US007746887B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`McFarland
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,746,887 B2
`Jun. 29, 2010
`
`(54) DYNAMIC VALUE REPORTING FOR
`WIRELESS AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Norman R. McFarland,Palantine. IL
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc., Alpharetta, GA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the termofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1112 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/402,743
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Apr. 12, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`5
`(51)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`449
`j
`US 2007/0242688 Al
`Oct. 18, 2007
`.
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`HOAL 12/413
`(52) US. Ch. ecccccceceeeeteeeesercneree 370/455; 370/316
`(58) Field of Classification Search....................... None
`See application file for complete searchhistory.
`
`2003/0174070 AL*
`2005/0078672 Al
`
`9/2003 Garrodetal.
`4/2005 Caliskan
`
`.......... 340/870.07
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Lester Kincaid
`Assistant Examiner—Phuoc Doan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—ThomasJ. Burton
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A wireless automation device monitors a condition and wire-
`lessly reports an event over an automation network in
`response to detecting a changeinthe condition. The condition
`is sampled at a variable periodic interval, and the event
`reported during intervals when a change in the condition is
`determined. The change may be determined according to
`detecting a value for the condition outside a variable range.
`The change may also be determined according to detecting
`differences in the value from values detected in prior inter-
`vals. The range and the periodic interval may vary according
`to an analysis of multiple samples ofthe condition.
`
`21 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Network
`
`104
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`100
`
`D
`
`MLN
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` 112
`
`WBLN
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`Device
`107a
`
`Device
`107b
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`Field Panel
`106a
`
`Field Panel
`106b
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`WEFLN
`
`WFLN
`
`110a
`
`110b
`
`
`
`Controller
`
`108a
`
`Controller
`
`108b
`
`|
`
`Controller
`
`108c
`
`Controller
`
`108e
`
`Sensor
`1094
`
`Actuator
`109b
`
`Controller
`108d
`
`ecobee Exhibit 1001
`ecobee Exhibit 1001
`ecobee v. Ollnova
`ecobee v. Ollnova
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun.29, 2010
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`Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`Network
`
`104
`
`100
`
`D
`
`113
`
`MLN
`
`
`
`WBLN
`
`112
`
`Device
`107a
`
`Device
`107b
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`Field Panel
`106a
`
`Field Panel
`106b
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`WEFLN
`
`WFLN
`
`110a
`
`110b
`
`Controller
`108a
`
`Controller
`108b
`
`Controller
`108c
`
`Controller
`108e
`
`Sensor
`109a
`
`Actuator
`109b
`
`Figure 1
`
`Controller
`108d
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.29, 2010
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`Memory
`226
`
`Programs
`
`Storage
`228
`
`232
`
`Data Input
`Device
`230
`
`Display
`
`Transceiver
`216
`
`Figure 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun.29, 2010
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`Polling
`Interval
`
`Value(V)
`
`336 Polling
`interval
` Transmissions
`
`Interval
`
`Figure 3
`
`TransmissiofI
`
`Time(t)
`
`Figure 4
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 29, 2010
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US7,746,887 B2
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`Device
`507
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`508
`|
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`Processor
`520
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`Figure 5
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`or statistics determined based on prior readings. A statistical
`analysis ofthe measurement may be made, and an appropriate
`control response determined and executed. The measure-
`ment, the change over a prior measurement, and/orthe results
`ota comparisonto a limit and/or range may be made accord-
`ing toa secondperiodic interval. The second periodic interval
`The invention relates to remote monitoring of conditions
`may coincide withthefirst periodic interval.
`and moreparticularly to wirelessly reporting a sensed condi-
`tion over a wireless communication network.
`In an embodiment, a wireless automationdevice includes a
`wireless transceiver, such as a RF transceiver, RF transmitter,
`Automation systems include one or more distributed com-
`and/or RF receiver or other device that wirelessly communi-
`ponents and/or grouping ofcomponentsthat together form an
`cates packets of information over a wireless network. A sen-
`integrated system for automating a process control. The com-
`sor generates a signal based on whether a sensed conditionis
`ponentsinclude controllers, sensors, switches, alarms, actua-
`within a predeterminedrange. In the device, a controller polls
`tors, chillers, fans, humidifiers, and/orair handling units con-
`the sensor at a variable periodic interval to read the signal
`figured to automate process control for heating, ventilation,
`from the sensor. The sensor may be continuously activated, or
`air conditioning (HVAC), environmental air quality, safety
`
`and security, fire, hazard prevention, or other processes fora maybeactivated uponapolling by the controller. The con-
`building orfacility. The devices may communicate informa-
`troller also controls the transceiver to selectively communi-
`tion over a wired network and/or by wirelessly broadcasting
`cate information associated with the signal fromthe sensor.
`information between and among the components.
`The information is transmitted during a variable periodic
`The components may detect events, sense conditions,
`interval for transmitting the information. The information
`respond to detected events or changes in conditions, and/or
`may be transmitted in response a change in a sensed condi-
`control operation ofother devices. An event may be detected
`tion, in responseto a sensed condition being outside a prede-
`by a sensor, which communicates related information to a
`termined range or limit, and/or in response to an externally
`controller. The controller generates control signals, which are
`received control signal. Transmission of information during
`communicated to a device for an appropriate responsive
`an interval may be suspended in response to an externally
`action. For example, a temperature sensor wirelessly broad-
`received control signal. The controller and/or sensor may
`casts a temperature reading to a controller. he controller
`enter a stand-by or sleep mode during times other than the
`reads the information from the sensor and determines
`variable periodic interval.
`whether a responsive control action maybe taken. The con-
`The present invention is defined by the following claims.
`troller communicates a control signal, as appropriate, to an
`Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on
`actuator to control airflow in the room. ‘lhe controller also
`those claims. Further aspects and advantagesofthe invention
`may communicate a feedback orstatus signal to a remote
`are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred
`computer.
`embodiments and maybe later claimed independently or in
`combination.
`Wireless networksare limited by the amountofavailable
`bandwidth over which the devices may communicate. The
`numberofdevices and amountof information communicated
`over a wireless system may be constrained by the available
`bandwidth. Systems having many wireless devices may cre-
`ate a noisy environmentin which data canbelost, dropped or
`not communicated with the targeted recipient. The continu-
`ous monitoring of conditions and broadcast of information
`consumes larges amounts of power, which may shorten a
`limited-lifetime power source. The continuous stream of
`information fromandto devicesuses a great amountprocess-
`ing powerfora controller, and may provide redundantinfor-
`mation that may needto be filtered before being processed.
`Accordingly. there is a need for a system for reducing an
`amountof communication overa wireless automated system
`using dynamic value reporting.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`‘The components inthe figures are not necessarily to scale,
`emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the principles
`of the invention. Moreover, in the figures,
`like reference
`numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the dif-
`ferent views.
`FIG. 1 is an example of a wireless automated system for
`building automation.
`FIG.2 is a diagrammatic representationfora sensordevice.
`FIG,3 illustrates a timing chart illustrating the polling
`interval for a sensor configured for dynamic value reporting.
`FIG.4 illustrates a timing chart for the transmission of
`information for a device configured for dynamicvalue report-
`ing.
`FIG, 5 illustrates sensor device in conununication with a
`controller.
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`DYNAMIC VALUE REPORTING FOR
`WIRELESS AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
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`BACKGROUND
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`BRIEF SUMMARY
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`The described embodiments include methods, processes,
`apparatuses, and systems for reporting information over a
`wireless automation system, and particularly to a wireless
`building automation system. An automated wireless system
`using dynamic value reporting provides for a robust process
`control that minimizes an amount of communications in the
`wireless network. The amountofwirelesstraffic in the system
`may be reduced, and/or the numberof devices communicat-
`ing over a wireless network increased, by minimizing or
`reducing the amountofinformation reported by a sensor.
`Conditions are monitored, or sensed, during a variable
`periodic interval to determine whether a measurementfor the
`condition has changed,
`is above, and/or below a limit or
`within or outside a range. The measurement may also be
`compared to measurements made during priorintervals. and/
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`A wireless automation system configured for or using
`dynamic value reporting communicates data among and
`between devices related to changes in a value of a monitored
`condition and/or measured parameter(e.g., a Wireless sensor
`for monitoring environmental temperature), A wireless auto-
`mation device using dynamic value reporting monitors and
`wirelessly reports building automation information over a
`building automation network formed by multiple distributed
`devices. The distributed devices communicate information
`between and among the devices from a source device to a
`destination device.
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`A device that uses dynamic value reporting senses,
`samples and/or measures a condition during a period of a
`sampling or polling interval. A reading of the condition may
`be takento identify an indicator associated with the current or
`present condition. The indicator of the current or present
`condition maybe read during a current period ofthe sampling
`interval. The current reading of the indicator may be stored
`withprior readings of the indicator in a memory. The current
`readings andprior readings may be stored in memory in order
`in which the readings were read, such as in a stack manner,
`The current reading ofthe indicator also may be compared to
`prior readings of the indicator to determine a change. The
`indicator and/or the change may be compared to a limit or
`range, such as an absolute limit and/or a range for changes
`from one or more previous measured values.
`The device wirelessly receives and transmits information
`over the network. The information may include a current
`indicator of the condition,a valueorstatus for the condition
`and/or sensor, and/or the comparisonofthe indicatorto a limit
`or range, the time or interval sequence numberin which an
`indicator was made,the timeor interval sequence in which an
`indicator is deemed to have changed beyonda limit or outside
`a range and like information. The information is routed as
`packets, such as according to a TCP/IP transmission protocol.
`The information is communicated to destination device, such
`as an actuator, and/or a controller that executes a process
`control such as executing a responsive action, and/or commu-
`nicaling an appropriate control signal. The device may com-
`municate information during a period ofa transmissioninter-
`val. The device may communicate information during a
`transmission, or communication, interval. The information
`inay be communicated in response to a comparisonthat iden-
`tifies a change in the sensed condition, such as a change
`outside a band limit, or a reading ofthe indicator beyond a
`limit. Similarly, a transmission ofinformation may be sus-
`pended for periods of a transmission interval for which no
`changein the indicator has beenidentified. The device may
`enter a sleep mode, or go into a standby mode, between
`periods ofthe transmission and/orpollinginterval. The trans-
`mission and polling intervals, the limits and ranges may be
`changed, varied, regulated, adjusted, extended and/or com-
`pressed according to the measured values and/or comparison
`to the limits.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for an example of a
`wireless automation system 100 configured for and/or using
`dynamic value reporting. The illustrated wireless automation
`system 100 automates a building control process for heating,
`ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) for one or more
`buildings and/or facilities. In an embodiment, the building
`automation system may be an APOGEE™system provided
`by Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. of Buffalo Grove,III.
`The wireless automation system 100 using dynamic value
`reporting may be anyofa variety of other automation sys-
`tems, including air quality systems, industrial control sys-
`tems, security and loss prevention systems, hazard detection
`and/or prevention systems, lighting systems, combinations
`and integrations thereof, and thelike.
`The automation system 100 provides process control func-
`tionality for one or more building,or facility operations. The
`automation system 100 includes one or more devices posi-
`tioned, or distributed, throughout the building. The devices
`generate and/or receive information related to a specific
`event, condition, status, acknowledgement, control, combi-
`nations thereofandthe like. The devices may also respond to
`control commandsand/or execute an instruction received by
`orin asignal. The devices may also communicate orroute the
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`information between and among components of the system
`from a source to a destination.
`‘The automation system 100 shownin FIG.1 is a multi-tier
`architecture having a high-speedor high bandwidth commu-
`nicationslevel that includes aggregate collections of sensor
`and/or actuator data, video or other high bandwidth data or
`long range communications and a level for point-to-point
`communication between devices. The devices may befield
`panels, controllers, sensors, actuators and any other compo-
`nent of an automation system. Control processes are distrib-
`uted to the field panels, controllers, sensors and actuators as
`appropriate forthe particular operations or functionsof the
`device.
`‘The devices ofthe system 100 communicate information,
`data and commands according to an assigned binding asso-
`ciation. That is, devices may be commissioned as an operat-
`ing pair or group according to a binding association. Even
`though devices may be commissioned as an operating pair or
`group, communications between devices may be routed, or
`hopped, via one or more other devices ofthe network. Thatis,
`the communication of information between and among
`devices includes transmitting, routing, and/or information
`hopping using low-power wireless RF communications
`across a network defined by the devices. Multiple paths from
`a source to a destination may exist in the network.
`A sensing device monitors a condition and/orstatus of an
`event. The sensing device may report appropriate sensor
`information, such as a current valueor indicator ofthe con-
`dition, timing ofa reading, prior measurements, status of the
`sensor and/or a comparison of a measured valueto a desired
`limit, range or a previous measurement. Actuators may pro-
`cess sensor information to determine an appropriate action
`for the actuator. Controllers monitor the process or action of
`sensors and actuators, and may override the sensor and/or
`actuators to alter processing based on aregional or larger area
`control process.
`The automation system 100 includes a supervisory control
`system or workstation 102, one or more field panels 106a,
`1066, and one or more controllers 108a-108e. Each controller
`108a-108e, for example, corresponds to anassociated local-
`ized, standard building control subsystem such as a space
`temperature control, air quality control, lighting control, haz-
`ard detection, security, combinations thereof, or the like. The
`controllers 108a-108¢ communicate with one or more sen-
`sors 109a using two-way wireless communication protocol.
`The controllers 108a-108¢ also may communicate informa-
`tion with one or more actuators 1094 using two-waywireless
`communication protocol. For example, sensor 109@ and
`actuator 1094 are commissioned to communicate data and/or
`instructions with the controller 108a. Sensor 109a mayalso
`conununicate informationdirectly with actuator 109using
`two-way wireless communications.
`The controller 108@ provides control functionality ofeach,
`one, or both of the sensor 109a and the actuator 109. Con-
`troller 108a controls a subsystem based on sensed conditions
`and desired set point conditions. The controller 108a controls
`the operation ofone or more actuators in responseto an event
`reported bya sensor 109a. The controller 108a@ may drive the
`one or more actuator to a desired set point.
`The controller 108a is programmedwith the set points and
`a code setting forth instructions that are executed bythe
`controller for controlling the actuators to drive the sensed
`condition to be with the set point. For example, the actuator
`109+is operatively connected to anair conditioning damper
`and sensor 109a may be a room temperature sensor that
`reports informationrelated to a temperature being monitored
`by the sensor. The sensor may report current temperature or a
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`relative temperature change compared to a prior measure-
`ment. If the temperature sensed by the sensor 109a exceeds a
`threshold, the actuator may respond accordingly to open a
`damper. allowing air conditioning to flow into a room. The
`sensor 109a may communicate the sensed condition to the
`actuator 1094 and/orto the controller 108a, which thereafter
`provides an appropriate contro] signal to the actuator 109a.
`Sensor, actuator, and set point information may be shared
`among or commonto, controllers 108a-108e, field panels
`106a-1064, work station 102, and any other components or
`elements that may affect control of the building automation
`system 100. To facilitate sharing of information, groups of
`subsystems such as those coupled to controllers 108a and
`1086 are organized into wireless field (or floor) level net-
`works (“WFLN’s”) and generally interface at least onefield
`panel 106a. Controllers 108c, 108d and 108¢ along with the
`field panel 1064 also may communicate via a low-level
`WELNdata network 1106.
`The WFLNdata networks 110a 1106 are low-level data
`networks that may use any suitable proprietary or open pro- 2
`tocol. The devices forming a WFLN communicate via two-
`wayradio links. Interfaces, routers and bridges are provided
`for implementing the WFLN 110a and 1106. While shown as
`a common busor interconnection structure, the WFLN may
`include multiple or different communicationlinks between
`components with some or no redundancy in any of various
`patterns.
`Anyofa wide variety ofWFLNarchitectures may be used.
`For example. the devices of the WFLN mayutilize a wireless
`MESH technology to form a MESH network. For example,
`the WFLNconfigured as a wireless MESH network include
`multiple nodes that communicate via wireless communica-
`tion links. The MESHnetworkestablishes a grid of nodesthat
`create redundant paths for information flow between and
`among the nodes. In the MESHnetwork, information may
`reach a destination either by a direct point-to-point commu-
`nicationorbyan indirect communication where the informa-
`tion is routed or hops from node to node, among, different
`paths from a source to the destination. The WFLN maybe
`self-forming and/or self-healing. The WFLN also allowsbi-
`directional routing for command and control information.
`Additional, different or fewer networks may be provided. For
`example, a WFI.N may be wired, while other networks may
`be wireless, one or both wireless networks include wired
`components, or the networks maybedistributed among only
`one, three or more levels.
`The WFLN’s 1102 and 1104 operate in accordance with
`distinguishable or the same wireless communications proto-
`cols. For example, the WFLN 110a operates pursuantto the
`802.15.4 communications protocols, but IEEE 802.11x (e.g...
`802.11a 802.11b, 802.1lce .
`.
`. 802.112), Wi-Fi, Wi-Max,
`Bluetooth, ZigBee, Ethernet, proprietary, standard, now
`knownor later developed wireless communication protocols
`may be used. The WFLN 1104 mayoperate using the sameor
`different protocolas the protocol employed by WFLN 110a.
`Any now known orlater developed network and transport
`algorithms maybe used. Communication,transport and rout-
`ing algorithms are provided onthe appropriate devices. Any
`packet size or data format may be used.
`The field panels 106a and 1064 coordinate communication
`of data,
`information and signals between the controllers
`108a-108e and the workstation 102 and network 104. In
`addition, one or more of the field panels 106a and 1065 may
`control devices such as HVAC actuators 107a and 1076. The
`field panels 106a and 1065 accept modification, changes,
`alterations, and the like from the user with respect to objects
`defined by the building automation system 100. The objects
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`are various parameters, contro] and/orset points, port modi-
`fications, terminal definitions, users, date/time data, alarms
`and/or alarmdefinitions, modes, and/or programming of the
`field panelitself, another field panel, and/or anycontrollerin
`communication witha field panel.
`The field panels 106a and 1065 may communicate
`upstream via a Wireless building level network (“WBLN”)
`112 to the workstation 102. The workstation 102 includes one
`or more supervisory computers, central contro! panels or
`combinations thereof. The workstation 102 provides overall
`control and monitoring of the building automation system
`100 and includesa userinterface. The workstation 102 further
`operates as a building control system data server that
`exchanges data with one or more componentsofthe building
`automation system 100. The workstation 102 mayalso allow
`access to the building control system data by other applica-
`tions. The applications are executed on the workstation 102 or
`other supervisory computers that may be communicatively
`coupled via a managementlevel network (MLN) 113.
`The workstation provides user access to components ofthe
`building automation system 100, such asthefield panels 106a
`and 1065, The workstation 102 accepts modifications,
`changes, and alterations to the system. For example, a user
`mayuse the workstation 102 to reprogramset points for a
`subsystemvia a user interface. The user interface may be an
`input device or combination of input devices, such as a key-
`board, voice-activated response system. a mouse orsimilar
`device. The workstation 102 mayaffect or change operations
`ofthe field panels 106a and 106), utilize the data and/or
`instructions fromthe workstation 102, and/or provide control
`of connected devices, such as devices 107a and 1076 and/or
`the controllers 108a and 1084. The ficld panels 106a and
`1064therefore accept the modifications, changes.alterations
`and the like fromthe user.
`The workstation 102 may process data gathered from the
`field panels 106a@ and 1064 and including maintain a log of
`events and conditions. Information and/or data are gathered
`in connection withthe polling. query or otherwise. The work-
`station 102 maintains a database associated with each field
`panel 106a and 1064, controllers 108a-108e, and sensor
`109a, actuator 1094, controller 108d and devices 107a and
`107. The database stores or records operational and configu-
`ration data.
`
`‘The workstation 102 may be communicatively coupled to
`a web server. For example, the workstation 102 may be
`coupled to communicate with a web server via the MLN 113
`through a network 104 such as an Ethernet network, a LAN,
`WLAN,orthe Internet. The workstation 102 uses the MLN
`113 to communicatebuilding control system data to and from
`other elements on the MLN 113. The MLN 113is connected
`to other supervisory computers, servers, or gateways through
`the network 104. For example, the MLN 113 may be coupled
`to a web server 10 communicate with externa] devices and
`other network managers. The MLN 113 may be configured to
`communicate according to known communication protocols
`such as TCP/IP, BACnet, and/or other communication proto-
`cols suitable for sharing large amounts ofdata.
`FIG.2 illustrate a block diagram ofan automation device
`207 for a wireless automation system using dynamic value
`reporting. The automation device 207 provides service func-
`tionality. The automation device 207 may be a function-
`specific device, or configured to provide one or more of a
`variety of functionalities. In an example, the automation
`device 207 monitors a condition or parameter and wirelessly
`reports dynamics in the condition or parameter. The automa-
`tion device 207 may be a sensor that monitors a condition
`and/orevent, such as a building environment. The automation
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`device 207 maybe installed, positioned, and/or located with,
`within, on, or around a building, facility, a plant. factory,
`assembly, edifice, structure, colliery. combinations or por-
`tions thereof or other environment having conditions to be
`monitored.
`The automation device 207 communicates over a network
`which may include other automation devices, data proces-
`sors, desktop computers, a mobile computers, a notebook
`computers, a tablet computers, controllers, personal comput-
`ers, workstations. mainframe computers, servers, personal
`digital assistants (“PDA”), personal communications devices
`suchas a cellular telephone, and like devices configured to
`communicate information over a communication network.
`‘The network may be any known orproprietary network of
`computers, such as a Local Arca Network (LAN), a Wireless
`LAN (WLAN) a Personal Area Network (PAN), Wireless
`PAN (WPAN) anda Virtual Private Network (VPN), combi-
`nations thereofand the like. The automation device 207 may
`communicate according to any knownor proprietary commu-
`nication protocols such as TCP/IP, BACnet, and/or other 2
`communication protocols suitable for sharing large amounts
`ofdata. For example, the automation device 207 is a tempera-
`ture sensorthat monitors and reports informationrelated to a
`temperature in a roomor portion thereof. The sensor 207
`reports information related to the temperature between and
`among devices of a building automation system.
`‘The device 207 includes a processor 214, a transceiver 216,
`and a sensor 209. Additional. different or fewer components
`maybe provided, suchasproviding a plurality ofdifferent or
`the sametypes ofsensors. For example, the device mayalso
`have a memory 226, a storage device 228, a data input device
`230. and a data output 232. A program 234 resides in the
`memory226 and includes one or more sequences ofexecut-
`able code or coded instructions. The program 234 may be
`implemented as computer software,
`firmware including
`object and/or source code, hardware, or a combination of
`software and hardware. The program 234 maybe stored ona
`computer-readable medium,
`(e.g.,
`storage device 228)
`installed on, deployedby, residenton, invoked by and/or used
`by the processor 214. The program 234 is loaded into the
`memory226 from storage device 228. Additionally or alter-
`natively, code may be executed by the controller processor
`214 from the storage device 228. The program 234 may be
`implemented using any knownor proprietary software plat-
`form or frameworks including basic, visual basic, C, C+,
`C++, JZ2EE™, Oracle 9i, XML. API based designs, and like
`software systems.
`The processor 214 implements a control process for the
`device 207. The control process may be implemented based
`on a signal that is read from and/or provided by the sensor 5
`209, such as a measured value ofa parameter, an indicator of
`a sensed condition and/or status of an event. The processor
`214 may be maybe one or more devices including a general
`processor, digital signal processor (DSP), control processor
`unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
`field programmable gate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digital
`circuit, combinations thereof or other now known orlater
`developed devices for implementing a contro] process. The
`processor 214 has a processing poweror capability and asso-
`ciated memory corresponding to the needs of one or more of
`a plurality of different types of sensors 209 and transceiver
`216. The processor 214 implements a control process algo-
`rithmspecific to the sensor 209. Other control processes may
`be stored but unused dueto a specific configuration.
`The processor 214 executes one or more sequences of
`instructions ofthe program234to process data. Data and/or
`instructions may be preprogrammed to the device 207 and or
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`40
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`64"
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`8
`provide to the device 207 using the data input device 230.
`Data and/or instructions may also be received via the trans-
`ceiver 216. The processor 214 interfaces data input device
`230 and/or the transceiver 216 to receive data and instruc-
`tions. The processor 214 mayalsointerface the storage device
`228 for storage and retrieval of data. Data processed by the
`processor 214 maybe stored in and retrieved from instorage
`device 228, conununicated via the transceiver 216, and/or
`presented via data output device 232. The data output device
`232 may be a display, monitor, a printer, a communications
`port, an array oflights, combinations thereofandthelike. lor
`example, the processor maycontrola light array of the output
`device 232 to indicate an operation status, or read datastatus,
`a transmit status and the like. ‘Thelight array may beinternal
`to an enclosure for the device, and/or externally visible.
`Thetransceiver 216is a receiver, transmitter, combination
`receiver/transmitter, wireless communication port, wireless
`communication device, wireless modem and like device
`capable of wirelessly receiving, communicating, transmit-
`ting, and/or broadcasting information. In an embodiment, the
`transceiver 216 may receive and transmit control information
`from other components or devices. The information may be
`contro] informationto alter the implemented controlprocess.
`The transceiver 216 wirelessly communicates information
`using one or a combination ofone-way and/or two-way wire-
`less communications, The information may be communi-
`cated using radio frequency (RF), infra-red (IR), ultra-sound
`communication. cellular radio-telephone communications, a
`wireless telephone, a Personal Communication Systems
`(PCS) and like wireless communication technologies. The
`transceiver 216 communicate information as packetsof infor-
`mation according to one or more communications protocols
`or standards, including IEEE 802.1 1(x), 802.16, Wi-Fi, Wi-
`Max, ZigBee, Bluetooth, Voice Over Internet Protocol
`(VoIP). The transceiver 216 also or alternatively communi-
`cates information and/or packets of information in accor-
`dance with known andproprietary network protocols such as
`TCP/IP, Ethernet and like protocols over a Personal Area
`Network (PAN), Wireless PAN (WPAN),virtualprivate net-
`work (VPN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)and like
`networks. The transceiver may also include an interrogator
`that wirelessly transmits signals to interrogate components of
`a building automation system. The transceiver also may
`receive a wirelessly transmitted interrogation signal from one
`or more other components.
`The sensor 209 may include a device or a collection of
`devicesthat sense conditions, parameters and/or events such
`as an environmental condition in a building. The sensor 209
`generates information or data related to the sensed or moni-
`tored condition. The information may be provided an output
`as one or moresignals that may be read by the processor 214.
`The information may be generated in responseto a physical
`stimulus such as light. sound, pressure, heat, magnetism,
`motion and/or acceleration. The physical stimulus may be
`detected as the result of sensing or monitoring the conditions
`or parameters. The may be provided as an indicator ofthe
`sensed condition, parameter or event.
`In an example, the
`sensor 209 is configured as any of a temperature sensor,
`humidity sensor, fire sensor, pressure sensor, smoke sensor,
`occupancy sensor, air quality sensor, gas sensor, O,, CO, or
`CO sensor, accelerometer, velocity sensor, combinations
`thereof, or other now knownorlater developed sensors. The
`sensor 209 may be a micro-electro-mechanical sensors
`(“MEMS”)or larger sensors for sensing any condition or
`parameter.
`The sensor 209 is responsive to the processor 214 and/or
`logic executed by the processor 214. A signal generated by the
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`US 7,746,887 B2
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`9
`sensor 209 may be an indicator of the sensed condition. The
`signal may be provided to or read by the processor as one or
`more electrical, electromagnetic, electrochemical, and/or
`radio frequency signals. The signal may be characterized as
`animpulse signal,