DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND MONITORING DOMESTIC TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

• US 20100058189A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Viessmann Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Viessmann Werke GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Heinmoller, Gerhard, Battefeld, Lothar, Daffner, Klaus-Josef
• Application Number:
  US12/449,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20100058189A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/735
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23109 Configuration of display device, operator panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23298 Remote load of program, through internet
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25056 Automatic configuration of monitoring, control system as function of operator input, events
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25061 Configuration stored in central database
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25101 Detect connected module, load corresponding parameters, variables into module
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25202 Internet, tcp-ip, web server : see under S05B219-40
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2648 Central heating
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications

Abstract

The invention relates to a device having a network server computer (277) and a controller (276) for controlling a domestic technology device, wherein the network server computer (277) comprises a memory unit (279) for storing at least one website using at least one input means (306-316) for actuating the controller (276), and at least one communication interface (281, 283, 285) for establishing a network connection, via which the website can be retrieved.

In order to enable a transparent and user-friendly control and monitoring of a domestic technology device, the invention provides that the network server computer (277) is integrated at least partially into the controller (276).

Claims

1. A device having a network server computer and a controller for controlling a domestic technology device, wherein the network server computer comprises a memory unit for storing at least one website using at least one input means for actuating the controller, and at least one communication interface for establishing a network connection, via which the website can be retrieved, wherein the network server computer is integrated at least partially into the controller.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a first communication interface for establishing a local network connection and a second communication interface for establishing an internet or telephone connection.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the first communication interface is formed as an Ethernet interface.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a switching element for starting an automatic setup process in which the controller requests the website from a central setup server computer via the second communication interface.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the controller comprises a time detection unit and is configured to start the setup process if a user actuates the switching element at least over a predetermined actuation period.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the controller is provided to transfer at least one subscriber list of a local network to the central setup server computer to start the setup process.

9. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for establishing an internet connection between the setup server computer and a user terminal.

7. A device for controlling and monitoring at least one domestic technology device, in particular a heating installation, comprising:

at least one setup server computer having a memory unit for storing configuration data of the domestic technology device,

characterized in that the setup server computer is configured

to generate at least one configuration parameter for a user interface of the domestic technology device in dependence of the configuration data, and

to transfer the at least one configuration parameter to the domestic technology device via a communication connection.

8. The device according to claim 7, further comprising means for establishing a communication connection between the setup server computer and at least one of the domestic technology devices.

10. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a program configuration unit for configuring the user interface for a domestic technology device in dependence of the configuration data of the domestic technology device.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the setup server computer is configured to install the user interface generated in dependence of the configuration data in the domestic technology device.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the program configuration unit is provided to configure an internet access of the domestic technology device via the communication connection.

13. The device according to claim 7, wherein the communication connection is an internet or mobile telephony communication connection.

14. The device according to claim 7, wherein the setup server computer is configured to generate a form file and to transfer the form file to the user terminal via the internet or mobile telephony communication connection.

15. The device according to claim 10, wherein the setup server computer is provided to receive a form file supplemented by a user via the internet connection and to extract at least one user request characteristic from the form file, the program configuration unit configuring the operating program in dependence of the user request characteristic.

16. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a backup server computer which is configured to take over the function of the setup server computer in case the latter fails.

17. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a monitor computer for monitoring the function of the setup server computer and of a backup server computer.

18. The device according to claim 7, wherein the setup server computer is configured to inquire diagnostic data from the domestic technology device via the communication connection.

19. The device according to claim 7, further comprising a database comprising the memory unit.

20. The device according to claim 7, wherein at least one web server for providing internet forms for inputting configuration data.

21. The device according to claim 7 wherein the setup server computer is configured to transfer at least one website of a user interface available via a network to the domestic technology device via the communication connection.

22. A method for controlling and monitoring at least one domestic technology device, in particular a heating installation, wherein at least one configuration parameter for a user interface of the domestic technology device is generated in dependence of the configuration data of the domestic technology device in a user interface configuration step and the configuration parameter for the user interface is transferred to the domestic technology device via a communication connection in a transfer step,

the user interface configuration step being performed by a setup server computer which

receives identification data of the domestic technology device via an internet connection in an identification step, and

reads the configuration data of the domestic technology device from a memory unit at least partially in dependence of the identification data.