Service tool for wireless automation systems

• US 20070232288A1
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Raimo, Jeff, Nass, Goeffrey, McFarland, Norman
• Application Number:
  US11/394,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232288A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks

Abstract

A service tool accesses a building automation system to configure and confirm design of an installation, monitor and optimize functionality, commission communication protocols, diagnose, analyze and troubleshoot problems, analyze communications between components, adjust and/or reconfigure parameters, monitor, analyze and debug a building automation system, its components, and the like. The service tool provides a man-machine interface to the building automation system and its components by communicating directly and/or indirectly with the system and its components. The interface displays information about the system, its components. The wireless service tool may operate in multiple modes and/or provide multiple functionality.

Claims

1. A service tool to monitor a wireless automation system having a plurality of devices distributed throughout a building, the service tool comprising:

a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate information with devices of the automation system; and

a processor configured to control the wireless transceiver in accordance with user instructions to communicate with at least one device of the wireless automation system.

2. The service tool of claim 1 further comprising an output device configured to display a report of a communication with the at least one device of the wireless automation system.

3. The service tool of claim 2 where the report comprises diagnostic information of the at least one device.

4. The service tool of claim 2 where the processor and transceiver comprise a unitary part of the service tool.

5. The service tool of claim 1 where the processor controls the wireless transceiver to communicate with a plurality of the devices of the wireless automation system.

6. The service tool of claim 1 where the processor controls the wireless transceiver to scan the communications among a plurality of the devices of the wireless automation system.

7. The service tool of claim 1 where the processor controls the wireless transceiver to read a program for a device of the automation system, the program including code executed by the device to carry out a control operation according to a control algorithm for the device.

8. The service tool of claim 7 where the processor controls the wireless transceiver to wirelessly reprogram the device of the automation system.

9. The service tool of claim 1 where the devices of the automation system are configured to control heating, ventilation and air conditioning functions for at least a portion of a building according to a control algorithm.

10. The service tool of claim 9 where the service tool receives information from at least one device of the wireless automation system associated with a system event.

11. The service tool of claim 9 further comprising a user interface having a display to present information about a communication with the at least one device of the wireless automation system and to receive instructions for controlling a communication with the at least one device.

12. A service tool for a distributed wireless automation system having a plurality of devices configured to wirelessly communicate control information over a network, the service tool comprising:

means for querying devices of the wireless automation system; and

means for receiving information in response to a query of a wireless automation system; and

means for generating a report of the information received in response to the query;

means for displaying the report.

13. The service tool of claim 12, further comprising means for identifying communication properties of at least one device of the wireless automation system.

14. The service tool of claim 12, further comprising means for debugging a communication for at least one device of the wireless automation system.

15. The service tool of claim 14, further comprising means for wirelessly assigning network protocol to the at least one device of the wireless automation system.

16. The service tool of claim 12 further comprising means for displaying user input options.

17. The service tool of claim 12 further comprising means for wirelessly configuring network communication protocol among the devices of the automation system.

18. The service tool of claim 12 where the automation system comprises a building automation system.

19. A method for wirelessly servicing a wireless building automation system, the method comprising:

receiving a user service command;

wirelessly communicating, in response to the user service command, with at least one of a plurality of devices of the building automation system using a mobile transceiver;

determining communication information for the wireless building automation system using the communication; and

generating a report of the wireless communication information.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

recording location specific information related to the wireless building automation system as the transceiver changes locations within a building environment.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising displaying a real-time graphical representation illustrating a current position of the mobile transceiver with respect to the building environment while the transceiver changes locations within a building environment.