Patents by Inventor Bernard Grehant
Bernard Grehant has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9122256Abstract: Method of operating a mobile control unit intended to form part of a home-automation installation comprising elements including items of equipment fixed in a building, the elements of the installation communicating over a home-automation network, each element being furnished with an identifier which is specific to it and with an authentication key, termed “common key”, identical for all the elements of the home-automation network and authenticating an element's membership to the home-automation network, characterized in that it comprises:—a step of locating the mobile control unit with respect to a contour containing the elements of the home-automation installation, the mobile unit comprising a means of network linking to the home-automation network,—a step of automatic invalidation of the common key contained in the mobile control unit in the case where the mobile control unit is situated outside the contour.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: SOMFY SASInventors: Pascal Payan, Florent Pellarin, Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 8604736Abstract: Method of operating an actuator (1) for maneuvering a movable element (52), comprising a motor of asynchronous type or of brushless type or comprising a motor associated with a differential brake, and comprising a partially irreversible reduction gear, which comprises a step of establishing a measurement of an operating parameter of the actuator and a step of using this measurement to determine whether the actuator is driving the movable element or whether the actuator is being driven by the movable element, and then a step of implementing first logic for determining an end of travel or an obstacle, or a step of implementing second logic for determining an end of travel or an obstacle, depending on whether the actuator drives the movable element or the actuator is driven by the movable element.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Bernard Grehant, Alain Tranchand, Geoffroy Dumont D'ayot
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Patent number: 8581163Abstract: An automated control method for a solar protection screen (SCR) installation (INST) comprising retroreflecting-type slats (B1, B2, B3) which can be inclined between two extreme inclinations, wherein, in the presence of direct solar radiation, the slats are inclined at a first intermediate inclination, equal to the maximum aperture inclination (AMAX) of the screen relative to a preferred direction, as long as an inclination threshold automatically controlled in relation to the height of the sun (ATH) remains less than the maximum aperture inclination.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Bernard Grehant, Eric Lagarde
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Publication number: 20130225132Abstract: Method of operating a mobile control unit intended to form part of a home-automation installation comprising elements including items of equipment fixed in a building, the elements of the installation communicating over a home-automation network, each element being furnished with an identifier which is specific to it and with an authentication key, termed “common key”, identical for all the elements of the home-automation network and authenticating an element's membership to the home-automation network, characterized in that it comprises:—a step of locating the mobile control unit with respect to a contour containing the elements of the home-automation installation, the mobile unit comprising a means of network linking to the home-automation network,—a step of automatic invalidation of the common key contained in the mobile control unit in the case where the mobile control unit is situated outside the contour.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Inventors: Pascal Payan, Florent Pellarin, Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 7948195Abstract: A method of controlling an electromechanical actuator (ACT) comprising a motor (MOT) for maneuvering a mobile appliance (LD) of a building in a first direction (DIR1) and in a second direction (DIR2) by way of a remote-control unit (RCU) and a unit (MCU) for driving the motor that are placed respectively one upstream of the other on an electrical power line energizing the motor with an alternating voltage, a command to maneuver in the first direction comprising a half-wave rectified signal of positive polarity and a command to maneuver in the second direction comprising a half-wave rectified signal of negative polarity, wherein the maneuver commands furthermore comprise an alternating voltage signal following the half-wave rectified signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Somfy SASInventor: Bernard Grehant
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Publication number: 20100262292Abstract: An automated control method for a solar protection screen (SCR) installation (INST) comprising retroreflecting-type slats (B1, B2, B3) which can be inclined between two extreme inclinations, wherein, in the presence of direct solar radiation, the slats are inclined at a first intermediate inclination, equal to the maximum aperture inclination (AMAX) of the screen relative to a preferred direction, as long as an inclination threshold automatically controlled in relation to the height of the sun (ATH) remains less than the maximum aperture inclination.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Bernard Grehant, Eric Lagarde
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Publication number: 20100231156Abstract: Method of operating an actuator (1) for maneuvering a movable element (52), comprising a motor of asynchronous type or of brushless type or comprising a motor associated with a differential brake, and comprising a partially irreversible reduction gear, which comprises a step of establishing a measurement of an operating parameter of the actuator and a step of using this measurement to determine whether the actuator is driving the movable element or whether the actuator is being driven by the movable element, and then a step of implementing first logic for determining an end of travel or an obstacle, or a step of implementing second logic for determining an end of travel or an obstacle, depending on whether the actuator drives the movable element or the actuator is driven by the movable element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2008Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: Bernard Grehant, Alain Tranchand, Geoffroy Dumont D'Ayot
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Patent number: 7777637Abstract: A method for setting a safety threshold that triggers the sending, by an acceleration or movement sensor device (20), of a safety signal that causes a safety movement of a motorized screen (11) used as a closure or as a sunshade or for privacy, said method comprising the following steps: manual shaking of the screen, recording of a signal produced by a sensor means (33) during the manual shaking step, and determination of the safety threshold from this recording.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Somfy SASInventor: Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 7729807Abstract: A sensor-transmitter (20) intended to be fastened to a mobile structure (11, 13, 14) and to transmit a security signal in a home automation installation (10), comprising, in a casing (22, 23): an autonomous power source (36), a vibration sensor (33), a wireless transmitter (35) and a processing logic unit (34) analyzing the signals obtained from the vibration sensor to decide whether to transmit the security signal by the wireless transmitter, which comprises means (27, 32) of detecting the mechanical state of the casing, the sensor-transmitter being: in an operational state when the casing is closed and fastened to the mobile structure, the transmission of a security signal being enabled in this operational state, and in a disabled state otherwise, the transmission of a security signal being prohibited in this disabled state, whereas the transmission of other signals remains possible, or the transmission of a security signal being enabled in this disabled state, the security signal being disabled by a diType: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Eric André Georges Guillemot, Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 7701160Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for a roller shutter comprising an actuator which is used to move the shutter and which consists of: a motor, an electronic control unit for powering the motor, and a control box which is connected to the electronic unit and which is equipped with at least one control key. The inventive operating method comprises at least one configuration mode, during which values that are associated with specific positions can be recorded. The invention is designed such that a roller shutter movement command only occurs after a key has been pressed during a period of time greater than a first period t1 if the device is not at least partially configured, but the pressing of a control key can be immediately interpreted as a command to move the mobile element if the device is at least partially configured.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Somfy SASInventors: Bernard Grehant, Cyrille Froidure, Valérie Maistre, Paul Violland
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Publication number: 20080290823Abstract: A method of controlling an electromechanical actuator (ACT) comprising a motor (MOT) for maneuvering a mobile appliance (LD) of a building in a first direction (DIR1) and in a second direction (DIR2) by way of a remote-control unit (RCU) and a unit (MCU) for driving the motor that are placed respectively one upstream of the other on an electrical power line energizing the motor with an alternating voltage, a command to maneuver in the first direction comprising a half-wave rectified signal of positive polarity and a command to maneuver in the second direction comprising a half-wave rectified signal of negative polarity, wherein the maneuver commands furthermore comprise an alternating voltage signal following the half-wave rectified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2006Publication date: November 27, 2008Inventor: Bernard Grehant
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Publication number: 20080150717Abstract: A sensor-transmitter (20) intended to be fastened to a mobile structure (11, 13, 14) and to transmit a security signal in a home automation installation (10), comprising, in a casing (22, 23): an autonomous power source (36), a vibration sensor (33), a wireless transmitter (35) and a processing logic unit (34) analyzing the signals obtained from the vibration sensor to decide whether to transmit the security signal by the wireless transmitter, which comprises means (27, 32) of detecting the mechanical state of the casing, the sensor-transmitter being: in an operational state when the casing is closed and fastened to the mobile structure, the transmission of a security signal being enabled in this operational state, and in a disabled state otherwise, the transmission of a security signal being prohibited in this disabled state, whereas the transmission of other signals remains possible, or the transmission of a security signal being enabled in this disabled state, the security signal being disabled by a diType: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Eric Andre Georges Guillemot, Bernard Grehant
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Publication number: 20080150743Abstract: A method for setting a safety threshold that triggers the sending, by an acceleration or movement sensor device (20), of a safety signal that causes a safety movement of a motorised screen (11) used as a closure or as a sunshade or for privacy, said method comprising the following steps: manual shaking of the screen, recording of a signal produced by a sensor means (33) during the manual shaking step, and determination of the safety threshold from this recording.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventor: Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 7391176Abstract: The actuator comprises at least two terminals enabling it to be connected to a voltage source, an electric motor, a control unit) connected to means of powering the motor from the voltage source, the control unit comprising a voltage converter whose output powers a microcontroller driving the means for powering the motor. The control unit comprises a unit for monitoring the power-off time during which the actuator is not connected to the voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Somfy SASInventor: Bernard Grehant
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Publication number: 20070261802Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method for a roller shutter comprising an actuator which is used to move the shutter and which consists of: a motor, an electronic control unit for powering the motor, and a control box which is connected to the electronic unit and which is equipped with at least one control key. The inventive operating method comprises at least one configuration mode, during which values that are associated with specific positions can be recorded. The invention is designed such that a roller shutter movement command only occurs after a key has been pressed during a period of time greater than a first period t1 if the device is not at least partially configured, but the pressing of a control key can be immediately interpreted as a command to move the mobile element if the device is at least partially configured.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2005Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: Bernard Grehant, Cyrille Froidure, Valerie Maistre, Paul Violland
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Publication number: 20050242763Abstract: The method of operating an actuator comprising a motor and an electronic unit controlling the electrical power supply to the motor to provoke the movement of the actuator in a first direction or in a second direction, the actuator being linked to a control module acting on the electronic unit and provided with at least one button controlling the movement of the actuator, is characterized in that a first particular press on the control button causes the electronic unit to switch over to a disabled state in which at least one further press on the button is analyzed but does not give rise to an actuator movement command. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2005Publication date: November 3, 2005Inventors: Bernard Grehant, Cyrille Froidure, Valerie Maistre, Paul Violland
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Publication number: 20050237692Abstract: The actuator comprises at least two terminals enabling it to be connected to a voltage source, an electric motor, a control unit) connected to means of powering the motor from the voltage source, the control unit comprising a voltage converter whose output powers a microcontroller driving the means for powering the motor. The control unit comprises a unit for monitoring the power-off time during which the actuator is not connected to the voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2005Publication date: October 27, 2005Applicant: Somfy SASInventor: Bernard Grehant
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Publication number: 20050116835Abstract: The device for the remote control of an actuator and/or a sensor of a security and/or comfort and/or monitoring installation for a building, includes a processing unit and a command transmitter. Further included is a transfer means to transfer to the processing unit, from the command transmitter, a processing program relating to the operation of the actuator and/or of the sensor, the program being provided and stored in directly executable form. This device makes it possible to update the operation of the actuator easily.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2003Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventor: Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 6750570Abstract: A flux-switching linear motor with at least two phases P1, P2, P3 has a moving rig, two permanent magnets 9, 10 and a switching mechanism. The moving rig 1 has at least two field coils 7. Each field coil 7 surrounds a magnetic armature 8 defining moving magnetic poles. The two permanent magnets 9, 10 are magnetized in opposite directions, transverse to the axis of a guidance stator tube 1. The stator tube 1 has magnetic poles 2 disposed along at least one of its walls so as to be successively facing the moving magnetic poles during the travel of the moving rig. The switching mechanism switches the direction of the current in the coils. The permanent magnets 9, 10 are disposed outside the coils and magnetized along an axis parallel to the axis of the coil. The stator magnetic poles include pieces 2 made of magnetic material fixed in a guidance tube made of amagnetic material.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Metabode Developpement et ConseilInventor: Bernard Grehant
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Patent number: 6417598Abstract: Power circuit for traveling or standing wave piezo-electric motors comprising a series resonant circuit, a switching element (T1) in parallel with the capacitor C of the resonant circuit and a switching element control (O) ensuring the cyclic closure thereof at a frequency close to the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. The power circuit includes a transformer (Tr) whose primary constitutes the inductance of the resonant circuit and whose secondary is linked to the piezo-electric exciter, this transformer exhibiting a small magnetic inductance at the primary. An advantage of this power supply is in particular the almost-zero heating of the switching element and low current consumption.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Metabole Development et ConseilInventor: Bernard Grehant