. Alternative language and synonyms can be used for any term(s) discussed herein, and no special significance is to be placed upon whether a term is elaborated or discussed herein. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the present disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the present disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given herein. Numbering terms such as “first”, “second” or “third” can be used to describe various components, signals or the like, which are for distinguishing one component/signal from another one only, and are not intended to, nor should be construed to impose any substantive limitations on the components, signals or the like. 
     Embodiments 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which is a system architecture diagram of an intelligent control system for an electric curtain of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the intelligent control system for the electric curtain provided by the present disclosure includes a control apparatus  10 , a monitoring apparatus  11 , a sensing apparatus  12 , a curtain apparatus  13 , a lighting apparatus  14 , and an air conditioning apparatus  15 . 
     In the present embodiment, the monitoring apparatus  11  can be or includes a camera, and the camera can be a panoramic camera. In addition, the monitoring apparatus  11  can also be a closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring apparatus. Moreover, the monitoring apparatus  11  is able to capture interior images (e.g., images of an indoor space). 
     In the present embodiment, the sensing apparatus  12  can be or includes an exterior illuminance sensor. Moreover, the sensing apparatus  12  is able to sense exterior illuminance. 
     In the present embodiment, the control apparatus  10  can be a monitoring host, a control device, and a control box, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the control apparatus  10  is correspondingly coupled to the monitoring apparatus  11 , the sensing apparatus  12 , the curtain apparatus  13 , the lighting apparatus  14 , and the air conditioning apparatus  15 . 
     Further, the control apparatus  10  of the present embodiment is configured to determine an opening degree of the curtain apparatus  13 , illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus  14 , and an air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus  15  by comparing different interior illuminance values obtained from the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  at different levels of interior illuminance with the exterior illuminance sensed by the sensing apparatus  12 . 
     Specifically, when the interior illuminance is low, the interior image captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  is a low illumination image. However, when the interior illuminance is high, the interior image captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  is a high illumination image, so that the control apparatus  10  is able to judge the interior illuminance based on the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  at the different levels of interior illuminance, thereby obtaining the different interior illuminance values. To be more specific, the control apparatus  10  is able to judge the interior illuminance based on an overall characteristic or a partial characteristic (e.g., a characteristic of one particular position) of the captured interior image. 
     Moreover, the control apparatus  10  is able to compare the interior illuminance value obtained with an exterior illuminance value. When the exterior illuminance value is low, the control apparatus  10  is able to increase the opening degree of the curtain apparatus  13 . When the exterior illuminance value is high, the control apparatus  10  is able to decrease the opening degree of the curtain apparatus  13 , so that interior apparatus can avoid excessive sunlight exposure. In addition, when the exterior illuminance value is high, the control apparatus  10  is able to turn on the air conditioning apparatus  15  for temperature regulation, and to reduce the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus  14  for energy saving. 
     In addition, the monitoring apparatus  11  is able to captured interior images of shadow changes due to movement of the sun, so that the control apparatus  10  is able to obtain a sunlight direction based on the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  in situations where different sunlight directions cause different sunlight shadows. Furthermore, the control apparatus  10  can have a global positioning system (GPS) positioning function, and is also able to obtain data of solar coordinates of a current location through a built-in database or an internet, so as to obtain a position of the sun that corresponds to the current location. In this way, the control apparatus  10  can further determine the opening degree of the curtain apparatus  13 , the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus  14 , and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus  15  based on the sunlight direction and the position of the sun. For example, the control apparatus  10  can keep leaves of the curtain apparatus  13  and the sunlight direction perpendicular to each other. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the monitoring apparatus  11  can include a camera  111  coupled to the control apparatus  10 , and the camera  111  is able to capture images in a panoramic manner. The monitoring apparatus  11  can be coupled to the control apparatus  10  in a wireless or a wired manner, but is not limited thereto. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the sensing apparatus  12  can include an exterior illuminance sensor  121 , an exterior temperature and humidity sensor  122 , a wind speed and direction detector  123 , a rain gauge  124 , an interior temperature and humidity sensor  125 , and a power detector  126  correspondingly coupled to the control apparatus  10 . The sensing apparatus  12  can be coupled to the control apparatus  10  in a wireless or a wired manner, but is not limited thereto. In addition, a specific configuration and a quantity of each of the sensors/detectors included in the sensing apparatus  12  can be adjusted according to actual requirements. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, which is to be read in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the curtain apparatus  13  can include a curtain body  131  and a curtain control device  132  coupled to the curtain body  131 . The curtain body  131  can be, for example, a venetian blind. The curtain control device  132  can include a master control device  1321 , a power supply device  1322  coupled to the master control device  1321 , a drive device  1323  coupled to the master control device  1321 , and a transmission device  1324  coupled to the master control device  1321 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 4 , the control apparatus  10  can include an application interface  101 , a central processing unit  104 , a data storage unit  105 , and a communication unit  106 . The central processing unit  104  is correspondingly coupled to the application interface  101 , the data storage unit  105 , and the communication unit  106 . Further, the application interface  101  can be an interface formed by integration of hardware and software (such as a liquid crystal display and a touch screen), and can be an interactive interface. In addition, the application interface  101  and buttons thereof can be physical or virtual, and the exemplary embodiments described are only for the purposes of illustration and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. 
     In the present embodiment, the application interface  101  can include or be divided into a graphical analysis interface  102  and a human-machine interface  103 . In an exemplary embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 5 , the graphic analysis interface  102  further includes a user setting module  1021 , an analysis module  1022 , and a storage and output module  1023 . The user setting module  1021  is configured for user settings, such as graphic selection, alarm settings, auxiliary environment scanning settings, and distance correction settings, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The analysis module  1022  is configured to perform graphical analysis, such as identifying the sunlight direction based on the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  in the situations where the different sunlight directions cause the different sunlight shadows, calculating illuminance of an area based on the overall characteristic or the partial characteristic of the interior images, and calculating a distance with respect to an object or of the area based on the overall characteristic or the partial characteristic of the interior images, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The storage and output module  1023  is configured to store and output analysis results, such as storage of alarm images and output of analysis calculations and records, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The modules of the graphic analysis interface  102  described above can be software modules executed by a central processor. In certain embodiments, the modules of the graphic analysis interface  102  can also be hardware modules of an integrated circuit (IC). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, with reference to  FIG. 6 , the human-machine interface  103  further includes a user interface setting module  1031 , a control module  1032 , and a recording and output module  1033 . The user interface setting module  1031  is configured for user interface settings, such as page editing, communication settings, device settings, permission settings, and alarm settings, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The control module  1032  is configured to perform custom process control, automatic scheduling control, and automatic sun tracking control, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The recording and output module  1033  is configured to generate and output records, such as generation of programming records, status records, communication records, and trend records and output of reports, but is not limited thereto and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. The modules of the human-machine interface  103  described above can be software modules executed by the central processor. In certain embodiments, the modules of the human-machine interface  103  can also be hardware modules of the IC. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the control module  1032  includes a custom process control module  10321 , and the custom process control module  10321  further includes a custom temperature control module  103211  and a custom energy saving control module  103212 . The custom temperature control module  103211  is configured to perform steps for custom control of temperature. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the steps for custom control of temperature include: (a) obtaining sensing parameters that can be obtained by each of the sensors/detectors of the sensing apparatus  12 ; (b) calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of exterior temperature and humidity parameters and an average value of interior temperature and humidity parameters, so as to avoid influence of extreme values; (c) obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of exterior temperature and humidity parameter with the average value of interior temperature and humidity parameter; (d) introducing a comfort parameter if the user has set the comfort parameter based on personal preference (e.g., a temperature and humidity value or a light intensity preferred by those with high body temperature or with low body temperature); (e) determining the air conditioning setting and the opening degree of the curtain according to the comparison result and the comfort parameter; and (f) optionally setting to a monitoring cycle. Therefore, through the control apparatus  10  having a custom temperature control function, a personalized temperature control and an optimal temperature control can be achieved. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the custom process control module  10321  can include the custom energy saving control module  103212 . The custom energy saving control module  103212  is configured to perform steps for custom control of energy saving. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the steps for custom control of energy saving include: (a) obtaining sensing parameters that can be obtained by each of the sensors/detectors of the sensing apparatus  12 ; (b) calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of interior temperature and humidity, an average value of exterior temperature and humidity, an average value of interior illuminance, and an average value of exterior illuminance, so as to avoid influence of extreme values; (c) obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of interior temperature and humidity, the average value of exterior temperature and humidity, the average value of interior illuminance, and the average value of exterior illuminance; (d) determining the air conditioning setting, the illumination brightness, and the opening degree of the curtain according to the comparison result; and (e) optionally setting to a monitoring cycle. Therefore, through the control apparatus  10  having a custom energy saving control function, an optimal energy saving control can be achieved. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the control module  1032  also includes an automatic scheduling control module  10322 . The automatic scheduling control module  10322  is configured to perform steps for automatic time scheduling. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the steps for automatic time scheduling include: (a) obtaining current time; (b) checking scheduled time; (c) determining the opening degree of the curtain, the illumination brightness, and the air conditioning setting according to the scheduled time (e.g., morning, noon, night or different time periods of a day); and (d) optionally setting to a monitoring cycle. Therefore, through the control apparatus  10  having an automatic scheduling control function, an optimal scheduling control can be achieved. 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the control module  1032  also includes an automatic sun tracking control module  10323 . The automatic sun tracking control module  10323  is configured to perform steps for automatic tracking the sun. More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the steps for automatic tracking the sun include: (a) obtaining the sunlight direction, which can be identified by the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  in situations of different sunlight shadows; (b) obtaining the solar coordinates, which can be obtained through the database or the internet and can serve as supplementary information; (c) obtaining sensing parameters that can be obtained by each of the sensors/detectors of the sensing apparatus  12 ; (d) calculating an average value of the sensing parameters obtained over a period of time, which includes an average value of exterior illuminance and an average value of interior illuminance, so as to avoid influence of extreme values; (e) obtaining a comparison result by comparing the average value of exterior illuminance with the average value of interior illuminance; (f) introducing a comfort parameter if the user has set the comfort parameter based on personal preference (e.g., a temperature and humidity value or a light intensity preferred by those with high body temperature or with low body temperature); (g) determining the opening degree of the curtain, the illumination brightness, and the air conditioning setting according to the comparison result and the comfort parameter; and (h) optionally setting to a monitoring cycle. Therefore, through the control apparatus  10  having an automatic sun tracking control function, the opening degree of the curtain, the illumination brightness, and the air conditioning setting can be intelligently controlled based on the interior illuminance and the exterior illuminance, so that an optimal intelligent control can be achieved. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 12 , which is a schematic view of an intelligent control system for an electric curtain according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the intelligent control system for the electric curtain exemplarily includes the camera  111  arranged in a room, the exterior illuminance sensor  121  arranged on a window W, the wind speed and direction detector  123  arranged outdoor, the rain gauge  124  arranged outdoor, the interior temperature and humidity sensor  125  arranged in the room, the power detector  126  arranged in the room, the curtain apparatus  13  arranged adjacent to the window W, the lighting apparatus  14  arranged in the room, and the air conditioning apparatus  15  arranged in the room. It should be noted that, the intelligent control system for the electric curtain of the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration shown in  FIG. 12 , and can be adjusted according to the actual requirements. 
     Beneficial Effects of the Embodiments 
     In conclusion, in the intelligent control system for the electric curtain provided by the present disclosure, by virtue of “the monitoring apparatus  11  being able to capture the interior images, the sensing apparatus  12  being able to sense the exterior illuminance, and the control apparatus  10  being configured to determine the opening degree of the curtain apparatus  13 , the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus  14 , and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus  15  by comparing the different interior illuminance values obtained from the interior images captured by the monitoring apparatus  11  at different interior illuminance with the exterior illuminance sensed by the sensing apparatus  12 ,” the opening degree of the curtain apparatus, the illumination brightness of the lighting apparatus, and the air conditioning setting of the air conditioning apparatus can be intelligently controlled based on the interior illuminance and the exterior illuminance, so as to achieve the optimal intelligent control and further improve a user experience. 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. 
     The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosure and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without departing from its spirit and scope.