WO2016022018A1

WO2016022018A1 - Universal control system for wireless sensor networks

Info

Publication number: WO2016022018A1
Application number: PCT/MY2015/000056
Authority: WO
Inventors: A/I K. Gannasin THARMAINDRAN
Original assignee: Bnetworks Sdn Bhd
Current assignee: Bnetworks Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2014-08-04
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-04
Also published as: MY188041A; WO2016022018A4

Abstract

The present invention provides a smart home control system comprising a central server subscriber system for storing user profile and protocol handler information. A smart home interface controller controls all the operation of home control system wirelessly coupled to central server system. The Interface controller work with multiple home automation system and provides support for different wireless protocol technology. The system is modularly designed to support multiple technology (Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, Insteon, etc) concurrently by connecting the respective technology dongles to the smart control center. This allows maximum flexibility to users to choose the technology/technologies they wish to have for their premises.

Description

Universal Control System for Wireless Sensor Networks

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to smart home control system. More particularly, relates to system to support multiple wireless communication protocol technology such as Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, insteon, etc concurrently.

Background of the Invention

Conventional home automation control systems are generally constructed using separately purchased, independent components that are put to work together for the needs of a particular installation. In some cases, these components are not even designed to work together, and glue logic is required to put them into an interoperable system. Because of the wide variety of setup possibilities, the interfaces for the commissioning process are so complex that a trained installer or a sophisticated end-user are generally the only ones able to perform these installations.

Conventional home networking problems faced by the buyers/clients such as products are wired type which requires tedious and messy wiring works from control panels to individual sensor points. Only properties under construction are applicable for the wired type of products. Wireless products are based on proprietary technologies which mean the control panel only works with its own sensors. They have range limits and require booster and repeaters to ensure uninterrupted communication. Products which are based on mesh networking technologies such as Zigbee or Zwave only supports either one of the technologies. For those that support both, the Zigbee/ZWave/any other technology enabled chips are embedded Into the main board. This increases the cost of per control panel in totality regardless of the need of buyers to have support of multiple technologies. Generally, they may not have plug-n-play based multiple technology support features.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and system which solve the above- identified problems in home automation systems. The present system presents a novel solution enabling the targeted users to build a technology-neutral smart home the way they like it and it will be an enabler for Internet of Things (!oT) applications.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present inveniton is to provide a method for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology, the method comprising steps of storing in a central server system, by an interface controller, at least one device information associated communication protocols and protocol handlers information, retrieving identification information, by an interface controller comprising one or more ports, about sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting, by an interface controller, the device identification information, to the central server system and receiving, by an interface controller, protocol handler supported by sensor device or module.

An another object of the present invention is to provide a system for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology , the system comprising a central server system and a interface controller wirelessly coupled to the server system, wherein the interface controller is configured to retrieve identification information about one or more sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting the device identification information to the central server system, receiving a protocol handier supported by the sensor device or module A furthermore object of the present invention is to provide a method for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication protocols, the method comprising the steps of loading a newly purchased sensor device or module into an interface controller, searching the sensor device or module identification information into a memory operationally coupled to the controller, it the device information available, the controller is configured to perform one or more following steps of communicating the sensor device or module identification information to a central server system memory and receiving the device description information and protocol handler supported by the sensor device or module. Further if the device information unavailable, the controller is configured to perform at least one step of retrieving the device description information list from the centra) server system, presenting a graphical menu of options for allowing selection of the sensor device or module using the device description information, wherein the options presented on the graphical menu are a function of the information retrieved from the central server system, if the sensor device or module identified, the controller is configured to perform following steps of loading the newly purchased sensor device or module into the device information list in the central server system memory retrieving device information data from the central server system memory comprising description file information and protocol handler and storing description file information and protocol handler in the interface controller memory. The object of the present invention is to provide a product which addresses the others product weaknesses above whereby it is modularty designed with support of multiple technology (Zigbee, Zwave, En Ocean, insteon, etc, etc) concurrently by connecting the respective technology dongles to the present smart control : centre. This allows maximum flexibility to users to choose the technology/technologies they wish to have for their premises.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 illustrates a smart home control system architecture according to an embodiment of present invention.

Figure 2a illustrates a hardware block diagram of customer premise equipment controller according to an embodiment of present invention.

Figure 2b illustrates an firmware architecture illustrating steps performing by different blocks in smart of system according to am embodiment of present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a flow chart processes at the smart controller for adding a new device in smart home control system according to an embodiment of present invention. Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart processes at the smart controller for searching and adding a new end device in smart home control system according to an embodiment of present invention

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying in drawings.

The smart home control system provides solution comprises of Hardware modules, apps as user interface and the centralized subscriber data center (CSDC). The hardware operates on embedded Linux and it is a breakthrough innovation which is designed to be a universal gateway that supports any digital protocols, communication interfaces and multiple wireless sensor network (WSN) technologies. The current hardware system supports Zigbee, ZWave and EnOcean technology based devices. The support for any new wireless sensor technologies such as Insteon, KIM, etc can be easily supported with firmware upgrade (remotely via cloud server).

Figure 1 illustrates a b-wave smart home control system (100) architecture according to an embodiment of present invention. The smart home control system (100) comprises of a central server (102) system, many home system (103) with smart home interface controller (101) router and set of end devices (104). The central server system (102) is cloud storage server, wireless communicates with the smart home b-wave controller (101) installed at customer premise or in a building through cloud (105). The cioud server is a central subscriber system and known as cloud based centralized subscriber database centre (CSDC). The centralized server system (102} comprises three databases (1031 , 1032, 1034). The database (1031) is communication protocol database, stores description of communication protocols information and protocol handlers. The database (1032) is an end device profile database for storing list of descriptions of end devices. It can be XML, JSON or any other "parameter value" format. One file for one type of end device. Each file contains the following information about end device:

• Device ID

• Device name and manufacturer

• Type of device (binary switch, multi-level switch, binary sensor, mufti-level sensor, multimedia provider, multimedia provider, multimedia receiver, HVAC controller)

• Description of device in human language (with several translations)

• Photo of device for easy identification

• Icon of device to be shown in User interface

• List of parameters accepted by device with min-max values

« List of status values provided by device with min-max values and representation formula (for example, formula that translates temperature value from device to human-readable temperature in Ce!sius/Farenhert). Further, the database (1023) stores list of ready-to-use recipes described with script language. Contains some common algorithms like "Turn on system security in Night mode", "Disarm system", Turn on outdoor light during night time each Saturday and Sunday", etc., can also contain iist of receipts created by others users who want to share them with community.

The server databases, communication protocol database (1021). end device profile database (1022) and recipe database (1023) communicates with a server (102) in synchronization and databases content centrally updated with new device descriptions, recipes, protocols.

Smart home router is an interface controller (brain of system) which provides connectivity between multiple home automation system and centra! server subscriber database for supporting multiple wireless communication technologies.

The interface controller comprises several standard ports and interfaces:

• Ethernet to get connected to iocal wired network

• Wi-Fi to get connected to Iocal wireless network

• Several USB slots for USB sticks to support different wireless interface usually used in smart home systems (Zigbee, Z-Wave, EnOcean, insteon, etc.)

The b-wave interface controller or router (101) in two specific modes known as work mode and Configuration mode. Configuration mode is used to setup/change system configuration, add/edit/remove end devices from system, load/create recipes on script language that define system behavior in Work mode. A user can interact with router in both modes (Configuration/Work) through GUI on tablet, home PC, smartphone, etc using an application. These application provides an Intuitive user interface for the tablets and smartphones (both Android & iOS) to access the controller- Figure 2a illustrates a hardware block diagram of customer premise equipment controller according to an embodiment of present Invention. Figure 2b illustrates a firmware architecture illustrating steps performing by different blocks in smart of system according to am embodiment of present invention.

Figure 3 a flow chart processes at the smart controller for adding a new device in smart home control system according to an embodiment of present invention. When new USB stick is attached to router, its ID (VID/PID pair for USB) is translated to the server. Server searches its DB with communication protocols for this ID. When ID is found, its protocol handier is sent back to router to be saved and used locally. Protocol handler defines standard way to talk with wireless protocol implemented on this USB stick and with end devices that are supported by this protocol. This protocol allows 3 types of interfaced abstracted operations: set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status value from end device, set event handler that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in end device.

If new end device has been found during automatic scanning of available devices in Configuration mode, then its ID is translated to the server. Server searches its DB with list of end devices for this ID. When ID is found, its description file is sent back to router to be saved and used locally. Figure 4 illustrates a flow chart processes at the smart controller for searching and adding a new end device in smart home control system according to an embodiment of present invention. According to an embodiment for some types of found devices that have no 10 the manual selection procedure is allowed. In this mode router reads ail files from server and provides them to user as a fist with photos and human-readable description translated to any language. So, user can manually select type of device.

Following are the features of smart home interface controller i) Supports multiple WSN technologies ii) The sensors from different technology within a same network must be able to work concurrently (e.g Zigbee smoke detector, ZWave door contact and En Ocean light on/off module works together) iii) The smart controller (brain of system) can support (i & ii) by means of USB dongles iv) Support to USB dongles in (ii) should not be restricted to any particular predefined USB ports (e.g if the controller has 4 USB ports, user may randomly choose any ports to insert the Zigbee/Zwave/lnsteon dongies) v) The smart controller can be remotely upgraded to support any new technology (Technology X) and users may use the Technology X sensor modules by plug-nplay vi) The smart controller will be linked to a remote (cloud) based central system which will have the complete database of all supported sensor modules or devices (device ID, manufacturer, device type, battery status, device status) from multiple technologies and it will have the precise details of devices linked to any particular smart controller.

Centralized Subscribers Database Centre (CSDC) Software The CSDC will host the centralized software for the following :- i) Each main unit of present system shall have a unique ID/account number. The installer/user should log-in to official product registration site (central software) to key-in their persona! details, product 10 and activate the main unit. ii) The central software should verify the product ID with the manufacturers (BNetworks) genuine product ID before activating it. iii) The central software should then send a log-in details and passwords for users to access their personal portal for settings, sensor layout placement and usage of functions. iv) The central software should activate only the basic Apps by default. Activation of upgraded apps such as Power Meter, Virtual Storage, etc should be upon verification with Subscription list. v) The central software will be integrated/linked with

• Billing system (to verify only paid subscribers services are activated)

• Payment gateway · An online store cart v) The central software will need to suspend subscription of services for users who failed to pay fees within cut-off-date (billing systems). Reconnectlon of services will be done upon payment (with penalties) confirmation (from payment gateways billing system). vii) The central software will need to

• Initiate alt remote firmware/software updates of systems

• Remote periodical back-up of system settings/data/etc

• Remote diagnostic report generation for troubleshooting when users complaints system error · Do a 'health check' on link/connection with each main units and report to subscribers if there is a link failure

Digital Lifestyle Apps

The Apps developed will be an interface for users to manage user's home network wirelessiy from their smart phones, tablets, smart TV or web browsers. They may use their Apps to control, manage and monitor automations points, security sensors, energy consumption, CCTV surveillance and Audio/Video appliances in their homes. The Apps will be available on Google Play market and Apple (OS store.

Real time communication between b-wave and CSDC The CSOC is a very complex backend software solutions developed to integrate user interface devices with control centers worldwide. Anyhow the database will not have any "Interface" to be shown, as they are huge data files containing thousands of coding written for this solution. The following screenshots of the source codes shows/describes exactly our patent description, where every module that we sell or support (ZWave, Zigbee, EnOcean, etc) has description file with all functionality included, so that the present system on user side can easy recognize newly connected modules, and will know how to work with these modules.

The URL (weblink) In the screenshot will host the CSDC server software whereby the middleware will actually match and contain the full details of devices chosen by any user. Which means when a user installs present system in their home and connects any of the Zigbee, ZWave or EnOcean devices, the CSDC or other such commercially available network protocls, it will match the with database lookout table and activate them.

As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the present invention may easily be produced in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The present embodiments is, therefore, to be considered as merely illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

l/WE Claim 1. A method for supporting plurality of wireless sensor network

communication protocols, the method comprising the steps of: storing in a central server system, by an interface controller, at least one device information associated communication protocols and protocol handlers information; retrieving identification information, by an interface controller comprises one or more ports, about device connected to one or more ports; transmitting, by an interface controller, the device identification information, to the central server system; and receiving, by an interface controller, protocol handler supported by device. . The method of claim 1 , wherein the devices connected to the ports are sensor device or module. . The method of claim 2, wherein the automation-devices are a wireless protocol Zigbee, ZWave, Insteon or/and EnOcean supported devices. . The method of claim 1 , wherein controller comprises one or more Ethernet, Wi-Fi and/or USB ports. . The method of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein protocol handier allow user to configure using the interface controller, set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status value from end sensor device or module, set event handier that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in the end sensor device or module.

6. The method of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the controller interface is configured to support two or more automation-device communication standards concurrently. 7. The method of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein a communication protocol standard supported by the controller interface is configured as a function of information retrieved from the central server system of automation-device information.

8. A system for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication technology , the system comprising: a central server system; and an interface controller wlrelessly coupled to the system, wherein the

interface controller configured to retrieve identification information about one or more sensor device or module connected to one or more ports, transmitting the device identification information to the centra! server system, receiving a protocol handler supported by the sensor device or module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the automation-devices are a wireless protocol Zigbee, ZWave, Insteon or/and EnOcean supported devices. 10. The system of claim 8, wherein controller comprises one or more Ethernet, Wi-Fi and/or USB ports. 11. The system of claim 8, wherein protocol handler allow user to configure using the interface controller, set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status vaiue from end sensor device or module, set event handier that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in the end sensor device or moduie. 12. Hie system of claim 8, wherein the controller interface is configured to support two or more automation-device communication standards concurrently. 13. Die system of claim 8, wherein a communication protocol standard supported by the controller interface is configured as a function of information retrieved from the central server system of automation-device information. 14. A method for supporting multiple wireless sensor network communication protocols, the method comprising the steps of: loading a newly purchased sensor device or moduie into an interface controller; searching the sensor device or moduie identification information into a memory operationally coupled to the controller, if the device information available, the controller is configured to perform one or more following steps: communicating the sensor device or moduie identification information to a central server system memory; and receiving the device description information and protocoi handler supported by the sensor device or module; if the device information unavailable, the controller is configured to perform at least one step: retrieving the device description information list from the central server system; presenting a graphical menu of options for allowing selection of the sensor device or module using the device description information, wherein the options presented on the graphical menu are a function of the information retrieved from the central server system, if the sensor device or module identified, the controller is configured to perform following steps: loading the newly purchased sensor device or module into the device

information list in the centra! server system memory; retrieving device information data from the central server system memory comprising description file information and protocol handier, and storing description file information and protocol handler in the interface controller memory.

The method of claim 14, wherein the automation-devices are a wireless protocol Zigbee, ZWave, Snsteon or/and EnOcean supported devices.

The system of claim 14, wherein controller comprises one or more Ethernet, Wi-Fi and/or USB ports. The method of claim 14, wherein protocol handler allow user to configure using the interface controller, set any available parameter to desired value, read any available status value from end sensor device or module, set event handler that should be invoked every time when specified event happened in the end sensor device or module. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller interface is configured to support two or more automation-device communication standards concurrently. The method of claim 14, wherein a communication protocol standard supported by the controller interface is configured as a function of information retrieved from the central server system of automation-device information.