DATA SERVER SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20130086245A1
• Filed: 10/04/2012
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanergy, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanergy, Inc.
• Inventors: Lu, Jin, Kelly, Todd Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/32 Means for saving power
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3212 Monitoring battery levels, e.g. power saving mode being initiated when battery voltage goes below a certain level
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/14 The load or loads being home appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2807 Exchanging configuration information on appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving network analysis for automatically determining the actual topology of a network H04L41/12; hardware or software tools for network management using graphical user interfaces H04L41/22; address allocation H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/283 Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2836 Protocol conversion between an external network and a home network controlling appliance services of a home automation network from a device located outside the home and the home network H04L12/2818; protocol conversion H04L69/08; adaptation of digital video signals for transport over a specific home network H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/3225 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/222 Demand response systems, e.g. load shedding, peak shaving
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/242 Home appliances

Abstract

A data server system/method allowing cloud data server functionality in a coordinated/concerted fashion within network configurations that are local to and/or spanning network gateway routers is disclosed. The system may utilize a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) augmented with storage media and/or expansion slots to interact within a home automation network (HAN) to permit the local HAN to operate as a distinct network and allow access to locally stored data from remote networks such as the Internet. The system permits inter-networking of HAN devices (including SGPCs) and integration of data management within home automation networks while still providing access to HAN data via external remote networks such as the Internet. The system/method allows remote network access to HAN device data from local/remote access devices including mobile phones, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.

Claims

1. A data server system comprising:

(a) home automation data server (HADS);

(b) network gateway router (NGR); and

(c) home automation network (HAN);

wherein

said HADS further comprises an Applications Interface (AI), Communication Mediator (CM), and Communications Coordinator (CC);

said CC performs a physical-to-virtual device translation between physical devices (PD) present in said HAN to virtual devices (VD) presented to said CM;

said CM maintains a publisher/subscriber association table (PSAT) logically connecting a VD data producer and VD data consumer in said CC;

said CM maintains a virtual device list of the VD in said PSAT that reference said CC;

said HADS further comprises local data storage (LDS) accessible via said AI;

said HADS interfaces said NGR with said HAN;

said NGR connects to an external computer network (ECN); and

said HADS is configured to transfer data from/to devices present in said HAN to/from said ECN through said NGR using the network protocols of said ECN and the physical-to-virtual mapping provided by said CC under control of said CM.

2. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said CC implements a network communication protocol selected from a group consisting of:

WiFi;

BLUETOOTH®

;

ZIGBEE®

;

Z-WAVE®

; and

Power Line Control (PLC).

3. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said HADS further comprises a smart gateway power controller (SGPC).

4. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said HADS further comprises an expansion slot.

5. The data server system of claim 1 wherein the data publisher associated with said VD data producer and the data subscriber associated with said VD data consumer communicate using different communication protocols.

6. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said HADS resides within a subnet of said HAN.

7. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said HADS simultaneously functions as a client to an AP and an AP to devices connected to said HAN.

8. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said AI comprises a software application module selected from a group consisting of:

energy management;

plug-and-play;

network interface;

web server;

TCP/IP; and

data storage.

9. The data server system of claim 1 wherein said AI is configured to allow a user to access said HADS and initiate a supervisory function selected from a group consisting of:

(1) configuring a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(2) monitoring the status of a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(3) reading data from a sensor connected to said HAN;

(4) reading data from said LDS;

(5) storing data on said LDS;

(6) transferring data retrieved from a sensor connected to said HAN to said LDS;

(7) sharing data between said LDS and local data storage connected to another HADS;

(8) reading data from a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(9) storing data to a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(10) sharing data between said LDS and a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(11) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS;

(12) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on the status of a sensor connected to said HAN; and

(13) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on data retrieved from said LDS.

10. The data server system of claim 1 wherein the system clock rate of said HADS is defined by a clock rate generator, said clock rate generator adjusting said system clock rate according to the following states:

(1) a SLEEP state in which said system clock rate is minimized or stopped during periods of system inactivity and only a wakeup clock/timer is active;

(2) a LISTENING state in which said system clock rate is reduced by approximately 75% during periods in which no events have occurred or in which said SLEEP state has expired;

(3) a LOW CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is lowered during non-real-time events; and

(4) a NORMAL CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is nominal during real-time events.

11. A data server method, said method operating in conjunction with a data server system, said system comprising:

(a) home automation data server (HADS);

(b) network gateway router (NGR); and

(c) home automation network (HAN);

wherein

said HADS further comprises an Applications Interface (AI), Communication Mediator (CM), and Communications Coordinator (CC);

said CC performs a physical-to-virtual device translation between physical devices (PD) present in said HAN to virtual devices (VD) presented to said CM;

said CM maintains a publisher/subscriber association table (PSAT) logically connecting a VD data producer and VD data consumer in said CC;

said CM maintains a virtual device list of the VD in said PSAT that reference said CC;

said HADS further comprises local data storage (LDS) accessible via said AI;

said HADS interfaces said NGR with said HAN;

said NGR connects to an external computer network (ECN); and

said HADS is configured to transfer data from/to devices present in said HAN to/from said ECN through said NGR using the network protocols of said ECN and the physical-to-virtual mapping provided by said CC under control of said CM;

wherein said method comprises the steps of;

(1) searching for HA devices connected to said HADS via said HAN;

(2) providing a VD physical-to-virtual translation for said HA device via said CC;

(3) reporting said VD physical-to-virtual translation to said CM;

(4) mapping data publishers to data subscribers within said CM using said VD physical-to-virtual translation;

(5) transferring data from said data publishers to said data subscribers through said HADS using said VD physical-to-virtual translation in said CC; and

(6) proceeding to said step (1).

12. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said CC implements a network communication protocol selected from a group consisting of:

WiFi;

BLUETOOTH®

;

ZIGBEE®

;

Z-WAVE®

; and

Power Line Control (PLC).

13. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said HADS further comprises a smart gateway power controller (SGPC).

14. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said HADS further comprises an expansion slot.

15. The data server method of claim 11 wherein the data publisher associated with said VD data producer and the data subscriber associated with said VD data consumer communicate using different communication protocols.

16. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said HADS resides within a subnet of said HAN.

17. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said HADS simultaneously functions as a client to an AP and an AP to devices connected to said HAN.

18. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said AI comprises a software application module selected from a group consisting of:

energy management;

plug-and-play;

network interface;

web server;

TCP/IP; and

data storage.

19. The data server method of claim 11 wherein said AI is configured to allow a user to access said HADS and initiate a supervisory function selected from a group consisting of:

(1) configuring a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(2) monitoring the status of a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(3) reading data from a sensor connected to said HAN;

(4) reading data from said LDS;

(5) storing data on said LDS;

(6) transferring data retrieved from a sensor connected to said HAN to said LDS;

(7) sharing data between said LDS and local data storage connected to another HADS;

(8) reading data from a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(9) storing data to a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(10) sharing data between said LDS and a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(11) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS;

(12) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on the status of a sensor connected to said HAN; and

(13) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on data retrieved from said LDS.

20. The data server method of claim 11 wherein the system clock rate of said HADS is defined by a clock rate generator, said clock rate generator adjusting said system clock rate according to the following states:

(1) a SLEEP state in which said system clock rate is minimized or stopped during periods of system inactivity and only a wakeup clock/timer is active;

(2) a LISTENING state in which said system clock rate is reduced by approximately 75% during periods in which no events have occurred or in which said SLEEP state has expired;

(3) a LOW CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is lowered during non-real-time events; and

(4) a NORMAL CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is nominal during real-time events.

21. A tangible non-transitory computer usable medium having computer-readable program code means comprising a data server method wherein said method controls a data server system comprising:

(a) home automation data server (HADS);

(b) network gateway router (NGR); and

(c) home automation network (HAN);

wherein

said HADS further comprises an Applications Interface (AI), Communication Mediator (CM), and Communications Coordinator (CC);

said CC performs a physical-to-virtual device translation between physical devices (PD) present in said HAN to virtual devices (VD) presented to said CM;

said CM maintains a publisher/subscriber association table (PSAT) logically connecting a VD data producer and VD data consumer in said CC;

said CM maintains a virtual device list of the VD in said PSAT that reference said CC;

said HADS further comprises local data storage (LDS) accessible via said AI;

said HADS interfaces said NGR with said HAN;

said NGR connects to an external computer network (ECN); and

said HADS is configured to transfer data from/to devices present in said HAN to/from said ECN through said NGR using the network protocols of said ECN and the physical-to-virtual mapping provided by said CC under control of said CM;

wherein said method comprises the steps of;

(1) searching for HA devices connected to said HADS via said HAN;

(2) providing a VD physical-to-virtual translation for said HA device via said CC;

(3) reporting said VD physical-to-virtual translation to said CM;

(4) mapping data publishers to data subscribers within said CM using said VD physical-to-virtual translation;

(5) transferring data from said data publishers to said data subscribers through said HADS using said VD physical-to-virtual translation in said CC; and

(6) proceeding to said step (1).

22. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said CC implements a network communication protocol selected from a group consisting of:

WiFi;

BLUETOOTH®

;

ZIGBEE®

;

Z-WAVE®

; and

Power Line Control (PLC).

23. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said HADS further comprises a smart gateway power controller (SGPC).

24. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said HADS further comprises an expansion slot.

25. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein the data publisher associated with said VD data producer and the data subscriber associated with said VD data consumer communicate using different communication protocols.

26. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said HADS resides within a subnet of said HAN.

27. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said HADS simultaneously functions as a client to an AP and an AP to devices connected to said HAN.

28. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said AI comprises a software application module selected from a group consisting of:

energy management;

plug-and-play;

network interface;

web server;

TCP/IP; and

data storage.

29. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein said AI is configured to allow a user to access said HADS and initiate a supervisory function selected from a group consisting of:

(1) configuring a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(2) monitoring the status of a home automation device connected to said HAN;

(3) reading data from a sensor connected to said HAN;

(4) reading data from said LDS;

(5) storing data on said LDS;

(6) transferring data retrieved from a sensor connected to said HAN to said LDS;

(7) sharing data between said LDS and local data storage connected to another HADS;

(8) reading data from a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(9) storing data to a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(10) sharing data between said LDS and a device present in an expansion slot connected to said HADS;

(11) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS;

(12) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on the status of a sensor connected to said HAN; and

(13) initiating a control action for an actuator controlled by said HADS based on data retrieved from said LDS.

30. The computer usable medium of claim 21 wherein the system clock rate of said HADS is defined by a clock rate generator, said clock rate generator adjusting said system clock rate according to the following states:

(1) a SLEEP state in which said system clock rate is minimized or stopped during periods of system inactivity and only a wakeup clock/timer is active;

(2) a LISTENING state in which said system clock rate is reduced by approximately 75% during periods in which no events have occurred or in which said SLEEP state has expired;

(3) a LOW CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is lowered during non-real-time events; and

(4) a NORMAL CLOCK RATE state in which said system clock rate is nominal during real-time events.